Romans 2:21 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul asks whether the one who teaches others teaches himself, and whether the one who preaches against stealing himself steals.
What Does Romans 2:21 Mean?
Now the questions come. Having built up the portrait of the confident teacher, Paul turns it into a mirror: you who teach another, do you teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?
The point is not that all teachers are thieves but that knowledge unlived is a hollow thing. The mouth can proclaim what the life denies. Paul forces the insider to measure himself by his own message. It is a question for everyone who has ever spoken truth to another: have I first preached it to my own heart? Integrity is the agreement of word and deed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 2:21
What does Romans 2:21 mean?
Paul asks whether the one who teaches others teaches himself, and whether the one who preaches against stealing himself steals.