Devine Scripture

Romans 2:9

What does Romans 2:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 2:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 2:9 means

Tribulation and anguish await every person who does evil, whether Jew or Greek. The order “of the Jew first” reflects priority of privilege and therefore responsibility, not favoritism in escape. Evil brings real, pressing distress in this life and, climactically, in judgment. Paul broadens the scope from individuals to “every soul,” underlining that no one is exempt. This verse counters any complacency built on heritage or knowledge. Where deeds are evil, God’s true and righteous judgment brings pain, pressing in from without and within, as the fruit of rebellion ripens toward the day of wrath.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Trouble and sorrow on all whose works are evil, to the Jew first and then to the Greek;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

tribulation and distress, upon every soul of man that is working the evil, both of Jew first, and of Greek;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that worketh evil: of the Jew first, and also of the Greek.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

tribulation and distress, on every soul of man that works evil, both of Jew first, and of Greek;

Context

Verses 9 and 10 form a balanced pair, each mentioning Jew and Greek in the same order, to show the symmetry of God’s dealings. Following the description of the disobedient in verse 8, verse 9 focuses on their experience. Verse 10 will immediately mirror it by describing the reward of those who do good. Verse 11 will then ground this symmetry in God’s impartiality, tying together the argument from verses 6–10.

v.8but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation,

v.9This passage

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

Cross references

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

  • Acts 26:20

    but declared both to them of Damascus first, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judæa, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.

  • Luke 24:47

    and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

  • Acts 28:28

    Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear.

  • Romans 10:12

    For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him:

  • 1 Peter 4:17

    For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?

  • Galatians 3:28

    There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.

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