Romans 2:22

Romans 2:22 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

King James Version KJV

Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

American Standard Version ASV

thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou rob temples?

Bible in Basic English BBE

You who say that a man may not be untrue to his wife, are you true to yours? you who are a hater of images, do you do wrong to the house of God?

Free Bible Version FBV

You tell people not to commit adultery, but are you committing adultery? You tell people not to worship idols, but do you profane temples?

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Thou that saist, A man should not commit adulterie, doest thou commit adulterie? thou that abhorrest idoles, committest thou sacrilege?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

thou who art preaching not to steal, dost thou steal? thou who art saying not to commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou who art abhorring the idols, dost thou rob temples?

World English Bible WEB

You who say a man shouldn’t commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Thou that sayest, men should not commit adultery, committest adultery: thou that abhorrest idols, committest sacrilege:

Translation for Translators T4T

You who command people not to have sexual relations with someone to whom they are not married, it is disgusting that you commit adultery yourself! [RHQ] You who detest idols, it is disgusting that you rob temples where people worship idols! [RHQ]

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Romans 2:22

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Romans 2:22 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ο λεγων μη μοιχευειν μοιχευεις ο βδελυσσομενος τα ειδωλα ιεροσυλεις

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

λεγων legō G3004 to say Verb-PAP-NSM

μη mē G3361 not Particle-N

μοιχευειν moicheuō G3431 to commit adultery Verb-PAN

μοιχευεις moicheuō G3431 to commit adultery Verb-PAI-2S

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

βδελυσσομενος bdelussomai G948 to abhor Verb-PNP-NSM

τα ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APN

ειδωλα eidōlon G1497 idol Noun-APN

ιεροσυλεις hierosuleō G2416 to despoil a temple Verb-PAI-2S

Greek Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Greek Word Reference — Romans 2:22

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

λεγων legō G3004 "to say" Verb-PAP-NSM

This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.

Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.

μη mē G3361 "not" Particle-N

Not is a word used to show that something is not true or is not happening, like in phrases that say 'lest' or 'God forbid', as seen in various parts of the New Testament.

Definition: μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] __I. As a neg. adv., not; __1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. __2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. __3. In conditional and final sentences, after εἰ, ἐάν, ἄν, ἵνα, ὅπως: Mat.10:14, Mrk.6:11 12:19, Luk.9:5, Jhn.6:50, Rom.11:25, al. __4. C. inf. (see M, Pr., 234f., 239, 255), __(a) after verbs of saying, etc.: Mat.2:12 5:34, Mrk.12:18, Act.15:38, Rom.2:21, al.; __(b) with artic. inf.: after a prep., Mat.13:5, Mrk.4:5, Act.7:19, 1Co.10:6, al.; without a prep., Rom.14:13, 2Co.2:1, 13 1Th 4:6; __(with) in sentences expressing consequence, after ὥστε: Mat.8:28, Mrk.3:20, 1Co.1:7, 2Co.3:7, al. __5. C. ptcp. (see M, Pr., 231f., 239), in hypothetical references to persons of a certain character or description: Mat.10:28 12:30, Luk.6:49, Jhn.3:18, Rom.4:5, 1Co.7:38, 1Jn.3:10, al.; where the person or thing being definite, the denial is a matter of opinion: Jhn.6:64, 1Co.1:28 4:7, 18, 2Co.5:21, al.; where the ptcp. has a concessive, causal or conditional force, if, though, because not: Mat.18:25, Luk.2:45, Jhn.7:49, Act.9:26, Rom.2:14 5:13, 2Co.3:14, Gal.6:9, Ju 5; where the ptcp. has a descriptive force (being such as), not: Act.9:9, Rom.1:28, 1Co.10:33, Gal.4:8, Heb.12:27, al. __6. μή prohibitive, in indep. sentences, __(a) with subjc. praes., 1 of person(s) pl.: Gal.5:26 6:9, 1Th.5:6, 1Jn.3:18; __(b) with imperat. praes., usually where one is bidden to desist from what has already begun (cf. M, Pr., 122ff.): Mat.7:1, Mrk.5:36, Luk.6:30, Jhn.2:16 5:45, Act.10:15, Rom.11:18, Jas.2:1, Rev.5:5, al.; __(with) forbidding that which is still future: with imperat. aor., 3 of person(s), Mat.24:18, Mrk.13:15, Luk.17:31, al.; with subjc. aor., 2 of person(s), Mat.3:9 10:26, Mrk.5:7, Luk.6:29, Jhn.3:7, Rom.10:6, al.; __(d) with optative, in wishes: 2Ti.4:16 (LXX); μὴ γένοιτο (see M, Pr., 194; Bl., §66, 1), Luk.20:16, Rom.3:3, al.; μή τις, Mrk.13:5, al. __II. As a conj., __1. after verbs of fearing, caution, etc., that, lest, perhaps (M, Pr., 192f.): with subjc. praes., Heb.12:15; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:4, Mrk.13:5, Luk.21:8, Act.13:40, Gal.5:15, al.; ὅρα μή (see M, Pr., 124, 178), elliptically, Rev.19:10 22:9; with indic, fut. (M, Pr., l.with), Col.2:8. __2. in order that not: with subjc. aor., Mrk.13:36, 2Co.8:20 12:6. __III. Interrogative, in hesitant questions (M, Pr., 170), or where a negative answer is expected: Mat.7:9, 10, Mrk.2:19, Jhn.3:4, Rom.3:3 10:18, 19, 1Co.1:13, al.; μή τις, Luk.22:35, al.; before οὐ (Rom.10:17, al. in Pl.), expecting an affirm, ans.; οὐ μή, Luk.18:7, Jhn.18:11. __IV. οὐ μή as emphatic negation (cf. M, Pr., 188, 190ff.; Bl. §64, 5), not at all, by no means: with indic, fut., Mat.16:22, Jhn.6:35, Heb.10:17, al.; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:2, Mrk.13:2, Luk.6:37, Jhn.13:8, 1Co.8:13, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 910 NT verses. KJV: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without See also: 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:16; 1 Peter 1:8.

μοιχευειν moicheuō G3431 "to commit adultery" Verb-PAN

To commit adultery means to have an affair or cheat on one's spouse, as warned against in Matthew 5:27 and Romans 2:22.

Definition: μοιχεύω (μοιχός), [in LXX: Exo.20:13, Lev.20:10, al. (נָאַף) ;] to commit adultery: absol., Mat.5:27 19:18, Mrk.10:19, Luk.16:18 18:20, Rom.2:22 13:9, Jas.2:11; with accusative fem., Mat.5:28. Pass., of the woman, Mat.5:32 19:9 WH, mg.), Jhn.8:4. Metaphorical, of idolatry (see: μιοιχαλίς, and cf. Jer.3:9, a1.), before μετ᾽ αὐτῆς, Rev.2:22.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 11 NT verses. KJV: commit adultery See also: James 2:11; Matthew 5:27; Revelation 2:22.

μοιχευεις moicheuō G3431 "to commit adultery" Verb-PAI-2S

To commit adultery means to have an affair or cheat on one's spouse, as warned against in Matthew 5:27 and Romans 2:22.

Usage: Occurs in 11 NT verses. KJV: commit adultery See also: James 2:11; Matthew 5:27; Revelation 2:22.

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

βδελυσσομενος bdelussomai G948 "to abhor" Verb-PNP-NSM

To abhor means to be disgusted or detest something, especially idolatry, as in Romans 2:22. It is a strong feeling of dislike. This word shows a turning away in disgust.

Definition: βδελύσσω, βδελύσσομαι (βδέω, to stink), [in LXX chiefly for שׁקץ ,תּעב ;] in cl., mid. only (Attic, -ττομαι); to make foul; pass., Rev.21:8; mid., to turn away in disgust from, to detest: Rom.2:22 (Cremer, 137).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: abhor, abominable See also: Revelation 21:8; Romans 2:22.

τα ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

ειδωλα eidōlon G1497 "idol" Noun-APN

An idol is a false god or image, as seen in Acts 7:41 and 1 Corinthians 12:2. It can also refer to the worship of such images, as mentioned in Revelation 9:20.

Definition: εἴδωλον, -ου, τό (εἶδος), [in LXX for אֱלוֹהָּ, גְּלוּלִים, etc. ;] __1. in cl. __(a) a phantom, image, likeness; __(b) an image in the mind, an idea, fancy. __2. In LXX and NT, __(a) an image of a god, an idol (cf. Polyb., xxxi, 3, 13): Act.7:41, 1Co.12:2, Rev.9:20; __(b) the false god or idol worshipped in an image (ICC, on I Th, l.with): Act.15:20, Rom.2:22, 1Co.8:4, 7 10:19 2Co.6:18, 1Th.1:9, 1Jn.5:21.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 11 NT verses. KJV: idol See also: 1 Corinthians 8:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 9:20.

ιεροσυλεις hierosuleō G2416 "to despoil a temple" Verb-PAI-2S

This term refers to robbing a temple, which is considered a serious offense. In Romans 2:22, it describes someone who commits sacrilege. It's about disrespecting a sacred place.

Definition: ἱερο-συλέω, -ῶ (ἱερόσυλος, which see), [in LXX: 2Ma.9:2 * ;] to rob a temple (commit sacrilege, R, mg.): Rom.2:22.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: commit sacrilege See also: Romans 2:22.

Study Notes — Romans 2:22

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Romans 2:22 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Romans 2:22
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 2:22
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Romans 2:22
Trapp's Commentary on Romans 2:22
Ellicott's Commentary on Romans 2:22
Cambridge Bible on Romans 2:22
Barnes' Notes on Romans 2:22
Whedon's Commentary on Romans 2:22
Sermons on Romans 2:22

Context — The Jews and the Law

20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?

22You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

23You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Malachi 3:8	Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings.
2	Matthew 12:39	Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
3	Mark 11:17	Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’ ? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’ ”
4	Ezekiel 22:11	One man commits an abomination with his neighbor’s wife; another wickedly defiles his daughter-in-law; and yet another violates his sister, his own father’s daughter.
5	Jeremiah 5:7	“Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery and assembled at the houses of prostitutes.
6	James 4:4	You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.
7	Acts 19:37	For you have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed our temple nor blasphemed our goddess.
8	Jeremiah 9:2	If only I had a traveler’s lodge in the wilderness, I would abandon my people and depart from them, for they are all adulterers, a crowd of faithless people.
9	Malachi 1:14	“But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.
10	Jeremiah 7:9–10	Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations’?

Romans 2:22 Summary

This verse is warning us about being hypocrites, or saying one thing but doing another. If we say that adultery is wrong, but then we commit adultery, we are being hypocritical. Similarly, if we say we hate idols, but then we take things that don't belong to us from places of worship, we are being inconsistent. As it says in Matthew 23:27, we must not be like the Pharisees who looked good on the outside but were corrupt on the inside. We must strive to live a life of integrity and honesty, as encouraged in Psalms 51:6, and recognize that our actions have consequences, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:12.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Paul trying to say in Romans 2:22 about adultery and robbing temples?

Paul is highlighting the inconsistency of those who condemn certain sins, yet commit similar sins themselves, as seen in Romans 2:21 where he mentions preaching against stealing but still stealing, and this is also reflected in Matthew 23:27 where Jesus condemns the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.

How does this verse relate to the concept of hypocrisy in the Bible?

This verse is a clear example of hypocrisy, where individuals condemn certain behaviors in others but engage in them themselves, which is also warned against in Luke 6:42, and as seen in the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 7:5, we must first examine our own actions before judging others.

What is the significance of 'robbing temples' in this context?

The phrase 'robbing temples' likely refers to the act of stealing or profiting from pagan temples or idolatrous practices, which would be considered abhorrent to those who claim to worship the one true God, as seen in Acts 19:37, and this highlights the inconsistency of those who claim to follow God's law but still engage in sinful behaviors.

How can we apply the lesson of Romans 2:22 to our own lives?

We must examine our own lives and actions to ensure we are not guilty of the same kind of hypocrisy, as warned in 1 Corinthians 10:12, and instead strive to live a life of integrity and consistency, as encouraged in Psalms 51:6 and Proverbs 10:9.

Reflection Questions

In what ways might I be condemning others for sins that I myself am committing, and how can I address this hypocrisy in my own life?
How can I ensure that my actions align with my values and beliefs, and that I am not guilty of the kind of inconsistency mentioned in Romans 2:22?
What are some areas in my life where I may be 'robbing temples' or engaging in behaviors that are inconsistent with my faith, and how can I repent and make changes?
How can I cultivate a spirit of humility and self-reflection, recognizing that I am not above sin and that I need to continually examine my own heart and actions?

Gill's Exposition on Romans 2:22

Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery,.... Adultery here is to be taken not figuratively for adulterating the word of God, and mixing it with their own inventions; but literally for the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 2:22

Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery?

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Romans 2:22

Dost thou commit adultery? to this sin also the Jews were greatly addicted: see . Dost thou commit sacrilege? Here he varies the crime; he does not say: Dost thou commit idolatry, but sacrilege. The Jews, after their return out of captivity, kept themselves free from idolatry; but it seems they were guilty of a sin that was near akin to it. Here it may be questioned, what the sacrilege was that the Jews were guilty of. Some think, their covetousness is here taxed, which is a kind of idolatry. The Jews took those things which were consecrated to idols, and which, by the law of God, should have been destroyed, and turned them to their private advantage. Others think, that their sacrilege consisted in withholding from God that which they should have consecrated and offered up to him; see ,9: they converted to their own use such things as were dedicated to God. Much to the same purpose is their opinion, that think it consisted in robbing God of his due. By the imperial law in the code, it is declared sacrilege to take from the emperor any thing that is his; it ought to be much more accounted sacrilege to deal so with God. Some think their sacrilege lay in polluting the worship of God, and making his commands of no effect, through their corrupt additions and traditions.

Trapp's Commentary on Romans 2:22

22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Ver. 22. Thou that sayest] Hypocrites can talk of religion, as if their tongues did run upon pattens, they are fair professors, but foul sinners; as was that carnal cardinal Cremensis, the pope’ s envoy, sent hither, A. D. 1114, to interdict priests’ marriages, and being taken in the act with a common strumpet, he excused it by saying he was no priest himself, but a correcter of them. Dost thou commit sacrilege?] The chronicler noteth of Queen Mary, that she restored again all ecclesiastical livings assumed to the crown, saying that she set more by the salvation of her own soul than she did by ten kingdoms. Shall not she that abhorred not idols rise up and condemn those that do, and yet commit sacrilege? (Speed’ s Chron.)

Ellicott's Commentary on Romans 2:22

(22) Commit sacrilege.—Properly, rob temples—i.e., idol temples, with a pointed antithesis to that abhorrence of idols on which the Jew prided himself. This is certainly the last offence of which we should have expected the Jews of this date to be guilty, knowing the scrupulousness with which they shunned all contact with idolatry. They may, however, have thought the idol temples fair plunder. At any rate, it is clear that this charge was commonly brought against them. Comp. Acts 19:37, where the town-clerk of Ephesus specially acquits St. Paul and his companions of “being robbers of temples.” Josephus also (Ant. iv. 8, § 10) quotes as a precept of the Mosaic legislation, “Let no one blaspheme those gods which other cities esteem such; nor may any one steal what belongs to strange temples; nor take away the gifts that are dedicated to any god.”

Cambridge Bible on Romans 2:22

22. commit sacrilege] Lit. plunder sacred things, or plunder from sacred places. The Gr. word is the same as that translated “robbers of churches,” Acts 19:37. The idea of plunder is not necessary in the word, however; other forms of sacrilege may be included. Thus the reference may be to such profanations as that of the traders in the Temple (John 2:14, &c.), and the appeal will be, “Thou, who art so jealous for God against idolaters, dost thou worship self and mammon in His presence?” But if the special thought of robbery is kept (as is certainly more natural, with the derivation and usage of the Greek word in view), the reference probably is to Jewish thefts from pagan temples, where meanwhile the strict Jew professed not to dare to set his foot for fear of pollution. Scruple broke down before thievish avarice.

Barnes' Notes on Romans 2:22

Dost thou commit adultery? - There is no doubt that this was a crime very common among the Jews; see the Matthew 12:39 note; John 8:1-11 notes.

Whedon's Commentary on Romans 2:22

22. Commit adultery—The most celebrated rabbies, such as R. Akiba, Meir, Eleasar, and others, are accused in the Talmud of adultery. Commit sacrilege—Literally, pillage temples.

Sermons on Romans 2:22

	Sermon	Description
	The Food Question by T. Austin-Sparks	The preacher delves into the spiritual significance of idols, primarily derived from the Septuagint, where idols are considered products of fantasy and human hands, lacking any rea
	Testimony and Challenge by Gladys Aylward	In this sermon, the speaker shares their personal experience of being in China and looking after mules while others listened to a woman named Jeannie tell stories about Jesus. The
	Sermon on the Mount: Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit by J. Glyn Owen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of looking at oneself in the light of the Word of God. He warns that without this self-reflection, one may believe the lies of
	Be Sure, Your Sin Will Find You Out by Carter Conlon	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of loving God with all our hearts and loving our neighbors. He shares the story of a man who questioned who his neighbor was,
	(Exodus) Exodus 28:4-5 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of providing the best equipment for God's work. He refers to the story in Malachi where God accuses people of robbing Him. The
	Malachi by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a deep hatred for sin and living a life of righteousness. He highlights the characteristics of true preachers and p
	Elijah and Other of Like Faith by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a man who faced criticism and threats but remained faithful to hearing from God. He preached a powerful message that led to a mani