So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
Parallel translations
- 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?
- KJV 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?
- NKJV And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
- NASB But do you suppose this, you foolish person who passes judgment on those who practice such things, and yet does them as well, that you will escape the judgment of God?
- NLT Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Do those who judge others while doing the same things imagine they will escape God's judgment? Hypocrisy provides no immunity.
Overview
Paul presses the moralist with a pointed question: condemning others while practicing the same sins will not exempt anyone from God's judgment. The assumption that one's moral discernment or religious identity grants special protection is exposed as false. God's impartial justice reaches even the respectable hypocrite.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Prov 16:5Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
- Luke 12:14But Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed Me judge or executor between you?”
- Rom 1:32Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.
- Matt 23:33You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?
- Prov 11:21Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
- Luke 22:58A short time later, someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.”
- Job 35:2“Do you think this is just? You say, ‘I am more righteous than God.’
- 1 Th 5:3While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
- Matt 26:53Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
- 2 Sam 10:3the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Has not David instead sent his servants to explore the city, spy it out, and overthrow it?”
- Dan 10:19“Do not be afraid, you who are highly precious,” he said. “Peace be with you! Be strong now; be very strong!” As he spoke with me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”
- Ezek 17:15But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’
- Ps 50:21You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face.
- Ps 56:7In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.
- Heb 12:25See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven?
- Heb 2:3how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
- Luke 22:60“Man, I do not know what you are talking about,” Peter replied. While he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
- Ezek 17:18He despised the oath by breaking the covenant. Seeing that he gave his hand in pledge yet did all these things, he will not escape!’
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 2:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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