Romans 2:1-16

Romans 2:1-16 “

1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.

The Jews considered the Gentiles “DOGS”. They were happy probably that Paul was calling out their sinful ways in chapter 1, but now Paul is telling them they too are guilty, they like us perhaps are stunned in the though that they, yes they, are guilty also.

3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

When God measured the deeds of the Jews, He found them to be as wicked as those of the Gentiles.

SELF RIGHTEOUS - Just b/c you are not as bad as the pagan, doesn't mean your exempt from being judged by God, in fact your more prone to be in trouble b/c you knew the law better then they and you choose not to obey it.

4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Two: When God Gives up (Romans 1:18–3:20))

It is not the judgment of God that leads men to repentance, but the goodness of God; but Israel did not repent.

God’s Goodness Is God’s Call, the GOSPEL, but sadly a majority of people will never hearken to God’s Good Call. They will still try to do it on their own, their own way.

5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:

7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;

8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath,

9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;

Now we see that Paul gives them a stern warning here that, if God has put a conscience in their hearts and written His law on their hearts and will judge them off that, then they, the Jews also must realize they are not automatically off the hook. They too will be judged based off the law.

God isn’t one of double standards.

10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

TRUE SAVING FAITH results in obedience and godly living, even though there may be occasional falls, like in the life of King David.

11 For there is no partiality with God.

It doesn't matter if your Jew or Greek, the law and the Gospel applies the same to each other.

12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law

13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;

New Living Translation Chapter 2

For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight.

Just b/c the Jews celebrated the feast or regularly honored the Sabbath Day did not change the fact that their consistent daily life was one of disobedience to God.

14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,

15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)

The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Two: When God Gives up (Romans 1:18–3:20))

Wherever you go, you find people with an inner sense of right and wrong; and this inner judge, the Bible calls “conscience.” You find among all cultures a sense of sin, a fear of judgment, and an attempt to atone for sins and appease whatever gods are feared.

16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.”

Key word here is MY GOSPEL

WRAPPING UP

The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 2

Having demonstrated the sinfulness of the immoral pagan (1:18–32), Paul presents his case against the religious moralist—Jew or Gentile—by cataloging 6 principles that govern God’s judgment: 1) knowledge (v. 1); 2) truth (vv. 2, 3); 3) guilt (vv. 4, 5); 4) deeds (vv. 6–10); 5) impartiality (vv. 11–15); and 6) motive (v. 16).

But the key is vs. 16, as it recaps vs. 4, GODS GOODNESS. - THE GOSPEL.

It’s not what you do, It’s what you choose to believe.