The brick laying of Romans has already begun. Last week we ended with the wicked and this lesson deals with those resting in the law and the "good Joe". In the end no matter what people group you belong to, righteousness can only be obtained throught the good news of the gospel of grace.
Romans verse by verse lesson 2
Romans 2:1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.
Last lesson we left off with the wicked and how they are without excuse because God has witnessed to them. Now the Holy Spirit begins to speak to the ones who judges with the judgment of the law. Those standing in judgment of others are also inexcusable. While men judge with their own standard, God’s judgment is according to truth.
Romans 2:3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
The standard of judgment is not relative. I’m living better than so and so… does not equate into the righteousness found in Jesus Christ. This is the judgment that the Holy Spirit is rebuking. If one is going to judge by the behavior of men you must submit to the whole of the law; and if you transgress in one part you become a transgressor of the whole.
Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
Jesus brings a new standard by the covenant of grace. The goodness of God leads you to repentance. Man’s standard has been the wrath of God leads one to repentance. Under the performance of the law God is unapproachable; the law of Moses had this fear and trembling approach; the children of Israel failed miserably in the covenant.
Romans 2:5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who "will render to each one according to his deeds": 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
Judgment by man’s doings is the judgment of the law. It does come with blessing but it is also coupled with the cursing. It well described in Deuteronomy 28:1-13 is the announced blessing and how sweet they are. However, it is declares the curse in Deuteronomy 28:14-68.
Romans 2:8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness; indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Yes, again it is cursing with blessing. The weakness is that it depends completely upon the good works of men.
Romans 2:11 For there is no partiality with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;
If you can be a doer of the law you can be justified by it. Again, the weakness is man is unable to perform fully save the one man Jesus Christ.
James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
Romans 2:14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)
Now Paul begins to turn his attention to the “good Joe’s”. When those not under the law do by nature the things in the law they will witness against the law keepers. It brings the truth that God has put eternity in the hearts of all men. All creation witnesses the goodness of God.
Romans 2:16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. 17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,
A little of the good news before the righteousness that Paul is going to lay out in chapter 3. There will be a day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ. Listen to Paul’s words “according to my gospel.” May we ever speak the gospel (almost too good to be true news to men who need God. A stern rebuke of the Jews resting on the law!
Romans 2:19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.
The Holy Spirit is rebuking those who are fully resting in the law telling them they have the form of knowledge and truth in the law. They did not know it was only a pattern and shadow of the true substance found exclusively in Christ Jesus and the new covenant He brought with His blood.
Romans 2:21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?
Such strong rebuke for those boasting in the law and the Holy Spirit exposes them as incapable of fulfilling the law. Only Jesus could do that!
Romans 2:24 For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," as it is written. 25 For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
Those trusting in the law for righteousness bring reproach upon God. They look to their own performance and others look to their performance also. When the failure comes the name of God is blasphemed among the unbelievers. The eyes of all were upon the performance of man; all eyes need to trust in the performance of the One Man Christ Jesus!
Romans 2:26 Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27 And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law?
The “good Joe’s are better off then those who have come under the law and cannot perform.
Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
God wants us to know it is not about keeping the letter of the law! It is about the heart being transformed by the Spirit of God. It must be about a heart being changed; that is the power of God at work unto salvation.
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