Devine Scripture

Romans 2:19

What does Romans 2:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 2:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 2:19 means

With the Law, the Jew feels confident to guide the blind and be a light to those in darkness. These are noble aims, reflecting Israel’s calling to be a blessing among the nations. Confidence, however, must be warranted by consistent living. The image assumes spiritual sight and moral clarity, yet Paul’s coming questions will probe whether such clarity is matched by obedience. Leadership without integrity misleads rather than guides. Paul is not mocking the role itself; he is holding it to the standard that God’s revealed truth demands—humble, faithful practice that gives credibility to instruction.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In the belief that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those in the dark,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and hast confidence that thou thyself art a leader of blind ones, a light of those in darkness,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and hast confidence that thou thyself art a leader of the blind, a light of those who [are] in darkness,

Context

Continuing the catalog of privileges and roles (verses 17–20), verse 19 highlights the confidence of being a guide and a light, drawn from Israel’s identity and the Law’s illumination. Verse 20 will add the roles of corrector and teacher. Then verses 21–23 will abruptly challenge whether the one claiming to instruct others actually practices what is taught, exposing the hypocrisy that undermines the mission.

v.18and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,

v.19This passage

v.20a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth;

Cross references

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

  • Mark 10:15

    Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein.

  • Isaiah 5:21

    Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

  • 1 Corinthians 3:18

    Let no man deceive himself. If any man thinketh that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.

  • Revelation 3:17

    Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:

  • Luke 1:79

    To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of peace.

  • Matthew 23:16

    Woe unto you, ye blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor.

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