Older woman smiling and man with a serious expression standing indoors
Bible, Gentiles, Israel, Kindness, Production, Pruning, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

KINDNESS AND SEVERITY

ROMANS 11:22

“See then the kindness and severity of God: to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; for otherwise you too will be cut off.”

When I hear the word “kindness,” certain people’s faces come to mind. Some people just have that gift or should I say choose to exercise it well. And when I think of the word “severity,” other faces pop up. Those I don’t like so much. They are not much fun to be around.

Paul is still in the midst of describing the relationship of unbelieving Jews as compared to the believing Gentiles. One was pruned away to make room for the other. The words Paul uses in today’s verse, “kindness” and “severity” further paint the picture for us. Let’s look at what Paul was referring to by using these two words.

APPLICATION

First, Paul uses the Greek word xrēstótēs which HELPS Word-studies describes this way, “(useful kindness) refers to meeting real needs, in God’s way, in His timing (fashion).” It is listed in Galatians 5:22 as a fruit of the Spirit. So, we know this must come from God, right? Paul uses it three times in this verse alone. He must have wanted to drive a point home. Keep in mind that the idea of a kind god was foreign to Gentiles. Even most of the Jews tended to believe more in a harsh God rather than a kind one.

But how about that other word, “severity”? Surely, that isn’t from God. Actually, the Greek word isn’t as severe as it sounds. I need to share Barnes’ description of this word. “The word ‘severity’ now suggests sometimes the idea of harshness, or even of cruelty. (Webster.) But nothing of this kind is conveyed in the original word here. It properly denotes ‘cutting off,’ apotomian from apotemnō, to cut off; and is commonly applied to the act of the gardener or vine-dresser in trimming trees or vines, and cutting off the decayed or useless branches. Here it refers to the act of God in cutting off or rejecting the Jews as useless branches; and conveys no idea of injustice, cruelty, or harshness.”

If you just looked at the process of pruning, it does look severe. It looks like you’re cutting off all the good stuff. But this act gives room for new growth. In this instance, it was for the engrafting of the Gentiles into the root plant. Paul is making sure the Gentiles know their place and how they got there. He also wants them to know it is just as important to stay in that relationship. The same applies to us, brothers and sisters. Enjoy the kindness of God, but do not confuse kindness with meekness. God will hold us all accountable for our actions should we choose to ignore Him.

Father, thank You for Your kindness toward me and for the pruning You do to make me more productive.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Forgiveness, Holy, Jesus, Redemption, Romans, Scripture, Spared

WILL NOT SPARE YOU

ROMANS 11:21

“for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.”

Have you ever been spared a punishment for something you deserved? We probably all have at some point in our lives. But there are also occasions when we are not spared and have to suffer what comes. If you are hanging out with the wrong crowd and do something that is unlawful, you can expect to not be spared by law enforcement. My wife and I see that all the time on our favorite Police reality show. All the talking in the world won’t get you off. You are now facing the consequences.

Paul warns the Gentiles in today’s verse that they can expect to be treated the same way God treats the unbelieving Jews if they turn from Him. He is not going to spare them either. God is just and holy and cannot simply ignore rebellion. Paul has been telling us that the Jews who rejected Jesus would be dealt with by God. But now he tells the Gentiles the same. The old saying “What is good for the goose is good for the gander” definitely applies here.

APPLICATION

Albert Barnes explains this verse well. “If God did not refrain from rejecting the Jews who became unbelievers, assuredly he will not refrain from rejecting you in the same circumstances. It may be supposed that he will be quite as ready to reject the ingrafted branches, as to cast off those which belonged to the parent stock. The situation of the Gentiles is not such as to give them any security over the condition of the rejected Jew.”

In 2 Peter 2:4-5 we see this word for “spare” used twice in a most definitive way. “4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, held for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;” Whoa! And you think you should be spared for disobedience? I think not.

We saw the same word used earlier in Romans 8:32 when Paul wrote that God “did not spare His Own Son.” Sin determines God’s response. Because Jesus Who was sinless became as sin for us by taking on all our sins, God could not spare His life. He gave His life as a ransom for us. We were spared judgment because God did not spare Him. Double Whoa! Aren’t you grateful? I sure am. Therefore, live your lives as being worthy of that.

Father God, thank You for sparing me from Your judgment through the blood of Jesus.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Awe, Bible, Conceit, Fear, Glory, Honor, Humility, Romans, Scripture

CONCEITED

ROMANS 11:20

“Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear;”

We’ve all known people who were full of themselves. Conceited hardly comes close to describing them. They are sure the world revolves around them. This comes out in their tardiness to any event or in their assumptions about the way they think you should treat them. These individuals usually think they can do no wrong. Any trouble they have is automatically someone else’s fault.

Paul has already warned the Gentile readers of this letter about being arrogant (verse 18) and now he tells them to not be conceited. Actually, the Greek is two Greek words which can be translated as “high minded.” The New Living Translation uses this language, “So don’t think highly of yourself.” Conceit and arrogance should have no place in a believer’s life. Humility is what we are called to by the Lord as we follow His example.

APPLICATION

We are warned not to allow spiritual pride to enter our lives. You may ask how you can become spiritually proud. You may brag about how many times a week you go to church. You may think you are more spiritual because you give more to missions. You could even exhibit this spiritual ego in how you serve, always drawing attention to what you do in the church. Spiritual pride is a precursor to a spiritual fall.

I used to sing a lot in church. I was part of the choir, praise teams and sang solos. I love to sing, but I often cringed when attention was paid to me for a song I had sung. I never wanted to be recognized for that. I wanted all the attention to be directed to Jesus as I sang. The last thing I wanted to be accused of was conceit. That would nullify any honor or praise to my Lord.

Let all your actions for the Lord be grounded in humility. If He exalts you for something, accept that. But don’t expect recognition. Never seek recognition. Let it come to you. Don’t allow the devil to rob you of your joy in serving Jesus because your flesh has reveled in your own glory. That does not honor the Lord. Paul ends the verse by telling them to “fear.” Be in awe of what He has done for you and point all the glory back to Him. Amen?

Lord, I bow before You today as Your humble servant who only wants to bring You honor.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Man trimming branches of olive tree with pruning shears in orchard
Bible, Gentiles, Israel, Pruning, Purpose, Romans, Scripture

MISUNDERSTANDINGS

ROMANS 11:19

“You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’”

Isn’t it amazing that one event can be interpreted so differently by people? They each see it from their own perspective and make their own assumptions. If you came upon a car crash, you might assume certain things about the drivers. Was one under the influence? Was one on their phone? Unless you know all the facts, your opinion of any incident is just that – your opinion. Misunderstandings happen due to lack of knowledge.

Paul brings up a misunderstanding that may have existed among the Gentile believers. We’ll see this discussed over the next few verses. As I mentioned yesterday, some Gentiles were claiming superiority over the Jews since God had given them this message of salvation after His rejection of the Jews who had refused His Son. Remember, these Gentiles didn’t have the knowledge of the Scriptures that showed God’s plan was to use the Jewish nation to reach the world. They were only seeing the current situation. Context is always important.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says, “Paul addresses Gentile believers tempted to view Jewish unbelief as proof that God had shifted His favor permanently. To correct this arrogance, he recalls that unfaithful Israelite branches ‘were broken off’ (Romans 11:17, 19, 20) so that Gentiles might be grafted in by faith. The verb occurs only in this paragraph, underscoring the deliberate and solemn nature of the divine action.” The practice of breaking off unproductive branches of an olive tree to make room for more productive ones was one the people could understand. They may have even done this to their own olive trees. The tree was still there along with the other branches.

The breaking off of these branches Paul is referring to has a specific purpose. You really need to see this. Pruning or breaking off these branches had a missionary purpose. Remember back in Romans 11:11 Paul said it was to make Israel jealous and desire to return to the Lord. That is still true today. Israel still has a role to play in our eschatological future.

Let me ask you something about your spiritual life. Do you have unproductive branches that are sucking life from you? We engage in so many things that really have no spiritual purpose. Those can literally cause your more productive branches to wither. You may need to prune back your rec time for more prayer time. You might need to give up something else to spend more time in the Word. Prune your own life to make room for more production spiritually.

Father, give me wisdom to know what to prune in order to produce more for You.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Arrogance, Bible, Covenant, Gentiles, Israel, Romans, Scripture

ARROGANCE

ROMANS 11:18

“do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.”

When my wife first met me back in 1985, she thought I was arrogant. Can you believe that? Me? Arrogant? I have to admit that I could come across that way. I was pretty self-confident, but I never saw myself as arrogant. That’s the problem with arrogance. You never really see yourself that way, but others can sure see it. Obviously, my wife learned that I wasn’t arrogant. She agreed to marry me after our third date! We celebrated 40 years of marital bliss last December.

Paul issues a warning to the Gentiles in verse 18 of Romans 11. Obviously, there were some Gentiles who thought themselves better than the Jews since God had now offered them this covenant relationship. They were the “replacements.” Not so quick. Paul reminds them that they are just the branches which God has engrafted (see yesterday’s blog) into the root. What did Paul mean by the use of the word “arrogant”?

APPLICATION

Katakauchaomai is the Greek word translated as “arrogant.” It is only used four times in the New Testament, two of those times in this verse. It means to “boast down, over-exalting one thing at the expense of another which results in wrong conclusions – i.e. that unjustifiably downgrade by boasting with a sense of false superiority.” (HELPS Word-studies) Think of someone who looks down their nose at you. They are puffed up.

The word is used twice in James. In James 2:13 we read, “For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.” Wait a minute, Carl. I thought you said this word didn’t mean anything good. Let me explain. The literal translation of katakauchaomai means “to boast against.” Someone once said, “It’s not arrogance if you can do what you say.” Mercy is above judgment. God has proven this fact in our lives. He is able to show this.

The last time katakauchaomai is used is in James 3:14. “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.” We can see here the danger of arrogance as it links arms with jealousy and selfishness and lying. Not good company. So, arrogance has no place in a believer’s life. Christ taught us to be humble and then He will exalt us. Practice that today.

Lord, help me shed any pretense of arrogance in my life and show humility instead.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Young olive branch grafted and tied to an old olive tree trunk
Bible, Hosea, Isaiah, Romans, Scripture

ENGRAFTED

ROMANS 11:17

“But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree,”

As part of my two stem cell transplants, I had to go through a time of engraftment of my stem cells. This process is defined as “the critical process where transplanted hematopoietic stem cells travel to the bone marrow, attach, and begin producing new, healthy blood cells ( white cells, red cells, platelets). It marks the success of a bone marrow transplant, typically occurring 2–4 weeks post-transplant, when blood counts begin to recover.” (National Marrow Donor Program) Let me tell you, there is joy when you are told you have a successful engraftment.

Paul uses the idea of engraftment in today’s verse, but he is not talking about stem cells. He, on the other hand, used an illustration of husbandry where a farmer would engraft the branch from one olive tree into an older, more mature tree. It is truly amazing to see this process when the new branch successfully engrafts and then produces fruit, not from whence it came but fruit like they older, more mature tree.

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated as “grafted” is egkentrízō which comes from “en, (in) and kentrizō, (to prick, puncture) – properly, to engraft (insert) by making a puncture to graft a living shoot into another living plant (tree). It always refers to God combining His two redeemed ethnic groups (OT, NT believers) into one people. Egkentrízō occurs six times, all in Romans 11:17-24.” (HELPS Word-studies) We’ll see these occurrences over the next several days in our study of Romans.

So, according to this passage, every Gentile who comes to the saving knowledge of Christ should have gratitude towards the Jewish nation, the “rich root of the olive tree.” We are inseparably linked in God’s creative order. It was His plan from the beginning to use the Jewish nation to reach the world with His message of redemption. This was accomplished through His Son. We are now the engrafted branch that is bearing fruit.

Isaiah 11:10 points us towards this engrafting. “Then on that day the nations will resort to the root of Jesse, who will stand as a signal flag for the peoples; and His resting place will be glorious.” Hosea 2:23 gives the promise to those were outside the nation of Israel when the Lord says, “‘I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, And I will say to those who were not My people, “You are My people!” And they will say, “You are my God!”’” Are you engrafted yet? It’s not too late.

Father, thank You for engrafting me into the root of Jesse and producing through me fruit for Your kingdom.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Plate of freshly baked golden biscuits with steam rising, coffee mug, bowls of butter and jam
Bible, Covenant, Israel, Jesus, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

HOLY LUMP

ROMANS 11:16

“If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are as well.”

Don’t you just love that word “lump”? When I hear it, I think about the lump of dough my mama would have on the kitchen table when she made homemade biscuits. Boy, were her biscuits good. She would mix up the flour and buttermilk, a little shortening and a couple of eggs. Her biscuits were so fluffy on the inside, but crispy on the outside. Excuse me while I wipe my mouth, lol. Every bit of that lump was good, whether it was used to make a little biscuit or a “cathead” biscuit (look that up).

As Paul looks toward the redemption of his nation Israel, he makes this statement today about their future. He refers back to Abraham and the covenant guidelines of offering to God the first fruits. He uses the terms “lump” and “branches” to describe the people of Israel with the belief that they will be ushered in one day to the kingdom when they surrender to the Lord fully, just as Abraham had covenanted with God at the outset of the nation. Matthew Poole’s Commentary says, “Here is another argument to prove the Jews are not finally rejected, because of the covenant made with their fathers…by lump, and branches, he means the people of the Jews that descended of these holy patriarchs, and spring from them, as branches from a root.”

APPLICATION

Even Peter said these words to his people during his second sermon in Acts 3:25. “It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’” The purpose God had given the Jews was to make his salvation known among the nations. That was done through His Son, Jesus Christ, born a Jew to fulfill this prophecy.

So, how does this apply to us today. Over in 1 Corinthians 5:6-7, Paul uses that word for “lump” again. This time pointing out a different thought. “6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.” What does that mean? Just as one good lump can influence the whole, one bad lump can as well.

Are you a good lump or a bad lump? All the molecules of my mama’s biscuit dough came together to produce a truly delicious product. Each molecule did its job without worrying about what the other one was doing. They were all there to make biscuits. (Hungry yet?) We, as followers of Christ, must come together to make disciples who make disciples. Stop worrying about what the Methodists or Baptists or Pentecostals are doing. Just do your part, be the lump!

Thank You, Father, for allowing me to be a part of the whole lump and spread Your message.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Gospel, Ministry, Reconciled, Romans, Scripture

THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

ROMANS 11:15

“For if their rejection proves to be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?”

When two people are fighting, reconciliation is the last thing on their minds. Most of the time both parties demand their rights over the rights of the other. There is no thought to common ground. Only when all efforts to “win” are exhausted do they finally agree to reconcile. We are going to look at this “ministry” of reconciliation today and how God used a bad thing to produce a greater thing.

As Paul continues showing how the rejection of the Gospel by the Jews led to the salvation of the Gentiles, he uses a word here that has such rich meaning for us as followers of Christ. The Greek word katallagé is translated as “reconciliation.” The Topical Lexicon says this word “speaks of reconciliation—the decisive restoration of a broken relationship between God and humanity accomplished through the saving work of Jesus Christ. While Scripture contains broader calls for harmony among people, katallagé is used exclusively of God’s act in Christ that removes hostility, grants peace, and re-establishes covenant fellowship.” Isn’t that what we all want?

APPLICATION

This word was used earlier in Romans 5:11. “And not only this, but we also celebrate in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” Then we see it used twice in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 in noun form and also twice in verb form. “18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

Look at those verses closely. God reconciled us to Himself and gave us a purpose – to share the word of reconciliation to others. In other words, the best thing that could have happened to us was done so we could share it with someone else so that they too could be reconciled to God. We can’t reconcile them to God. That has to be done between them and God. We can serve as a kind of mediator to introduce them to the “offended party,” that being a holy God.

How many people do you know who are walking around without this reconciliation in their lives? Probably a lot, right? If you have been given this “ministry of reconciliation” by the Father, you need to share it with them. Show them how the Father desires to be reconciled to them. He won’t chase them down and make them reconcile, though. They have to come willingly. Share the ministry.

You have given me a purpose and a mission, O Lord. Help me show others the benefits of reconciling with You today.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Wooden sign with the word MOTIVATION on a forest hiking trail.
Bible, Covenant, Gentiles, Israel, Jealousy, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

MOVED TO JEALOUSY

ROMANS 11:14

“if somehow I may move my own people to jealousy and save some of them.”

I had the privilege to supervise a lot of people through my ministry career. Some were easier than others, lol. But I always tried to motivate my people to do their best. One way was to never ask them to do something I wasn’t willing to do myself. I would get right there in with them. Motivation is a learned skill, I believe. You have to know what motivates a person. For some, it’s money. Others need words of encouragement. Find what motivates those around you and practice it.

Paul was doing just that. He was trying to motivate the Jews who had rejected Jesus to turn to him by showing them from Scripture the warnings. Here is how Albert Barnes explains Paul statement “I may move my own people to jealousy.” “I may awaken up to zeal, or to an earnest desire to obtain the like blessings. This was in accordance with the prediction of Moses, that the calling in of the Gentiles would excite their attention, and provoke them to deep feeling. The apostle expected to do this by calling their attention to the ancient prophecies; by alarming their fears about their own danger; and by showing them the great privileges which Gentiles might enjoy under the gospel; thus appealing to them by every principle of benevolence, by all their regard for God and man, to excite them to seek the same blessings.” Would that have motivated you?

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated as “move…to jealousy” is parazéloó which comes from para (alongside) and zeloo (boil over with desire). It means “to apply heavy (‘hot’) pressure to provoke change, especially in an ‘up-close-and-personal’ way.” (HELPS Word-studies) Paul was not shying away from the Jews. He was figuratively “up in their face” trying to get them to respond.

Now don’t think Paul was trying to incite the Jews to something that was evil. We often think of jealousy in a negative way, and it is often used that way. But here Paul is trying to get them to return to a relationship with a holy God Who has offered His own Son for them, as well as the Gentiles. The Topical Lexicon says, this “jealousy is not petty envy but the righteous passion of a covenant partner who demands fidelity.”

I am jealous for my wife. I do not want other men to look at her in the wrong way. I am protecting my covenant relationship with her against all others. How far would I go to do that? As far as I had to. I am, after all, her protector. Jealousy isn’t all bad. You have to look at the context of the situation. Here in today’s verse, Paul wants the Jews to get jealous for the relationship which the Gentiles now have with Jesus. He wants them to return to God and their own covenant relationship as a nation which now rests in Jesus. Are you jealous for Him?

Father, I desire to know You more and more and want others to know You as well.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Busy urban street with crosswalk, cars, bus, trees, and pedestrians
Bible, Glorified, Glorify, Glory, Ministry, Romans, Scripture

GIVE HONOR TO YOUR WORK

ROMANS 11:13

“But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Therefore, insofar as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry”

I had a conversation last week with a friend about making plans for the next few years. As I approach retirement age, I am looking ahead to backing off on my ministry obligations and focusing more on my family, especially my wife. This friend reminded me that my first ministry is to my family. I know that and have tried to maintain the proper priorities in my life. But as I look toward these next few years, I know I need to reprioritize that first ministry even more. I need to honor it as God does.

At first glance, if you just read today’s verse in English, you may think Paul is bragging about his ministry. He said, “I magnify my ministry.” Now, I’ve seen some pretty proud ministers in my life, but this is NOT what Paul is saying. I don’t usually lean on the New International Version, but in this case, I like how it puts this statement. It says, “I take pride in my ministry.” That’s the thought behind Paul’s statement. He was proud and honored to be the apostle to the Gentiles.

APPLICATION

The Greek word used here for “magnify” is a fairly commonly used word in the New Testament, occurring 62 times. It is most often translated as “glorify.” One great example of this word is found in John 13:31-32. “31 Therefore when he had left, Jesus said, ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; 32 if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately.” Five times this word is used in these two verses. Listen closely. Everything we do should be done to glorify the Father. Any ministry He has given us is for His glory, not ours.

Who are you glorifying today? Are you taking pride in what you have accomplished? Now, there is nothing wrong with having pride for your accomplishments, as long as you give credit to the One who made it all possible. Taking pride in your ministry, honoring the work God has given you to do, is important. By doing that you will strive to do your very best.

Martin Luther King Jr. famously urged that if a person is called to be a street sweeper, they should sweep streets so well that “all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street-sweeper who did his job well.” Let your work glorify God. Let your ministry efforts have the right priority, just as I am reevaluating my own. Glorify the One who deserves all the glory and honor.

You alone are worthy of glory and honor, O God. Let my work bring glory to You. 

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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