What is the Olive tree?

For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And 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; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? (Rom 11:16-24)

This is a very familiar passage to all of us. So, here is my question. If Israel is a branch or branches and the gentiles are a branch or branches, then what is the Olive tree? Please do not answer with isms or cut and paste what another man thinks, I am simply looking to see what others think the Olive Tree represents in this passage. Obviously nothing was replaced, the tree remains, so we dont have to go down that rabbit hole. So, what are we grafted into or cut out of or regrafted back into?.............bro Frank

Brother Frank this is a good question. I never thought about what is the Olive Tree? I would like to say maybe we should ask Who is the Olive Tree. Brother I believe the Olive Tree is Jesus. Will try to amplify more on this after I've thought this out.

Good question. Hope this results in some good discussion.

You know brother Blaine it is considered by many that the tree of life in the Garden was the olive tree. Then, when Noah sent out the Dove the dove came back with an olive branch which even today is considered to be a sign of peace " holding out an olive branch." The olive tree, the first tree to grow after everything was wiped out, life from death, renewal, promise, peace. As we move through the Bible and see further examples of the olive tree and the oil that it produces we begin to see something very deep and symbolic emerge. It speaks to our spirits.............bro Frank

This is a very familiar passage to all of us. So, here is my question. If Israel is a branch or branches and the gentiles are a branch or branches, then what is the Olive tree?

This is a good clear observation. Branches were broken off that gentiles could be engrafted in. The language seems all in plural.

Romans 11:18 New International Version (NIV)

18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.

It seems clear to me that the root is Jesus Christ, the life and promises (covenants) of God. We are entered into something undeserved, gracious and the eternal plan of God, only the humble not the boastful enter in.

That is a wonderful thought that the tree of life is pictured here brother Frank.

Bro Greg writes.....

"It seems clear to me that the root is Jesus Christ, the life and promises (covenants) of God. We are entered into something undeserved, gracious and the eternal plan of God, only the humble not the boastful enter in."

Amen brother. Brother Blaine and I had a wonderful conversation to day about this subject today and I had posed the same question to him and he came up with the same answer as you.....................bro Frank

Hi Todd,

The question is, who is the Olive tree or what is the Olive tree in Romans 11 and throughout the Bible, any thoughts?......bro Frank

by TMK on 2016/5/13 19:42:33

It is my understanding from horticultural grafting that an undesirable rootstock is improved by grafting favorable fruit-bearing parts into the rootstock. So in essence the basic tree/rootstock is mended or improved by the desirable grafted-in branches.

But in the case of the olive tree in our illustration, the rootstock is perfect and the grafts are undesirable (i.e., "us"). So in this case it is the grafted-in branches that are being "cured" by the rootstock.

That was very interesting, TMK. I have some further thoughts but sense Frank is not wanting any side thoughts.

Thanks Julias for sensing that. Todd could start a thread on that............bro Frank

Actually when Frank and I were talking earlier I was thinking about John 15 the first few verses being a cross reference to Romans 11.

It appears that the John 15 context could be the Mount of Olives in which Jesus is talking to his disciples. Also olives and grapes do grow on vines and are very similar in their growth patterns. But whether grapes or olives. Interesting that in both John 15 and Romans 11 branches are mentioned. But it was seem in John 15 the vine is Jesus. We are the branches. In Romans 11 it would appear the tree is Jesus. And again we are the branches.

For now my thoughts.

Bro Blaine

by appolus on 2016/5/13 21:54:31

Thanks Julias for sensing that. Todd could start a thread on that............bro Frank

Yep, Apollus, you have trained me well. ;-) Your posts are like a classroom with no deviation allowed from the subject.

I got it.

Todd writes........

" So I would agree with Blaine that the tree seems to be Jesus."

See, that was not so hard bro :)..........bro Frank

Julias writes......

"Yep, Apollus, you have trained me well. ;-) Your posts are like a classroom with no deviation allowed from the subject.
I got it."

Awesome :) What I am looking for is a spiritual conversation rather than a theological one. Theology has strained the forum and relationships in the past few months. So what do you think guys about the Olive tree in Romans 11? It cannot be the Jewish folks and it cannot be the gentiles because both are described as branches. So what is this constant that runs through the scriptures from the beginning? It is certainly bigger than any of our pet theories and theologies. It is something immovable and constant and if we are not drawing life from it then we have no life. Then ponder the oil from this tree that is scattered throughout scripture. There are beautiful revelations and truth that begin to open up when delve into this................bro Frank

I always thought the Olive tree was Jesus.

TMK had some very good insights that I did not think deviated.

'When the Messiah returns, He will give the people, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for heavines, that they might be called trees of rightousness, the planting of the Lord,that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3'

This verse speaks to me of the 'grafting in' to the tree of life, whereby those who have been broken off, or who fallen from their first love, having sought to be sanctified through works of flesh, instead of Christ's way by faith, as the Galatians did previously. They need a return of Christ or a second blessing, so that they can become holy and annointed with the oil they can now produce ie that the rivers of life can pour forth from them to bless others with life and light.

I always thought the Olive tree was Jesus.

TMK had some very good insights that I did not think deviated.

I have in my reading of Romans 11 considered the Olive Tree Israel also. But after slowly reading the passage that Frank posted I realized that it was speaking also of our Lord that supports the branches. And if we are "in Christ" then we are as John 15 says, abiding in Him.

I do believe there are other Scriptures that refer to Israel as the olive tree, but it seems clear that at least as one brother said the "root" is Jesus Christ and the branches are grafted into Him.

Praise God, what a wonderful picture of God's salvation.