Romans 2
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
That judgest - Ὁ κρινων, the judger; thou assumest the character of a judge, and in that character condemnest others who are less guilty than thyself.
Open source ↗THE JEW UNDER LIKE CONDEMNATION WITH THE GENTILE. (Rom. 2:1-29) the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance--that is, is designed and adapted to do so.
Open source ↗Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man,.... Some think, from the connection of these words with the preceding chapter, that the Gentiles are here meant; and particularly those among them who seemed to be virtuous, and took upon them to be the reprovers of others, and yet did the same things themselves, as Socrates, Cato, Seneca, and others; and therefore must be inexcusable, because they knew better, and would be thought to have been so; wherefore such could never be justified before God by their works, but might be justly condemned by him, nor shall they escape his righteous judgment. Others think the Jews are meant, who despised and condemned the Gentiles, and thought themselves to be righteous persons, and justified in the sight of God; and who, though they were secretly guilty of many abominable iniquities, yet were very severe upon the sins of others, and therefore inexcusable: others think that magistrates are designed, whether among Jews or Gentiles, who reprove and punish sin in others, and therefore must be supposed to know the law, and the nature of sin, and so are inexcusable and self-condemned when they do the same things; wherefore though they may pass with impunity among men, they shall not escape the judgment of God. Rather the words respect every man, of whatsoever nation, office, or place; and may be particularly applied to hypocrites, and seem designed to correct censoriousness, and hasty judging, and to throw confusion on such who value themselves on being the censurers and reprovers of others: whosoever thou art that judgest; whether a Jew or a Gentile, a public magistrate or a private person: for wherein thou judgest another; that is, in what case or instance; the Complutensian edition and the Arabic version read, "in" "or with what judgment thou jud…
Open source ↗In the former chapter the apostle had represented the state of the Gentile world to be as bad and black as the Jews were ready enough to pronounce it. And now, designing to show that the state of the Jews was very bad too, and their sin in many respects more aggravated, to prepare his way he sets himself in this part of the chapter to show that God would proceed upon equal terms of justice with Jews and Gentiles; and now with such a partial hand as the Jews were apt to think he would use in their favour. I. He arraigns them for their censoriousness and self-conceit (Rom 2:1): Thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest. As he expresses himself in general terms, the admonition may reach those many masters (Jam 3:1), of whatever nation or profession they are, that assume to themselves a power to censure, control, and condemn others. But he intends especially the Jews, and to them particularly he applies this general charge (Rom 2:21), Thou who teachest another teachest thou not thyself? The Jews were generally a proud sort of people, that looked with a great deal of scorn and contempt upon the poor Gentiles, as not worthy to be set with the dogs of their flock; while in the mean time they were themselves as bad and immoral - though not idolaters, as the Gentiles, yet sacrilegious, Rom 2:22. Therefore thou art inexcusable. If the Gentiles, who had but the light of nature, were inexcusable (Rom 1:20), much more the Jews, who had the light of the law, the revealed will of God, and so had greater helps than the Gentiles. II. He asserts the invariable justice of the divine government, Rom 2:2, Rom 2:3. To drive home the conviction, he here shows what a righteous God that is with whom we have to do, and how just in his proceedings. It is usual with the apostle…
Open source ↗2:1-5 You is singular in the Greek. Here, the you is a hypothetical complacent Jew, who feels superior to Gentiles and in no danger of judgment. Paul adopts a popular Hellenistic style called a diatribe, in which a writer tries to win over an audience to his views by portraying a debate between himself and a hypothetical opponent. • these very same things: Paul’s point is that Jews, like Gentiles, turn from God’s revelation to go their own way.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
διό (dió, G1352) — through which thing, i.e. consequently εἶ (eî, G1488) — thou art ἀναπολόγητος (anapológētos, G379) — indefensible ὦ (ō, G5599) — as a sign of the vocative case, O; as a note of exclamation, oh ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole κρίνω (krínō, G2919) — by implication, to try, condemn, punish γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἕτερος (héteros, G2087) — (an-, the) other or different κατακρίνω (katakrínō, G2632) — to judge against, i.e. sentence σεαυτοῦ (seautoû, G4572) — of (with, to) thyself πράσσω (prássō, G4238) — to "practise", i.e. perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from G4160 (ποιέω),…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because κρίμα (kríma, G2917) — a decision (the function or the effect, for or against ("crime")) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… ἀλήθεια (alḗtheia, G225) — truth ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… πράσσω (prássō, G4238) — to "practise", i.e. perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from G4160 (ποιέω),… τοιοῦτος (toioûtos, G5108) — truly this, i.e. of this sort (to denote character or individuality)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. λογίζομαι (logízomai, G3049) — to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively) τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing ὦ (ō, G5599) — as a sign of the vocative case, O; as a note of exclamation, oh ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being κρίνω (krínō, G2919) — by implication, to try, condemn, punish πράσσω (prássō, G4238) — to "practise", i.e. perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from G4160 (ποιέω),… τοιοῦτος (toioûtos, G5108) — truly this, i.e. of this sort (to denote character or individuality) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because σύ (sý, G4771) — thou ἐκφεύγω (ekpheúgō, G1628) — to flee out
Open source ↗ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than καταφρονέω (kataphronéō, G2706) — to think against, i.e. disesteem πλοῦτος (ploûtos, G4149) — wealth (as fulness), i.e. (literally) money, possessions, or (figuratively) abundance,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… χρηστότης (chrēstótēs, G5544) — usefulness, i.e. morally, excellence (in character or demeanor) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀνοχή (anochḗ, G463) — self-restraint, i.e. tolerance μακροθυμία (makrothymía, G3115) — longanimity, i.e. (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude ἀγνοέω (agnoéō, G50) — not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because χρηστός (chrēstós, G5543) — employed, i.e. (by implication) useful (in manner or morals) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἄγω (ágō, G71) — properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass… σέ (sé, G4571) — thee
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy σκληρότης (sklērótēs, G4643) — callousness, i.e. (figuratively) stubbornness καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀμετανόητος (ametanóētos, G279) — unrepentant καρδία (kardía, G2588) — the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the… θησαυρίζω (thēsaurízō, G2343) — to amass or reserve (literally or figuratively) σεαυτοῦ (seautoû, G4572) — of (with, to) thyself ὀργή (orgḗ, G3709) — properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy),… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… ἀποκάλυψις (apokálypsis, G602) — disclosure δικαιοκρισία (dikaiokrisía, G1341) — a just sentence
Open source ↗ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἀποδίδωμι (apodídōmi, G591) — to give away, i.e. up, over, back, etc. (in various applications) ἕκαστος (hékastos, G1538) — each or every κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἔργον (érgon, G2041) — toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
Open source ↗μέν (mén, G3303) — properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a… κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… ὑπομονή (hypomonḗ, G5281) — cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy ἀγαθός (agathós, G18) — "good" (in any sense, often as noun) ἔργον (érgon, G2041) — toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act ζητέω (zētéō, G2212) — to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a… δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τιμή (timḗ, G5092) — a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem… ἀφθαρσία (aphtharsía, G861) — incorruptibility; genitive, unending existence; (figuratively) genuineness αἰώνιος (aiṓnios, G166) — perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well) ζωή (zōḗ, G2222) — life (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ἐριθεία (eritheía, G2052) — properly, intrigue, i.e. (by implication) faction καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀπειθέω (apeithéō, G544) — to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely) μέν (mén, G3303) — properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a… ἀλήθεια (alḗtheia, G225) — truth πείθω (peíthō, G3982) — to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other… ἀδικία (adikía, G93) — (legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness… θυμός (thymós, G2372) — passion (as if breathing hard) ὀργή (orgḗ, G3709) — properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy),…
Open source ↗θλῖψις (thlîpsis, G2347) — pressure (literally or figuratively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… στενοχωρία (stenochōría, G4730) — narrowness of room, i.e. (figuratively) calamity ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ψυχή (psychḗ, G5590) — breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient… ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being κατεργάζομαι (katergázomai, G2716) — to work fully, i.e. accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion κακός (kakós, G2556) — worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas G4190 (πονηρός) properly refers to effects), i.e.… Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaîos, G2453) — Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah πρῶτον (prōton, G4412) — firstly (in time, place, order, or importance) τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) Ἕλλην (Héllēn, G1672) — a Hellen (Grecian) or inhabitant of Hellas; by extension a Greek-speaking person,…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or… τιμή (timḗ, G5092) — a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem… εἰρήνη (eirḗnē, G1515) — peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἐργάζομαι (ergázomai, G2038) — to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with,… ἀγαθός (agathós, G18) — "good" (in any sense, often as noun) Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaîos, G2453) — Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah πρῶτον (prōton, G4412) — firstly (in time, place, order, or importance) τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) Ἕλλην (Héllēn, G1672) — a Hellen (Grecian) or inhabitant of Hellas; by extension a Greek-speaking person,…
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not προσωποληψία (prosōpolēpsía, G4382) — partiality, i.e. favoritism παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ὅσος (hósos, G3745) — as (much, great, long, etc.) as ἁμαρτάνω (hamartánō, G264) — properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err,… ἀνόμως (anómōs, G460) — lawlessly, i.e. (specially) not amenable to (the Jewish) law ἀπόλλυμι (apóllymi, G622) — to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. νόμος (nómos, G3551) — law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of… κρίνω (krínō, G2919) — by implication, to try, condemn, punish διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἀκροατής (akroatḗs, G202) — apparently an intensive of G191 (ἀκούω)); a hearer (merely) νόμος (nómos, G3551) — law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of… δίκαιος (díkaios, G1342) — equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively) παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) ποιητής (poiētḗs, G4163) — a performer; specially, a "poet"; δικαιόω (dikaióō, G1344) — to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ὅταν (hótan, G3752) — whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively… ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one… ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… νόμος (nómos, G3551) — law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of… ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) φύσις (phýsis, G5449) — growth (by germination or expansion), i.e. (by implication) natural production (lineal… οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) εἰσί (eisí, G1526) — they are ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it.
O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?
His master replied, ‘You wicked servant, I will judge you by your own words. So you knew that I am a harsh man, withdrawing what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow?
How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?