In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
In {G1722} the day {G2250} when {G3753} God {G2316} shall judge {G2919} the secrets {G2927} of men {G444} by {G1223} Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547} according {G2596} to my {G3450} gospel {G2098}.
on a day when God passes judgment on people’s inmost secrets. (According to the Good News as I proclaim it, he does this through the Messiah Yeshua.)
on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.
in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.
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Ecclesiastes 12:14
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil. -
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. -
Acts 17:31
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead. -
Luke 8:17
For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither [any thing] hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. -
Acts 10:42
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead. -
Romans 14:10
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. -
Romans 14:12
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Romans 2:16 speaks to a future day of accountability, revealing the comprehensive scope and nature of God's final judgment, which will be administered through Jesus Christ based on the truth of the gospel.
Context
This verse concludes a passage (Romans 2:1-16) in which the Apostle Paul confronts the self-righteousness of those, particularly Jews, who judged others while committing similar sins. Paul emphasizes that God's judgment is impartial, based on truth, and will be rendered to each person according to their deeds (Romans 2:6). He highlights that mere possession of the law or outward religious practice is insufficient; true obedience comes from the heart. Verse 16 adds a crucial dimension: God's judgment includes not just outward actions but also the hidden motivations and thoughts.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "secrets" is krypta (κρυπτὰ), meaning hidden things, secret thoughts, or inner dispositions. This term powerfully reinforces the idea that God's judgment penetrates beyond the surface. "My gospel" doesn't imply a different gospel, but Paul's specific commission to preach the one true gospel message, particularly to the Gentiles, as outlined in passages like 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
Reflection and Application
Romans 2:16 serves as a solemn reminder of the absolute transparency with which we stand before God. It challenges believers to cultivate inner integrity and purity of heart, knowing that our deepest thoughts and motives are known and will be judged by Christ. It also highlights the critical importance of the gospel, not just as the message of salvation, but as the framework within which God exercises His righteous judgment. For those who have embraced the gospel by faith in Jesus Christ, the judgment is not one of condemnation, but of evaluation based on their relationship with Him.