Romans 2:6 (KJV)

What does Romans 2:6 mean?

Romans 2:6 says that God will deal with each person in keeping with what that person has done. Paul presents God’s judgment as a personal assessment, in which a person’s actions matter.

The verse begins with “Who” because Paul is continuing his sentence about God’s judgment in verse 5. The word “render” pictures giving someone what corresponds to that person’s conduct.

The Greek behind Romans 2:6

• “render” — ἀποδίδωμι (apodidōmi): The Greek carries the sense of giving back or paying what is due. Here the word links what God gives with the person’s deeds.
• “deeds” — ἔργον (ergon): This word can mean a work, action, or task. In this verse, the plural points to the things a person has done.

Why Romans 2:6 matters

• Paul applies the statement to each individual. The phrase “every man” refers to people generally, and the passage goes on to speak of both Jews and Gentiles, meaning people from other nations.
• The passage describes different outcomes rather than a single result for all. Verses 7–10 contrast those who persist in doing good with those who follow wrongdoing.
• Paul draws on language familiar from the Jewish Scriptures. Psalm 62:12 and Proverbs 24:12 also speak of God giving to people according to what they have done.