Romans 2:1 kjv

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

Romans 2:1 nkjv

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

Romans 2:1 niv

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Romans 2:1 esv

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.

Romans 2:1 nlt

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.

Romans 2 verses

Romans 2 1 Meaning

Romans 2:1 means that any person who presumes to judge another, yet practices the very same actions they condemn, is without defense or excuse before God. Their own act of judgment serves to condemn themselves, as they are implicitly acknowledging the wrongness of the sin while being guilty of it. This verse highlights the universal sinfulness and hypocrisy, setting the stage for God's righteous and impartial judgment upon all humanity.

Romans 2 1 Context

Romans 2:1 is the beginning of Paul's indictment against the moralizers, who are often understood as Jewish people (or at least those who claim a superior moral position based on external factors like the Law). It immediately follows Romans chapter 1, where Paul detailed the universal sinfulness and inexcusable nature of Gentiles who suppressed the truth of God and fell into depravity. Chapter 2 pivots, applying the same principle of inexcusability to those who judge the sins of chapter 1 while being guilty of similar moral failures themselves. Paul uses this argument to dismantle any presumed advantage or immunity from divine judgment, setting the stage for his overarching thesis that both Jews and Gentiles are equally in need of God's righteousness found in Christ through faith.

Romans 2 1 Word analysis

• Therefore (διό - dio): A strong connective particle meaning "for this reason" or "on account of which." It ties this verse directly back to the preceding exposition in Romans 1 regarding the sinfulness of humanity. Because the state described in chapter 1 is true, this statement logically follows.
• you (σὺ - sy): Second person singular pronoun, a direct and piercing address, making it personal.
• inexcusable (ἀναπολόγητος - anapologētos): Meaning "without excuse," "indefensible," or "cannot plead." The person cannot offer any rational defense or justification for their actions. Their knowledge of right and wrong, evidenced by their judgment, removes any possible alibi.
• O man (ὦ ἄνθρωπε - ō anthrōpe): A generic, yet pointed, form of address that universalizes the application of the truth. While in context it likely targets a self-righteous Jewish individual, Paul uses a term that extends the indictment to any human who exhibits such hypocrisy.
• whoever you are who judge (πᾶς ὁ κρίνων - pas ho krinōn): "Every one who judges." This emphasizes the universality of the judgment. It's not limited to a specific group, but applies to anyone assuming the role of moral arbiter.
• judge (κρίνων - krinōn, κρίνεις - krineis): From krinō. Here, it means to pass a verdict, to condemn, or to find fault, rather than merely to discern. It carries a strong negative connotation of critical condemnation.
• another (τὸν ἕτερον - ton heteron): Referring to "the other," distinguishing the person being judged from the judge himself.
• condemn (κατακρίνεις - katakrineis): A stronger form of krinō, meaning "to judge against," "to pass sentence upon," or "to convict." The act of judging another effectively results in self-conviction for the hypocrite.
• yourself (σεαυτὸν - seauton): The direct object of condemnation, highlighting the severe personal consequence of the judging act.
• practice the same things (τὰ γὰρ αὐτὰ πράσσεις - ta gar auta prasseis): "For you practice the very same things." This is the core indictment of hypocrisy. The judge is not exempt from the moral failings they discern and denounce in others. This phrase reveals the shared culpability.

Romans 2 1 Bonus section

• This verse introduces Paul's argument that merely knowing God's law or being outwardly religious (like the Jewish person) offers no defense if one's actions contradict that knowledge. True righteousness must stem from an internal transformation and consistent obedience.
• The "O man" (Greek: ō anthrōpe) is a classic rhetorical device used in Scripture (e.g., Job, Psalms) to bring a solemn, often reproving, point directly to the individual.
• The immediate flow of Paul's argument is to show that both Gentiles (Romans 1) and Jews (Romans 2) are under the same condemnation of sin, laying the groundwork for the necessity of God's saving grace in Romans 3.
• This verse foreshadows Paul's emphasis on God's impartiality in judgment (Rom 2:6, 11).

Romans 2 1 Commentary

Romans 2:1 is a direct and forceful pronouncement against hypocrisy, setting the moral playing field level for all humanity before God. Paul reveals the inherent paradox in condemning another's sins while being guilty of the same transgressions. The "inexcusable" nature stems from the fact that by judging, one acknowledges the existence of a moral standard and the offense against it, thereby implicating themselves if they, too, violate that very standard. This verse demolishes any claim to moral superiority based on knowledge of the law or any outward religious observance. It teaches that God's judgment will not differentiate based on perceived privilege but on actual obedience and inner character. It warns against a critical, censorious spirit, for in exposing another's fault, the hypocrite simultaneously exposes their own. For example, a person who rails against gossiping, yet habitually shares rumors, stands self-condemned by their own spoken principles.