Question:
I once heard you say that the branches in Romans 11:17 refers to Israel as a whole. How can these branches refer to Israel as a whole in light of verses 9:27 and 11:7&8 in contrast to verse 11:16 that refers to these branches as “holy” and in verse 17 only “some” branches are broken off not to “most” branches as would be the case of said verses of 9:27 and 11:7&8. Only believers are holy in God’s sight. I believe that these holy branches refer to the believing Jewish remnant who God is no longer using to reach the world. Only in the future will God deal with Israel again once they believe. See Revelation 11:13. This remnant will be grafted back on to the vine at this time. See Romans 11:20-23. I think it is pretty clear Paul is talking about the remnant are the branches if you read chapters 9-11 in context. Maybe you have over looked this in your studies. God bless you with His wisdom.
Answer:
I believe the ‘wild olive branches’ are the gentiles. When the ‘wild olive branches are grafted in they speak of saved gentiles. The ‘natural branches’ are the Jews. These ‘natural branches’ broken off are unsaved Jews. When a Jew [a natural branch] trusts Christ as Savior, they are grafted back in to the good olive tree. Notice Romans 11:24 which says, “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?”