An (olive) tree is known by its roots
An (olive) tree is known by its roots
Olive trees may be scarce in some countries, but the slopes around the Mediterranean Sea are covered with them. The nodular, deeply grooved trunk and the lush, silver-green crown are characteristic of olive trees. They grow slowly and form long roots.
With these long roots, olive trees can absorb water from deep out of the ground, if necessary. They can also produce fruits on rocky ground. Olive trees have an extraordinary long lifespan, sometimes surviving for several centuries.
Three Statements⤒🔗
The people of Israel is such an ancient olive tree, a beautiful specimen that is displayed in the world (Jer. 11:16, Hos. 14:7). Paul paints that tree in visual terms, when he speaks to his non-Jewish readers in the congregation of Rome: “Now I am speaking to you Gentiles” (Rom. 11:13). Besides, he does that in a very personal way: “you” in the Greek text of verse 17–24 is in the singular every time. It is about you, a non-Jewish reader. You are then also the person referred to as “I,” who, according to verse 19 protests: “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” He who read this pericope or heard it read, started to feel like an olive branch.
Paul draws the attention of his readers specifically to the root system of the olive tree. This tree can apparently also be recognized by its roots. As we know, a tree branches itself underground about as much as above the ground. The strength of branches is so great that even stones can be split by them. Paul speaks about one root, generalizing and summarizing, because he wants to make a certain application. This raises the question: what is meant with the root of Israel? To whom does it refer? Romains 11 has a trio of statements:
- If the root is holy, so are the branches (verse 16b).
- You may share in the nourishing root of the olive tree (verse 17b).
- It is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you (verse 18b).
Holy←⤒🔗
Israel’s holiness is a holy root, the dedication of the people to God is not thanks to the branches, but to the holy God himself. His holiness radiates from the tree which is firmly rooted. That is paramount when Paul applies the image of the olive tree. Israel is a noble, therefore cultivated olive tree. But some branches did break off; and because of that there is more room for new branches, coming from a wild, therefore uncultivated olive tree. Branches change from tree to tree. And all that because of the mighty hand of God (the passive form of the verb points to divine action): he is the one who cut some of the branches from the tree and, in their place, crafted some other branches on the original stem. With this image Paul makes clear what he sees happening among the Jewish people. The gospel has come to Israel; Jesus was born a Jew. However, many of his fellow countrymen refused to recognize him as the Messiah sent from God. Because of that, they lost their place. That place is filled by non-Jewish believers, who come from nations who do accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour. As a result of Paul’s mission, the apostle of the nations, they get a rightful place with the Holy One of Israel. God does not continue with another olive tree, but revives the old tree through a special operation. In this way the other branches form a branch with the one tree. Holiness comes from God, thanks to the root that is holy. He did not reject his people (Rom. 11:1).
Fruitful←⤒🔗
It is a fruitful root. This word can be literally translated as “nourishing sap” (Greek: “piotès”), which means: this root takes nutrients out of the ground which, in the end, yield a rich quality olive oil. No doubt that Paul’s Roman readers were familiar with the agriculture of the olive groves. As a rule, a cultivated branch is grafted on a wild shoot, to profit from a stronger root system and better disease control. In the imagery of Romans 11 the process is intentionally reversed: the shoot (Jewish people) is noble and the added branches (non-Jewish people) are wild. Not a single tree grower would do that. In verse 24 you see the word “unnatural” (Greek: “para phusin”). That non-Jewish people may belong to the God of Israel, is not a natural given, but it is solely thanks to his grace. From where does that tree get its vigour? From a very fertile root (the genitive “tès piotètos” is not appositional, but explicit, and so gives further information about the root). Here most interpreters think about the patriarchs, who are mentioned in verse 28, especially Abraham. Wasn’t he the forefather of the people of Israel, and recipient of God’s promises? But can the patriarchs carry the entire tree? John the Baptist had warned the Israelites that an appeal to the lineage of Abraham could not hold them up. The axe is laid at the root of the trees, he prophesied, ready to cut them down if they do not bear good fruit (Matt. 3:7–10, Luke 3:7–9; see also Luke 13:6–9 and Isa. 10:33–34) Without repentance and conversion you will be lost; no one escapes the final judgment. In the same way Paul had shown his readers in chapter 4 that Abraham’s descendants are recognizable by the faith they share with their forefather, not by their ethnic background (Rom. 4:11–12).
Therefore, the fertile root includes more than Abraham or the patriarchs. Just like the Jewish Christians, they rather belong to the branches of the tree. It is not only about the support for Israel, but also about the vitality and food for the “unnatural” branches. That is why, when thinking about the root, it is better to think of Christ, an explanation you can already find in an earlier church father like Origen of Alexandria. In Romans 15:12 Paul quotes the prophesy of Isaiah about a root: “There shall come forth a shoot [literally: “root”] from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit” (Isa. 11:1).
When an olive tree has become old and has reached its maximum production, it will be cut down, but often the gardener will leave a stump, on which new twigs can sprout. Hence sons, as representatives of the next generation are presented as “olive shoots” (Ps. 128:3b). Jesus is a shoot from the stump of Jesse, David’s father. He also is the one through whom David’s family tree could take deep roots. The glorified Christ twice gets the title of “the Root of David” (Rev. 5:5, 22:16). He did not only come from Israel; he was also among the Israelites. Through the centuries he was the hidden source of strength for this nation. Below history’s surface, God was busy bringing his Son into the world. This root is so fertile that wild branches are also welcome and can live from him.
Fruit-bearing←⤒🔗
It is a fruit-bearing root. Paul wants to prevent that a non-Jewish reader is going to elevate himself above the Jews, based on the thought: “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in” (Rom. 11:19). But first, like the position of the Jews, so your position is also not a matter of course. Do not be haughty, but be in awe of God. If he did not spare the original branches, would he then spare you? Whoever does not remain faithful, will be cut off (Rom. 11:20–22). Second, and here the imagery changes to reality: if the Israelites do not continue in their unbelief, then God has the power to graft them in again (vv. 23, 24). An unlikely operation for a tree grower, but God does the impossible. He does not write Israel off. That is why Paul tried to provoke his fellow Jews to jealousy, so that they who “naturally” (Greek: “kata phusin”) belonged,
would yet believe in the Messiah. Then God will “accept them again,” as verse 15 said. And then they can be connected to the feeding tube of the bearing root. It was never meant to be that Christians from the nations should take over the old olive tree.
Unfortunately, that is the reality in the Christian church nowadays. Messiah-confessing Jews form an almost forgotten minority. Aside from the mass killings that affected the Jews, especially during the crusades and the holocaust, this situation has two causes. On the one hand, recognizing Jesus as the Messiah met stubborn resistance. On the other hand, generally, non-Jewish Christians have arrogantly opposed Jews rather than being inviting.
Therefore, it depends on the fruit-bearing capacity of that one root. Paul says, it is not the branches that support the tree, but the reverse is true. Christ, the root of the tree, has such a great vitality, that he not only carries you, but also all the other branches. While the tree remains standing, unfruitful branches will be cut off without mercy, but God can always craft new branches in. It is not important which place you occupy, but whether you live from the root. In other words, it is about becoming increasingly connected to the Lord. Where are the “roots” of a Christian? Whether you come from the Jews or from other nations, let your confidence of faith be rooted in Christ. Then you will be carried by the Lord.
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