Romans 11:18

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 11:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee.
Romans 11:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Boast not against the branches, etc..] Those that were broken off: the apostle would not have them vaunt it over them, despise them, and trample upon them; but pity them, and pray for and be abundantly thankful and humbled before God, under a sense of Ida sovereign and distinguishing grace, who had settled them in a Gospel church state, who were before comparable to a wild olive tree; and much less should they glory over the believing Jews, among whom they were, there being no difference between them, for they were all one in Christ Jesus: but if thou boast; but if such a vain temper of mind should prevail, he suggests they would do well to sit down and consider what little reason they had…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Boast not against the--rejected branches. But if thou--"do" boast--remember that thou bearest not--"it is not thou that bearest" the root, but the root thee--"If the branches may not boast over the root that bears them, then may not the Gentile boast over the seed of Abraham; for what is thy standing, O Gentile, in relation to Israel, but that of a branch in relation to the root? From Israel hath come all that thou art and hast in the family of God; for "salvation is of the Jews" (Joh 4:22).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Boast not ... - The tendency of people is to triumph over one that is fallen and rejected. The danger of pride and boasting on account of privileges is not less in the church than elsewhere. Paul saw that some of the Gentiles might be in danger of exultation over the fallen Jews, and therefore cautions them against it. The ingrafted shoot, deriving all its vigor and fruitfulness from the stock of another tree, ought not to boast against the branches. But if thou boast - If thou art so inconsiderate and wicked, so devoid of humility, and lifted up with pride, as to boast, yet know that there is no occasion for it. If there were occasion for boasting, it would rather be in the root or stock…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Boast not against the branches - Do not they do this who despise the Jews? or deny their future conversion? Romans 11:20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“11:18 You are just a branch, not the root: By the time Paul wrote to the church in Rome, it was composed mainly of Gentiles, a common situation in the early Christian communities. This dominant role led many Gentile Christians to brag about their status, while treating Jews and their religious heritage with disdain. Paul reminds the Gentile believers that they enjoy God’s blessings only because they have been included in the one people of God, who are rooted in God’s promises to Israel.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Boast not: Rom 11:20, Rom 3:27; Kg1 20:11; Pro 16:18; Mat 26:33; Luk 18:9-11; Co1 10:12 thou bearest: Rom 4:16; Zac 8:20-23; Joh 10:16; Gal 3:29; Eph 2:19, Eph 2:20 Romans 11:19”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification