Add parallel Print Page Options

17 But if thou bearest the name of a Jew, and restest upon the law, and gloriest in God, 18 and knowest [a]his will, and [b]approvest the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them that are in darkness, 20 [c]a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth; 21 thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou rob temples? 23 thou who gloriest in the law, through thy transgression of the law dishonorest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, [d]even as it is written. 25 For circumcision indeed profiteth, if thou be a doer of the law: but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision. 26 If therefore the uncircumcision keep the ordinances of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision? 27 and shall not the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who with the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Romans 2:18 Or, the Will
  2. Romans 2:18 Or, dost distinguish the things that differ
  3. Romans 2:20 Or, an instructor
  4. Romans 2:24 Isa. 52:5.

The Jew Is Condemned by the Law

17 But if you bear the name “Jew” and (A)rely [a]upon the Law and boast in God, 18 and know His will and [b](B)approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 a [c]corrector of the foolish, a teacher of [d]the immature, having in the Law (C)the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, 21 you, therefore, (D)who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who [e]preach that one shall not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you (E)rob temples? 23 You who (F)boast [f]in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? 24 For “(G)the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles (H)because of you,” just as it is written.

25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you (I)practice [g]the Law; but if you are a transgressor [h]of the Law, (J)your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 (K)So if (L)the [i]uncircumcised man (M)keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 And (N)he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not (O)judge you who [j]though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor [k]of the Law? 28 For (P)he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But (Q)he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and (R)circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the (S)Spirit, not by the letter; (T)and his praise is not from men, but from God.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Romans 2:17 Or upon law
  2. Romans 2:18 Or distinguish between the things which differ
  3. Romans 2:20 Or instructor
  4. Romans 2:20 Lit infants
  5. Romans 2:21 Or proclaim
  6. Romans 2:23 Or in law
  7. Romans 2:25 Or law
  8. Romans 2:25 Or of law
  9. Romans 2:26 Lit uncircumcision
  10. Romans 2:27 Lit through the letter
  11. Romans 2:27 Or of law