But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Parallel translations
- WEB but to those who are self-seeking, and don’t obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath and indignation,
- BSB But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger.
- NKJV but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath,
- NASB but to those who are self-serving and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, He will give wrath and indignation.
- NLT But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.
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
But to the self-seeking who reject the truth and obey unrighteousness come wrath and indignation. Those who refuse God's truth face His just anger.
Overview
The contrasting category receives wrath and fury. Paul characterizes them by self-seeking, disobedience to the truth, and obedience to unrighteousness — a settled orientation away from God. Their condemnation is just because it answers their persistent rebellion. This balances v.7, showing the two destinies that judgment according to works reveals.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 24
- 1 Tim 6:3–4If 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;
- 2 Th 1:8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
- John 3:18–21He 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.
- 1 Pet 4:17For 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?
- 2 Th 2:10–12And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
- Rev 16:19And 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.
- Prov 13:10Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
- Rom 1:18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
- Heb 3:12–13Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
- Heb 5:9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
- Job 24:13They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.
- Heb 11:8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
- Heb 10:27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
- 1 Cor 11:16But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
- Ps 90:11Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.
- Titus 3:9But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
- Isa 50:10Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.
- Rom 15:18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
- Rev 14:10The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
- Rom 9:22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
- Rom 10:16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
- Rom 6:17But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
- Nah 1:6Who 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.
- 1 Pet 3:1Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
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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 2:8 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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