What Does Romans 11:20 Mean in the King James?
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
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
The verse gives no one ground to boast: the standing it names rests on trust, not personal superiority.
THE MEANING
The verse sets distrust beside trust: one is broken off, the other stands by leaning their full weight on trust. Your standing is not proof of superior worth. The warning to fear keeps that standing from becoming imagined immunity.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the belief that being included proves you are better or permanently secure; your standing rests on trust, so it cannot become a reason for contempt.
THE ROOT
ἀπιστία
apistia
GROWS FROM
πειθ-
peith-
The Greek word family of πίστις traces to πείθω: to persuade, be persuaded, and come to trust.
“unbelief / faith” in this verse is apistia. Unbelief and trust belong to the same word family: ἀπιστία names trust’s absence, while πίστις names trust itself. The contrast is not a difference in personal worth; it is a difference in what you lean your weight on.
ALSO GROWS
peithō: Persuade, be persuaded, trust.
πείθω
It reveals trust as a response of reliance, not a badge of superiority.
pistos: Trustworthy, reliable; firm or steady.
πιστός
It shows the family’s connection between trust and steadiness, illuminating how trust is the ground on which you stand.
THE PATTERN
Standing through trust leaves no room to turn belonging into self-credit or superiority.
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.THE THREAD
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.Here the same Greek word, πίστις (pistis), appears beside the same image of standing: “by faith ye stand.” It makes the ground of standing plain, trust, rather than rank or control.
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