2^nd Chapter of Romans

Romans 2:1 (all verses are from the New International Version)

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

TEN PRINCIPLES OF ETERNAL JUDGEMENT

Are we to judge one another?

The symptoms of a mind alienated from God stems from making the wrong choices, or wrong judgement about things. The sinful people described at the end of the last chapter judged wrongly, and therefore did not trust God's judgement and were receiving His wrath. Paul now wants to tell the Romans this same symptom was rearing its ugly head in their minds.

Notice he switched from the third person now to the second person. He is talking to the Roman brothers. Apparently some had a critical spirit and were judging their brothers and sisters, acting hypocritically since they were doing the same things those depraved people were doing that he was talking about towards the end of chapter 1. This also is being addressed to the Jewish Christians (verse 17), since they were the ones primarily judging their Greek brothers as being less Christians than they were.

The question now arises whether a Christian is to judge his brother, or anybody for that matter. Isn't God the One who will judge everyone?

The real question is not if we are to judge, but how we are to do it rightly (Joh_7:24).

Judge - krino: to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose; to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish: - avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.

Judgement - krima: a decision (the function or the effect, for or against [“crime”]): - avenge, condemned, condemnation, damnation, + go to law, judgment.

Condemnation - katakrino: to judge against, that is, sentence: - condemn, damn.

Mat_7:1-11 contains the basic doctrine on how we are to judge. The most basic principle of this spiritual law has to do with the spiritual economics of sowing and reaping: you reap what you sow. In this case, the measure you use to judge others is the same one that will be used to judge you.

1. It is better not to judge

2. You will be judged with the same measure you judge - It is better to be merciful!

3. Judge rightly - Condemnation befalls the hypocrite!

4. You need to make a judgement about who are dogs and pigs

5. To ask, seek and knock for the right things will mature your judgement

6. You will learn to judge (discern) well enough to give to your children what they need, not necessarily what they want

This law of spiritual economics applies to all these:

1. Judging (Mat_7:1-6; Luk_6:37)

2. Giving (Mat_4:24-25; Luk_6:38)

3. Evangelism (Gal_6:7-10; Joh_4:34-37)

4. Forgiveness (Mercy) (Luk_6:37; Mat_5:7; Luk_6:31-36; Jam_2:12-13)

Do to others as you would have them do to you (NIV)- Luk_6:31; Mat_7:12

This is a corollary of the Golden Rule - The Greatest Command

Mar_12:29-31 NIV

29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'

31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

Romans contains one of the most complete explanations of the doctrine of judgement, as well as the Gospel, God's wrath, sin and salvation.

1- People are self-condemned when they practice what they condemn in others.

How we judge our leaders, other nations and peoples (Romans 13; Heb_13:17; 1Pe_2:13-20) reflects how much we are trusting in God's judgement and Jesus' Lordship of our lives. Judging rightly is what a mature Christian does, not just judging for the sake of judgement, but according to the will of God since it is God's righteous judgement. Whether or not someone may submit to your judgment is up to them for God will judge each man (Rom_14:10). But we cannot take their rejection or acceptance of our judgement personally, since it is God's judgement what we should be counseling.

Judging wrongly stems from pride, insecurity and fear, which is sin. Perfect love drives out fear; and remember, fear has to do with punishment (judgement) (1Jo_4:18). Love has to do with extending mercy and being forgiving, giving and charitable-even so with the Good News.

The problem here in chapter 2 was one of showing favoritism (James 2). Favoritism, like many other sins, is a deeply rooted sin that has to do with pride, insecurity and a basic lack of faith, as James explains in chapter 2 of James. Those who suffer from this mental and emotional defect think they are OK with God or above the judgement of others just because:

1. They are a member of a special group, whether religious, social or political

2. They've accepted some special theological doctrine, like salvation by faith alone, or even salvation by baptism

3. They attend a special church that seems different than others

4. They take the Lord's Supper

5. They try to stand on any other ground apart from obedient faith and inherent holiness

None of these give you a right to wrongly judge your brother. When we judge someone as doing something wrong we are proving our understanding of right and wrong, yet when we do those same things we are thus condemning ourselves (Rom_2:21-22)!

Romans 2:2

Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.

2- People will be judged according to the Bible

God's judgement is righteous against those who do the things discussed in the last chapter. His judgement is according to truth (Joh_17:17) and it is not hypocritical

Joh_12:48 - There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. (NIV)

Most people think you cannot know how God will judge you, but the Scriptures are clear. We know how our judgement will turn out just like you will know whether or not you will be getting a speeding ticket! The truth we will be judged by is the Word of God. You need to know it and live it (1Ti_4:16)! Then you will know you will receive a rich welcome into God's Kingdom (2Pe_1:10-11)!

Heb_4:13 - Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (NIV)

Don't think you can hide from God. Make sure your will is aligned to His if you want to be saved!

Rom_3:4 - Let God be true, and every man a liar. (NIV)

Romans 2:3

So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?

Sometimes your thinking gets messed up right? You think that you are special and that somehow you will be able to get away with things just because you are better. You are quick to judge someone else but when you do that very thing somehow it is OK because it is you; and you are:

1. A Christian, therefore, forgiven!

2. Practicing Good Works

3. Evangelizing a lot!

4. Of a Good Family

5. Church Leadership

Don't suppose such things! Remember God is not partial to anyone (Luk_20:21; Jam_3:17)! This was the problem with the Jews Paul was addressing in this letter. Since they thought they were Abraham's descendants (Joh_8:31-34) and circumcised, they thought they couldn't be identified as slaves to sin, as Gentiles were.

How will you escape God's judgement if you judge others for doing these things and yet continue to do them? Is the answer to stop practicing the truth altogether, thinking to yourself "Well, since I will be judged, I better not judge anyone else." Or, "I better not judge anyone since I am doing these things."?

Of course not! You need to stop being depraved and repent!

Ecc_12:13-14 - Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.(14) For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

1Jo_3:18-22 - Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (19) This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence (20) whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. (21) Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God (22) and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.

Setting your heart at rest has to do with your conscience. You know your conscience condemns you when you do wrong and judge wrongly. If your conscience condemns you, don't you think God will at judgement? But if you do right then you set your heart (conscience) at rest in His presence.

Romans 2:4

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

3- God's goodness towards sinners is not a sign that he approves of sin but that He looks to their repentance

When you judge wrongly you show contempt (despise-KJV, presume-ESV; kataphroneo: to think against, that is, disesteem: - despise.) for God's:

1. kindness (goodness-KJV) - chrestotes: usefulness, that is, moral excellence (in character or demeanor): - gentleness, good (-ness), kindness.

2. tolerance (forbearance-KJV, ESV) - anoche: selfrestraint, that is, tolerance: - forbearance

3. patience (longsuffering-KJV) - makrothumia: longanimity, that is, (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude: - longsuffering, patience.

God shows you kindness that you may repent (metanoia: (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal (of [another’s] decision): - repentance.), but if you continue to do these things, and on top of that, act like a hypocrite and judge others, you show contempt for that kindness and you will not escape God's judgement! You are then acting like those who did not consider it worthwhile to retain God's knowledge.

2Pe_3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God is giving you time to repent and be reconciled with Him! Out of all the commandments in the Bible this one has to be the hardest one to do, yet we have to do it continually - that is what it means to be penitent. Only the penitent will be saved (Rev_2:5). God's love for us and His grace helps us to be motivated to repent (2Co_5:14-21; Tit_2:11-12). If God's goodness cannot cause you to repent, nothing can!

How great are His love, mercy and patience for us!

Romans 2:5

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

God's goodness is supposed to cause a soft and willing heart to repent. Some however, who show contempt for God's goodness, will instead store up God's wrath against themselves. What will cause you to store up God's wrath against you?

1. Stubbornness - sklerotes: callousness, that is, (figuratively) stubbornness: - hardness.

2. Hardness (impenitent-ESV) - ametanoetos: unrepentant: - impenitent.

3. of heart - kardia: (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle: - (+ broken-) heart (-ed).

Sin, a disregard for God's judgement and making bad judgements (being a hypocrite) will store up (thesaurizo: to amass or reserve (literally or figuratively): - lay up (treasure), (keep) in store, (heap) treasure (together, up).) God's wrath (orge: violent passion (ire, or [justifiable] abhorrence); by implication punishment: - anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath.) for you. It is like you're investing in your own punishment instead of investing in eternal life!

You and all who do wrong will be proven wrong against the revealing of the righteous judgement of God! Don't forget that judgement day is coming brother. Get ready now!

2Ti_4:1 - In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom...

Joh_5:27-29 - And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. (28) "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice (29) and come out-- those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.

Act_17:30-31 - In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. (31) For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."

This judgement will not be according to the standards of the world (race, social, political or economic status or intellectual achievement), but according to the righteous judgement of God, given to us in the revealed word through Jesus Christ and His apostles.

Romans 2:6

God "will give to each person according to what he has done." {6 Psalm 62:12; Prov. 24:12}

4- God will judge people according to their works

Being that so many would twist the Holy Spirit's teaching in Romans, this verse so plainly established that faith without works is not what the Gospel of our Lord teaches. Already we have seen peppered throughout these first two chapters that God will judge us according to our obedience of His commands. Salvation by faith apart from obedience is a doctrine of demons.

Psa_62:12; Pro_24:12; Rev_22:12

God will judge us according to our obedience. Nothing can be clearer than that in this verse and in the references listed above.

As a matter of fact, Pro_24:12 will even chastise those who would think different. Our very hearts testify to the fact that we know God will judge us for what we do and don't do!

In Mat_25:31-46 Jesus talks about how the righteous will be rewarded, that is, those who have truly served and obeyed Jesus' doctrine from the heart. They will be known for their works of love and service:

1- Feeding the hungry and thirsty

2- Being hospitable to the stranger

3- Clothing the naked

4- Visiting the sick and those in prison

In each of these situations you have plenty of opportunity to combine with your ability to preach the Gospel. Remember, Opportunity + Ability = Responsibility! Tit_3:14

You will be judged by how you made use of the opportunities given to you (Gal_6:9-10).

If you are complaining and judging your brothers and sisters it means you are not busy serving those in need with the Gospel and your life (Tit_1:15-16)! Get busy! 1Pe_2:15

2Co_5:10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Ecc_12:13-14

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (14) For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Gal_6:7-8

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (8) The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Romans 2:7

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

5- God will reward obedience and punish disobedience

Persistence (hupomone: cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy: - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).You can't just start and then stop. Perseverance is necessary for completeness (Jam_1:4)) in doing good (Gal_6:9-10) being motivated intrinsically by the pursuit (zeteo: to seek (literally or figuratively); specifically (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life): - be (go) about, desire, endeavor, enquire (for), require, (X will) seek (after, for, means)) of God and salvation (Mat_6:33; Heb_11:6; Act_17:27):

1. Glory - doxa: dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship. Seeking glory doesn't mean seeking glory for yourself in the worldly sense, but seeking the glory of the name of God for yourself (Rom_9:23), meaning whatever you do you want it to glorify and magnify the name of God in your life so those around you can see He has made you the salt and light of the earth (Mat_5:13-14). You so closely identify yourself with the name of God, since you have been adopted to the royal family (1Pe_2:9), that you closely guard your image and your name and seek only to magnify it for the sake of Jesus.

2. Honor - time: a value, that is, money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself: - honour, precious, price, some. To seek the honor of God for your sake (Joh_5:44) is to value what God has made you and the purpose He has given you (1Co_6:20; Mar_16:15-16). You consider your new life precious and the name you wear as a Christian more precious that whatever the world values (1Pe_4:16).

3. Immortality - aphtharsia: incorruptibility; generally unending existence; (figuratively) genuineness: - immortality, incorruption, sincerity. There is only one way to seek immortality and that is through the name of Jesus Christ (2Ti_1:10). Those who seek to be immortalized by worldly means tend to seek power, wealth and fame to be immortal, but that type of immortality is an illusion. It fades with the world (1Co_7:31). There is a temporary persistence you can leave of your representation on this earth when you are gone, and then there's the true immortality gained by and with Jesus. The immortality spoken of here is not just talking about unending life in terms of time, but an unending genuineness of what God truly desires - fulfilled in you and with you forever, as God had always intended; uncorrupted and unblemished by sin or imperfection. That's the kind of immortality we all dream of and that is the ultimate reality in Christ!

for the goal of Eternal Life. What is Eternal Life? Let's use the Scriptures to shed light on this. It is not just talking about an immeasurable quantity of life, but a quality of life, similar to the concept of true immortality:

Joh_17:3 - Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

Having eternal life is about knowing God, and this means fellowship (koinonia: partnership, that is, (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction: - (to) communicate (-ation), communion, (contri-), distribution, fellowship). Think about how you feel emotionally when you are deeply in love - you want to be like that forever! Well, with God it is not only possible, but doable, and with much better results that the love we experience here on Earth. Those who know really know God and Jesus though, experience that love and fellowship with their brothers and sisters while in this body and that is a sign that you will live forever (1Jo_3:14-15).

1Jo_5:13 - I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Those who live in the fellowship of Christ have their sins forgiven as they live in light and are secured of their eternal life (1Jo_1:7-9). There is a confidence in those who seek what the Lord wants to give them. A humble confidence that is evident in the spiritual fruit their life produces. Their confidence doesn't come from feeling, but from knowing the truth (1Jo_3:16-20). They are free indeed (Joh_8:31-32)!

1Co_15:58

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Romans 2:8

But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

If what you seek after are disputes and contention (eritheia: properly intrigue, that is, (by implication) faction: - contention (-ious), strife. The NIV and ESV translate this as self-seeking); disobedience (apeitheo: to disbelieve (willfully and perversely): - not believe, disobedient, obey not, unbelieving.) of the truth and willful following (obedience) of evil (adikia: injustice (properly the quality, by implication the act); moral wrongfulness (of character, life or act): - iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong.) - you will receive exactly what you have sown: the wrath (thumos: passion (as if breathing hard): - fierceness, indignation, wrath) and anger (orge: violent passion (ire, or [justifiable] abhorrence; fury); by implication punishment: - anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath.) of God that will consume you forever!

This happens when you seek to glorify your own purposes, your own invented image of yourself and your own goals. This is what happens when you are consumed by the world and have rejected the knowledge of God and judge wrongly.

A description of what this consuming wrath will cause when Jesus comes is given in 2Pe_3:10-12:

(10) But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. (11) Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives (12) as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b]That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

Joh_3:36

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.

Heb_10:31

It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

1Th_5:9

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 2:9

There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;

6- Greater privilege necessitates greater responsibility

Trouble (Tribulation-ESV, KJV; Suffering-GW) - thlipsis: pressure (literally or figuratively): - afflicted, (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.

Distress (Anguish-ASV, KJV) - stenochoria: narrowness of room, that is, (figuratively) calamity: - anguish, distress.

for all who do evil, no matter who you are.

The wicked or disobedient are not annihilated in judgement, but their punishment continues forever. Notice the consciousness of suffering will be forever.

Romans 2:10

but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

1. Glory - doxa: dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship.

2. Honor - time: a value, that is, money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself: - honour, precious, price, some.

3. Peace - eirene: (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication prosperity: - one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.

for those who do good, no matter who you are. God only bestows these on those who do good. They are not bestowed just because you got baptized.

Heb_5:8-9

Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered (9) and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

Mat_7:21

Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

1Pe_4:17

For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Romans 2:11

For God does not show favoritism.

7- God does not show favoritism

God does not play favorites (prosopolepsia: partiality, that is, favoritism: - respect of persons.)! Don't think you have a special relationship with God apart from Jesus Christ! Only fellowship in the Son and really knowing God and being aligned to God's will can guarantee you eternal life.

Col_3:25

Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Eph_6:9

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Act_10:34-35

Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right."

Jam_2:9

But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

How reassuring it is that God will not judge us according to the bias of people, but according to truth and righteousness! That is how we know we belong to the truth and how we set our heart at rest in His presence whenever our hearts condemn us (1Jo_3:19-20)!

Those who show favoritism understand nothing about God's word and are showing their duality and divisiveness. Those who show partiality or bias judge wrongly and have a sinful mind.

The following points proves denominationalism believes God is a partial (biased) judge:

1. Limited atonement (meaning Jesus died for some people only).

2. The Jews will be saved regardless of how they live because they are God’s elect.

3. Once saved always saved.

4. Unconditional election. (God is going to save some no matter what they do.)

5. Direct operation of the Holy Spirit to save one. (Why does God not send the direct operation of the Holy Spirit upon all?)

6. Dreams, visions and angels to save one. (Why does God not do this for all men?)

Romans 2:12

All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.

THE LAW IS THE GREAT EQUALIZER

The three-fold nature of the law:

1. Demands perfection - Does not know anything else except do's and don'ts

2. Condemns the violator - If you break one law you are a lawbreaker, guilty of breaking all the law

3. Cannot justify - The law cannot make you right. It can only make you wrong. It can't teach you how to fix yourself

Whether we have received God's law or not, sin will cause us to perish (Rom_5:12-14); because without the law we cannot be saved and with the law we will be judged by the law as disobedient and unfit for holiness.

The Law (nomos: the Law of Moses, also known as the Mosaic Law, The Law, or the Torah - the first 5 books of the Bible) is a double edged sword.

This Law is God's holy requirements that we must fulfill to have a relationship with Him. However, since we are sinners, God's law judges us as unfit to have that relationship with him. That's why we perish apart from it and judged by it as sinners.

It is important to note that the Gentiles who sin are lost, because they do not keep the law which they have, not because they do not have the Mosaic law or Christianity. We will see this explained in the next few verses. Any system of law that man has made in the image of the law written on their hearts cannot save them, for the law doesn't save, it condemns. This is also a principle we will see explained throughout Romans.

The Jews were at an advantage over the Gentiles in that they were the custodians of the divine revelation of the holy law of God. Gentiles had no such advantage. Even so, God's judgement is fair and impartial in that the Gentiles, being sinners and without the law, will perish for their rebellion against God and the Jews, even though they had the law - never kept it, but distorted it. This makes God's Holy Law the Great Equalizer of all men. We all are alike under sin (Rom_3:9)!

Romans 2:13

For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

The only way to be judged rightly by the law is to abide by it. God is not partial. He will not prescribe righteousness unto you without law or in violation of it.

Just to listen to the law is not enough. It is not enough just to know it. God is just - you must adhere (obey) the law to be justified (proved right) (Jam_1:22-25). Failure to do what the law said to do would render you guilty of the sin of omission (Jam_4:17). We know the good we ought to do by the evidence of what we do (1Th_5:21).

In an age where the black and white lines of morality, ethics and decency are being blurred or even erased from people's consciences, this concept of salvation by obedient faith is taking a back seat even in the religious world.

Most people have inherited the biases from the world they live in and have not renewed their minds (Rom_12:2) and discarded those biases. This means they are judging God, His word and others wrongly, as we discussed in the beginning of this chapter. They cannot accept God's righteous judgement! Therefore, they will go on living as though they will be alright on the last day. They will be receiving a surprise though, and it will not be pleasant:

Mat_7:21-23

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' (23) Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"

Jesus continues to speak after this of those who obey what He says, being like those who build on the rock, and those who hear the words but don't adhere to them, as those who build on sand.

Only those who do the will of the Father will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Anyone else, even though they may think they are good people who do good things are called by Jesus evil doers. That is because apart from the law and even under law you are a sinner, an evildoer. Only by following God in obedient faith can you be justified, even more so in this age where there is no excuse for not following Jesus (Act_17:30-31).

Romans 2:14

(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law,

8- God's righteous judgement will take into account the light people had or did not have

Paul now explains the concept of natural (or higher) law.

Even those without law (God's righteous requirements - Rom_8:4), the Gentiles, become a law to themselves when they do what the law requires. They know the righteous requirements by means of their conscience (next verse). Since they become a law to themselves, they are judged by this natural law that arises from their own consciences. The natural law is simply God's law written on our hearts and minds.

Even anthropologists have long observed the phenomenon of this natural law at work in all peoples and tribes scattered about the globe. In all societies, no matter how primitive or advanced, the rudiments of the commandment of God are observed. Among these are:

1. Honor of God

2. Honor of the family

3. No Lying

4. No Murder

5. No Stealing

6. No Adultery

The first three are derived from the first corollary of the natural law: Do all you have agreed to do (this is the basis of contract law). The last 3 are derived from the second corollary: Do not encroach on other persons or their property (this is the basis of tort law and some criminal law).

Romans 2:15

since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)

This verse teaches us that even without the righteous requirements of the law having been revealed in those times to some people (by special revelation), God still judged them as sinners by their consciences concerning the natural law that was written on their hearts (natural revelation).

This shows us that there is a system of natural law that we can discover, put in place by God: a universal principle that applies to all humans. This also teaches us how law, in general, is really a science and not a system of human opinion like it has become in many countries (political law). Natural law can be discovered as the natural laws of science can. Of course, since we have special revelation from God about these laws, no one is without excuse at this time (Act_17:30-31).

Many of these people without the law sincerely held onto some principles of divine law even though they were not subject to it, by virtue of their conscience bearing witness.

Is it enough just to live by following your conscience?

1. The conscience must be educated. Pro_22:6

2. The conscience can honestly misguide if uneducated. Act_23:1

3. The conscience makes a faulty guide. Jer_10:23; Pro_20:24; Jer_17:9-10

4. Salvation comes by grace through faith (Eph_2:8), not by conscience. Rom_10:17

5. Truth sets us free, not our conscience. Joh_8:31-32

6. Truth is not subjective; therefore no ones conscience can be their guide. Mat_4:4

7. Sin is a violation of God's law, whether it violates your conscience or not. 1Jo_3:4

8. The conscience is subject to bias and partiality. 1Co_1:10

When we don't follow our conscience we know we are sinning since we are not doing it by faith, and anything not done by faith is sin (Rom_14:23). However, the reverse argument cannot true since it is faith in Christ that saves, not faith in your conscience. Besides, we just established that the conscience is unfit to be the guide of our faith. Rather, when we are saved by grace through faith in the working of God, our consciences are cleansed from guilty acts (Heb_10:22) and strengthened (1Pe_3:21).

Romans 2:16

This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

9 - The final judgement will be according to the New Testament

10- The judgement will be by Christ as Judge

On the last day God will judge the secrets (kruptos: concealed, that is, private: - hid (-den), inward [-ly], secret.) of all men. Everything will be exposed (Heb_4:13; Ecc_12:13-14; Luk_8:17):

1. Every thought you've had (Psa_139:2; Mat_12:25)

2. Every word you've said (Mat_12:36; Jud_1:15)

3. Every judgement you've made (1Co_4:5; Heb_4:12)

4. Every action you took (Luk_19:22; Jam_3:1)

This judgement will take place by Jesus, according to the Gospel (Mat_7:21-23; Mat_25:31-35; 2Co_5:10).

1. Jesus is the judge - Joh_5:22

2. His word is the basis of judgement - Joh_12:48

3. The word of the apostles is also part of the platform of eternal judgement - 2Pe_3:2

4. All authority in Heaven and on Earth belongs to Christ - Mat_28:18-20

Only the Gospel will be able to save anybody (Act_17:29-31). The Gospel preached by the apostles of Jesus in the first century is the only Gospel that continues to save today!

Romans 2:17

Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God;

FALSE JUSTIFICATIONS

Paul begins to address those he intended to address in this letter: the false Jews. Here we see plainly their justifications. False Christians also hang onto false justifications as well. How do we know when something is relying on falsehood? They deem themselves better than others. Their pride is elevated instead of love and humility. Those under false hopes always think they need to have an edge over others and always try to impose their judgements on others since that is how they remain elevated in their own eyes. That is not love, that does not come from the Spirit of Truth (1Co_8:1; Eph_4:16).

Paul states the reasoning for their Jewish pride. They:

1. Rely on the law

2. Brag (boast) in God

3. Know His will

4. Approve what is superior (excellent)

5. Are a guide to the blind

6. Are a light to those in darkness

7. Instruct the foolish

8. Teach infants (children)

9. Have knowledge and truth

All this is for naught unless you honor these things by doing them and not being a hypocrite. All these things are good and true, but if dishonor God by allowing your pride to judge wrongly, then you will be condemned by the very thing you think you hold onto. This is why Jesus took this law and nailed it to the cross - disarming any powers sin may have had through the law.

Col_2:13-16

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, (14) having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. (15) And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (16) Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

These Christian Jews were relying on the Law of Moses instead of the grace and person of Christ (Joh_8:24). This law had been nailed to the cross and made obsolete. To keep this law was to fall from grace (Gal_5:4).

Paul explains that if you rely on God's law then make sure you are upholding it yourself! This also applies to those who make themselves out to be church cops or whistle blowers (Tattletales) need to examine themselves first! People usually become tattle talers because they need to look better than others and since they know they are guilty, they need to look for scapegoats. Their judgement is not pure and it is selfish. They are hypocrites! Their boasting is not relying on God but on their own conniving character.

Jer_9:24-23

23 This is what the LORD says:

"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom

or the strong man boast of his strength

or the rich man boast of his riches,

24 but let him who boasts boast about this:

that he understands and knows me,

that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,

justice and righteousness on earth,

for in these I delight,"

declares the LORD.

Romans 2:18

if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;

The law helps us know God's will and approve of what is superior, if you let it teach you. But God's law needs to be tempered with grace and mercy. The letter we know kills, but the spirit gives life (2Co_3:6). The practice of God's love is about forgiving, not about condemning. That's how you know if it is the Spirit of God bearing fruit in you, or the spirit of your pride and prejudice.

Romans 2:19

if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark,

Knowing the law gives you confidence of being right in the eyes of God. You know you can teach the blind and give light to those in darkness. Jesus said we are the light of the world (Mat_5:14) and the salt of the earth (Mat_5:13)! If you depend on the embodiment of the letter to save you, however, then you become a blind guide (Mat_15:14).

Romans 2:20

an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth--

By declaring that you are an instructor of the foolish you are affirming that you are wise because of the law of God. You also declare yourself mature by virtue of being trained by the law and thus able to teach infants in the word.

You know that because of the law you have the truth and you have knowledge! This is the power of God! You cannot ignore this double edged sword (Heb_4:12)! You better then be obedient to it so that it won't cut you to pieces!

Romans 2:21

you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?

In order to disciple others you must first be disciplined yourself! Hypocrisy is one of the things that will hasten the wrath of God on you (Mat_23:13; Mat_6:2, Mat_6:5, Mat_6:16; Mat_7:5, Mat_15:7)!

Mat_23:13 through the end of the chapter is a preview of the wrath of God and discloses how God feels about those Jews who were entrusted the law of holiness and yet used it to advance their sin as opposed to advance God's righteousness.

Romans 2:22

You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

It is the hypocritical liars which will open the doors for Satan' agenda and wreak havoc and confusion upon man:

1Ti_4:2-3

Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. (3) They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

They will spread the commandments and doctrines of men that will further separate man from God and cause others to think hypocrisy is normal in the religious world.

Jer_5:7-8

7 "Why should I forgive you?

Your children have forsaken me

and sworn by gods that are not gods.

I supplied all their needs,

yet they committed adultery

and thronged to the houses of prostitutes.

8 They are well-fed, lusty stallions,

each neighing for another man's wife.

Men who rob temples treat what is holy as common or profane:

Eze_22:26

Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.

Romans 2:23

You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?

You cannot say you are a follower of God and boast about your religion if you break even one of God's commandments.

Jam_2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

You are lawless and a heathen (one who worships idols; unacquainted with the true God; follows his own way of thinking) if you advocate followship to God and yet hypocritically judge others against the standard which you proclaim to follow, but deny by your very practice.

1Jo_3:4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

Joh_14:15 If you love me, you will obey what I command.

Joh_15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command.

Luk_6:46 Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?

Romans 2:24

As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." {24 Isaiah 52:5; Ezek. 36:22}

False justifications lead to blasphemy

Paul has charged the Christian Jews here with the worst sins he could think of. Jews particularly detested the sexual indulgences, the idolatry and the sacrilege (blasphemy) of the pagans. Paul is letting them know they have been guilty of all these despite them trying to hold onto the law. That is because the letter kills but the spirit gives life! They were lacking the true spirit of grace in Jesus! All this hypocrisy caused them to be the worse examples ever to outsiders.

Hypocrisy will cause others to fall deeper into condemnation by ridiculing God's way (Isa_52:5).

This is the reason we are called to be careful how we live, because we are setting an example for others to follow, especially our brethren, our children and our neighbors (1Ti_5:14, 1Ti_6:1; Tit_2:5, Tit_2:8).

Romans 2:25

Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.

GOD LOOKS FOR INWARD TRANSFORMATION

God's provisions under the law are valuable only when we have made a commitment to God. We value the provisions because we know they represent God's requirements for holiness, for a relationship with Him. We don't follow the law for the sake of the law, but for the sake of our relationship with God. We respect and observe the law because we value our relationship with God and want to please Him and therefore be holy as He is holy.

If we are hypocrites and law breakers, then it makes no sense to follow the law, for at that point, we formulate an excuse for why we don't embrace the embodiment of truth and knowledge that the law represents. When we break one command of the law and think it is OK, we then strive to keep the law for the sake of law-keeping and our relationship with God is hijacked.

Paul uses circumcision (Gk: peritome; Heb: mul: to cut short, that is, curtail (specifically the prepuce of the penis, that is, to circumcise); by implication to blunt; figuratively to destroy: - circumcise (-ing, selves), cut down (in pieces), destroy) as the primary example since this was the covenant symbol of the Jew:

Gen_17:9-14

9 Then God said to Abraham, "As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come.

10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised.

11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.

12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner-- those who are not your offspring.

13 Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant.

14 Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant."

Circumcision is what marked them as different and belonging to God - separated unto God. We can substitute baptism for our illustration purposes only. Example: Your baptism becomes unbaptism if you are a hypocrite, if you seek to be justified by the very law you break and ignore - you are then just like an unbeliever, with no privilege; no value. If repentance was not in your heart to begin with, you just got wet. I am not saying here that baptism is the equivalent of circumcision, because it is far from that as we will see within the next few chapters (see notes on Rom_4:10). I am using it for the purpose of illustrating this argument.

Gal_5:2-4

Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Romans 2:26

If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?

Now Paul brings out the opposite argument, only valid for the circumcision of the Jews. It is not valid for baptism. In other words, we cannot say that if someone is a law-keeper he doesn't have to be baptized, since by definition he would have kept baptism as well.

However, before the new covenant was instituted (Paul is arguing from the Old Covenant point of view to illustrate that Jews and Gentiles are alike under law and sin - no one can be justified (made righteous) by the law alone) the symbol for being under the covenant with God was circumcision. The people who were circumcised did it because they entered into a special relationship with God and they upheld the laws and strictly followed them because they loved God and man - because they had a relationship with God.

If people without the law held on to the precepts of the law because of their conscience, then by definition of their willingness and desire to be holy and loving (Rom_13:10; Gal_5:14) they had God's approval despite not being circumcised. They were justified without the covenant of circumcision by virtue of upholding the laws of God in their mind and heart. In this way, through the new covenant, they would be circumcised, but it would be a spiritual circumcision, a circumcision of the heart done by the working of God's hands in baptism (Col_2:11-12).

Romans 2:27

The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the {27 Or <who, by means of a>} written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

The good example and justified conscience brings condemnation upon the hypocrite. There is no special treatment just because you say you are a follower or even follow most of the law and have a special symbol (circumcision). Even if you have truth and knowledge on your side, but you don't abide by it, it will bring you condemnation especially by those who recognize that embodiment of truth and knowledge and even follow it naturally.

Mat_12:41-42

41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.

42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.

Romans 2:28

A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.

Although Paul is talking to the false Jews, those who are outward Jews only, who have an appearance of holiness but deny its very power in the transforming ability of God's grace (2Ti_3:5), we can still apply these statements Paul makes to any person who thinks that by adhering to something in an outward way they become justified without allowing their beliefs to transform their thinking and actions.

Of course, man's thoughts and writing can only inform, or transform you to worldly and futile thinking, but only God's words can transform you unto righteousness and eternity. Man's thoughts and ways are unbalanced, forged in extremism. God's thoughts and ways bring life and immortality (2Ti_1:10). All the labels we use on people, or to describe our thoughts and attitudes, falter, because they are forged within the limits and vision of man:

· Liberal

· Conservative

· Libertarian

· Republican

· Democrat

· Capitalist

· Ecumenical

· Multicultural

Yes, you can try to use more than one label to describe yourself. For example, I could say that I am a Married American Libertarian Scientist Biologist Conservative Puertorrican Male Technological Systems Manager Christian Evangelist Father of two. This is the argument Paul uses in Phi_3:2-11 to prove that we cannot put any confidence in the flesh - in our achievements or labels or definitions - whether they have been given to us or we have acquired them ourselves! These mean nothing without the justification that comes by Christ - without His Righteousness we are all alike under sin - condemned to die!

True circumcision is the one done on the heart, by the putting away of sin:

Col_2:11-17

11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ,

12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Anything that has to do with the outward and physical will perish! This does not mean that outward acts of obedience are not needed, but that the meaning of the acts are what save us by faith when we obey them, particularly of baptism:

1Pe_3:21

and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

We know the water does not have a special power; it is merely a symbol of the flood that cleansed the world from sin during Noah's time. The symbol of a cleansing flood, as it is also a re-enactment of the Gospel of our Lord.

Romans 2:29

No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.

Inward transformation comes by the Spirit; outward, false justification comes by the letter

To be saved we need to become real Jews - inwardly Jewish! (Jew = praise the Lord; Gen_29:35). We need to become Abraham's seed and therefore heirs of the promise:

Gal_3:27-29

...for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Gal_6:15-16

Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. (16) Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

Being something for real, whatever you claim to be, must be something from the heart. The world judges you by your hat, and many play that charade: they allow their job descriptions, bank accounts or lack thereof, titles, costumes, gowns, hats, pins and labels to run their lives and define their goals, achievements and hopes. They define themselves (box themselves) by what they have or don't have, by what they have or have not achieved. They allow the world to define (impose false limitations on) them and that's why their lives are empty and unfulfilled. They've allowed Satan to rob them of their God-given autonomy and Gospel given perspective and connectivity. They've undergone the worse kind of identity theft there is!

Teenagers (the world) value superficiality. That's because they are at the epitome of their worldly influence. They need to be trained and taught the way of righteousness from birth that when they reach these milestone years the word of God has grown fruitful in their lives (Pro_22:6). In these years, there will be a war waged unlike any other they have encountered before. If they don't have the armor and the weapons of righteousness to fight it they are destined to be taken captive by sin. Their flesh at this age asserts itself as their primary influence and all that glitters looks like gold. If it looks good enough its got to be good. Those who really value things however, who've been trained by righteousness, show discernment by examining more than just the surface. They probe. For example, the difference between a gold plated coin and a real pure gold coin. Purity goes beyond the surface.

There is a saying that goes: "If it's not good enough to die for, it's not good enough to live for..." Many simply refuse or are terrified to die for something, anything that they may even hold valuable. That is the world's way. So that makes what they live for a farce (stuffing; filler).

Those who go for the real gold (Rom_2:7) will get the praise from the Lord:

Mat_25:21

His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'