Devine Scripture

Romans 2:11

What does Romans 2:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 2:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 2:11 means

God shows no partiality. He does not tilt His judgment based on ethnicity, status, religious pedigree, or outward marks. His assessment follows truth and works, as already stated. This verse is the linchpin that keeps the previous contrasts from being misread as privilege guaranteeing exemption. The God who revealed Himself to Israel is the same God who will judge the nations without favoritism. Impartiality is both a warning to the complacent and a comfort to the overlooked, assuring that the final reckoning will be fair and just to all.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for there is no respect of persons with God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For there is no respect of persons with God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for there is no respect of persons with God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For one man is not different from another before God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For there is no acceptance of faces with God,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For there is no respect of persons with God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for there is no acceptance of persons withGod.

Context

Having presented the two destinies applied equally to Jew and Greek (verses 9–10), Paul now states the underlying reason: God is impartial. This prepares for verses 12–16, where he explains how people are judged relative to the revelation they had—Law or conscience—yet by the same righteous standard. The flow moves from outcomes (7–10) to the principle (11) to its application in differing circumstances (12–16).

v.10but glory and honor and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek:

v.11This passage

v.12For as many as have sinned without the law shall also perish without the law: and as many as have sinned under the law shall be judged by the law;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 24:23

    These also aresayingsof the wise. To have respect of persons in judgment is not good.

  • Galatians 2:6

    But from those who were reputed to be somewhat (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth not man’s person)—they, I say, who were of repute imparted nothing to me:

  • Galatians 6:7

    Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

  • 1 Peter 1:17

    And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear:

  • Colossians 3:25

    For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

  • Acts 10:34

    And Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

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