11:17a

Now: Beginning with this verse, Paul made a new point using the metaphor of a tree. In some languages an “and,” another connecting word or phrase, or no conjunction would better indicate that meaning. For example:

And
-or-
It is as if… (New Century Version)
-or-
If… (New International Version)

if: Here the word if introduces a situation that is true. If this first part is true, that supports the second part. See how you translated this word in 11:16a.

some branches have been broken off: This clause is passive. 11:20–21 indicate that God broke them off. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊someone⌋ broke off some of the branches
-or-

⌊God⌋ broke off some of the branches

some branches: In the figure of speech here, these branches represent Jews who did not believe in Jesus. If a literal translation would refer only to actual branches, you may want to:

• Translate this phrase literally and explain it in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

In this verse, these branches represent Jews who did not believe in Jesus.

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

some of the branches, ⌊namely,⌋ ⌊the unbelieving Jews⌋

have been broken off: This phrase refers to breaking the branch at or near the trunk of the tree so that it is no longer attached to the tree. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

were broken away
-or-
were broken ⌊at the trunk⌋ and removed

11:17b

you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊someone/God⌋ grafted you in, even though ⌊you were⌋ a wild olive shoot

you: This pronoun is singular. Paul used it to speak to each believer, and he implied believers who are not Jews. In some languages a singular you would only be used in a letter addressed to one person. If that is true in your language, use the plural you.

The meaning of this word is emphasized in the Greek. For example:

you yourself/yourselves
-or-
You now who are Gentiles
-or-
as for you who are not Jews

a wild olive shoot: This phrase describes the word “you,” referring here to Gentile believers. It also indicates a contrast to the other branches of this olive tree. In this figure of speech, the olive tree is God’s chosen people. Before Jesus came to earth as the Christ/Messiah, God’s chosen people were the Jews and they believed in God because of their culture, history, prophecies, stories, and instruction written in their holy book, what we now call the Old Testament. Jews who do not believe in Jesus are like the branches broken off. The Gentiles who believe in Jesus are like wild olive tree branches, in that in the past they were not nurtured by God and his Word. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

being a wild olive (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
even though you are from a wild olive tree

wild olive shoot: Here the word wild refers to something that people do not usually plant and take care of. Here it is in contrast to the same kind of plant that people plant and take care of. A wild olive tree grows well but produces few olives. A cultivated olive produces many olives but is easily damaged. But the word wild indicates that the Gentiles did not have the same relationship with God as the Jews did, where he taught, encouraged, and corrected them. Here are other ways to translate this word:

untamed olive tree
-or-
olive tree from the wilderness

olive: The olive tree produces a small oval fruit. The fruit contains oil, which was used in cooking and burned in lamps for light.