Romans 2 · Verse 3

Romans 2:3

And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

Romans 2:3, King James Version

Romans 2:3 in other translations

BSB	So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
WEB	Do you think this, O man who judges those who practice such things, and do the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
ASV	And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest them that practise such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
YLT	And dost thou think this, O man, who art judging those who such things are practising, and art doing them, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
DARBY	And thinkest thou this, O man, who judgest those that do such things, and practisest them thyself, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
BBE	But you who are judging another for doing what you do yourself, are you hoping that God's decision will not take effect against you?
Webster	And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them who do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

What does Romans 2:3 mean?

Barnes' Notes

Verse 3. And thinkest thou, etc. This is an appeal to their common sense, to their deep and instinctive conviction of what was right. If they condemned those who practised these things; if, imperfect and obscure as their sense of justice was; if, unholy as they were, they yet condemned those who were guilty of these offences, would not a holy and just God be far more likely to pronounce judgment? And could they escape who had themselves delivered a similar sentence? God is of "purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look upon iniquity," Hab 1:13. And if men condemned their fellowmen, how much more would a pure and holy God condemn iniquity. This appeal is evidently directed against the Jew. It was doubtless a prevalent sentiment among them, that provided they adhered to the rites of their religion, and observed the ceremonial law, God would not judge them with the same severity as he would the abandoned and idolatrous Gentiles. Comp. Mt 3:9, Jn 8:33. The apostle shows them that crime is crime, wherever committed; that sin does not lose its essential character by being committed in the midst of religious privileges; and that those who professed to be the people of God have no peculiar license to sin. Antinomians in all ages, like the Jews, have supposed that they, being the friends of God, have a right to do many things which would not be proper in others; that what would be sin in others, they may commit with impunity; and that God will not be strict to mark the offences of his people. Against all this Paul is directly opposed, and the Bible uniformly teaches that the most aggravated sins among men are those committed by the professed people of God. Comp. Isa 1:11-17, 65:2-6, Rev 3:10.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 2:1-16

The Jews thought themselves a holy people, entitled to their privileges by right, while they were unthankful, rebellious, and unrighteous. But all who act thus, of every nation, age, and description, must be reminded that the judgment of God will be according to their real character. The case is so plain, that we may appeal to the sinner's own thoughts. In every wilful sin, there is contempt of the goodness of God…

Read the full comment on Romans 2:1-16 →

Romans 2:3 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.

λογίζῃlogizēSuppose youG3049

δὲdenowG1161

τοῦτο,toutothis,G3778

ὦōOG5599

ἄνθρωπεanthrōpemanG444

ὁhoyou who [are]G3588

κρίνωνkrinōnjudgingG2919

τοὺςtousthoseG3588

τὰta<the>G3588

τοιαῦταtoiautasuch thingsG5108

πράσσονταςprassontaspracticingG4238

καὶkaiandG2532

ποιῶνpoiōndoingG4160

αὐτά,autathem [yourself],G846

ὅτιhotithatG3754

σὺsuyou yourselfG4771

ἐκφεύξῃekpheuxēwill escapeG1628

τὸtotheG3588

κρίμαkrimajudgmentG2917

τοῦtou<the>G3588

θεοῦ;theouof God?G2316

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

Cross references for Romans 2:3

Proverbs 16:5
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Luke 12:14
And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
Romans 1:32-2:1
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 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.
Matthew 23:33
Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
Matthew 26:53
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Ezekiel 17:15
But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?
Psalms 50:21
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
Luke 22:58
And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
Daniel 10:19
And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
2 Samuel 10:3
And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
Job 35:2
Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God’s?
Proverbs 11:21
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

thinkest.
2Sa 10:3; Job 35:2; Ps 50:21; Mt 26:53
O man.
1; Da 10:19; Lu 12:14; 22:58,60
that thou shalt.
1:32; Ps 56:7; Pr 11:21; 16:5; Eze 17:15,18; Mt 23:33; 1Th 5:3
Heb 2:3; 12:25

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

Context

Romans 2:2
But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
Romans 2:3
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Romans 2:4
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Read all of Romans 2

Romans 2:3 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	¿Y piensas esto, oh hombre, que juzgas á los que hacen tales cosas, y haces las mismas, que tú escaparás del juicio de Dios?
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et penses-tu, ô homme qui juges ceux qui commettent de telles choses et qui les pratiques, que tu échapperas au jugement de Dieu?
German Elberfelder 1871	Denkst du aber dies, o Mensch, der du die richtest, die solches tun, und verübst dasselbe, daß du dem Gericht Gottes entfliehen werdest?
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Existimas autem hoc, o homo, qui judicas eos qui talia agunt, et facis ea, quia tu effugies judicium Dei?