Romans 2:9
New International Version
There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;

New Living Translation
There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.

English Standard Version
There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,

Berean Standard Bible
There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek;

Berean Literal Bible
tribulation and distress upon every soul of man working evil, both of Jewish first, and also of Greek;

King James Bible
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

New King James Version
tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;

New American Standard Bible
There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of mankind who does evil, for the Jew first and also for the Greek,

NASB 1995
There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek,

NASB 1977
There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek,

Legacy Standard Bible
There will be affliction and turmoil for every soul of man who works out evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek,

Amplified Bible
There will be tribulation and anguish [torturing confinement] for every human soul who does [or permits] evil, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,

Christian Standard Bible
There will be affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek;

American Standard Version
tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek;

Contemporary English Version
All who are wicked will be punished with trouble and suffering. It doesn't matter if they are Jews or Gentiles.

English Revised Version
tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
There will be suffering and distress for every person who does evil, for Jews first and Greeks as well.

Good News Translation
There will be suffering and pain for all those who do what is evil, for the Jews first and also for the Gentiles.

International Standard Version
There will be suffering and anguish for every human being who practices doing evil, for Jews first and for Greeks as well.

Majority Standard Bible
There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek;

NET Bible
There will be affliction and distress on everyone who does evil, on the Jew first and also the Greek,

New Heart English Bible
affliction and distress, on every human being who does evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Webster's Bible Translation
Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

Weymouth New Testament
coming upon the soul of every man and woman who deliberately does wrong--upon the Jew first, and then upon the Gentile;

World English Bible
oppression, and anguish on every soul of man who does evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
tribulation and distress, on every soul of man that is working the evil, both of Jew first, and of Greek;

Berean Literal Bible
tribulation and distress upon every soul of man working evil, both of Jewish first, and also of Greek;

Young's Literal Translation
tribulation and distress, upon every soul of man that is working the evil, both of Jew first, and of Greek;

Smith's Literal Translation
Affliction and distress, upon every soul of man working evil, both of the Jew first, and of the Greek;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Tribulation and anguish are upon every soul of man that works evil: the Jew first, and also the Greek.

New American Bible
Yes, affliction and distress will come upon every human being who does evil, Jew first and then Greek.

New Revised Standard Version
There will be anguish and distress for everyone who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Suffering and affliction, for every man who does evil, for the Jews first, and also for the Syrians.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Suffering and trouble, to every person who cultivates wickedness, to the Jews first and to the Aramaeans,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
affliction and distress, upon every soul of man that practices what is evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek:

Godbey New Testament
Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that is working out evil, both the Jew first, and the Greek;

Haweis New Testament
tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth wickedness, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek.

Mace New Testament
tribulation and anguish to every one that doth evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.

Weymouth New Testament
coming upon the soul of every man and woman who deliberately does wrong--upon the Jew first, and then upon the Gentile;

Worrell New Testament
tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that works evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek;

Worsley New Testament
Tribulation and anguish shall be upon every soul of man that worketh evil, both of the Jew, and of the Gentile:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Righteous Judgment
8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek; 10but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, first for the Jew, then for the Greek.…

Cross References
Matthew 25:46
And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

2 Thessalonians 1:6-9
After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, / and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels / in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ...

Revelation 14:11
And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. Day and night there is no rest for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”

Revelation 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”

1 Peter 4:17-18
For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? / And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

Luke 12:47-48
That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. / But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.

Hebrews 10:26-27
If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, / but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.

James 2:13
For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

2 Peter 2:9
if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

Isaiah 3:11
Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.

Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.

Proverbs 11:21
Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

Psalm 9:17
The wicked will return to Sheol—all the nations who forget God.

Isaiah 57:21
“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”


Treasury of Scripture

Tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man that does evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

Tribulation.

Proverbs 1:27,28
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you…

2 Thessalonians 1:6
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

soul.

Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Matthew 16:26
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

of the Jew.

Romans 2:10
But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 3:29,30
Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: …

Gentile.

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Romans 2
1. No excuse for sin.
6. No escape from judgment.
14. Gentiles cannot;
17. nor Jews.














There will be trouble and distress
This phrase emphasizes the certainty of consequences for actions. In biblical context, "trouble and distress" often refer to the judgment and tribulation that come as a result of sin. The Old Testament frequently warns of such outcomes for disobedience (e.g., Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The New Testament continues this theme, highlighting the spiritual and sometimes physical repercussions of living contrary to God's will. This serves as a reminder of the moral order established by God, where actions have consequences.

for every human being who does evil
The universality of this statement underscores the impartiality of God's judgment. It aligns with the biblical teaching that all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and that God shows no favoritism (Acts 10:34-35). The phrase "every human being" indicates that no one is exempt from accountability, regardless of status or background. This reflects the consistent biblical theme that God's standards apply to all humanity, and His justice is comprehensive.

first for the Jew
The mention of the Jew first highlights the historical and covenantal relationship between God and the Jewish people. Biblically, the Jews were the first to receive God's law and promises (Romans 9:4-5). This priority in judgment reflects their privileged position in salvation history, as well as their greater responsibility due to their knowledge of God's will. It also echoes the pattern seen in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles, who often began their work among the Jews before reaching out to the Gentiles (Matthew 10:5-6; Acts 13:46).

then for the Greek
The term "Greek" here is representative of the Gentiles, encompassing all non-Jewish peoples. This reflects the expansion of God's covenant to include all nations, a theme prophesied in the Old Testament (Isaiah 49:6) and fulfilled in the New Testament through the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). The inclusion of the Greeks signifies the universal scope of the gospel and God's plan for salvation, as well as the universal application of His justice. This phrase reinforces the idea that both Jews and Gentiles are equally accountable before God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the Book of Romans, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.

2. Jews
The ethnic and religious group to whom God first revealed His laws and covenants. In this context, they represent those who were first given the opportunity to know God's will.

3. Greeks
Often used to refer to Gentiles or non-Jews in the New Testament. Here, it represents all other nations and peoples outside of the Jewish community.

4. Rome
The city to which the letter was addressed, a significant center of power and culture in the ancient world, with a diverse population including both Jews and Gentiles.

5. Judgment
The event or process by which God will hold every person accountable for their actions, as described in the broader context of Romans 2.
Teaching Points
Universal Accountability
Every person, regardless of their background, is accountable to God for their actions. This calls for self-examination and repentance.

Priority of Revelation
The Jews were given the law first, which implies a greater responsibility. Similarly, those who have received the Gospel have a responsibility to live according to its teachings.

Consequences of Sin
Sin leads to trouble and distress. Understanding this should motivate believers to pursue righteousness and avoid evil.

Equality Before God
Both Jews and Greeks are subject to the same standards of judgment, highlighting the impartiality of God.

Call to Repentance
Recognizing the certainty of judgment should lead individuals to seek God's mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.(9) Upon every soul of man.--The phrase is not quite the same as "upon every man," but more special in character, indicating the part in which the punishment will be felt.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[There will be] trouble
θλῖψις (thlipsis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2347: Persecution, affliction, distress, tribulation. From thlibo; pressure.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

distress
στενοχωρία (stenochōria)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4730: A narrow space, great distress, anguish. From a compound of stenos and chora; narrowness of room, i.e. calamity.

for
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

every
πᾶσαν (pasan)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

human
ἀνθρώπου (anthrōpou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

being
ψυχὴν (psychēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5590: From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.

who
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

does
κατεργαζομένου (katergazomenou)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2716: From kata and ergazomai; to work fully, i.e. Accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion.

evil,
κακόν (kakon)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.

first
πρῶτον (prōton)
Adverb - Superlative
Strong's 4412: First, in the first place, before, formerly. Neuter of protos as adverb; firstly.

for the Jew,
Ἰουδαίου (Ioudaiou)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.

then
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

for the Greek;
Ἕλληνος (Hellēnos)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 1672: From Hellas; a Hellen or inhabitant of Hellas; by extension a Greek-speaking person, especially a non-Jew.


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NT Letters: Romans 2:9 Oppression and anguish on every soul (Rom. Ro)
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