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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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

1Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 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 I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,
• Galatians 4:15What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.
• Colossians 4:13For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
• 2 Kings 10:16Then he said, “Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord.” So they had him ride in his chariot.
• John 16:2They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
• Acts 21:20And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law;
• Acts 22:3“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.
• Acts 26:9“Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
• Galatians 1:14And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
• Galatians 4:17They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.
• Philippians 3:6concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
• Romans 10:3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
• Romans 9:31but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.
• Psalms 14:4Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call on the Lord?
• Proverbs 19:2Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet.
• Isaiah 27:1In that day the Lord with His severe sword, great and strong, Will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan that twisted serpent; And He will slay the reptile 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
• Confession
• Difference
• Establish
• Faith
• Provoke
• Rich
• Zeal
• Bible, the
• Eschatology of the New Testament

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