Bible Strands
Romans 11:18
do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses Gentile believers grafted into the olive tree, warning them against pride after explaining their inclusion among Israel. He speaks this at the moment they might claim the broken branches were removed specifically for their benefit.
The words — The Greek κατακαυχᾶσαι (katakauchasai) literally means "boast against" or "boast over," directly countering the arrogance of the grafted branches. The particle οὐ (ou) negates the supposed support, emphasizing that the nourishing root sustains the shoot, not vice versa.
The thread — This warning against spiritual pride recurs in 1 Corinthians 10:12, which cautions the standing to take heed lest they fall, and Romans 11:20, which commands believers not to be arrogant but to fear. The exclusion of boasting by works rather than faith is established in Romans 3:27.
Why it lands — The text demands that readers acknowledge their dependence on the root for nourishment and reject any claim of self-sustained standing. It requires a posture of humility that recognizes faith, not personal merit, as the basis for their position.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 10:12 So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.
- Romans 11:20 That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.
- Romans 3:27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith.
- Ephesians 2:19 Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household,
- Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
- John 10:16 I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.
- 1 Kings 20:11 And the king of Israel replied, “Tell him: ‘The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.’”
- Zechariah 8:20 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Peoples will yet come—the residents of many cities—
- Matthew 26:33 Peter said to Him, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.”
- Luke 18:9 To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: