Romans 2:1-16
Q.1. Did Paul paint a brighter picture for the state of the religious moralist? How does judging others delude us? On what basis will God judge people? – (Rom.2:1-3)
It is a huge paradox, that we as sinners are comforted and even deluded, by verbalizing our disapproval of those caught up in the extreme evil detailed by Paul in Rom.1:18-32. He agreed that God is right to judge all such evil. However, he then exposed the religious moralist, and asked – do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? (Rom.2:3). There is always the danger, that we fail to ‘practice what we preach’.
Q.2. How broadly does God extend His forbearance to sinners? Why does He extend such patience? What other factor will apply in God’s judgment? – (Rom.2:4-6)
Paul pointed out God’s amazing grace extended to the worst of sinners – do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? (Rom.2:4). God shows patience, to give sinners time to repent. Paul revealed that self-righteousness can be a cloak for a hard heart against God – But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God (Rom.2:5). Though we are justified by faith, true faith is revealed by humble obedience to God – who will render to each person according to his deeds (Rom.2:6).
Q.3. In what way are deeds the evidence of our response to the Gospel? Does God treat Jews and Gentiles the same? What does this say about God? – (Rom.2:6-11)
It is not acceptable to claim faith in Christ, yet disregard what He requires. There is a world of difference between those who are God’s children, and those who are not. Paul described this as – 7 those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath, and indignation (Rom.2:7-8). God takes into account the light that the Jews received, and all are judged by their response to the truth – 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honour and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Rom.2:9-10). God is fair and just with everyone (Rom.2:11).
Q.4. Is a person’s knowledge of the truth taken into account by God? What part does conscience play? How is the Gospel applied in God’s judgment? – (Rom.2:12-16)
Those who know the truth will be judged according to their practice of it – for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified (Rom.2:13). Even those ignorant of God’s Law, set standards (e.g. We hear reports of people breaching the laws legislated in our post-Christian culture). If people perish, it will be because they have ignored and violated God’s standards, revealed in His Word – … the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them (Rom.2:15). All the words that we use to justify ourselves or to shift the blame to others, will be exposed. Our inability to perfectly keep even our own standards, proves that we are sinners in need of a Saviour, and will be judged – on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus (Rom.2:16).