Romans 11

“Remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you” (v18).  Paul didn’t want the Gentile Christians to become arrogant toward the unbelieving Jews.  He reminded them that as “branches” of an olive tree, they were supported by “the nourishing root” (v17) – Jesus, son of Israel.  “If the root is holy, so are the branches” (v16). Both the natural branches (the Jews) and the grafted-in branches (the Gentiles) only flourished by faith in Jesus, and they could all be pruned due to unbelief (v22).  

“Lest you be wise in your own sight …” (v25).  We cannot find spiritual life and health in ourselves, no matter our background, but through Jesus, God’s own joyful Life flows through us.