New Living Translation
Romans 11:20
20Yes, 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.
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
18But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root. 19“Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” 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. 21For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either. 22Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.
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 4:17“I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—
- James 2:19You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.
- Romans 3:3True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful?
- Acts 13:46Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, “It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles.
- Acts 18:6But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.”
- Hebrews 3:12Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.
- Hebrews 4:6So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God.
- Romans 5:1Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
- 2 Chronicles 20:20Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”
- Isaiah 7:9Israel is no stronger than its capital, Samaria, and Samaria is no stronger than its king, Pekah son of Remaliah. Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm.”
- 1 Corinthians 16:13Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.
- 2 Corinthians 1:24But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.
- Colossians 2:7Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
- 1 Peter 5:9Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
- Romans 11:18But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.
- Romans 12:16Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
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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