Rom 11:17-21 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rom 11:17-24: 11:17-24 In Paul’s extended metaphor, God’s special olive tree refers to the people of God. The image is a natural one, because the olive tree is the most widely cultivated fruit tree in the Mediterranean basin, and it was already used as a symbol of Israel in the Old Testament (Jer 11:16 ; Hos 14:5-6 ). Paul refers to the Gentile Christians as branches from a wild olive tree because they were not originally included among the people of God.

a11:17-24►

bJer 11:16►

cHos 14:5-6►

d11:18►

e11:20►

f2 Cor 5:11►

g7:1►

h11►

i15►

jPhil 2:12►

kCol 3:22►

‏ Romans 11:17-21

Summary for Rom 11:17-24: 11:17-24 ^a In Paul’s extended metaphor, God’s special olive tree refers to the people of God. The image is a natural one, because the olive tree is the most widely cultivated fruit tree in the Mediterranean basin, and it was already used as a symbol of Israel in the Old Testament (Jer 11:16 ^b; Hos 14:5-6 ^c). Paul refers to the Gentile Christians as branches from a wild olive tree because they were not originally included among the people of God.
11:18 ^d You are just a branch, not the root: By the time Paul wrote to the church in Rome, it was composed mainly of Gentiles, a common situation in the early Christian communities. This dominant role led many Gentile Christians to brag about their status, while treating Jews and their religious heritage with disdain. Paul reminds the Gentile believers that they enjoy God’s blessings only because they have been included in the one people of God, who are rooted in God’s promises to Israel.
11:20 ^e fear what could happen: In Scripture, fear often means a reverential awe of God that includes the recognition that we must one day stand before him in judgment (see 2 Cor 5:11 ^f; 7:1 ^g, 11 ^h, 15 ⁱ; Phil 2:12 ^j; Col 3:22 ^k).