The Meaning of Romans 2:6 Explained

Romans 2:6

KJV: Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

YLT: who shall render to each according to his works;

Darby: who shall render to each according to his works:

ASV: who will render to every man according to his works:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Who  will render  to every man  according  to his  deeds: 

What does Romans 2:6 Mean?

Context Summary

Romans 2:1-11 - Leave Judgment Unto God
In this chapter the Apostle turns to address the Jews. His purpose is to prove that though they may deem themselves superior to the Gentiles and capable of judging them, they may be therefore liable to more severe judgment; because, notwithstanding their superior knowledge, they commit the same sins. God will judge men, not by their professions but by their works. Those who are harshest in condemning others are often guilty of the same sins, though in their own ease they manage to find some excuse which extenuates their shortcomings. Rid yourself of the beam in your own eye, that you may see clearly how to rid your brother of his mote, Matthew 7:5.
God's silence does not mean indifference, but the desire to give opportunity to repent. The Lamb is in the midst of the throne, Revelation 5:6. Our redemption is by His precious blood, and that alone; but the rewards of the future, and the enjoyment of what God means by life, are conditioned upon our obedience. Glory, honor, and peace are within your reach, if you will accept the reconciliation offered you in Christ, which will bring you into at-one-ment with God; and if you will live to do your Heavenly Father's will. [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 2

1  No excuse for sin
6  No escape from judgment
14  Gentiles cannot;
17  nor Jews

Greek Commentary for Romans 2:6

Who will render [ος αποδωσει]
Paul quotes Proverbs 24:12 as in 2 Timothy 4:14. See also Matthew 16:27; Revelation 22:12. The rendering will be in accord with the facts. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 2:6

1 Timothy 5:4 Let them learn [μαντανετωσαν]
The children and grandchildren of a widow. Present active imperative third person plural of μαντανω — manthanō “Let them keep on learning.” First (πρωτον — prōton). Adverb, first before anything else. No “corban” business here. No acts of “piety” toward God will make up for impiety towards parents. To shew piety Present active infinitive with μαντανετωσαν — manthanetōsan and old verb, in N.T. only here and Acts 17:23. From ευσεβης — eusebēs “Their own household.” Filial piety is primary unless parents interfere with duty to Christ (Luke 14:26). To requite Present active infinitive of Αμοιβας — apodidōmi to give back, old and common verb (Romans 2:6), to keep on giving back. αμειβομαι — Amoibas (from τοις προγονοις — ameibomai to requite like for like) is old and common word, but here only in N.T. Their parents (προγονος — tois progonois). Dative case of old and common word προγινομαι — progonos (from αποδεκτον — proginomai to come before), “ancestor.” In N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 1:3. See note on 1 Timothy 2:3 for “acceptable” (apodekton). [source]
1 Timothy 5:4 To shew piety [ευσεβειν]
Present active infinitive with μαντανετωσαν — manthanetōsan and old verb, in N.T. only here and Acts 17:23. From ευσεβης — eusebēs “Their own household.” Filial piety is primary unless parents interfere with duty to Christ (Luke 14:26). To requite Present active infinitive of Αμοιβας — apodidōmi to give back, old and common verb (Romans 2:6), to keep on giving back. αμειβομαι — Amoibas (from τοις προγονοις — ameibomai to requite like for like) is old and common word, but here only in N.T. Their parents (προγονος — tois progonois). Dative case of old and common word προγινομαι — progonos (from αποδεκτον — proginomai to come before), “ancestor.” In N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 1:3. See note on 1 Timothy 2:3 for “acceptable” (apodekton). [source]
1 Timothy 5:4 To requite [αποδιδωμι]
Present active infinitive of Αμοιβας — apodidōmi to give back, old and common verb (Romans 2:6), to keep on giving back. αμειβομαι — Amoibas (from τοις προγονοις — ameibomai to requite like for like) is old and common word, but here only in N.T. Their parents (προγονος — tois progonois). Dative case of old and common word προγινομαι — progonos (from αποδεκτον — proginomai to come before), “ancestor.” In N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 1:3. See note on 1 Timothy 2:3 for “acceptable” (apodekton). [source]
2 Timothy 4:8 Shall give [ἀποδώσει]
Most frequent in Synoptic Gospels. It may mean to give over or away, as Matthew 27:58; Acts 5:8; Hebrews 12:16: or to give back, recompose, as here, Matthew 6:4, Matthew 6:6, Matthew 6:18; Romans 2:6. [source]
2 Timothy 4:8 There is laid up for me [αποκειται μοι]
Present passive of αποκειμαι — apokeimai old verb, to be laid away. See note on Colossians 1:5 for the hope laid away. Paul‘s “crown of righteousness” That great and blessed day (2 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 1:18). The righteous judge “The just judge,” the umpire who makes no mistakes who judges us all (2 Corinthians 5:10). Shall give me (αποδωσει μοι — apodōsei moi). Future active of αποδιδωμι — apodidōmi “Will give back” as in Romans 2:6 and in full. But also to all them that have loved his appearing Dative case of the perfect active participle of αγαπαω — agapaō to love, who have loved and still love his second coming. Επιπανεια — Epiphaneia here can as in 2 Timothy 1:10 be interpreted of Christ‘s Incarnation. [source]
2 Timothy 4:8 The righteous judge [ο δικαιος κριτης]
“The just judge,” the umpire who makes no mistakes who judges us all (2 Corinthians 5:10). Shall give me (αποδωσει μοι — apodōsei moi). Future active of αποδιδωμι — apodidōmi “Will give back” as in Romans 2:6 and in full. But also to all them that have loved his appearing Dative case of the perfect active participle of αγαπαω — agapaō to love, who have loved and still love his second coming. Επιπανεια — Epiphaneia here can as in 2 Timothy 1:10 be interpreted of Christ‘s Incarnation. [source]
2 Timothy 4:8 Shall give me [αποδωσει μοι]
Future active of αποδιδωμι — apodidōmi “Will give back” as in Romans 2:6 and in full. [source]
Revelation 20:13 Death and Hades [ο τανατος και ο αιδης]
“An inseparable pair” (Swete) as in Revelation 1:18; Revelation 6:8; Revelation 20:14. So in Matthew 16:18 “the gates of Hades” means the power of death. Etymologically Hades is the unseen world where all who die are as opposed to this visible world, but in actual use Hades is sometimes treated as the abode of the unrighteous (Luke 16:23). Charles thinks that this is true here, though there is nothing to show it apart from the personification of death and Hades and the casting of both into the lake of fire in Revelation 20:14. Here again “each man” (εκαστος — hekastos) receives judgment according to his deeds (Matthew 16:27; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 2:6; Romans 14:12; 1 Peter 1:17; Revelation 2:23). [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 2:6 mean?

who will give to each according to the works of him
ὃς Ἀποδώσει ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ

Ἀποδώσει  will  give 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀποδίδωμι  
Sense: to deliver, to give away for one’s own profit what is one’s own, to sell.
ἑκάστῳ  to  each 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ἕκαστος  
Sense: each, every.
κατὰ  according  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: κατά 
Sense: down from, through out.
ἔργα  works 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ἔργον  
Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied.
αὐτοῦ  of  him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.