Romans 10:2

Romans 10:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
• New International Version (NIV)For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
• New Living Translation (NLT)I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.

Context of Romans 10:2

1Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Romans 10:2 word by word

μαρτυρῶ γὰρ αὐτοῖς ὅτι ζῆλον θεοῦ ἔχουσιν ἀλλ᾽ οὐ κατ᾽ ἐπίγνωσιν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• I bearμαρτυρέωmartureō · to testifyG3140
• themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• they haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• a zealζῆλοςzēlos · zealG2205
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• notοὐou · noG3756
• according toκατάkata · according toG2596
• knowledgeἐπίγνωσιςepignōsis · knowledgeG1922

Cross-references for Romans 10:2

• 2 Corinthians 8:3For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,
• Galatians 4:15What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.
• Colossians 4:13For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
• 2 Kings 10:16And he said, "Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord." So he had him ride in his chariot.
• John 16:2They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.
• Acts 21:20And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law,
• Acts 22:3"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.
• Acts 26:9"I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
• Galatians 1:14And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.
• Galatians 4:17They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.
• Philippians 3:6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
• Romans 10:3For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.
• Romans 9:31but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.
• Psalms 14:4Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the Lord?
• Proverbs 19:2Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.
• Isaiah 27:1In that day the Lord with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea.

Commentaries on Romans 10:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2They have a zeal of God - They believe their law to have come immediately from God himself, and are jealous of its glory and excellence; they conscientiously observe its rites and ceremonies, but they do not consider the object and end of those rites; they sin more through ignorance than malice; and this pleads in their excuse. By this fine apology for them, the apostle prepares them for the harsher truths which he was about to deliver.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2For I bear them record - To bear record means to be a witness; to give evidence. This, Paul was well qualified to do. He had been a Jew of the strictest order Acts 26:5; Philemon 3:5, and he well knew the extraordinary exertions which they put forth to obey the commands of the Law. A zeal of God - A zeal for God. Thus, John 2:17,” The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up;” an earnest desire for the honor of the sanctuary has wholly absorbed my attention…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2zealous: This means a strong and sincere commitment to God and to what God desires (see Numbers 25:6–13). This kind of passion can be good and faithful. In Paul’s time, however, much Jewish zeal was misdirected. Many people did not understand that Jesus Christ is the central point of God’s plan. Because of this, their passion did not lead them to the truth. Paul points to his own life as an example. Before he trusted Christ, Paul showed great zeal, but it…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. For I bear them record--or, "witness," as he well could from his own sad experience. that they have a zeal of--"for" God, but not according to knowledge--(Compare Ac 22:3; 26:9-11; Ga 1:13, 14). He alludes to this well-meaning of his people, notwithstanding their spiritual blindness, not certainly to excuse their rejection of Christ and rage against His saints, but as some ground of hope regarding them. (See 1Ti 1:13).Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 10:2

• Bigotry
• Justification
• Religion
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Confession
• Difference
• Establish
• Faith
• Provoke
• Rich
• Zeal
• Bible, the

Commentaries on Romans 10

• 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