Romans 11:16-18

¹⁶ For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

¹⁷ And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,

¹⁸ do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.

The quote in verse 16 is from Numbers 15:21 — Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the LORD an heave offering in your generations. Israel was told to offer the first of their dough to God as an heave offering.

firstfruit and root — Abraham, since he was set apart (holy) to God, so is Israel, which came from him

branches broken off — unbelieving Jews

wild olive — Gentiles

grafted in — admitted into God’s favor, which Israel has forfeited for a time.

partaker — Gentiles became Israel’s spiritual descendants

boast not — Gentiles shouldn’t consider themselves better than Jews or hold them in contempt — their salvation comes through Abraham.