the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
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New Living Translation
Romans 11:16
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Since Abe and the other patriarchs were holy, surely there is some holy fruit left. If the roots are holy, the branches can be, too.
If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.
And if the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.
And if the first-fruit is holy, so is the mass: and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
Now if the first-fruit [be] holy, the lump also; and if the root [be] holy, the branches also.
Now if the firstfruits offered up are holy, so is the whole batch. And if the root is holy, so are the branches.
If the first fruit is holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches.
For if the first-fruits be holy, so is the lump: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
Now if the firstfruits of the dough are holy, so also is the whole mass; and if the root of a tree is holy, so also are the branches.
For if the first fruite bee holy, the lumpe is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
Now if the firstfruit is holy, so also the lump. And if the root is holy, so also the branches.
Yf the begynnynge be holy, then is all ye dowe holy: and yf the rote be holy, then are the braunches holy also.
Now if the first-fruits be holy, so is the whole product: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
Behind and underneath all this there is a holy, God-planted, God-tended root. If the primary root of the tree is holy, there's bound to be some holy fruit. 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 gives you no cause to crow over the pruned branches. Remember, you aren't feeding the root; the root is feeding you.
If the first portion [of dough offered as the first fruits] is holy, so is the whole batch; and if the root (Abraham, the patriarchs) is holy, so are the branches (the Israelites).
And if the first-fruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
If the dough offered as first fruits is holy, so is the whole lump; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
For yf one pece be holy the whole heepe is holy. And yf the rote be holy the braunches are holy also.
And if the first fruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
For if the first fruit [is] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [is] holy, so [are] the branches.
and if the first-fruit [is] holy, the lump also; and if the root [is] holy, the branches also.
If the first piece of bread is offered to God, then the whole loaf is made holy. If the roots of a tree are holy, then the tree's branches are holy too.
If the first portion of the dough offered is holy, then the whole batch is holy, and if the root is holy, so too are the branches.
If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
If part of a batch of dough is made holy by being offered to God, then all of the dough is holy. If the roots of a tree are holy, the rest of the tree is holy too.
Now if the hallah offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole loaf. And if the root is holy, so are the branches.
If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
For if the first fruites be holy, so is the whole lumpe: and if the roote be holy, so are the branches.
For if the first fruit is holy, the rest of the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
If the first fruit is holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches.
If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch. If the root is holy, so are the branches.Leviticus 23:10; Numbers 15:18-21;">[xr]
For if the first-fruits be holy, (so) also (will be) the mass; and if the root be holy, (so) also the branches.
For, if the first-fruits [fn] holy, then the mass [fn] also: and if the root is holy, then also the branches.
For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
If the first loaf is holy, all the bread is holy. If the root is holy, all the branches are holy.
And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; and if the root is holy, then the branches also are holy.
If, moreover, the first fruit is holy, the lump shall be also; and, if the root is holy, the branches shall be also.
For if the firstfruit be holy, so is the lump also: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
Now if the first fruits are holy, so also is the whole batch of dough, and if the root is holy, so also are the branches.
For yf the first fruites be holy, ye whole lumpe also [is holy.] And yf the roote be holy, the braunches also.
If the first piece of bread is offered to God, then the whole loaf is made holy. If the roots of a tree are holy, the tree's branches are holy too.
If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are as well.
If the first piece of bread is given to God, then the whole loaf is his also; and if the roots of a tree are offered to God, the branches are his also.
For if a litil part of that that is tastid be hooli, the hool gobet is hooli; and if the roote is hooli, also the braunchis.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
if the firstfruit: Exodus 22:29, Exodus 23:16, Exodus 23:19, Leviticus 23:10, Numbers 15:17-21, Deuteronomy 18:4, Deuteronomy 26:10, Nehemiah 10:35-37, Proverbs 3:9, Ezekiel 44:30, James 1:18, Revelation 14:4
and if: Romans 11:17, Genesis 17:7, Jeremiah 2:21, 1 Corinthians 7:14
Reciprocal: Leviticus 21:15 - profane Numbers 15:20 - a cake Deuteronomy 26:2 - That thou shalt Isaiah 6:13 - But yet Isaiah 27:6 - General Isaiah 61:9 - they are Jeremiah 2:3 - the firstfruits Jeremiah 32:39 - for the Hosea 14:6 - branches Zechariah 10:9 - live Zechariah 14:16 - that every Mark 10:14 - Suffer Acts 2:39 - the promise Acts 16:31 - and thy Romans 16:5 - who James 3:12 - the fig tree
Cross-References
Sons were also born to Shem, the older brother of Japheth. Shem was the ancestor of all the descendants of Eber.
Eber had two sons. The first was named Peleg (which means "division"), for during his lifetime the people of the world were divided into different language groups. His brother's name was Joktan.
Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will oppress Assyria and afflict Eber, but they, too, will be utterly destroyed."
Eber had two sons. The first was named Peleg (which means "division"), for during his lifetime the people of the world were divided into different language groups. His brother's name was Joktan.
Nahor was the son of Serug. Serug was the son of Reu. Reu was the son of Peleg. Peleg was the son of Eber. Eber was the son of Shelah.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
For if the firstfruit be holy,.... Some by "the firstfruit" and "root" understand Christ, who is sometimes called, "the firstfruits of them that slept", 1 Corinthians 15:20, and "the root of Jesse and David", Isaiah 11:10, and indeed of all the righteous; and certain it is, that since he is holy, has all the holiness of his people in him, and is sanctification unto them, they shall be holy likewise; have it imparted to them in this life, and perfected in them in another: but this does not seem to agree with the apostle's argument. Others think that by them are meant the Jewish ancestors, and particularly Abraham, and dream of a holiness derived from him to his natural seed; but if no such holiness was derived from him to his immediate offspring, Ishmael, it can hardly be thought any should be communicated by him to his remote posterity; and to these here designed, at the distance of four or five thousand years from him: but by them are intended the first converts among the Jews, under the Gospel dispensation; it being usual with the apostle to call those persons, that were first converted in any place, the firstfruits of it; see Romans 16:5; These were they who received the firstfruits of the Spirit in Judea, and who first among the Jews hoped and believed in Christ; these were but few in number, as the "firstfruit" is but small in comparison of "the lump", and mean, abject, and despicable, as the "root" under, and in a dry ground is; but yet were pledges and presages of a larger number of souls among that people, to be converted in the latter day: now the apostle's argument is, "if the firstfruit be holy",
the lump is also holy, and if the root be holy, so are the branches; that is, that whereas those persons who were converted among the Jews, however few in number, and despicable in appearance they might be, yet were truly sanctified by the Spirit of God; and as they were, so should the whole body of that people be in the last days, "when holiness [shall] be upon the horses' bells, [and] every pot in Judah and Jerusalem shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts", Zechariah 14:20, by which metaphorical expressions is meant, that holiness should be common to the whole nation, and all the inhabitants of it, of which the call of some few among them was a pledge and presage. The allusion in the former clause is to the holy offerings of firstfruits to the Lord, the two wave loaves, Leviticus 23:14, whereby the whole lump was sanctified, for after use throughout the year following; and that in the latter clause, to the holiness of trees; that is, to trees devoted to sacred use or that were planted in a field appropriated thereunto: hence we read t, that the men of Jericho permitted, or as other exemplars read it, cut down גמזיות של הקדש, "branches of holiness", or "holy branches"; and eat fallen fruit on the sabbath day. u Bartenora explains these branches, of such that grow upon a tree devoted to holy uses; and Maimonides w, observes, that they thought it lawful to eat what grew in a holy field.
t Misn. Pesachim, c. 4. sect. 8. u In Misn. Pesachim. c. 4. sect. 8. w In ib.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
For if the first-fruit be holy - The word “first-fruit” ἀπαρχή aparchē used here denotes the firstling of fruit or grain which was separated from the mass and presented as an offering to God. The Jews were required to present such a portion of their harvest to God, as an expression of gratitude and of their sense of dependence; Numbers 15:19-21. Until this was done, it was not lawful to partake of the harvest. The offering of this was regarded as rendering the mass holy, that is, it was lawful then to partake of it. The first-fruits were regarded as among the best portions of the harvest; and it was their duty to devote to God that which would be the best expression of their thanksgiving. This was the general practice in relation to all that the land produced. The expression here, however, has reference to the small portion of dough or kneaded meal that was offered to God; and then the mass or lump φύραμα phurama was left for the use of him who made the offering; Numbers 15:20.
Be holy - Be set apart, or consecrated to God, as he commanded.
The lump - The mass. It refers here properly to the dough of which a part had been offered. The same was true also in relation to the harvest, after the waive-sheaf had been offered; of the flock, after the first male had been offered, etc.
Is also holy - It is lawful then for the owner to partake of it. The offering of a part has consecrated the whole. By this illustration Paul doubtless means to say that the Jewish nation, as a people, were set apart to the service of God, and were so regarded by him. Some have supposed that by the first-fruit here the apostle intends to refer to the early converts, made to the Christian faith in the first preaching of the gospel. But it is more probable that he refers to the patriarchs, the pious people of old, as the first-fruits of the Jewish nation; see Romans 11:28. By their piety the nation was, in a manner, sanctified, or set apart to the service of God; implying that yet the great mass of them would be reclaimed and saved.
If the root be holy - This figure expresses the same thing as is denoted in the first part of the verse. The root of a tree is the source of nutritious juices necessary for its growth, and gives its character to the tree. If that be sound, pure, vigorous, we expect the same of the branches. A root bears a similar relation to the tree that the first-fruit does to the mass of bread. Perhaps there is allusion here to Jeremiah 11:16, where the Jewish nation is represented under the image of “a green olivetree, fair, and of goodly fruit.” In this place the reference is doubtless to Abraham and the patriarchs, as the root or founders of the Jewish nation. If they were holy, it is to be expected that the distant branches, or descendants, would also be so regarded. The mention of the root and branches of a tree gives the apostle occasion for an illustration of the relation at that time of the Jews and Gentiles to the church of Christ.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Romans 11:16. For if the first fruit be holy — As the consecrating the first fruits to God was the means of drawing down his blessing upon the rest, so the conversion of Abraham to the true faith, and the several Jews who have now embraced Christianity, are pledges that God will, in process of time, admit the whole Jewish nation into his favour again, so that they shall constitute a part of the visible Church of Christ.
If the root be holy, so are the branches. — The word holy in this verse is to be taken in that sense which it has so frequently in the Old and New Testaments, viz. consecrated, set apart to sacred uses. It must not be forgotten that the first converts to Christ were from among the Jews; these formed the root of the Christian Church: these were holy, αγιοι, consecrated to God, and those who among the Gentiles were converted by their means were also αγιοι, consecrated; but the chief reference is to the ancestors of the Jewish people, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and, as these were devoted to God and received into his covenant, all their posterity, the branches which proceeded from this root, became entitled to the same privileges: and as the root still remains, and the branches also, the descendants from that root still remain: they still have a certain title to the blessings of the covenant; though, because of their obstinate unbelief, these blessings are suspended, as they cannot, even on the ground of the old covenant, enjoy these blessings but through faith: for it was when Abraham believed God that it was accounted to him for righteousness; and thus he became an heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
