13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Other Translations of Romans 2:13

New International Version

13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

English Standard Version

13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.

The Message

13 Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God.

New King James Version

13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;

New Living Translation

13 For merely listening to the law doesn't make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 2:13

Commentary on Romans 2:1-16

(Read Romans 2:1-16)

The Jews thought themselves a holy people, entitled to their privileges by right, while they were unthankful, rebellious, and unrighteous. But all who act thus, of every nation, age, and description, must be reminded that the judgment of God will be according to their real character. The case is so plain, that we may appeal to the sinner's own thoughts. In every wilful sin, there is contempt of the goodness of God. And though the branches of man's disobedience are very various, all spring from the same root. But in true repentance, there must be hatred of former sinfulness, from a change wrought in the state of the mind, which disposes it to choose the good and to refuse the evil. It shows also a sense of inward wretchedness. Such is the great change wrought in repentance, it is conversion, and is needed by every human being. The ruin of sinners is their walking after a hard and impenitent heart. Their sinful doings are expressed by the strong words, "treasuring up wrath." In the description of the just man, notice the full demand of the law. It demands that the motives shall be pure, and rejects all actions from earthly ambition or ends. In the description of the unrighteous, contention is held forth as the principle of all evil. The human will is in a state of enmity against God. Even Gentiles, who had not the written law, had that within, which directed them what to do by the light of nature. Conscience is a witness, and first or last will bear witness. As they nature. Conscience is a witness, and first or last will bear witness. As they kept or broke these natural laws and dictates, their consciences either acquitted or condemned them. Nothing speaks more terror to sinners, and more comfort to saints, than that Christ shall be the Judge. Secret services shall be rewarded, secret sins shall be then punished, and brought to light.

The Jews and the Law

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

Other Translations of Romans 2:17

New International Version

The Jews and the Law

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

English Standard Version

The Jews and the Law

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God

The Message

The Jews and the Law

17 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,

New King James Version

The Jews and the Law

17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God,

New Living Translation

The Jews and the Law

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

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 2:17

Commentary on Romans 2:17-24

(Read Romans 2:17-24)

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 is, the dishonour done to God and religion, by their not living according to their profession. Many despise their more ignorant neighbours who rest in a dead form of godliness; yet themselves trust in a form of knowledge, equally void of life and power, while some glory in the gospel, whose unholy lives dishonour God, and cause his name to be blasphemed.

23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

Other Translations of Romans 2:23

New International Version

23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?

English Standard Version

23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.

The Message

23 You can get by with almost anything if you front it with eloquent talk about God and his law.

New King James Version

23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?

New Living Translation

23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 2:23

Commentary on Romans 2:17-24

(Read Romans 2:17-24)

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 is, the dishonour done to God and religion, by their not living according to their profession. Many despise their more ignorant neighbours who rest in a dead form of godliness; yet themselves trust in a form of knowledge, equally void of life and power, while some glory in the gospel, whose unholy lives dishonour God, and cause his name to be blasphemed.

5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

Other Translations of Romans 10:5

New International Version

5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: "The person who does these things will live by them."Lev. 18:5

English Standard Version

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them.

The Message

5 Moses wrote that anyone who insists on using the law code to live right before God soon discovers it's not so easy - every detail of life regulated by fine print!

New King James Version

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them."

New Living Translation

5 For Moses writes that the law's way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 10:5

Commentary on Romans 10:5-11

(Read Romans 10:5-11)

The self-condemned sinner need not perplex himself how this righteousness may be found. When we speak of looking upon Christ, and receiving, and feeding upon him, it is not Christ in heaven, nor Christ in the deep, that we mean; but Christ in the promise, Christ offered in the word. Justification by faith in Christ is a plain doctrine. It is brought before the mind and heart of every one, thus leaving him without excuse for unbelief. If a man confessed faith in Jesus, as the Lord and Saviour of lost sinners, and really believed in his heart that God had raised him from the dead, thus showing that he had accepted the atonement, he should be saved by the righteousness of Christ, imputed to him through faith. But no faith is justifying which is not powerful in sanctifying the heart, and regulating all its affections by the love of Christ. We must devote and give up to God our souls and our bodies: our souls in believing with the heart, and our bodies in confessing with the mouth. The believer shall never have cause to repent his confident trust in the Lord Jesus. Of such faith no sinner shall be ashamed before God; and he ought to glory in it before men.