King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Complete Jewish Bible:
Or perhaps you despise the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience; because you don’t realize that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to turn from your sins.
Berean Standard Bible:
Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
American Standard Version:
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Or{G2228} despisest thou{G2706} the riches{G4149} of his{G846} goodness{G5544} and{G2532} forbearance{G463} and{G2532} longsuffering{G3115}; not knowing{G50} that{G3754} the goodness{G5543} of God{G2316} leadeth{G71} thee{G4571} to{G1519} repentance{G3341}?
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Peter 3:9
- ¶ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Isaiah 30:18
- ¶ And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD [is] a God of judgment: blessed [are] all they that wait for him.
Exodus 34:6
- And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
Titus 3:4
- But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Titus 3:6
- Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Romans 9:22
- [What] if God, willing to shew [his] wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Romans 9:23
- And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Romans 2:4
Romans 2:4 is a part of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Christian community in Rome, written around AD 57-58 during his third missionary journey. This verse is situated within a larger argument where Paul is addressing the moral and ethical responsibility of both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews).
In the historical context, Paul is confronting the common Jewish belief of the time that they held a privileged status before God due to their ancestry and possession of the Law of Moses. He challenges this assumption by emphasizing that possession of the law or knowledge of God's will does not automatically guarantee salvation or special treatment. Instead, Paul points out that God's kindness, patience, and tolerance are meant to lead everyone to repentance, not to be taken for granted or seen as a license to continue in sin.
The themes of Romans 2:4 include:
1. **God's Goodness**: Paul refers to the "riches of his goodness," highlighting God's inherent kindness and generosity towards humanity.
2. **Divine Forbearance and Patience**: The verse speaks to God's tolerance and delay in bringing about judgment, giving people time to repent.
3. **Human Response**: The verse questions whether one is in danger of despising or belittling God's patience, implying that there should be a response of gratitude and repentance rather than complacency or presumption.
4. **Call to Repentance**: The ultimate goal of God's attributes mentioned is to bring about a change of heart and mind, leading to a turning away from sin and towards God—this is the essence of repentance.
In summary, Romans 2:4 serves as a reminder that God's kindness is intended to prompt self-examination and a sincere change in behavior. It challenges the audience not to misinterpret God's patience as indifference but to recognize it as an opportunity for repentance, which is central to the Christian message of redemption and reconciliation with God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G2228
There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἤ
Transliteration: ḗ
Pronunciation: ay
Description: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially ἤδη, ἤπερ, ἤτοι. - Strong's Number: G2706
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καταφρονέω
Transliteration: kataphronéō
Pronunciation: kat-af-ron-eh'-o
Description: from κατά and φρονέω; to think against, i.e. disesteem:--despise. - Strong's Number: G4149
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πλοῦτος
Transliteration: ploûtos
Pronunciation: ploo'-tos
Description: from the base of πλήθω; wealth (as fulness), i.e. (literally) money, possessions, or (figuratively) abundance, richness, (specially), valuable bestowment:--riches. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G5544
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: χρηστότης
Transliteration: chrēstótēs
Pronunciation: khray-stot'-ace
Description: from χρηστός; usefulness, i.e. morally, excellence (in character or demeanor):--gentleness, good(-ness), kindness. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G463
There are 61 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀνοχή
Transliteration: anochḗ
Pronunciation: an-okh-ay'
Description: from ἀνέχομαι; self-restraint, i.e. tolerance:--forbearance. - Strong's Number: G3115
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μακροθυμία
Transliteration: makrothymía
Pronunciation: mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah
Description: from the same as μακροθυμώς; longanimity, i.e. (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude:--longsuffering, patience. - Strong's Number: G50
There are 1342 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀγνοέω
Transliteration: agnoéō
Pronunciation: ag-no-eh'-o
Description: from Α (as a negative particle) and νοιέω; not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination):--(be) ignorant(-ly), not know, not understand, unknown. - Strong's Number: G3754
There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅτι
Transliteration: hóti
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why. - Strong's Number: G5543
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: χρηστός
Transliteration: chrēstós
Pronunciation: khrase-tos'
Description: from χράομαι; employed, i.e. (by implication) useful (in manner or morals):--better, easy, good(-ness), gracious, kind. - Strong's Number: G2316
There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θεός
Transliteration: theós
Pronunciation: theh'-os
Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward). - Strong's Number: G71
There are 97 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄγω
Transliteration: ágō
Pronunciation: ag'-o
Description: a primary verb; properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce:--be, bring (forth), carry, (let) go, keep, lead away, be open. - Strong's Number: G4571
There are 179 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σέ
Transliteration: sé
Pronunciation: seh
Description: accusative case singular of σύ; thee:--thee, thou, X thy house. - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G3341
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μετάνοια
Transliteration: metánoia
Pronunciation: met-an'-oy-ah
Description: from μετανοέω; (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal (of (another's) decision):--repentance.