Chap 2 _ Romans

Paul had been saying that unrighteousness will be punished, that evil behaviour, and evil thoughts lead to manifestations of that evil .

This applies to everyone. This process uses sexual impurity as action and consequences, but all unrighteousness can lead to death. Many in the church think that He continues

OOOOOOOOOOO Romans 2:1–11 (HCSB) God’s Righteous Judgment 2 Therefore, any one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. 2 We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth. 3 Do you really think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed. 6 He will repay each one according to his works: 7 eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth but are obeying unrighteousness; 9 affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 11 There is no favoritism with God.

Paul is engaging in a “diatribe argument’ which was common then and now. This is where one argues with an imaginary opponent to illustrate a more complete understanding of some condition. The opponent hear is any listener, it is not the Pharisees as we saw often in acts.

He is trying to show the church a common mental or moral conditions seen in the world. He is not addressing Pharisees or judges, but every Christian. Some of the translations even say Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: Everyone seems to see himself as “basically good” or justifies himself - We judge ourselves highly against our peers. 2 Corinthians 10:12 (HCSB)12 For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding.

Paul is saying that they don’t take sin and its consequences seriously enough. And you should not condemn others because you also deserve condemnation even if it seems less serious that the examples of the injury he had given in the previous chapter.

But he is also providing a more troublesome situation to the Jew. 2 We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth. God is just, he will be fair. It is unconditional and applies to everyone.

Paul shows that God is just, he will judge by the truth; not by what you think you can get away with, that you can slide on by condemnation, or that He will look the other way. People typically over estimate their goodness and skills and intelligence.

The Jew looked upon himself as one of the chosen. The Jew traditionally looked upon himself as a favored nation, a nation privileged in the law. The Jew was exempt from punishments that the Gentile was liable.

It was said that God will judge the Gentile with one measure and the Jew with a different measure.

Justin Martyr [ 1st apologist for the church , was Greek, born Samaria - philosopher 100-165 a.d wrote in “Dialogue with Trypho that the Jew said “They who are the seed of Abraham according toe flesh shall in any case, even if they be sinners and unbelieving and disobedient towards God, share in the eternal Kingdom.”

In the Book of Wisdom [Jewish, written 50 b.c.] was written “While therefore thou doest chasten us, thou scourgest our enemies a thousand times more”. The Jews thought they were not subject to punishment like all other people of the world.

So what Paul was teaching about Jesus being God, he was also wrecking their world saying that they, the Jew, was subject to condemnation the same as a non-Jew.

He goes on 4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? His His kindness translates from “chrestos” meaning someone who is essentially always kind. You not only think presume that you will receive special treatment, but do you besmirch, belittle God. You are throwing away Gods kindness, restraint because you think it is worthless- throw his patience into the gutter? Do you consider his kindness worthless [one of God’s attributes] and throw out with the garbage his kindness, patience and restraint. He shows His kindness in order for your gratitude and repentance.

....5 But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed. 6 He will repay each one according to his works: 7 eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth but are obeying unrighteousness; 9 affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek;

The jew often that treasure was stored up for them in the end, but God had told them earlier in Deuteronomy 32:33–34 (HCSB) 33 Their wine is serpents’ venom, the deadly poison of cobras.34 “Is it not stored up with Me, sealed up in My vaults? Or in Hosea 13:12 (HCSB)12 Ephraim’s guilt is preserved; his sin is stored up.

.... 7 eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality; being righteous doesn’t result in escape or being safe, but it results in the amazing gift of glory, honor and immortality. All people yearn or hope for immortality. Remember Fountain of Youth that Ponce de Leon looked for in Florida in the early 1500’s. It has been searched for thorughout history. And here it is a free gift to those who trust in the salvation from Jesus.

...11 There is no favoritism with God. There is no partiality with God. Jew first-then Gentile

................Deuteronomy 10:16–17 (HCSB) 16 Therefore, circumcise your hearts and don’t be stiff-necked any longer. 17 For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and taking no bribe.

..Deuteronomy 30:5–6 (HCSB) 5 The Lord your God will bring you into the land your fathers possessed, and you will take possession of it. He will cause you to prosper and multiply you more than He did your fathers. 6 The Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and all your soul so that you will live.

......6 He will repay each one according to his works: 7 eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth but are obeying unrighteousness;

James 2:18–22 (HCSB)18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder.

20 Foolish man! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless? 21 Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was perfected.

and a little further on Paul reiterates For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be declared righteous. Being a passive observer, or casual listener who is curious or bored or wants to hear the latest - he is unrighteous. It is the one who abides, who works out his salvation will be considered righteous. He must first do something - surrender and repent. The surrender, becoming the servant of the Lord involves work. Not enough studied but trusting plus being baptized [a work] is the evidence of his salvation.

OOOOOOOOOOO Romans 2:12–16 (HCSB) 12 All those who sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all those who sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be declared righteous. 14 So, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, instinctively do what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts. Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts will either accuse or excuse them 16 on the day when God judges what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.

Now we see two major teachings. One is ignored.

1. One is that everyone is judged and the Jews since they know the law will be held to the higher standard.

2. Even those ignorant of the law will be judged, but since they are ignorant their own conscience [ what everyone knows right and wrong] will be be the evidence of for adjudication [ legal settlement of a case]- judgement.

The Greco - Roman beliegs, especially the Stoics, that there was a law applicable to all men , written into the heart. They believed in Natrual Law.

Does this mean that ignorant, but good people can be saved. ? People who don’t know about Christ?

1 Timothy 2:5–6 (HCSB) 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human, 6 who gave Himself—a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.

John 14:5–6 (HCSB) 5 “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Acts 4:12 (HCSB) 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.”

John 5:21–22 (HCSB) 21 And just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to anyone He wants to. 22 The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son,

John 8:15–18 (HCSB) 15 You judge by human standards. I judge no one. 16 And if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent Me judge together. 17 Even in your law it is written that the witness of two men is valid. 18 I am the One who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.”

So Christ is the only way John 14:6 (HCSB)6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

What does this mean? Only through Jesus is salvation. Jesus is the judge of all. So the ignorant and the unrighteous must appear at the court of Christ and come before him. Jesus will view the heart of the ignorant and according to the how they lived by what they knew. Those who know the law and Jesus will be judged according to their righteousness, their faith in Him. The will be rewarded according to their deeds. Remember faith without deeds is false, it is a dead faith. Their deeds are evidence of their faith.

Everything will be revealed on the day of judgement. And in Matt 25:31 He will separate the goats and sheep. The goats who did nothing for Jesus and those who needed help will be cursed into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil. So empty faith, trusting as a facade gets you severe punishment.

God’s verdict and punishment is just, is fair to all.

But salvation leads to abiding, and becoming more righteouss, becoming sanctified - it benefits in this life. Granting peace, forgiveness, trustworthiness, joy hope, etc. Philippians 2:12–13 (HCSB) 12 So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.

OOOOOOOOOOO Romans 2:17–24 (HCSB) Jewish Violation of the Law 17 Now if you call yourself a Jew, and rest in the law, boast in God, 18 know His will, and approve the things that are superior, being instructed from the law, 19 and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, 20 an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the full expression of knowledge and truth in the law— 21 you then, who teach another, don’t you teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal”—do you steal? 22 You who say, “You must not commit adultery”—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob their temples? 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.

OOOOOOOOOOO Romans 2:25–29 (HCSB) Circumcision of the Heart 25 For circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 Therefore if an uncircumcised man keeps the law’s requirements, will his uncircumcision not be counted as circumcision? 27 A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who fulfills the law, will judge you who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision. 28 For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. 29 On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter. That man’s praise is not from men but from God.