4
Orἢdo you despiseκαταφρονεῖςthe richesτοῦ πλούτουof his kindnessτῆς χρηστότητος αὐτοῦandκαὶforbearanceτῆς ἀνοχῆςandκαὶpatience,τῆς μακροθυμίαςnot knowingἀγνοῶνthatὅτιthe kindnessτὸ χρηστὸνof Godτοῦ θεοῦleadsἄγειyouσεtoεἰςa change of mind?μετάνοιάν
Romans 2:4
Study it in the app“Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to a change of mind?”
Paul asks if we despise God's kindness, which leads us to change our mindsTurning back to God
With the Greek beneath
Romans 2:4, word by word
- do you despiseκαταφρονεῖςkataphroneis
despise
Despise, look down on, think little of.
Where else “kataphroneis” appears- the richesπλούτουploutou
abundance
The abundance of God's goodness.
Where else “ploutou” appears- of his kindnessχρηστότητοςchrēstotētos
kindness
A kind and generous heart, like God's.
Where else “chrēstotētos” appears- forbearanceἀνοχῆςanochēs
forbearance
Forbearance: holding back, waiting without punishing yet.
Where else “anochēs” appears- patienceμακροθυμίαςmakrothymias
patience
Patience: bearing with others for a long time without anger.
Where else “makrothymias” appears- not knowingἀγνοῶνagnoōn
not know
To lack knowledge, or act in the dark.
Where else “agnoōn” appears- the kindnessχρηστὸνchrēston
kind, good
Kind, good, gracious; also pleasant, easy.
Where else “chrēston” appears- of Godθεοῦtheou
God
The Creator and Lord of all, the one God of Israel.
Where else “theou” appears- leadsἄγειagei
lead
To lead a person or an animal from one place to another.
Where else “agei” appears- a change of mindμετάνοιάνmetanoian
change of mind
Change of mind: turning around one's way of thinking and of living to return to God. It is usually translated "repentance".
Where else “metanoian” appears
The context
3And do you suppose this, O human being, you who judge those who practice such things and do them, that you will escape the judgment of God?
4 · This verse (above)
5But by your hardness and your heart without change of mind you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath and of revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
To study Romans 2 in a group
1. What it says
What does Paul say to the person who judges others, and what does he say about God's kindness? (vv. 1-4)
2. What it means
Why do you think Paul insists that God shows no partiality? (vv. 9-11)
3. How I live it
When have you judged someone for something you also do? How can you look at others with more compassion?