Romans 11:18
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Boast not against the branches. But if you boast, you bore not the root, but the root you.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Boast not against the branches. But if you boast, you bore not the root, but the root you.
American Standard Version (ASV)
glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Do not be uplifted in pride over the branches: because it is not you who are the support of the root, but it is by the root that you are supported.
Webster's Revision
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boastest, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
World English Bible
don't boast over the branches. But if you boast, it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you.
English Revised Version (ERV)
glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee.
Clarke's Romans 11:18 Bible Commentary
Boast not against the branches - While you are ready to acknowledge that you were included in the covenant made with Abraham, and are now partakers of the same blessings with him, do not exult over, much less insult, the branches, his present descendants, whose place you now fill up, according to the election of grace: for remember, ye are not the root, nor do ye bear the root, but the root bears you. You have not been the means of deriving any blessing on the Jewish people; but through that very people, which you may be tempted to despise, all the blessing and excellencies which you enjoy have been communicated to you.
Barnes's Romans 11:18 Bible 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 which sustains the branches; least of all can it be in those which were grafted in, having been before wholly unfruitful.
Thou bearest not the root - The source of all your blessings is in the ancient stock. It is clear from this, that the apostle regarded the church as one; and that the Christian economy was only a prolongation of the ancient dispensation. The tree, even with a part of the branches removed. and others ingrafted, retains its identity, and is never regarded as a different tree.
Wesley's Romans 11:18 Bible Commentary
11:18 Boast not against the branches - Do not they do this who despise the Jews? or deny their future conversion?