Romans 10 · Verse 2

Romans 10:2

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Romans 10:2, King James Version

Romans 10:2 in other translations

BSBFor I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge.
WEBFor I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
ASVFor I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
YLTfor I bear them testimony that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge,
DARBYFor I bear them witness that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
BBEFor I give witness of them that they have a strong desire for God, but not with knowledge.
WebsterFor I bear them testimony that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

What does Romans 10:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. For I bear them record--or, "witness," as he well could from his own sad experience. that they have a zeal of--"for" God, but not according to knowledge--(Compare Ac 22:3; 26:9-11; Ga 1:13, 14). He alludes to this well-meaning of his people, notwithstanding their spiritual blindness, not certainly to excuse their rejection of Christ and rage against His saints, but as some ground of hope regarding them. (See 1Ti 1:13).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 2. For I bear them record. To bear record, means to be a witness; to give evidence. This, Paul was well qualified to do. He had been a Jew of the strictest order, (Acts 26:6; Php 3:5,) and he well knew the extraordinary exertions which they put forth to obey the commands of the law.

A zeal of God. A zeal for God, Thus, Jn 2:17, "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up;" An earnest desire for the honour of the sanctuary has wholly absorbed my attention. Comp. Ps 69:9 Acts 21:20, "Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe, and they are all zealous of the law;" Acts 22:3, "And was zealous toward God as ye all are this day." Zeal for God here means passionate ardour in the things pertaining to God, or in the things of religion. In this they were doubtless, many of them, sincere; but sincerity does not of itself constitute true piety. Jn 16:2, The time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he, doeth God service." This would be an instance of extraordinary zeal, and in this they would be sincere; but persecution to death of apostles cannot be true religion. See also Mt 23:15; Acts 26:9, "I thought that I ought to do," etc. So many persons suppose that, provided they are sincere and zealous, they must of course be accepted of God. But the zeal which is acceptable is that which aims at the glory of God, and which is founded on true benevolence to the universe; and which does not aim primarily to establish a system of self-righteousness, as did the Jew, or to build up our own sect, as many others do. We may remark here, that Paul was not insensible to what the Jews did, and was not unwilling to give them credit for it. A minister of the gospel should not be blind to the amiable qualities of men, or to their zeal; and should be willing to speak of it tenderly, even when he is proclaiming the doctrine of depravity, or denouncing the just judgments of God.

Not according to knowledge. Not an enlightened, discerning, and intelligent zeal. Not that which was founded on correct views of God and of religious truth. Such zeal is enthusiasm, and often becomes persecuting. Knowledge without zeal becomes cold, abstract, calculating, formal; and may be possessed by devils as well as men. It is the union of the two --the action of the man called forth to intense effort by just views of truth, and by rightfeeling--that constitutes true religion. This was the zeal of the Saviour and of the apostles.

(i) "zeal" Acts 21:20

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 They have a zeal of God - They believe their law to have come immediately from God himself, and are jealous of its glory and excellence; they conscientiously observe its rites and ceremonies, but they do not consider the object and end of those rites; they sin more through ignorance than malice; and this pleads in their excuse. By this fine apology for them, the apostle prepares them for the harsher truths which he was about to deliver.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 10:1-4

The Jews built on a false foundation, and refused to come to Christ for free salvation by faith, and numbers in every age do the same in various ways. The strictness of the law showed men their need of salvation by grace, through faith. And the ceremonies shadowed forth Christ as fulfilling the righteousness, and bearing the curse of the law. So that even under the law, all who were justified before God, obtained…

Read the full comment on Romans 10:1-4 →

Romans 10:2 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

μαρτυρῶmarturōI bear witnessG3140
γὰρgarforG1063
αὐτοῖςautoisabout themG846
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ζῆλονzēlonzealG2205
θεοῦtheoufor GodG2316
ἔχουσινechousinthey haveG2192
ἀλλ᾽all᾽butG235
οὐounotG3756
κατ᾽kat᾽according toG2596
ἐπίγνωσιν.epignōsinknowledge.G1922

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 10:2

  • Acts 21:20

    And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

  • Romans 9:31-32

    But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

  • Proverbs 19:2

    Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

  • Philippians 1:9

    And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

  • Philippians 3:6

    Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

  • Romans 10:3

    For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

  • Galatians 1:14

    And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:4

    In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

  • 2 Kings 10:16

    And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord. So they made him ride in his chariot.

  • Psalms 14:4

    Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.

  • Acts 26:9-10

    I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:6

    For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
I bear them.By this fine apology for the Jews, the Apostle prepares them for the harsher truths which he was about to deliver.
2Co 8:3; Ga 4:15; Col 4:13
that they.
2Ki 10:16; Joh 16:2; Ac 21:20,28; 22:3,22; 26:9,10; Ga 1:14; 4:17,18
Php 3:6
but not.
3; 9:31,32; Ps 14:4; Pr 19:2; Isa 27:1; 2Co 4:4,6; Php 1:9

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Romans 10:1

    Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

  • Romans 10:2

    For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

  • Romans 10:3

    For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Read all of Romans 10

Romans 10:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque yo les doy testimonio que tienen celo de Dios, mas no conforme á ciencia.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car je leur rends témoignage qu’ils ont du zèle pour Dieu, mais non selon la connaissance.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn ich gebe ihnen Zeugnis, daß sie Eifer für Gott haben, aber nicht nach Erkenntnis.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Testimonium enim perhibeo illis quod æmulationem Dei habent, sed non secundum scientiam.