And the Condemnation Continues

Romans 2:1

“…on account of which you are without defense--oh man--every one of you judging…”

di-a – “on account of which” comes from the preposition di-a (on account of) and the relative pronoun hos, “which”. This makes it a relative conjunction that refers back to the principle stated in verse 32. The continual doing, and taking pleasure in, all of the things stated in verse 32.

Because of all of this, Paul says, “you are without defense”. an-ap-ol-lo-gay-tos=a nominative singular masculine 3rd declension adjective.
To break it down:
a = a negative particle
a-po = the preposition from
lo-go s= the word or account
This is a legal term. Paul is, throughout this whole section of the Doctrine of Condemnation (Romans 1:18-3:21) laying out the principles of God’s judgment. It is only fitting for him to focus our attention this way by using legal terms placing the reader in God’s courtroom. Both the Jew and the Gentile are without a defense in the legal courtroom of God.

“Oh man!” Here Paul is using an ancient Greek literary devise called a diatribe. He is displaying the argument that he would make to any specific Jewish person. He is anticipating what one would say, and responding to it, like a hypothetical conversation. This is to every Jew who is judging.

Kri-non = vocative singular masculine present active participle. Meaning, “the one who is continually/habitually judging. The present active participle makes it clear that this is an ongoing trait or disposition.



The attitude of the Jewish person comes from a deep seeded belief that the Abrahamic Covenant (see Genesis 12:3) put them in a special relationship with God. Being a Jew automatically guarantees salvation. The practicing Jew believes that they are immune from judgment because they are Jews – God’s chosen people – a Covenant people. This is true, but what exactly does it mean to be “chosen”? What was the covenant God made to/with Abraham? The prevailing thought, at the time of Paul's writing, was that being a Jew guaranteed salvation and excluded you from judgment. The ironic thing was that Genesis 12:3 was given by God to Abraham before Abraham was even “Jewish”.

In essence, Paul is exposing the heart attitude behind Judiasm. He is saying that this person/people (again, addressing the Jews) is/are continually judging, taking a position outside of humanity, by placing themselves above the people they are judging. Paul is saying, if you have the knowledge of what sin is, which you must in order to be the judge, then you are condemning yourself.