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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 2:17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/2-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/45_Rom_02_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 2:17 - The Jews and the Law" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/romans/2-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/romans/2-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/romans/">Romans</a> > <a href="/romans/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/romans/2-16.htm" title="Romans 2:16">◄</a> Romans 2:17 <a href="/romans/2-18.htm" title="Romans 2:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/romans/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/romans/2.htm">New International Version</a> Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; <a href="/nlt/romans/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. <a href="/esv/romans/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God <a href="/bsb/romans/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; <a href="/blb/romans/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But if you are called a Jew and rely on the Law and boast in God, <a href="/kjv/romans/2.htm">King James Bible</a> Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, <a href="/nkjv/romans/2.htm">New King James Version</a> Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, <a href="/nasb_/romans/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But if you call yourself a Jew and rely upon the Law and boast in God, <a href="/nasb/romans/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> But if you bear the name &#8220Jew &#8220 and rely upon the Law and boast in God, <a href="/nasb77/romans/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But if you bear the name “Jew,” and rely upon the Law, and boast in God, <a href="/lsb/romans/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God, <a href="/amp/romans/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely on the Law [for your salvation] and boast in [your special relationship to] God, <a href="/csb/romans/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Now if you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law, and boast in God, <a href="/hcsb/romans/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Now if you call yourself a Jew, and rest in the law, boast in God, <a href="/asv/romans/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> But if thou bearest the name of a Jew, and restest upon the law, and gloriest in God, <a href="/cev/romans/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Some of you call yourselves Jews. You trust in the Law and take pride in God. <a href="/erv/romans/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> But if thou bearest the name of a Jew, and restest upon the law, and gloriest in God, <a href="/gwt/romans/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> You call yourself a Jew, rely on the laws in Moses' Teachings, brag about your God, <a href="/gnt/romans/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> What about you? You call yourself a Jew; you depend on the Law and boast about God; <a href="/isv/romans/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now if you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the Law, and boast about God, <a href="/msb/romans/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; <a href="/net/romans/2.htm">NET Bible</a> But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relationship to God <a href="/nheb/romans/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But if you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law, and boast in God, <a href="/wbt/romans/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, <a href="/wey/romans/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And since you claim the name of Jew, and find rest and satisfaction in the Law, and make your boast in God, <a href="/web/romans/2.htm">World English Bible</a> Indeed you bear the name of a Jew, rest on the law, glory in God, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Behold, you are named a Jew, and rest on the Law, and boast in God, <a href="/blb/romans/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But if you are called a Jew and rely on the Law and boast in God, <a href="/ylt/romans/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Lo, thou art named a Jew, and dost rest upon the law, and dost boast in God, <a href="/slt/romans/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Behold, thou art named a Jew, and restest upon the law, and boastest thyself in God,<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But if thou art called a Jew and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, <a href="/cpdv/romans/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But if you are called by name a Jew, and you rest upon the law, and you find glory in God, <a href="/nabre/romans/2.htm">New American Bible</a> Now if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of God <a href="/nrsvce/romans/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relation to God<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Now if you who are called a Jew, trust on the law and are proud of God, <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But if you are called from the Jews and are comforted by The Written Law and are boasting in God,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But if you are named Jew, and rest in the law, and make your boast in God, <a href="/godbey/romans/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But if you are denominated a Jew, and rest in the law, and boast in God, <a href="/haweis/romans/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Lo! thou art named a Jew, and restest on the law, and boastest in God, <a href="/mace/romans/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> 'Tis true, you bear the name of a Jew, you depend upon the law, and boast of your worship: <a href="/wey/romans/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And since you claim the name of Jew, and find rest and satisfaction in the Law, and make your boast in God, <a href="/worrell/romans/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> But, if you are called a Jew, and are resting upon the law, and are boasting in God, <a href="/worsley/romans/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Behold thou art called a Jew, and restest on the law, and boastest in God, <a href="/parallel/romans/2-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=461" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/romans/2.htm">The Jews and the Law</a> 16on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel. 17<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">Now</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sy (PPro-N2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you,</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: Ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/2028.htm" title="2028: eponomazē (V-PIM/P-2S) -- To name, impose a name on; pass: be named. From epi and onomazo; to name further, i.e. Denominate.">you call yourself</a> <a href="/greek/2453.htm" title="2453: Ioudaios (Adj-NMS) -- Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.">a Jew;</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">if you</a> <a href="/greek/1879.htm" title="1879: epanapauē (V-PIM/P-2S) -- To rest upon, rely on, trust in. Middle voice from epi and anapano; to settle on; literally or figuratively.">rely on</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomō (N-DMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">the law</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2744.htm" title="2744: kauchasai (V-PIM/P-2S) -- To boast; I glory (exult) proudly. From some base akin to that of aucheo and euchomai; to vaunt.">boast</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theō (N-DMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God;</a> 18if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/philippians/3-5.htm">Philippians 3:5</a> circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; <a href="/john/5-39.htm">John 5:39</a> You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me, <a href="/matthew/23-2.htm">Matthew 23:2-3</a> “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. / So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. <a href="/galatians/6-13.htm">Galatians 6:13</a> For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. <a href="/acts/22-3.htm">Acts 22:3</a> “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. <a href="/jeremiah/9-23.htm">Jeremiah 9:23-24</a> This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD. <a href="/isaiah/48-1.htm">Isaiah 48:1-2</a> “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— / who indeed call yourselves after the holy city and lean on the God of Israel; the LORD of Hosts is His name. <a href="/micah/3-11.htm">Micah 3:11</a> 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.” <a href="/ezekiel/33-31.htm">Ezekiel 33:31</a> So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. <a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-24</a> “I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. ... <a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21-23</a> Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ <a href="/luke/11-52.htm">Luke 11:52</a> Woe to you experts in the law! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” <a href="/2_corinthians/11-22.htm">2 Corinthians 11:22</a> Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. <a href="/galatians/2-15.htm">Galatians 2:15-16</a> We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile “sinners” / know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. <a href="/hosea/8-2.htm">Hosea 8:2-3</a> Israel cries out to Me, “O our God, we know You!” / But Israel has rejected good; an enemy will pursue him.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Behold, you are called a Jew, and rest in the law, and make your boast of God,thou art.<a href="/romans/2-28.htm">Romans 2:28,29</a> For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: … <a href="/romans/9-4.htm">Romans 9:4-7</a> Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; … <a href="/psalms/135-4.htm">Psalm 135:4</a> For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.restest.<a href="/romans/2-23.htm">Romans 2:23</a> Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?<a href="/romans/9-4.htm">Romans 9:4,32</a> Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; … <a href="/jeremiah/7-4.htm">Jeremiah 7:4-10</a> Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these… makest.<a href="/isaiah/45-25.htm">Isaiah 45:25</a> In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.<a href="/isaiah/48-2.htm">Isaiah 48:2</a> For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.<a href="/micah/3-11.htm">Micah 3:11</a> The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/2-15.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/john/9-41.htm">Boast</a> <a href="/john/9-41.htm">Claim</a> <a href="/acts/25-26.htm">Find</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-4.htm">Gloriest</a> <a href="/romans/2-10.htm">Glory</a> <a href="/romans/2-14.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/romans/2-10.htm">Jew</a> <a href="/romans/2-15.htm">Law</a> <a href="/john/10-33.htm">Makest</a> <a href="/acts/24-16.htm">Relation</a> <a href="/matthew/19-10.htm">Relationship</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-26.htm">Rely</a> <a href="/romans/1-13.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/acts/21-23.htm">Resting</a> <a href="/malachi/2-13.htm">Satisfaction</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/3-21.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/romans/2-23.htm">Boast</a> <a href="/romans/3-8.htm">Claim</a> <a href="/romans/7-18.htm">Find</a> <a href="/romans/2-23.htm">Gloriest</a> <a href="/romans/2-23.htm">Glory</a> <a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/romans/2-28.htm">Jew</a> <a href="/romans/2-18.htm">Law</a> <a href="/romans/2-23.htm">Makest</a> <a href="/romans/6-10.htm">Relation</a> <a href="/judges/18-28.htm">Relationship</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-9.htm">Rely</a> <a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/romans/15-20.htm">Resting</a> <a href="/galatians/4-15.htm">Satisfaction</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 2</div>1. <a href="/romans/2-1.htm">No excuse for sin.</a> 6. <a href="/romans/2-6.htm">No escape from judgment.</a> 14. <a href="/romans/2-14.htm">Gentiles cannot;</a> 17. <a href="/romans/2-17.htm">nor Jews.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/romans/2.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>Now you This phrase serves as a direct address, indicating a shift in focus. The Apostle Paul is speaking directly to his audience, which includes Jewish Christians in Rome. The Greek word for "you" here is "σὺ" (su), emphasizing a personal and individual call to attention. This sets the stage for a more introspective examination of one's faith and practices.if you call yourself a Jew The term "Jew" comes from the Greek "Ἰουδαῖος" (Ioudaios), which refers to someone belonging to the Jewish nation or religion. Historically, being a Jew was not just about ethnicity but also about a covenantal relationship with God. This phrase challenges the reader to consider the implications of their identity. It is a call to reflect on whether their actions align with the responsibilities and privileges of being God's chosen people.if you rely on the law The word "rely" is translated from the Greek "ἐπαναπαύῃ" (epanapauē), meaning to rest upon or trust in. The "law" refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, which contain God's commandments. This phrase questions the basis of one's confidence. It challenges the reader to consider whether their reliance on the law is genuine or merely superficial, urging a deeper understanding of the law's purpose in pointing to Christ.and boast in God The Greek word for "boast" is "καυχᾶσθε" (kauchasthai), which means to glory or take pride in. Boasting in God is a positive expression of faith, acknowledging His sovereignty and grace. However, Paul warns against a hollow boast that lacks true reverence and obedience. This phrase encourages believers to ensure that their pride in God is rooted in a sincere relationship with Him, characterized by humility and gratitude.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) Behold.--An interesting case of a corrupt reading which has found its way into the Authorised version. For "behold," a decisive consensus of the best MSS. has "but if." The corruption was very obvious and easy. Adopting "but if," the answering clause of the sentence is to be found in the question, "Teachest thou not thyself?" <a href="/romans/2-21.htm" title="You therefore which teach another, teach you not yourself? you that preach a man should not steal, do you steal?">Romans 2:21</a>. The connecting particle "therefore" at the beginning of the same verse is merely resumptive, or, as it is technically called, "epanaleptic."Turning to the Jew, the Apostle breaks out into indignant and vehement apostrophe, "If you have the name of Jew, and repose upon the Law, and make your boast in God, and do all these other things--why then, while you profess to teach others, do you not teach yourself?" A fine specimen of the natural eloquence which the Apostle derives from intense feeling. The different features of the picture crowd into his mind to point the contrast between what the Jew claimed to be and what he was.Restest in.--Reposest or reliest upon a law. A passive confidence in something external. "In the Law the Jew saw the Magna Charta which gave him his assurance of salvation" (Meyer).Makest thy boast of God--i.e., of a peculiar and exclusive claim to His favour. (Comp. <a href="/deuteronomy/4-7.htm" title="For what nation is there so great, who has God so near to them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call on him for?">Deuteronomy 4:7</a>; <a href="/context/psalms/147-19.htm" title="He shows his word to Jacob, his statutes and his judgments to Israel.">Psalm 147:19-20</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - But if (the true reading being certainly εἰ δὲ, not ἰδὲ, as in the Textus Receptus) thou (σὺ, emphatic) art named a Jew. The Israelites who had remained in Palestine, or who returned to it after the Captivity, seem thenceforth to have been designated Jews (Ἰουδαῖοι, though they included some of other tribes than that of Judah, notably that of Benjamin, of which St. Paul himself was, and of course of Levi. They are so called, whether resident in Palestine or elsewhere, throughout the New Testament, as well as by Roman writers. the term Ἑβραῖοι being applied in the New Testament (usually at least) to distinguish those Jews who adhered to the Hebrew language in public worship, and to national customs and traditions, from those who Hellenized (Ἑλληυισταί). It was the name on which the people prided themselves at that time, as expressing their peculiar privileges. The apostle, having at the beginning of this chapter addressed himself generally to "whosoever thou art that judgest," now summons the Jew exclusively to the bar of judgment, whose claims to exemption from the general condemnation have come to the front in the preceding verses. By the emphatic σὺ, he calls on him now to give an account of himself, and justify his pretensions if he can. The point of the argument is that the Jews were notoriously at that time no better than other nations in moral conduct - nay, their national character was such as to bring their very religion into disrepute among the heathen - and therefore doing, and not either privilege, knowledge, or profession, being according to the very Law on which they rested the test required, their whole ground for national exemption was taken away. And retest on law (νόμῳ, here without the article, so as to emphasize the principle on which the Jew professed to rest for acceptance), and makest thy boast of God. The Jew gloried, as against the heathen, in his knowledge and worship of the one true God. <a href="/commentaries/romans/2-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Now δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. you, σὺ (sy) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. if Εἰ (Ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. you call [yourself] ἐπονομάζῃ (eponomazē) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2028.htm">Strong's 2028: </a> To name, impose a name on; pass: be named. From epi and onomazo; to name further, i.e. Denominate. a Jew; Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaios) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2453.htm">Strong's 2453: </a> Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah. [if you] καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. rely on ἐπαναπαύῃ (epanapauē) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1879.htm">Strong's 1879: </a> To rest upon, rely on, trust in. Middle voice from epi and anapano; to settle on; literally or figuratively. [the] Law νόμῳ (nomō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. boast καυχᾶσαι (kauchasai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2744.htm">Strong's 2744: </a> To boast; I glory (exult) proudly. From some base akin to that of aucheo and euchomai; to vaunt. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. God; Θεῷ (Theō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/romans/2-17.htm">NT Letters: Romans 2:17 Indeed you bear the name (Rom. 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