Romans 10:2

2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.

Romans 10:2 in Other Translations

2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.

2 I readily admit that the Jews are impressively energetic regarding God - but they are doing everything exactly backwards.

2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

2 I can assure you that they are deeply devoted to God, but they are misguided.

2 I can testify about them that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

2 I can give witness about them that they really want to serve God. But how they are trying to do it is not based on what they know.

Romans 10:2 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 10:2

For I bear them record, that they have a zeal of God
A zeal for God; for the being and unity of God, against the polytheism and idolatry of the Gentiles; for the word of God, the writings of the Old Testament, of which they were zealous defenders and preservers, and which they diligently read and heard explained, and whereby they thought to obtain eternal life; for the law of God, moral and ceremonial, especially for the rituals of the Mosaic economy; for the service and worship of God, they spared no pains, but compassed sea and land to bring in proselytes to their religion; all which the apostle could testify from his own knowledge, and by his own experience, who had been as great a zealot as any of them all. But now whilst the apostle is expressing his strong affection for this people, he is careful to act the faithful part to them, and points out their mistakes, and shows them their faults; which he does in this and the following verse, by observing, that they had a zeal of God indeed,

but not according to knowledge:
it was not well regulated, it proceeded on mistaken principles, and moved in a wrong way, in persecuting the church of God, in doing things contrary to the name of Christ, in putting to death his ministers and members, thinking that hereby they did God good service; which arose from their ignorance of their Father, and of the Son: though they had a zeal of God, they knew neither God nor Christ aright; they did not know God in Christ, nor Jesus to be the true Messiah; they understood neither law nor Gospel truly, and fancied the Gospel was contrary to the law, and an enemy to it; and therefore in their great zeal opposed it, and the professors of it; they were zealous of the law, and of doing the commands of it, but knew not the true nature, use, and end of the law; as appears by what follows.

Romans 10:2 In-Context

1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.

2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.

3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”

Cross References

• 1. S Acts 21:20