


Romans 11:24
Bible Versions
For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?
For {G1063} if {G1487} thou {G4771} wert cut {G1581} out of {G1537} the olive tree which is wild {G65} by {G2596} nature {G5449}, and {G2532} wert graffed {G1461} contrary to {G3844} nature {G5449} into {G1519} a good olive tree {G2565}: how much {G4214} more {G3123} shall these {G3778}, which be the natural {G2596}{G5449} branches, be graffed into {G1461} their own {G2398} olive tree {G1636}?
For if you were cut out of what is by nature a wild olive tree and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree!
For if you were cut from a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into one that is cultivated, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
For if thou wast cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
-
Romans 11:17
And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; -
Romans 11:18
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. -
Romans 11:30
For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Romans 11:24 is a pivotal verse within Paul's profound discussion on God's ongoing plan for both Israel and the Gentiles. It concludes an extended metaphor of an olive tree, emphasizing God's sovereign grace and faithfulness.
Context: The Olive Tree Analogy
In Romans chapters 9-11, Paul grapples with the question of Israel's rejection of Jesus as Messiah and God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. After establishing that God has not completely cast off Israel (Romans 11:1-10), he introduces the vivid analogy of the cultivated olive tree in Romans 11:17-23. In this metaphor:
Verse 24 specifically states that if Gentiles, who were "wild by nature" and outside the covenant, could be "graffed contrary to nature" into the good olive tree by God's grace, how much more certain is it that the "natural branches" (Israel) will be "graffed into their own olive tree" when they turn to faith?
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "contrary to nature" (Greek: para phusin) is crucial. In horticulture, one typically grafts a cultivated branch onto a wild stock for hardiness. Paul reverses this to emphasize the extraordinary, supernatural act of God in bringing the Gentiles into the covenant. It highlights that their inclusion was not according to natural lineage or expectation but by divine intervention and grace.
Practical Application
Romans 11:24 reminds believers today of several important truths:
The message of Romans 11:24 is one of hope, demonstrating God's expansive love and His ultimate purpose to gather all His chosen people, both Jew and Gentile, into His eternal kingdom.