Romans 2:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The one who condemns another for sin pronounces sentence on himself, since he does the very same things.
What Does Romans 2:1 Mean?
Paul has just described humanity given over to wrongdoing. Now he turns and addresses the listener who has been nodding along, eager to point a finger. The word therefore links this verse to that catalog of sin: anyone quick to condemn it stands inside it.
To judge another harshly while doing the same thing is to draw up the indictment against oneself. Paul is not forbidding moral discernment; he is exposing the heart that uses other peoples failures to feel secure. Before the mirror of Christ, every accuser becomes the accused, and the only safe ground is honesty about our own need for mercy.
Romans 2:1 in the Original Language
krino (κρίνω), 'judge' -- to pass sentence or pronounce a verdict, here a condemning judgment rather than mere discernment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 2:1
What does Romans 2:1 mean?
The one who condemns another for sin pronounces sentence on himself, since he does the very same things.