Romans 2:1
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κρίνων
thou art that judgest
G2919
κρίνων
thou art that judgest
Strong's:
G2919
Word #:
8 of 22
by implication, to try, condemn, punish
ᾧ
G3739
ᾧ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
10 of 22
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
κρίνων
thou art that judgest
G2919
κρίνων
thou art that judgest
Strong's:
G2919
Word #:
12 of 22
by implication, to try, condemn, punish
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
αὐτὰ
the same things
G846
αὐτὰ
the same things
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πράσσεις
doest
G4238
πράσσεις
doest
Strong's:
G4238
Word #:
20 of 22
to "practise", i.e., perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from g4160, which properly refers to a single act); by implication, to execute,
Cross References
Romans 2:3And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?Luke 6:37Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:Romans 9:20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?Luke 19:22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:James 2:20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?James 4:11Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.1 Corinthians 7:16For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
Historical Context
Paul wrote Romans circa AD 57 from Corinth to a mixed congregation of Jewish and Gentile Christians. Chapter 2 addresses Jewish Christians who retained cultural superiority over Gentile converts, believing circumcision and Torah knowledge guaranteed salvation. This was the central controversy Paul fought in Galatians and at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). First-century Judaism emphasized God's faithfulness to Abraham's seed, often sliding into ethnic nationalism that Jesus and Paul both confronted.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas might I condemn others for sins I rationalize in myself?
- How does this verse challenge Christian tribalism or denomination-based superiority?
- What 'therefore' connects my privileges (religious upbringing, biblical knowledge) to greater accountability before God?
Analysis & Commentary
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest—Paul's διό (dio, "therefore") pivots from condemning pagan idolatry (1:18-32) to confronting the Jewish moralist who nodded in agreement but practices the same sins. The Greek ἀναπολόγητος (anapologētos, "without excuse/defense") echoes 1:20's indictment of Gentiles, now applied to the self-righteous. For wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself—the verb κατακρίνω (katakrinō) means to pronounce guilty; hypocritical judgment boomerangs into self-condemnation.
Paul exposes the fatal flaw of Jewish presumption: assuming covenant status exempts one from moral accountability. Jesus made identical arguments in Matthew 7:1-5 and John 8:7. The ὁ κρίνων (ho krinōn, "the one judging") assumes a judicial seat reserved for God alone (James 4:12). This verse demolishes ethnic or religious privilege as grounds for escaping divine judgment.
The τὰ αὐτὰ πράσσεις (ta auta prasseis, "you practice the same things") reveals that sin is universal, transcending ethnic boundaries. Paul will develop this theme through 3:23: "all have sinned." The verse establishes that knowledge of God's law intensifies—not diminishes—culpability.