Paul’s missionary strategy amazes us at this juncture: his mission to the Gentiles is designed to provoke jealousy among Israel so that it, too, will turn to faith in the Messiah. And his theology shapes it all: his Gentile readers cannot become proud of their status but must see themselves as part of a redemptive process (Rom. 11:13-16).
Israel according to the flesh has rejected the Messiah; that rejection spilled over to Gentile faith; Gentile faith provokes Israel to respond to the Messiah.
Which leads him to an analogy with lump/dough and branches/root. If “part of the dough” as first fruits is holy, then the whole lump is holy; if the root is holy, then the branches become holy.
Who, then, is the “lump” and who is the “root”? Wright scans a few views and concludes that it may be best to see these images christocentrically: they are the Messiah.