Romans 2:4
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Original Language Analysis
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλούτου
the riches
G4149
πλούτου
the riches
Strong's:
G4149
Word #:
3 of 23
wealth (as fulness), i.e., (literally) money, possessions, or (figuratively) abundance, richness, (specially), valuable bestowment
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χρηστότητος
goodness
G5544
χρηστότητος
goodness
Strong's:
G5544
Word #:
5 of 23
usefulness, i.e., morally, excellence (in character or demeanor)
αὐτοῦ
of his
G846
αὐτοῦ
of his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 23
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μακροθυμίας
longsuffering
G3115
μακροθυμίας
longsuffering
Strong's:
G3115
Word #:
12 of 23
longanimity, i.e., (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude
ἀγνοῶν
not knowing
G50
ἀγνοῶν
not knowing
Strong's:
G50
Word #:
14 of 23
not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
15 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χρηστὸν
the goodness
G5543
χρηστὸν
the goodness
Strong's:
G5543
Word #:
17 of 23
employed, i.e., (by implication) useful (in manner or morals)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
19 of 23
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
20 of 23
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.Isaiah 30:18And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.Exodus 34:6And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,Ephesians 2:7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.Ephesians 1:18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,Romans 3:25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;Ephesians 1:7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;Psalms 86:15But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.Romans 11:22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.Psalms 86:5For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
Historical Context
Paul's language echoes Exodus 34:6 where God proclaims Himself "merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness." First-century Jews celebrated God's patience with Israel through centuries of rebellion. However, many interpreted this patience as ethnic favoritism rather than salvific opportunity. Paul redirects: God's forbearance is universal, aimed at producing repentance in all peoples, and presuming on it without moral transformation is contemptuous ingratitude.
Questions for Reflection
- Have I mistaken God's patience with my sin as approval or indifference rather than merciful opportunity to repent?
- What specific sins has God's goodness been patiently tolerating, waiting for me to turn from?
- How does recognizing God's kindness as the motivation for repentance change my view of sanctification?
Analysis & Commentary
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering—three terms for divine patience: χρηστότης (chrēstotēs, "kindness/goodness"), ἀνοχή (anochē, "forbearance/tolerance"), and μακροθυμία (makrothymia, "longsuffering/patience"). Πλοῦτος (ploutos, "riches/abundance") emphasizes the lavish extent of God's mercy—not grudging tolerance but overflowing patience. To καταφρονέω (kataphroneō, "despise/disdain") this is to treat it with contempt.
Not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance—ἀγνοέω (agnoeō, "not knowing/ignorant of") implies willful ignorance. The verb ἄγω (agō, "leads") pictures God's kindness as a gentle guide drawing sinners toward μετάνοια (metanoia, "repentance/change of mind"). This contradicts the assumption that judgment primarily motivates repentance; rather, mercy kindles it (cf. Hosea 6:6, Matthew 9:13).
Paul inverts the Jewish presumption: instead of God's patience toward Israel proving their favored status, it demonstrates His desire for their repentance. Postponed judgment is mercy creating space for transformation (2 Peter 3:9), not confirmation of righteousness. Presuming on grace without repenting "despises" it, turning blessing into greater condemnation.