Romans 11:16

“For if the firstfruit be holy, etc..] Some by “the firstfruit” and “root” understand Christ, who is sometimes called, “the firstfruits of them that slept”, (<461520>1 Corinthians 15:20), and “the root of Jesse and David”, (<231110>Isaiah 11:10 <451512>Romans 15:12 <660505>Revelation 5:5), and indeed of all the righteous; and certain it is, that since he is holy, has all the holiness of his people in him, and is sanctification unto them, they shall be holy likewise; have it imparted to them in this life, and perfected in them in another: but this does not seem to agree with the apostle's argument. Others think that by them are meant the Jewish ancestors, and particularly Abraham, and dream of…”

“For--"But" if the first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root . . . so the branches--The Israelites were required to offer to God the first-fruits of the earth--both in their raw state, in a sheaf of newly reaped grain (Lev 23:10-11), and in their prepared state, made into cakes of dough (Num 15:19-21) --by which the whole produce of that season was regarded as hallowed. It is probable that the latter of these offerings is here intended, as to it the word "lump" best applies; and the argument of the apostle is, that as the separation unto God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, from the rest of mankind, as the parent stem of their race, was as real an offering of first-fruits as…”

“For if the first-fruit be holy - The word “first-fruit” ἀπαρχή aparchē used here denotes the firstling of fruit or grain which was separated from the mass and presented as an offering to God. The Jews were required to present such a portion of their harvest to God, as an expression of gratitude and of their sense of dependence; Numbers 15:19-21. Until this was done, it was not lawful to partake of the harvest. The offering of this was regarded as rendering the mass holy, that is, it was lawful then to partake of it. The first-fruits were regarded as among the best portions of the harvest; and it was their duty to devote to God that which would be the best expression of their thanksgiving.…”

“And this will surely come to pass. For if the first fruits be holy, so is the lump - The consecration of them was esteemed the consecration of all and so the conversion of a few Jews is an earnest of the conversion of all the rest. And if the root be holy - The patriarchs from whom they spring, surely God will at length make their descendants also holy. Romans 11:17”

“11:16 the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy: This imagery comes from Num 15:17-21, where God commanded the Israelites to take part of their first batch of dough and set it aside as a gift. God’s promises to and blessings on Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were like a down payment, guaranteeing the completion of God’s work among his people.”

“if the firstfruit: Exo 22:29, Exo 23:16, Exo 23:19; Lev 23:10; Num 15:17-21; Deu 18:4, Deu 26:10; Neh 10:35-37; Pro 3:9; Eze 44:30; Jam 1:18; Rev 14:4 and if: Rom 11:17; Gen 17:7; Jer 2:21; Co1 7:14 Romans 11:17”