Romans 11:20

“Well, etc..] To this the apostle answers, by approving and granting in, part what was said, that the unbelieving Jews were broken off and rejected, and that the Gentiles that believed in Christ were grafted in among the Jews that professed his name; but then he tacitly denies that it was for their sakes, and their account, they were broken off, but for their own incredulity: because of unbelief they were broken off; because of their unbelief and contempt of the Messiah, they were rejected of God, and died in their sins; that which excluded their forefathers from the land of Canaan, shut them out of the Gospel church state, and the kingdom of heaven: and thou standest by faith; which is not…”

“Well--"Be it so, but remember that" because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest--not as a Gentile, but solely by faith--But as faith cannot live in those "whose soul is lifted up" (Hab 2:4). Be not high-minded, but fear-- (Pro 28:14; Phi 2:12):”

“Well - True. It is true they were broken off; but in order to show that there was no occasion for boasting, he adds that they were not rejected in order to admit others, but because of their unbelief, and that their fate should have a salutary impression on those who had no occasion for boasting, but who might be rejected for the same cause. This is an instance of remarkable tact and delicacy in an argument, admitting the main force of the remark, but giving it a slight change in accordance with the truth, so as to parry its force, and give it a practical bearing on the very point which he wished to enforce. Thou standest by faith - The continuance of these mercies to you depends on your…”

“They were broken off for unbelief, and thou standest by faith - Both conditionally, not absolutely: if absolutely, there might have been room to boast. By faith - The free gift of God, which therefore ought to humble thee. Romans 11:21”

“11:20 fear what could happen: In Scripture, fear often means a reverential awe of God that includes the recognition that we must one day stand before him in judgment (see 2 Cor 5:11; 7:1, 11, 15; Phil 2:12; Col 3:22).”

“Well: Joh 4:17, Joh 4:18; Jam 2:19 because: Rom 3:3; Act 13:46, Act 13:47, Act 18:6; Heb 3:12, Heb 3:19, Heb 4:6, Heb 4:11 and: Rom 5:1, Rom 5:2; Ch2 20:20; Isa 7:9; Co1 16:13; Co2 1:24; Col 2:7; Pe1 5:9, Pe1 5:12 Be: Rom 11:18, Rom 12:16; Psa 138:6; Pro 28:26; Isa 2:11, Isa 2:17; Hab 2:4; Zep 3:11; Luk 18:14; Co2 10:5; Th2 2:4; Ti2 3:3-5; Jam 4:6; Pe1 5:5, Pe1 5:6; Rev 3:17; Rev 18:7 but: Pro 28:14; Isa 66:2; Co1 10:12; Phi 2:12; Heb 4:1; Pe1 1:17 Romans 11:21”