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Romans 2

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

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?

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

For there is no respect of persons with God.

For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;

And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.

Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?

And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

What does Romans 2:8 mean?

Explanation

Romans 2:8 speaks to the consequences of human attitudes and behaviors in the context of divine judgment.

The verse contrasts two types of people: those who are "contentious" (or self-seeking and do not follow the truth) and those who obey the truth.

In this context, the truth is associated with the teachings of the Gospel and the obedience to God's righteous standards.

The contentious are warned that they will face "indignation and wrath," which is a depiction of God's punitive response to their rejection of truth and their unrighteous actions.

In essence, it is a caution against living a life in opposition to God's ways and the inherent moral order.

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

This verse is part of Paul's letter to the Romans, written around 57 A.D.

The epistle addresses both Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome, discussing theological themes such as sin, salvation, and ethics.

Paul's intent was to establish a common understanding of the Christian faith and its implications for behavior.

During this time, there was a moral dichotomy in society between pagan practices and the emerging Christian ethical standards.

Paul addressed these cultural tensions and provided guidance on how Christians should live holy lives in a diverse and morally complex environment.

Theological Insights

Different theological interpretations can arise from this verse.

In Protestant theology, Romans 2:8 is often seen as supporting the concept of justification by faith, as it contrasts the behavior of those who obey the truth with those who are contentious.

Catholic theology might emphasize the need for both faith and works, suggesting that a contentious attitude is one that disregards Christian action and charity.

In the realm of eschatology, this verse is seen as pertaining to the final judgment, where individuals will be held accountable for their actions and their willingness to accept or reject the truth of the Gospel.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Romans 2:8 encourages individuals to examine their behaviors and attitudes.

It calls individuals to pursue truth and righteousness in their daily lives and to resist the temptations of selfish desires or culturally condoned but sinful behaviors.

It underlines the importance of aligning one’s actions with their faith, advocating for a life led by integrity and in accordance with divine principles.

The verse also serves as a reminder of the eventual consequences of one's choices, thereby motivating ethical conduct.

Cross-References

Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 1:18: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;"
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9: "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:"

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek of this verse and their meanings include:

"Contentious" (Greek: eritheia): Often translated as self-seeking or promoting strife, faction, or rivalry.
"Obey" (Greek: ὑπάκουω - hypakouō): To listen attentively; to heed or conform to a command or authority.
"Truth" (Greek: alētheia): Often means truthfulness or reality as opposed to falsehood.
"Unrighteousness" (Greek: adikia): Injustice, iniquity, or moral wrongfulness.
"Indignation" (Greek: thymos): Passionate anger, often associated with the anger of God.
"Wrath" (Greek: orge): Settled anger or punishment that arises from a firm and controlled position.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing to other ancient religions, many polytheistic belief systems also acknowledged a divine retribution principle similar to "indignation and wrath." However, the monotheistic worldview, as seen in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, posits a single divine being as the ultimate arbiter of justice.

The concept of living according to a divine truth is also found in the moral and ethical imperatives of other religious traditions such as Buddhism and Hinduism, though the specifics vary greatly from the Christian teachings.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific understandings typically do not intersect directly with theological concepts such as divine wrath or punishment.

However, the study of ethics in the field of psychology does explore the consequences of human behavior on individual and societal well-being.

From a psychological perspective, behaviors characterized as "contentious" or oppositional to societal norms can have various social and personal repercussions. These can sometimes be seen as a natural form of "indignation" or "wrath" within the context of societal dynamics.

Commentaries

Commentators have varying views on Romans 2:8.

John Calvin interprets the verse as a sober warning against seeking one's own glory and rejecting God's truth, while Luther focuses on the lack of faith in those who are "contentious." Modern biblical scholars like N.T.

Wright discuss the idea of God's fair and righteous judgment as demonstrated in this passage, which reflects the Ancient Near Eastern concept of divine justice.

Throughout various commentaries, there is an understanding of Romans 2:8 as a moral and eschatological warning, aiming to steer believers toward a life conformed to the Gospel.

Romans 2

Romans 2

What does Romans 2:8 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Romans 2:8 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?