Romans 11:20

New Living Translation

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.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
That is true. But those branches were broken off because they did not believe. And you continue to be part of the tree only because you believe. Don't be proud, but be afraid.

Revised Standard Version
That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Thou sayest well: because of vnbeleve they are broken of and thou stondest stedfast in fayth.

Hebrew Names Version
True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don't be conceited, but fear;

International Standard Version
That's right! They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you remain only because of faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid!be reverent">[fn]Proverbs 28:14; Isaiah 66:2; Romans 12:16; Philippians 2:12;">[xr]

New American Standard Bible
Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear;

New Century Version
That is true. But those branches were broken off because they did not believe, and you continue to be part of the tree only because you believe. Do not be proud, but be afraid.

Update Bible Version
Very well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don't be highminded, but fear:

Webster's Bible Translation
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear:

English Standard Version
That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.

World English Bible
True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don't be conceited, but fear;

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Well; they were broken off for unbelief, and thou standest by faith.

Weymouth's New Testament
This is true; yet it was their unbelief that cut them off, and you only stand through your faith.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Wel, for vnbileue the braunchis ben brokun; but thou stondist bi feith. Nyle thou sauere hiye thing,

English Revised Version
Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

Berean Standard Bible
That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.

Contemporary English Version
That's true enough. But they were cut away because they did not have faith, and you are where you are because you do have faith. So don't be proud, but be afraid.

Amplified Bible
That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand by your faith [as believers understanding the truth of Christ's deity]. Do not be conceited, but [rather stand in great awe of God and] fear [Him];

American Standard Version
Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

Bible in Basic English
Truly, because they had no faith they were broken off, and you have your place by reason of your faith. Do not be lifted up in pride, but have fear;

Complete Jewish Bible
True, but so what? They were broken off because of their lack of trust. However, you keep your place only because of your trust. So don't be arrogant; on the contrary, be terrified!

Darby Translation
Right: they have been broken out through unbelief, and *thou* standest through faith. Be not high-minded, but fear:

Etheridge Translation
Well, they on account of unbelief were cut off, and thou by faith standest: be not exalted in thy mind, but fear.

Murdock Translation
Very true. They were plucked off, because they believed not; and thou standest by faith. Be not exalted in thy mind, but fear.

King James Version (1611)
Well: because of vnbeliefe they were broken off, and thou standest by fayth. Be not high minded, but feare.

New Life Bible
It is true. They were broken off because they did not put their trust in Christ. And you are there only because of your faith. Do not be proud. Instead, be afraid.

New Revised Standard
That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Well: through vnbeliefe they are broken off, and thou standest by faith: bee not hie minded, but feare.

George Lamsa Translation
Well; they were cut off because of their unbelief, but you exist by faith. Be not highminded, but fear God.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Well: by their want of faith, they have been broken out, - and, thou, by thy faith, dost stand! - Regard not lofty things, but be afraid;

Douay-Rheims Bible
Well: because of unbelief they were broken off. But thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Well: because of vnbeliefe, they were broken of, and thou stodest stedfast in fayth. Be not hye mynded, but feare.

Good News Translation
That is true. They were broken off because they did not believe, while you remain in place because you do believe. But do not be proud of it; instead, be afraid.

Christian Standard Bible®
True enough; they were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but beware,

King James Version
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

Lexham English Bible
Well said! They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand firm because of faith. Do not think arrogant thoughts, but be afraid.

Literal Translation
Well! For unbelief they were broken off. And you stand by faith. Do not be highminded, but fear.

Young's Literal Translation
by unbelief they were broken off, and thou hast stood by faith; be not high-minded, but be fearing;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Thou sayest well. They are broken of because off their vnbeleue, but thou stondest thorow beleue

Mace New Testament (1729)
well, be it so, for their incredulity they were broken off, and you by faith stand firm: be not then elated, but let this be your fear,

New English Translation
Granted! They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear!

New King James Version
Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.

Simplified Cowboy Version
While that's true, remember you are there because of your faith in Christ. They were broken off because they rejected him. Instead of bragging about this, switch to just being thankful you haven't been broken off and thrown in the fire.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear;

Legacy Standard Bible
Quite right! They were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be haughty, but fear,

Contextual Overview

¹ I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin. ² No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, ³ " Lord , they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too." ⁴ And do you remember God's reply? He said, "No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!" ⁵ It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God's grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. ⁶ And since it is through God's kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God's grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved. ⁷ So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. ⁸ As the Scriptures say, "God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear." ⁹ Likewise, David said, "Let their bountiful table become a snare, a trap that makes them think all is well. Let their blessings cause them to stumble, and let them get what they deserve. ¹⁰ Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs be bent forever."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Well: John 4:17, John 4:18, James 2:19

because: Romans 3:3, Acts 13:46, Acts 13:47, Acts 18:6, Hebrews 3:12, Hebrews 3:19, Hebrews 4:6, Hebrews 4:11

and: Romans 5:1, Romans 5:2, 2 Chronicles 20:20, Isaiah 7:9, 1 Corinthians 16:13, 2 Corinthians 1:24, Colossians 2:7, 1 Peter 5:9, 1 Peter 5:12

Be: Romans 11:18, Romans 12:16, Psalms 138:6, Proverbs 28:26, Isaiah 2:11, Isaiah 2:17, Habakkuk 2:4, Zephaniah 3:11, Luke 18:14, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, 2 Timothy 3:3-5, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5, 1 Peter 5:6, Revelation 3:17, Revelation 18:7

but: Proverbs 28:14, Isaiah 66:2, 1 Corinthians 10:12, Philippians 2:12, Hebrews 4:1, 1 Peter 1:17

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:17 - fear Deuteronomy 9:4 - Speak not Job 37:24 - fear Proverbs 16:18 - General Isaiah 2:6 - Therefore Jeremiah 44:10 - neither Matthew 13:58 - General Matthew 26:35 - Though Matthew 26:70 - General Romans 12:3 - not to 2 Corinthians 7:11 - fear 1 Timothy 6:17 - that they 2 Timothy 3:4 - highminded Hebrews 12:28 - with reverence 1 Peter 1:5 - through

Cross-References

Luke 3:35
Nahor was the son of Serug. Serug was the son of Reu. Reu was the son of Peleg. Peleg was the son of Eber. Eber was the son of Shelah.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Well,.... To this the apostle answers, by approving and granting in, part what was said, that the unbelieving Jews were broken off and rejected, and that the Gentiles that believed in Christ were grafted in among the Jews that professed his name; but then he tacitly denies that it was for their sakes, and their account, they were broken off, but for their own incredulity:

because of unbelief they were broken off; because of their unbelief and contempt of the Messiah, they were rejected of God, and died in their sins; that which excluded their forefathers from the land of Canaan, shut them out of the Gospel church state, and the kingdom of heaven:

and thou standest by faith; which is not of a man's self, but the gift of God; so that it was not by their merits, and better deservings, but by the grace of God that they were in the situation they were; they were blessed with faith in Christ, and having made a profession of it were admitted to Gospel ordinances, and into a Gospel church; and being helped hitherto to hold the profession of their faith in a becoming manner they stood their ground, and continued in their church relation; and therefore ought not to give way to a vain boasting spirit, but to be humble, modest, and dependent; wherefore he gives them this proper pertinent, and wholesome advice,

be not highminded, but fear. The apostle would have them not be elated with their gifts, privileges, and enjoyments, and look over others, or down upon them with contempt and disdain, considering that all they had and enjoyed were owing to the goodness of God, and not to any deserts of theirs; and therefore should fear the Lord and his goodness; for not a fear of hell and damnation, or a distrust of the grace of God, is here meant; but a fear of offending him, and that not from a dread of punishment, but from a sense of his grace and goodness; and also designs humility of soul, in opposition to pride, haughtiness, and elation of mind, a lowly carriage and behaviour to others, and an humble dependence on grace and strength from above, to enable to persevere and hold out to the end; for "let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" into sin, 1 Corinthians 10:12; so as to dishonour God and Christ grieve the Holy Spirit, wound his own conscience, and bring himself under the censure of the church, and to be cut off from the good olive tree, the root and fatness of which he now partakes.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Well - 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 giving it a slight change in accordance with the truth, so as to parry its force, and give it a practical bearing on the very point which he wished to enforce.

Thou standest by faith - The continuance of these mercies to you depends on your fidelity. If you are faithful, they will be preserved; if, like the Jews, you become unbelieving and unfruitful, like them you will be also rejected. This fact should repress boasting, and excite to anxiety and caution.

Be not high-minded - Do not be elated in the conception of your privileges, so as to produce vain self-confidence and boasting.

But fear - This fear stands opposed to the spirit of boasting and self-confidence, against which he was exhorting them. It does not mean terror or horror, but it denotes humility, watchfulness, and solicitude to abide in the faith. Do not be haughty and high-minded against the Jew, who has been cast off, but “demean yourself as a humble believer, and one who has need to be continually on his guard, and to fear lest he may fall through unbelief, and be cast off.” (Stuart.) We may here learn,

1. That there is danger lest those who are raised to eminent privileges should become unduly exalted in their own estimation, and despise others.

(2)The tendency of faith is to promote humility and a sense of our dependence on God.

(3)The system of salvation by faith produces that solicitude, and careful guarding, and watchfulness, which is necessary to preserve us from apostasy and ruin.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 20. Well; because of unbelief, c.] 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 the mere mercy of God. They once stood by faith; they gave place to unbelief, and fell: you stand now by faith; but it is as possible for you to be unfaithful as it was for them, and consequently you may fall under the Divine displeasure, as they have done; be not high-minded, but fear; watch over yourselves with godly jealousy.