Romans 2

God's Righteous Judgment

1 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. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise c the riches of His goodness, d forbearance, and e longsuffering, f not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your 1 impenitent heart g you are 2 treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

6 who h "will render to each one according to his deeds": 3 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and i do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness - indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew j first and also of the 4 Greek; 10 k but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For l there is no partiality with God.

God's Judgment and the Law

12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for m not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the n work of the law written in their hearts, their o conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 p in the day when God will judge the secrets of men q by Jesus Christ, r according to my gospel.

17 5 Indeed s you are called a Jew, and t rest 6 on the law, u and make your boast in God, 18 and v know His will, and w approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and x are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, y having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 z You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, a do you rob temples? 23 You who b make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For c "the name of God is d blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," 7 as it is written.

25 e For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 Therefore, f if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27 And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, g judge you who, even with your 8 written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? 28 For h he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew i who is one inwardly; and j circumcision is that of the heart, k in the Spirit, not in the letter; l whose 9 praise is not from men but from God.

  1. Cross References
    Romans 1:20
    For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
  2. Cross References
    2 Samuel 12:5 - 7
    So David's anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, " As the LORD lives, the man who has done this shall surely die!
    Matthew 7:1 - 5
    Judge not, that you be not judged.
    Luke 6:37
    Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
    John 8:9
    Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
    Romans 14:22
    Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
  3. Cross References
    Romans 9:23
    And that He might make known the riches of His ...
    Romans 11:33
    Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom ...
    2 Corinthians 8:2
    That in a great trial of affliction the abundan...
    Ephesians 1:7
    In Him we have redemption through His blood, th...
    Ephesians 1:18
    The eyes of your understanding being enlightene...
    Ephesians 2:7
    That in the ages to come He might show the exce...
    Philippians 4:19
    And my God shall supply all your need according...
    Colossians 1:27
    To them God willed to make known what are the r...
    Colossians 2:2
    That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit...
    Titus 3:6
    Whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jes...
  4. Cross References
    Romans 3:25
    Whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.
  5. Cross References
    Exodus 34:6
    And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.
    Romans 9:22
    What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction.
    1 Timothy 1:16
    However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
    1 Peter 3:20
    Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.
  6. Cross References
    Isaiah 30:18
    Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
    2 Peter 3:9
    The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
    2 Peter 3:15
    And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation - as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you.
  7. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 32:34
    Is this not laid up in store with Me, Sealed up among My treasures?
    Proverbs 1:18
    But they lie in wait for their own blood, They lurk secretly for their own lives.
    James 5:3
    Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.
  8. Cross References
    Job 34:11
    For He repays man according to his work, And ma...
    Psalms 62:12
    Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You ren...
    Proverbs 24:12
    If you say, "Surely we did not know this," Does...
    Jeremiah 17:10
    I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind,...
    2 Corinthians 5:10
    For we must all appear before the judgment seat...
    Revelation 20:12
    And I saw the dead, small and great, standing b...
    Revelation 20:13
    The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and De...
  9. Cross References
    Job 24:13
    There are those who rebel against the light; They do not know its ways Nor abide in its paths.
    2 Thessalonians 1:8
    In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  10. Cross References
    Amos 3:2
    "You only have I known of all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities."
    Luke 12:47
    And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
    Acts 3:26
    "To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."
    Romans 1:16
    For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
    1 Peter 4:17
    For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
  11. Cross References
    Romans 2:7
    Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.
    Hebrews 2:7
    You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands.
    1 Peter 1:7
    That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
  12. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 10:17
    For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.
    Job 34:19
    Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they are all the work of His hands.
    Acts 10:34
    Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
    Ephesians 6:9
    And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
  13. Cross References
    Matthew 7:21
    Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shal...
    Matthew 7:22
    "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, ...
    John 13:17
    If you know these things, blessed are you if yo...
    James 1:22
    But be doers of the word, and not hearers only,...
    James 1:25
    But he who looks into the perfect law of libert...
    1 John 3:7
    Little children, let no one deceive you. He who...
  14. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 5:1
    It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles - that a man has his father's wife!
  15. Cross References
    Acts 24:25
    Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.
  16. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 12:14
    For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
    Matthew 25:31
    When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
    Revelation 20:12
    And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
  17. Cross References
    John 5:22
    For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son.
    Acts 10:42
    And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.
    Acts 17:31
    "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."
    Romans 3:6
    Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?
    Romans 14:10
    But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
  18. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:11
    According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.
  19. Cross References
    Matthew 3:9
    And do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
    John 8:33
    They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?
  20. Cross References
    Micah 3:11
    Her heads judge for a bribe, Her priests teach for pay, And her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD, and say, "Is not the LORD among us? No harm can come upon us.
    John 5:45
    Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you - Moses, in whom you trust.
    Romans 2:23
    You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?
    Romans 9:4
    Who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises.
  21. Cross References
    Isaiah 48:1
    Hear this, O house of Jacob, Who are called by the name of Israel, And have come forth from the wellsprings of Judah; Who swear by the name of the LORD, And make mention of the God of Israel, But not in truth or in righteousness.
    Isaiah 48:2
    For they call themselves after the holy city, And lean on the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is His name:
  22. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 4:8
    And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?
  23. Cross References
    Philippians 1:10
    That you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.
  24. Cross References
    Matthew 15:14
    "Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."
    John 9:34
    They answered and said to him, "You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?" And they cast him out.
  25. Cross References
    2 Timothy 3:5
    Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
  26. Cross References
    Psalms 50:16
    But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to declare My statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth.
    Matthew 23:3
    Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
  27. Cross References
    Malachi 3:8
    Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings.
  28. Cross References
    Micah 3:11
    Her heads judge for a bribe, Her priests teach for pay, And her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD, and say, "Is not the LORD among us? No harm can come upon us.
    John 5:45
    Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you - Moses, in whom you trust.
    Romans 2:17
    Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God.
    Romans 9:4
    Who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises.
  29. Cross References
    Ezekiel 16:27
    Behold, therefore, I stretched out My hand against you, diminished your allotment, and gave you up to the will of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who were ashamed of your lewd behavior.
  30. Cross References
    2 Samuel 12:14
    "However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die."
    Isaiah 52:5
    Now therefore, what have I here," says the LORD, "That My people are taken away for nothing? Those who rule over them Make them wail," says the LORD, "And My name is blasphemed continually every day.
    Ezekiel 36:22
    Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went.
  31. Cross References
    Genesis 17:10 - 14
    This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised.
    Galatians 5:3
    And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.
  32. Cross References
    Acts 10:34
    Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
  33. Cross References
    Matthew 12:41
    The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.
  34. Cross References
    Matthew 3:9
    And do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
    John 8:39
    They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.
    Romans 2:17
    Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God.
    Romans 9:6
    But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel.
    Galatians 6:15
    For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
  35. Cross References
    1 Peter 3:4
    Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
  36. Cross References
    Philippians 3:3
    For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
    Colossians 2:11
    In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ.
  37. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 30:6
    And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
    Romans 2:27
    And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law?
    Romans 7:6
    But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
    2 Corinthians 3:6
    Who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
  38. Cross References
    John 5:44
    How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?
    John 12:43
    For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
    1 Corinthians 4:5
    Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.
    2 Corinthians 10:18
    For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
    1 Thessalonians 2:4
    But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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