Romans 2:9
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
στενοχωρία
anguish
G4730
στενοχωρία
anguish
Strong's:
G4730
Word #:
3 of 16
narrowness of room, i.e., (figuratively) calamity
ἐπὶ
upon
G1909
ἐπὶ
upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
ψυχὴν
soul
G5590
ψυχὴν
soul
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
6 of 16
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατεργαζομένου
that doeth
G2716
κατεργαζομένου
that doeth
Strong's:
G2716
Word #:
9 of 16
to work fully, i.e., accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κακόν
evil
G2556
κακόν
evil
Strong's:
G2556
Word #:
11 of 16
worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas g4190 properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious
Cross References
1 Peter 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?Ezekiel 18:4Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.Acts 3:26Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.Romans 1:16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.Romans 2:10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:Luke 24:47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.2 Thessalonians 1:6Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
Historical Context
"To the Jew first" reflected salvation history: God chose Abraham, gave Torah to Moses, sent prophets to Israel, and brought the Messiah through Jewish lineage. Jews naturally interpreted this priority as favoritism guaranteeing salvation. Paul reframes it: priority in revelation means priority in judgment for those who reject it. This echoes Jesus's pronouncement against Chorazin and Bethsaida (Matthew 11:20-24)—cities that witnessed His miracles faced worse judgment than pagan Sodom.
Questions for Reflection
- How does my spiritual privilege—Christian upbringing, biblical teaching, worship opportunities—increase rather than decrease my accountability?
- What 'evil' do I habitually practice while presuming God's patience means approval?
- If judgment falls 'first' on those with greatest light, how should this motivate my faithfulness?
Analysis & Commentary
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil—θλῖψις (thlipsis, "tribulation/pressure") and στενοχωρία (stenochōria, "anguish/distress") are visceral terms for suffering. Ψυχή (psychē, "soul") emphasizes the personal, conscious experience of judgment—not annihilation but conscious torment. The present participle κατεργαζομένου τὸ κακόν (katergazomenou to kakon, "working/practicing evil") indicates habitual, unrepented sin.
Of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile—Paul's phrase Ἰουδαίου τε πρῶτον καὶ Ἕλληνος (Ioudaiou te prōton kai Hellēnos) appears throughout Romans (1:16, 2:10). Πρῶτον (prōton, "first") carries chronological and covenantal priority: Jews received revelation first (Romans 3:1-2), thus face judgment first. Greater privilege brings greater accountability (Luke 12:48, Amos 3:2). Ἕλλην (Hellēn, "Greek") stands for all Gentiles.
This verse devastates Jewish presumption: far from escaping judgment, Jews face it first. The universality of judgment—"every soul"—demolishes any claim to exemption. Jesus taught identically in Luke 12:47-48: the servant who knew his master's will but didn't do it receives greater punishment. Covenant knowledge intensifies, not diminishes, moral responsibility.