We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "according to truth" here doesn't just mean God's judgment is accurate; it emphasizes that God judges based on the reality of a person's heart and actions, not just outward appearances or human opinion. This directly challenges the mindset of those (especially Jews at the time) who thought their religious identity or outward actions would shield them, because God sees beyond the facade to the true condition.
We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing those who judge others for their sins, particularly the Jews who prided themselves on their law and traditions. He's arguing that if you condemn others for certain actions, yet commit them yourself, you can't escape God's judgment, which is based on reality, not outward appearances or religious privilege. This leads into the idea that God's judgment is impartial and will rightly fall on anyone practicing such things, regardless of who they are.
Paul doesn't shy away from bold statements. He starts this section by declaring something he knows to be absolutely true. What is it that we can be 'sure' of regarding God's actions?
Paul begins Romans 2 by directly addressing anyone who judges others. He asserts with firm conviction, 'We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.'
An Undeniable Truth
This isn't a suggestion or a possibility; it's a certainty Paul wants to establish. He uses the phrase 'We know' to indicate a truth that should be common knowledge, a foundational principle of understanding God. It's the kind of truth that stands firm regardless of who is doing the judging or who is being judged.
Judgment Without Favoritism
The core of this certainty is that God's judgment is right. It's not arbitrary or based on human whim. It's a judgment that aligns perfectly with reality and truth, falling precisely where it should—on those who actively engage in wrongdoing.
When God judges, what's the standard? Is it about who you are, what you know, or what you do? Paul clarifies the basis of God's assessment.
The verse specifies that God's judgment is 'according to truth.' This is a crucial point, especially in the context of Paul writing to Jews who had a strong sense of their own religious privilege.
Reality Over Appearance
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'According to truth' means God judges based on the actual reality of a person's actions and heart, not their outward appearance, social standing, or religious affiliation. It's a judgment based on what is real, not what merely seems to be.
The Jew and the Gentile
Paul is implicitly challenging the idea that being a Jew, with the Law and covenant promises, automatically exempts someone from God's judgment. The judgment isn't based on heritage or outward markers of righteousness, but on the genuine state of one's heart and deeds. If someone condemns others for certain actions while committing those same actions themselves, they cannot escape God's true, reality-based judgment.
Understand the original words
krima · Greek Noun
The standard by which God evaluates human conduct, actions, and hearts; it is inherently truthful, impartial, and aligned with His holy character. Divine judgment is unavoidable for all who transgress His moral law.
Paul wrote this letter while facing or anticipating imprisonment. He is addressing people who may be judging others harshly, especially Jews who might feel superior to Gentiles. The historical context of exile and judgment under empires like Babylon and Rome would have resonated deeply, reminding them that God's judgment is impartial and based on truth, not on privilege or outward appearance.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Captivity of Northern Israel
The powerful Neo-Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its citizens. This event served as a stark warning to the southern Kingdom of Judah about the consequences of national disobedience.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
The Neo-Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar II, began deporting Judeans, including members of the royal family and educated elite, to Babylon. This marked the start of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II conducted another major deportation of Judeans to Babylon after a rebellion. This event included the deportation of the prophet Ezekiel.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroyed Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, culminating the Babylonian exile. The remaining population was largely exiled to Babylon, leaving a devastated land.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquered the Neo-Babylonian Empire, leading to the eventual decree allowing Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild their Temple.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
The earthly ministry, sacrificial death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the central events of Christian faith, occurred during the Roman occupation of Judea.
c. AD 57-59— this verse
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
The Apostle Paul likely wrote the Epistle to the Romans from Corinth or Caesarea during a period of imprisonment, addressing foundational theological issues to the church in Rome.
This passage echoes the idea that God's judgment is thorough, stating, 'I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.' This highlights that God's judgment is based on reality, not just outward actions.
Psalm 96:13This verse emphasizes God's impartiality in judgment, proclaiming, 'he will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.' It underscores that God's judgment is righteous and truthful, not swayed by status or appearance.
1 Samuel 16:7When Samuel looked at David's brothers, the LORD said, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature... for the LORD sees not as man sees. For man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.' This directly supports the idea that God's judgment is 'according to truth,' meaning it's based on inner reality, not outward show.
Romans 3:5-6Paul directly addresses the question of God's justice in judging the world, asking, 'But if our unrighteousness serves to highlight God’s righteousness, what shall we say? That God is unjust when he takes vengeance?' He then answers, 'By no means! For otherwise how would God judge the world?' This confirms that God's judgment must be righteous and truthful.
Matthew 7:2Jesus' teaching, 'For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you,' directly connects to the theme. If we judge others, we must also face God's judgment, and it will be 'according to truth,' meaning our own hypocrisy will be exposed.
meyerRomans 2:2: "But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things."
Romans 2:2 . Οἴδαμεν ] Paul means to pronounce it as in his own view and that of his readers an undoubted truth (comp Romans 3:19 ), that the judicial decision which God will one day pronounce, etc. The δέ carries on the discourse, and the entire sentence forms the propositio major to what is now ( Romans 2:3 ) to be proved, namely, that the person judging (the Jew), who yet makes…
clarkeRomans 2:2: "But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things."
We are sure that the judgment of God, etc. - God is impartial, and will punish sin wheresoever he finds it. Transgression in a Jew is not less criminal than iniquity in a Gentile.
The phrase "according to truth" here doesn't just mean God's judgment is accurate; it emphasizes that God judges based on the reality of a person's heart and actions, not just outward appearances or human opinion. This directly challenges the mindset of those (especially Jews at the time) who thought their religious identity or outward actions would shield them, because God sees beyond the facade to the true condition.
Paul is addressing those who judge others for their sins, particularly the Jews who prided themselves on their law and traditions. He's arguing that if you condemn others for certain actions, yet commit them yourself, you can't escape God's judgment, which is based on reality, not outward appearances or religious privilege. This leads into the idea that God's judgment is impartial and will rightly fall on anyone practicing such things, regardless of who they are.
Paul is addressing those who judge others for their sins, particularly the Jews who prided themselves on their law and traditions. He's arguing that if you condemn others for certain actions, yet commit them yourself, you can't escape God's judgment, which is based on reality, not outward appearances or religious privilege. This leads into the idea that God's judgment is impartial and will rightly fall on anyone practicing such things, regardless of who they are.
"We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?" — The phrase "according to truth" here doesn't just mean God's judgment is accurate; it emphasizes that God judges based on the reality of a person's heart and actions, not just outward appearances o…
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Last reviewed October 2026