Romans 11:21 Meaning

“For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.”

Romans 11:21, KJV

“For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.”

Romans 11:21, ESV

Table of Contents

1. Romans 11:21 Meaning – neither will he spare you

Romans 11:21 Meaning – neither will he spare you

Argument 10. Confirming the former; If God spared not the proud Jews, the natural branches of the holy Church, he will not spare the Romans, or any insulting Gentiles, to wit, branches graffed in. Therefore thou being a Gentile, oughtest not to despise the Jews.

Dickson, David – An Exposition of All St. Paul’s Epistles (1659)

But the apostle seems to cast some doubt upon our salvation, when he exhorts us to take care lest God spare not the gentiles.

I answer, this exhortation, as it relates to the subduing of the flesh, which is always insolent even in the children of God, detracts nothing from the certainty and assurance of faith.

We ought, however, particularly to observe, and fix in our memory, one of my late observations, that the apostle is not directing his discourse so much to individual unbelievers, as to the whole body of the gentiles, among whom there might be many inflated with pride without any cause, and who professed rather than possessed faith.

Paul threatens, not without reason, the cutting off of the gentiles, on account of those who had only the form of godliness, as will be pointed out again on another occasion.

Calvin, John – Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans tr. Francis Sibson (1834)