Romans 2:21

Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

Cross-references

Romans 2:1 Parallel

Romans 2:1 sets up the entire argument: judging others while doing the same things—Romans 2:21 is a specific application of that principle to teachers.

Romans 1:32 Parallel

Romans 1:32 describes people who know God's judgment yet sin and approve others—same pattern of knowledge without obedience that Paul rebukes in the teacher.

Matthew 23:14 condemns scribes devouring widows' houses while praying publicly — the same hypocrisy of teaching piety while stealing.

1 Corinthians 9:27 has Paul disciplining his body to avoid disqualification after preaching — the opposite of the hypocrite in Romans 2:21 who fails to practice.

Luke 19:22 Related theme

Luke 19:22 shows the master judging by the servant's own words — similar to how Romans 2:21 implies self-condemnation for the hypocrite.

Luke 12:47 Related theme

Luke 12:47 warns that a servant who knows the master's will but doesn't do it will be beaten — parallels knowledge-without-practice in Romans 2:21.

Luke 11:46 Parallel

Luke 11:46 rebukes experts in the law who burden others but won't help — parallel to the hypocrisy of teaching without doing in Romans 2:21.

Galatians 6:13 notes that circumcised do not keep the law but compel others — a specific example of the hypocrisy Paul condemns in Romans 2:21.

Psalm 50:16-21 depicts God rebuking those who recite his laws but reject discipline — the same hypocrisy Paul confronts in Romans 2:21.

Matthew 23:3-12 records Jesus condemning Pharisees who preach but don't practice — a direct parallel to the hypocrite teacher in Romans 2:21.

Matthew 21:13 exposes temple authorities making God's house a den of robbers — religious leaders stealing under pious cover, like Paul's example.

Micah 3:11 Parallel

Micah 3:11 shows priests teaching for money and judges taking bribes — religious leaders profiting while professing God, just as Paul's hypocrites.

Amos 8:4-6 condemns cheating with dishonest scales and exploiting the poor — a vivid example of the stealing Paul says teachers commit.

Ezekiel 22:27 portrays princes as wolves tearing prey for dishonest gain — echoing the hypocrisy of leaders who steal yet instruct others.

Ezekiel 22:13 denounces dishonest gain, directly paralleling those who preach against stealing while acquiring ill-gotten wealth.

Ezekiel 22:12 lists bribery, extortion, and interest — forms of stealing — mirroring Paul's charge of hypocrisy in teaching against stealing.

James 3:1 Parallel

James 3:1 warns that teachers face stricter judgment—amplifying the seriousness of the hypocrisy Paul exposes in those who teach but do not practice.

John 8:7 Parallel

John 8:7 challenges the accusers to be sinless themselves—Paul applies the same standard: those who teach against sin must not be guilty of it.

Luke 6:42 Parallel

Luke 6:42 explicitly calls such behavior hypocrisy and commands self-correction first—directly reinforcing Paul's rebuke of the teacher who does not teach himself.

Luke 6:41 Parallel

In Luke 6:41, Jesus uses the speck-and-plank image—the same hypocrisy of condemning others while ignoring one's own fault Paul targets here.