Devine Scripture

Romans 2:20

What does Romans 2:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 2:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 2:20 means

The Jew sees himself as a corrector of the foolish and a teacher of the immature, possessing in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and truth. This acknowledges the Law’s high status as God’s revelation. Yet possession of the form—its content and outline—does not guarantee inner conformity. Teaching others demands that the teacher himself be shaped by what he teaches. Paul’s emphasis is not to deny the Law’s truth, but to insist that truth must be embodied. Otherwise, the roles claimed become masks hiding disobedience, turning God’s gift into an occasion for self-exaltation rather than humble service.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

A teacher of the foolish, having in the law the form of knowledge and of what is true;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

an instructor of foolish ones, a teacher of babes, having the form of the knowledge and of the truth in the law.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, having the form of knowledge and of truth in the law.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and of truth in the law:

Context

Verse 20 completes the list of privileges and roles from verses 17–19, stressing the Law’s embodiment of knowledge and truth. This sets the stage for Paul’s searching questions in verses 21–22, where he contrasts preaching against theft and adultery with committing those very sins. The flow moves from privilege to probing, exposing the disconnect between identity and conduct that brings dishonor to God.

v.19and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them that are in darkness,

v.20This passage

v.21thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

Cross references

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

  • Romans 6:17

    But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered;

  • Matthew 11:25

    At that season Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes:

  • 1 Corinthians 3:1

    And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ.

  • 2 Timothy 3:5

    holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away.

  • Titus 1:16

    They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

  • 2 Timothy 1:13

    Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

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