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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen.

Context of Romans 11:20

18do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19Then you will say, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue 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 4:17The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband';
• James 2:19You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
• Romans 3:3What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?
• Acts 13:46And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
• Acts 18:6And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."
• Hebrews 3:12Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.
• Hebrews 4:6Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to 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 20:20And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed."
• Isaiah 7:9And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.'"
• 1 Corinthians 16:13Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
• 2 Corinthians 1:24Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
• Colossians 2:7rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
• 1 Peter 5:9Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
• Romans 11:18do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.
• Romans 12:16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

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