Romans 2 · Verse 6

Romans 2:6

Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Romans 2:6, King James Version

Romans 2:6 in other translations

BSBGod “will repay each one according to his deeds.”
WEBwho “will pay back to everyone according to their works:”
ASVwho will render to every man according to his works:
YLTwho shall render to each according to his works;
DARBYwho shall render to each according to his works:
BBEWho will give to every man his right reward:
WebsterWho will render to every man according to his deeds:

What does Romans 2:6 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verse 6. Who will render. That is, who will make retribution as a righteous Judge; or who will give to every man as he deserves.

To every man. To each one. This is a general principle, and it is clear that in this respect God would deal with the Jew as he does with the Gentile. This general principle the apostle is establishing, that he may bring it to bear on the Jew, and to show that he cannot escape simply because he is a Jew.

According to his deeds. That is, as he deserves; or God will be just, and will treat every man as he ought to be treated, or according to his character. The word deeds (εργα) is sometimes applied to the external conduct. But it is plain that this is not its meaning here. It denotes everything connected with conduct, including the acts of the mind, the motives, the principles, as well as the mere external act. Our word character more aptly expresses it than any single word. It is not true that God will treat men according to their external conduct; but the whole language of the Bible implies that he will judge men according to the whole of their conduct, including their thoughts, and principles, and motives; that is, as they deserve. The doctrine of this place is elsewhere abundantly taught in the Bible. Prov 24:12, Mt 16:27, Rev 20:12, Jer 32:19. It is to be observed here, that the apostle does not say that men will be rewarded for their deeds, (comp. Lk 17:10,) but according to (κατα) their deeds. Christians will be saved on account of the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, (Tit 3:5) but still the rewards of heaven will be according to their works; that is, they who have laboured most, and been most faithful, shall receive the highest reward, or their fidelity in their Master's service shall be the measure or rule according to which the rewards of heaven shall be distributed, Mt 25:14-29. Thus the ground or reason why they are saved shall be the merits of the Lord Jesus. The measure of their happiness shall be according to their character and deeds. On what principle God will distribute his rewards the apostle proceeds immediately to state.

(q) "Who will render" Prov 24:12, Mt 16:27, Rev 20:12

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 6 Who will render - Who, in the day of judgment, will reward and punish every man according as his life and conversation have been.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · 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 2:6 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.

ὃςhoswhoG3739
ἀποδώσειapodōseiwill giveG591
ἑκάστῳhekastōto eachG1538
κατὰkataaccording toG2596
τὰtatheG3588
ἔργαergaworksG2041
αὐτοῦ,autouof him,G846

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

Cross references for Romans 2:6

  • Psalms 62:12

    Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

  • Jeremiah 32:19

    Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

  • Matthew 16:27

    For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:10

    For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

  • Jeremiah 17:10

    I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

  • Revelation 20:12

    And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

  • Revelation 22:12

    And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

  • Job 34:11

    For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:8

    Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

  • Isaiah 3:10-11

    Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

  • Galatians 6:7-8

    Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

  • Ezekiel 18:30

    Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
14:22; Job 34:11; Ps 62:12; Pr 24:2; Isa 3:10,11; Jer 17:10; 32:19
Eze 18:30; Mt 16:27; 25:34-46; 1Co 3:8; 4:5; 2Co 5:10; Ga 6:7,8
Re 2:23; 20:12; 22:12

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

Context

  • Romans 2:5

    But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

  • Romans 2:6

    Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

  • Romans 2:7

    To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

Read all of Romans 2

Romans 2:6 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El cual pagará á cada uno conforme á sus obras:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		qui rendra à chacun selon ses œuvres:
German
Elberfelder 1871		welcher einem jeden vergelten wird nach seinen Werken:
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		qui reddet unicuique secundum opera ejus: