Bible Strands
Romans 2:23
You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses a Jewish interlocutor who claims covenant privilege and relies on Mosaic instruction. He poses this question during a rhetorical confrontation about the hypocrisy of claiming religious status while violating its commands.
The words — καυχᾶσαι (kauchasai) means to boast or pride oneself, while παραβάσεως (parabaseōs) denotes transgression or breaking. The text directly links religious pride in the law with the actual commission of law-breaking.
The thread — This theme of empty religious boasting appears in James 4:16, where proud intentions are condemned. Paul echoes it in Romans 2:17 when addressing those who boast in God and the law, and Jesus warns in John 5:45 that Moses will accuse those who place their hope in him.
Why it lands — The verse demands a direct comparison between professed belief and actual behavior. It requires the reader to acknowledge that violating divine commands nullifies any claimed honor of God.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
Cross-references
- James 4:16 As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil.
- Romans 2:17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;
- John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, in whom you have put your hope.
- Romans 3:2 Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
- Romans 9:4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.
- Jeremiah 8:8 How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us,’ when in fact the lying pen of the scribes has produced a deception?
- Matthew 19:17 “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.”
- Luke 10:26 “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?”
- Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
- John 9:28 Then they heaped insults on him and said, “You are His disciple; we are disciples of Moses.