You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in."
Truth to Learn
When we read Scripture we need to receive God’s truth in humility, being careful not to filter it through our pride.
Behind the Words
The words “You will say” are from ereō, meaning “to say or to declare.” It is expressed in the future tense, active voice (action performed by the subject), and indicative mood (action that actually occurs). Paul is not saying “you could say” or “you might say,” rather he is saying “you will say.”
“Might be grafted in” is from the Greek verb egkentridzō, which is a compound word made up of en, meaning “in” implying a fixed position and kentridzō, meaning “to make a puncture.” Thus we see that egkentridzō means “to insert by making a puncture or a small opening.” This is precisely the process that is performed when a branch is engrafted to a root stock. The root stock is carefully cut open with a small incision and the branch, after having been sharpened on one end, is inserted into the opening. The verb is expressed here in the passive voice (action done to the subject) and subjunctive mood (implying that the action is possible or probable).
Meaning Explained
Paul is now stating what he expects will be a response from proud Gentiles, so that he can counter it in the following verse. Paul knows the heart of sinful man and is certain that his readers and hearers will react to what he is saying. He knows they will say, “But, the other branches were broken off just so we could be grafted in. It appears that it was God’s purpose to reject those unbelieving Jews so that He could save us Gentiles. Therefore, we must be more important than the Jews; they were taken out of their place and we have been put in.”
This sort of reasoning, however, assumes that God now considers the Gentiles more important than the Jews; otherwise, He wouldn’t have rejected the Jews, would He? This type of reasoning is sinful and selfish. It is, in fact, the very same attitude that the Jews had before they were rejected, believing that they were better than the Gentiles because they were God’s chosen people. In the next verse Paul will give a stern warning about such thinking.
We see this type of thinking today, particularly in Christians who believe they’ve earned their salvation. They are proud of the fact that they believed and have been saved as a result, thinking that they are somehow better than the unsaved because they were smart enough or had faith enough to believe. When we realize that our salvation is totally God’s work, we become aware of the fact that we don’t deserve this salvation and become humbly thankful, giving God ALL THE GLORY!
the twenty-four elders will fall down before the one sitting on the throne and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and they will cast their crowns before the throne, saying: "You are worthy, Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." (Revelation 4:10-11)
Application
Are you proud of the fact that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior? Or are you humbled by the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ has chosen you to be His?
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved
