You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
English Standard Version (ESV)
The shocking insight here is that "sacrilege" isn't just about stealing from idol temples, but also about corrupting worship and withholding what rightfully belongs to God. Even though the Jews abhorred idols, Paul points out they could still be guilty of sacrilege by profaning sacred things, perhaps through temple embezzlement or failing to offer proper sacrifices.
You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul continues to expose the hypocrisy of those who judge others while practicing sin themselves. He specifically calls out the Jews, who pride themselves on knowing God's law and abhorring idols, by questioning if they actually commit adultery and rob temples (profane sacred things). This challenge highlights that mere outward observance or a superior religious position doesn't absolve them from the same sins they condemn in others.
You say you don't do X, but are you secretly doing X? You hate Y, but do you steal from its sacred places? Paul hits hard at a common spiritual trap.
Paul is calling out the hypocrisy of those who outwardly uphold God's law but fail to live by it themselves. He uses sharp, contrasting questions to expose this disconnect.
Outward Appearance vs. Inner Reality
What does it mean to 'rob temples'? Paul uses this phrase to expose a deeper spiritual offense, even for those who detest idols.
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While the literal act of robbing pagan temples might seem foreign to us, Paul uses it to illustrate a profound spiritual truth about sacrilege.
The Spirit of Sacrilege
Understand the original words
moichaai · Greek Verb
Sexual relations between a married person and someone other than their spouse; it is a serious violation of the marriage covenant and God’s standard of holiness.
bdelussomenos · Greek Verb
To hate, detest, or regard with extreme repugnance. Theologically, it describes the necessary attitude toward that which God rejects, particularly false gods.
eidōla · Greek Noun
Images or physical objects worshipped as gods; idolatry is the fundamental sin of substituting the creature or created things for the Creator.
hierosyleis · Greek Verb
To take something by force or theft. Here, it refers to the sacrilegious act of plundering pagan shrines, implying an ironic contradiction for those who claim to despise idols.
Paul is directly confronting the hypocrisy of Jewish individuals who uphold the Law outwardly but fail to live by its principles, specifically by committing adultery and potentially desecrating sacred things, even as they condemn idolatry.
c. 6th Century BC
Babylonian Exile and Return
Following the Babylonian Exile, Jews developed a strong aversion to idolatry, seeing it as the cause of their nation's downfall. This period cemented a deep commitment to monotheism.
1st Century BC - 1st Century AD
Prevalence of Adultery and Temple Misuse
Despite their strong stance against idolatry, some Jewish teachings and historical accounts indicate that adultery was a prevalent sin among the people, even among some leaders. The Temple itself also faced issues of commercialization and misuse.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Jesus' dramatic cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple, driving out merchants and money changers, highlights His strong disapproval of the desecration of sacred space for personal gain.
c. AD 50-60— this verse
Paul Writes Romans in Corinth or Cenchreae
The Apostle Paul writes his letter to the church in Rome during his extensive missionary journeys, likely from Corinth or its nearby port, Cenchreae, addressing the spiritual state of both Jews and Gentiles.
c. AD 50-60
Accusations of Sacrilege Among Jews
Writings from this era suggest that while Jews abhorred idolatry, accusations of 'sacrilege' (profaning sacred things or robbing temples, including potentially Gentile ones) were made against some. This could stem from avarice overriding religious scruples or misappropriating temple funds.
This passage directly calls out the hypocrisy of Israel, who steal, murder, commit adultery, and swear falsely, yet still come to worship in God's temple, thinking their presence there makes them clean. This mirrors Paul's accusation in Romans that outward religious practice doesn't excuse hidden sin.
Malachi 3:8-9Here, the prophet accuses the people of robbing God through their tithes and offerings. This connects to Paul's charge of sacrilege, showing that withholding what is due to God (whether in worship or sacred resources) is a serious offense, even for those who outwardly claim to follow God.
Matthew 23:25-28Jesus confronts the Pharisees, calling them 'whitewashed tombs,' beautiful on the outside but full of dead bones and decay within. This vividly illustrates Paul's point in Romans 2:22 that outward adherence to religious law (like abhorring idols) can hide inner corruption (like sacrilege or adultery).
Psalm 50:16-21This psalm powerfully rebukes those who hear God's word and speak of his statutes but hate correction and cast his words behind them. It highlights the disconnect between speaking religious truth and living it, much like Paul's critique of the Jew who teaches against adultery but commits it.
ellicottRomans 2:22: "Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?"
(22) Commit sacrilege. —Properly, rob temples—i.e. , idol temples, with a pointed antithesis to that abhorrence of idols on which the Jew prided himself. This is certainly the last offence of which we should have expected the Jews of this date to be guilty, knowing the scrupulousness with which they shunned all contact with idolatry. They may, howev…
barnesRomans 2:22: "Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?"
Dost thou commit adultery? - There is no doubt that this was a crime very common among the Jews; see the Matthew 12:39 note; John 8:1-11 notes. The Jewish Talmud accuses some of the most celebrated of their Rabbies, by name, of this vice. (Grotius.) Josephus also gives the same account of the nation. Thou that abhorrest idols - It was one of the doc…
The shocking insight here is that "sacrilege" isn't just about stealing from idol temples, but also about corrupting worship and withholding what rightfully belongs to God. Even though the Jews abhorred idols, Paul points out they could still be guilty of sacrilege by profaning sacred things, perhaps through temple embezzlement or failing to offer proper sacrifices.
Paul continues to expose the hypocrisy of those who judge others while practicing sin themselves. He specifically calls out the Jews, who pride themselves on knowing God's law and abhorring idols, by questioning if they actually commit adultery and rob temples (profane sacred things). This challenge highlights that mere outward observance or a superior religious position doesn't absolve them from the same sins they condemn in others.
Paul continues to expose the hypocrisy of those who judge others while practicing sin themselves. He specifically calls out the Jews, who pride themselves on knowing God's law and abhorring idols, by questioning if they actually commit adultery and rob temples (profane sacred things). This challenge highlights that mere outward observance or a superior religious position doesn't absolve them from the same sins they condemn in others.
"You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?" — The shocking insight here is that "sacrilege" isn't just about stealing from idol temples, but also about corrupting worship and withholding what rightfully belongs to God. Even though the Jews abhor…
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Last reviewed October 2026