¹⁷ But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, ¹⁸ do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.

The image moves to that of an olive tree and its branches. The parts of the metaphor seem clear. Israel is the olive tree, by analogy. The branches broken off are the unbelieving Jews, the majority. The “wild” olive branches are the Gentiles (non-Jews) who through faith are “grafted in among them.” The goal is to become “partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree.” While Gentile Christians at the time of Paul’s writing were a small minority, along with the small minority of Jews who believed, they were together sharers in the richness of God’s blessing. Everything promised to Abraham was now beginning to find fulfillment through the small but growing community of Christ-followers. Salvation, freedom from sin’s tyranny and security with God through Jesus Christ comprise the blessing that God promised.

Paul now whips around with his long finger and warns his readers of arrogance toward Israel. Christians have no right to gloat that they have found salvation while Israel has not—that Israel has been rejected by God, like branches broken off a tree. This is wrong thinking on at least two counts. First, the grafting into the blessings of God had nothing to do with our keeping the Law or living morally or spiritually superior lives to the unbelieving Jews. We have nothing to boast about, because our standing as grafted-in branches came through the acknowledgement that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). There was nothing merit-worthy in us to qualify for God’s blessing. Pride and arrogance for being grafted in have no place. That would be like trying to push a heavy rock on a sheet of ice, with slippers on my feet. We have no traction to be proud of our being grafted in.

The second reason why we cannot be arrogant toward unbelieving Israel is that just as branches are completely dependent on the root, we non-Jewish believers are dependent on the promise of blessings God made to Abraham and his descendants. The Jews came first chronologically, and also in priority. It was and is through them that God’s blessings go out to the world. Jesus came as a Jew to reach both Jews and, ultimately, Gentiles. Apart from the Jews, no one would be saved. Believers in Christ should be the most humble of all humans, for we realize the graciousness of God’s blessing and do not take it for granted.

Lord, I humbly acknowledge that Your blessing came to me only by Your grace.