The Meaning of Romans 2:20 Explained

Romans 2:20

KJV: An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.

YLT: an instructor of foolish ones, a teacher of babes, having the form of the knowledge and of the truth in the law.

Darby: an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and of truth in the law:

ASV: a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

An instructor  of the foolish,  a teacher  of babes,  which hast  the form  of knowledge  and  of the truth  in  the law. 

What does Romans 2:20 Mean?

Context Summary

Romans 2:12-20 - The Searcher Of All Hearts
The Apostle goes on to show that all men, whether Jews or Gentiles, will be judged by the same standard. For the Jew that law was written upon the pages of the Old Testament; but for the Gentiles, who possessed neither Moses nor Sinai, it was written on the tablets of the heart and known as "conscience." The difference between the two is comparable to that between the time of day indicated by the sun and by the watch which each man carries in his pocket. It is a blessed and profound truth, which makes all men amenable to God's judgment, that deep down in every man's soul He has engraven His holy law.
How clearly Scripture bears witness to the eternal judgment! Acts 17:31. The secrets of men are to be judged, Romans 2:16. How thankful we should be that those who stand in Christ shall not come under condemnation! He has borne the curse of a broken law for us, and is not ashamed to call us brethren, Hebrews 2:11. [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 2:20

A corrector of the foolish [παιδευτην απρονων]
Old word (from παιδευω — paideuō) for instructor, in Plato, and probably so here, though corrector or chastiser in Hebrews 12:9 (the only N.T. instances). See note on Luke 23:16. Late inscriptions give it as instructor (Preisigke). Απρονων — Aphronōn is a hard word for Gentiles, but it is the Jewish standpoint that Paul gives. Each termed the other “dogs.” [source]
Of babes [νηπιων]
Novitiates or proselytes to Judaism just as in Galatians 4:1. Paul used it of those not of legal age. The form (την μορπωσιν — tēn morphōsin). Rare word only in Theophrastus and Paul (here and 2 Timothy 3:5). Pallis regards it as a Stoical term for education. Lightfoot considers the μορπωσις — morphōsis as “the rough-sketch, the pencilling of the μορπη — morphē the outline or framework, and in 2 Timothy 3:5 “the outline without the substance.” This is Paul‘s picture of the Jew as he sees himself drawn with consummate skill and subtle irony. [source]
The form [την μορπωσιν]
Rare word only in Theophrastus and Paul (here and 2 Timothy 3:5). Pallis regards it as a Stoical term for education. Lightfoot considers the μορπωσις — morphōsis as “the rough-sketch, the pencilling of the μορπη — morphē the outline or framework, and in 2 Timothy 3:5 “the outline without the substance.” This is Paul‘s picture of the Jew as he sees himself drawn with consummate skill and subtle irony. [source]
Instructor [παιδευτὴν]
Rev., corrector. Better, because emphasizing the element of discipline or training. See on chastise, Luke 23:16. [source]
Of babes [νηπίων]
The term used by the Jews to designate proselytes or novices. Paul uses it of one not come of legal age, Galatians 4:1. [source]
The form - in the law [μόρφωσιν]
Not mere appearance, but the scheme, the correct embodiment of the lineaments of truth and knowledge in the law. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 2:20

Galatians 4:1 A child [νήπιος]
A minor. See on 1 Corinthians 3:1. Used by Paul in contrast with τέλειος fullgrown. See Ephesians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 14:20; Philemon 3:15. The Jews called proselytes or novices babes. See Romans 2:20. [source]
1 Timothy 1:19 Holding faith and a good conscience [εχων πιστιν και αγατην συνειδησιν]
Possibly as a shield (Ephesians 6:16) or at any rate possessing (Romans 2:20) faith as trust and a good conscience. A leader expects them of his followers and must show them himself. [source]
2 Timothy 3:5 A form [μόρφωσιν]
Only here and Romans 2:20. Μορφὴ Form(for the want of any other rendering) is the expression or embodiment of the essential and permanent being of that which is expressed Μόρφωσις , lit. forming or shaping. Yet the meaning differs in different passages. In Romans 2:20, μόρφωσις isthe truthful embodiment of knowledge and truth as contained in the law of God. Here, the mere outward semblance, as distinguished from the essential reality. [source]
2 Timothy 3:5 A form of godliness [μορπωσιν ευσεβειας]
For μορπωσιν — morphōsin see note on Romans 2:20. The outward shape without the reality. [source]
Hebrews 5:13 A babe [νήπιος]
See on Romans 2:20; see on 1 Corinthians 3:1; see on Ephesians 4:14. [source]
Hebrews 12:9 Which corrected [παιδευτὰς]
Lit. “we have had fathers of our flesh as chasteners.” Only here and Romans 2:20. In lxx, Hosea href="/desk/?q=ho+5:2&sr=1">Hosea 5:2; 4Macc. 5:34; 9:6. [source]
Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore [ειτα]
The next step in the argument (Mark 4:17). We had Imperfect indicative of customary action, “we used to have.” To chasten us Predicate accusative after ειχομεν — eichomen “as chasteners.” Old word from παιδευω — paideuō as agent (-της — tēs). Only once in lxx (Hosea 5:2) and twice in N.T. (here and Romans 2:20). We gave them reverence Imperfect middle of old word εντρεπω — entrepō to turn in or at. Here “we turned ourselves to” as in Matthew 21:37, habitual attitude of reverence. Shall we be in subjection Second future passive of υποτασσω — hupotassō There is no δε — de here to correspond to μεν — men in the first part of the verse. Unto the father of spirits Rather, “Unto the Father of our spirits” (note article τον — ton). As God is. [source]
James 3:14 Faction [εριτιαν]
Late word, from εριτος — erithos (hireling, from εριτευω — eritheuō to spin wool), a pushing forward for personal ends, partisanship, as in Philemon 1:16.In your heart (εν τηι καρδιαι υμων — en tēi kardiāi humōn). The real fountain (πηγη — pēgē James 3:11).Glory not Present middle imperative of κατακαυχαομαι — katakauchaomai for which see note on James 2:13. Wisdom is essential for the teacher. Boasting arrogance disproves the possession of wisdom.Lie not against the truth (πσευδεστε κατα της αλητειας — pseudesthe kata tēs alētheias). Present middle imperative of πσευδομαι — pseudomai old verb, to play false, with μη — mē carried over. Lying against the truth is futile. By your conduct do not belie the truth which you teach; a solemn and needed lesson. Cf. Romans 1:18., Romans 2:18, Romans 2:20. [source]
James 3:14 Glory not [μη κατακαυχαστε]
Present middle imperative of κατακαυχαομαι — katakauchaomai for which see note on James 2:13. Wisdom is essential for the teacher. Boasting arrogance disproves the possession of wisdom.Lie not against the truth (πσευδεστε κατα της αλητειας — pseudesthe kata tēs alētheias). Present middle imperative of πσευδομαι — pseudomai old verb, to play false, with μη — mē carried over. Lying against the truth is futile. By your conduct do not belie the truth which you teach; a solemn and needed lesson. Cf. Romans 1:18., Romans 2:18, Romans 2:20. [source]
James 3:14 Lie not against the truth [πσευδεστε κατα της αλητειας]
Present middle imperative of πσευδομαι — pseudomai old verb, to play false, with μη — mē carried over. Lying against the truth is futile. By your conduct do not belie the truth which you teach; a solemn and needed lesson. Cf. Romans 1:18., Romans 2:18, Romans 2:20. [source]
1 John 2:3 That we know [ὅτι ἐγνώκαμεν]
Or, more literally, have come to know. John does not use the compound forms ἐπιγινώσκειν and ἐπίγνωσις (see on Matthew 7:16. See Luke 1:4; Acts 4:13; Romans 1:28; Ephesians 1:17, etc.), nor the kindred word γνῶσις knowledge(Luke 1:77; Romans 2:20, etc.). [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 2:20 mean?

an instructor of [the] foolish a teacher of infants having the embodiment - of knowledge and of the truth in the law
παιδευτὴν ἀφρόνων διδάσκαλον νηπίων ἔχοντα τὴν μόρφωσιν τῆς γνώσεως καὶ τῆς ἀληθείας ἐν τῷ νόμῳ

παιδευτὴν  an  instructor 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: παιδευτής  
Sense: an instructor, preceptor, teacher.
ἀφρόνων  of  [the]  foolish 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἄφρων  
Sense: without reason.
διδάσκαλον  a  teacher 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: διδάσκαλος  
Sense: a teacher. 2 in the NT one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man.
νηπίων  of  infants 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: νήπιος  
Sense: an infant, little child.
μόρφωσιν  embodiment 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: μόρφωσις  
Sense: a forming, shaping.
τῆς  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
γνώσεως  of  knowledge 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: γνῶσις  
Sense: knowledge signifies in general intelligence, understanding.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀληθείας  truth 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἀλήθεια  
Sense: objectively.
νόμῳ  law 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: νόμος  
Sense: anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, a command.