Romans 11:20

Romans 11:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
• New International Version (NIV)Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble.
• English Standard Version (ESV)That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.

Context of Romans 11:20

18do not boast that you are better than those branches. But if you do boast — you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you. 19Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” True enough; they were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but beware, 21because if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. 22Therefore, consider God’s kindness and severity: severity toward those who have fallen but God’s kindness toward you — if you remain in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.

Romans 11:20 word by word

καλῶς· τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ ἐξεκλάσθησαν, σὺ δὲ τῇ πίστει ἕστηκας. μὴ ὑψηλὰ φρόνει ἀλλὰ φοβοῦ·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Wellκαλῶςkalōs · wellG2573
• because of unbeliefὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• because of unbeliefἀπιστίαapistia · unbeliefG570
• they were broken offἐκκλάωekklaō · to break offG1575
• andδέde · thenG1161
• thouσύsu · youG4771
• standestἵστημιhistēmi · to standG2476
• by faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102
• Beὑψηλοφρονέωhupsēlophroneō · be arrogantG5309
• notμήmē · notG3361
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• fearφοβέωphobeō · to fearG5399

Cross-references for Romans 11:20

• John 4:17“I don’t have a husband,” she answered. “You have correctly said, ‘I don’t have a husband,’” Jesus said.
• James 2:19You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe — and they shudder.
• Romans 3:3What then? If some were unfaithful, will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?
• Acts 13:46Paul and Barnabas boldly replied, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles.
• Acts 18:6When they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his clothes and told them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
• Hebrews 3:12Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
• Hebrews 4:6Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience,
• Romans 5:1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
• 2 Chronicles 20:20In the morning they got up early and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”
• Isaiah 7:9the chief city of Ephraim is Samaria, and the chief of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all.
• 1 Corinthians 16:13Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.
• 2 Corinthians 1:24I do not mean that we lord it over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy, because you stand firm in your faith.
• Colossians 2:7being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.
• 1 Peter 5:9Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
• Romans 11:18do not boast that you are better than those branches. But if you do boast — you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you.
• Romans 12:16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Commentaries on Romans 11:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20Well; because of unbelief, etc. - This statement is all true; but then, consider, why is it that they were cast out? Was it not because of their unbelief? And you stand by faith: you were made partakers of these blessings by faith; be not high-minded; let this humble, not exalt you in your own estimation; for if the blessings were received by faith, consequently not by works; and if not by works, you have no merit; and what you have received is through…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Well - True. It is true they were broken off; but in order to show that there was no occasion for boasting, he adds that they were not rejected in order to admit others, but because of their unbelief, and that their fate should have a salutary impression on those who had no occasion for boasting, but who might be rejected for the same cause. This is an instance of remarkable tact and delicacy in an argument, admitting the main force of the remark, but…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-21Verses 11-21 The gospel is the greatest riches of every place where it is. As therefore the righteous rejection of the unbelieving Jews, was the occasion of so large a multitude of the Gentiles being reconciled to God, and at peace with him; the future receiving of the Jews into the church would be such a change, as would resemble a general resurrection of the dead in sin to a life of righteousness. Abraham was as the root of the church. The Jews…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20be afraid: In Scripture, fear often means deep respect and reverence for God. This kind of fear includes the awareness that all people will one day stand before God for judgment (see 2 Corinthians 5:11; 7:1, 11, 15; Philippians 2:12; Colossians 3:22).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 19-2119-21. Thou wilt say then--as a plea for boasting. The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 11:20

• Boasting
• Faith
• Fear of God
• Gentiles
• Grafting
• Humility
• Olive
• Pride
• Reprobacy
• Salvation
• Self-Righteousness
• Unbelief

In the dictionaries

• Cast
• Church
• Conclude
• Dark
• Depth
• Election
• Emulation
• Grace
• Graft
• Judgment

Commentaries on Romans 11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings