Romans 11:19

19 It's certainly possible to say, "Other branches were pruned so that I could be grafted in!"

Romans 11:19 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 11:19

Thou wilt say then
This is an objection which the apostle foresaw the Gentiles would make against what he had said, and in favour of their boasting;

the branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
The sense of which is, that the Jews were rejected and left out of the Gospel church, on purpose to make way for the Gentiles, that they might be put in their room; and consequently the Jews must be more vile and unworthy, and the Gentiles more deserving of such favours and privileges, or God would never have taken such a step, to leave out one to make room for the other.

Romans 11:19 In-Context

17 Some of the tree's branches were pruned and you wild olive shoots were grafted in. Yet the fact that you are now fed by that rich and holy root

18 gives you no cause to crow over the pruned branches. Remember, you aren't feeding the root; the root is feeding you.

19 It's certainly possible to say, "Other branches were pruned so that I could be grafted in!"

20 Well and good. But they were pruned because they were deadwood, no longer connected by belief and commitment to the root. The only reason you're on the tree is because your graft "took" when you believed, and because you're connected to that belief-nurturing root. So don't get cocky and strut your branch. Be humbly mindful of the root that keeps you lithe and green.

21 If God didn't think twice about taking pruning shears to the natural branches, why would he hesitate over you? He wouldn't give it a second thought.