Page 20 - Torch Magazine #28 - Summer 2025

Secondly, not only are we presented
with a thorough explanation of the
blindness, but we are also given a reason.
The reason is that through their stumbling
(national rejection of Jesus), “salvation has
come to the Gentiles,” (Romans 11:11). Paul
also says that through their failure, riches
have come upon the Gentiles (Romans
11:12). This refers to the rich spiritual
blessings, inheritance, and redemption
lavished from the heavenly realms upon
Christians through faith in Jesus Christ
(Ephesians 1:3).
How do we respond to such riches,
when the cost was so great? Paul, in
Romans 15:27, gives a practical instruction:
“For if the Gentiles have been partakers of
their spiritual things, their duty is also to
minister to them in material things.”
through faith.”
Paul then outlines three conclusions
that stem from this grafting in.
1. Do not boast
Gentiles are warned not to boast
because “you do not support the root, but
the root supports you,” (Romans 11:18). This
gives helpful perspective to the Covenant
made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and
their descendants, the Jewish people.
Replacement Theology is like a big boast
against Israel. The Abrahamic Covenant
has not been snatched from its original
inheritors, rather Gentiles have become
‘partakers’ of the root through faith in Jesus
Christ.
This completely dismantles the premise
that the Church has replaced Israel. Rather,
it is a mercy to have been grafted in, and
Principle 3: Gentiles have been grafted in
Gentiles are indebted to Israel and the
Jewish people for their spiritual heritage
and to Christ for their spiritual inheritance.
“You will say then, ‘Branches were broken
off that I might be grafted in.’”
(Romans 11:19)
The lifeline that Gentiles have received
is through God’s provision of the
Abrahamic Covenant, and without it the
Gentile branch would have no life or hope.
Remember that Romans 11 is a message
specifically to Gentiles. For the benefit of
Gentiles to understand, Paul paints the
vivid picture of an olive tree with broken
off branches. The natural branches (Israel)
were broken off because of unbelief
(Romans 11:20). Paul also describes a “wild
olive tree” which refers to the Gentiles
(Romans 11:17). So, we have a tree, a root,
natural branches that are currently broken,
and wild branches that have been recently
grafted in.
Verse 19 says that the natural branches
were broken off so that Gentiles “might be
grafted in.” This wild olive tree (Gentiles)
was “grafted in among them” and has
become “a partaker of the root and fatness
of the olive tree,” (Romans 11:17). In other
words, there is now a shared root. The
word ‘partaker’ means to share jointly.
Gentile believers do not replace, they have
joined. What is the root that Gentiles have
become partakers in? Galatians 2:14, states,
“that the blessing of Abraham might come
upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we
might receive the promise of the Spirit
As Christians, we are indebted to the
Jewish people who are the natural branches
of the tree. We cannot even explain
Christianity without the Jewish roots of our
faith.
When a branch’s scion is grafted onto a
rootstock it is secured together to ensure
that the living layers are aligned. Then the
healing of the branch begins. Restoration
commences. For both the Jewish people
and Gentiles, the olive tree is calling both
to alignment and restoration. Our future is
one of unity together – Jews and Gentiles
– as one budding and blessed tree, whose
sustenance is the Living God, and whose
hope is grounded in the root of God’s
Covenant. If we want to see the Church
restored and revived, it must acknowledge
that it is grafted into this tree and must
align itself with the root. Disconnection
will not survive; boasting against the
natural branches (Israel) is displeasing to
God; remaining wild is not God’s intention.
But the Church that understands that it is
grafted into the Olive Tree will flourish and
change the world.
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