Romans 10:2

KJV

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} I bear {G3140} them {G846} record {G3140} that {G3754} they have {G2192} a zeal {G2205} of God {G2316}, but {G235} not {G3756} according {G2596} to knowledge {G1922}.

Complete Jewish Bible

for I can testify to their zeal for God. But it is not based on correct understanding;

Berean Standard Bible

For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge.

American Standard Version

For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Romans 10:2, the Apostle Paul expresses a profound and poignant observation regarding his Jewish kinsmen, affirming their fervent devotion and earnest desire to serve God, which he describes as a "zeal of God." However, he immediately qualifies this commendation with a critical caveat: their zeal, though sincere and passionate, was not "according to knowledge," indicating a fundamental misunderstanding of God's revealed path to righteousness and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ rather than through adherence to the Law.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a deeply personal and theologically weighty section of Paul's letter to the Romans, specifically chapters 9-11. Here, Paul grapples with the perplexing question of Israel's rejection of Jesus as their Messiah, despite being God's chosen people. Having established God's sovereign election and mercy in [Romans 9](/romans/9 "Romans 9 - God's Sovereign Choice"), Paul transitions in [Romans 10](/romans/10 "Romans 10 - Israel's Righteousness by Faith") to address Israel's pursuit of righteousness. He acknowledges their earnest religious fervor, but highlights their tragic misstep: their attempt to attain righteousness through their own efforts by the Law, rather than by faith in Christ. This is explicitly stated in [Romans 9:31-32](/romans/9-31-32 "Romans 9:31-32 - Israel Stumbled Over the Stumbling Stone"), where Paul notes that Israel "stumbled over the stumbling stone" by seeking righteousness not by faith, but as if it were based on works. Romans 10:2 sets the stage for Paul's subsequent explanation of the true nature of God's righteousness, which is by faith, contrasting it with the Law as a means to salvation, culminating in the declaration that "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" in [Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ is the End of the Law").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judaism was characterized by a profound and pervasive zeal for God and His Law. The Jewish people, having been uniquely chosen by God and given His covenant and commandments, understood their identity and relationship with God primarily through their adherence to the Mosaic Law. This zeal manifested in meticulous observance of rituals, dietary laws, Sabbath keeping, and a strong nationalistic pride in their heritage as descendants of Abraham. They genuinely believed that strict obedience to the Law was the pathway to righteousness and a right standing with God. This devotion was often admirable, stemming from a sincere desire to honor God. However, their understanding was largely shaped by rabbinic traditions and an emphasis on human effort, which inadvertently obscured the prophetic promises pointing to a Messiah who would bring a new covenant of grace. Their fervent expectation of a Messiah was often tied to a political deliverer who would free them from Roman rule, rather than a spiritual savior who would atone for their sins and establish a righteousness not based on works, but on faith.
* **Key Themes:** Romans 10:2 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Romans. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Misdirected Zeal**, illustrating that sincere religious devotion, however fervent, can be tragically misdirected if it is not aligned with God's revealed truth. Paul acknowledges their passion but laments its flawed foundation. Secondly, it highlights the critical distinction between **Human Effort and Divine Grace** in the pursuit of righteousness. Israel's zeal led them to seek righteousness through their own works of the Law, a path that ultimately proved futile ([Romans 10:3](/romans/10-3 "Romans 10:3 - Israel's Rejection of God's Righteousness")). This contrasts sharply with God's provision of righteousness through faith in Christ, a theme central to Paul's entire argument in [Romans](/romans "The Book of Romans"). Finally, the verse introduces the theme of **Knowledge vs. Ignorance** concerning God's plan of salvation. The "knowledge" they lacked was not mere intellectual data, but a saving, experiential understanding of God's redemptive work through Christ, which is the true path to salvation ([Romans 1:17](/romans/1-17 "Romans 1:17 - Righteousness by Faith")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bear record (Greek, _martyréō'_):** From `G3140`, this verb means "to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)." Paul is not merely stating an opinion but offering a solemn, personal testimony based on his intimate knowledge of his kinsmen. This word carries the weight of authoritative declaration, implying that Paul's assessment is not casual but a deeply considered and truthful observation, drawing on his own background as a zealous Pharisee.
* **zeal (Greek, _zēlos'_):** From `G2205`, this noun properly denotes "heat," and figuratively, "zeal" (in a favorable sense, ardor) or "jealousy" (in an unfavorable sense, malice). Here, Paul uses it in the favorable sense, acknowledging the genuine, passionate earnestness and fervent devotion of the Jewish people towards God. Their religious fervor was undeniable and deeply rooted, even if misdirected in its object or method.
* **knowledge (Greek, _epígnōsis'_):** From `G1922`, this term signifies "recognition, i.e., (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgement." It is more than mere intellectual acquaintance (gnosis); it implies a deeper, more comprehensive, and accurate understanding, often one that comes through revelation or personal experience. Paul's point is that Israel's zeal, while strong, lacked this full, precise, and saving knowledge of God's redemptive plan, particularly concerning the Messiah and the nature of true righteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I bear them record":** Paul begins with a personal affirmation, emphasizing the truthfulness and gravity of his subsequent statement. As a former zealous Jew himself, he had firsthand experience and deep empathy for his people, making his testimony both credible and poignant. He is not condemning them out of hand but expressing a sorrowful observation born of love and understanding.
* **"that they have a zeal of God":** This clause acknowledges the genuine and fervent religious devotion of the Jewish people. Their "zeal" was directed towards God, indicating a sincere, passionate, and earnest desire to serve Him and uphold His Law. This was not a superficial or hypocritical religiosity, but a deep-seated commitment that Paul recognized and respected.
* **"but not according to knowledge.":** This is the crucial qualification. While their zeal was admirable in its intensity and direction (towards God), it was fundamentally flawed in its method and understanding. The "knowledge" they lacked was not merely factual information, but a full, accurate, and saving discernment of God's righteousness, which is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ, not through works of the Law. Their zeal, though sincere, was misinformed about the true nature of God's saving grace and His redemptive plan.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in this concise verse. The most prominent is **Contrast**, where he juxtaposes the "zeal of God" with the phrase "not according to knowledge." This creates a stark and tragic tension, highlighting that sincerity and passion, while valuable, are insufficient without accurate understanding of divine truth. There is also an element of **Pathos**, as Paul's declaration is imbued with deep emotional resonance. His use of "I bear them record" conveys a sense of personal burden and sorrow for his kinsmen, reflecting his profound love and grief for their spiritual condition. Furthermore, one could argue for a subtle **Irony** in the situation: those who were most zealous for God, and who possessed the Law, were precisely the ones who failed to grasp the true way of righteousness that God had provided through Christ. Their very devotion, when misdirected, became a barrier rather than a bridge to God's salvation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 10:2 encapsulates a profound theological truth: genuine religious fervor, however intense, is insufficient for salvation if it is not grounded in accurate knowledge of God's revealed will and His pathway to righteousness. The Jewish people's zeal for God, admirable in its devotion, was misdirected because they sought to establish their own righteousness through works of the Law, rather than submitting to God's righteousness, which is by faith in Christ. This verse serves as a timeless warning that sincerity, while commendable, does not equate to truth, and that true spiritual life requires both fervent devotion and sound theological understanding, particularly concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ. It underscores the biblical emphasis on the necessity of divine revelation and the inadequacy of human effort in achieving a right standing with God.

* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge")
* [Proverbs 19:2](/proverbs/19-2 "Proverbs 19:2 - Zeal Without Knowledge is Not Good")
* [Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness from God by Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 10:2 serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, urging us to examine the foundation of our own spiritual zeal. It challenges the notion that mere sincerity or passionate activity in religious matters is sufficient for pleasing God or securing salvation. We can be incredibly zealous for church programs, social justice causes, evangelism, or even doctrinal purity, but if that zeal is not deeply rooted in and guided by a comprehensive, accurate, and saving knowledge of God's Word and His revealed will, particularly concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ, it can be misdirected or even counterproductive. This verse calls us to a lifelong pursuit of biblical literacy and theological discernment, ensuring that our passion for God is always "according to knowledge." It reminds us that true faith is not blind, but an informed trust in the God who has revealed Himself definitively in Scripture and supremely in His Son. Our devotion must be shaped by truth, lest our earnest efforts unintentionally lead us away from God's intended path.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my spiritual life might my zeal be strong, but perhaps lacking in true biblical knowledge?**
* **How can I ensure that my passion for God is always grounded in an accurate understanding of His Word and His will?**
* **What steps can I take to deepen my "knowledge" of God, not just intellectually, but in a way that transforms my zeal into Spirit-led action?**
* **Do I prioritize sincerity over truth, or do I seek to align my sincerity with God's revealed truth?**

### FAQ
**What kind of "knowledge" was Israel lacking according to Paul?**

Answer: The "knowledge" Israel lacked was not simply intellectual information or factual data, but a deeper, comprehensive, and saving discernment of God's redemptive plan. The Greek word `epígnōsis` implies a full and accurate understanding, often one that comes through revelation or personal experience. In this context, it refers specifically to their failure to grasp that God's righteousness is attained through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than through meticulous adherence to the Mosaic Law or their own human efforts. They understood *what* God commanded, but not *how* God truly saves and makes one righteous. Paul explains this further in [Romans 10:3-4](/romans/10-3-4 "Romans 10:3-4 - Israel's Pursuit of Righteousness"), stating that "they did not submit to God's righteousness" because "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 10:2, while lamenting Israel's misdirected zeal, implicitly points to the necessity of Christ as the object of true knowledge and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The "knowledge" Israel lacked was ultimately the knowledge of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the one through whom God's righteousness is revealed and imputed. Their zeal for the Law, though sincere, failed to recognize that the Law's ultimate purpose was to lead them to Christ ([Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Guardian Leading to Christ")). Jesus Himself declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Therefore, any zeal, however fervent, that bypasses or misunderstands Christ as the sole means of salvation is ultimately "not according to knowledge." The New Testament consistently presents Christ as the embodiment of God's wisdom and the source of all true spiritual understanding ([Colossians 2:2-3](/colossians/2-2-3 "Colossians 2:2-3 - Christ, in Whom Are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge")). Thus, the fulfillment of Israel's misguided zeal, and indeed all human religious striving, is found only in a saving knowledge of and faith in Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the Law and offers righteousness as a free gift to all who believe ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 21:20

And when they heard [it], they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

Romans 9:31

But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

Romans 9:32

Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Philippians 1:9

¶ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and [in] all judgment;

Romans 10:3

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Philippians 3:6

Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Proverbs 19:2

¶ Also, [that] the soul [be] without knowledge, [it is] not good; and he that hasteth with [his] feet sinneth.