Romans 11:19
What does Romans 11:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 11:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 11:19 means
Paul anticipates a smug response: “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” The statement treats Israel’s loss as the Gentiles’ gain in a way that flatters the Gentiles. Paul will grant a limited truth to it but expose the wrong conclusion. Being grafted in does not imply intrinsic superiority. It points to a vacancy created by unbelief, not to Gentile excellence. This imagined boast invites Paul to restate the governing principles of standing before God—unbelief cuts off; faith connects. The line of thought is pastoral, aiming to curb sinful pride and to restore a trembling gratefulness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You will say, Branches were broken off so that I might be put in.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Thou wilt say, then, `The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in;' right!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thou wilt say then: The branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thou wilt say then, The branches have been broken out in order that I might be grafted in.
Context
This verse voices a potential Gentile misreading of God’s providence introduced in verses 17–18. It serves as a rhetorical setup for verse 20, where Paul agrees in part but redirects the focus to unbelief and faith. The flow keeps pressing Gentile readers to humility, preparing for the stern warning in verse 21 that God’s impartial severity falls on arrogance wherever it appears.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 11:11
I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid: but by their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.
- Romans 11:17
But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree;
- Romans 11:23
And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
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