ROMANS 11
11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusionmean! 13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. – Romans 11:11-16
ROMANS 11 IF THE ROOT IS HOLY
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When God made a covenant promise to Abraham
He intended to fulfill it to the fullest until the end of time
If God himself, who is the root of the tree is holy
So the branches that stem from it is also holy.
In this account, Paul explains the essence of God’s holiness and his mercy. He addresses the Gentiles here and challenges them to focus on God’s mercy. He calls on those who do not know him yet to receive the gospel and have a chance to be saved as well. He points out that a part of Israel had been unfaithful to the Lord and yet God opens a door for them to be part of that covenant promise given to the Israelites. How merciful God is that he extends his salvation to include the Gentiles. God sent his only Begotten Son Jesus to save the whole mankind but some people choose to stay in the darkness and the evil ways of the world instead of embracing the gift of grace and mercy that God gave us all.
What does Paul mean when he said in verse 13 that he was an apostle to the Gentile and that he magnifies his ministry? I think that he is making the Gentiles aware that God is expanding his covenant promise to them as well. A part of the Jewish community has turned their backs on the covenant promise by embracing the world’s system. For this reason, Paul is probably trying to provoke repentance from the Jews who have fallen away by warning them that their Jewish background isn’t enough to be saved.
REFLECTION
- Why do Christians need to ensure they are not stained by the world system?
