Romans 2 - Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

God’s Righteous Judgment

2 Therefore, any one of you[a](A) who judges is without excuse.(B) For when you judge another,(C) you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. 2 We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth. 3 Do you really think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness,(D) restraint,(E) and patience,(F) not recognizing[b] that God’s kindness(G) is intended to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath(H) for yourself in the day of wrath,(I) when God’s righteous judgment is revealed. 6 He will repay each one according to his works:(J)[c] 7 eternal life(K) to those who by persistence in doing good(L) seek glory, honor,(M) and immortality;(N) 8 but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking(O) and disobey the truth(P) but are obeying unrighteousness; 9 affliction and distress(Q) for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek;(R) 10 but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 11 There is no favoritism with God.(S)

12 All those who sinned without the law(T) will also perish without the law, and all those who sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For the hearers of the law(U) are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be declared righteous.[d] 14 So, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, instinctively(V) do what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law[e] is written on their hearts.(W) Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts will either accuse or excuse them[f] 16 on the day when God judges(X) what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.(Y)

Jewish Violation of the Law

17 Now if[g] you call yourself a Jew, and rest in the law,(Z) boast in God, 18 know His will, and approve the things that are superior,(AA) being instructed from the law, 19 and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, 20 an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the full expression[h] of knowledge and truth(AB) in the law— 21 you then, who teach another,(AC) don’t you teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal”—do you steal? 22 You who say, “You must not commit adultery”—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob their temples?(AD) 23 You who boast in the law,(AE) do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.(AF)[i]

Circumcision of the Heart

25 For circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.(AG) 26 Therefore if an uncircumcised(AH) man keeps the law’s requirements,(AI) will his uncircumcision not be counted as circumcision? 27 A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who fulfills the law, will judge you(AJ) who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision. 28 For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly,(AK) and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. 29 On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly,(AL) and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter.[j](AM) That man’s praise[k] is not from men but from God.(AN)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 2:1 Lit Therefore, O man, every one
  2. Romans 2:4 Or patience, because you do not recognize
  3. Romans 2:6 Ps 62:12; Pr 24:12
  4. Romans 2:13 Or will be justified or acquitted
  5. Romans 2:15 The code of conduct required by the law
  6. Romans 2:15 Internal debate, either in a person or among the pagan moralists
  7. Romans 2:17 Other mss read Look—
  8. Romans 2:20 Or the embodiment
  9. Romans 2:24 Is 52:5
  10. Romans 2:29 Or heart—spiritually, not literally
  11. Romans 2:29 In Hb, the words Jew, Judah, and praise are related.

Cross references

  1. 2:1 : Lk 12:14; Rm 9:20
  2. 2:1 : Rm 1:20
  3. 2:1 : 2Sm 12:5-7; Mt 7:1; Rm 14:22
  4. 2:4 : Rm 11:22
  5. 2:4 : Rm 3:25
  6. 2:4 : Ex 34:6; Rm 9:22; 1Tm 1:16; 1Pt 3:20; 2Pt 3:15
  7. 2:4 : 2Pt 3:9
  8. 2:5 : Dt 32:34; Pr 1:18
  9. 2:5 : Ps 110:5; 2Co 5:10; 2Th 1:5; Jd 6
  10. 2:6 : Ps 62:12; Pr 24:12, Mt 16:27
  11. 2:7 : 1Co 15:42, 50, 53
  12. 2:7 : Lk 8:15; Heb 10:36
  13. 2:7 : Heb 2:7; 1Pt 1:7
  14. 2:7 : Mt 25:46
  15. 2:8 : 2Co 12:20; Gl 5:20; Php 2:3; Jms 3:14, 16
  16. 2:8 : 2Th 2:12
  17. 2:9 : Rm 8:35
  18. 2:9 : Ac 3:26; Rm 1:16; 1Pt 4:17
  19. 2:11 : Dt 10:17; Ac 10:34
  20. 2:12 : 1Co 9:21
  21. 2:13 : Mt 7:21, 24; Jn 13:17; Jms 1:22
  22. 2:14 : Ac 10:35; Rm 1:19
  23. 2:15 : Rm 2:27
  24. 2:16 : Ac 10:42; 17:31; Rm 3:6; 14:10
  25. 2:16 : Rm 16:25; 1Co 15:1; Gl 1:11; 1Tm 1:11; 2Tm 2:8
  26. 2:17 : Mc 3:11; Jn 5:45; Rm 9:4
  27. 2:18 : Php 1:10
  28. 2:20 : Is 2:1-4; 42:6-7; 49:6
  29. 2:21 : Mt 23:3-7
  30. 2:22 : Ac 19:37
  31. 2:23 : Mc 3:11; Jn 5:45; Rm 9:4
  32. 2:24 : Is 52:5; Ezk 36:20-23; 2Pt 2:2
  33. 2:25 : Jr 4:4; 9:25
  34. 2:26 : Rm 3:30; 1Co 7:19; Eph 2:11
  35. 2:26 : Rm 8:4
  36. 2:27 : Mt 12:41
  37. 2:28 : Jn 8:39; Rm 9:6; Gl 6:15
  38. 2:29 : Php 3:3; Col 2:11
  39. 2:29 : Rm 7:6; 2Co 3:6
  40. 2:29 : Jn 5:44; 12:43; 1Co 4:5; 2Co 10:18

You Might Also Like:

Romans 2 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

2 Therefore, thou art inexcusable, O man -- every one who is judging -- for in that in which thou dost judge the other, thyself thou dost condemn, for the same things thou dost practise who art judging, 2 and we have known that the judgment of God is according to truth, upon those practising such th...
Read More

Romans 2 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

2 Therefore thou art unexcusable, each man that deemest, for in what thing thou deemest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou doest the same things which thou deemest. 2 And we know, that the doom of God is after truth against them, that do such things. 3 But guessest thou, man, that deemest ...
Read More

Romans 2 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

2 Do you judge another people? You your-selves have done wrong things. So when you judge others, you judge yourselves, because you do the same things. You judge them and yet you do the same things. 2 We know that God judges people who do such things. And he judges them by what is true. 3 Man, you ju...
Read More

Romans 2 - World English Bible (WEB)

2 Therefore you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judge. For in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge practice the same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 Do you think this, O man w...
Read More

Romans 2 - The Voice (VOICE)

Paul sounds a sober warning. God’s wrath is here; it is not some far-off future event. Paul says that God’s wrath is already at work in the world in what is effectively God’s “hands-off” policy. God, he says, steps aside and gives us over to idolatry, sexual sins, and depraved minds. Human sin and d...
Read More

Romans 2 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

God’s Judgment on Unrighteousness2 Therefore you are without excuse, O man—every one of you who is judging. For by whatever you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge practice the same things. [a] 2 We know that God’s judgment on those who practice such things is based on truth. 3 B...
Read More

Romans 2 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Righteous Judgment of God2 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, whoever you are, when you judge another; for in passing judgment upon him you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who do such things....
Read More

Romans 2 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Righteous Judgment of God2 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, whoever you are, when you judge another; for in passing judgment upon him you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who do such things....
Read More

Romans 2 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

2 Therefore, you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judges! For in whatever you judge another, you judge yourself. For you who judge do the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth, against those who commit such things. 3 And do you think, O man - who jud...
Read More

Romans 2 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

God’s Coming Judgment Will Be Impartial, the Same for All2 So you have no excuse – anyone, whoever you are, who sits in judgment! When you judge someone else, you condemn yourself, because you, who are behaving as a judge, are doing the same things. 2 God’s judgment falls, we know, in accordance wi...
Read More

Romans 2 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

The Righteous Judgment of God2 Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. 2 You say,[a] “We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is in accordan...
Read More

Romans 2 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

The Righteous Judgement of God2 Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgement on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. 2 You say,[a] ‘We know that God’s judgement on those who do such things is in accor...
Read More

Romans 2 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Righteous Judgment of God2 Therefore you are without excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others, for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.(A)2 We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is in accordance with ...
Read More

Romans 2 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

Paul rebukes the Jews, who as concerning sin are like the heathen; yea, worse than they. 2 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge. For in the same thing that you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge do even the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgm...
Read More

Romans 2 - New Living Translation (NLT)

God’s Judgment of Sin2 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish...
Read More

Romans 2 - New Life Version (NLV)

2 So you can say nothing because you are guilty when you say someone else is guilty. While you say someone is guilty, you are doing the same things he does. 2 We know that God will say those who do such things are guilty. 3 Do you think God will punish others for doing wrong and let you keep sinni...
Read More

Romans 2 - New King James Version (NKJV)

God’s Righteous Judgment2 Therefore you are (A)inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, (B)for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. ...
Read More