13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.
Reflection
- Paul is warning the Gentile Christians not to develop an air of superiority over Jews. Gentiles are in God’s grace only by virtue of a miracle. God’s miracle of “grafting” them into the salvation tree. The natural branches (the Jews), which have been broken off, can be put back in again. There are no categories in the Christian community; we are all miraculously “grafted” into God’s tree of salvation.
- How has arrogance between groups of Christians hurt your church experience? When have you shown this type of attitude to “outsiders”?
- Pray：Confess that you have acted arrogantly to others. Pray for those that have been hurt in the conflict. Pray also for the church that the Lord will guard us against such arrogance and division among members of the church.
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.
If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.
Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible. If your children are younger, you may read vv17-21only.)
Find information about Grafting. Discuss the meaning of it. What does Paul say about us Christians being grafted in to God’s tree of salvation? Why shouldn’t we feel better than other people in the church? Pray that you will not feel superior to other people in the church or in your community. But to love them and share the gospel with them.
Proverbs for Today 16:14-17
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.