What Does Romans 10:11 Mean in the King James?

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Romans 10:11 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Here, believing is weight-bearing trust, and the promise is that this reliance will not end in disgrace.

THE MEANING

You are included in the open-ended “whosoever”: trusting him does not end with you exposed as foolish. The verse names a future outcome beyond disgrace.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

If I place my weight on him, I will ultimately be exposed as foolish for trusting him. The verse promises that this trust does not end in disgrace.

THE ROOT

πιστεύων

pisteuōn

GROWS FROM

πιστ-

pist-

Trust and reliance that leans its full weight on someone.

“Believeth” is more than assent: it is placing your full weight on him. The promise meets you in that dependence, with an outcome beyond disgrace.

ALSO GROWS

pistis: trust, reliance

πίστις

The same word-family links believing with trust that takes hold of its object.

pistos: firm, steady; trustworthy

πιστός

The quality of being steady belongs to the same family as the trust placed here.

καταισχυνθήσεται

kataischunthēsetai

GROWS FROM

αἰσχυν-

aischyn-

Shame or disgrace; to bring someone into dishonor.

“ashamed” in this verse is kataischunthēsetai. The verb is future passive: the one trusting will not be brought into disgrace. It reaches beyond embarrassment to the fear that reliance on him will prove publicly misplaced.

ALSO GROWS

aischynē: shame, disgrace

αἰσχύνη

This noun names the dishonor the verse says will not be the truster’s final outcome.

kataischunō: put to shame, disgrace

καταισχύνω

This verb names the act of bringing someone into disgrace, which the promise negates.

THE PATTERN

Reliance placed on God’s chosen foundation can withstand what looks like a stumbling point without ending in disgrace.

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Isaiah 28:16 · KJVTrust is pictured as resting on a stone God lays as a sure foundation; the one who believes need not rush toward another footing.

Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

Psalm 25:3 · KJVThe one waiting on God is not put to shame, joining trustful reliance with the same promised end.

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

1 Peter 2:6 · KJVThe cornerstone image returns, and the one trusting him is said not to be confounded.

THE THREAD

As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Romans 9:33 · KJV

Romans 9:33 uses the same trust and disgrace words but places them beside a stumbling stone. The shared wording shows that the promise does not depend on circumstances feeling easy: the question is whether the one you lean on can bear your weight.

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