Free Bible Commentary
“Romans 2:1-16”
Categories: Romans"Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. But 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? Or 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? 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, who will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.
"For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.”
--End of Scripture verses---
In the previous section (1:18-32), Paul taught us that all Gentiles were and are sinners, and therefore under God’s condemnation, and in need of His saving grace through His Son Jesus. In today’s section, he makes the very same point about Jewish people who were once in a special covenant relationship with God. Taken together, both Jews and Gentiles represent all people who ever lived in the world. Everyone is condemned by law (any law including the Law of Moses), for “all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God” (3:24). Everyone needs the righteousness that can be accounted to them only by Jesus Christ and His sacrifice and grace.
“Therefore you have no excuse” (verse1). Just as the Gentiles were said to be without excuse for their sinful behavior (1:20), the very same is true for the Jews. Many of the Jewish people thought that their special relationship with God through His Law exempted them from the Law’s punishment. But not so. As a matter of fact, the very Law that they clung to for justification condemned them. Any law only condemns and does not justify if you do not obey it completely in every point. Once you have violated one aspect of law, you stand condemned by it. And the only person to ever keep God’s law perfectly without sinning was Jesus (3:10).
"The kindness of God leads you to repentance" (verse 4). Why did God deal patiently with His rebellious children, Israel? The same reason that He is patient and longsuffering with all of His creation. Because He doesn’t want anyone of us to perish, but to repent of our sins and turn to Him in loving submission and obedience so that we can be saved (2 Peter 3:9). Paul’s point here is that Israel’s special status with God as His chosen covenant people did not give them a “get out of hell free card.” Just because they knew and understood and took pride in the Law of Moses, that didn’t exempt them from the consequences of their sins. The Law could not justify them because no law is designed to do that (3:20). God has always extended His salvation through His mercy and grace, and only to people with humble and contrite hearts who can be convicted and crushed by the weight of their own sins, and turn to Him for forgiveness and salvation (Psalm 51:17).
"For there is no partiality with God" (verse 11). This is the main point of the section we have read today. Jack Cottrell wrote in his commentary the following: “The justice of the law is truly blindfolded; who the person is makes no difference.” Paul is aiming this conclusion specifically to his Jewish brethren, but this is a true statement across the board, even for Christians. Even if we have believed in Christ and repented of our sins and been baptized to have our sins forgiven; that does not guarantee us His favored status forever. If our hearts do not belong to God and we do not remain true to Him and faithful to His word, we will not receive His grace and pardon and mercy on Judgment Day.
Please read Romans 2:17-29 for tomorrow.
Hope you all have a very blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
