Romans 2:19-21 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 2:17-29

In the latter part of the chapter the apostle directs his discourse more closely to the Jews, and shows what sins they were guilty of, notwithstanding their profession and vain pretensions. He had said (Rom. 2:13) that not the hearers but the doers of the law are justified; and he here applies that great truth to the Jews. Observe, I. He allows their profession (Rom. 2:17-20) and specifies their particular pretensions and privileges in which they prided themselves, that they might see he did... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 2:17-29

2:17-29 If you are called by the name of Jew, if you take your rest in the Law, if you boast in God and know his will, if you give your approval to the excellent things, if you are instructed in the Law, if you believe yourself to be a leader of the blind, a light in darkness, and educator of the foolish, a teacher of the simple, if you believe yourself to have the very shape of knowledge and of truth in the Law--do you, then, who instruct another, not instruct yourself? Do you, who proclaim... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 2:19

And art confident that thou thyself ,.... Being vainly puffed up in, their fleshly minds, they were strongly persuaded that they were very fit persons to be a guide to the blind : all men are by nature blind, as to the knowledge of divine and spiritual things; the meaner sort of the people among the Jews seem to be intended here; or else the ignorant Gentiles, whom the Jews were very fond of making proselytes to their religion and laws; but miserable guides were they, whether to their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 2:20

An instructor of the foolish ,.... All men in a state of unregeneracy are foolish, and need instruction; here the common people among the Jews, who knew not the law, are meant; it was very usual to call anyone of their doctors and masters מורה , "an instructor": it follows, a teacher of babes ; either in age or in understanding; such who taught either of them were called by the Jews מלמדי תינוקות , "teachers of babes". Thus they paraphrase the text in Daniel 12:3 , "they that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 2:21

Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself ?.... Several charges are here brought against the Jews, even against their teachers; for though they are put by way of question, they are to be considered as so many assertions and matters of fact; thus, though they taught others, they did not teach themselves; they were blind leaders of the blind; they were ignorant of the law, of the spirituality of it; they were desirous to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 2:19

And art confident, etc. - In consequence of all these religious advantages, ye believe that ye are able to teach others, and to be guides and lights to the bewildered, darkened Gentiles, who may become proselytes to your religion. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 2:20

An instructer of the foolish, etc. - Ye believe the Gentiles to be babes and fools when compared with yourselves; that ye alone possess the only true knowledge; that ye are the only favourites of Heaven; and that all nations must look up to you as possessing the only form of knowledge, μορφωσιν της γνωσεως , the grand scheme and draught of all true science, of every thing that is worthy to be learned: the system of eternal truth, derived from the law. If, therefore, ye act not as becomes... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 2:21

Thou therefore - Dr. Taylor has paraphrased this and the three following verses thus: "What signify your pretensions to knowledge, and the office of teaching others, if you have no regard to your own doctrine? What are you the better for preaching against theft, if you are a thief yourself? Or for declaring adultery unlawful, if you live in the practice of it? Or for representing idolatry abominable, if you are guilty of sacrilege? What honors or singular favors do you deserve, if, while you... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 2:19

Verse 19 19.And believest thyself, etc. More is still granted to them; as though they had not only what was sufficient for themselves, but also that by which they could enrich others. He grants, indeed, that they had such abundance of learning, as that others might have been supplied. (80) read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 2:20

Verse 20 20.I take what follows,having the form of knowledge, as a reason for the preceding; and it may be thus explained, — “because thou hast the form of knowledge.” For they professed to be the teachers of others, because they seemed to carry in their breasts all the secrets of the law. The word form is put for model (exemplar — pattern); (81) for Paul has adopted μόρφωσιν and not τύπον : but he intended, I think, to point out the conspicuous pomp of their teaching, and what is commonly... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 2:17-29

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 2:17-29

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 2:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 2:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 2:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 2:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 2:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 2:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 2:19

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 2:20

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