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Verse

Romans 2:3

ESV Do you suppose, O man — you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself — that you will escape the judgment of God?
NIV So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
NASB But do you suppose this, you foolish person who passes judgment on those who practice such things, and yet does them as well, that you will escape the judgment of God?
CSB Do you really think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment?
NLT Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?
KJV And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
NKJV And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

What does Romans 2:3 mean?

In the previous verse, Paul declared what he assumes his readers know and understand: God judges people for practicing sin. Now Paul asks a direct question: Do you think you are exempt from God's judgment for sin?

Why would anyone think they could escape God's judgment? As Paul showed in Romans 1, Gentiles may think this because they have rejected the very idea of God. He insists they are wrong. Now he comes to his Jewish readers. They may make the mistake of thinking God won't judge them for their sin either because they don't think themselves sinful or because they think He won't judge Jewish people. Paul will show they are wrong on both counts.

God will judge everyone one of us, Jewish or not, for our sinful practices. And we all commit sins, a point Paul will make later in this letter (Romans 3:23). All of this supports the central idea of this letter: that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
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