2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
2 I readily admit that the Jews are impressively energetic regarding God - but they are doing everything exactly backwards.
2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 10:2
Commentary on Romans 10:1-4
(Read Romans 10:1-4)
The Jews built on a false foundation, and refused to come to Christ for free salvation by faith, and numbers in every age do the same in various ways. The strictness of the law showed men their need of salvation by grace, through faith. And the ceremonies shadowed forth Christ as fulfilling the righteousness, and bearing the curse of the law. So that even under the law, all who were justified before God, obtained that blessing by faith, whereby they were made partakers of the perfect righteousness of the promised Redeemer. The law is not destroyed, nor the intention of the Lawgiver disappointed; but full satisfaction being made by the death of Christ for our breach of the law, the end is gained. That is, Christ has fulfilled the whole law, therefore whoever believeth in him, is counted just before God, as much as though he had fulfilled the whole law himself. Sinners never could go on in vain fancies of their own righteousness, if they knew the justice of God as a Governor, or his righteousness as a Saviour.