Bible Reading Plan

Romans 2

Chapter 2

God's Righteous Judgment

¹ Therefore, any one of you^[a](a) who judges is without excuse.^(b) For when you judge another,^(c) you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. ² We know that God's judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth. ³ Do you really think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God's judgment? ⁴ Or do you despise the riches of His kindness,^(d) restraint,^(e) and patience,^(f) not recognizing^[b] that God's kindness^(g) is intended to lead you to repentance? ⁵ But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath^(h) for yourself in the day of wrath,⁽ⁱ⁾ when God's righteous judgment is revealed. ⁶  He will repay each one according to his works :^{(j)[c] 7} eternal life^(k) to those who by persistence in doing good^(l) seek glory, honor,^(m) and immortality;^{(n) 8} but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking^(o) and disobey the truth^(p) but are obeying unrighteousness; ⁹ affliction and distress^(q) for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek;^{(r) 10} but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. ¹¹ There is no favoritism with God.^(s)

¹² All those who sinned without the law^(t) will also perish without the law, and all those who sinned under the law will be judged by the law. ¹³ For the hearers of the law^(u) are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be declared righteous.^{[d] 14} So, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, instinctively^(v) do what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law. ¹⁵ They show that the work of the law^[e] is written on their hearts.^(w) Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts will either accuse or excuse them^{[f] 16} on the day when God judges^(x) what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.^(y)

Jewish Violation of the Law

¹⁷ Now if^[g] you call yourself a Jew, and rest in the law,^(z) boast in God, ¹⁸ know His will, and approve the things that are superior,^(aa) being instructed from the law, ¹⁹ and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the full expression^[h] of knowledge and truth^(ab) in the law— ²¹ you then, who teach another,^(ac) don't you teach yourself? You who preach, "You must not steal"—do you steal? ²² You who say, "You must not commit adultery"—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob their temples?^{(ad) 23} You who boast in the law,^(ae) do you dishonor God by breaking the law? ²⁴ For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you. ^(af)[i]

Circumcision of the Heart

²⁵ For circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.^{(ag) 26} Therefore if an uncircumcised^(ah) man keeps the law's requirements,^(ai) will his uncircumcision not be counted as circumcision? ²⁷ A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who fulfills the law, will judge you^(aj) who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision. ²⁸ For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly,^(ak) and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. ²⁹ On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly,^(al) and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter.^[j](am) That man's praise^[k] is not from men but from God.^(an)