Gentiles Grafted In and a Warning Against Boasting
Romans 11:11-24
Rom.11.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- μη: PART
- επταισαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ινα: CONJ
- πεσωσιν: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
- μη: PART
- γενοιτο·αλλα: VERB,aor,mid,opt,3,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- παραπτωματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- σωτηρια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- εθνεσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- παραζηλωσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 32:21 (quotation): Paul echoes God’s statement in Deut. 32:21 about provoking Israel to jealousy by those who are ‘no people’—the underpinning OT background for salvation coming to the Gentiles.
- Romans 10:19 (verbal): Paul elsewhere cites the Deut. passage (Rom. 10:19) to explain the same dynamic—God using the inclusion of Gentiles to provoke Jewish response; Rom 11:11 continues that argument.
- Isaiah 49:6 (thematic): Isaiah’s servant-mission announces that Israel’s light will reach the nations—a prophetic precedent for salvation coming to the Gentiles in Paul’s argument.
- Hosea 2:23 (or Hosea 1:10) (allusion): Hosea’s promise that ‘not my people’ will be called ‘my people’ parallels the theme of Gentile inclusion and eventual restoration/jealousy of Israel in Paul’s logic.
- Acts 13:46–47 (thematic): In Paul’s mission history he explicitly turns to the Gentiles so that they might hear salvation (citing Isaiah) — a concrete enactment of the principle stated in Rom 11:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall? By no means! Rather, through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.
- I ask then: have they stumbled so as to fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.
Rom.11.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- παραπτωμα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- πλουτος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ηττημα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- πλουτος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εθνων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- ποσω: ADV
- μαλλον: ADV
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πληρωμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Romans 11:15 (verbal): Uses parallel logic and language: if their rejection/reconciliation brings life/reconciliation to the world, how much more will their acceptance/being made alive be — closely parallels the contrast of loss → riches and the question about their fullness.
- Romans 11:25 (verbal): Speaks of the 'fullness of the Gentiles' (πλήρωμα), linking the idea of a present partial hardening of Israel to a future full restoration — directly echoes the 'fullness' language of 11:12.
- Romans 11:11 (thematic): Argues that Israel's stumbling has resulted in salvation/benefit for the Gentiles; 11:12 restates this idea in terms of 'riches' and poses the rhetorical question about greater consequences when Israel is restored.
- Romans 11:17 (structural): The olive-tree/grafting analogy shows Gentile enrichment at the expense of broken-off Israelite branches and anticipates the possibility of natural branches being grafted back in — thematically supports the claim that Israel's loss has enriched the nations and points toward their future fullness.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean?
- Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness bring?
Rom.11.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- δε: CONJ
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- εθνεσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- εφ᾽οσον: CONJ
- μεν: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- εθνων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- αποστολος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- διακονιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- δοξαζω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Acts 9:15 (quotation): God tells Ananias that Paul is a 'chosen instrument' to carry Jesus' name before the Gentiles—an early declaration of Paul's role as apostle to the Gentiles, paralleling Paul's self-description in Rom 11:13.
- Acts 22:21 (quotation): Paul recounts the Lord's command 'I will send you far away to the Gentiles,' directly linking his mission to the Gentiles with his apostleship mentioned in Rom 11:13.
- Galatians 2:7 (verbal): Paul states he was 'entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised (Gentiles),' a verbal parallel to his claim in Romans of being 'an apostle to the Gentiles.'
- Galatians 2:8-9 (thematic): Paul explains that other apostles recognized his specific ministry to the Gentiles—theme of apostolic commission to the nations that underlies Rom 11:13.
- Romans 15:16 (verbal): Paul describes his service to the Gentiles as a 'minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles' and a priestly offering of the gospel, echoing Rom 11:13's focus on his ministry to the nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- I am speaking to you Gentiles. In view of my apostleship to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
- I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
Rom.11.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- πως: ADV
- παραζηλωσω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- σαρκα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- σωσω: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,sg
- τινας: PRON,acc,pl,m
- εξ: PREP
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Rom.10.1 (thematic): Paul's 'heart's desire and prayer' that Israel be saved expresses the same pastoral longing and objective as 'that I might save some of them.'
- Rom.11.11 (structural): Immediate context: Gentile inclusion and the stumbling of Israel aim to provoke Jews to jealousy—11:14 picks up this strategy and states the personal intent to provoke and save some.
- 1 Cor.9.22 (verbal): Paul's formula of adapting to others 'that I might save some' (σῶσαι τινάς) echoes the same verbal aim and missionary tactic found in Rom.11:14.
- Rom.9.3 (thematic): Paul's willingness to be accursed for his kinsmen shows the intensity of his desire for Israel's salvation, a motive behind his plea to provoke and 'save some.'
- Acts 18.6 (structural): After Jewish rejection Paul turns to the Gentiles—a ministry pattern that, like Rom.11:14, results from and serves the purpose of pressing Israel toward salvation (provoking jealousy).
Alternative generated candidates
- that I might by any means provoke my fellow Israelites to jealousy and thus save some of them.
- if somehow I might provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them.
Rom.11.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- γαρ: PART
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- αποβολη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- καταλλαγη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- προσλημψις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- ζωη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εκ: PREP
- νεκρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Rom.11.12 (structural): Immediate context: Paul contrasts Israel's transgression/rejection with the resulting riches for the world, forming the argumentative link that culminates in 11:15's claim about reconciliation and 'life from the dead.'
- Eph.2.16 (thematic): Speaks of Jews and Gentiles being reconciled to God 'in one body through the cross,' paralleling Paul's theme that Israel's rejection has led to reconciliation between God and the Gentile world.
- Col.1.20-22 (thematic): Describes cosmic reconciliation 'to himself' through Christ's death and the presentation of believers blameless—parallels the idea that Christ's work effects reconciliation of the world.
- Rom.6.4-5 (verbal): Uses resurrection imagery (buried with Christ, newness of life) that echoes Paul's 'life from the dead' language, linking God's saving action with life coming from death.
- Isa.49.6 (allusion): Prophetic foundation for Gentile inclusion—God's servant is to be 'a light for the nations'—which Paul reinterprets: Israel's partial hardening enables salvation to reach the Gentile world.
Alternative generated candidates
- For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
- For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
Rom.11.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- απαρχη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αγια: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- φυραμα·και: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ριζα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αγια: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- κλαδοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Leviticus 23:10-11 (verbal): OT law requiring the offering of the 'firstfruits' (aparchē); Paul's wording echoes this cultic term and its implication that the first portion is holy and representative of the whole.
- Deuteronomy 26:1-10 (thematic): Deuteronomy's description of bringing firstfruits as a representative offering and confession of God's provision provides the thematic background for understanding how the first portion consecrates the remainder.
- 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 (thematic): Paul calls Christ the 'firstfruits' of those raised (using the same term), applying the logic of a consecrating first example to Christ and the subsequent resurrection of believers.
- Isaiah 11:1 (allusion): Uses root/stump and shoot imagery (a shoot from the stump of Jesse); parallels the root/branches motif in Rom 11:16 where a holy root produces holy branches.
- Romans 11:17-24 (structural): Immediate context: Paul develops the olive-tree metaphor (root and branches) to explain how the root's holiness relates to grafted branches (Gentile inclusion and the status of Israel).
Alternative generated candidates
- If the firstfruits are holy, so is the whole batch; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
- If the firstfruit is holy, the lump is holy also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.
Rom.11.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ει: PART
- δε: CONJ
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- κλαδων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- εξεκλασθησαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- δε: CONJ
- αγριελαιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- ενεκεντρισθης: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,sg
- εν: PREP
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- και: CONJ
- συγκοινωνος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ριζης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- πιοτητος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ελαιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εγενου: VERB,aor,mid,imp,2,sg
Parallels
- Rom.11:24 (verbal): Immediate parallel in Paul’s argument: repeats the grafting image (branches broken off, wild olive shoot grafted in) and develops the same warning and hope.
- John 15:1-8 (thematic): Jesus’ vine-and-branches metaphor: believers abide in the vine/stock to share life and fruitfulness—parallel theme of connection to a living root as source of life.
- Psalm 52:8 (thematic): Uses olive-tree imagery (‘I am like a green olive tree in the house of God’) to express flourishing because of rootedness—echoes Paul’s image of sharing the rich root of the olive.
- Gal.3:29 (thematic): Paulic theme of Gentile inclusion into the family/line of Abraham (covenantal root); conceptually parallels Gentiles being grafted into Israel’s root and share its promises.
- Eph.2:19-22 (structural): Describes Gentiles being built into God’s household and joined to the apostles’ prophetic foundation—structurally analogous to being incorporated into Israel’s root through grafting.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them and have become sharers of the rich root of the olive tree,
- But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them and became a sharer with them of the root and richness of the olive tree,
Rom.11.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μη: PART
- κατακαυχω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- κλαδων·ει: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- κατακαυχασαι: VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,sg
- ου: PART,neg
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ριζαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- βασταζεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- αλλα: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ριζα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
Parallels
- Romans 11:17 (verbal): Immediate context: Paul develops the olive-tree grafting image—'you were grafted in among them' and speaks of the 'root' that supports the branches, directly echoing the wording and metaphor.
- Romans 11:20 (verbal): Close parallel warning: Paul repeats the admonition not to be arrogant/boastful and explains why (they were broken off because of unbelief; you stand by faith), reinforcing the same theological point as v.18.
- John 15:5 (thematic): Jesus' vine-and-branches metaphor (the branch's dependence on the vine) parallels Paul's root/branches image—both stress the dependence of believers on the life-giving source rather than their own boastful status.
- Ephesians 2:19-22 (thematic): Paulic theme of Gentile inclusion into the one household/temple of God built on the foundation/cornerstone (Christ)—like Rom 11, it emphasizes that Gentile status is by incorporation into God's people and calls for humility before the root/foundation.
- Galatians 3:29 (thematic): The idea that Gentile believers are 'Abraham's seed' and heirs of the promise resonates with Rom 11's concern about Gentile boasting over natural Israel—membership is by God's promise/faith, not grounds for arrogant exclusion.
Alternative generated candidates
- do not boast over the branches. If you boast, remember—you do not support the root; the root supports you.
- do not boast against the branches. If you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.
Rom.11.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ερεις: VERB,fut,act,ind,2,sg
- ουν·Εξεκλασθησαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
- κλαδοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ινα: CONJ
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- εγκεντρισθω: VERB,aor,pass,sub,1,sg
Parallels
- Rom.11:17 (verbal): Immediate context: Paul uses the olive-tree image—some branches were broken off (natural branches) and others grafted in (wild branches), echoing the same vocabulary and metaphor.
- Rom.11:20 (verbal): Continues the same argument: the branches were broken off because of unbelief, explaining why grafting occurs; closely parallels the claim that branches were broken off so that others might be grafted in.
- Rom.11:24 (verbal): Paul explicitly describes the grafting image—how Gentile believers were grafted into the olive tree—reiterating and developing the idea introduced in 11:19.
- John 15:4-5 (thematic): Jesus' vine-and-branches teaching parallels the organic imagery of connection, dependence, and pruning/grafting: branches abide in the vine to bear fruit, a related metaphor for inclusion and life in Christ.
- Psalm 80:8-11 (thematic): Israel portrayed as a vine brought out of Egypt and planted by God; this planting/transplant imagery provides Old Testament background for Paul's olive-tree/grafting metaphor about Israel and the nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in."
- You will say then, 'Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.'
Rom.11.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- καλως·τη: ADV
- απιστια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εξεκλασθησαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- δε: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- πιστει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εστηκας: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- υψηλα: ADV
- φρονει: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- αλλα: CONJ
- φοβου·: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,sg
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 10:12 (verbal): Direct verbal parallel warning: 'Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall,' echoing Paul's 'do not be high-minded... but fear.'
- Romans 11:21 (structural): Immediate structural parallel/continuation—explains the consequence of being broken off for unbelief and warns that God will not spare those who are proud.
- Romans 11:18 (structural): Close intra‑chapter parallel: earlier admonition against boasting over the natural branches, thematically linked to the warning against pride here.
- Hebrews 3:12–13 (thematic): Shared theme of unbelief leading to falling away: a sober exhortation to beware an unbelieving heart that causes exclusion from life with God.
- James 4:6 (thematic): Complementary teaching about pride and humility—'God opposes the proud' resonates with Paul's injunction 'do not be high‑minded, but fear.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Granted. They were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be proud, but stand in awe.
- True; they were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be conceited, but stand in fear.
Rom.11.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- γαρ: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- κατα: PREP
- φυσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- κλαδων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εφεισατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- φεισεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Rom.11.20 (structural): Immediate context: Paul contrasts the 'natural branches' with the grafted branches and warns that if the natural branches were not spared, the same judgment (not being 'spared') can fall on the grafted — continuation of the same argument.
- Rom.11.22 (structural): Direct follow-up: Paul draws the practical implication — 'see then the kindness and severity of God' — elaborating the warning in v.21 about God's treatment of unfaithful branches.
- John 15:2 (thematic): Jesus' vine imagery: the Father 'cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit' (and prunes fruit-bearing branches) — similar use of arboreal metaphor to warn of removal for unfruitfulness.
- Matt.3:10 (verbal): John the Baptist's warning: 'Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.' Echoes the threat of divine non-sparing for those who fail to bear fruit.
- Deut.29:20 (allusion): Mosaic covenantal warning: a person who turns away causes the LORD's fierce anger and 'the LORD will not be willing to pardon him' — parallels the covenantal idea that God will not 'spare' those who apostasize.
Alternative generated candidates
- For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.
- For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.
Rom.11.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ιδε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- χρηστοτητα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- αποτομιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- θεου·επι: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μεν: PART
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- πεσοντας: PART,aor,act,acc,pl,m
- αποτομια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- επι: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- χρηστοτης: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εαν: CONJ
- επιμενης: VERB,pres,act,subj,2,sg
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- χρηστοτητι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- επει: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- εκκοπηση: VERB,aor,pass,subj,2,sg
Parallels
- John 15:2 (verbal): Jesus teaches the Father every branch that does not bear fruit he takes away (prunes/cuts off) — language and imagery parallel the warning that one who does not continue in God’s kindness will be cut off.
- John 15:6 (verbal): Those who do not remain in Christ are thrown away like a branch and wither — directly corresponds to the consequence of failing to continue in God’s kindness (being cut off).
- Hebrews 12:6-11 (thematic): God’s discipline is presented as proof of his love and as remedial/rod-bearing severity; paralleled by Paul’s contrast of God’s kindness toward those who remain and severity toward those who fall.
- 1 Corinthians 10:12 (thematic): Paul’s warning that whoever thinks he stands should take heed lest he fall echoes Rom 11:22’s admonition to continue in God’s kindness or risk being cut off.
- Matthew 7:19 (structural): The image of every tree that does not bear good fruit being cut down and thrown into the fire parallels the judgmental outcome in Rom 11:22 for those who lapse — a structural warning linking fruitfulness, judgment, and removal.
Alternative generated candidates
- Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but God's kindness toward you, if you continue in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off.
- See then the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but kindness toward you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
Rom.11.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- κακεινοι: PRON,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- εαν: CONJ
- μη: PART
- επιμενωσι: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,pl
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- απιστια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εγκεντρισθησονται·δυνατος: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,pl+ADJ,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- παλιν: ADV
- εγκεντρισαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Romans 11:17-24 (verbal): Same grafting metaphor and immediate context: Gentile branches grafted in, broken branches can be grafted back if they do not continue in unbelief; repeats the language and argument of 11:23.
- Romans 4:21 (thematic): Paul's claim that Abraham was 'fully persuaded that God had power' parallels the emphasis here on God's ability to accomplish restoration ('God is able to graft them in again').
- Ezekiel 36:24-28 (thematic): God's promise to gather Israel, cleanse them and give a new heart/Spirit that enables faithfulness resonates with the theme of Israel's restoration and reintegration into God's people.
- Hosea 2:23 (allusion): God's reversal of status—calling those 'not my people' 'my people' and promising to show mercy—anticipates the restoration imagery of formerly broken branches being brought back into the olive tree.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in—for God has power to graft them in again.
- And those also — if they do not continue in unbelief — will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
Rom.11.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- γαρ: PART
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- εκ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- κατα: PREP
- φυσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εξεκοπης: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,sg
- αγριελαιου: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- παρα: PREP
- φυσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ενεκεντρισθης: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,sg
- εις: PREP
- καλλιελαιον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ποσω: ADV
- μαλλον: ADV
- ουτοι: PRO,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- κατα: PREP
- φυσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εγκεντρισθησονται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,pl
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ιδια: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- ελαια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- Romans 11:17 (structural): Immediate context that introduces the olive‐tree grafting image (wild shoot grafted into cultivated olive), setting up 11:24’s argument.
- Romans 11:23 (verbal): Closely related verbal parallel within the same pericope—explicit statement that the initially natural branches can also be grafted in (same grafting language).
- Psalm 52:8 (verbal): OT imagery of a believer as ‘a green olive tree in the house of God’ parallels Paul’s cultivated olive imagery for Israel and the place of those grafted in.
- Jeremiah 11:16 (allusion): Jeremiah’s depiction of Israel as a ‘green olive tree’ provides background for Paul’s olive‑tree metaphor portraying Israel’s status and cultivation.
- Hosea 14:6 (allusion): Hosea’s imagery of the olive’s shoots/beauty echoes the theme of flourishing shoots and the fruitful nature associated with Israel, which Paul adapts in the grafting metaphor.
Alternative generated candidates
- For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive shoot and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?
- For if you were cut from the olive tree that is wild by nature and were grafted contrary to nature into the cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
I ask then: have they stumbled so as to fall? By no means! Rather, by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy. Now if their transgression meant riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness bring?
I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
if somehow I might provoke to jealousy my kinsmen and save some of them.
For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
If the firstfruits are holy, so is the whole lump; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you—being a wild olive shoot—were grafted in among them and have become sharers with them in the nourishing root of the olive tree,
do not boast against the branches. But if you boast, remember you do not sustain the root; the root sustains you.
You will say then, 'Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.'
True. They were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear.
For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.
Consider therefore the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but God’s kindness to you—provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these—their natural branches—be grafted into their own olive tree?