Romans 2:17

Amplified Bible

But if you bear the name "Jew" and rely on the Law [for your salvation] and boast in [your special relationship to] God,

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
What about you? You say you are a Jew. You trust in the law and proudly claim to be close to God.

Revised Standard Version
But if you call yourself a Jew and rely upon the law and boast of your relation to God

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Beholde thou arte called a Iewe and trustest in the lawe and reioysist in God

Hebrew Names Version
Indeed you bear the name of a Yehudi, and rest on the law, and glory in God,

International Standard Version
Now if you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law, and boast about God,Isaiah 45:25; 48:2; Micah 3:11; Matthew 3:9; John 8:33,41; Romans 9:4,6-7; 2 Corinthians 11:22;">[xr]

New American Standard Bible
But if you call yourself a Jew and rely upon the Law and boast in God,

New Century Version
What about you? You call yourself a Jew. You trust in the law of Moses and brag that you are close to God.

Update Bible Version
But if you bear the name of a Jew, and rest on the law, and glory in God,

Webster's Bible Translation
Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

English Standard Version
But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God

World English Bible
Indeed you bear the name of a Jew, and rest on the law, and glory in God,

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law,

Weymouth's New Testament
And since you claim the name of Jew, and find rest and satisfaction in the Law, and make your boast in God,

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But if thou art named a Jew, and restist in the lawe, and hast glorie in God,

English Revised Version
But if thou bearest the name of a Jew, and restest upon the law, and gloriest in God,

Berean Standard Bible
Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;

Contemporary English Version
Some of you call yourselves Jews. You trust in the Law and take pride in God.

American Standard Version
But if thou bearest the name of a Jew, and restest upon the law, and gloriest in God,

Bible in Basic English
But as for you who have the name of Jew, and are resting on the law, and take pride in God,

Complete Jewish Bible
But if you call yourself a Jew and rest on Torah and boast about God

Darby Translation
But if *thou* art named a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast in God,

Etheridge Translation
But if thou (who) a Jihudoya art called, and reposest on the law, and boastest in Aloha,

Murdock Translation
But if thou, who art called a Jew, and reposest thyself on the law, and gloriest in God,

King James Version (1611)
Behold, thou art called a Iew, and restest in the Law, and makest thy boast of God:

New Living Translation
You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God's law, and you boast about your special relationship with him.

New Life Bible
You are a Jew and think you are safe because of the Law. You tell others about how you know God.

New Revised Standard
But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relation to God

Geneva Bible (1587)
Beholde, thou art called a Iewe, and restest in the Lawe, and gloriest in God,

George Lamsa Translation
Now if you who are called a Jew, trust on the law and are proud of God,

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
If, however, thou, art taking the name of Jew, and resting thyself upon law, and boasting in God,

Douay-Rheims Bible
But if thou art called a Jew and restest in the law and makest thy boast of God,

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Behold, thou art called a Iewe, and restest in the lawe, and makest thy boast of God,

Good News Translation
What about you? You call yourself a Jew; you depend on the Law and boast about God;

Christian Standard Bible®
Now if you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law, and boast in God,

King James Version
Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

Lexham English Bible
But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God

Literal Translation
Behold, you are called a Jew, and rest in the Law, and boast in God,

Young's Literal Translation
Lo, thou art named a Jew, and dost rest upon the law, and dost boast in God,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But take hede, thou art called a Iewe, and trustest in the lawe, & makest thy boost of God,

Mace New Testament (1729)
'Tis true, you bear the name of a Jew, you depend upon the law, and boast of your worship:

THE MESSAGE
If you're brought up Jewish, don't assume that you can lean back in the arms of your religion and take it easy, feeling smug because you're an insider to God's revelation, a connoisseur of the best things of God, informed on the latest doctrines! I have a special word of caution for you who are sure that you have it all together yourselves and, because you know God's revealed Word inside and out, feel qualified to guide others through their blind alleys and dark nights and confused emotions to God. While you are guiding others, who is going to guide you? I'm quite serious. While preaching "Don't steal!" are you going to rob people blind? Who would suspect you? The same with adultery. The same with idolatry. You can get by with almost anything if you front it with eloquent talk about God and his law. The line from Scripture, "It's because of you Jews that the outsiders are down on God," shows it's an old problem that isn't going to go away.

New English Translation
But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relationship to God

New King James Version
Indeed [fn] you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God,

Simplified Cowboy Version
Some of you claim to be some of God's original cowboys, the Jews. You claim to follow the Code and boast about your ride with God.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
But if you bear the name "Jew" and rely upon the Law and boast in God,

Legacy Standard Bible
But if you bear the name "Jew" and rely upon the Law and boast in God,

Contextual Overview

¹⁷But if you bear the name "Jew" and rely on the Law [for your salvation] and boast in [your special relationship to] God,¹⁸and [if you claim to] know His will and approve the things that are essential or have a sense of what is excellent, based on your instruction from the Law, ¹⁹and [if you] are confident that you are a [qualified] guide to the blind [those untaught in theology], a light to those who are in darkness, ²⁰and [that you are] a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the [spiritually] childish, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth— 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]? ²³You 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]. ²⁶So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded [by God] as circumcision?

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

thou art: Romans 2:28, Romans 2:29, Romans 9:4-7, Psalms 135:4, Isaiah 48:1, Isaiah 48:2, Matthew 3:9, Matthew 8:11, Matthew 8:12, John 8:33, 2 Corinthians 11:22, Galatians 2:15, Ephesians 2:11, Philippians 3:3-7, Revelation 2:9, Revelation 3:1, Revelation 3:9

restest: Romans 2:23, Romans 9:4, Romans 9:32, Jeremiah 7:4-10, Zephaniah 3:11, Luke 10:28, John 5:45, John 7:19, John 9:28, John 9:29

makest: Isaiah 45:25, Isaiah 48:2, Micah 3:11, John 8:41

Reciprocal: Ezra 9:1 - doing according Job 24:13 - rebel Psalms 19:8 - enlightening Psalms 44:8 - In God Psalms 50:16 - What Psalms 76:1 - In Judah Isaiah 42:19 - Who is blind Isaiah 65:5 - Stand Jeremiah 2:8 - and they that Jeremiah 7:9 - steal Jeremiah 8:8 - We Matthew 6:23 - If Matthew 21:30 - I go John 8:54 - ye say Romans 1:30 - boasters Romans 3:27 - Where Romans 5:11 - but we Romans 7:1 - them that Galatians 6:13 - keep James 3:14 - glory James 4:17 - General Revelation 3:17 - knowest

Cross-References

Genesis 2:1
So the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts (inhabitants).

Genesis 2:4
This is the history of [the origin of] the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day [that is, days of creation] that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens—

Genesis 2:6
but a mist (fog, dew, vapor) used to rise from the land and water the entire surface of the ground—

Genesis 2:9
And [in that garden] the LORD God caused to grow from the ground every tree that is desirable and pleasing to the sight and good (suitable, pleasant) for food; the tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the [experiential] knowledge (recognition) of [the difference between] good and evil.

Genesis 2:10
Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four [branching] rivers.

Genesis 2:12
The gold of that land is good; bdellium (a fragrant, valuable resin) and the onyx stone are found there.

Genesis 2:13
The name of the second river is Gihon; it flows around the entire land of Cush [in Mesopotamia].

Genesis 2:18
Now the LORD God said, "It is not good (beneficial) for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper [one who balances him—a counterpart who is] suitable and complementary for him."

Genesis 2:20
And the man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for Adam there was not found a helper [that was] suitable (a companion) for him.

Genesis 2:21
So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and while he slept, He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Behold, thou art called a Jew,.... From hence to the end of the chapter the Jews are particularly addressed; their several privileges and characters are commemorated, which by an ironical concession are allowed them; several charges are brought against them, even against their principal men; and the plea in favour of them, from their circumcision, is considered; and the apostle's view in the whole, is to show that they could not be justified before God by their obedience to the law of Moses: "behold"; take notice, observe it, this will be granted: "thou art called a Jew"; thou art one by name, by nation, and by religion; but no name, nor outward religion, nor a mere profession, will justify before God:

and restest in the law; which may be understood of their having the law and the knowledge of it, what is to be done and avoided easily, without any fatigue and labour; of their pleasing and applauding themselves with the bare having and hearing of it; of their trust and confidence in it; and of their inactivity and security in it, as persons asleep; and so of their coming short of the knowledge of the Gospel, and of Christ the end of the law for righteousness, their whole confidence being placed in that: so the Targumist in Jeremiah 8:8 paraphrases the words,

"we are wise, "and in the law of the Lord", אנחגא רחיצון, do we trust;''

and makest thy boast of God. There is a right boasting of God in opposition to boasting in the creature, when men ascribe all the blessings of nature and grace to the Lord alone, and praise him for all their enjoyments, temporal and spiritual; and when they trust in, and glory, and make their boast of Christ as the Lord their righteousness, in whom alone they are, and can be justified. But the boasting here spoken of, was such that was not right; these men boasted of their bare external knowledge of the one God, when the Gentiles around them were ignorant of him; of their being the covenant people of God, when others were aliens and strangers; and of their having the word and worship of the true God, which other nations were unacquainted with; and, on these external things they depended, which was their fault.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Behold - Having thus stated the general principles on which God would judge the world; having shown how they condemned the Gentiles; and having removed all objections to them, he now proceeds to another part of his argument, to show how they applied to the Jews. By the use of the word “behold,” he calls their attention to it, as to an important subject; and with great skill and address, he states their privileges, before he shows them how those privileges might enhance their condemnation. He admits all their claims to pre-eminence in privileges, and then with great faithfulness proceeds to show how, if abused, these might deepen their final destruction. It should be observed, however, that the word rendered “behold” is in many manuscripts written in two words, ἔι δὲ ei de, instead of ἴδε ide. If this, as is probable, is the correct reading there, it should be rendered, “if now thou art,” etc. Thus, the Syriac, Latin, and Arabic read it.

Thou art called - Thou art named Jew, implying that this name was one of very high honor. This is the first thing mentioned on which the Jew would be likely to pride himself.

A Jew - This was the name by which the Hebrews were at that time generally known; and it is clear that they regarded it as a name of honor, and valued themselves much on it; see Galatians 2:15; Revelation 2:9. Its origin is not certainly known. They were called the children of Israel until the time of Rehoboam. When the ten tribes were carried into captivity, but two remained, the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The name Jews was evidently given to denote those of the tribe of Judah. The reasons why the name of Benjamin was lost in that of Judah, were probably,

(1)Because the tribe of Benjamin was small, and comparatively without influence or importance.

1. The Messiah was to be of the tribe of Judah Genesis 49:10; and that tribe would therefore possess a consequence proportioned to their expectation of that event.

The name of Jews would therefore be one that would suggest the facts that they were preserved from captivity, that they had received remarkably the protection of God, and that the Messiah was to be sent to that people. Hence, it is not wonderful that they should regard it as a special favor to be a Jew, and particularly when they added to this the idea of all the other favors connected with their being the special people of God. The name “Jew” came thus to denote all the peculiarities and special favors of their religion.

And restest in the law - The word “rest” here is evidently used in the sense of trusting to, or leaning upon. The Jew leaned on, or relied on the Law for acceptance or favor; on the fact that he had the Law, and on his obedience to it. It does not mean that he relied on his own works, though that was true, but that he leaned on the fact that he had the Law, and was thus distinguished above others. The Law here means the entire Mosaic economy; or all the rules and regulations which Moses had given. Perhaps also it includes, as it sometimes does, the whole of the Old Testament.

Makest thy boast in God - Thou dost boast, or glory, that thou hast the knowledge of the true God, while other nations are in darkness. On this account the Jew felt himself far elevated above all other people, and despised them. It was true that they only had the true knowledge of God, and that he had declared himself to be their God, Deuteronomy 4:7; Psalms 147:19-20; but this was not a ground for boasting, but for gratitude. This passage shows us that it is much more common to boast of privileges than to be thankful for them, and that it is no evidence of piety for a man to boast of his knowledge of God. An humble, ardent thankfulness that we have that knowledge a thankfulness which leads us not to despise others, but to desire that they may have the same privilege - is an evidence of piety.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 17. Behold, thou art called a Jew — What the apostle had said in the preceding verses being sufficient to enforce conviction on the conscience of the Jew, he now throws off the cover, and openly argues with him in the most plain and nervous manner; asserting that his superior knowledge, privileges, and profession, served only to aggravate his condemnation. And that, in fact, he who, under all his greater advantages, transgressed the law of God, stood condemned by the honest Gentile, who, to the best of his knowledge obeyed it. Dr. Taylor.

And restest in the law — Thou trustest in it for thy endless salvation. The word επαναπαυη, implies the strongest confidence of safety and security. Thou reposest thy whole trust and confidence in this law.

And makest thy boast of God — That thou knowest his nature and attributes, which are not known to the Gentiles. The word, καυχασαι, implies the idea of exulting in any thing, as being a proper object of hope and dependence: and, when referred to GOD, it points out that HE is the sure cause of hope, dependence, joy, and happiness; and that it is the highest honour to be called to know his name, and be employed in his service. As if the apostle had said: You rejoice in God as the object of your hope and dependence; you praise and magnify him; you account it your greatest honour that HE is your God, and that you worship him.