Romans 2:17

Pride The law

¹⁵ So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them

¹⁶ on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.

Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;

¹⁸ if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;

¹⁹ if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness,

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;
KJV: Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
WEB: Indeed you bear the name of a Jew, rest on the law, glory in God,
ASV: But if thou bearest the name of a Jew, and restest upon the law, and gloriest in God,
DARBY: But if *thou* art named a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast in God,
BLB: But if you are named a Jew and rest upon the law and boast in God,

ÅB: Men om du kalles jøde og setter din lit til loven og roser deg av Gud
OTB: Nå, hvis du identifiserer deg som en jøde og stoler på Loven og er stolt av Gud,
B1930: Men om du kalles jøde og setter din lit til loven og roser dig av Gud

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Romans 2:23
You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
Read in context
Micah 3:11
Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”
Read in context
Isaiah 48:1–2
“Listen to this, O house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, who have descended from the line of Judah, who swear by the name of the LORD, who invoke the God of Israel— but not in truth or righteousness—
Read in context
Revelation 2:9
I know your affliction and your poverty—though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan.
Read in context
Romans 9:4–7
the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.
Read in context
Matthew 3:9
And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
Read in context
John 5:45
Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, in whom you have put your hope.
Read in context
Romans 2:28–29
A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical.
Read in context