Romans 2 23

Romans 2:23 kjv

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

Romans 2:23 nkjv

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

Romans 2:23 niv

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

Romans 2:23 esv

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

Romans 2:23 nlt

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

Romans 2 verses

Romans 2 23 Meaning

Romans 2:23 declares a sharp paradox concerning those who pride themselves in having God's Law: Despite their boasting in the Law as a unique divine gift, they actively disgrace God Himself by failing to live up to the Law's own righteous standards through their disobedience. Their claim to honor God by possessing the Law is negated and inverted by their own law-breaking actions.

Romans 2 23 Context

Romans chapter 2 is part of Paul's profound theological argument concerning sin and righteousness, leading to the necessity of justification by faith in Christ. Having established in chapter 1 that Gentiles are without excuse before God due to their suppression of truth and idolatry, Paul turns his focus to the Jewish people (or anyone who claims moral superiority based on a Law). He meticulously dismantles any ground for their self-righteous judgment of others.

Verses 1-16 emphasize God's impartial judgment, asserting that not just knowledge or possession of the Law, but its active performance, determines righteousness. God judges all equally, Jew and Gentile, according to their deeds. Then, from verses 17-24, Paul directly addresses those "who call yourselves a Jew" and "boast in God," claiming to be instructors of the ignorant and a "light to those in darkness" because they have the Law. Verse 23 specifically highlights the hypocrisy of such a claim, serving as a climactic indictment within this section, showing that their boasted advantage became a source of God's public dishonor due to their own transgressions. It sets the stage for Paul's argument about the futility of outward ritual without inward transformation (Rom 2:25-29) and the universal need for grace.

Historically, Jews proudly bore the Law as their unique covenant heritage from God. They distinguished themselves from "Gentiles" based on their possession of the Mosaic Law, their circumcision, and their adherence to a divine ethical standard. Paul confronts this presumption directly, demonstrating that mere possession of the Law, without obedience, does not confer privilege but rather incurs greater guilt.

Romans 2 23 Word analysis

• You who boast: (Greek: kauchásai - καυχάσαι, present middle indicative, from kaucháomai) This verb means "to boast," "to glory," "to take pride," or "to parade." It implies a sense of exultant pride, often in something external or an advantage. Here, it refers to the deep-seated identity and sense of superiority derived from possessing the Law, seen as an exclusive divine revelation. It highlights not just casual pride, but a significant aspect of self-identity and a basis for judgment towards others.
• in the law: (Greek: en nómō - ἐν νόμῳ) Refers to the Mosaic Law, the Torah. The definite article "the" indicates a specific, singular, and revered entity. For Jews, the Law was central to their covenant identity, perceived as a precious divine gift setting them apart from other nations. This phrase signifies that their boasting was directly linked to their unique privilege of receiving and possessing God's divine revelation.
• dishonor God: (Greek: ton Theòn atimázeis - τὸν Θεὸν ἀτιμάζεις, from atimázō). This verb means "to dishonor," "to disgrace," "to insult," "to treat with contempt," or "to revile." It's a strong term indicating active contempt or ill-treatment, bringing disrepute or shame. It's not passive neglect, but an active devaluing or belittling of God's character and name.
• by breaking the law: (Greek: dia tēs parabáseōs tou nómou - διὰ τῆς παραβάσεως τοῦ νόμου).
  • by breaking: (Greek: dia tēs parabáseōs - διὰ τῆς παραβάσεως, lit. "through the transgression"). Parabasis (παράβασις) means "a transgression," "a violation," "a trespass," or "stepping across a line/boundary." It implies a deliberate and conscious crossing of a known divine command or boundary set by the Law. It’s not an accidental stumble but a willful violation.
  • the law: (Greek: tou nómou - τοῦ νόμου). Again, referring to the Mosaic Law. This repetition emphasizes the source of the standard that is being violated.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law": This phrase presents a striking antithesis. The very source of their pride ("boast in the law") becomes the means of dishonoring God ("dishonor God by breaking the law"). The action of "breaking the law" directly undercuts and nullifies their "boasting in the law," making their profession empty and contradictory. The statement highlights a deep spiritual irony and hypocrisy: what they claim as their unique honor (the Law) is used to bring dishonor upon God's name through their own sin. Their perceived spiritual advantage becomes their greater condemnation.

Romans 2 23 Bonus section

Romans 2:23 is not merely an ancient accusation but a timeless principle that underscores the universal need for grace. If even those entrusted with the Law, meant to be light to the world, failed and dishonored God through their actions, it reveals the inherent human inability to achieve righteousness through rule-keeping alone. This failure sets the stage for Paul's later argument that justification comes not by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 3:20-28). The depth of human depravity is such that even when given divine revelation, the tendency is to boast in the privilege rather than to obey and embody the divine character. This verse strongly asserts that God's honor and reputation in the world are directly tied to the ethical and moral conduct of those who bear His name or claim to know Him.

Romans 2 23 Commentary

Romans 2:23 incisively pierces the heart of self-righteousness, particularly among those who prided themselves on their unique relationship with God through the Law. Paul reveals the profound hypocrisy: while Jewish people might openly boast about their exclusive possession of God's holy Law, and teach others based on it (Rom 2:17-20), their own unrighteous conduct undermines their entire claim. The word kauchásai (boast) is strong, conveying an attitude of swaggering pride. This was not a humble acknowledgment of a divine gift, but a basis for their own perceived superiority.

The core of Paul's indictment is that their parabasis (transgression, stepping over a clear boundary) of the very Law they esteemed and boasted in, results in atimázō (dishonoring, bringing contempt upon) God Himself. The issue is not just individual sin, but the public effect of that sin. When those who claim to represent God and His perfect Law live inconsistent lives, the watching world, particularly the Gentiles they disdained, sees their hypocrisy and mocks or discredits God's name. This theme is echoed directly in Rom 2:24 (quoting Isa 52:5 and Ezek 36:20-23). The Jewish people's privileged status and the gift of the Law were meant to make God's glory known to the nations; instead, their unfaithfulness caused His name to be blasphemed among those very nations. This verse serves as a powerful warning that mere outward profession or possession of spiritual knowledge/privilege without genuine obedience and transformation leads to an even greater indictment and can tragically defame the very God one claims to serve.

Examples:

• A Christian who proudly displays a cross or identifies with a church, yet consistently engages in unethical business practices or treats others unjustly.
• A religious leader who teaches sound doctrine from the Bible but is privately involved in scandal or deceit.