Romans 2:22

KJV

Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou that sayest {G3004} a man should {G3431} not {G3361} commit adultery {G3431}, dost thou commit adultery {G3431}? thou that abhorrest {G948} idols {G1497}, dost thou commit sacrilege {G2416}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Saying, “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? Detesting idols, do you commit idolatrous acts?

Berean Standard Bible

You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

American Standard Version

thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou rob temples?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 2:22 is a pivotal rhetorical question posed by the Apostle Paul, directly challenging the hypocrisy of those who, possessing and teaching God's Law, fail to live by its precepts. Specifically, Paul confronts the inconsistency of condemning adultery while committing it, and abhorring idolatry while engaging in sacrilege. This verse serves as a sharp indictment against self-righteousness and outward religiosity that lacks inward transformation and genuine obedience, setting the stage for Paul's broader argument that all humanity, Jew and Gentile alike, stands condemned before God and is in need of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 2:22 is situated within Paul's extended argument in [Romans 1-3](/romans/1-3 "Romans 1-3 - Humanity's Universal Sinfulness") concerning humanity's universal sinfulness and the impartial judgment of God. Following his declaration that Gentiles are without excuse due to their suppression of truth ([Romans 1:18-32](/romans/1-18-32 "Romans 1:18-32 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")), Paul turns his attention in [Romans 2](/romans/2 "Romans 2 - God's Impartial Judgment") to those who judge others, particularly implying Jewish individuals who boast in the Law. He emphasizes that God's judgment is based on deeds, not on external identity or knowledge of the Law ([Romans 2:6-11](/romans/2-6-11 "Romans 2:6-11 - Judgment According to Deeds")). Verses [Romans 2:17-24](/romans/2-17-24 "Romans 2:17-24 - The Hypocrisy of the Jews") directly address the Jewish person, detailing their boasting in the Law and their role as a "guide to the blind," yet ultimately dishonoring God through their actions. Verse 22 provides concrete examples of this hypocrisy, specifically in the areas of sexual morality and reverence for God's sacred things, leading into the conclusion that their actions cause God's name to be blasphemed among the Gentiles ([Romans 2:24](/romans/2-24 "Romans 2:24 - God's Name Blasphemed")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul is writing to the church in Rome, a diverse community of both Jewish and Gentile believers. Within this context, there would have been a significant Jewish presence, many of whom would have prided themselves on their unique covenantal relationship with God, their possession of the Mosaic Law, and their distinct identity as God's chosen people. The Law was seen as a source of national pride and a guide for righteous living. However, Paul challenges the notion that mere possession or knowledge of the Law guarantees righteousness or immunity from God's judgment. The references to "adultery" and "sacrilege" (temple robbery) touch upon deeply ingrained moral and religious principles. Adultery was explicitly forbidden in the Decalogue ([Exodus 20:14](/exodus/20-14 "Exodus 20:14 - The Seventh Commandment")), and idolatry was the cardinal sin against God's covenant ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First and Second Commandments")). Sacrilege, or robbing temples, was a serious offense, often associated with pagan practices, but Paul applies it to those who "abhor idols," suggesting a profound internal contradiction related to the handling of sacred things or funds within their own religious system.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [Romans 2](/romans/2 "Romans 2 - God's Impartial Judgment") and particularly in this verse is **Hypocrisy**, where outward profession (boasting in the Law, abhorring idols) is starkly contrasted with inward practice (committing adultery, sacrilege). This highlights the theme of **Inconsistency** between one's stated beliefs and one's actual behavior. Paul also underscores the theme of **God's Impartial Judgment**, asserting that God judges all people, regardless of their ethnic or religious identity, based on their deeds ([Romans 2:11](/romans/2-11 "God Shows No Partiality")). The passage implicitly calls for **Integrity**, emphasizing that true righteousness requires a life consistent with one's moral and theological convictions. Ultimately, these themes serve to demonstrate the universal need for God's grace and righteousness, which is revealed through faith in Christ ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Righteousness Through Faith")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sayest (Greek, _légō'_):** From G3004, a primary verb meaning "to lay forth" or "to relate in words," often implying systematic or set discourse. In this context, it refers to the act of teaching, proclaiming, or making a moral pronouncement. The one who "says" is therefore a teacher or moral guide.
* **abhorrest (Greek, _bdelýssō'_):** From G948, meaning "to be disgusted," and by implication, "to detest." It is often used in the Septuagint to describe the detestation of idolatry. This word conveys a strong emotional rejection and moral revulsion against idols, making the subsequent charge of sacrilege even more jarring.
* **idols (Greek, _eídōlon'_):** From G1497, referring to an image for worship, or by implication, a heathen god. In the Jewish context, this would refer to the pagan gods and their images, which were strictly forbidden and detested.
* **sacrilege (Greek, _hierosyléō'_):** From G2416, meaning "to be a temple-robber" or "to commit sacrilege." This term denotes the act of profaning or stealing sacred things, specifically from a temple. The irony is profound: one who detests pagan idols is accused of profaning sacred things, perhaps even God's own temple or its offerings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery?"**: Paul directly confronts the inconsistency of the moral instructor. The first clause identifies the person as one who articulates and upholds the moral standard against adultery, a clear violation of the Seventh Commandment ([Exodus 20:14](/exodus/20-14 "Exodus 20:14 - The Seventh Commandment")). The immediate follow-up question, "dost thou commit adultery?", is a sharp rhetorical challenge, implying that the very person teaching against this sin is guilty of it. This highlights a profound disconnect between doctrine and deed, public teaching and private practice.
* **"thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?"**: This second rhetorical question extends the indictment to another area of grave moral and religious offense. The first clause describes someone who strongly detests and rejects idols, aligning with the foundational commands against idolatry ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First and Second Commandments")). The subsequent question, "dost thou commit sacrilege?", implies that despite their strong stance against pagan worship, they are guilty of profaning sacred things, perhaps by dishonestly handling temple funds, misusing sacred offerings, or treating God's holy things with contempt. This exposes a deeper hypocrisy: outwardly rejecting false gods, but inwardly disrespecting the true God by their actions concerning His holy domain.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful **rhetorical questions** in this verse, which serve not merely to elicit information but to make a forceful point and expose a glaring contradiction. The questions are accusatory, designed to provoke self-examination and conviction in the audience. The structure of the verse is a form of **antithesis** or **juxtaposition**, placing the stated moral principle ("sayest a man should not commit adultery," "abhorrest idols") directly against the alleged immoral practice ("dost thou commit adultery," "dost thou commit sacrilege?"). This sharp contrast highlights the profound **hypocrisy** Paul is addressing. Furthermore, there is an element of **irony**, particularly in the second half of the verse, where those who are most zealous against pagan idolatry are accused of profaning their own sacred institutions. This literary craftsmanship makes Paul's argument incisive and memorable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 2:22 profoundly underscores the biblical truth that true righteousness is not merely about possessing knowledge of God's law or making outward moral pronouncements, but about genuine, consistent obedience from the heart. Paul's indictment of hypocrisy reveals that God's judgment penetrates beyond external appearances and religious identity, reaching into the very actions and intentions of individuals. This verse sets the stage for Paul's radical assertion that all humanity, Jew and Gentile, stands equally condemned under sin, thus necessitating a righteousness that comes not from human effort or legal adherence, but from God through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a powerful reminder that the standard of God's holiness demands integrity, challenging believers across all ages to align their walk with their talk.

* [Matthew 7:3-5](/matthew/7-3-5 "Matthew 7:3-5 - The Speck and the Plank")
* [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Doers of the Word")
* [1 John 2:4](/1_john/2-4 "1 John 2:4 - Claiming to Know God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 2:22 serves as a timeless and piercing mirror, urging us to deeply examine the consistency between our professed beliefs and our actual lives. It challenges the human tendency to judge others for sins we ourselves may be committing, albeit perhaps in different forms or with different rationalizations. Are there areas where we vocally condemn certain behaviors in society or in others, while subtly tolerating or engaging in similar patterns of disobedience in our own lives? This verse calls us to move beyond superficial religiosity or moral posturing and to pursue genuine integrity, recognizing that God sees beyond our outward declarations. True spirituality is not about knowing the rules or even teaching them, but about living them out with humble obedience. It compels us to ask: Is our abhorrence of sin truly comprehensive, extending to the hidden corners of our own hearts and actions? This self-reflection should lead not to despair, but to a renewed reliance on God's grace, acknowledging our own shortcomings and seeking the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to align our lives with the truth we claim to believe.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to judge others while potentially exhibiting similar flaws myself?**
* **How does my public profession of faith align with my private actions and attitudes?**
* **What specific "adulteries" or "sacrileges" (in a broad sense of spiritual or moral compromise) might I be overlooking in my own life, even as I condemn them in others?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of integrity and authenticity in my walk with God, moving beyond mere outward observance?**

### FAQ

**What is "sacrilege" in the context of Romans 2:22, and how would someone who "abhorred idols" commit it?**

Answer: In Romans 2:22, "sacrilege" (Greek: _hierosyléō_) literally means "temple robbery" or "profaning sacred things." For someone who "abhorred idols" – meaning they detested pagan gods and their worship – committing sacrilege would represent a profound hypocrisy. While they outwardly rejected the profanity of paganism, they might be guilty of profaning the holy things of God's own temple or covenant. This could manifest in various ways: perhaps through dishonest practices related to temple offerings or finances, treating sacred vows lightly, or even through a general irreverence for God's holiness despite their adherence to the Law. The core issue is the internal contradiction: a public stance against one form of spiritual dishonor (idolatry) while privately engaging in another (dishonoring God's sacred institutions or principles). Paul's point is that such actions, even if not directly worshipping idols, still bring dishonor to God's name among the Gentiles, as stated in [Romans 2:24](/romans/2-24 "Romans 2:24 - God's Name Blasphemed").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 2:22, with its stark exposure of human hypocrisy and the inadequacy of the Law to bring righteousness, powerfully sets the stage for the necessity of Christ. The Law, as Paul argues, reveals sin but cannot remove it; it serves as a "mirror" to show our need for a Savior ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")). Jesus Christ, in contrast to the hypocritical teachers, perfectly fulfilled the Law not only in outward observance but in the purity of His heart and intentions. He is the one who truly abhorred sin and idolatry, not merely in word but in His very being and actions, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice to atone for humanity's "adultery" and "sacrilege" against God. His life of perfect integrity and His atoning death on the cross provide the "righteousness from God" that is "apart from the law" but "through faith in Jesus Christ" ([Romans 3:21-22](/romans/3-21-22 "Romans 3:21-22 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Thus, the very hypocrisy highlighted in [Romans 2:22](/romans/2-22 "Romans 2:22 - The Hypocrisy of the Law-Keeper") magnifies the absolute necessity and glory of Christ's perfect righteousness, which is freely offered to all who believe, transforming them from within to live lives of genuine integrity that truly honor God ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

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

Malachi 3:8

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Matthew 12:39

But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Jeremiah 7:9

Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;

Jeremiah 7:10

And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?

Acts 19:37

For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

Malachi 1:8

And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, [is it] not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, [is it] not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.

Mark 11:17

And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.