God’s Word Translation
Romans 11:20
20That’s right! They were broken off because they didn’t believe, but you remain on the tree because you do believe. Don’t feel arrogant, but be afraid.
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
18So don’t brag about being better than the other branches. If you brag, remember that you don’t support the root, the root supports you. 19“Well,” you say, “Branches were cut off so that I could be grafted onto the tree.” That’s right! They were broken off because they didn’t believe, but you remain on the tree because you do believe. Don’t feel arrogant, but be afraid. 21If God didn’t spare the natural branches, he won’t spare you, either. 22Look at how kind and how severe God can be. He is severe to those who fell, but kind to you if you continue to hold on to his kindness. Otherwise, you, too, will be cut off ⌞from the tree⌟.
Read all of Romans 11Romans 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 replied, “I don’t have a husband.” Jesus told her, “You’re right when you say that you don’t have a husband.
- James 2:19You believe that there is one God. That’s fine! The demons also believe that, and they tremble with fear.
- Romans 3:3What if some of them were unfaithful? Can their unfaithfulness cancel God’s faithfulness?
- Acts 13:46Paul and Barnabas told them boldly, “We had to speak God’s word to you first. Since you reject the word and consider yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, we are now going to turn to people of other nations.
- Acts 18:6But they opposed him and insulted him. So Paul shook the dust from his clothes and told them, “You’re responsible for your own death. I’m innocent. From now on I’m going to people who are not Jewish.”
- Hebrews 3:12Be careful, brothers and sisters, that none of you ever develop a wicked, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
- Hebrews 4:6However, some people enter that place of rest. Those who heard the Good News in the past did not enter God’s place of rest because they did not obey God.
- Romans 5:1Now that we have God’s approval by faith, we have peace with God because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done.
- 2 Chronicles 20:20They got up early in the morning and went to the desert of Tekoa. As they were leaving, Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem. Trust the Lord your God, and believe. Believe his prophets, and you will succeed.”
- Isaiah 7:9The capital of Ephraim is Samaria, and the leader of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If you don’t remain faithful, you won’t remain standing.”
- 1 Corinthians 16:13Be alert. Be firm in the Christian faith. Be courageous and strong.
- 2 Corinthians 1:24It isn’t that we want to have control over your Christian faith. Rather, we want to work with you so that you will be happy. Certainly, you are firmly established in the Christian faith.
- Colossians 2:7Sink your roots in him and build on him. Be strengthened by the faith that you were taught, and overflow with thanksgiving.
- 1 Peter 5:9Be firm in the faith and resist him, knowing that other believers throughout the world are going through the same kind of suffering.
- Romans 11:18So don’t brag about being better than the other branches. If you brag, remember that you don’t support the root, the root supports you.
- Romans 12:16Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be friendly to humble people. Don’t think that you are smarter than you really are.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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