Romans 2:8-12

2:8 but ¹  wrath and anger to those who live in selfish ambition ²  and do not obey the truth but follow ³  unrighteousness. 2:9 There will be ⁴  affliction and distress on everyone ⁵  who does evil, on the Jew first and also the Greek, ⁶  2:10 but ⁷  glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, for the Jew first and also the Greek. 2:11 For there is no partiality with God. 2:12 For all who have sinned apart from the law ⁸  will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.

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¹ tn This contrast is clearer and stronger in Greek than can be easily expressed in English.

² tn Grk “those who [are] from selfish ambition.”

³ tn Grk “are persuaded by, obey.”

⁴ tn No verb is expressed in this verse, but the verb “to be” is implied by the Greek construction. Literally “suffering and distress on everyone…”

⁵ tn Grk “every soul of man.”

⁶ sn Paul uses the term Greek here and in v. 10 to refer to non-Jews, i.e., Gentiles.

⁷ tn Grk “but even,” to emphasize the contrast. The second word has been omitted since it is somewhat redundant in English idiom.

⁸ sn This is the first occurrence of law (nomos) in Romans. Exactly what Paul means by the term has been the subject of much scholarly debate. According to J. A. Fitzmyer (Romans [AB], 131-35; 305-6) there are at least four different senses: (1) figurative, as a “principle”; (2) generic, meaning “a law”; (3) as a reference to the OT or some part of the OT; and (4) as a reference to the Mosaic law. This last usage constitutes the majority of Paul’s references to “law” in Romans.