“Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.”
do not be arrogant toward those branches. If you are, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. — Warning (mē huperphronei, not to think arrogantly) addresses Gentile triumphalism. The arrogance would consist in imagining that Gentile faith supports Israel's covenant; the reverse is true. Gentiles are sustained by the root (the patriarchal covenant, God's promises to Abraham).
Church Fathers on Romans 11:18
“Boast not against the branches.” He seems indeed to be comforting the Jew, but points out his vileness and extreme dishonor. And this is why he says not, “boast not,” but, “boast not against” do not boast against them so as to sunder them. For it is into their place that you have been set, and their goods that you enjoy. Do you observe how he seems to be rebuking the one, while he is sharp upon the other? “But if you boast,” he says, “you bear not the root, but the root…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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