Part 3 - A Further Explanation of Romans 11:17

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called The Olive Tree of Romans 11.

And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;”
(Romans 11:17)

Romans 11:17 here needs more explanation.

First… it’s addressing all of “them (who) partakest of the ROOT and fatness (riches) of the olive tree,” which is Christ. He is the “Holy Root” of the Olive Tree of life, the source of real life for all those of any race, in any age, who are of the faith of Abraham” … those who “believe (trust in) God” and His Christ. Let’s look again at Romans 11:17.

17 And if some of the branches be broken off (unbelieving Israel), and thou (Gentiles), being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the ROOT and fatness (riches) of the olive tree (the ‘tree of all the faithful’ grows from the Holy ROOT, which is Christ);

The word “some,” refers to those who are “broken off,” speaking of those of unbelieving Apostate Israel. They were broken off” (Gk. ekklao, exscind or cut out) of the tree of life. The word “them” also implies that there also is an acceptable “some” of Israel… these would be the believing “little flock” (Luke 12:32) of Jesus’ disciples, who have never left the Olive tree of life. They had “the faith of Abraham.” So yes, the Nation of Israel has fallen, but certainly not the individual believing ‘remnant’ of Israel.

The “thou” in Rom. 11:17 is talking about the Gentile grace believers of “the world (all mankind) (Rom. 11:12) being partakers of the same “Tree of Life” as the believing “remnant (of Israel) according to grace (Rom. 11:5). Jesus called this “remnant” the “little flock” of the believers; they are an abiding “branch” in the Olive Tree of Christ’s Life. They did not lose their position of union with Christ as the “Tree of Life” when National Israel fell. After all, these believers of Israel are of the ones who will be in “the 1st resurrection” at Jesus’ 2nd Coming to co-reign with Christ on earth in His Millennial Kingdom (Rev. 5:10, 20:6).

All “them (who) partakest of the ROOT”

And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou (you Gentiles), being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them (The unbroken-off believers of Israel), and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;” (Romans 11:17)

Romans 11:17 is addressing and focusing upon all “them” (of Israel) who remain in the Olive “Tree of the Life of Christ” and who “partakest of the ROOT and fatness (riches) of the olive tree” …  the “fatness” is the riches of the fruit of the resurrection life of Christ.

So, the wordsamong them” and with them” in Romans 11:17 would indicate that both the “remnant” of the believers of Israel (e.g., Jesus’ believing disciples) and also the members of “the church, the body of Christ” simultaneously have their spiritual life-source and sustenance from the very same “Holy root” of the Olive “Tree of Life” … which is Christ.

This was the case during the Acts period and it will also be the case when “the body of Christ” will co-reign with Christ in the “new Heaven”  while Israel simultaneously co-reigns with Christ on “the new earth.”

  • Today, during the grace age, both Jew and Gentile are “one in Christ” (Gal 3:28) as members of “the body of Christ,” having their life-source and sustenance from the same “root” of the “tree of life,” which is Christ “with them partakest of the ROOT and fatness (riches) of the olive tree.”
  • Then In Eternity Future – The members of “the body of Christ” in heaven and believing of Israel on earth will simultaneously enjoy their life-source and sustenance from Christ as the same Holy “root” of the Olive “Tree of Life” with all them, With Them’ (who) partakest of the ROOT and fatness (riches) of the olive tree.”