Romans 2:20

Romans 2:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
• English Standard Version (ESV)an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—
• New King James Version (NKJV)an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.
• New Living Translation (NLT)You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.

Context of Romans 2:20

18if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

Romans 2:20 word by word

παιδευτὴν ἀφρόνων, διδάσκαλον νηπίων, ἔχοντα τὴν μόρφωσιν τῆς γνώσεως καὶ τῆς ἀληθείας ἐν τῷ νόμῳ·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• An instructorπαιδευτήςpaideutēs · instructorG3810
• of the foolishἄφρωνaphrōn · foolishG878
• a teacherδιδάσκαλοςdidaskalos · teacherG1320
• of babesνήπιοςnēpios · childG3516
• which hastἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• the formὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the formμόρφωσιςmorphōsis · formG3446
• of knowledgeγνῶσιςgnōsis · knowledgeG1108
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• of the truthἀλήθειαalētheia · truthG225
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551

Cross-references for Romans 2:20

• Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
• 1 Corinthians 3:1Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ.
• Hebrews 5:13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
• 1 Peter 2:2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
• Romans 6:17But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.
• 2 Timothy 1:13What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
• 2 Timothy 3:5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

Commentaries on Romans 2:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20An instructer of the foolish, etc. - Ye believe the Gentiles to be babes and fools when compared with yourselves; that ye alone possess the only true knowledge; that ye are the only favourites of Heaven; and that all nations must look up to you as possessing the only form of knowledge, , the grand scheme and draught of all true science, of every thing that is worthy to be learned: the system of eternal truth, derived from the law. If, therefore, ye act…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Of the foolish - The word “foolish” is used in the Scriptures in two significations: to denote those who are void of understanding, and to denote the wicked. Here it is clearly used in the former sense, signifying that the Jew esteemed himself qualified to instruct those without knowledge. Of babes - This is the literal meaning of the original word. The expression is figurative, and denotes those who were as ignorant as children - an expression which they…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. 17-20The pride of the Jews reflects Old Testament and Jewish teachings about the privileges and responsibilities God gave to Israel. God gave his law to Israel, formed a special relationship with them, and gave them the task of being a spiritual light to the Gentiles (see Isaiah 42:6–7). Jews were not wrong to enjoy these blessings; their error was in failing to live up to their privileged position.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 2:20

• Babes
• Formalism
• Hypocrisy
• Instruction
• Minister, Christian
• Science
• Self-Righteousness
• Sin

In the dictionaries

• Accuse
• Babe
• Boast
• Continuance
• Doer
• Excuse
• Fall of man
• Forbearance
• Sure
• Treasure

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