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 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 boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. 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 4:17The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’
• James 2:19You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
• Romans 3:3For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?
• Acts 13:46Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
• Acts 18:6But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
• Hebrews 3:12Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
• Hebrews 4:6Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,
• Romans 5:1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
• 2 Chronicles 20:20So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”
• Isaiah 7:9The head of Ephraim is Samaria, And the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If you will not believe, Surely you shall not be established.” ’ ”
• 1 Corinthians 16:13Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
• 2 Corinthians 1:24Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
• Colossians 2:7rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
• 1 Peter 5:9Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
• Romans 11:18do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.
• Romans 12:16Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

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