What Does Romans 2:17 Mean in the King James?
Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The verse’s pressure point is where confidence comes to rest: on the law, while the mouth boasts in God.
THE MEANING
You can be called a Jew, rest in the law, and boast in God at the same time. The verse makes the location of reliance visible: instruction can become the support beneath your confidence, even as God remains its boast.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Being called one of God’s people and possessing God’s instruction do not by themselves mean that your reliance rests in God.
THE ROOT
ἐπαναπαύῃ
epanapauēi
GROWS FROM
παυ
To cease, stop, or come to rest.
The compound verb means to rest upon or rely on; here, the law is the surface on which confidence settles. Its παυ core also appears in words for ceasing and repose, bringing the sense of settled reliance into English’s simple restest.
ALSO GROWS
pauō: To cease or stop.
παύω
It shares the παυ core, showing the basic sense of coming to a stop within the idea of rest.
katapausis: Rest or repose.
κατάπαυσις
It carries the same παυ core into a noun for a state of rest, echoing the settled quality of the reliance described here.
καυχᾶσαι
kauchasai
GROWS FROM
καυχ
To boast or glory in.
The Greek verb can mean to boast or to glory in; the verse names God as the object of that boasting. Beside the verb for resting, it places settled reliance and the source of public pride side by side.
ALSO GROWS
kauchema: A boast, or the object of boasting.
καύχημα
It shares the καυχ consonants and names what someone takes pride in.
kauchesis: Boasting or glorying.
καύχησις
It shares the same consonants and names the act expressed by the verb in this verse.
THE PATTERN
A claim of nearness to God can sit beside a heart or life that does not embody that nearness.
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?THE THREAD
And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.Luke uses the same Greek verb for peace resting upon a household that Romans uses for relying on the law. The shared word makes the image plain: something receives and carries what rests upon it.
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