Romans 2 — God Judges in Truth
Introduction: Since Paul had not been at Rome to establish the believers there with his teaching in person, he needed to write about many things related to the joining of Jew and Gentile into one body in Christ. Paul began to emphasize the danger of Jewish believers unfairly judging others for actions and desires that can only be changed in the heart by belief in, and surrender to, the Lord. Being a Jew seeking the righteousness of God through the keeping of the law will not succeed. Chapter 2 of Romans is in my own paraphrase, to some extent in an amplified style, prepared by examining several translations, and with some use of a Greek lexicon.
NOTE: Verses in the comments are from the 1769 King James Bible.
A — God Is the Rightful Judge of Sin for All People
Romans 2 “1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whosoever you are who makes judgments: for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who makes judgment do the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who commit such things. 3 And do you think, O man, who makes judgment of such things done by others, and does the same, that you shall escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, holding back with longsuffering; not knowing that such goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But after your callous hardness and impenitent unchanged heart you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will give a return to every man according to his deeds… 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.”
Comments: In chapter one Paul made it clear that all people without exception are born with a sin nature that keeps them separated from God. Therefore, no believer should judge another person for sin against God, because only God can make righteous judgment. When we leave to God the judgment of those who commit such things we can be sure his judgment is according to truth. Jesus quietly confronted a group of accusers with their own sins. John 8:7 “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” God alone will make final judgment of the sin that keeps people separated from him. Psalm 9:7–10 “The LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. And he shall judge the world in righteousness… The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee.” But those who harden their heart and will not repent will receive the full wrath of God on the day of revelation. Ephesians 4:22–24 “Put off… the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
B — God Will Judge Secrets of Jews and Gentiles by Jesus Christ
Romans 2 “12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 For those who only hear the law are not just before God, but those who do the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, though without the law, their conduct indicates a knowledge of the law: 15 as they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness… 16 until the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”
Comments: All people who remain in their sin will perish whether or not they knew the written law of God. The ways that are pleasing to the Lord must be written on the heart of each individual to bring them to saving faith, and to help them live a pattern of repentance. Only some of those who know the law of scripture allow it to change them from within, while some who do not seem to know much about scripture do accept Christ in their heart with evidence of change. True repentance is determined by the God who knows the secret thoughts of every person. Luke 8:17–18 “For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed therefore how ye hear.”
C — Misconduct by Jews Brings Dishonor to God’s Name
Romans 2 “17 Now, for you who are called a Jew, and seem established in the law, and make your boast of God… 19 And are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light of those who are in spiritual darkness… 21 You, therefore who teach another, don’t you teach yourself? You who preaches that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who says a man should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?… 23 You who makes your boast of the law, through your own breaking of the law do you disrespect and dishonor God?”
Comments: Paul warned Jews to consider the way their lives represented Christ within themselves, before they tried to direct others to godly living. This was very much like the teaching of Jesus. Matthew 7:1–5 “Judge not, that ye be not judged… Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Jesus also upbraided religious leaders for hypocrisy. Matthew 23:25–28 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.” Luke 6:35–37 “Love ye your enemies, and do good… for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged.”
D — Only Circumcision of the Heart Brings Glory to God
Romans 2 “24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. 25 For circumcision has value if you keep the law: but if you are one who breaks the law, your circumcision is made worthless as though not circumcised… 28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is the circumcision which is only outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the written code; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”
Comments: Before Israel entered the promised land, Moses made it clear that they were required to love the LORD, to fear him, to follow his commandments, and to serve him with all their heart and soul — circumcision of the heart. Deuteronomy 10:16 “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.” The northern kingdom had already gone into captivity when the southern kingdom was warned: Jeremiah 4:4 “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart… lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it.” Judah did not respond and went into captivity. Even in captivity in Babylon, Ezekiel recorded that God scattered Israel because they defiled his name, but would ultimately act for his name’s sake. Paul reminded the Jews that God had not changed, and they could still bring reproach to the name of the LORD if their hearts were not right before him.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I thank you for directing Paul to write these words to the Jews, that are so applicable to me, to be careful about judging the conduct of others when I can so easily do some of the same things. Lord, I believe that your judgment alone is always according to truth, and I thank you that Paul explained how my judgment of the conduct of another can easily show my disregard for the richness of your great kindness and patience that led me to repentance before you, and will do the same for others. Guide my thoughts and actions to point others to your word without applying my own standard for them based on their behavior or by how much knowledge they have of scripture. I believe that only you, God, can look on the heart of each person and know all of the secrets of each one of us. I ask Lord that you would give me the inner strength to show your light of truth and life within me, while always directing all praise to Christ Jesus my Redeemer. Help me, Lord, to be ever aware of my part in that purpose as a Christian, so my lifestyle will not be a cause of dishonor and disrespect to your name. I want to walk in all your ways, and to love you, and to serve you my LORD and my God with all my heart and soul. Through your Spirit, may I have the evidence of a circumcised heart to bring you honor and glory. Amen and amen.
Published 7 February 2016