Romans 2:23

KJV

Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou {G3739} that makest thy boast {G2744} of {G1722} the law {G3551}, through {G1223} breaking {G3847} the law {G3551} dishonourest thou {G818} God {G2316}?

Complete Jewish Bible

You who take such pride in Torah, do you, by disobeying the Torah, dishonor God? —

Berean Standard Bible

You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?

American Standard Version

thou who gloriest in the law, through thy transgression of the law dishonorest thou God?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse, a rhetorical question posed by Paul, powerfully challenges those who pride themselves on possessing and knowing God's law, yet simultaneously dishonor God by their disobedience to that very law. It exposes the profound hypocrisy of claiming spiritual superiority while failing to live according to divine standards, thereby bringing reproach upon God's name.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 2:23 is situated within Paul's broader argument in [Romans 1-3](/romans/1 "Romans 1-3 - The Universality of Sin") concerning the universality of sin and the need for God's righteousness. After demonstrating the guilt of the Gentiles who suppress the truth of God (Romans 1), Paul turns his attention to the Jewish people in [Romans 2](/romans/2 "Romans 2 - God's Righteous Judgment"). He dismantles their presumed advantage based on their possession of the Mosaic Law and the sign of circumcision. Verses 17-24 specifically address the Jewish person who boasts in the Law and in God, claiming to be a guide for the blind, yet whose actions contradict their claims. This verse serves as the climactic rhetorical question, directly accusing them of dishonoring God through their transgression, setting the stage for the indictment in [Romans 2:24](/romans/2-24 "Romans 2:24 - God's Name Blasphemed Among the Gentiles").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judaism, the Mosaic Law was central to identity and covenant relationship with God. Jewish people often took immense pride in being God's chosen people, recipients of His divine revelation (the Torah), and distinct from the pagan nations. This pride, however, sometimes led to a legalistic mindset where outward adherence or mere possession of the Law was seen as sufficient for righteousness, rather than genuine heart transformation and obedience. Paul's challenge directly confronts this prevailing cultural attitude, highlighting that the true measure of one's relationship with God was not merely having the Law, but living it out. The "dishonor" mentioned in the verse would have been particularly stinging, as it implied bringing shame upon the very God they claimed to serve, especially in the eyes of the Gentile world.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes in Romans. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **hypocrisy**, revealing the stark contrast between outward religious boasting and inward moral failure. Secondly, it emphasizes the **insufficiency of the Law for justification**, demonstrating that merely possessing or knowing the Law does not make one righteous; rather, it exposes sin. Paul argues that the Law's purpose is not to be a source of pride but a mirror reflecting human sinfulness, as he elaborates in [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin"). Thirdly, it highlights the theme of **God's impartial judgment**, asserting that God judges all people, Jew and Gentile, based on their deeds, not their lineage or religious affiliation, a point made clear in [Romans 2:6-11](/romans/2-6-11 "Romans 2:6-11 - God's Impartial Judgment"). Finally, it touches on the **reputation of God's name**, showing how the actions of His people directly impact how He is perceived by the world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Boast (Greek, _kaucháomai'_):** This word signifies to glory, to vaunt oneself, or to take pride in something. In this context, it refers to the Jewish people's confidence and pride in possessing the divine Law, often viewing it as a badge of spiritual superiority over the Gentiles. It implies a sense of self-satisfaction derived from their unique relationship with God through the Law.
* **Breaking (Greek, _parábasis'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to step across" or "to go beyond," _parábasis_ specifically denotes a "violation" or "transgression" of a command or law. It implies a deliberate act of stepping outside the boundaries set by God's Law, emphasizing the active nature of disobedience.
* **Dishonourest (Greek, _atimázō'_):** This term means to render infamous, to treat with contempt, to despise, or to put to shame. Paul uses it to convey the severe consequence of transgression: by breaking the Law, those who boast in it effectively treat God, the Lawgiver, with contempt and bring shame upon His holy name in the eyes of the world.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou that makest thy boast of the law":** This addresses a specific individual, representative of a group (the Jewish people), who takes pride and finds their identity in the possession of the Mosaic Law. This "boasting" is not necessarily negative in itself, but it becomes problematic when it leads to spiritual arrogance and a false sense of security without corresponding obedience.
* **"through breaking the law":** This clause introduces the stark contradiction. The very means by which this individual claims a privileged status (the Law) is simultaneously being violated by their actions. The preposition "through" (Greek: _diá_) indicates the means or channel by which the dishonor occurs – it is precisely *by* the act of breaking the Law.
* **"dishonourest thou God?":** This is the rhetorical question that delivers the punch. The implication is a resounding "Yes!" By transgressing the Law, the individual not only disobeys God but actively brings discredit and shame upon God Himself. This dishonor is particularly egregious because it comes from those who claim to represent God and uphold His standards.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in [Romans 2:23](/romans/2-23 "Romans 2:23 - The Hypocrisy of Boasting in the Law"). The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, which is used to engage the audience directly and force them to confront the logical conclusion of their actions. The question "dishonourest thou God?" is not seeking information but is a forceful accusation, designed to expose hypocrisy and evoke conviction. There is also a strong element of **Juxtaposition** or **Antithesis** at play, contrasting "boasting of the law" with "breaking the law," and implicitly, honoring God with dishonoring God. This sharp contrast highlights the profound inconsistency and moral failure of those who claim adherence to God's standards while living in disobedience. Finally, the verse contains **Irony**, as the very source of their pride (the Law) becomes the instrument of their shame and the means by which they dishonor the God they claim to serve.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 2:23 profoundly impacts our understanding of true righteousness, moving beyond mere external adherence or intellectual assent to the Law. It reveals that God is not impressed by religious boasting or outward displays of piety if they are not accompanied by genuine obedience and transformed living. The verse underscores that sin, particularly by those who claim to know God, brings reproach upon God's holy name and character in the eyes of the world. It sets the stage for Paul's grand argument that justification comes not through works of the Law, which inevitably lead to sin and dishonor, but through faith in Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the Law.

* [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin"): "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
* [Matthew 7:21](/matthew/7-21 "Matthew 7:21 - Not Everyone Who Says 'Lord, Lord'"): "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
* [James 2:17](/james/2-17 "James 2:17 - Faith Without Works is Dead"): "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 2:23 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to a profound self-examination of our own spiritual lives. It challenges the temptation to derive our security or identity from external religious markers—whether it be church attendance, theological knowledge, or even our Christian heritage—rather than from a genuine, transforming relationship with God that manifests in obedience. We are called to consider whether our actions align with the truths we profess and the God we claim to serve. If our lives contradict our confession, we risk not only personal spiritual stagnation but also bringing discredit to the name of Christ in the eyes of a watching world. True honor to God comes not from what we *say* we believe, but from how consistently we *live* out that belief in every sphere of our lives. This verse compels us to move beyond mere intellectual assent or outward conformity to a deep, heart-level commitment to God's will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to "boast" or find my security in religious knowledge or affiliation, rather than in humble obedience?**
* **Are there any inconsistencies between what I claim to believe about God and how I actually live my life?**
* **How might my actions, or lack thereof, be impacting the perception of God's name among those who do not yet believe?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my daily life more faithfully reflects the truth of God's Word?**

### FAQ
**What is the "law" Paul refers to in Romans 2:23?**

Answer: The "law" Paul refers to here, particularly in the context of addressing the Jewish people in [Romans 2](/romans/2 "Romans 2 - God's Righteous Judgment"), is primarily the Mosaic Law (Torah) given by God to Israel through Moses. This includes the Ten Commandments and the broader body of statutes and ordinances found in the Pentateuch. It represents God's revealed will and moral standard for His people. However, Paul's argument extends beyond mere legal codes to the very principle of divine righteousness and the standard by which God judges all humanity, Jew and Gentile alike, as he explains throughout [Romans 1-3](/romans/1 "Romans 1-3 - The Universality of Sin").

**Does this verse mean that knowing the Bible is bad?**

Answer: Absolutely not. This verse does not suggest that knowing the Bible or God's Law is bad. In fact, Paul himself highly values the Law, stating in [Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy, Just, and Good") that "the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." The problem addressed in [Romans 2:23](/romans/2-23 "Romans 2:23 - The Hypocrisy of Boasting in the Law") is not the knowledge of the Law itself, but the *hypocrisy* of those who boast in their knowledge or possession of it while simultaneously disregarding its commands in their lives. It's a critique of intellectual pride and outward religiosity that lacks genuine, transformative obedience. True spiritual maturity involves both knowing God's Word and living by it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 2:23, by exposing the futility of seeking righteousness through Law-keeping and the hypocrisy of those who fail to live up to its standards, powerfully points to the necessity of Christ. The Law, as Paul argues, reveals sin and demonstrates humanity's utter inability to perfectly fulfill God's righteous demands, thereby leading to dishonor (as seen in [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")). Jesus Christ, however, stands as the only one who perfectly fulfilled the Law, not by boasting in it, but by living a life of perfect obedience to the Father's will ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). He did not break the Law but upheld its every jot and tittle, thereby truly honoring God. Furthermore, Christ became the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ, the End of the Law")). Through His atoning sacrifice, He bore the penalty for our law-breaking, allowing us to be declared righteous by faith, not by our flawed attempts at obedience ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Thus, the dishonor brought upon God by human transgression is ultimately overcome by the perfect obedience and sacrifice of Christ, who restores God's glory and provides the only true path to honoring Him.

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

Romans 2:17

¶ Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

Romans 9:4

Who are Israelites; to whom [pertaineth] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises;

James 4:16

But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

James 4:17

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.

Romans 3:2

Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

John 5:45

Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is [one] that accuseth you, [even] Moses, in whom ye trust.

James 1:22

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.