Romans 2 4

Romans 2:4 kjv

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Romans 2:4 nkjv

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Romans 2:4 niv

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Romans 2:4 esv

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Romans 2:4 nlt

Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

Romans 2 verses

Romans 2 4 Meaning

This verse confronts those who misinterpret God's attributes, particularly His abounding goodness, restrained anger, and patient endurance. It asserts that these divine characteristics are not licenses for continued sin or excuses for moral indifference. Rather, they are purposed by God as an intentional means to guide individuals to a transformative change of mind and life, known as repentance, turning them away from sin and towards God. To misunderstand or despise this gracious intent is to invite judgment.

Romans 2 4 Context

Romans 2:4 is an integral part of Paul's larger argument in the first three chapters of Romans, establishing humanity's universal need for God's righteousness by faith. Specifically, this verse comes in the context of Paul dismantling the self-righteousness of the Jewish person (or anyone who presumes moral superiority). In Romans 2:1-3, Paul directly challenges those who judge others for their sins, warning that they themselves are liable to God's judgment, as they often commit the same transgressions. This verse then addresses the implicit question: If God is just, why has He not yet punished such sin and hypocrisy? Paul's answer is that God's delayed judgment is not a sign of approval or indifference, but rather an expression of His incredible kindness, forbearance, and patience, all intended to provide time and opportunity for repentance. Historically and culturally, many Jews of the time believed their covenant relationship, the Law, and their status as God's chosen people granted them an exemption from the wrath that would surely fall upon the Gentiles. Paul directly polemicizes against this religious presumption and misguided trust in external religious privilege, emphasizing that God judges impartially based on inward character and deeds.

Romans 2 4 Word analysis

• Or (ἢ - ē): A conjunction that introduces an alternative question or argument, connecting to the previous verses' indictment of judgmental hypocrisy. It presents the choice of misinterpreting or understanding God's nature.
• do you presume (καταφρονεῖς - kataphroneis): From the verb kataphroneo, meaning to look down upon, to despise, to scorn, to treat with contempt. This isn't just a simple assumption or taking for granted, but a strong word indicating an active disregard, a treating as trivial or worthless, or an insolent contempt for something important. It implies an abuse of God's character.
• the riches (πλοῦτος - ploutos): Meaning abundance, wealth, or plentiful supply. Here, it signifies the generous, vast, and overflowing nature of God's kindness, forbearance, and patience. It's not a meager amount, but an inexhaustible reservoir, making the contempt (kataphroneis) even more egregious.
• his kindness (χρηστότης - chrēstotēs): Refers to goodness, integrity, benevolence, benignity, or tenderness. It's the inherent moral and gracious excellence of God's character, particularly His active benevolence towards humanity. It contrasts with severity or harshness.
• and forbearance (ἀνοχῇ - anochē): Denotes a holding back, a suspension of divine wrath or judgment, a toleration or overlooking. It implies a temporary halt to immediate punishment, providing a space for change. This term is distinct from 'patience' in that it specifically points to a divine action of restraint regarding sin. It appears only here and Rom 3:25 in the New Testament.
• and patience (μακροθυμίᾳ - makrothymia): Meaning longsuffering, endurance, or slowness to anger. It describes God's inherent capacity to bear provocation, injury, and wrong over a long period without immediately reacting in judgment. It is a persistent character trait, distinct from 'forbearance' which is a specific act of temporary restraint.
• not knowing (ἀγνοῶν - agnoōn): Being ignorant of, failing to understand. It implies a culpable ignorance, a failure to perceive spiritual truth due to a hardened heart or deliberate oversight. It highlights a spiritual blindness to God's ultimate purpose.
• that God's kindness (τὸ χρηστότης τοῦ θεοῦ - to chrēstotēs tou theou): Repetition of "kindness" (chrēstotēs) emphasizes it as the primary quality leading to the specific outcome. It highlights the divine source and intrinsic goodness driving this purpose.
• is meant to lead you (εἰς μετάνοιαν σε ἄγει - eis metanoian se agei):
  • eis: A preposition meaning "unto," "for the purpose of," or "into." It clearly states the ultimate aim or destination.
  • agei (from agō): The verb meaning to lead, to bring, to guide. It implies a divine intention and active steering or direction towards a specific end.
  • se: The pronoun "you," indicating a direct address to the presumed arrogant judge.
  This phrase reveals the teleological nature (purpose-driven) of God's actions; His character is not random or without a goal.
• to repentance (μετάνοιαν - metanoian): A profound change of mind and purpose, leading to a turning away from sin and a turning towards God. It's more than just regret; it's a fundamental transformation of one's inner being that results in changed behavior and alignment with God's will. It signifies a radical reorientation of one's entire life.

• Words-group Analysis:
  • "riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience": This powerful triplet emphasizes the profound, multifaceted nature of God's grace. "Riches" denotes the boundless and infinite supply of these divine attributes. These are not merely passive qualities but active expressions of God's desire for humanity's reconciliation, providing the space and opportunity necessary for sinners to respond.
  • "God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance": This is the core declaration, clarifying the divine intent. It utterly refutes the idea that God's patience is a sign of His indifference or weakness, or tacit approval of sin. Instead, every moment of withheld judgment, every act of goodness experienced by the unrighteous, is a loving, calculated invitation from God to turn from sin and be restored to Him. This highlights the salvific purpose behind God's temporary delay of wrath.

Romans 2 4 Bonus section

The misinterpretation of God's patience as a lack of divine concern or approval is a recurring human fallacy throughout biblical history, evidenced by passages such as Eccl 8:11 ("Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil"). Paul directly addresses this dangerous presumption here. The emphasis on God's attributes ("kindness and forbearance and patience") collectively illustrates His holistic graciousness; it is not just one trait but a combined, rich outflow of His being directed towards offering redemptive opportunity. This verse serves as a crucial theological point countering any idea that divine non-intervention equates to divine passivity or complicity with sin, strongly emphasizing the proactive and purposeful nature of God's grace. It frames every breath, every sunrise, and every unmet judgment as a testimony to God's persistent desire for humanity to turn to Him.

Romans 2 4 Commentary

Romans 2:4 is a critical warning against spiritual presumption. Paul exposes the error of interpreting God's delay in judgment as indifference or approval of sin. Instead, he reveals that God's profound goodness (kindness), His active restraint of deserved wrath (forbearance), and His sustained endurance of human provocation (patience) are all deliberate expressions of His character aimed at salvation. The "riches" of these qualities highlight their boundless abundance, underscoring the incredible grace extended. The ultimate purpose of this divine disposition is singular: to lead individuals to repentance—a fundamental reorientation of life away from sin and toward God. To presume upon these mercies, therefore, is to tragically misunderstand God's heart and, as Paul states in the following verse (Rom 2:5), to harden one's heart, thus storing up wrath for the day of judgment rather than receiving grace. It serves as a strong rebuttal to antinomianism (the idea that grace negates moral law) and emphasizes that true grace transforms, rather than tolerates, sin.

• Example: Imagine a loving parent repeatedly giving a rebellious child opportunities to change their ways, not out of weakness, but out of a deep desire for the child's good. If the child misinterprets this patience as permission to continue misbehaving, they are abusing the parent's goodness, and ultimately harming themselves. God's kindness works similarly; it is a prolonged invitation to a better path, not a condoning of the wrong one.