Romans 2:1
What does Romans 2:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 2:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 2:1 means
Paul confronts the instinct to judge others while committing the same sins. He says such judgment leaves a person without excuse, because the act of condemning another reveals that the judge knows right from wrong. That knowledge becomes self-condemning when the same behaviors are practiced. The verse targets the moralist who sees the blatant sins of others (like those listed in the previous chapter) yet overlooks his own. God’s standard is not comparative—He does not grade on a curve. To judge another while doing the same is hypocrisy that exposes the heart. The appropriate response to seeing sin is not prideful faultfinding, but humble self-examination and repentance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the same things.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the same things.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So you have no reason, whoever you are, for judging: for in judging another you are judging yourself, for you do the same things.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Therefore, thou art inexcusable, O man--every one who is judging--for in that in which thou dost judge the other, thyself thou dost condemn, for the same things thou dost practise who art judging,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Wherefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest. For wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself. For thou dost the same things which thou judgest.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, every one who judgest, for in that in which thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
Context
Romans 1 ended by exposing Gentile ungodliness. Here, Paul turns to the one who feels superior, whether Jew or Gentile, and shows that hypocrisy removes any excuse. Verse 1 opens a new stage of the argument: all are under sin. Verses 2–3 will insist that God’s judgment is true and inescapable. This framing matters because it dismantles false security based on comparing oneself to others and prepares the reader to hear of God’s impartial, truth-based judgment.
v.1This passage
v.2And we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against them that practise such things.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 9:20
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?
- 2 Samuel 12:5
And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As Jehovah liveth, the man that hath done this is worthy to die:
- Romans 1:18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness;
- Luke 19:22
He saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I am an austere man, taking up that which I laid not down, and reaping that which I did not sow;
- Romans 2:3
And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest them that practise such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
- Matthew 23:29
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and garnish the tombs of the righteous,
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