A branch signifies growth. When a plant has sufficient growth, it branches out. Paul uses that illustration to continue his discussion of just how gracious God is in His plan for making His fallen creation righteous. Notice how God’s plan branches out!
Paul has been describing the advantages the Israelites had in life as a nation, yet as a nation they failed to make the best use of their opportunities. As a result, God had rejected them and allowed Gentiles to be blessed. The nation is left asking a question that Paul answers for us very simply […]
In the first century, there were three major schools of thought concerning the circumstances of life. The Essenes believed fate determined everything; mankind was helpless and could not interfere with what was already determined to happen. The Sadducees, by contrast, believed man mastered his own destiny; we make our own future and chart our own […]