Romans 11:17-18, Boast Not Against the Branches

Romans 11:17-18 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; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

The Apostle Paul uses a gardening metaphor commonly known as marcotting to describe how Gentiles are given the privileges to enjoy the promises of God to Israel through the gospel. The wild olive branch receives life when it is attached back to the main branch by an “artificial bandage” to partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree, symbolic of Israel.

The Gentiles has nothing to boast about because they can now trace their rich spiritual heritage back to Israel’s founding father Abraham, a physical ancestry that is not theirs but made effectual spiritually through Jesus Christ. They owe their spiritual heritage to that first Jew. As such, the Gentile believers need to accord due honour to the Jews because of their special blessing as God’s chosen nation.

Truly, the privilege to be God’s children through Jesus Christ is God’s special blessing to us. By way of application, believers must not forget those who first taught us the truth, nurtured us in the faith. Before they come to the faith, we were wandering in darkness. Had God not been merciful to use others to bring us His Word, we would not have been spiritually where we are today. Hence, may we not cease to be grateful for God’s mercy upon us. May we be a blessing to someone whom we can bless spiritually by our time and prayer. Amen.