Romans 11:21 kjv
For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Romans 11:21 nkjv
For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.
Romans 11:21 niv
For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
Romans 11:21 esv
For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.
Romans 11:21 nlt
For if God did not spare the original branches, he won't spare you either.
Romans 11 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 11:17 | ...And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, w | Continues the olive tree analogy |
| Rom 11:20 | ...That is good. They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. | Sets up the warning in v. 21 |
| Rom 11:22 | ...Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severit | Reinforces the theme of God's justice |
| Heb 4:1 | ...Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, | Warning against falling away |
| 1 Cor 10:12 | ...Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. | Similar warning against overconfidence |
| Gal 5:4 | ...You are estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you hav | Warning against mixing law and grace |
| Heb 3:12 | ...Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in | Warning against unbelief and apostasy |
| Matt 24:13 | ...But he who endures to the end shall be saved. | Importance of perseverance |
| Rev 2:5 | ...Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. | Call to remember and return to first love |
| Rev 3:3 | ...Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. If | Warning against spiritual complacency |
| John 15:2 | ...Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away; and every one that | Illustrates God's pruning and judgment |
| Isa 27:9 | ...By this, therefore, shall the iniquity of Jacob be forgiven; and this is all t | OT prophecy concerning Israel's iniquity |
| Jer 11:16 | ...The LORD of hosts, who planted you, has pronounced disaster against you, becau | Judgment upon Israel for disobedience |
| Hos 1:6 | ...Now she conceived again and bore a son. Then he said, "Call his name Not Mer | God's judgment and mercy on Israel |
| Hos 2:2 | ..."Plead with your mother, plead, for she is not my wife, nor am I her Husband | Imagery of Israel as an unfaithful wife |
| John 8:31 | ...Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed him, "If you abide in my word, yo | Abiding in Christ is key to true discipleship |
| Acts 14:22 | ...Strengthening the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and | Exhortation to continue in the faith |
| Col 1:23 | ...if indeed you continue grounded and steadfast in the faith, and are not mov | Conditional promise of perseverance |
| Rom 11:18 | ...Boast not against the branches. But if you boast, remember that you do not b | Reiterates warning against boasting |
| Rom 11:24 | ...For if God did not spare the natural branches, how much more will he not spa | Contrasts severity with greater mercy |
Romans 11 verses
Romans 11 21 Meaning
Since God did not spare the natural branches, take care that he does not spare you either.
Romans 11 21 Context
Romans 11 discusses God's ongoing plan for Israel and the Gentiles. Paul has established that Gentiles are grafted into God's covenant people through faith in Christ. He now addresses potential pride among Gentiles who might think they have replaced Israel. In verse 20, he acknowledges the reason the "natural branches" (unbelieving Israelites) were broken off – their unbelief. Verse 21 serves as a direct and stern warning to the Gentile believers, drawing a parallel between the judgment on unbelieving Israel and the potential for their own downfall if they fall away from faith. The olive tree metaphor, used throughout chapter 11, represents God's covenant people, with the natural branches being ethnic Israel and the grafted branches being Gentile believers. This passage aims to foster humility and a reliance on God's grace, not on ethnic privilege or past acceptance.
Romans 11 21 Word Analysis
εἰ: (ei) - If. Introduces a conditional clause, setting up the hypothetical scenario for the warning.
γάρ: (gar) - For; indeed; certainly. A particle of explanation or emphasis, reinforcing the preceding statement by providing a reason or justification.
οὐκ: (ouk) - Not. A strong negative particle.
ἐφείσατο: (epheisato) - Spared. From the verb pheomai (pheomai), which means to spare, refrain from harming, or have mercy. This verb in the middle voice here emphasizes that God is the one actively choosing not to spare. The aorist tense indicates a completed action in the past (God's judgment on unbelieving Israel).
τῶν: (ton) - The. Definite article, masculine genitive plural, referring to "natural branches."
φυσικῶν: (phusikon) - Natural. Adjective derived from physis (physis), meaning nature, constitution, or kind. Refers to the branches that are naturally part of the olive tree, symbolizing ethnic Israel.
κλάδων: (kladon) - Branches. Noun, masculine genitive plural. In the context of the olive tree metaphor, these represent the natural descendants of Abraham who were part of God's covenant people.
Words Group Analysis:
- "εἰ γὰρ οὐκ ἐφείσατο..." (ei gar ouk epheisato...) - "For if He did not spare..." This phrase establishes the premise for the warning. The "for" connects it logically to the preceding verse (v. 20), emphasizing that the reason the natural branches were removed was God's judgment, not a lack of option for Him to spare them.
- "...τῶν φυσικῶν κλάδων" (...ton phusikon kladon) - "...the natural branches." This clearly identifies the objects of God's judgment as those who were naturally part of the olive tree, signifying Israel. The genitive case ("ton phusikon kladon") shows possession or association, indicating branches that belonged by nature.
Romans 11 21 Bonus Section
The olive tree metaphor in Romans 11 is deeply rooted in Old Testament imagery. Ancient Israel was often described as an olive tree or olive orchard (Jeremiah 11:16; Hosea 14:6). Paul's extension of this metaphor shows that the covenant people of God is now a mixed body of ethnic Israelites and Gentiles, all grafted in through faith in Messiah. The warning in this verse is consistent with Jesus' teachings about bearing fruit and remaining in Him (John 15:1-8), and Paul's broader warnings throughout his epistles about not falling away from grace. It’s important to note that Paul is not suggesting Gentiles are inherently superior, but that their acceptance into the olive tree is a consequence of Israel's temporary rejection, and their participation is contingent on their faith.
Romans 11 21 Commentary
This verse is a critical warning to Gentile believers. Because God did not hesitate to judge His own people, Israel, when they fell into unbelief and were broken off from the covenant olive tree, Gentile believers should not presume upon their inclusion. Their inclusion is solely by grace through faith, and if they likewise turn to unbelief or pride, they too can be cut off. It underscores the conditional nature of belonging to the people of God—faithfulness and continued trust are paramount. It’s a call to humility, recognizing that God’s dealings are based on adherence to the covenant through faith, not on an unbreakable claim due to Gentile status. This guards against a spiritual arrogance that would assume their position is more secure than Israel's, ignoring that God's severity toward unbelievers applies universally.