Romans 2:6 (KJV)

What does Romans 2:6 mean?

Romans 2:6 says that God will give each person what they deserve based on what they have done. This verse points to a principle of justice, where every individual is held accountable for their actions.

Paul, the writer of Romans, is addressing both Jewish and non-Jewish people in his letter to the church in Rome. In this section, Paul is explaining that God’s judgment is fair and impartial, not based on background or status, but on actual behavior. Romans 2:6 sets up the idea that God’s standards apply to everyone equally, laying the groundwork for what follows in the chapter.

The Greek behind Romans 2:6

• The word "render" (ἀποδώσει, apodōsei) means "to give back" or "to repay." The Greek here carries the sense of paying someone what is due, like settling an account, which emphasizes the fairness and precision of God’s judgment.
• The word "deeds" (ἔργα, erga) means "works" or "actions." This highlights that the judgment is not based on intentions or claims, but on what people have actually done.

Why Romans 2:6 matters

• Romans 2:6 corrects the idea that God judges people by their identity, heritage, or religious background; instead, it stresses personal responsibility for one’s actions.
• This verse connects to the larger argument in Romans that everyone, regardless of background, stands equal before God’s standard of justice.
• It helps clarify that Paul is not teaching salvation by works here, but is laying out the principle of God’s impartial judgment, which he will develop further in the letter.