Romans 2:23

Romans 2:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
• New International Version (NIV)You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
• English Standard Version (ESV)You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.
• New King James Version (NKJV)You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?

Context of Romans 2:23

21well then, you who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal [in ways that are discrete, but just as sinful]? 22You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob [pagan] temples [of valuable idols and offerings]? You who boast in the Law, do you [repeatedly] dishonor God by breaking the Law? 24For, “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written [in Scripture]. 25Circumcision [the sign of the covenant of Abraham] is indeed of value if you practice the Law; but if you habitually break the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision [it is meaningless in God’s sight].

Romans 2:23 word by word

ὃς ἐν νόμῳ καυχᾶσαι, διὰ τῆς παραβάσεως τοῦ νόμου τὸν θεὸν ἀτιμάζεις;Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thou thatὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• makest thy boastκαυχάομαιkauchaomai · to boastG2744
• ofἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
• throughδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• breakingὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• breakingπαράβασιςparabasis · transgressionG3847
• dishonourest thouἀτιμάζωatimazō · to dishonorG818
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316

Cross-references for Romans 2:23

• Romans 2:17But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely on the Law [for your salvation] and boast in [your special relationship to] God,
• Romans 3:2Great in every respect. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God [His very words].
• Romans 9:4who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, the glory (Shekinah), the [special] covenants [with Abraham, Moses, and David], the giving of the Law, the [system of temple] worship, and the [original] promises.
• Jeremiah 8:8“How can you say, ‘We are wise, And the law of the Lord is with us [and we are learned in its language and teachings]’? Behold, [the truth is that] the lying pen of the scribes Has made the law into a lie [a mere code of ceremonial observances].
• Matthew 19:17Jesus answered, “Why are you asking Me about what is [essentially] good? There is only One who is [essentially] good; but if you wish to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments.”
• Luke 10:26Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”
• Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood [ostentatiously] and began praying to himself [in a self-righteous way, saying]: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men—swindlers, unjust (dishonest), adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
• John 5:45Do not think that I [am the One who] will accuse you before the Father. There [already] is one who accuses you: Moses, [the very one] in whom you have placed your hope [for salvation].
• John 9:28And [at that remark] they stormed at him and jeered, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses!
• James 1:22But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].
• James 4:16But as it is, you boast [vainly] in your pretension and arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

Commentaries on Romans 2:23

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Makest thy boast … - To boast in the Law implied their conviction of its excellence and obligation, as a man does not boast of what he esteems to be of no value. Dishonourest thou God - By boasting of the Law, they proclaimed their conviction that it was from God. By breaking it, they denied it. And as actions are a true test of man‘s real opinions, their breaking the Law did it more dishonor than their boasting of it did it honor. This is always the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-24Verses 17-24 The apostle directs his discourse to the Jews, and shows of what sins they were guilty, notwithstanding their profession and vain pretensions. A believing, humble, thankful glorying in God, is the root and sum of all religion. But proud, vain-glorious boasting in God, and in the outward profession of his name, is the root and sum of all hypocrisy. Spiritual pride is the most dangerous of all kinds of pride. A great evil of the sins professors…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-29Paul waits to explain righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until he first teaches about the sinfulness of all people. Both non-Jews and Jews are equally under the power of sin (1:18–32; 2:1–3:8). Because of this, both groups are in the same situation before God. No one can gain God’s favor by their own actions or obedience (3:9–20). All people need God’s saving action, not their own efforts.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 17-2417-24. Behold--"But if" is, beyond doubt, the true reading here. (It differs but in a single letter from the received reading, and the sense is the same).Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 2:23

• Formalism
• Hypocrisy
• Inconsistency
• Minister, Christian
• Sin

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Accuse
• Boast
• Continuance
• Doer
• Excuse
• Fall of man
• Forbearance
• Sure

Commentaries on Romans 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings