Devine Scripture

Romans 2:3

What does Romans 2:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 2:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 2:3 means

Paul presses the self-deceived moralist with a direct question: do you really think you will escape God’s judgment while doing the very things you condemn? He punctures the illusion that knowing the right standard or denouncing evil in others provides immunity. Exposure to truth without obedience invites greater accountability, not less. God’s judgment is not a human courtroom to be evaded by clever argument; it is the holy God confronting reality. The path to safety is not denial but repentance. This verse is meant to awaken the conscience, turning the judge’s finger back toward his own heart before the bar of God’s impartial justice.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But you who are judging another for doing what you do yourself, are you hoping that God's decision will not take effect against you?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And dost thou think this, O man, who art judging those who such things are practising, and art doing them, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them who do such things and dost the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And thinkest thou this, O man, who judgest those that do such things, and practisest them [thyself], that thou shalt escape the judgment ofGod?

Context

Building on verses 1–2, this question heightens the personal urgency. The reader who was nodding along at others’ sins must now face himself. Verse 3 transitions into verse 4, where Paul challenges a second false refuge: presuming upon God’s goodness and patience. Together, these verses shift the conversation from abstract moral standards to personal response—will one harden in self-justification, or be led by divine kindness to repentance?

v.2And we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against them that practise such things.

v.3This passage

v.4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Cross references

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

  • Ezekiel 17:18

    For he hath despised the oath by breaking the covenant; and behold, he had given his hand, and yet hath done all these things; he shall not escape.

  • Luke 12:14

    But he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:3

    When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.

  • Hebrews 12:25

    See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warneth from heaven:

  • Romans 1:32

    who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practise them.

  • Luke 22:58

    And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou also art one of them. But Peter said, Man, I am not.

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