Romans 2:16

Authorized King James Version

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In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Original Language Analysis

ἐν In G1722
ἐν In
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 1 of 17
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
ἡμέρᾳ the day G2250
ἡμέρᾳ the day
Strong's: G2250
Word #: 2 of 17
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ὅτε when G3753
ὅτε when
Strong's: G3753
Word #: 3 of 17
at which (thing) too, i.e., when
κρίνει shall judge G2919
κρίνει shall judge
Strong's: G2919
Word #: 4 of 17
by implication, to try, condemn, punish
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς God G2316
θεὸς God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 6 of 17
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τὰ G3588
τὰ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κρυπτὰ the secrets G2927
κρυπτὰ the secrets
Strong's: G2927
Word #: 8 of 17
concealed, i.e., private
τῶν G3588
τῶν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀνθρώπων of men G444
ἀνθρώπων of men
Strong's: G444
Word #: 10 of 17
man-faced, i.e., a human being
κατὰ according G2596
κατὰ according
Strong's: G2596
Word #: 11 of 17
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εὐαγγέλιόν gospel G2098
εὐαγγέλιόν gospel
Strong's: G2098
Word #: 13 of 17
a good message, i.e., the gospel
μου to my G3450
μου to my
Strong's: G3450
Word #: 14 of 17
of me
διὰ by G1223
διὰ by
Strong's: G1223
Word #: 15 of 17
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
Ἰησοῦ Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦ Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 16 of 17
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Χριστοῦ Christ G5547
Χριστοῦ Christ
Strong's: G5547
Word #: 17 of 17
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

Cross References

Ecclesiastes 12:14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.Acts 17:31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.Acts 10:42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.Luke 8:17For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.Psalms 98:9Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.Romans 3:6God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?1 Peter 4:5Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.2 Peter 2:9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:Romans 16:25Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Analysis & Commentary

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel—ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ὅτε κρίνει ὁ θεὸς τὰ κρυπτὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιόν μου (en hēmera hote krinei ho theos ta krypta tōn anthrōpōn dia Iēsou Christou kata to euangelion mou). Τὰ κρυπτά (ta krypta, "the hidden things/secrets") indicates God's judgment penetrates beyond actions to motives, thoughts, and secret sins (Ecclesiastes 12:14, 1 Corinthians 4:5).

By Jesus Christ—διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (dia Iēsou Christou) identifies Christ as judge. John 5:22, 27 and Acts 17:31 confirm God appointed the Son as eschatological judge. The Judge is the crucified Savior, making judgment both terrifying (He knows all) and merciful (He bore the wrath we deserved). According to my gospel—κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιόν μου links judgment to Paul's message. The gospel includes both salvation and judgment, grace and wrath, justification and condemnation.

This verse concludes verses 12-15's argument: all face judgment (Gentiles by natural law, Jews by Torah), and that judgment occurs at Christ's tribunal, exposing every secret. The phrase "secrets of men" demolishes religious hypocrisy—God judges hearts, not reputations. Nothing is hidden from Him (Hebrews 4:13); all will be revealed (Luke 12:2-3). Only those clothed in Christ's righteousness escape condemnation (Romans 8:1).

Historical Context

Jewish eschatology expected a final judgment day (Yom YHWH), often focusing on Gentile nations. Paul Christianizes this: Jesus Christ is judge, and judgment evaluates response to the gospel. The 'day' references Daniel 7:13-14's vision of the Son of Man receiving dominion and judgment. Early Christians intensely anticipated Christ's return as judge (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). Paul here integrates this eschatological judgment into his argument about universal human accountability.

Questions for Reflection