Romans 2:1 - 3:20

Intro

Text - Romans 2.1-2; Romans

Romans 2:1–2 NKJV

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.

Part 3 -

for whom is the wrath of God revealed

the problem with moralism

the problem with Jewish legalism

the general condition of all humanity

Who is Guilty in the Sight of God

Paul address the wrath of God to 3 groups of people -

The Gentiles

these are those who are outright non-believers, who live sinful lives publicly and shamelessly.

Romans 1.18-32

The Moralists

these are those who trust in their own morality

Romans 2.1-16

what is “moralism”

Moralism is commonly defined as “the practice of morality, as distinct from religion.” A non-religious person, who nonetheless lives by a personal moral code, can be said to hold to moralism.

Another, more negative definition of moralism is “an undue emphasis on morality.” In this case, the moralist would be seen as a prude, a self-righteous prig, or an overly austere moral snob.

Moralism is an emphasis on proper moral beavior to the exclusion f genuine faith in God

Religious moralism is an emphasis on proper moral behavior to the exclusion of genuine faith. Religious moralism and legalism are similar, but differ slightly in that legalism usually refers to a doctrinal position emphasizing a system of rules and regulations

Moralism is a dependence and confidence in a set of personal rules and regulation

Moralism doesn’t necessarily point to any established system. The moralist is free to concoct his own set of rules and regulations, usually ones he has no trouble keeping, enabling him to feel good about adhering to them.

Christian moralism focuses on mora behavior to such extent that obedience comes before faith.

Christian moralism focuses on moral behavior to such an extent that obedience comes before faith, and grace is often obscured. In practice, moralism begins to look a lot like legalism.

Christian moralists tend to reduce the Bible to a manual for moral behavior, often centering on such passages as the Sermon on the Mount and the Ten Commandments.

the “moralist” relies on his moral actions

The moralist relies on his moral actions: if he prays, goes to church, and helps his community, then he is good with God. Moralism says that, if you don’t lie, cheat, steal, or cuss too much, then you are a good person and deserving of heaven.

types of moralisrs

atheist moralists

religious moralists

christian moralists

The Jews

Romans 1.17 - 3.8

- the “Jews” are the legalist believers of God who hold to their obedience to the as the basis of their righteousness

what is legalism?

The belief that salvation demands or depends upon total obedience to the letter of the law. Examples of legalism include an excessive concern for minute details of the law coupled with a neglect of its fundamental concerns, and a preoccupation with human legal traditions.

legalism Moral attitude that identifies Christian morality with the literal observance of biblical laws and claims superiority in so doing. The allegation of legalism is often leveled at Christians who believe that God’s Word in Scripture gives specific teaching against certain actions and behavior.

Romans 2.1-16

God’s judgment against the “moralists”

They are guilty before God

Romans 2:1–3 NKJV

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. 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?

They despise the riches of God’s goodness, forbearance and longsuffering

Romans 2:4–5 NKJV

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

God’s judgment is righteous -

He will render to every man according to his deeds

Romans 2:6–10 NKJV

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

He will judge men without partiality.

Romans 2:11–16 NKJV

11 For there is no partiality with God. 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.

verse 12 connects verse 16 - showing ‘when’ the judgment takes place

verses13-15 describes how God will judge those who are outside the ‘Law’ - based on their conscience and action

Romans 2.17-3.8

The Jews are guilty as the Gentiles

the Jews relied on outward or public practice of the law

Romans 2:17–24 NKJV

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.

the Jews were supposed to teach God’s laws to the Gentiles - in word and in practice

the Jews relied on their religion and outward obedience

The Jews failed to abide in the Covenant

Romans 2:25–29 NKJV

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.

the covenant (signified byt he circumcision) is nly effective if the the parties involved abide in the terms of the covenant

those who kept the righteous requierments of the law, even though they were outside the Law, are accepted before God (on the day of judgment)

the ‘real Jew’ in the eyes of God is in believing God’s laws and practicing them for the glory of God, not of men.

The advantages of the Jews will not and cannot hold back God’s judgment upon them

the jewish advantage - they had the Law

Romans 3:1–2 NKJV

1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.

the word of God was committed to their care

The unbelief of the Jews will not affect God’s faithfulness

Romans 3:3–4 NKJV

3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”

God will still judge the Jews,even if their unrighteous acts helped bring out God’s righteousness through the Law

Romans 3:5–8 NKJV

5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.

Romans 3.9-20

Paul concludes his exposition on the wrath of God against ungodilness and unrighteousness

Jews and gentiles are alike are all under the power of sin

Romans 3:9 NKJV

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

Paul describes the depravity of man

Romans 3:10–11 NKJV

10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.

no one is righteous

no one understands (the will and righteousness of God)

no one seeks God

the Jews seek their own righteousness

the moralists seek their own goodness

all have become worthless

no one does good

Isaiah 64:6–7 NKJV

6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away. 7 And there is no one who calls on Your name, Who stirs himself up to take hold of You; For You have hidden Your face from us, And have consumed us because of our iniquities.

everyone is biased towards evil, and against God

Romans 3:13–20 NKJV

13 “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17 And the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

So why did God give the Law to Israel?

Romans 3:19–20 NKJV

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

to declare everyone guilty before God

to show that no one is truly righteous before - not even those who held the law and memorized the law by heart - the Jews!

to make all humans conscious of the reality and the power of sin

Conclusion

Paul’s epistle to the Romans, up to this verse, reveals the grimm - dark and hopeless - condition and future of man before God.

God has revealed His righteousness in two ways so far -

through the Law

through the human conscience

There is a third way through which God reveals His righteousness - Jesus Christ, through which man receives deliverance from sin and obtains salvation.

Let’s not put our trust in our religion - like the Jews.

Let’s not put our trust on our morality - just like the moralists then and now.

The gospel shows us the power of God for salvation

Romans 1:16 NKJV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

1 Corinthians 1:18 NKJV

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

SONG

TURN YOUR EYES