Romans 2:19

Authorized King James Version

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And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

Original Language Analysis

πέποιθάς art confident G3982
πέποιθάς art confident
Strong's: G3982
Word #: 1 of 10
to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence
τε And G5037
τε And
Strong's: G5037
Word #: 2 of 10
both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)
σεαυτὸν that thou thyself G4572
σεαυτὸν that thou thyself
Strong's: G4572
Word #: 3 of 10
of (with, to) thyself
ὁδηγὸν a guide G3595
ὁδηγὸν a guide
Strong's: G3595
Word #: 4 of 10
a conductor (literally or figuratively (teacher))
εἶναι art G1511
εἶναι art
Strong's: G1511
Word #: 5 of 10
to exist
τυφλῶν of the blind G5185
τυφλῶν of the blind
Strong's: G5185
Word #: 6 of 10
opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)
φῶς a light G5457
φῶς a light
Strong's: G5457
Word #: 7 of 10
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
τῶν G3588
τῶν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐν of them which are in G1722
ἐν of them which are in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 9 of 10
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
σκότει darkness G4655
σκότει darkness
Strong's: G4655
Word #: 10 of 10
shadiness, i.e., obscurity (literally or figuratively)

Analysis & Commentary

And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness—πέποιθάς τε σεαυτὸν ὁδηγὸν εἶναι τυφλῶν, φῶς τῶν ἐν σκότει (pepoithas te seauton hodēgon einai typhlōn, phōs tōn en skotei). Πέποιθα (pepoitha, "confident/persuaded") indicates settled conviction. Ὁδηγός (hodēgos, "guide") describes one leading another on a path; τυφλός (typhlos, "blind") was Jewish metaphor for Gentiles in spiritual darkness. Φῶς (phōs, "light") versus σκότος (skotos, "darkness") contrasts Israel's enlightenment with Gentile ignorance.

Jews viewed themselves as divinely appointed missionaries to benighted Gentiles, spreading monotheism and ethical monotheism. Isaiah 42:6-7 and 49:6 spoke of Israel as "light to the Gentiles." Jesus claimed this role (John 8:12, 9:5), ultimately commissioning the church (Matthew 5:14-16, Acts 13:47). Paul acknowledges legitimate Jewish calling but will show (v. 21-24) that blind guides and darkened lights are worse than useless—they blaspheme God's name.

The confidence pepoitha carries tragic irony: settled conviction in superiority while practicing identical sins. Jesus used "blind guides" language in Matthew 15:14 and 23:16, 24, condemning Pharisees who claimed spiritual sight while stumbling in darkness. When the guide is blind, both guide and follower fall into the pit (Luke 6:39).

Historical Context

Second Temple Judaism developed robust missionary impulses, making proselytes (Matthew 23:15) and attracting "God-fearers" (Gentiles who attended synagogues). Jews saw themselves as preserving pure monotheism and ethical standards in a pagan world. This was noble calling, but many corrupted it into ethnic supremacy. Rabbinic literature describes Gentiles as "walking in darkness" and needing Jewish instruction. Paul himself was trained to be such a guide (Acts 22:3, Galatians 1:14) until Christ revealed him as the blind one.

Questions for Reflection