Romans 11:17
What does Romans 11:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 11:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 11:17 means
Paul describes the present state: some natural branches (unbelieving Jews) were broken off, and Gentile believers, like wild olive shoots, were grafted in among the remaining branches. These Gentiles now share in the nourishing sap—the “root of the fatness” of the olive tree—meaning they partake of the blessings rooted in God’s promises to the patriarchs. The picture emphasizes grace and inclusion. Gentiles did not replace the root; they were added to a tree not originally theirs. The metaphor honors Israel’s foundational role while affirming Gentiles’ full participation in the covenant blessings through faith in the Messiah.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, an olive-tree of the fields, were put in among them, and were given a part with them in the root by which the olive-tree is made fertile,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And if certain of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wast graffed in among them, and a fellow-partaker of the root and of the fatness of the olive tree didst become--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And if some of the branches be broken and thou, being a wild olive, art ingrafted in them and art made partaker of the root and of the fatness of the olive tree:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Now if some of the branches have been broken out, and thou, being a wild olive tree, hast been grafted in amongst them, and hast become a fellow-partaker of the root and of the fatness of the olive tree,
Context
Building on the holy root analogy (verse 16), verse 17 introduces the grafting imagery that will govern verses 17–24. It acknowledges the painful reality of Jewish unbelief while celebrating Gentile inclusion. This sets up Paul’s pastoral warnings in verses 18–21 against Gentile boasting, reminding them that their place depends entirely on grace and faith, not superiority over the natural branches.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 21:43
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
- Ephesians 2:11
Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;
- Judges 9:8
The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive-tree, Reign thou over us.
- Colossians 2:13
And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, I say, did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;
- Ezekiel 15:6
Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: As the vine-tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
- Matthew 8:11
And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven:
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