Romans 11:18 kjv
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Romans 11:18 nkjv
do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.
Romans 11:18 niv
do 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 11:18 esv
do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.
Romans 11:18 nlt
But 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 11 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 11:20 | ...They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. And do not be conceited, but fear. | Continues theme of not being conceited |
| 1 Corinthians 1:29 | ...so that no flesh should glory in His presence. | Avoid boasting in oneself |
| Galatians 6:14 | But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. | Boasting only in the cross |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. | Dependence on the root (Christ) |
| Jeremiah 11:16 | The LORD once called you a flourishing olive tree, beautiful with good fruit. But with the roar of a great tempest he will light a fire on it, and its branches will be broken. | Original breaking of branches |
| Psalm 123:1 | To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! | Lifting oneself up to God |
| Proverbs 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. | Warning against pride |
| Isaiah 5:1 | Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard... | Israel as a vineyard/tree |
| Isaiah 60:21 | Your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the plum of my planting, the work of my hands, that my glory may be displayed. | God's planting and work |
| Zechariah 4:11-14 | ...Then I answered and said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right side of the lampstand and on its left?”...These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth. | Symbolic representation of olives |
| Ephesians 2:11-13 | ...Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh... were alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise... But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. | Gentile inclusion through Christ |
| Colossians 1:21-23 | And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, because of your evil deeds, yet now he has reconciled you in his body by his flesh, to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him... | Reconciliation through Christ's body |
| Acts 10:34 | So Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,... | God shows no partiality |
| Romans 15:9-12 | ...and to glorify God for his mercy. Then again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”...And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, laud him, all peoples!”... | Gentile praise and participation |
| Galatians 3:28-29 | There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, that is, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. | Unity in Christ, overcoming divisions |
| 1 Corinthians 4:7 | For who makes you different from anyone else? And what do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though it were not received? | Everything received from God |
| Philippians 2:3 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. | Call to humility |
| 1 Peter 5:5-6 | Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the right time he may exalt you. | God opposes the proud, gives grace to the humble |
Romans 11 verses
Romans 11 18 Meaning
Do not exalt yourself against the branch; but if you do, remember that it is not you that supports the root, but the root that supports you. This verse warns Gentile believers against pride, reminding them that their inclusion in God's olive tree is entirely due to the root, which is Israel's Messiah. It highlights dependence on God's grace through Christ, not on their own spiritual status or heritage.
Romans 11 18 Context
In Romans chapter 11, Paul addresses the issue of Israel's rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. He assures Gentile believers that Israel has not been permanently cast aside. He explains that their temporary stumbling has resulted in salvation for the Gentiles. However, Paul cautions the Gentiles against boasting or arrogance regarding their inclusion in God's plan. He uses the metaphor of an olive tree, where natural branches (Israel) were broken off due to unbelief, and wild branches (Gentiles) were grafted in. This verse, chapter 11, verse 18, directly follows the explanation of grafting and serves as a crucial warning to prevent the Gentiles from developing a sense of superiority. It reinforces the understanding that their salvation is not a result of their own merit but a demonstration of God's goodness and sovereignty in extending His covenant promises to them through Christ.
Romans 11 18 Word Analysis
- σύ (su): You. Refers to the Gentile believers being addressed.
- ἐπαιρῃ (epairē): You exalt, lift up, boast against. The verb implies arrogant pride and boasting, specifically directed towards the natural branches.
- κατὰ (kata): Against, down upon. Indicates the direction of the exaltation or boasting.
- τοῦ (tou): The. Definite article for the following noun.
- κλάδου (kladou): Branch. Refers to the natural branches of the olive tree, representing believing Israelites who were part of God's covenant people.
- εἰ δὲ (ei de): But if. Introduces a conditional statement, acknowledging the possibility of such arrogant behavior.
- ἐπαιρῃ (epairē): You exalt, lift up, boast against. Repeated to emphasize the warning against self-exaltation.
- οὐ (ou): Not.
- γὰρ (gar): For, indeed. Used to introduce a reason or explanation.
- σύ (su): You.
- τὴν (tēn): The. Definite article.
- ῥίζῃς (rhizais): Root. Refers to the fundamental source and life of the olive tree, symbolizing Israel's foundational relationship with God, Abrahamic covenant, and the Messiah himself as the root.
- ὑποστὰς (hypostas): You support, sustain. Implies holding up or upholding.
- ἀλλ’ (all'): But. Introduces a contrast.
- ἡ (hē): The. Definite article.
- ῥίζα (rhiza): Root. Emphasizes the source of sustenance and support.
- σου (sou): You. Pertains to the Gentile believer.
Words/Phrases Group Analysis:
- "σὺ ἐπαιρῃ κατὰ τοῦ κλάδου" (su epairē kata tou kladou): "You exalt yourself against the branch." This phrase captures the essence of spiritual pride. It's not just thinking highly of oneself, but actively looking down on and demeaning those who were previously in a more prominent position within God's economy (believing Israel).
- "οὐ γὰρ σὺ τὴν ῥίζῃς ὑποστὰς, ἀλλ’ ἡ ῥίζα σου" (ou gar su tēn rhizais hypostas, all’ hē rhiza sou): "For it is not you that supports the root, but the root that supports you." This is a powerful inversion. The Gentile believer, grafted into the tree, must recognize that their life, sustenance, and spiritual standing come from the root, not the other way around. The root (Christ and the continuity of God's covenant with Israel through Him) is the source, and the branches (believers, both Jew and Gentile) draw life from it. The preposition "σου" (sou - "your") in "ἡ ῥίζα σου" can be understood as the root that belongs to you, meaning the root from which you derive your existence within the tree.
Romans 11 18 Bonus Section
The olive tree is a significant symbol in the Old Testament, often representing Israel itself (Jeremiah 11:16, Psalm 52:8, Hosea 14:6). Here, Paul creatively extends this metaphor. The natural branches represent ethnic Israelites, some of whom have been "broken off" (the unbelieving majority), while the grafted-in wild branches represent believing Gentiles. The crucial point is that the root is the same. This root symbolizes Abraham, the patriarchs, the Mosaic Covenant, and ultimately, the Messiah Himself. Paul is asserting that Gentiles are not joining a completely new spiritual entity but are being incorporated into God's ongoing plan, which had its historical basis in Israel and finds its consummation in Christ. The warning against self-exaltation echoes the broader biblical theme that salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9) and that God's dealings are characterized by both justice (breaking off unbelief) and mercy (grafting in Gentiles).
Romans 11 18 Commentary
The Gentile believer is cautioned against the temptation to feel superior to Jewish believers, or even to Israel as a nation. Their spiritual life and standing are entirely dependent on the root of the olive tree – Christ, who is the fulfillment of Israel's promises. This grace received should inspire humility and gratitude, not arrogance. If the Gentiles were justly broken off when they strayed from God, the grafted-in Gentile branches can also be broken off if they persist in unbelief or pride. The ultimate support comes from God's established covenant and the Messiah, not from human achievement or heritage. True spiritual connection is about drawing life from the source, not about self-promotion.
Practical Application: Believers should constantly examine their hearts for pride and any tendency to look down on others, whether by ethnicity, denomination, or spiritual maturity. Recognize that all spiritual blessings flow from Christ. Live with thankfulness for the grace received, leading to a life of service and mutual respect, valuing others above oneself.