A. Introduction
1. The apostle Paul was one of the great thinkers of his day. His reputation as a scholar, theologian, and philosopher extended far beyond the confines of the Christian community. The Epistle to the Romans has stood the test of time as the greatest single exposition of the Gospel of Christ ever written and, as we said last week, Romans 1:16 - 3:20 stands out in the Epistle as the most comprehensive teaching ever set forth regarding and plight of sinful mankind before the righteous Sovereign Lord God of the Universe.
a. Romans 1:16-17 Paul declared the twin themes of the Epistle:
(1) the r __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of God, and
(2) the doctrine of j __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ by faith.
b. In Romans 1:18-32 -- last week's text passage -- Paul described the w __ __ __ __ of God as it has been and is being revealed in response to mankind's persistent wickedness.
2. Having made his case for the wrath of God, Paul in Chapter 2 utilizes a popular literary tool of ancient Greek philsophers: the "diatribe," a teaching style characterized by the antogonist or the apologist responding to rhetorical questions raised by imaginary interlocutors.
a. "Paul's opponents, of course, were not imaginary. In the synagogues and marketplaces of his missionary travels he had encountered the attitude of moral superiority and divine favoritism expressed in 2:1; indeed, he had once been part of it (see Philippians 3:4-7). Paul was no friend of the illusion that the sunlight of privilege exempts one from the cloud of divine judgment." - James R. Edwards: Romans (Volume 6, New International Biblical Commentary)
b. "The fact that God is righteous -- or always 'in the right' -- is both a challenge and a comfort. The challenge comes to mankind through the realization that the rightness of human action must be determined not be the fluctuating moral standards of a volatile society but by the unchanging revelation of an eternal God. The comfort of knowing that God is always 'in the right' is found in the experience of the humble person who, in consistently turning to the Lord for wisdom when surrounded by a cacophony of contradictions, discovers that truth can be known and that right still exists. Comfort, however, is short-lived because, knowing what is right and doing what is right are so far from each other. The closer a man gets to the rightness of God, the more uncomfortable he becomes about the unrighteousness of himself." - D. Stuart Briscoe: Romans (Volume 6, The Communicator's Commentary)
c. Paul knew that nearly all of his readers stood in full agreement with the unvarnished portrait of wickedness he had painted in 1:18-32. But he was also aware that many of his readers saw themselves as set apart from the rest of wicked mankind on the basis of either their heritage (his Jewish readers) or their "acceptable" moral standards (his Gentile readers).
B. TEXT: Romans 2:1-16
1. Paul's diatribe encompasses v.1-3 and consists of a classic syllogism:
a. MAJOR PREMISE (v.1)
In passing judgment upon others we suppose ourselves outside God's wrath, set apart from the rest of humanity on the basis of our own superior behavior or "privileged" status. But in truth one is always and only a part of humanity, and therefore subject to the wrath of God revealed against humanity.
(1) When re-considering the list of sins Paul points out in 1:18-32 a complacent believer or prideful Jew will focus on the "major" offenses of which he sees himself not guilty:
- I __ __ __ __ __ __ __
- h __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
- s __ __ __ __ __ immorality
- m __ __ __ __ __
- God - h __ __ __ __
- inventors of e __ __ __ things
- filled with all u __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
(2) Upon taking an honest second look, however, we will see what we might consider "minor" offenses of which we are routinely -- even persistently -- guilty:
- p __ __ __ __
- w __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (TLB "gossippers")
- u __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
- u __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
- u __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (TLB "They tried to misunderstand")
- u __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (TLB: "They broke their promises")
(3) "Philosophers saw sin as a moral folly, and Jewish teachers saw it as an affront to God but as something everyone did. Paul demands that people be consistent with their denunciations, which meant taking sin more seriously than most people did." - Craig S. Keener: The IVP Bible Background Commentary
(4) "We may apply the passage...to those who judge others, either in their hearts or with their mouths, condemning them even though they themselves are as bad as those whom they judge. Or we may refer it to those who look upon themselves as holy, although they are guilty of other sins than those which they judge, just as though they were righteous for not committing all the wrongs which others do." - Martin Luther: Romans
b. MINOR PREMISE (v.2):
God's judgment is just against those who sin against him in any way, whether by (as we insist on seeing them) "major" or "minor" offenses. God's judgment, when it comes, will be absolutely impartial.
(1) "While, for Paul, forgiveness and eternal life are utterly of God's grace, divine judgment (as uniformly in the Bible) is always passed in accordance with what men and women have done. Every material factor is taken into consideration. People are held accountable for such knowledge of the truth as was accessible to them, not for what was not accessible." - F.F. Bruce: Romans (Volulme 6, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries)
(2) "God's judgment is according to truth. He does not have one standard for the Jews and another for the Gentiles. One who reads the list of sins in Romans 1:29-32 cannot escape the fact that each person is guilty of at least one of them. There are 'sins of the flesh and of the spirit' (2 Corinthians 7:1); there are 'prodigal sons' and 'elder brothers' (Luke 15:11-32). In condemning the Gentiles for their sins, the Jews were really condemning themselves. As the old saying puts it, 'When you point your finger at somebody else, the other three are pointing at you.'" - Warren W. Wiersbe: Be Right
c. CONCLUSION (v.3):
Therefore, no one will escape God's judgment.
(1) "Until this truth is indelibly etched in their understanding, neither Gentiles nor Jews can understand why salvation is grounded in Jesus Christ alone. It is Christ's righteousness, not human self-righteousness or supposed-righteousness, which justifies believers. Salvation rests solely on God's grace toward sinners, not on sinners' bargaining with bogus merit." - James R. Edwards: op. cit.)
(2) ref: 2 Corinthians 5:9-11
Hebrews 9:27
Matthew 7:1-5
Luke 18:9-14
2. God's grace is revealed in His provision of s __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (Ephesians 2:8-9), but it is also revealed, according to Paul in v.4, in His qualities of:
a. k __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (KJV "goodness")
b. t __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (KJV "forbearance")
c. p __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (KJV "long-suffering")
3. When Christians fail to emulate these facets of God's grace in their own lives, two unfortunate truths are revealed:
a. We show contempt for the grace of God;
b. We present to the watching world a false picture of the One we call "Lord."
When the popular media hold Christians up to ridicule, derision and accusation, they do so in part out of sheer meanness, in part out of sheer ignorance, and, sadly, in part because we Christians are so often unmerciful, self-righteous, proud and ourselves mean-spirited. Two key functions given to Christians in the world by God are:
(1) the ministry of r __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (2 Corinthians 5:18), and
(2) stewardship of the manifold g __ __ __ __ of God (1 Peter 4:10).
We fail to exercise either responsibility when we act as though we believe it is the fear of the
j __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of God which should drive men to repentence. Romans 2:4 states
bluntly that it is the g __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of God -- manifested in His kindness, His tolerance, and His long-suffering -- which does that. Which "side" of the God you serve do you show to the sinful world in which you live? His grace? or His judgment? He intends that we show only the one, and not the other.
"The Greek word for repentence, metanoia....means to recognize one's condition and do something about it, to change one's mind and make a decisive turn. It is not primarily a feeling or intention, but an attitudinal change accompanied by action. Repentance is not coerced by fear by evoked by love. People are led to repent by God's goodness and patience. The religious and moral person always stands in danger of separating God's gifts from the claims and responsibilities which attend them, of thinking that God's gifts bestow righteousness, whereas, in fact, God's gifts call one to it."- James R. Edwards: op. cit.
4. In v.5 Paul warns his readers that the greatest obstacle to God's will is "h __ __ __ __ __ __ __" and an "impenitent" h __ __ __ __. The Greek word translated as "hardness" in the NKJV is often rendered "stubbornness," or "callousness." We are surprised, perhaps, that this condition is not included in the list of sins in Chapter 1. Paul sees this condition -- at least in the context of of his teaching here -- as the sole property of those who should know better: the Jews. Most Bible scholars agree that in Chapter 2 he is addressing his own people. The price for their hardness, Paul says, will be a pouring out of God's "righteous judgment," which they are storing up through their stubbornness and impenitence, on the Day of His wrath -- Judgment Day. Paul was not the first to be used by the Holy Spirit to warn Israel in this regard.
a. Mark 3:1-6 [ NKJV ]
And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward." Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to kill?" But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.
b. Hebrews 3:12-13 [ NKJV ]
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
c. Psalm 95:7-11 [ NKJV ]
For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: "Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness, When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work. For forty years I was grieved with that generation, And said, 'It is a people who go astray in their hearts, And they do not know My ways.' So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'
d. "Instead of giving the Jews special treatment from God, the blessings they received from Him gave them greater responsibility to obey Him and glorify Him. In His goodness, God had given Israel great material and spiritual riches: a wonderful land, a righteous law, a temple and priesthood, God's providential care, and many more blessings. God had patiently endured Israel's many sins and rebellions, and God even sent them His Son to be their Messiah. Even after Israel crucified Christ, God gave the nation nearly forty more years of grace and withheld His judgment. It is not the judgment of God that leads men to repentence, but the goodness of God; but Israel did not repent." - Warren W. Wiersbe: op. cit.
5. V.6-11 are seen by some as controversial. Is Paul here suggesting the possibility of salvation by "works?" They will point to curiously-worded phrases in this passage to raise the questions.
a. v.6 - God....will render to each one according to his deeds.
b. v.10 - ...glory, honor and peace to everyone who works what is good...
While we're on the subject, why not ask the same question of the apostle Peter? His surprised confession recorded in Acts 10:34-35 seems to embrace the same sentiment.
c. Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
Careful study of God's Word leads us to several critical conclusions in this matter of how sinful man can attain a righteousness that will stand up to the judgment of God.
(1) First, the apostle Paul and many other authors of the various books of the Bible teach plainly the absolute impossibility of "righteousness which is by law." The clear teaching of God's Word is that salvation comes "by g __ __ __ __, through f __ __ __ __," and that God's j __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of people of faith is a g __ __ __ which can in no way be earned by good behaviour nor rewarded through pedigree.
ref: Ephesians 2:8-9
Galatians 2:17 - 3:14
Matthew 15:1-20
(2) The Bible also teaches clearly that the gift of salvation given to a person reveals itself in observable ways, i.e. changed behaviour, the desire to live a life of obedience to God. To put it theologically, s __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ will always follow j __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __.
ref: Ephesians 2:10
Ephesians 4:17-24
Galatians 5:16-25
James 2:14-26
1 John 1:8 - 2:6
(3) It is clear in Scripture, especially in the teaching of Jesus Himself and the apostle Paul, that the Jews felt strongly that God would make salvation available only to them. They understood their status as God's "chosen people" to mean the exclusion of all others from the family of God. Salvation, they believed, was a matter of station.
ref: Acts 10:1 - 11:18
These three factors come together in Paul's teaching in Romans 2:6-11. He is stating that God's judgment looks to deeds, not privilege. Whether or not a person is born a Jew; whether or not a person belonged to the First Baptist Church; whether or not a person has safely tucked away in his or her file cabinet an authentic Certificate of Baptism will be completely inconsequential on that Day. Scriptures clearly teach that "works" are valid expressions of faith and repentence. Works are not "in competition" with faith; they are the undeniable effect of faith. As Paul has already stated in Romans 1:5:
Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith...
ref: Psalm 62:12
Proverbs 24:12
1 Corinthians 3:9-12
6. Paul magnifies this teaching in v.12-16, in which two verses stand out:
a. v.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.
b. v.15: ...who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness....
7. V.7 adds the conclusive footnote:
...in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ...
C. CONCLUSIONS
1. We must conclude from the 2nd Chapter of Romans, then, that:
a. Humanity's g __ __ __ __ is established by the l __ __, but that
b. mankind's j __ __ __ __ __ __ __ will be through J __ __ __ __ C __ __ __ __ __.
"Any picture of Christ which does not include Him as Judge of the earth is laboring under a serious misapprehension of the true identity of the Saviour. The babe in the manger, the healer of the sick, the One who welcomed the children, the teacher of parables, the silent prisoner in the judgment hall, the pitiful victim of the Via Dolorosa, the agonizing sacrifice on the cross, the resplendent Lord in the garden, the triumphant leader in the Upper Room -- all are pictures of a Lord that, in one form or another, appeal to something in the human heart. But Jesus as Judge is foreign to many."- D. Stuart Briscoe: op. cit.
Acts 17:30-31 [ TLB ]
God tolerated man's past ignorance about these things, but now he commands everyone to put away idols and worship only him. For he has set a day for justly judging the world by the man he has appointed, and has pointed him out by bringing him back to life again.
2. The judgment of God is:
a. t __ __ __ (2:2)
b. I __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (2:3)
c. c __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (2:4-5)
d. based on the a __ __ __ __ __ __ of man (2:6-10)
e. I __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (2:11-15)
3. The judgment of God seems like bad news. The Gospel of Christ, however, is correctly understood to be the "Good News." How do we handle the seeming dichotomy?
a. "...one thing we must always remember: before we can adequately understand the good news we must grasp first the bad news. Then the wonder of the message of grace is seen in all its fullness and glory." - D. Stuart Briscoe: Ibid.
b. "The Gospel is bad news before it is good news. It is the news that man is a sinner, to use the old word, that he is evil in the imagination of his heart, that when he looks in the mirror all in a lather what he sees is at least eight parts chicken, phony, slob. That is the tragedy. But it is also the news that he is loved anyway, cherished, forgiven, bleeding to be sure, but also bled for. That is the comedy.
Zacchus climbs up a sycamore tree a crook and climbs down a saint. Paul sets out as a hatchet man for the Pharisees and comes back a fool for Christ. It is impossible for anybody to leave behind the darkness of the world he carries on his back like a snail, but for God all things are possible. That is the fairy tale. All together they are the truth." - Frederick Buechner: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy and Fairy Tale
D I S C U S S I O N G U I D E
1. In Romans 2:1 Paul chides his imaginary heckler for judging others.
a. Read the following other Scripture passages re: the passing of judgment upon others, then write a brief summary of the essential teaching of each passage.
(1) James 4:11-12
(2) Matthew 7:1-5
(3) John 7:14-24
(4) Romans 4:5-13
b. In spite of these warnings against judging others, believers are called upon by God's Word to be discerning enough to know when things are not right with another. Read each of the following passages and rectify what might seem to be inconsistent with the aforementioned references.
(1) Galaltians 6:1-5
(2) Hebrews :12-13
2. Compile a list of "standards" by which God will judge people who claim to have faith in Christ. Use the following passages of Scripture for reference:
Matthew 7:21-23
Matthew 25:31-46
Luke 12:47-48
Ephesians 4:1
James 2:14-26
1 John 1:8 - 2:6
3. Will authentic Christians be judged in the Last Judgment? ________ Defend your answer with relevent Scripture passages.
