Romans 2:1-16

V.1: *Judge = condemn or criticize

• He criticizes others because they don’t love up to his standards. The only real standard is the Word of God.

• He would rather criticize and condemn his fallen brother than lift him up and restore him.

• This is inexcusable behavior, because he does the same thing.

• 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that all temptation is common to man.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV) 13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:. . .

• It doesn’t matter how good you look on the outside, God sees the heart.

• Isaiah 11:3-5

• Matthew 5:21-22; 27-28 (hatred (murder) & adultery)

• God knows that man would carry out his thoughts if he had the courage and opportunity to do so.

V.2-4: The moralist thinks that he won’t be judged.

• He will not escape judgment, he will be judged according to the truth, the word of God.

• God’s judgment is according to truth, and totally just.

• God’s judgment is good, because it leads to repentance.

• God’s goodness is not a blank check to sin, He judges according to the truth.

V.5: The moralist has a hardened heart, he will despise God’s judgment, because he thinks that he is good enough. No one is good enough!

V.6-11: God renders to everyone according to his deeds, nothing goes unnoticed.

• “first to the Jews”, The jew’s priority of privilege was also one of responsibility.

• The principle of God’s judgment is the same for all.

V.12: Just as there are different levels of reward in Heaven, there are different levels of punishment in Hell. Luke 12:47-48

V.13: It doesn’t do you any good just to hear the Word of God, you must live it.

• If all you do is come and sit in church, you’re wasting your time!

V.14-16: The Word of God is written on every man’s heart. (We all have a sense of right and wrong).

• We come full circle to “inexcusable”

• Paul reemphasizes that all are without excuse, and all will be judged according to the Word of God.