but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, in spirit, not in letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God. Truth to Learn True Christianity is an attitude produced by humble faith. Behind the Words The word translated “inwardly” is...
Romans 2:28 – Not Visibly Apparent
For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; Truth to Learn Christianity is not based on appearance or membership. Behind the Words The word translated “outwardly” is phaneros, which is derived from phainō, meaning “to illuminate.” Phaneros...
Romans 2:27 – Judges by Faith
And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, who through letter and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? Truth to Learn We will not be judge by how well we keep the Law. In fact, we who are saved by faith will judge...
Romans 2:26 – Faith, Not Surgery
Therefore, if the uncircumcision keeps the righteousness of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? Truth to Learn We keep the righteous requirements of the Law through faith. Behind the Words The word translated “righteousness” is the Greek word dikaiomata, which comes from the noun dikaioo,...
Romans 2:25 – Appearance or Submission
For indeed circumcision profits you if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. Truth to Learn The external features of Christianity mean nothing without the complete submission of our will to Almighty God. Behind the Words “Circumcision” is translated...
Romans 2:24 – Visible Evidence
For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you," as it is written. Truth to Learn The actions of some Christians bring shame to our God. Behind the Words The word “blasphemed” is transliterated from the Greek. That is, the Greek word is brought directly over...
Romans 2:23 – Walk the Walk!
You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? Truth to Learn Christianity is faith in action, not just good sounding words. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “boast” is kauchaomai. Some Greek Lexicons indicate that this is derived from auchen,...
Romans 2:22 – A Living Example
You who are saying not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples? Truth to Learn Practice what you preach (or teach). Behind the Words The word translated “adultery” is moicheuō, which is based on moichos, referring to a man who seeks...
Romans 2:21 – Preaching by Example
You, therefore, who teach another, don’t you teach yourself? You who are preaching not to steal, do you steal? Truth to Learn Obeying God’s Word is more important than teaching it. Behind the Words The word translated “teach” is didaskō, which is a prolonged form of a primary verb...
Romans 2:20 – Giving Truth Away
an instructor of foolish ones, a teacher of infants, having the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Truth to Learn We have the truth and we are to freely give it away. Behind the Words The word translated “instructor” is the Greek word paideutēs, which...
Romans 2:19 – Shine the Light
and are convinced that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, Truth to Learn Biblical truth is a light to those in darkness. We must share it. Behind the Words The word translated “convinced” is peithō, meaning “to convince.” It...
Romans 2:18 – Biblical Indoctrination
and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, Truth to Learn Every Christian needs to study the Bible to learn its truths. Behind the Words “Will” is translated from thelēma, which denotes “that which has been determined.” The word “His”...
Romans 2:17 – No Place for Pride
Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest upon the law, and make your boast in God, Truth to Learn Relying on heritage and obedience to the Law is futile. Behind the Words “Indeed” is translated from the two Greek words ei de. Some translations use the English word...
Romans 2:16 – No More Secrets
14for 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, 15who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing...
Romans 2:15 – Conscience Conviction
who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also giving witness, and their thoughts between themselves accusing or even excusing) Truth to Learn Our conscience is more effective at controlling our actions than any set of rules. Behind the Words The word translated “conscience”...
Romans 2:14 – Moses’ Law vs. Natural Law
for when Gentiles, not having the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law unto themselves, Truth to Learn Even those who don’t know the Law can do some good. Behind the Words “Gentiles” is translated from the Greek...
Romans 2:13 – Walk the Walk!
(for not the hearers of the law are just with God, but the doers of the law will be justified; Truth to Learn God wants us to be doers, not just hearers. Behind the Words The word translated “hearers” is akroatēs. There is another Greek word, akouō, which means...
Romans 2:12 – With or Without the Law
For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned within law will be judged by law Truth to Learn We have all sinned and are unrighteous, deserving of God’s condemnation. Behind the Words The expression “without law” is from...
Romans 2:11 – The Impartial Judge
For there is no partiality with God. Truth to Learn God judges based on truth, not on appearance. Behind the Words “Partiality” comes from the Greek word prosōpolepsia, which is made up of prosōpon, meaning “face” or literally, “that part of the face at or around the eyes,” and...
Romans 2:10 – Peaceful Reward
but glory, honor, and peace to everyone working what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Truth to Learn If we are working for God now, He will reward us later. Behind the Words The word translated “working” is the Greek verb ergodzomai, based on...
Romans 2:9 – Payment for Worthless Deeds
tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who accomplishes evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; Truth to Learn Tribulation and anguish are coming to those who reject God. Behind the Words The words “tribulation and anguish” are interesting in that, for three of the...
Romans 2:8 – Self-serving Fools
but to those who are self-seeking and do not believe the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, Truth to Learn Those who selfishly reject God will experience His wrath. Behind the Words The word translated “self-seeking” is eritheia. It is based on a noun that means “to work for...
Romans 2:7 – Continual Good Works
eternal life to those who with patience in doing good seeking glory, honor, and immortality; Truth to Learn We are to be continually doing good works for God. Behind the Words There are two Greek words, men and de, which are not often translated. They are used together to...
Romans 2:6 – Judgment of Works
who "will render to each one according to his deeds": Truth to Learn Everyone’s works will be judged by God. Behind the Words The word translated “render” is apodidōmi, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” and didōmi, meaning “to give.” Hence, it means “to give away” or...
Romans 2:5 – A Storehouse of Wrath
But in accordance with your hardness and your unrepentant heart you treasure up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, Truth to Learn On the Day of Judgment God will show His wrath rather than His mercy. Behind the Words...
Romans 2:4 – God’s Goodness, Not Ours
Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? Truth to Learn Our salvation is a result of God’s goodness, not ours. Behind the Words The word translated “despise” is kataphroneō, which is made up...
Romans 2:3 – The Universal Judge
And, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, do you think that you will escape the judgment of God? Truth to Learn God will judge us all. Behind the Words The word “practicing” is from prassō. As we learned a few verses back...
Romans 2:2 – Certain Truthful Judgment
But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. Truth to Learn God will certainly judge sinners, and He will do so based on truth. Behind the Words The word translated, “we know” is oidamen, a form of the Greek...
Romans 2:1 – Judgmental Revelation
Therefore you are without excuse, O man, everyone who judges, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who are judging practice the same things. Truth to Learn Don’t be judgmental of others. It reveals your own sins. Behind the Words The expression, “without excuse” is...