Devine Scripture

Romans 11:21

What does Romans 11:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 11:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 11:21 means

The warning sharpens: if God did not spare the natural branches when they persisted in unbelief, He will not spare arrogant Gentiles. God’s dealings are impartial. Ancestry does not shield from judgment; neither does current privilege. The verse underlines the seriousness of presumption and the necessity of persevering faith. Grace does not negate God’s holiness; it magnifies it by saving sinners who continue in trust. Paul wants Gentile believers to draw the right lesson from Israel’s history: learn humility, fear God, and cling to faith, because the same God who judges unbelief also delights to save those who trust Him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For, if God did not have mercy on the natural branches, he will not have mercy on you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for if God the natural branches did not spare--lest perhaps He also shall not spare thee.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For if God hath not spared the natural branches, fear lest perhaps also he spare not thee.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

ifGod indeed has not spared the natural branches; lest it might be he spare not thee either.

Context

This verse completes the immediate warning sequence begun in verses 18–20. It appeals to God’s action toward Israel as a sober precedent for Gentiles. Next, in verse 22, Paul will summarize the twofold character of God—goodness and severity—and apply it pastorally. Then verses 23–24 will reopen the door of hope for Israel, emphasizing God’s power to graft them back in if they do not persist in unbelief.

v.20Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

v.21This passage

v.22Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God’s goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:1

    For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

  • Jeremiah 25:29

    For, lo, I begin to work evil at the city which is called by my name; and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished; for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith Jehovah of hosts.

  • 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 11:19

    Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.

  • Jeremiah 49:12

    For thus saith Jehovah: Behold, they to whom it pertained not to drink of the cup shall assuredly drink; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink.

  • 2 Peter 2:4

    For if God spared not angels when they sinned, but cast them down to hell, and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

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