One of the most misunderstood truths in all of Scripture is the relationship between Gentile believers and the promises made to Abraham and his descendants. In today’s theological climate, there is a dangerous notion—widely taught and accepted—that the Church has replaced Israel, that God is somehow finished with His chosen people, and that Gentiles have inherited all that was promised to Abraham. But Scripture never says that.

In fact, the opposite is true.

Gentiles are partakers, not takers. The blessings and promises given to Abraham and his seed—the Jewish people—have not been transferred to the Church wholesale. Rather, by God’s incredible mercy and grace,

Gentiles are invited in, to share in what God is doing through His covenant people. Let’s look at what Scripture says.

Romans 11:17 – “…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.”

Paul uses the imagery of an olive tree to make a vital point. Gentiles, represented by a wild olive branch, are grafted into something that already existed—Israel, the cultivated olive tree. They are not the root. They are not the trunk. They are supported by it.

The word partaker here is crucial. It implies sharing, not replacing. Gentiles have not taken over the promises; we are grafted in to enjoy the richness of God’s covenant plan, rooted in Israel.

But Paul doesn’t stop there. He gives a sobering warning:

“Do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.” — Romans 11:18

In other words, don’t get prideful. Don’t become arrogant or presumptuous. Gentile believers should remain humble, knowing that our inclusion is an act of mercy, not entitlement.

Ephesians 3:6 – “…that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.”

Again, the word partakers. Gentiles are included in God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. But Paul is careful to say this inclusion comes “through the gospel”—not through the Law, not through the Abrahamic Covenant directly, but by faith in Christ alone.

We are fellow heirs, yes—but not of everything promised to Israel. We are partakers of His promise in Christ, which centers on salvation by grace through faith.

Romans 15:27 – “For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.”

Here Paul reminds Gentile believers of their spiritual debt to the Jewish people. The gospel, the Scriptures, the covenants—all came through Israel. Gentiles have received immeasurable spiritual riches from the Jewish people. And Paul says our response should be one of gratitude, humility, and generosity.

The Mercy of God on All

Paul culminates his argument in Romans 11:32:

“For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.”

God’s plan was always to bring both Jew and Gentile under the mercy of the cross. He did not cast away His people (Romans 11:1)—He temporarily blinded them so that salvation could come to the Gentiles, to provoke Israel to jealousy and ultimately bring about their restoration.

Conclusion: Stand in Awe, Not Arrogance

To be a partaker is to receive something you didn’t earn, to share in something that began before you were ever in the picture. As Gentiles, we must never forget that we stand on the shoulders of God’s promises to Israel. We are grafted in by grace. And just as God has shown us mercy, He will show mercy again to His covenant people.

God is not finished with Israel. His promises are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). And one day, “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26).

Let us, as partakers, be grateful, humble, and full of awe at the mercy of our God who is faithful to His Word.