Romans 2:1-11 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Romans 2:1-11. Let’s go!
Romans 2:1 (NIV)
1 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.
On verse 1: The fact that the word “therefore” (“dio” in Greek) connects what Paul wrote in Romans 1:18-32 with what he is saying in Romans is important. For it seems that some members of the church in Rome were judging the unbelievers in Rome for the sinful ways they were living (which are described in Romans 1:18-32) while they themselves were hypocritically engaging in the same or similar sins. So Paul on one hand affirms that the sins described in Romans 1:18-32 are a problem and on the other hand tells the Christians in Rome not to be hypocrites and to be careful not to pass judgment when they themselves are guilty of at least some of the sins listed in Romans 1:18-32.
This could have been Paul’s gentle and clever way of rebuking the Christians in Rome for certain sinful tendencies of theirs. Instead of rebuking them directly from the beginning, he stands on their side and agrees that the sins listed in Romans 1:18-32 are things that do not please God but then in Romans 2 Paul turns around and says to the Christians in Rome, “Don’t be so quick to judge others if you yourselves are also guilty of the same or similar things.”
What can we learn from this? Don’t be so quick to judge other people, especially when you are guilty of doing the same or similar things. Look carefully in the mirror before judging someone else.
Romans 2:2-6 (NIV)
2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.
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?
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?
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.
6 God “will give to each person according to what he has done.”
On verses 2-16: A popular view of God in our day goes something like this: “God doesn’t judge or punish anyone. He accepts everybody. He only wants us to be happy, so we can do whatever we want as long as we’re not hurting anyone. We’re all going to heaven unless you’re Hitler, Osama Bin Laden or a pedophile.”
Here’s the problem: not only is this idea of God superficial, self-centered and marred by contradictions; even more, it’s not the God whom Jesus reveals and whom we read about in the Bible.
God is not a sugar daddy in heaven whose only concern is our happiness. Yes, God is a God of love and His love for us is beyond compare. But God is also just, a lover and protector of what is right and good, a judge who hates sin and evil. God would not be a just God if He turned a blind eye to sin and evil. And He doesn’t. God feels an unrelenting wrath toward sin. That’s why Romans 2:8 says: “But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.” In other words, regardless of your background (since God does not show favouritism – v11), God promises that every sin we commit will be paid for and every wrong will be punished.
New Age philosophy will try to tell you that sin and hell are man-made concepts and that God is not interested in punishing people when they do wrong. New Age effectively says that it wasn’t necessary for Jesus Christ to die on the cross for people’s sins because sin doesn’t separate you from God, that sin is effectively an illusion. If you hang on to that idea of God, you’re committing spiritual suicide. It’s like holding an uncorked grenade in your hand. Unless you hide behind the cross, God’s wrath will kill you. As Romans 2:5 says, “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.” That’s why Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is so crucial.
Romans 2:7-11 (NIV)
7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;
10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
11 For God does not show favoritism.
On verses 7-11: Is Paul suggesting that we can earn eternal life on our own merit if we “by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality” (v7)? Keep in mind what Paul is doing: Paul is building up, like a crescendo in music, to a hugely important point in Romans 3 which is that not a single human being can earn eternal life on their own merit because all of us have fallen short of God’s standard (Romans 3:23). From there Paul will later tell us that out of love for us so that we could be spared God dealt out His punishment for our sins by placing them on His Son Jesus Christ (Romans 5:8) and that God now waits to see how we will respond to Jesus (Romans 10:10).
But first here in Romans 2 Paul must first establish that God is a just God who hates and punishes sin and who rewards righteousness. The phrase “For God does not show favoritism” (v11) means that since God is a just God, whoever you are, regardless of your background, God applies the same standard to everyone who can choose or reject what God has done for us.
Father God, I worship You for being a just God who loves what is good and hates what is evil. I admit that because I haven’t always done what is good, I am a sinner who has fallen short of Your standards, who doesn’t deserve eternal life on my own merit and who needs Your mercy. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ Your Son to die on the cross for my sins, to take on the judgment that I deserved, so that I could go free. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
