In light  of eternity

How Paul uses the olive tree metaphor to show one unified people of God — Jews and Gentiles grafted together by faith

Welcome back to our 12-week Sunday school series: The Israel of God. This series began Sunday, April 5, 2026, and this week we come to one of the most beautiful and clarifying passages in all of Paul’s letters. In Romans 11, Paul paints a vivid picture of a single olive tree whose root is the patriarchs. Some natural branches (unbelieving ethnic Israel) have been broken off, while wild olive branches (believing Gentiles) have been grafted in by faith. The result is one tree, one people — the Israel of God.

Key Scriptures (NASB)

• Romans 11:17-18 – “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, do not be arrogant toward the branches…”

• Romans 11:23-24 – “And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.”

• Romans 11:36 – “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”

What Paul Is Really Saying

Paul’s olive tree is not two separate trees or two separate peoples of God. There is only one tree, one root, and one covenant people. The natural branches that were broken off were removed because of unbelief, not ethnicity. The wild branches (Gentiles) are grafted in by faith and now share in the rich root alongside believing Jews. God has not replaced Israel; He has expanded and fulfilled His people through Christ.

Herman Ridderbos emphasizes that this is part of the single eschatological plan of salvation: the whole apostolic preaching proclaims the new reality inaugurated in Christ, where the dividing wall is gone and one new humanity stands before God. O. Palmer Robertson’s covenant theology reinforces the point — the promises were always intended to create a single, faith-defined family that includes every nation.

This metaphor destroys any notion of two separate programs or peoples. The Israel of God is one olive tree: Jewish and Gentile believers together, sustained by the same root, sharing the same nourishing sap, and destined for the same glorious future. Paul’s warning against arrogance and his hope for the regrafting of natural branches call us to humility, unity, and expectant prayer for all Israel.

Discussion / Application Questions (use these in class or small group)

1. How does the single olive tree metaphor in Romans 11 eliminate any idea of two separate peoples of God?
2. What does it mean for Gentiles to be “grafted in” among the natural branches, and why must we guard against arrogance?
3. In what ways does unbelief (not ethnicity) explain the breaking off of some branches?
4. How does Paul’s hope for the future regrafting of natural branches (Romans 11:23-24) shape our view of ethnic Israel today?
5. How should the truth of one unified tree affect the way our church lives out unity between Jewish and Gentile believers?
6. Practically, how can we apply Paul’s warning and encouragement to foster humility and prayerful expectation in our own community?

Memory Verse to Hide in Your Heart

“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, do not be arrogant toward the branches…” (Romans 11:17-18 NASB)

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for the beautiful picture of one olive tree in which every believing branch finds life. Thank You that in Christ there is no longer Jew or Gentile but one new people grafted together by faith. Root us deeply in Your covenant promises, guard us from arrogance or division, and stir our hearts to pray for the full ingathering of Your people. May we live as one unified family for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For Further Insight

These three posts from the blog will give you deeper background and context for everything we covered today:

→ The Olive Tree and the Elect Remnant – How God’s sovereign election narrows through the remnant to the faithful of every nation.

→ From Stump to Branch and Dry Bones – The OT imagery behind Paul’s olive tree: Isaiah’s stump, Ezekiel’s bones, and the one restored people.

→ The Covenantal Framework – Paul’s Eschatological Unity – The single redemptive plan from Abraham to Christ that the olive tree illustrates.