THE REMNANT AND FIRST AMONG THE NATIONS

FALL FOR ONE AND SALVATION FOR ANOTHER

Romans 11.11-15

Here Paul explained salvation of GOD but in not the usual way but in reverse also, in both ways. First, he reassured readers that even if Israel stumbled and fail in its worship and service of GOD, the entire nation of Israel will not perish and disappeared from the history of humankind, like other nation, but will live and continue their worship and service of GOD until Messiah comes a second time, then entire Israel will be the GOD'S people again and this time for eternity.

In following verses Paul reveals that because Israel stumbled over the lack of Spirituality, Israel (not consciously) done it for the world, and their fault before GOD gave way for Gentiles to obtain this necessary Spirituality of the Law of Moses brought to them by Jesus Christ. Because of it then Israel will obtain Spirituality of their own Law, then GOD will write the Law on their hearts (souls) and then it will be a full inclusion of Israel and the faithful gentiles of the world into domain of Christ (verse 12).

In the next verse Paul declared to reassure Gentiles that he is not just an ordinary teacher, but he is an Apostle of Christ, and not just an Apostle of Christ but also and Apostle of Gentiles sent by GOD.

~ 13. Apostle Paul appointed by Christ as the light to Gentiles. (Acts 9.15-16) (Romans 1.1) (Galatians 1.15-16) (Ephesians 3.8).

~ Isaiah appointed by GOD as a light to Gentiles: (Isaiah 42.6, 49.6).

In verse 14 Paul announced the goal of such plan, to make his people the Jews jealous of GOD and of Gentiles whom GOD also accepted, and in their jealousy some of them will turn to their only GOD. They will be accepted and saved by GOD, but only few, "Only a remnant will be saved."

Conclusion is such that if rejection of GOD by Israel means reconciliation of the world with GOD of Israel, then following reconciliation of Israel with their GOD means Salvation and Eternal Life for all (verse 15).

THE FIRST AMONG NATIONS AND ARROGANCE OF GENTILES

Romans 11.16-24

Verse 16 starts from words, "the first piece of dough," means from the first selected people of GOD who are holy. This means only holy people of GOD, only those who are loyal and dedicated to the Lord, who never betrayed Him for other gods, will be selected and saved, like those 7000 mentioned in Romans 11.4.

"Root of Israel" in verse 17 means Israel's ancestors like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, certainly included and all others like Moses, Joshua, delivers of Israel, and all the prophets, they are the root of Israel. This is the holy root of the holy people on which Israel has been Spiritually built. So, if the root is holy and so the brunches of this root will be holy. In other words, holiness produces only holiness, and godlessness produce only godlessness.

Broken brunches mean those brunches (people) who are became corrupt, did not produced expected fruit of goodness, Spiritually withered, and became useless and worthless. Such brunches farmers cut off but save the tree, because other brunches produce good fruit and very valuable.


Gentile here portrayed as "a wild olive" brunch which was attached to the holy olive tree (Israel) through the Law of Moses and Jesus Christ and grow from that tree as foreign brunches of the wild olive tree.

According to this theme Paul issued warning in verse 18 saying that Gentiles shall be not arrogant toward Jews and always remember that they are not original cultivated olive tree (first chosen people of GOD) but attachment to it as "wild olive brunches." It is the cultivated olive tree planted by GOD supports the brunches of the wild olive tree, in order that the wild brunches will become just like first cultivated brunches.

Because of Jews Gentiles became Christians and they should treat Jews with respect because the Jews are the source of knowledge of GOD, source of the Law, and source of salvation for entire world, from the Jews came Jesus Christ the Jew to save the world.

And while some cunning Gentiles among Christians declaring that Jews no longer people of GOD because they fail before Him "broken off" and Gentiles now claiming that they replace them as the people of GOD, they are deceiving themselves.

Gentiles should have fear of GOD (verses 19-20), because the Lord is still the GOD of the Jews and would never reject them of forsake, because they are His people forever according to His Own will.

If GOD severally punished His Own people many times for their sins and iniquities against Him, how much more He will punish Gentiles and send His righteous wrath on them for their own sins and their own iniquities against Him? (verse 21).