The Meaning of Romans 11:16 Explained

Romans 11:16

KJV: For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

YLT: and if the first-fruit is holy, the lump also; and if the root is holy, the branches also.

Darby: Now if the first-fruit be holy, the lump also; and if the root be holy, the branches also.

ASV: And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  if  the firstfruit  [be] holy,  the lump  [is] also  [holy]: and  if  the root  [be] holy,  so  [are] the branches. 

What does Romans 11:16 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The first piece of dough (firstfruits) describes the believing remnant in Israel now, Christian Jews. The "lump" or "batch" refers to the whole nation, Israel. God has consecrated both groups to Himself.
The root and branches must refer to the Abrahamic Covenant and the believing and unbelieving Gentiles and Jews respectively in view of how Paul proceeded to develop this illustration in Romans 11:17-24. [1] Moo saw the root as the patriarchs and God"s promises to them. [2]

Context Summary

Romans 11:13-24 - Others Grafted In By Faith
Paul never abandoned the hope that ultimately Israel would come back to God in Christ. He believed that God's promises pointed in that direction, and that, though centuries might pass, those sure guarantees would be abundantly fulfilled. Notice his expressions: how much more their fullness, Romans 11:12; what shall the receiving of them be, but from the dead? Romans 11:15; God is able to graft them in again, Romans 11:23; all Israel shall be saved, Romans 11:26; that He might have mercy upon all, Romans 11:32. He realized, however, that Israel must temporarily make way for the ingathering of the Church, in which there is neither Jew nor Greek; and that when the Church has been formed and gathered to its Lord, then the time for the ingathering of the Jewish people will have arrived.
Let us see to it that we Gentiles understand our position as being permitted to partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree, Romans 11:17. Christ was the root of that tree, and it is from His rich nature that all the freshness and fatness, all the quickening and energy, all the love and grace of the Hebrew Scriptures and heritage of promises were gained. Whatever Israel had, we may have. Let us go up and possess the land! [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 11

1  God has not cast off all Israel
7  Some were elected, though the rest were hardened
16  There is hope of their conversion
18  The Gentiles may not exult over them;
26  for there is a promise of their salvation
33  God's judgments are unsearchable

Greek Commentary for Romans 11:16

First fruit [απαρχη]
See note on 1 Corinthians 15:20, 1 Corinthians 15:23. The metaphor is from Numbers 15:19. The lxx has απαρχην πυραματος — aparchēn phuramatos first of the dough as a heave offering. [source]
The lump [το πυραμα]
From which the first fruit came. See note on Romans 9:21. Apparently the patriarchs are the first fruit. The root (η ριζα — hē riza). Perhaps Abraham singly here. The metaphor is changed, but the idea is the same. Israel is looked on as a tree. But one must recall and keep in mind the double sense of Israel in Romans 9:6. (the natural and the spiritual). [source]
The root [η ριζα]
Perhaps Abraham singly here. The metaphor is changed, but the idea is the same. Israel is looked on as a tree. But one must recall and keep in mind the double sense of Israel in Romans 9:6. (the natural and the spiritual). [source]
For [δὲ]
Better but, or now. A new paragraph begins. [source]
The first-fruit - holy []
See on James 1:18, see on Acts 26:10. Referring to the patriarchs. [source]
Lump []
See on Romans 9:21. The whole body of the people. The apparent confusion of metaphor, first-fruit, lump, is resolved by the fact that first-fruit does not apply exclusively to harvest, but is the general term for the first portion of every thing which was offered to God. The reference here is to Numbers 15:18-21; according to which the Israelites were to set apart a portion of the dough of each baking of bread for a cake for the priests. This was called ἀπαρχή , first-fruits. [source]
Root - branches []
The same thought under another figure. The second figure is more comprehensive, since it admits an application to the conversion of the Gentiles. The thought of both figures centres in holy. Both the first-fruits and the root represent the patriarchs (or Abraham singly, compare Romans 11:28). The holiness by call and destination of the nation as represented by its fathers (first-fruits, root) implies their future restoration, the holiness of the lump and branches. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 11:16

Romans 11:28 Enemies [εχτροι]
Treated as enemies (of God), in passive sense, because of their rejection of Christ (Romans 11:10), just as αγαπητοι — agapētoi (beloved) is passive. As touching the election (κατα την εκλογην — kata tēn eklogēn). “According to the election” (the principle of election, not as in Romans 11:5. the elect or abstract for concrete). For the fathers‘ sake As in Romans 9:4; Romans 11:16. [source]
Romans 11:28 For the fathers‘ sake [δια τους πατερας]
As in Romans 9:4; Romans 11:16. [source]
2 Thessalonians 2:13 Beloved of the Lord [ηγαπημενοι υπο κυριου]
Perfect passive participle of αγαπαω — agapaō with υπο — hupo and the ablative as in 1 Thessalonians 1:4, only here κυριου — kuriou instead of τεου — theou the Lord Jesus rather than God the Father. Because that God chose you (οτι ειλατο υμας ο τεος — hoti heilato humas ho theos). First aorist middle indicative of αιρεω — haireō to take, old verb, but uncompounded only in N.T. here, Philemon 1:22; Hebrews 11:25, and here only in sense of choose, that being usually εχαιρεομαι — exaireomai or προοριζω — proorizō From the beginning Probably the correct text (Aleph D L) and not απαρχην — aparchēn (first fruits, B G P), though here alone in Paul‘s writings and a hard reading, the eternal choice or purpose of God (1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9), while απαρχην — aparchēn is a favourite idea with Paul (1 Corinthians 15:20, 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 8:23; Romans 11:16; Romans 16:5). Unto salvation (εις σωτηριαν — eis sōtērian). The ultimate goal, final salvation. In sanctification of the Spirit Subjective genitive πνευματος — pneumatos sanctification wrought by the Holy Spirit. And belief of the truth (και πιστει αλητειας — kai pistei alētheias). Objective genitive αλητειας — alētheias belief in the truth. [source]
2 Thessalonians 2:13 From the beginning [απ αρχης]
Probably the correct text (Aleph D L) and not απαρχην — aparchēn (first fruits, B G P), though here alone in Paul‘s writings and a hard reading, the eternal choice or purpose of God (1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9), while απαρχην — aparchēn is a favourite idea with Paul (1 Corinthians 15:20, 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 8:23; Romans 11:16; Romans 16:5). Unto salvation (εις σωτηριαν — eis sōtērian). The ultimate goal, final salvation. In sanctification of the Spirit Subjective genitive πνευματος — pneumatos sanctification wrought by the Holy Spirit. And belief of the truth (και πιστει αλητειας — kai pistei alētheias). Objective genitive αλητειας — alētheias belief in the truth. [source]
1 Timothy 6:10 The root [ῥίζα]
Better, a root. It is not the only root. In Paul only metaphorically. See Romans 11:16, Romans 11:17, Romans 11:18. [source]
Revelation 14:4 For they are virgins [παρτενοι γαρ εισιν]
Παρτενος — Parthenos can be applied to men as well as women. Swete takes this language “metaphorically, as the symbolical character of the Book suggests.” Charles considers it an interpolation in the interest of celibacy for both men and women. If taken literally, the words can refer only to adultery or fornication (Beckwith). Jesus recognised abstinence only for those able to receive it (Matthew 19:12), as did Paul (1 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Corinthians 7:8, 1 Corinthians 7:32, 1 Corinthians 7:36). Marriage is approved by Paul in 1 Timothy 4:3 and by Hebrews 13:4. The New Testament exalts marriage and this passage should not be construed as degrading it.Whithersoever he goeth (οπου αν υπαγει — hopou an hupagei). Indefinite local clause with modal αν — an and the present active indicative of υπαγω — hupagō The Christian life is following the Lamb of God as Jesus taught (Mark 2:14; Mark 10:21; Luke 9:59; John 1:43; John 21:19, etc.) and as Peter taught (1 Peter 2:21) and John (1 John 2:6).Were purchased from among men First aorist passive indicative of αγοραζω — agorazō repeating the close of Revelation 14:3.First fruits (απαρχη — aparchē). See for this word 1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 11:16; Romans 16:5. This seems to mean that the 144,000 represent not the whole, but only a portion of the great harvest to come (Matthew 9:37), not only the first installment, but those marked by high spiritual service to God and the Lamb (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5). [source]
Revelation 14:4 Were purchased from among men [ηγοραστησαν απο των αντρωπων]
First aorist passive indicative of αγοραζω — agorazō repeating the close of Revelation 14:3.First fruits (απαρχη — aparchē). See for this word 1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 11:16; Romans 16:5. This seems to mean that the 144,000 represent not the whole, but only a portion of the great harvest to come (Matthew 9:37), not only the first installment, but those marked by high spiritual service to God and the Lamb (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5). [source]
Revelation 14:4 First fruits [απαρχη]
See for this word 1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 11:16; Romans 16:5. This seems to mean that the 144,000 represent not the whole, but only a portion of the great harvest to come (Matthew 9:37), not only the first installment, but those marked by high spiritual service to God and the Lamb (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5). [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 11:16 mean?

If now the firstfruit [is] holy also the lump and root the branches
εἰ δὲ ἀπαρχὴ ἁγία καὶ τὸ φύραμα καὶ ῥίζα οἱ κλάδοι

δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἀπαρχὴ  firstfruit 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀπαρχή  
Sense: to offer firstlings or firstfruits.
ἁγία  [is]  holy 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἅγιος  
Sense: most holy thing, a saint.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
φύραμα  lump 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: φύραμα  
Sense: any substance mixed with water and kneaded.
ῥίζα  root 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ῥίζα  
Sense: a root.
κλάδοι  branches 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: κλάδος  
Sense: a young tender shoot, broken off for grafting.