Rom 2:20 | RWP | e4.org | A corrector of the foolish ( παιδευτην αφρονων ). Old word (from παιδευω ) for instructor, in Plato, and probably so here, though corrector or chastiser in (the only N.T. instances). See . Late inscriptions give it as instructor (Preisigke). Αφρονων is a hard word for Gentiles, but it is the Jewish standpoint that Paul gives. Each termed the other "dogs." Of babes ( νηπιων ). Novitiates or proselytes to Judaism just as in . Paul used it of those not of legal age. The form ( την μορφωσιν ). Rare word only in Theophrastus and Paul (here and ). Pallis regards it as a Stoical term for education. Lightfoot considers the μορφωσις as "the rough-sketch, the pencilling of the μορφη ," the outline or framework, and in "the outline without the substance." This is Paul's picture of the Jew as he sees himself drawn with consummate skill and subtle irony.

‏ Romans 2:20

A corrector of the foolish ( παιδευτην αφρονων ). Old word (from παιδευω ) for instructor, in Plato, and probably so here, though corrector or chastiser in Heb 12:9 (the only N.T. instances). See Lu 23:16. Late inscriptions give it as instructor (Preisigke). Αφρονων is a hard word for Gentiles, but it is the Jewish standpoint that Paul gives. Each termed the other "dogs."

Of babes ( νηπιων ). Novitiates or proselytes to Judaism just as in Ga 4:1. Paul used it of those not of legal age.

The form ( την μορφωσιν ). Rare word only in Theophrastus and Paul (here and 2Ti 3:5). Pallis regards it as a Stoical term for education. Lightfoot considers the μορφωσις as "the rough-sketch, the pencilling of the μορφη," the outline or framework, and in 2Ti 3:5 "the outline without the substance." This is Paul's picture of the Jew as he sees himself drawn with consummate skill and subtle irony.