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, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? 22You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples? You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.” 25The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile.

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 2:17You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him.
• Romans 3:2Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.
• Romans 9:4They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God’s adopted children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises.
• Jeremiah 8:8“‘How can you say, “We are wise because we have the word of the Lord,” when your teachers have twisted it by writing lies?
• Matthew 19:17“Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”
• Luke 10:26Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
• Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!
• John 5:45“Yet it isn’t I who will accuse you before the Father. Moses will accuse you! Yes, Moses, in whom you put your hopes.
• John 9:28Then they cursed him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses!
• James 1:22But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
• James 4:16Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and 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