Paul goes on to say that the rejection of the Jews was partial, was passing, and had a purpose. A remnant continued to believe, the rejection wouldn’t last forever, and some good would actually come from it.
Israel’s transgression allowed the gospel to be delivered to the Gentiles. And closely related to that fact, a sense of jealousy developed among the people of Israel (
11:11-12). When the Jewish people saw God’s acceptance of the Gentiles, many would repent and come to God as well. Indeed, Paul’s use of the words “fullness” (
11:12 NIV) and “acceptance” (
11:15 NIV) indicate a positive future for Israel.
In the meantime, the Gentiles have no right to gloat. Their gospel has Jewish roots and a Jewish Savior. Thanks to God’s grace, the Gentiles are grafted into God’s olive tree (
11:17-18), and they are completely supported by the root.
The Jewish nation should not see the inclusion of the Gentiles as a threat. Just the opposite. If God could make a wild branch become productive, it would be no trouble at all for Him to restore some of the natural branches. All the Jews needed to do was show the same degree of repentance and faith as the Gentiles, and they would quickly be reattached to their source of growth and productivity (
11:22-24). Ultimately, the restoration of a Jewish person was an easier process than the call of a Gentile to faith, because the knowledgeable Jew understood the need for forgiveness.
Layman's Bible Commentary - Layman's Bible Commentary – Volume 10: Acts thru Corinthians.