Romans 11:11–24, 33-36 – The Wonderful Wisdom Of God

Harry McSween • May 23, 2025

Romans 11:11–24, 33-36

[11] So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. [12] Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

[13] Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry [14] in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. [15] For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? [16] If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

[17] But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, [18] do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. [19] Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” [20] That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. [21] For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. [22] Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. [23] And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

Romans 11:33–36

[33] Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

[34] “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”

[35] “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”

[36] For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

What’s The Point?

Full disclosure: This passage of Scripture is meant to be a little confusing. Paul is highlighting the fact that God’s plan for salvation is beyond our understanding because God’s ways are higher than ours. Ultimately, we should acknowledge God is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omnibenevolent (always good), even if our finite minds cannot fully comprehend our Lord’s magnificent plans for redemption. Keep this truth in your mind as we work through the rest of the passage.

Paul starts this chapter by asking a hard question: “Has God rejected his people?”(v. 1). Why would Paul ask such a wild question? Israel has been God’s chosen people starting with Abraham. All the prophets, all the covenants, all the promises came through Israel. The Messiah, Jesus Christ, came through Israel. But, as we have seen in Romans 9-10, the people of Israel have rejected the righteousness of Christ in pursuit of a self-righteousness that comes from the law. The good news of salvation was then made known to all through the finished work of Jesus. In light of all this, Paul is asking if God has forgotten Israel. He answers his own question with an emphatic, “By no means!”

In this passage we see that no one has an inherent claim to God’s grace—not one of us is deserving. The Jews rejected the Messiah and trusted in self-righteousness. The Gentiles, that’s all non-Jews, were grafted in and made partakers of the promises given to Israel, but this only comes through God’s grace and kindness, not through anything the Gentiles did.

The olive tree metaphor that Paul gives is quite aggressive. The Jews, God’s chosen people, are now stuck in their trespasses and sins; they are the branches that have been cut off the tree. The Gentiles have now been brought into God’s family; we are the wild olive shoots that God has grafted onto the existing olive tree.

In all this, God can do whatever he wants. If he wants to break off the natural branches to make room for the wild olive shoots, he can do it. If he wants to later graft in the natural branches that he previously removed, he can do it. To be sure, this is not saying God will remove salvation from you or me. This is saying that God worked through the Jewish people, and now he is working amongst people who are not Jewish, and he can bring the Jewish people back to himself whenever he wants.

This should cause us to do 2 things. First, we should thank God for his grace to include us into his plan of salvation. If you are not Jewish, you are what the Bible calls a Gentile. Ephesians 2:13 tells us that we Gentiles were far away from God, but God has brought us near by the blood of Christ.

Second, we should praise God for his plan to bring salvation to the whole world. That is what vv. 33-36 are all about. His wisdom and the complexity of his plan are beyond anything we could have ever conjured. God’s wisdom is wonderful, his plans always come to pass, and his works are always good. His knowledge of us, love for us, and pursuit of us are worthy of all our praise.

Scripture Memorization

Romans 11:33–36

[33] Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

[34] “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”

[35] “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”

[36] For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Prayer

For today’s prayer, take the Scripture you are memorizing above and pray it to the Lord. Praise him for his wisdom, and thank him for his grace. Give him glory.

Reflection

Read Ephesians 2:11-22. Think about how the Gospel is the greatest unifying force of all time.
It is humbling to think that as Gentiles we were just wild shoots that God has graciously grafted into his family. Does that change the way you look at your own salvation?
Confess to the Lord that his plan is better than anything you could have come up with, and give him thanks.

Discussion Questions

Share some of your favorite Old Testament stories that show Israel is God’s chosen people.
Ephesians 2:11-22 talks about how Jews and Gentiles have been united in Christ. Of all the unifying statements in that passage, which one do you think is the most significant?
How does this passage encourage you in your daily walk with and pursuit of the Lord?

If you have any questions feel free to reach out: harry@swoutfitters.com. All of the Scripture referenced in this study is from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted.

Harry McSween • May 23, 2025

Romans 11:11–24, 33-36 – The Wonderful Wisdom Of God