“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:”
Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. — Paul qualifies: yes, unbelief (apistia) caused the breaking off, and Gentile faith (pistis) accounts for standing—but this is God's doing, not Gentile achievement. The exhortation to fear (phobeomai) is not servile terror but reverent humility, the recognition that the same God who broke off branches can break off Gentiles.
Church Fathers on Romans 11:20
“Well,” he praises what they said, then he alarms them again by saying, “Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you are grafted in standest.}}--> by faith.” So here another encomium, and for the other party an accusation. But he again lays their pride low by proceeding to say, “be not high-minded, but fear.” For the thing is not matter of nature, but of belief and unbelief. And he seems to be again bridling the Gentile, but he is teaching the Jew that it is not right…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!