All In One

“Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.” (Ro 11:18 AV)

Paul is writing to a multi-cultural church.  Made up of both converted Jews and Gentiles, there would understandably be some tension as the reality of salvation coming to both groups.  The Jews, being the originators of the word of God and the seed by which the Messiah came, may see themselves in an elevated position.  The Gentiles, having opportunity to receive Christ, due in large part, because Israel as a whole rejected Him, may assume they are the elevated class.  Paul is instructing these saints that this new arrangement is one of co-dependence.  The branches that refused the Messiah are removed from the root and those who accept Christ are grafted into the promise of salvation made to Israel.  The boasting is the boasting against Israel as a whole because of their rejection.  However, the root is still solid.  The branch cannot live without a root system and the root system will not grow into maturity without the branch.  The branch may die without the root.  But the root remains stagnant without the branch.

This conflict is an inheritably human thing.  This idea that we are individuals first is something which, in general, the animal kingdom has little concept.  The animal kingdom herds or flocks.  There is a hierarchy for the sake of the health of the herd.  But, in general, most species survive because of a group mentality.  In one sense, the natural world shows more wisdom than the human world.  It doesn’t matter what our backgrounds are, how much or little we have ‘succeeded’ in life.  Our education lever, our age, our talents, etc. cannot bring us to a place of total independence.  We need one another.  But there is a simpler application than this.  That is, we cannot see the failures of others as a stamp of no worth.  Or, in a manner of speaking, we cannot see we have no need for others because they made mistakes that we did not.  The temptation to the Gentile in the church of Rome is to think they have no need of the Jew to contribute to the body of Christ because their people have failed to accept Christ.  Let us not forget that before Abraham, all were Gentiles and the reason God turned to Abraham in the first place was because the Gentiles had failed.

In short, the root is the supplier of nutrients while the branch is the producer of fruit.  Both are mutually dependent upon one another for the health and prosperity of the plant as a whole.  There is no room for comparing ourselves among ourselves.  We are all in need of one another and all are co-dependent upon one another.  This is the spirit of the Missionary.  He goes to a foreign field because he sees a need.  He makes no value judgment upon the people to whom he is sent.  He sees them as God sees them.  A soul for whom Christ died.  There is no expendable group.  There are no cultures beyond God’s grace.  This tree must have as many branches grafted in who desire the free gift of salvation.  And, the root must grow as well!