What Happened In Romans? Romans Chapter 2

Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
0 ratings
· 11 views
Notes
Transcript

Chapter 1 Recap

Pray We are going to try this a little different this week.
As I started to prepare for Chapter 2, I started to think about chapter 1 still, and on what I taught and how I taught. I felt bad for most of the week because I thought that maybe I failed you. Doubt can eat us up if we let it. But I kept studying anyways and one of the lessons talked about the people God uses, and suddenly I had some hope.
Abraham gave away his wife, twice Moses can’t speak Moses, David, and Paul, murders God can use anyone But with that said, I want to do better. So let’s review and talk about the book of Romans a bit more. So we need to go back to Romans 1. The lost were doing what Paul explains in chapter 1. So it is important to what God did and why God did it.
Romans was written for the church in Rome. Paul is writing about people in Rome.
Who is in Rome?

I am a debtor both to Greeks

Greeks - Before the Roman Empire, was the Greek Empire. Now the Greek Empire not only conquered with the military, but the also conquered culturally. Now the those who were Greeks culturally were considered Hellenist. And even though the Romans had conquered where the Greeks had in the past, Greek culture was still present in their day.

and to barbarians

People who were considered Barbarians were of a primitive language. The Greeks used barbarian to describe those who didn’t speak Greek. It came across as gibberish, which many thought they heard something like “bar bar bar”.

both to wise

Many of the wealthy owners would have some of their slaves learn to read and write so they could do their work for them. When this happened they naturally would read more and get moved into other positions.

and to unwise

It is important to note something about the unwise. Many people in the world are considered unwise. Wisdom is not as common. In fact today, we have a lot of people who think they are wise, but the wisdom they possess is not wisdom or even knowledge at all. It amazes me the amount of information that people poor into psychology. There are some studied that are valuable, and then there are others that are politically or socially inspired, which in these cases are not based on facts, or even more importantly, truth. But, in some church circles, people start to study the Bible and they begin to learn, many who some would suggest are unwise. As we study the Bible, we naturally start to read more. Our reading comprehension improves. We become better at looking up words and gaining more understanding. As many churches grow mentally, as they become wiser, their ministry starts to morph into a different ministry. We must never forget about the unwise. In Jesus’ ministry, it started with who many would consider would be unwise.
Paul talks about their faith is talked about throughout the whole world. And as I think about that, I thought about what people talk about when they talk about others. Most people in the world don’t talk about good things when they talk about others, but instead bad things. But Christians do talk about good things! So I believe Paul heard the good and the bad. And I would suggest some of the things he heard before were things he had heard in other churches. There are similarities with issues in churches, because even though people are all different, in many ways we are the same.
1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
So Paul starts by talking about non-believers in Rome.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

So because of this, God did this to those who chose not to believe, those who chose change the glory incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man:
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
So as they continued...

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

And as they continued, it is important to be aware of the culture Rome had back in the day. Homosexuality was a standard practice in that society. So the hardest thing is trying to compare Rome to the way the US is today and you can’t, because the way they were practicing is not how it is practiced in the US today. Although in our current society, we see that people are starting to accept homosexual practices. In school it is taught that you are born this way, that you can’t help it. And to help with the confusion, there are the many who teach that there are many genders. But it Paul’s time, homosexuality was different, and looked at differently. For men was a common practice with owners and their slaves. Most slaves were males due to their strength. Then there was the temple where prostitution was commonly practiced. There were also less women in Rome due to the practice of killing female babies. So unless a man was married his options were limited. Plus, sexual harassment and rape were common for young boys. It was a socially accepted practice. This actually continued until a Christian influence was felt in the government.
Something to note about today,

Top-Line Facts & Statistics

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 14, and the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) young people are at significantly increased risk. LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers (Johns et al., 2019; Johns et al., 2020). The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people (ages 13-24) seriously consider suicide each year in the U.S. — and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds. The Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People found that 41% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including roughly half of transgender and non-binary youth.
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/facts-about-lgbtq-youth-suicide/
Like I said last week, they believe that they say this is because of societal pressures, however there are many areas that possess a culture that surrounds people that choose to live like this. So they are surrounded by like-minded people, who support and encourage their way of life, but they are still lonely and depressed.
The New King James Version (Chapter 1)
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
So here, Paul is talking about the Gentiles who are believers:
32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Ro 1:24–25.
Paul knows these people came from a very dark culture. So as they are getting saved, some of them were still living in sin. When the Romans came to faith, they were not given a Bible.
God gave the Romans over 3 different times. Because of how they were living. But out the Romans, there were these who gave their lives to Jesus. So that had discovered the Christian faith but there were those who were living in sin. Their belief was faith based but they also didn’t know the law. There was no New Testament. The law was written Hebrew. They accepted that Jesus had died for their sins, and accepted the free gift of salvation. But there were some who were living in an unacceptable manner.
So this next verse could have been for the Jews, or even for the Gentile. The Jews, could have been a little smudge thinking we have the law, we know how to live for God and you don’t. It is one thing for a person to think “I am good looking”. But the self righteous man says “I am better looking than all of you in here.” 2 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. 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?
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Rom 2:1–3.
Matthew 7:3–5 NKJV
And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Hypocrite! To judge, to be able to spot someone else’s sin so well, well you have experience! This is why it is so easy to see.
Did Paul know Jews? What was Paul? He was a Pharisee. When we say Pharisee, what do we think? EW? Self-righteousness people? What did the Jews think of Pharisees back then? Much respect, because they had the appearance that they could follow the law. They knew the Word of God.
The Jew first. The Jews had the law. They knew of God first. They had the oracle’s of God. Oracles are communications from God. But even though the Jews had the law, they didn’t follow the law. And why didn’t they follow the law? Because no man can follow the law. Paul being a Pharisee knew how to live out the law. Pharisees knew the law. They had rules to help them follow the law. But t the law was given to see that they could not do it. And they weren’t doing it. They were likely quoting the law and going through the rituals, kind of showing off. The Jews had works. But works didn’t save. The Jews didn’t understand this.

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

This was missing in their walk. Much of their cultural faith was based on works.

For there is no partiality with God.

You can’t live by partially living according to the law. It is all or nothing with God. God knew man could not do this. For the Pharisees who could perform outwardly, they were still failing inwardly. And they were the best among the Jews.
​

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

Man can only see the external sins of others, but God sees all of our sins.

17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.

Paul knew the answer. The babes are the new believers in Christ. When people know more than others, they simply have an advantage over others. I can see them pointing out the flaws of the Romans, maybe even bragging about it.

25 For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27 And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Genesis 17:9–14 NKJV
And God said to Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”
Circumcision was a symbol of the agreement between God and Abraham. But it came after Abraham believed.
6 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Ge 15:6.

4 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

Abraham believed in the Lord, and it was accounted righteousness to Him. He did not have the law, as it came 500 years later through Moses. The circumcision is similar to what baptism is to us today. It was the symbol of the what was going on spiritually. Works don’t justify this event in a person’s life. To just do this without out make a choice to follow God, it is just an action that carries no personal meaning.
Works are a byproduct of our faith in Jesus. We should not aim to specifically do works. In our walk, I believe the Holy Spirit is going to inspire us to help, inspire us to use our gifts. I believe it will be similar to sharing the Gospel, you won’t be able to contain it. You gifts, your calling, can be where you shine the most. How God uses you, will be based on what God has called you to do. This does not mean God won’t use you in other capacities. God has no limits.
1 Corinthians 1:27 NKJV
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
So when we are serving, and we don’t feel qualified, rest in the fact that God can still use you. God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Read Rom 1:18-32
Romans 1:18–32 NKJV
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
Romans 2 NKJV
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. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 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? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 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, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. 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 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 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, 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) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written. For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
Close
​
PRAY
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more
Earn an accredited degree from Redemption Seminary with Logos.
Copyright 2026 LogosFeatures|Pricing|Privacy|Terms of Use|Support