Romans 2:3 · Clearspring

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Other translations

WEBBE

Do you think this, O man who judges those who practise such things, and do the same, that you will escape the judgement of God?

BSB

So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?

KJV

And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

ASV

And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest them that practise such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

BBE

But you who are judging another for doing what you do yourself, are you hoping that God's decision will not take effect against you?

Original Greek

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λογίζῃ logizē Suppose you G3049 δὲ de now G1161 τοῦτο touto this G3778 ὦ ō O G5599 ἄνθρωπε anthrōpe man G444 ὁ ho you who [are] G3588 κρίνων krinōn judging G2919 τοὺς tous those G3588 τὰ ta (the) G3588 τοιαῦτα toiauta such things G5108 πράσσοντας prassontas practicing G4238 καὶ kai and G2532 ποιῶν poiōn doing G4160 αὐτά auta them [yourself] G846 ὅτι hoti that G3754 σὺ su you yourself G4771 ἐκφεύξῃ ekpheuxē will escape G1628 τὸ to the G3588 κρίμα krima judgment G2917 τοῦ tou (the) G3588 θεοῦ; theou of God G2316

The early church

"And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest those which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?" For since he had shown the sin of the world to be great, from its doctrines, from its doings, and that they did yet sin though wise, and though they had the creation to lead them by the hand, and not by leaving God only, but also by choosing the images of creeping things, and by their dishonoring virtue, and deserting, in spite of nature's drawings back, to the service of vice even contrary to nature: he goes on next to show, that they who do such things are punished too. He did indeed at once point out a punishment by mentioning their very practice. For "they received," he says, "in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet." But as they do not perceive that, he mentions another also, which they stood most in fear of. For if the Gentile be on this score inexcusable, because, when the creation led him on and his own reasonings, he yet did not amend, much more were the Jew so, who besides these had the teaching of the Law also. Having then persuaded him to a ready admission of these reasonings, in the case of other men's sins, he now compels him even against his will to do so in the case of his own. And in order that what he says may be more readily allowed, he leads him forward with the better things also in view. Thou hast not been acquitted of thine own judgment, and wilt thou escape through God's? Who indeed would say this? And yet thou hast judged thyself. But since the rigorousness of the judgment-court was such, and thou wert not able to spare even thyself, how should not God, that cannot do amiss, and who is in the highest sense just, be much surer to do the same? But hast thou condemned thyself, and is God to approve of thee and praise thee? And how can this be reasonable?

John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Romans

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 1–16

The Jews thought themselves a holy people, entitled to their privileges by right, while they were unthankful, rebellious, and unrighteous. But all who act thus, of every nation, age, and description, must be reminded that the judgment of God will be according to their real character. The case is so plain, that we may appeal to the sinner's own thoughts. In every wilful sin, there is contempt of the goodness of God. And though the branches of man's disobedience are very various, all spring from the same root. But in true repentance, there must be hatred of former sinfulness, from a change wrought in the state of the mind, which disposes it to choose the good and to refuse the evil. It shows also a sense of inward wretchedness. Such is the great change wrought in repentance, it is conversion, and is needed by every human being. The ruin of sinners is their walking after a hard and impenitent heart. Their sinful doings are expressed by the strong words, "treasuring up wrath." In the description of the just man, notice the full demand of the law. It demands that the motives shall be pure, and rejects all actions from earthly ambition or ends. In the description of the unrighteous, contention is held forth as the principle of all evil. The human will is in a state of enmity against God. Even Gentiles, who had not the written law, had that within, which directed them what to do by the light of nature. Conscience is a witness, and first or last will bear witness. As they nature. Conscience is a witness, and first or last will bear witness. As they kept or broke these natural laws and dictates, their consciences either acquitted or condemned them. Nothing speaks more terror to sinners, and more comfort to saints, than that Christ shall be the Judge. Secret services shall be rewarded, secret sins shall be then punished, and brought to light.

Read Matthew Henry on Romans 2 →

Cross-references

18

Topics

Hypocrisy Punishment Confidence Escape