Romans 2:19

19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark,

Romans 2:19 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
English Standard Version (ESV)
19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
New Living Translation (NLT)
19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness.
The Message Bible (MSG)
19 I have a special word of caution for you who are sure that you have it all together yourselves and, because you know God's revealed Word inside and out,
American Standard Version (ASV)
19 and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them that are in darkness,
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
19 You are confident that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in the dark,
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
19 and are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness,
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
19 You are sure you can lead people who are blind. You are sure you are a light for those who are in the dark.

Romans 2:19 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 2:19

And art confident that thou thyself
Being vainly puffed up in, their fleshly minds, they were strongly persuaded that they were very fit persons to be

a guide to the blind:
all men are by nature blind, as to the knowledge of divine and spiritual things; the meaner sort of the people among the Jews seem to be intended here; or else the ignorant Gentiles, whom the Jews were very fond of making proselytes to their religion and laws; but miserable guides were they, whether to their own people, or others; blind guides of the blind. Gospel ministers best deserve this title:

a light of them that are in darkness;
so Christ, John the Baptist, the disciples of Christ, and all Gospel ministers are; but these men, who arrogated such characters to themselves, were dim lights, and dark lanterns. The apostle seems to have respect to those very high and exalted characters the Jews give of their doctors, as when they call one, (arwhnd anyuwb) , "the lamp of light" F23; another, (avydq) (anyuwb) , "the holy lamps" F24; and a third, (larvy rn) , "the lamp of Israel" F25; with many others of the same kind; (See Gill on Matthew 5:14) and (See Gill on John 5:35).


FOOTNOTES:

F23 T. Bab. Cetubot, fol. 17. 1.
F24 Zohar passim.
F25 T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 28. 2.

Romans 2:19 In-Context

17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;
18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;
19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark,
20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—
21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?
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