ESOCS Devotional 11 September 2026 – Be Not Highminded But Fear
MEMORY VERSE: “Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well, because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear.” (Rom. 11:19-20 KJV).
TEXT: ROMANS: 11:11 – 27
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
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Be not high-minded – refers to having, showing or characterized by noble lofty principles, ideals or aspirations. It implies a sense of moral superiority, deep intellectualism and strong integrity. However, these qualities may lead one to begin to be elated in the conception of their privileges which will eventually produce self-confidence and may lead to boasting. Paul in this text admonishes the Gentiles to not be elated in the conception of their privileges so as not to produce vain self-confidence and boasting.
Fear does not mean terror or horror, but it denotes humility, watchfulness, and solicitude to abide in the faith. He encouraged them to have fear which stands opposed to the spirit of boasting and self-confidence. Do not be haughty and high-minded against the Jew, who has been cast off, but “demean yourself as a humble believer, and one who has need to be continually on his guard, and to fear lest he may fall through unbelief, and be cast off.” (Stuart).
The Gentiles were never part of the covenant. The bible referred to them as “wild olive tree” (Rom. 11:17). They were privileged to be grafted in because Israel was set aside by God due to her unbelief (Rom. 11:20). She did not take God at His Word. Just like the Israelites who were on the brink of entering the Promised Land. This faithlessness birthed the salvation of the Gentiles (Rom. 11:11). The Gentiles received salvation to provoke the Jews.
Christ Jesus has come and instituted the new covenant – the fulfilment of all of God’s Old Testament covenants. In the new covenant, there is no longer a distinction between Jew and Gentile, for all are made one by believing in Christ and in His death, burial, and resurrection. Paul makes it clear that the Jews have not been rejected in total, but only those Jews who do not believe in Jesus Christ.
It is a mistake to think that the Gentiles are part of the new covenant because of anything they have done. Our text makes it perfectly clear that salvation is always by grace and grace alone (Rom. 11:22). Nothing either Jews or Gentiles can do can ever make them part of the people of God. It is by the grace of God given in His Son Jesus Christ that anyone can know God and love Him. Gentiles have no ground for boasting because it is all the grace of God and not human works or merit.
Jesus Christ has giving us the privilege to be part of God’s covenant through the shedding of His blood on the cross of calvary. Do not take it for granted. Avoid being highminded but be filled with His fear.
Challenges:
- What plans have you put in place to ensure you walk in the fear of God?
- Does your knowledge salvation make you highminded?
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, grant me grace to not be elated in the conception of my privileges in You but help me to continually work out my salvation with fear and trembling in Jesus name.
FURTHER READING:
Jer. 38: 1 – 13; Acts 27: 1 – 15; 2 Sam. 18: 17 – 33
ESOCS Devotional 11 September 2026
