Romans 2:8
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Romans 2:8 in other translations
| BSB | But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. |
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| WEB | but to those who are self-seeking and don’t obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath, indignation, |
| ASV | but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation, |
| YLT | and to those contentious, and disobedient, indeed, to the truth, and obeying the unrighteousness--indignation and wrath, |
| DARBY | But to those that are contentious, and are disobedient to the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there shall be wrath and indignation, |
| BBE | But to those who, from a love of competition, are not guided by what is true, will come the heat of his wrath, |
| Webster | But to them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness; indignation and wrath: |
What does Romans 2:8 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 2:7-10
7-10. To them who, &c.--The substance of these verses is that the final judgment will turn upon character alone. by patient continuance in well-doing, &c.--Compare Lu 8:15: "That on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience"; denoting the enduring and progressive character of the new life.
Barnes' Notes
Do not obey the truth. Comp. Rom 1:18. The truth here denotes the Divine will, which is alone the light of truth. Calvin. It means true doctrine in opposition to false opinions; and to refuse to obey it is to regard it as false, and to resist its influence. The truth here means all the correct representations which had been made of God, and his perfections, and law, and claims, whether by the light of nature or by revelation. The description thus included Gentiles and Jews; but particularly the latter, as they had been more signally favoured with the light of truth. It had been an eminent characteristic of the Jews that they had refused to obey the commands of the true God, Josh 5:6, Jud 2:2, 6:10, 2Kgs 18:12, Jer 3:13,25, 42:21, 43:4,7, 9:13
But obey unrighteousness. The expression means that they yielded themselves to iniquity, and thus became the servants of sin, Rom 6:13,16,17,19. Iniquity thus may be said to reign over men, as they follow the dictates of evil, make no resistance to it, and implicitly obey all its hard requirements.
Indignation and wrath. That is, these shall be rendered to those who are contentious, etc. The difference between indignation and wrath, says Ammonius, is that the former is of short duration, but the latter is a long-continued remembrance of evil. The one is temporary, the other denotes continued expressions of hatred of evil. Eustathius says, that the word indignation denotes the internal emotion, but wrath the external manifestation of indignation. Tholuck. Both words refer to the opposition which God will cherish and express against sin in the world of punishment.
(r) "that are contentious" 1Timm 6:3,4 (s) "and do not obey" 2Thes 1:8
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
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…
Romans 2:8 in the original Greek
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Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Romans 2:8
- 1 Timothy 6:3-4
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
- 2 Thessalonians 1:8
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
- John 3:18-21
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
- 1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
- Proverbs 13:10
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
- Revelation 16:19
And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
- Romans 1:18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
- Hebrews 10:27
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
- Romans 10:16
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
- Job 24:13
They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.
- Nahum 1:6
Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Pr 13:10; 1Co 11:16; 1Ti 6:3,4; Tit 3:9
and do not.
1:18; 6:17; 10:16; 15:18; Job 24:13; Isa 50:10; 2Th 1:8; Heb 5:9; 11:8
1Pe 3:1; 4:17
but obey.
Joh 3:18-21; 2Th 2:10-12; Heb 3:12,13
indignation.
9:22; Ps 90:11; Na 1:6; Heb 10:27; Re 14:10; 16:19
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Romans 2:7
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
- Romans 2:8
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
- Romans 2:9
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Romans 2:8 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Mas á los que son contenciosos, y no obedecen á la verdad, antes obedecen á la injusticia, enojo é ira; |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | mais à ceux qui sont disputeurs et qui désobéissent à la vérité, et obéissent à l’iniquité, – la colère et l’indignation; |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | denen aber, die streitsüchtig und der Wahrheit ungehorsam sind, der Ungerechtigkeit aber gehorsam, Zorn und Grimm. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | iis autem qui sunt ex contentione, et qui non acquiescunt veritati, credunt autem iniquitati, ira et indignatio. |