Romans 2:6 kjv
Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Romans 2:6 nkjv
who "will render to each one according to his deeds":
Romans 2:6 niv
God "will repay each person according to what they have done."
Romans 2:6 esv
He will render to each one according to his works:
Romans 2:6 nlt
He will judge everyone according to what they have done.
Romans 2 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 62:12 | "and that You, O Lord, are merciful; For You give to each one according to his work." | God's justice and recompense |
| Prov 24:12 | If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs hearts consider it? ... He will render to each man according to his work. | God sees all, weighs hearts, judges actions |
| Job 34:11 | For He repays a man for his work, And makes him find a reward according to his way. | God's just repayment for conduct |
| Jer 17:10 | "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings." | God judges heart and actions for just reward |
| Jer 32:19 | "...whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings;" | God sees all actions, recompenses accordingly |
| Matt 16:27 | "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works." | Christ's future judgment based on works |
| Rev 2:23 | "...and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works." | Christ's search of hearts and just recompense |
| Rev 22:12 | "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." | Christ's imminent return and judgment based on works |
| 2 Cor 5:10 | For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. | Accountability at Christ's judgment seat |
| Rom 14:12 | So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. | Personal accountability to God |
| Gal 6:7-9 | Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap... | Principle of sowing and reaping applies to deeds |
| Rom 2:7 | eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; | Connects good deeds to the path to eternal life |
| Rom 2:8 | but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath; | Connects unrighteous deeds to wrath and judgment |
| Tit 3:5 | not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us... | Salvation by grace, not meritorious works |
| Eph 2:8-10 | For by grace you have been saved through faith... not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works... | Good works as fruit/purpose of salvation, not cause |
| James 2:17 | Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. | Works as evidence of genuine faith |
| 1 Pet 1:17 | And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; | God's impartial judgment on works, calls to holiness |
| Rom 3:20 | Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. | Deeds of law do not justify, they expose sin |
| 1 Cor 3:13-15 | each one’s work will become clear... if anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss... | Works of believers evaluated for reward or loss |
| Matt 7:20 | Therefore by their fruits you will know them. | Deeds as revealing true nature |
| Heb 11:6 | But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. | God is a rewarder, implies based on seeking |
Romans 2 verses
Romans 2 6 Meaning
Romans 2:6 declares that God, in His perfect righteousness and impartiality, will justly reward or recompense every individual according to what their deeds, or works, have truly demonstrated. It underscores the divine principle of accountability, where one's actions are not the means of earning salvation, but rather the outward manifestation of one's inner character and true spiritual standing before the Holy God. This verse asserts a universal standard of divine justice, ensuring that no one is unjustly treated, and all receive what is deserved based on their life's conduct.
Romans 2 6 Context
Romans 2:6 stands firmly within Paul's discourse on divine judgment, addressed primarily to those (Jewish or otherwise) who judged others while themselves practicing the same faults or living in hypocrisy. Chapter 2 opens with a direct confrontation of human judgment and partiality, contrasted sharply with God's righteous and impartial judgment. Paul emphasizes that knowledge of God's law or even religious privilege (like circumcision for the Jews) is not sufficient for acquittal; what matters is living out God's truth. Verse 6 specifically establishes the universal principle upon which God's judgment operates: a consistent standard applied to all, where actions serve as the irrefutable evidence of one's true standing. It sets the stage for the following verses that describe different responses to God's truth and their corresponding outcomes, linking present deeds to eternal destinies, whether "eternal life" (Rom 2:7) or "indignation and wrath" (Rom 2:8).
Romans 2 6 Word analysis
- who (ὃς - hos): A relative pronoun, grammatically referring back to "the righteous judgment of God" (Rom 2:5). It connects the principle of recompense directly to the Person and nature of God as the ultimate, righteous Judge. It underscores God's active role in judgment.
- will render (ἀποδώσει - apodōsei): From apodidōmi. This verb means "to give back," "to pay back," "to repay," "to restore." It signifies a transaction of recompense, a payment or restoration of what is due. The future tense emphasizes the certainty and inevitability of this divine reckoning. It suggests an action of divine justice where the consequence precisely matches the deed.
- to each one (ἑκάστῳ - hekastō): "Each" or "every single one." This word highlights the intensely personal and individual nature of God's judgment. There is no group identity or corporate salvation that exempts individuals. It affirms God's impartiality—no favoritism or discrimination based on race, social status, or religious affiliation.
- according to (κατὰ - kata): This preposition indicates a standard, measure, or proportion. It means "in agreement with," "corresponding to," or "in proportion to." It does not mean "on the basis of" in terms of earning merit. Instead, it implies that the judgment will be in conformity with, and reflect the true character revealed by, one's actions. Deeds are the measure or evidence, not the means of attaining righteousness itself.
- his deeds (τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ - ta erga autou): Erga means "works," "actions," "dealings," "conduct." These refer to the totality of a person's life actions—what they say, do, intend, and fail to do. The plural erga emphasizes the consistent pattern of one's behavior, not just isolated acts. These "deeds" are not merely outward performance but manifestations of inner disposition and commitment, whether towards God or self.
Romans 2 6 Bonus section
The concept of "rendering according to deeds" is a cornerstone of biblical theology, affirming God's moral governance of the universe. This principle predates the giving of the Mosaic Law, seen even in early judgments like those of Cain or Sodom and Gomorrah. It underscores the profound responsibility humans have, created in God's image, for their moral choices. It's not a cold, mechanical justice but one that arises from God's perfect righteousness and His deep knowledge of the heart and mind from which deeds flow. The "deeds" mentioned are a holistic summation of a person's life trajectory, serving as indisputable evidence of their fundamental relationship with the Almighty—whether one has responded in faith to His light or hardened their heart in rebellion.
Romans 2 6 Commentary
Romans 2:6 concisely encapsulates the universal and foundational principle of divine justice: God's judgment is perfectly equitable and consistent with human conduct. It is crucial to understand that this verse, in its context within Romans, does not advocate for "salvation by works." Paul emphatically states later in Romans 3 and elsewhere that humanity cannot be justified before God through the "works of the law." Instead, salvation comes solely through grace by faith in Jesus Christ (Eph 2:8-9).
Romans 2:6 serves as a divine plumb line, asserting that while salvation is by grace, God's assessment of every individual, both believers and non-believers, will be based on the deeds done in the body. For the unrighteous, their deeds confirm their rebellion against God's light and truth, meriting divine wrath. For those who profess faith, their deeds reveal the genuineness of their faith (as echoed in James 2), leading to various rewards or recognition in God's eternal kingdom (1 Cor 3:13-15). The "deeds" spoken of here are not acts to earn God's favor but are instead the outward expression of one's inner disposition—whether a heart seeking God's glory through patient good works or a heart living in self-seeking disobedience. It's a foundational truth ensuring that God's character as the just and impartial Judge remains unblemished. For instance, in everyday life, one's persistent acts of generosity or malice reflect the true nature of their heart far more than their stated beliefs alone.