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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 2:22 You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/2-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/45_Rom_02_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 2:22 - The Jews and the Law" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? 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You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/romans/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/romans/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/romans/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />You saying not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You abhorring idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/romans/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/romans/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/romans/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br /><i>You</i> who say that one is not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? <i>You</i> who loathe idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/romans/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/romans/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/romans/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/romans/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob [pagan] temples [of valuable idols and offerings]?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/romans/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You who say, “You must not commit adultery”—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/romans/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You who say, &#8220You must not commit adultery"—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob their temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/romans/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/romans/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You say people should be faithful in marriage. But are you faithful? You hate idols, yet you rob their temples. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/romans/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/romans/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />As you tell others not to commit adultery, are you committing adultery? As you treat idols with disgust, are you robbing temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/romans/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You say, "Do not commit adultery"--but do you commit adultery? You detest idols--but do you rob temples? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/romans/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />As you forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? As you abhor idols, do you rob temples? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/romans/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/romans/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You who tell others not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/romans/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/romans/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who loathe idols, do you plunder their temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/romans/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You who say a man shouldn’t commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/romans/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You who are preaching not to steal, do you steal? You who are saying not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who are abhorring the idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />You saying not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You abhorring idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/romans/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> thou who art preaching not to steal, dost thou steal? thou who art saying not to commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou who art abhorring the idols, dost thou rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/romans/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Speaking not to commit adultery, committest thou adultery? abhorring images, committest thou sacrilege?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/romans/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou that sayest, men should not commit adultery, committest adultery: thou that abhorrest idols, committest sacrilege: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/romans/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You speak against adultery, but you commit adultery. You abominate idols, but you commit sacrilege.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/romans/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/romans/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You that forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/romans/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You say, Men must not commit adultery, yet you commit adultery. You despise idols, yet you rob the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />You who say that people should not commit adultery, you commit adultery, and you who despise idols plunder the holy place!<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/romans/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />You who say that a man should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/romans/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />do you, who say not to commit adultery, commit adultery? do you, who abominate idolatry, rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/romans/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />thou that sayest, Do not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that holdest idols in abomination, dost thou commit sacrilege?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/romans/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />you who preach against stealing, do you steal? you who declaim against adultery, do you commit adultery? you who abhor idols, do you commit sacrilege?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who loathe idols, do you plunder their temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/romans/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><i>You</i> who say that <i>one</i> should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? <i>You</i> who abhor idols, do you rob temples?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/romans/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><i>Thou,</i> that sayest <i>a man should</i> not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? <i>Thou,</i> that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/romans/2-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=498" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/romans/2.htm">The Jews and the Law</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">21</span>you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? <span class="reftext">22</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-VMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">You who</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legōn (V-PPA-VMS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">forbid</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/3431.htm" title="3431: moicheuein (V-PNA) -- To commit adultery (of a man with a married woman, but also of a married man). From moichos; to commit adultery.">adultery,</a> <a href="/greek/3431.htm" title="3431: moicheueis (V-PIA-2S) -- To commit adultery (of a man with a married woman, but also of a married man). From moichos; to commit adultery.">do you commit adultery?</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-VMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">You who</a> <a href="/greek/948.htm" title="948: bdelyssomenos (V-PPM/P-VMS) -- To abhor, detest, loathe. From a derivative of bdeo; to be disgusted, i.e. detest.">abhor</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1497.htm" title="1497: eidōla (N-ANP) -- An idol, false god. From eidos; an image; by implication, a heathen god, or the worship of such.">idols,</a> <a href="/greek/2416.htm" title="2416: hierosyleis (V-PIA-2S) -- To commit sacrilege, rob a temple. From hierosulos; to be a temple-robber.">do you rob temples?</a> </span> <span class="reftext">23</span>You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-14.htm">Exodus 20:14</a></span><br />You shall not commit adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">Matthew 5:27-28</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10-11</a></span><br />Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. / For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-10</a></span><br />Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3-5</a></span><br />For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, / not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a></span><br />Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-8.htm">1 Corinthians 10:8</a></span><br />We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a></span><br />The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-3.htm">Ephesians 5:3-5</a></span><br />But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. / Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. / For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Colossians 3:5-6</a></span><br />Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. / Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-8.htm">Revelation 21:8</a></span><br />But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/22-15.htm">Revelation 22:15</a></span><br />But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-32.htm">Proverbs 6:32</a></span><br />He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10</a></span><br />If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/5-18.htm">Deuteronomy 5:18</a></span><br />You shall not commit adultery.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You that say a man should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? you that abhor idols, do you commit sacrilege?</p><p class="hdg">adultery.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/5-7.htm">Jeremiah 5:7</a></b></br> How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by <i>them that are</i> no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/7-9.htm">Jeremiah 7:9,10</a></b></br> Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/9-2.htm">Jeremiah 9:2</a></b></br> Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they <i>be</i> all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.</p><p class="hdg">sacrilege.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/1-8.htm">Malachi 1:8,14</a></b></br> And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, <i>is it</i> not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, <i>is it</i> not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/3-8.htm">Malachi 3:8</a></b></br> Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/11-17.htm">Mark 11:17</a></b></br> And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/micah/3-9.htm">Abhor</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-16.htm">Abhorrest</a> <a href="/john/8-4.htm">Adultery</a> <a href="/romans/2-2.htm">Commit</a> <a href="/acts/24-23.htm">Forbid</a> <a href="/micah/7-10.htm">Hater</a> <a href="/acts/28-30.htm">House</a> <a href="/acts/21-25.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/romans/1-23.htm">Images</a> <a href="/amos/6-8.htm">Loathe</a> <a href="/luke/11-39.htm">Plunder</a> <a href="/romans/1-9.htm">Preaching</a> <a href="/mark/3-27.htm">Rob</a> <a href="/romans/2-21.htm">Shouldn't</a> <a href="/romans/2-21.htm">Steal</a> <a href="/acts/19-37.htm">Temples</a> <a href="/romans/2-20.htm">True.</a> <a href="/luke/18-20.htm">Untrue</a> <a href="/acts/24-24.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/romans/2-15.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/12-9.htm">Abhor</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-16.htm">Abhorrest</a> <a href="/romans/13-9.htm">Adultery</a> <a href="/romans/13-9.htm">Commit</a> <a href="/romans/3-4.htm">Forbid</a> <a href="/hebrews/1-9.htm">Hater</a> <a href="/romans/16-5.htm">House</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-1.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-10.htm">Images</a> <a href="/exodus/7-18.htm">Loathe</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-34.htm">Plunder</a> <a href="/romans/10-8.htm">Preaching</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-8.htm">Rob</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-2.htm">Shouldn't</a> <a href="/romans/13-9.htm">Steal</a> <a href="/leviticus/13-41.htm">Temples</a> <a href="/romans/2-25.htm">True.</a> <a href="/romans/3-4.htm">Untrue</a> <a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/romans/2-23.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/2-1.htm">No excuse for sin.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/2-6.htm">No escape from judgment.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/2-14.htm">Gentiles cannot;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/2-17.htm">nor Jews.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/romans/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery?</b><br>This phrase addresses the hypocrisy of those who teach against adultery yet engage in it themselves. In the Jewish context, the Law of Moses explicitly forbids adultery (<a href="/exodus/20-14.htm">Exodus 20:14</a>). Adultery was not only a sin against God but also a violation of the covenant of marriage, which was highly esteemed in Jewish culture. Jesus expanded on the understanding of adultery in <a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">Matthew 5:27-28</a>, teaching that even lustful thoughts are equivalent to the act itself. This highlights the internal nature of sin, emphasizing that true righteousness goes beyond outward compliance to the law and requires purity of heart. The accusation of hypocrisy here serves as a reminder that teaching and living by God's standards must align.<p><b>You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?</b><br>Idolatry was a significant issue in the ancient world, and Jews were known for their strict monotheism and rejection of idol worship, as commanded in the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-4</a>). The phrase "do you rob temples?" suggests a deeper hypocrisy, possibly referring to profiting from idolatrous practices or desecrating sacred spaces. Historically, some Jews might have been involved in the trade of idols or goods associated with pagan worship, despite their public denouncement of idolatry. This accusation could also be metaphorical, indicating a failure to honor God fully while condemning others. The broader biblical narrative consistently condemns idolatry, as seen in the prophets' writings (e.g., <a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a>), and calls for exclusive devotion to God. This phrase challenges believers to examine their integrity and consistency in worship and practice.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the Book of Romans, addressing the Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/r/roman_christians.htm">Roman Christians</a></b><br>The audience of the letter, consisting of both Jewish and Gentile believers, who are being instructed on the righteousness of God and the law.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/adultery.htm">Adultery</a></b><br>A sin explicitly forbidden in the Ten Commandments, representing moral failure and hypocrisy.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/idolatry.htm">Idolatry</a></b><br>The worship of idols, which is condemned throughout the Bible as a violation of the first commandment.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/temples.htm">Temples</a></b><br>Places of worship, often associated with pagan practices in the Roman context, which some Jews might have been accused of exploiting for personal gain.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/hypocrisy_in_judgment.htm">Hypocrisy in Judgment</a></b><br>Paul warns against judging others while committing the same sins. Believers must examine their own lives for consistency between their beliefs and actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_faith.htm">Integrity in Faith</a></b><br>True faith requires integrity, where one's actions align with their professed beliefs. This calls for self-reflection and repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_idolatry.htm">The Danger of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idolatry is not just about physical idols but anything that takes the place of God in our lives. Believers must guard against modern forms of idolatry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/moral_accountability.htm">Moral Accountability</a></b><br>Christians are called to uphold God's standards, not just in public but in private, ensuring that their lives reflect God's holiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>When believers recognize hypocrisy in their lives, they should seek God's forgiveness and strive for restoration through the Holy Spirit.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_law_of_the_spirit_of_life.htm">What does 'Neither do I condemn you' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_faith_communities_act_hypocritically.htm">If Romans 2:17-24 rebukes hypocrisy among religious people, why do so many faith communities still appear to act inconsistently with their teachings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_isn't_david's_temple_ban_reason_given.htm">Why does God forbid David from building the temple in 1 Chronicles 22:8 but never give that explicit reason in the parallel accounts (e.g., 2 Samuel 7)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_teachings_on_sexual_ethics.htm">What are the Bible's teachings on sexual ethics?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(22) <span class= "bld">Commit sacrilege.</span>--Properly, <span class= "ital">rob temples--i.e.</span>, 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, however, have thought the idol temples fair plunder. At any rate, it is clear that this charge was commonly brought against them. Comp. <a href="/acts/19-37.htm" title="For you have brought here these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.">Acts 19:37</a>, where the town-clerk of Ephesus specially acquits St. Paul and his companions of "being robbers of temples." Josephus also (<span class= "ital">Ant. iv.</span> 8, ? 10) quotes as a precept of the Mosaic legislation, "Let no one blaspheme those gods which other cities esteem such; nor may any one steal what belongs to strange temples; nor take away the gifts that are dedicated to any god."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 22.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?</span> The word (<span class="greek">ἱεροσυλεῖς</span>) thus rendered in the Authorized Version means literally "robbest temples," though it may bear also the general meaning of "sacrilege." Commentators differ as to what is meant. Some, considering that the word would not have been used except to denote something really sacrilegious - some offence against true sanctity - refer it to the withholding of gifts and offerings from the temple at Jerusalem, or of tithes from the priests, or embezzlement of the temple revenues. <a href="/malachi/3-8.htm">Malachi 3:8</a>, etc., is adduced in illustration, "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings," etc. (cf. also <a href="/malachi/1-7.htm">Malachi 1:7-14</a>). A passage also is quoted from Josephus, 'Archaeol.,' B. 18, c. 5, where certain Jews are said to have appropriated to their own use purple and gold which had been given to them for the temple at Jerusalem by one Fulvia, a proselyte of theirs at Rome, in consequence of which the Emperor Tiberius, having been informed of the transaction by the lady's husband, had banished all the Jews from Rome. Others take the word in a general sense to denote any profanation of sanctity. So Luther, Calvin ("profanatio divinae majestatis"), and Bengel ("sacrilegium committi's, quia Deo non das gloriam, quae proprie Dei est"). Inasmuch, however, as definite malpractices of the Jews at that time, on account of which the name of God was blasphemed among the Gentiles (ver. 24), seem to be here alluded to, the word may, perhaps more probably, be understood in its proper sense of <span class="accented">plundering temples</span>, meaning heathen temples - a practice which Jewish zealots, in their professed abhorrence of idolatry, might be addicted to when they had opportunity. A writer, though himself attaching no idea of sanctity to such temples, might still use the current term <span class="greek">ἱεροσυλεῖν</span>. SO, among the ancients, Chrysostom and Theophylact understand it; the latter, however, limiting it to taking away the <span class="greek">ἀναθήματα.</span> He says, "For if they did abhor the idols, yet nevertheless, dominated by covetousness, they touched the idol-offerings for filthy lucre's sake." In doing this, he seems to imply, they broke the very Law which had enjoined their ancestors to "destroy the altars, and break down the images" of idolaters (<a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5</a>); for the sauna Law had forbidden them to "desire the silver and gold that is on them," or "take it unto thee, for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God" (<a href="/deuteronomy/7-25.htm">Deuteronomy 7:25</a>). A strong confirmation of the view that plundering of heathen temples is denoted by <span class="greek">ἱεροσυλεῖς</span> is found in <a href="/acts/19-37.htm">Acts 19:37</a>, when the town-clerk of Ephesus defended the Christians against the popular fury by declaring that they were not <span class="greek">ἱεροσύλοι</span>, that is (as he might mean) not temple-plunderers, such as ordinary Jews had the reputation of being. It has been objected against this view that there is a lack of recorded instances of such temple-plundering on the part of Jews, and that they could not have had much chance, as things then were, of thus displaying their zeal. But there may have been instances, notorious at the time, though not recorded; and, if so, the drift may be, "Thou displayest thy abhorrence of idolatry, enjoined by the Law, by acts of violence and greed, such as the very Law forbids." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/romans/2-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">You who</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Vocative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">forbid</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγων</span> <span class="translit">(legōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Vocative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">adultery,</span><br /><span class="grk">μοιχεύειν</span> <span class="translit">(moicheuein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3431.htm">Strong's 3431: </a> </span><span class="str2">To commit adultery (of a man with a married woman, but also of a married man). From moichos; to commit adultery.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do you commit adultery?</span><br /><span class="grk">μοιχεύεις</span> <span class="translit">(moicheueis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3431.htm">Strong's 3431: </a> </span><span class="str2">To commit adultery (of a man with a married woman, but also of a married man). From moichos; to commit adultery.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You who</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Vocative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">abhor</span><br /><span class="grk">βδελυσσόμενος</span> <span class="translit">(bdelyssomenos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Vocative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_948.htm">Strong's 948: </a> </span><span class="str2">To abhor, detest, loathe. From a derivative of bdeo; to be disgusted, i.e. detest.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">idols,</span><br /><span class="grk">εἴδωλα</span> <span class="translit">(eidōla)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1497.htm">Strong's 1497: </a> </span><span class="str2">An idol, false god. From eidos; an image; by implication, a heathen god, or the worship of such.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do you rob temples?</span><br /><span class="grk">ἱεροσυλεῖς</span> <span class="translit">(hierosyleis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">To commit sacrilege, rob a temple. From hierosulos; to be a temple-robber.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/2-22.htm">Romans 2:22 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/romans/2-22.htm">Romans 2:22 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/romans/2-22.htm">Romans 2:22 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/romans/2-22.htm">Romans 2:22 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/romans/2-22.htm">Romans 2:22 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/2-22.htm">Romans 2:22 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/2-22.htm">Romans 2:22 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/2-22.htm">Romans 2:22 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/romans/2-22.htm">Romans 2:22 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/romans/2-22.htm">Romans 2:22 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/romans/2-22.htm">NT Letters: Romans 2:22 You who say a man shouldn't commit (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/2-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 2:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 2:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/2-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 2:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 2:23" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>