Paul wrote the book of Romans, not surprisingly, to all of the believers in Rome:
Yes, to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints, whose faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
The passage is telling us that we, Gentiles, have become partakers of the “root and fatness” of the olive tree. What I was describing to be not precisely correct in your first statement is “Righteous Gentiles are grafted onto Israel.” Gentile Christians are grafted into Christ, not into Israel.
The Gentiles who believed were grafted in among the natural branches and have become partakers of the root and fatness of the olive tree (which is Israel, or the commonwealth of Israel if you would, the Gentiles being included). At no time did I write that Gentiles became Jews. That would be akin to men becoming women, or vice versa. One remains in the calling in which one was called (Timothy is an excellent example, which is why he was circumcise while Titus was not).
What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest. [16] The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken
Jeremiah, Catholic chapter eleven, Protestant verses fifteen to sixteen,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James
“At no time did I write that Gentiles became Jews.”
I understand. The concern I expressed was merely that some might incorrectly infer that from the assumption that the olive tree is Israel.
The passage about the olive tree can be easily misunderstood if we are not careful. Some have misunderstood that Gentiles are supposed to convert to Judaism in order to become followers of Christ.
The apostles settled this issue fairly early. Jews who believe on Christ retain their Jewishness. Gentiles who believe in Christ do not need to become Jews in order to become Christians.
This whole question may seem silly today, but the early church was entirely Jewish at first. And this was part of God’s design.
Paul had to contend frequently with “Judaizers” who opposed his Gospel of the grace of God, insisting that Jewish Christians were supposed to proselytize Gentiles to practice Judaism in order for these Gentiles to be saved.
Paul gives us a balanced and nuanced approach to Jew and Gentile relations within the church.
But this is why I pointed out that the wild olive branches being grafted into the natural olive tree is a picture of Gentiles becoming connected to Christ.