The Letter to the Romans

Romans 2

Who, what, why, when, where, and how — read the book introduction

Romans 1–6 are available. Further chapters will be added as they are completed.

How to use Greek word study

You do not need to read Greek to begin. Tap an underlined word in either the Greek line or the Romanized Greek line: both open the same entry. Where reliable data is available, you will see the dictionary form, grammar, Strong’s number and a definition. Choose “More meaning and grammar” to explore further, then “Close” to return to the passage. Drag the top bar to move the panel and scroll inside it to see more; the Close button stays visible.

A dashed underline marks unavailable parsing; a double underline marks an unavailable dictionary entry. We do not fill these gaps with guesses. Dictionary definitions offer possible meanings; context determines the meaning in the passage. Our Greek text and its Romanization remain unchanged.

Learn about the sources and coverage →

ROMANS 2:1

TWMC

Therefore, you have no excuse when you judge someone else, whoever you are. When you condemn another person, you condemn yourself, because you practice the very sinful things you judge them for.

KJV

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.

Greek

Διὸ ἀναπολόγητος εἶ, ὦ ἄνθρωπε πᾶς ὁ κρίνων∙ ἐν ᾧ γὰρ κρίνεις τὸν ἕτερον, σεαυτὸν κατακρίνεις, τὰ γὰρ αὐτὰ πράσσεις ὁ κρίνων.

Romanized Greek

Dio anapologētos ei, ō anthrōpe pas ho krinōn; en hō gar krineis ton heteron, seauton katakrineis, ta gar auta prasseis ho krinōn.

ROMANS 2:2

TWMC

We know that God's judgment against those who continue practicing such sins is based on truth.

KJV

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

Greek

Οἴδαμεν δὲ ὅτι τὸ κρίμα τοῦ θεοῦ ἐστιν κατὰ ἀλήθειαν ἐπὶ τοὺς τὰ τοιαῦτα πράσσοντας.

Romanized Greek

Oidamen de hoti to krima tou theou estin kata alētheian epi tous ta toiauta prassontas.

ROMANS 2:3

TWMC

Do you really think that when you judge others for doing these things while doing them yourself, you will somehow 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?

Greek

Λογίζῃ δὲ τοῦτο, ὦ ἄνθρωπε ὁ κρίνων τοὺς τὰ τοιαῦτα πράσσοντας καὶ ποιῶν αὐτά, ὅτι σὺ ἐκφεύξῃ τὸ κρίμα τοῦ θεοῦ;

Romanized Greek

Logizē de touto, ō anthrōpe ho krinōn tous ta toiauta prassontas kai poiōn auta, hoti sy ekpheuxē to krima tou theou?

ROMANS 2:4

TWMC

Or do you take God's abundant kindness, restraint, and patience for granted, not realizing that His kindness is meant to lead you to repentance and away from your sin?¹

KJV

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

Greek

Ἢ τοῦ πλούτου τῆς χρηστότητος αὐτοῦ καὶ τῆς ἀνοχῆς καὶ τῆς μακροθυμίας καταφρονεῖς, ἀγνοῶν ὅτι τὸ χρηστὸν τοῦ θεοῦ εἰς μετάνοιάν σε ἄγει;

Romanized Greek

Ē tou ploutou tēs chrēstotētos autou kai tēs anochēs kai tēs makrothymias kataphroneis, agnoōn hoti to chrēston tou theou eis metanoian se agei?

ROMANS 2:5

TWMC

But because you are stubborn and refuse to repent, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day when God's righteous judgment is revealed.

KJV

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;

Greek

Κατὰ δὲ τὴν σκληρότητά σου καὶ ἀμετανόητον καρδίαν θησαυρίζεις σεαυτῷ ὀργὴν ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ὀργῆς καὶ ἀποκαλύψεως καὶ δικαιοκρισίας τοῦ θεοῦ,

Romanized Greek

Kata de tēn sklērotēta sou kai ametanoēton kardian thēsaurizeis seautō orgēn en hēmera orgēs kai apokalypseōs kai dikaiokrisias tou theou,

ROMANS 2:6

TWMC

God will give each person what their conduct deserves.²

KJV

Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

Greek

ὃς ἀποδώσει ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ∙

Romanized Greek

hos apodōsei hekastō kata ta erga autou;

ROMANS 2:7

TWMC

To those who patiently continue doing what is good in God's sight, seeking glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life.

KJV

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

Greek

τοῖς μὲν καθ’ ὑπομονὴν ἔργου ἀγαθοῦ δόξαν καὶ τιμὴν καὶ ἀφθαρσίαν ζητοῦσιν, ζωὴν αἰώνιον∙

Romanized Greek

tois men kath’ hypomonēn ergou agathou doxan kai timēn kai aphtharsian zētousin, zōēn aiōnion;

ROMANS 2:8

TWMC

But for those driven by selfish ambition, who refuse to obey the truth and choose to follow unrighteousness instead, there will be God's anger and wrath.

KJV

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

Greek

τοῖς δὲ ἐξ ἐριθείας, καὶ ἀπειθοῦσιν μὲν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ πειθομένοις δὲ τῇ ἀδικίᾳ, θυμὸς καὶ ὀργή,

Romanized Greek

tois de ex eritheias, kai apeithousin men tē alētheia peithomenois de tē adikia, thymos kai orgē,

ROMANS 2:9

TWMC

There will be suffering and anguish for everyone who practices evil—first for the Jew, and also for the Gentile.

KJV

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

Greek

θλίψις καὶ στενοχωρία, ἐπὶ πᾶσαν ψυχὴν ἀνθρώπου τοῦ κατεργαζομένου τὸ κακόν, Ἰουδαίου τε πρῶτον καὶ Ἕλληνος∙

Romanized Greek

thlipsis kai stenochōria, epi pasan psychēn anthrōpou tou katergazomenou to kakon, Ioudaiou te prōton kai Hellēnos;

ROMANS 2:10

TWMC

But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is right before God—first for the Jew, and also for the Gentile.

KJV

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

Greek

δόξα δὲ καὶ τιμὴ καὶ εἰρήνη παντὶ τῷ ἐργαζομένῳ τὸ ἀγαθόν, Ἰουδαίῳ τε πρῶτον καὶ Ἕλληνι∙

Romanized Greek

doxa de kai timē kai eirēnē panti tō ergazomenō to agathon, Ioudaiō te prōton kai Hellēni;

ROMANS 2:11

TWMC

For God shows no favoritism.

KJV

For there is no respect of persons with God.

Greek

οὐ γάρ ἐστιν προσωποληψία παρὰ τῷ θεῷ.

Romanized Greek

ou gar estin prosōpolēpsia para tō theō.

ROMANS 2:12

TWMC

Those who sin apart from the Law will perish apart from the Law, and those who sin under the Law will be judged by the Law.

KJV

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;

Greek

Ὅσοι γὰρ ἀνόμως ἥμαρτον, ἀνόμως καὶ ἀπολοῦνται∙ καὶ ὅσοι ἐν νόμῳ ἥμαρτον, διὰ νόμου κριθήσονται∙

Romanized Greek

Hosoi gar anomōs hēmarton, anomōs kai apolountai; kai hosoi en nomō hēmarton, dia nomou krithēsontai;

ROMANS 2:13

TWMC

For it is not those who merely hear God's Law who are righteous in His sight, but those who obey the Law who will be declared righteous.

KJV

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

Greek

οὐ γὰρ οἱ ἀκροαταὶ τοῦ νόμου δίκαιοι παρὰ τῷ θεῷ, ἀλλ’ οἱ ποιηταὶ τοῦ νόμου δικαιωθήσονται.

Romanized Greek

ou gar hoi akroatai tou nomou dikaioi para tō theō, all’ hoi poiētai tou nomou dikaiōthēsontai.

ROMANS 2:14

TWMC

When Gentiles who do not have God's written Law naturally do what the Law requires, they show that they have a law within themselves, even though they do not possess the written Law.³

KJV

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:

Greek

Ὅταν γὰρ ἔθνη τὰ μὴ νόμον ἔχοντα φύσει τὰ τοῦ νόμου ποιῇ, οὗτοι, νόμον μὴ ἔχοντες, ἑαυτοῖς εἰσιν νόμος∙

Romanized Greek

Hotan gar ethnē ta mē nomon echonta physei ta tou nomou poiē, houtoi, nomon mē echontes, heautois eisin nomos;

ROMANS 2:15

TWMC

Their actions show that what the Law requires is written on their hearts. Their conscience confirms this, as their own thoughts sometimes accuse them and at other times defend them.

KJV

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;)

Greek

οἵτινες ἐνδείκνυνται τὸ ἔργον τοῦ νόμου γραπτὸν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν, συμμαρτυρούσης αὐτῶν τῆς συνειδήσεως, καὶ μεταξὺ ἀλλήλων τῶν λογισμῶν κατηγορούντων ἢ καὶ ἀπολογουμένων,

Romanized Greek

hoitines endeiknyntai to ergon tou nomou grapton en tais kardiais autōn, symmartyrousēs autōn tēs syneidēseōs, kai metaxy allēlōn tōn logismōn katēgorountōn ē kai apologoumenōn,

ROMANS 2:16

TWMC

This will be evident on the day when God, through Jesus Christ, judges what people have kept hidden, just as I proclaim in the gospel.⁴

KJV

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

Greek

ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ὅτε κρινεῖ ὁ θεὸς τὰ κρυπτὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιόν μου, διὰ Ἰησοῦ χριστοῦ.

Romanized Greek

en hēmera hote krinei ho theos ta krypta tōn anthrōpōn, kata to euangelion mou, dia Iēsou christou.

ROMANS 2:17

TWMC

Now you call yourself a Jew, rely on God's Law, and take pride in being one of God's chosen people.

KJV

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

Greek

Ἴδε σὺ Ἰουδαῖος ἐπονομάζῃ, καὶ ἐπαναπαύῃ τῷ νόμῳ, καὶ καυχᾶσαι ἐν θεῷ,

Romanized Greek

Ide sy Ioudaios eponomazē, kai epanapauē tō nomō, kai kauchasai en theō,

ROMANS 2:18

TWMC

You know His will and have learned from the Law how to recognize what is right.

KJV

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

Greek

καὶ γινώσκεις τὸ θέλημα, καὶ δοκιμάζεις τὰ διαφέροντα, κατηχούμενος ἐκ τοῦ νόμου,

Romanized Greek

kai ginōskeis to thelēma, kai dokimazeis ta diapheronta, katēchoumenos ek tou nomou,

ROMANS 2:19

TWMC

You are convinced that you can guide the blind and be a light to those living in darkness.

KJV

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

Greek

πέποιθάς τε σεαυτὸν ὁδηγὸν εἶναι τυφλῶν, φῶς τῶν ἐν σκότει,

Romanized Greek

pepoithas te seauton hodēgon einai typhlōn, phōs tōn en skotei,

ROMANS 2:20

TWMC

You consider yourself an instructor of the foolish and a teacher of those who are inexperienced, because you possess the Law, which contains the knowledge and truth of God.

KJV

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

Greek

παιδευτὴν ἀφρόνων, διδάσκαλον νηπίων, ἔχοντα τὴν μόρφωσιν τῆς γνώσεως καὶ τῆς ἀληθείας ἐν τῷ νόμῳ∙

Romanized Greek

paideutēn aphronōn, didaskalon nēpiōn, echonta tēn morphōsin tēs gnōseōs kai tēs alētheias en tō nomō;

ROMANS 2:21

TWMC

So then, you who teach others, why don't you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal?

KJV

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

Greek

ὁ οὖν διδάσκων ἕτερον, σεαυτὸν οὐ διδάσκεις; Ὁ κηρύσσων μὴ κλέπτειν, κλέπτεις;

Romanized Greek

ho oun didaskōn heteron, seauton ou didaskeis? Ho kēryssōn mē kleptein, klepteis?

ROMANS 2:22

TWMC

You say people must not commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idols, but do you rob temples?

KJV

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

Greek

Ὁ λέγων μὴ μοιχεύειν, μοιχεύεις; Ὁ βδελυσσόμενος τὰ εἴδωλα, ἱεροσυλεῖς;

Romanized Greek

Ho legōn mē moicheuein, moicheueis? Ho bdelyssomenos ta eidōla, hierosyleis?

ROMANS 2:23

TWMC

You take pride in God's Law, but when you break that Law, aren't you dishonoring God?

KJV

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

Greek

Ὃς ἐν νόμῳ καυχᾶσαι, διὰ τῆς παραβάσεως τοῦ νόμου τὸν θεὸν ἀτιμάζεις;

Romanized Greek

Hos en nomō kauchasai, dia tēs parabaseōs tou nomou ton theon atimazeis?

ROMANS 2:24

TWMC

Because of how you act, God's name is dragged through the mud among the Gentiles, just as Scripture says.⁵

KJV

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

Greek

Τὸ γὰρ ὄνομα τοῦ θεοῦ δι’ ὑμᾶς βλασφημεῖται ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, καθὼς γέγραπται.

Romanized Greek

To gar onoma tou theou di’ hymas blasphēmeitai en tois ethnesin, kathōs gegraptai.

ROMANS 2:25

TWMC

Being circumcised has meaning if you obey God's Law. But if you break His Law, that outward sign no longer gives you any advantage over someone who isn't circumcised.⁶

KJV

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

Greek

Περιτομὴ μὲν γὰρ ὠφελεῖ, ἐὰν νόμον πράσσῃς∙ ἐὰν δὲ παραβάτης νόμου ᾖς, ἡ περιτομή σου ἀκροβυστία γέγονεν.

Romanized Greek

Peritomē men gar ōphelei, ean nomon prassēs; ean de parabatēs nomou ēs, hē peritomē sou akrobystia gegonen.

ROMANS 2:26

TWMC

So if someone who is uncircumcised obeys what the Law requires, will not God regard that person as though they were circumcised?

KJV

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

Greek

Ἐὰν οὖν ἡ ἀκροβυστία τὰ δικαιώματα τοῦ νόμου φυλάσσῃ, οὐχὶ ἡ ἀκροβυστία αὐτοῦ εἰς περιτομὴν λογισθήσεται;

Romanized Greek

Ean oun hē akrobystia ta dikaiōmata tou nomou phylassē, ouchi hē akrobystia autou eis peritomēn logisthēsetai?

ROMANS 2:27

TWMC

Won't someone who is physically uncircumcised but obeys the Law judge you, who have the written Law and circumcision but still break it?

KJV

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?

Greek

Καὶ κρινεῖ ἡ ἐκ φύσεως ἀκροβυστία, τὸν νόμον τελοῦσα, σὲ τὸν διὰ γράμματος καὶ περιτομῆς παραβάτην νόμου;

Romanized Greek

Kai krinei hē ek physeōs akrobystia, ton nomon telousa, se ton dia grammatos kai peritomēs parabatēn nomou?

ROMANS 2:28

TWMC

Being a Jew is not merely a matter of outward appearance, and true circumcision is not simply a physical mark on the body.

KJV

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

Greek

Οὐ γὰρ ὁ ἐν τῷ φανερῷ Ἰουδαῖός ἐστιν, οὐδὲ ἡ ἐν τῷ φανερῷ ἐν σαρκὶ περιτομή∙

Romanized Greek

Ou gar ho en tō phanerō Ioudaios estin, oude hē en tō phanerō en sarki peritomē;

ROMANS 2:29

TWMC

Rather, a true Jew is one whose heart is devoted to God. True circumcision is a matter of the heart and the Spirit, not merely an outward sign required by the written Law. The approval that matters comes from God, not from people.⁷

KJV

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.

Greek

ἀλλ’ ὁ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ Ἰουδαῖος, καὶ περιτομὴ καρδίας ἐν πνεύματι, οὐ γράμματι∙ οὗ ὁ ἔπαινος οὐκ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων, ἀλλ’ ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ.

Romanized Greek

all’ ho en tō kryptō Ioudaios, kai peritomē kardias en pneumati, ou grammati; hou ho epainos ouk ex anthrōpōn, all’ ek tou theou.

Notes

Romans 2:4 Greek wording: God’s kindness leads toward repentance. “Away from your sin” explains the direction of that response in the paraphrase. ↩
Romans 2:6 Context: Read verses 6–7 alongside Romans 3:21–28. Paul’s teaching about judgment according to deeds does not mean that good works purchase salvation. ↩
Romans 2:14 Context: Paul is discussing Gentiles without the written Mosaic Law. Verses 14–15 connect moral conduct with conscience, not possession of the complete written Law. ↩
Romans 2:16 Greek wording: The expression means people’s hidden things. It includes more than unspoken thoughts or feelings. ↩
Romans 2:24 Scripture background: Compare Isaiah 52:5. Paul applies the language about God’s dishonored name to the conduct of those who claim to represent Him. ↩
Romans 2:25 Circumcision was the physical sign of God’s covenant with Abraham and a defining part of Jewish religious identity. Paul explains that this outward sign cannot replace genuine faithfulness to God. ↩
Romans 2:29 Greek wording: Paul contrasts what is inward with what is outward. TWMC interprets “in spirit” as referring to the Spirit; the contrast does not erase Jewish ancestry. ↩