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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 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/2-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/45_Rom_02_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 2:13 - God's Righteous Judgment" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</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/2-13.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/2-13.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 13</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="/ad13.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/2-12.htm" title="Romans 2:12">◄</a> Romans 2:13 <a href="/romans/2-14.htm" title="Romans 2:14">►</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="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </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> For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God&#8217s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. <a href="/nlt/romans/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. <a href="/esv/romans/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. <a href="/bsb/romans/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous. <a href="/blb/romans/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> for not the hearers of the Law are righteous with God; but the doers of the Law will be justified. <a href="/kjv/romans/2.htm">King James Bible</a> (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. <a href="/nkjv/romans/2.htm">New King James Version</a> (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; <a href="/nasb_/romans/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> for it is not the hearers of the Law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the Law who will be justified. <a href="/nasb/romans/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. <a href="/nasb77/romans/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> for not the hearers of the Law are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. <a href="/lsb/romans/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. <a href="/amp/romans/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For it is not those who merely hear the Law [as it is read aloud] who are just or righteous before God, but it is those who [actually] obey the Law who will be justified [pronounced free of the guilt of sin and declared acceptable to Him]. <a href="/csb/romans/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified. <a href="/hcsb/romans/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be declared righteous. <a href="/asv/romans/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified: <a href="/cev/romans/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> God accepts those who obey his Law, but not those who simply hear it. <a href="/erv/romans/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> for not the hearers of a law are just before God, but the doers of a law shall be justified: <a href="/gwt/romans/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> People who merely listen to laws from God don't have God's approval. Rather, people who do what those laws demand will have God's approval. <a href="/gnt/romans/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> For it is not by hearing the Law that people are put right with God, but by doing what the Law commands. <a href="/isv/romans/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> For it is not merely those who hear the Law who are righteous in God's sight. No, it is those who follow the Law, who will be justified. <a href="/msb/romans/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous. <a href="/net/romans/2.htm">NET Bible</a> For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous before God, but those who do the law will be declared righteous. <a href="/nheb/romans/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified. <a href="/wbt/romans/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. <a href="/wey/romans/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> It is not those that merely hear the Law read who are righteous in the sight of God, but it is those that obey the Law who will be pronounced righteous. <a href="/web/romans/2.htm">World English Bible</a> For it isn’t the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for not the hearers of the Law [are] righteous before God, but the doers of the Law will be declared righteous. <a href="/blb/romans/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> for not the hearers of the Law are righteous with God; but the doers of the Law will be justified. <a href="/ylt/romans/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for not the hearers of the law are righteous before God, but the doers of the law shall be declared righteous: -- <a href="/slt/romans/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> (For not hearers of the law just with God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. <a href="/cpdv/romans/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For it is not the hearers of the law who are just before God, but rather it is the doers of the law who shall be justified. <a href="/nabre/romans/2.htm">New American Bible</a> For it is not those who hear the law who are just in the sight of God; rather, those who observe the law will be justified. <a href="/nrsvce/romans/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who shall be justified. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> The hearers of The Written Law are not righteous ones before God, but the doers of The Written Law are justified.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> in the day when God shall judge the secret works of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. <a href="/godbey/romans/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> for the hearers of the law are not righteous with God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. <a href="/haweis/romans/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> for the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law shall be counted righteous; <a href="/mace/romans/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for not the bare hearers of the law, but they who observe the law, are such as shall be justified, before God. <a href="/wey/romans/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> It is not those that merely hear the Law read who are righteous in the sight of God, but it is those that obey the Law who will be pronounced righteous. <a href="/worrell/romans/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> for not the hearers of law are righteous before God, but the doers shall be justified; <a href="/worsley/romans/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> (for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified: <a href="/parallel/romans/2-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=420" 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">God's Righteous Judgment</a> …12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For it is</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">not</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/202.htm" title="202: akroatai (N-NMP) -- A hearer of, a listener to. From akroaomai; a hearer.">hearers</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomou (N-GMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">of the law</a> <a href="/greek/1342.htm" title="1342: dikaioi (Adj-NMP) -- From dike; equitable; by implication, innocent, holy.">who are righteous</a> <a href="/greek/3844.htm" title="3844: para (Prep) -- Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. ">before</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></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> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: all’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but it is</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4163.htm" title="4163: poiētai (N-NMP) -- (a) a maker, poet, (b) a doer, carrier out, performer. From poieo; a performer; specially, a poet.">doers</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomou (N-GMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">of the law</a> <a href="/greek/1344.htm" title="1344: dikaiōthēsontai (V-FIP-3P) -- From dikaios; to render just or innocent.">who will be declared righteous.</a> 14Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have 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="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22</a> Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. <a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21</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. <a href="/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14-26</a> What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? / Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? ... <a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">Matthew 7:24-27</a> Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ... <a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10-12</a> All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” / Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” / The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” <a href="/luke/11-28.htm">Luke 11:28</a> But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” <a href="/ezekiel/18-5.htm">Ezekiel 18:5-9</a> Now suppose a man is righteous and does what is just and right: / He does not eat at the mountain or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman during her period. / He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. ... <a href="/deuteronomy/30-12.htm">Deuteronomy 30:12-14</a> It is not in heaven, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will ascend into heaven to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?’ / And it is not beyond the sea, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?’ / But the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may obey it. <a href="/leviticus/18-5.htm">Leviticus 18:5</a> Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD. <a href="/matthew/19-17.htm">Matthew 19:17</a> “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” <a href="/john/13-17.htm">John 13:17</a> If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. <a href="/1_john/3-7.htm">1 John 3:7</a> Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous. <a href="/jeremiah/11-4.htm">Jeremiah 11:4</a> which I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, ‘Obey Me, and do everything I command you, and you will be My people, and I will be your God.’ <a href="/psalms/15-1.htm">Psalm 15:1-5</a> A Psalm of David. O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy mountain? / He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart, / who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend, ... <a href="/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">1 Corinthians 7:19</a> Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.For not.<a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Romans 2:25</a> For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.<a href="/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">Deuteronomy 4:1</a> Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.<a href="/deuteronomy/5-1.htm">Deuteronomy 5:1</a> And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.but the.<a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20,23</a> Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin… <a href="/romans/10-5.htm">Romans 10:5</a> For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.<a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25-29</a> And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? … justified.<a href="/romans/3-30.htm">Romans 3:30</a> Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.<a href="/romans/4-2.htm">Romans 4:2-5</a> For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God… <a href="/psalms/143-2.htm">Psalm 143:2</a> And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/1-4.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/matthew/7-23.htm">Doers</a> <a href="/romans/2-5.htm">God's</a> <a href="/acts/28-28.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/acts/26-29.htm">Hearers</a> <a href="/romans/2-12.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/acts/13-39.htm">Justified</a> <a href="/romans/2-12.htm">Law</a> <a href="/mark/13-8.htm">Merely</a> <a href="/romans/2-8.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/acts/25-15.htm">Pronounced</a> <a href="/acts/23-34.htm">Read</a> <a href="/romans/2-5.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/romans/2-5.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/acts/28-15.htm">Sight</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/2-16.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/james/1-22.htm">Doers</a> <a href="/romans/2-24.htm">God's</a> <a href="/romans/10-14.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-18.htm">Hearers</a> <a href="/romans/3-4.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/romans/3-4.htm">Justified</a> <a href="/romans/2-14.htm">Law</a> <a href="/romans/2-28.htm">Merely</a> <a href="/romans/2-14.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/romans/4-9.htm">Pronounced</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-13.htm">Read</a> <a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/romans/2-26.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Sight</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> <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> </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>For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God This phrase emphasizes the distinction between merely hearing the law and actively living it out. In the Jewish context, the law refers to the Torah, which was central to Jewish life and worship. Hearing the law was a regular part of synagogue services, but Paul stresses that hearing alone does not equate to righteousness. This echoes <a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22</a>, which urges believers to be doers of the word, not just hearers. The concept of righteousness before God is rooted in the Old Testament, where righteousness is often associated with obedience to God's commands (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-25.htm">Deuteronomy 6:25</a>).but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous This phrase highlights the importance of action in faith. The idea of being a "doer" aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the importance of living out one's faith through actions (<a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21-23</a>). The phrase "declared righteous" is a legal term, often associated with justification, a key theme in Paul's writings. This anticipates the later development in Romans of justification by faith, where true righteousness comes through faith in Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law. The emphasis on doing the law also connects to the prophetic tradition, where true worship is shown through justice and mercy (<a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the Book of Romans, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_roman_church.htm">The Roman Church</a> The recipients of the letter, consisting of both Jewish and Gentile believers, who were navigating the complexities of faith and law. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a> Refers to the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites, which includes moral, ceremonial, and civil laws. 4. <a href="/topical/r/righteousness.htm">Righteousness</a> A central theme in Romans, referring to being in right standing with God. 5. <a href="/topical/j/judgment.htm">Judgment</a> The context of <a href="/bsb/romans/2.htm">Romans 2</a> involves God's impartial judgment, emphasizing that both Jews and Gentiles are accountable to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_action.htm">The Importance of Action</a> True righteousness is demonstrated through actions, not just knowledge or hearing of the Law. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_works.htm">Faith and Works</a> While salvation is by faith, genuine faith is evidenced by works. Our actions reflect our faith and commitment to God's commands. <a href="/topical/g/god's_impartial_judgment.htm">God's Impartial Judgment</a> God judges impartially, based on what we do with the knowledge we have. This calls for self-examination and sincere obedience. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_law.htm">The Role of the Law</a> The Law serves as a guide to righteous living, pointing us to our need for Christ and His grace. <a href="/topical/l/living_out_our_faith.htm">Living Out Our Faith</a> Believers are called to live out their faith in practical ways, demonstrating love, justice, and mercy in their daily lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 2</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'only_believe'.htm">What is the purpose of Instruction in Righteousness?</a> <a href="/q/are_christians_seen_as_hypocritical.htm">Are Christians often perceived as hypocritical?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_james_1_22_mean_by_doers.htm">What does James 1:22 mean about being doers?</a> <a href="/q/can_law_justify_(rom_3_20_vs._2_13).htm">Can the law justify? (Romans 3:20 vs. Romans 2:13)</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>(13) For not the hearers of the law.--The parenthesis should not be placed here (as usually in the Authorised version), but at the beginning of the next verse. The present verse is explanatory of that which precedes. "Judged, I say, by the Law; for they must not suppose that the mere fact of their being under the Law will exempt them from this judgment. The only exemption will be that which is given to those who have kept the Law, and not merely had the privilege of hearing it. And," the argument follows--the Apostle digressing for a moment to pursue this point to its conclusion--"this exemption, may apply quite as much to Gentile as to Jew."Hearers of the law.--Strictly (as above), hearers of law--i.e., those who have a law to which they can listen, and by which they may be guided. (Comp. <a href="/acts/13-27.htm" title="For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.">Acts 13:27</a>; <a href="/acts/15-21.htm" title="For Moses of old time has in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.">Acts 15:21</a>, "Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath"; and for the opposition between hearing and doing, <a href="/context/james/1-22.htm" title="But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.">James 1:22-23</a>; <a href="/james/1-25.htm" title="But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.">James 1:25</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 13. - For not the hearers of Law are just before God, but the doers of Law shall be justified; In this verse, as in the previous one, νόμου is anarthrous according to the best-supported readings, though the Textus Receptus has τοῦ before it. It has, therefore, been rendered above simply as Law, not as either the law, or a law, as the same word will be below, whenever it stands by itself without either the article or any modifying genitive. Much has been written by commentators on the senses in which this word νόμος is to be understood, as used by St. Paul with or without the article. In an Appendix to the Introduction to the Epistle to the Romans in the 'Speaker's Commentary' will be found a summary of the views taken by critics of repute, with exhaustive references to the usage of the word in the Septuagint, in the New Testament generally, and in the writings of St. Paul. It has not been thought necessary in this Commentary to discuss further what has been so amply discussed already. It may suffice to state certain principles for the reader's guidance, which appear plainly to commend themselves to acceptance. (1) Ὁ νόμος, with the article prefixed, always means the Mosaic Law. (2) Νόμος, without the article, may have, and often has, specific reference to the Mosaic Law; but, if so, the emission of the article is not arbitrary, but involves a difference of meaning. The article in Greek is prefixed to a word when the latter is intended to convey some definite idea already familiarized to the mind, and "the natural effect of its presence is to divert the thoughts from dwelling on the peculiar import of the word, and is adverse to its inherent notion standing out as a prominent point in the sense of the passage" (quoted from 'Grammar of the New Testament Dialect,' by T. S. Green, in Appendix to Introduction to Romans in the 'Speaker's Commentary '). Hence the omission of the article, where it might have been used, before a word has often the effect of emphasizing and drawing attention to the inherent notion of the word. We may take as an instance ver. 17 in this chapter, where the Textus Receptus has ἐπαναπαύῃ τῷ νόμῳ but where the preferable reading omits the article. In either case the Mosaic Law is referred to; but the omission of the article brings into prominence the principle of justification on which the Jew rested - viz. Law, which exacts entire obedience. In the following verse (the eighteenth), in the phrase, κατηχούμενος ἐκ τοῦ νόμου the article is inserted, the intention being simply to say that the Jew was instructed in the well-known Law of Moses. The same difference of meaning is intimated by the omission or insertion of the article in ver. 23 and elsewhere in other parts of the chapter and of the whole Epistle (see especially ch. 7.). The apostle, who, however spontaneous and unstudied might be his style of writing, by no means used phrases at random, would not surely have thus varied his expressions so often in one and the same sentence without intended significance. (3) Νόμος without the article seems evidently in many passages to be used by St. Paul to denote law in the abstract, without any exclusive reference to the Mosaic Law at all, or to any particular code of law. Doubtless the Mosaic Law, in which he had been educated, and which he had painfully proved the impossibility of keeping perfectly, had been to him the grand embodiment and representative of law; but he had hence been led to an abstract conception, ever before his mind, of law as representing the principle of exaction of full obedience to requirements; and when he says, as he so often does, that by law no man can be justified, he means that none can be so on the principle of complete conformity being required to the behests of Divine righteousness, whether as revealed from Mount Sinai or through the human conscience, or in any other way; for by law is the knowledge of sin and consequent guilt, but not the power of avoiding sin. Those who ignore the distinction as above explained, saying, as some do, that νόμος, whether with or without the article, always means simply the Law of Moses, fail to enter into the depth and generality of the apostle's argument. The distinction will be observed in this translation throughout the Epistle (ὁ νόμος being translated "the Law," and νόμος "law"), and it will be found always to have a meaning. (For one instance in which it is hardly possible to suppose St. Paul to have omitted and inserted the article in the same sentence without a meaning, cf. <a href="/galatians/4-21.htm">Galatians 4:21</a>.) <a href="/commentaries/romans/2-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For [it is] γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. not οὐ (ou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. hearers ἀκροαταὶ (akroatai) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_202.htm">Strong's 202: </a> A hearer of, a listener to. From akroaomai; a hearer. of [the] Law νόμου (nomou) Noun - Genitive 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. [who are] righteous δίκαιοι (dikaioi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1342.htm">Strong's 1342: </a> From dike; equitable; by implication, innocent, holy. before παρὰ (para) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3844.htm">Strong's 3844: </a> Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. 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. but [it is] ἀλλ’ (all’) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. doers ποιηταὶ (poiētai) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4163.htm">Strong's 4163: </a> (a) a maker, poet, (b) a doer, carrier out, performer. From poieo; a performer; specially, a 'poet'. of [the] Law νόμου (nomou) Noun - Genitive 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. [who] will be declared righteous. δικαιωθήσονται (dikaiōthēsontai) Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1344.htm">Strong's 1344: </a> From dikaios; to render just or innocent. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/2-13.htm">Romans 2:13 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/2-13.htm">Romans 2:13 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/2-13.htm">Romans 2:13 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/2-13.htm">Romans 2:13 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/2-13.htm">Romans 2:13 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/2-13.htm">Romans 2:13 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/2-13.htm">Romans 2:13 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/2-13.htm">Romans 2:13 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/2-13.htm">Romans 2:13 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/2-13.htm">Romans 2:13 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/romans/2-13.htm">NT Letters: Romans 2:13 For it isn't the hearers (Rom. 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