The olive an emblem of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit.
"I am like a green olive tree," etc. In Psalms 92:1-15. the righteous are compared to two of the noblest trees—the queenly palm and the imperial cedar. In Psalms 1:1-6. to an evergreen tree that loves to grow by flowing waters—the orange or citron, crowned at once with silver blossom and golden fruit. Here a less majestic tree is chosen, yet one which plays a great part in Scripture—the olive, whose golden oil, from its ordinary plentiful use in food and in light, and from its rare sacredness in the anointing of kings, priests, and prophets, is the constant emblem of the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
I. The lesson common to all these similitudes—palm, cedar, citron, olive; and what our Lord adds, the vine and its branches, is this: EACH CHRISTIAN LIFE MUST HAVE ITS OWN ROOT, AND SHOULD EXHIBIT A BEAUTY AND A FRUITFULNESS OF ITS OWN The image is in strong contrast with the picture of the ungodly man (verse 7; cf Psalms 37:35; John 15:6). "I"—for my part, whatever others may think or say, desire, or do—I choose my part here, in Christ: "rooted and grounded in [his] love." "Green," q.d. flourishing; full of life and beauty; and no less of fruit—a flourishing olive tree.
II. Nevertheless, THE HOME OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS IN THE CHURCH OF GOD, OF WHICH THE ANCIENT TEMPLE WAS THE SHADOW. (Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Corinthians 3:16.) Trees could not grow, of course, in the temple, strictly so called; but in the ample space of the "Court of the Gentiles" ("the mountain of the house"), olive berries were likely to be dropped and take root.
HOMILIES BY W. FORSYTH