Romans 11:24

Romans 11:24

For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

1. “For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature…”

a. For [Strong: 1063 gar gar a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. if [Strong: 1487 ei i a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.:--forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in 1489, 1490, 1499, 1508, 1509, 1512, 1513, 1536, 1537.]

c. thou [Strong: 4771 su soo the person pronoun of the second person singular; thou:-- thou.]

d. wert cut [Strong: 1581 ekkopto ek-kop'-to from 1537 and 2875; to exscind; figuratively, to frustrate:--cut down (off, out), hew down, hinder.]

e. out of [Strong: 1537 ek ek or ex ex a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.]

  

f. the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

  

g. olive tree which is wild [Strong: 65 agrielaios ag-ree-el'-ah-yos from 66 and 1636; an oleaster:--olive tree (which is) wild.]

h. by [Strong: 2596 kata kat-ah' a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]

i. nature [Strong: 5449 phusis foo'-sis from 5453; growth (by germination or expansion), i.e. (by implication) natural production (lineal descent); by extension, a genus or sort; figuratively, native disposition, constitution or usage:--(man-)kind, nature(-al).]

  

2. “...and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree…”

a. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. wert grafted [Strong: 1461 egkentrizo eng-ken-trid'-zo from 1722 and a derivative of 2759; to prick in, i.e. ingraft:--graff in(-to).]

c. contrary [to] [Strong: 3844  para par-ah' a primary preposition; properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local (especially beyond or opposed to) or causal (on account of):--above, against, among, at, before, by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give (such things as they), + that (she) had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of, past, save, side...by, in the sight of, than, (there-)fore, with. In compounds it retains the same variety of application.]

d. nature [Strong: 5449 phusis foo'-sis from 5453; growth (by germination or expansion), i.e. (by implication) natural production (lineal descent); by extension, a genus or sort; figuratively, native disposition, constitution or usage:--(man-)kind, nature(-al).]

e. into [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

  

f. [a] good olive tree [Strong: 2565 kallielaios kal-le-el'-ah-yos from the base of 2566 and 1636; a cultivated olive tree, i.e. a domesticated or improved one:--good olive tree.]

1). Because the term “contrary to nature” para physin in the Greek is used here in Romans 11:24 and again in Romans 1:26 to defend homosexual behavior  by homosexual advocates, it is necessary to include here the study previously posted under Romans 1:26: In the following quote we see how perverted homosexual advocates descend to attempt prove their position. They fail nonetheless.  Daniel Helminiak’s argument concerning “against nature”, from his book “What the Bible Really Says about homosexuality pp. 65, 66 and Greek word for “offences” in Romans 16:17. “A study of the Greek words suggests that there is no ethical condemnation in Paul’s use of para physin. This conclusion seems certain. Why? Because there is further evidence on the matter, and that evidence is weighty. In Romans 11:24, Paul uses those very same words to talk about God. Paul describes how God grafted the Gentiles into the olive tree that is the Jews. Now Jew and Gentile are one in Christ. But to graft a wild tree into a cultivated tree is not the ordinary thing to do: it is something unusual. Still, that is what God did through Christ. In Paul’s understanding of the words, God himself acted para physin. God did what was “unnatural”. God behaved “in an unusual way.” If to act para physin is immoral, then God must be immoral, that is patently absurd. Therefore, there can be no moral meaning to those Greek words for Paul. Once again the conclusion emerges: Romans is not a moral condemnation of male-male sex.”

2). The context of the use of the Greek para physin into the two instances, Romans 1:26 & Romans 11:24 must be studied to dispel the perverted reasoning of Helminiak and others who try to use it for their twisted use. Its use in Romans is to bear witness and condemn a behavior, a physical act that is universally condemned in both the Old and New Testaments, by every Scriptural witness where it is mentioned. Its use in Romans 11 is not speaking of a physical act but is describing a spiritual truth in parable form exactly the way Jesus did in his teaching of the parables. The spiritual truth is that God united Jew and Gentile in Christ Jesus.

a). Romans 11:16-24 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

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

11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.

11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.

11:24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

(1) Notice the inspiration of God describes the spiritual reality of Gentile uniting with Jew as “the goodness of God.”

3). There was no literal physical act of grafting branches into a tree to accomplish this spiritual reality, Paul is speaking in abstract terms. The only literal physical act that was done was Christ Jesus dying on a cross, shedding his blood on that cross to wash away all of our sins and accomplish the uniting of Jew and Gentile.

a). Ephesians 2:11-19 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

b). To compare the loving act of God in Christ Jesus in reconciling and restoring mankind with himself, on par with same sex behavior shows just how far the human heart can descend.

5). I want to add one more point concerning the use of the phrase para physin i.e., “contrary to nature” to describe one aspect of the plan of redemption, that is, the spiritual uniting of Jew and Gentile. Why did God inspire Paul to use this phrase? Because to the Jewish mind that is exactly how they thought toward Gentiles. One can read Acts 10:1 through Acts 11:18 and see this very attitude of the Jews toward the Gentiles. Notice the following passages showing the surprise of the Jewish believers toward the eternal purpose of God.

a) Acts 10:44-48 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

b). Acts 11:15-18 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

3. “...how much more shall these, which be the natural branches…”

a. how much [Strong: 4214 posos pos'-os from an absolute pos (who, what) and 3739; interrogative pronoun (of amount) how much (large, long or (plural) many):--how great (long, many), what.]

b. more [Strong: 3123  mallon mal'-lon neuter of the comparative of the same as 3122; (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather:--+ better, X far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather.]

c. [shall] these [Strong: 3778 houtos hoo'-tos, including nominative masculine plural houtoi hoo'-toy, nominative feminine singular haute how'-tay, and nominative feminine plural hautai how'-tahee from the article 3588 and 846; the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated):--he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.

d. which [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

e. be [Strong: 2596 kata kat-ah' a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]

f. [the] natural [branches] [Strong: 5449 phusis foo'-sis from 5453; growth (by germination or expansion), i.e. (by implication) natural production (lineal descent); by extension, a genus or sort; figuratively, native disposition, constitution or usage:--(man-)kind, nature(-al).]

4. “...be graffed into their own olive tree?”

a. be grafted into [Strong: 1461 egkentrizo eng-ken-trid'-zo from 1722 and a derivative of 2759; to prick in, i.e. ingraft:--graff in(-to).]

b. their own [Strong: 2398 idios id'-ee-os of uncertain affinity; pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate:--X his acquaintance, when they were alone, apart, aside, due, his (own, proper, several), home, (her, our, thine, your) own (business), private(-ly), proper, severally, their (own).]

c. olive tree [Strong: 1636 elaia el-ah'-yah feminine of a presumed derivative from an obsolete primary; an olive (the tree or the fruit):--olive (berry, tree).]