Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Romans 2:1 - 2:1
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Rom 2:1. Διὸ, wherefore). Paul passes from the Gentiles to the Jews, as the whole of the following discourse clearly shows; and yet he does not use the transitive, but the illative particle, of which two the latter, as being the more powerful, absorbs the former. The Gentile does evil; the Jew does evil. Then in the 6th and following verses, he comprehends both, Jews and Gentiles.-ἀναπολόγητος, inexcusable.) Man seeks to defend himself.-ἄνθρωπε, O man) In ch. 1 he spoke of the Gentiles in the third person, but he deals with the Jew in the second person singular; even as the law itself deals with the Jew, not in the second, but in the third person singular; because it had no concern with any one but the Jew.-Comp. ch. Rom 3:19. But the apostle, who directs his discourse to Gentiles and Jews, addresses the Jew indeed in the second person singular, but calls him by the name [O man] common to all.-comp. ch. Rom 1:18; nor does he acknowledge the Jew, as such, Rom 2:17; Rom 2:28. The same difference between the third and second persons occurs again, Rom 2:14; Rom 2:17. It is a not dissimilar circumstance, that the Gentiles are put off [as to their condemnation] till the final judgment, Rom 2:16; but the Jews are threatened by the law with a present judgment also [besides the final one Rom 2:2.]-ὁ κρίνων, thou that judgest) being removed [i.e. wherein thou art distinguished] from those that have pleasure in evil-doers, Rom 1:32. Paul uses a weighty expression. The Jew esteems himself superior to the Greek, Rom 2:19, etc. Paul now calls that an act of judging, and by it opens up a way for himself, with a view to show the judgment of God. It is mere self-love in a man, that, in proportion as he thinks others worse than himself, he thinks the better of himself, Gal 6:4. The figure paregmenon[21] occurs here; for κατακρίνεις follows.-Comp. ch. Rom 14:22-23; 1Co 4:3, etc., Rom 11:29, etc.; Jam 2:4.-ἓτερον, another) who is of no concern to thee; whose more open unrighteousness profits thee nothing; a heathen.
[21] A joining together of conjugate forms, or of simples and compounds, ex. gr. here, κρίνεις, κατακρίνεις.-ED.