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do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast,<\/strong> <\/span>remember<\/em><\/strong> that<\/strong><\/em><\/span> you do not support the root, but the root supports you.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n We should not boast about ourselves or our position, because it is God who is responsible for who and what we are.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cboast<\/span>\u201d is the Greek word katakauchaomai<\/em><\/span>, which is a compound word made up of kata<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cagainst\u201d and a form of kouchaomai<\/em> <\/span>which means \u201cto boast.\u201d Hence, this word means \u201cto boast against.<\/em>\u201d Webster defines the word \u201cboast\u201d as \u201cTo brag, or vaunt one’s self; to make an ostentatious display, in speech, of one’s own worth, property, or actions.<\/em>\u201d Katakauchaomai<\/em> <\/span>is expressed here in the middle person (indicating action done to oneself), and the imperative mood (indicating a command). It is preceded by the word m\u0113<\/em><\/span>, a conditional negative particle. As we have pointed out previously, word order in Greek is used for emphases. The fact that m\u0113<\/em> <\/span>precedes katakauchaomai <\/em><\/span>indicates emphasis on m\u0113<\/em><\/span>. Therefore, we could translate this as \u201cStop boasting about yourself!\u201d We could paraphrase it as, \u201cGet out of the habit of boasting about yourself against the branches!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSupport<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek word bastadz\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which is derived from basis<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cfoot.\u201d Bastadz\u014d<\/em> <\/span>refers to \u201clifting something up and placing it on a solid footing.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul is talking metaphorically about an olive tree; a tree which gets its holiness from the root. In the previous verse he talked about the natural branches being broken off and the Gentiles being grafted in. Obviously, the tree represents God\u2019s family. It began with the Jews (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and from this tree came the Messiah, Himself.<\/p>\n Paul will declare in verse twenty that the branches that were broken off were broken off because of unbelief. That is, the Jews were rejected because they did not believe the Messiah when He came. And because of their unbelief, the gospel was subsequently proclaimed to the Gentiles (by the Apostles, who were Jews).<\/p>\n Paul now warns us Gentile believers not to boast against the Jews. What he is saying is, in effect, \u201cDon\u2019t consider yourselves more worthy than the Jews, who were rejected.\u201d The reason he tells us not to boast is because we are not the ones who sustain the root (God), but it is the root that sustains and supports us. You see, we didn\u2019t graft ourselves into the tree, God engrafted us. We were not of the original family of blessing (the Jews), and we have done nothing to make ourselves worthy of being included in their blessings.<\/p>\n Remember that it is God who is the author and finisher of our faith. He chose us, we did not choose Him. He is the one who declared us righteous; we did not earn our righteousness. Without God\u2019s action we are nothing and we are destined for Hell because of our lack of righteousness. We have absolutely nothing to boast about.<\/p>\n Let me ask you, \u201cHave you ever met a proud Christian?\u201d That\u2019s a contradiction of terms, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time<\/span>, (I Peter 5:6<\/span>)<\/strong><\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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