Devine Scripture

Romans 2:8

What does Romans 2:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 2:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 2:8 means

Here Paul sketches the opposite path: those marked by contentious self-interest, refusing the truth and aligning with unrighteousness. For them there awaits wrath and fury. The issue is not ignorance but obstinacy—the heart set against God’s truth. This verse unmasks sin’s posture: disobedience is allegiance to a rival master. God’s response is not arbitrary anger but holy indignation against persistent rebellion. The starkness of these alternatives—eternal life versus wrath—presses the reader to consider whom they obey. The call is implicit: forsake self-seeking and submit to the truth, for the God who is patient is also just.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But to those who, from a love of competition, are not guided by what is true, will come the heat of his wrath,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and to those contentious, and disobedient, indeed, to the truth, and obeying the unrighteousness--indignation and wrath,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But to them that are contentious and who obey not the truth but give credit to iniquity, wrath and indignation.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But to those that are contentious, and are disobedient to the truth, but obey unrighteousness, [there shall be] wrath and indignation,

Context

Following the portrait of persevering well-doers in verse 7, verse 8 gives the dark counter-image. The immediate outcome is then elaborated in verses 9–10 using matching phrases (“of the Jew first, and also of the Greek”) to stress impartiality. This leads naturally into verse 11’s explicit statement that God shows no partiality. The flow tightens the net: both paths exist within one standard and apply to all peoples without exception.

v.7to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life:

v.8This passage

v.9tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek;

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 11:16

    But if any man seemeth to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:10

    and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

  • 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;

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:8

    rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:

  • 1 Timothy 6:3

    If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

  • Titus 3:9

    but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

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