Romans 2:21

KJV

Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou therefore {G3767} which {G3588} teachest {G1321} another {G2087}, teachest thou {G1321} not {G3756} thyself {G4572}? thou that preachest {G2784} a man should {G2813} not {G3361} steal {G2813}, dost thou steal {G2813}?

Complete Jewish Bible

then, you who teach others, don’t you teach yourself? Preaching, “Thou shalt not steal,” do you steal?

Berean Standard Bible

you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?

American Standard Version

thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 2:21 presents a series of incisive rhetorical questions from the Apostle Paul, directly challenging individuals who teach moral and religious principles to others but fail to live by those same standards themselves. Specifically targeting those who preach against stealing, Paul exposes the profound hypocrisy of practicing the very sin they condemn, thereby undermining their authority and bringing disrepute upon the divine truth they claim to represent. This verse serves as a powerful indictment against external religiosity devoid of internal transformation and consistent obedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 2:21 is situated within Paul's broader argument in Romans 2, where he systematically dismantles any basis for human boasting or self-righteousness, whether Gentile or Jew. Having established in [Romans 1](/romans/1 "Romans 1 - The Guilt of Humanity") that all humanity is under sin, he turns his attention in [Romans 2](/romans/2 "Romans 2 - God's Righteous Judgment") to those who judge others. He begins by declaring that God's judgment is based on truth and deeds, not on external status or knowledge ([Romans 2:2](/romans/2-2 "Romans 2:2 - God Judges According to Truth")). Paul then directly addresses the Jewish audience, who, despite possessing the Law and the covenant, are shown to be just as guilty of sin. Verses [Romans 2:17-20](/romans/2-17-20 "Romans 2:17-20 - The Boast of the Jew") detail the Jewish person's reliance on their identity as a "Jew," their knowledge of the Law, and their role as a "guide of the blind" or "teacher of babes." Verse 21, therefore, initiates a series of pointed questions ([Romans 2:21-23](/romans/2-21-23 "Romans 2:21-23 - The Hypocrisy of the Teacher")) that expose the glaring inconsistency between their outward profession and their inward practice, culminating in the charge that their hypocrisy causes the name of God to be blasphemed among the Gentiles ([Romans 2:24](/romans/2-24 "Romans 2:24 - God's Name Blasphemed")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's letter to the Romans was written to a diverse church in Rome, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers. Within this community, and more broadly in the Jewish diaspora, there was a strong emphasis on the Law (Torah) as the defining characteristic of Jewish identity and righteousness. Jewish teachers and leaders took pride in their knowledge of the Law and their ability to instruct others. The synagogue system was a primary venue for such teaching. However, Paul challenges the prevailing notion that mere possession or intellectual understanding of the Law conferred righteousness. He confronts the cultural assumption that being a "teacher" or "preacher" automatically equated to moral superiority. The specific example of "stealing" is drawn directly from the [Ten Commandments](/exodus/20-15 "Exodus 20:15 - The Eighth Commandment"), a foundational pillar of Jewish moral and legal code, making the accusation particularly potent and culturally resonant to his audience. The issue of hypocrisy was not unique to Judaism; it was a universal human failing, but Paul highlights its particular danger when it undermines the very message of God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Romans and Paul's theology. The most prominent is **Hypocrisy**, exposing the stark contradiction between outward profession and inward reality. It underscores the theme of **Integrity and Consistency**, emphasizing that true righteousness is not merely about knowing or teaching the Law, but about living it out consistently. Paul also highlights the **Accountability of Teachers**, suggesting that those who instruct others bear a greater responsibility to embody the truths they proclaim. This leads to the theme of **The Law and Practice**, where Paul argues that the Law's purpose is not merely intellectual assent but transformative obedience. He foreshadows his later argument that external markers like circumcision are meaningless without a circumcised heart ([Romans 2:28-29](/romans/2-28-29 "Romans 2:28-29 - True Circumcision")). Ultimately, the verse serves Paul's larger theological purpose of demonstrating that all humanity—Jew and Gentile—is equally in need of God's grace and righteousness through faith in Christ, as no one can perfectly fulfill the Law through their own efforts ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **teachest (Greek, _didáskō'_):** Derived from a primary verb meaning "to learn," this word signifies the act of imparting knowledge or instruction, often with the intent of shaping behavior or understanding. In this context, it refers to the formal or informal instruction in God's Law and moral principles. Paul's question highlights the irony of someone proficient in teaching others failing to apply that same instruction to their own life.
* **preachest (Greek, _kērýssō'_):** This term means "to herald as a public crier," specifically in the context of proclaiming divine truth or the gospel. It implies a public, authoritative declaration. The use of this word emphasizes the public nature of the hypocrisy: the individual is not just privately instructing, but publicly proclaiming a standard they themselves violate, thereby bringing greater shame.
* **steal (Greek, _kléptō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to filch" or "to take unlawfully." This specific sin is chosen because it is a clear violation of one of the Ten Commandments ([Exodus 20:15](/exodus/20-15 "Exodus 20:15 - The Eighth Commandment")), a fundamental moral law. Its inclusion makes the hypocrisy undeniable and universally understood by his audience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?"**: Paul begins with a direct address, "Thou therefore," connecting this challenge to the preceding arguments about judgment. The core of the rhetorical question is immediately posed: "You who instruct others, do you not instruct yourself?" This highlights the fundamental inconsistency of a teacher who applies standards to others but exempts themselves, revealing a profound lack of self-awareness or integrity.
* **"thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?"**: This second, more specific rhetorical question provides a concrete example of the hypocrisy. The one who publicly proclaims the commandment against stealing—a clear and unambiguous moral law—is then accused of committing that very act. The parallelism emphasizes the stark contradiction, forcing the audience to confront the practical implications of their teaching. The use of "dost thou steal?" in the present tense suggests a continuous or habitual practice, not merely an isolated incident, intensifying the indictment.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in Romans 2:21 to underscore his point. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, where he asks questions not to elicit information but to make a forceful assertion and provoke introspection. By posing "teachest thou not thyself?" and "dost thou steal?", Paul directly confronts the audience, forcing them to acknowledge the inherent contradiction in their behavior. This technique creates a sense of personal challenge and demands a self-evident, negative answer, thereby exposing their guilt. Closely related is **Hypophora**, where the speaker poses a question and then immediately answers it (or implies the obvious answer). While Paul doesn't explicitly answer, the context and the subsequent verses imply the damning "yes" to the accusation of hypocrisy. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Irony** in this verse. The very person who is a "teacher" and "preacher" of righteousness is depicted as failing to live up to the most basic moral standards they espouse. This ironic contrast serves to highlight the absurdity and moral bankruptcy of such a position.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 2:21 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that true faith is demonstrated not merely by intellectual assent or outward profession, but by consistent obedience and transformed living. It exposes the futility and danger of a superficial religiosity that prioritizes external adherence to rules or the teaching of truth over genuine internal transformation. This passage resonates with the prophetic tradition in the Old Testament, which frequently condemned the hypocrisy of Israel's leaders and people who honored God with their lips but whose hearts were far from Him ([Isaiah 29:13](/isaiah/29-13 "Isaiah 29:13 - Honoring God with Lips Only")). Paul's argument here sets the stage for his later exposition on the inadequacy of the Law to bring righteousness, emphasizing that true righteousness comes through faith in Christ, which then empowers genuine obedience.

* [Matthew 23:3](/matthew/23-3 "Matthew 23:3 - Do What They Say, Not What They Do")
* [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Be Doers of the Word")
* [Titus 1:16](/titus/1-16 "Titus 1:16 - Professing to Know God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 2:21 serves as a timeless mirror, reflecting the universal human tendency towards hypocrisy, especially for those in positions of influence or teaching. It challenges every believer, regardless of their role, to examine the alignment between their proclaimed beliefs and their lived reality. For those who teach, lead, or mentor—whether in a church, a family, or a workplace—this verse is a particularly sharp call to integrity. Our credibility and the power of our message are inextricably linked to the authenticity of our lives. When we preach one thing but practice another, we not only damage our own witness but also bring disrepute to the very truths we claim to represent and, most significantly, to the name of God. True spiritual authority flows from a life that strives to embody the principles it teaches, demonstrating that the transformative power of God's Word is at work within us. This verse compels us to cultivate a deep and consistent walk with God, ensuring that our private lives are consistent with our public declarations, and that our hearts are truly committed to the obedience we advocate for others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be teaching or advocating for a standard that I myself am not consistently upholding?**
* **How does my personal integrity (or lack thereof) impact the credibility of the message I share with others about God?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to ensure greater consistency between my beliefs and my behavior?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that desires to obey God's commands, not just know or teach them?**

### FAQ

**What is the main point Paul is trying to make in Romans 2:21?**

Answer: The main point of [Romans 2:21](/romans/2-21 "Romans 2:21 - The Hypocrisy of the Teacher") is to expose and condemn the hypocrisy of those who teach God's Law and moral principles to others but fail to live by those same standards themselves. Paul argues that merely possessing knowledge of the Law or teaching it does not bring righteousness; rather, it is consistent obedience and genuine integrity that God requires. This hypocrisy not only undermines the individual's credibility but also brings dishonor to God's name among those observing their inconsistent behavior, as noted in [Romans 2:24](/romans/2-24 "Romans 2:24 - God's Name Blasphemed").

**Is this verse only applicable to religious teachers or leaders?**

Answer: While the immediate context of [Romans 2:21](/romans/2-21 "Romans 2:21 - The Hypocrisy of the Teacher") is directed at Jewish teachers who prided themselves on their knowledge of the Law, its principle extends to anyone who teaches, leads, or influences others in matters of morality or faith. This includes parents, mentors, public figures, and indeed, any Christian who claims to follow Christ. The underlying message is a universal call for integrity: that one's life should align with one's words and beliefs. As [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Be Doers of the Word") famously states, we are called to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 2:21, though a stern rebuke to hypocrisy under the Old Covenant Law, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound significance in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very problem Paul identifies—the inability of humanity, even those who teach the Law, to perfectly uphold its righteous demands—underscores the desperate need for a Savior. Jesus, unlike the hypocritical teachers, perfectly embodied every truth He taught. He was the only one who could truly say, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life")), because His life was in perfect alignment with His words. He condemned hypocrisy ([Matthew 23:27-28](/matthew/23-27-28 "Matthew 23:27-28 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")), not from a position of judgment, but from the perfect example of righteousness. The New Covenant, established through His blood, offers not merely a new set of rules to be taught, but a new heart empowered by the Holy Spirit to live out God's will ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). Through faith in Christ, believers are not just taught to "not steal," but are given a new nature that desires to honor God in all areas of life, transforming them from within to reflect the integrity and holiness of Christ Himself ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). Thus, Christ fulfills the Law's demands on our behalf and empowers us to live lives of genuine, Spirit-led obedience, overcoming the very hypocrisy that Paul condemns.

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

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Matthew 23:3

All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

Matthew 23:28

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Micah 3:11

The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, [Is] not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.

Luke 12:47

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not [himself], neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes].

Titus 2:1

¶ But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

Titus 2:7

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine [shewing] uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,