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:
• 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.
• 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 consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. 22Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also 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 have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband.
• James 2:19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
• Romans 3:3What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?
• Acts 13:46Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.
• Acts 18:6But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
• Hebrews 3:12See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
• Hebrews 4:6Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience,
• Romans 5:1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
• 2 Chronicles 20:20Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.”
• Isaiah 7:9The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.’ ”
• 1 Corinthians 16:13Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
• 2 Corinthians 1:24Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.
• Colossians 2:7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
• 1 Peter 5:9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
• Romans 11:18do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.
• Romans 12:16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

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