Romans 2:1-11

God's Righteous Judgment and the Critical Moralizers

¹ Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. ² We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. ³ Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? [When judging others by our own standards, we leave ourselves without excuse or escape.] ⁴ Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? [God is merciful, and that mercy is meant to lead us to repentance. At the cross, the centurion heard Jesus say, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” After Jesus died, the centurion said, “Truly, he was the son of God.” God gives us space to repent, but not to give us an excuse for continuing in our sins. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” And in Acts 11:18 the Church in Jerusalem declares after Peter’s report of his visit to Cornelius, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” Why is it so hard for us to give others space to repent?] ⁵ But because of your hard and impenitent heart [this is our problem and the problem of humanity throughout Scripture] you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. [If we do not repent, we can expect wrath. Too many people use theological speculation to avoid repentance and take refuge in their muddled thoughts.]

⁶ He will render to each one according to his works [while justification is by faith, judgement will be according to works]: ⁷ to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life [If anyone could lead a perfect, sinless life, God would give them eternal life. But we cannot, therefore we rely upon Jesus’ perfect, sinless life and believe in Jesus. Paul is not teaching salvation by works but emphasizing God’s impartiality as to Jew and Gentile. The presence or absence of saving faith in our hearts will be disclosed by the presence or absence of good works of love in our lives. All this will be done publicly, not in secret. Both Paul and James address this topic that true faith will be seen in good works. We are not saved by good works but saved to do good works.]; ⁸ but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth [revealed in and by Jesus], but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. [There are two destinies: eternal life and wrath and fury. The basis of this separation will be a combination of what we seek—either self or God’s glory—and what we do—either in the service of ourselves or others.] ⁹ There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first [with spiritual privilege comes responsibility] and also the Greek, ¹⁰ but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. [Peace is “shalom,” meaning a right and reconciled relationship with God and others that comes from taking up our cross daily.] ¹¹ For God shows no partiality [not even to his chosen people]. [The good news is that our birth does not affect our destiny. We are all created in the image of God, and he sees us all alike.]