Romans 2:16
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on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
In the day, &c.--Here the unfinished statement of Rom 2:12 is resumed and closed. shall judge the secrets of men--here specially referring to the unfathomed depths of hypocrisy in the self-righteous whom the apostle had to deal with. (See Ecc 12:14; Co1 4:5). according to my gospel--to my teaching as a preacher of the Gospel.
Open source ↗The scope of the first two chapters of this epistle may be gathered from Rom 3:9, "We have before proved both Jews and Gentiles that they are all under sin." This we have proved upon the Gentiles (ch. 1), now in this chapter he proves it upon the Jews, as appears by Rom 2:17, "thou art called a Jew." I. He proves in general that Jews and Gentiles stand upon the same level before the justice of God, to Rom 2:11. II. He shows more particularly what sins the Jews were guilty of, notwithstanding their profession and vain pretensions (Rom 2:17 to the end).
Open source ↗2:16 secret life (literally the hidden things): Scripture frequently stresses that God will judge people according to their thoughts and intentions (see 1 Sam 16:7; Ps 139:1-2; Jer 17:10).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”
For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be made known and brought to light.
And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead.
Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world?
But they will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom:
before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.
There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.