Romans 2: The Judgment of God

Introduction:

• He is giving the principles of JUDGEMENT, not of SALVATION. We are going to be judged by these principles, not saved or lost based on them.
• These verses should not be used to teach about how to be saved, only how NOT to be saved (by the law)
• Their purpose is to show that we are all guilty. The way to be saved will be explained later. Don’t think that any of these verses are teaching that salvation is by works.

I. God’s Judgment Will Be Against The Jews Also

A. Judging Makes Them Responsible (2:1-3)

1. Their judgmental attitudes against Gentile dogs will be used by Paul to prove their own guilt. In fact, their judgmentalism will be the very thing that will cause them to be guilty.

a) “Thou art inexcusable, O man” “man” is anqroph which is generic meaning both men and women, all people.

b) “Whosoever thou art that judgest” could be “condemnest” It is dealing with attitude.

c) “For thou that judgest doest the same thing” McGee suggests that “same” here does not mean identical, but rather, things that are just as bad in God’s sight.

2. It is easy to see failings in others and to know when they do not meet the standard.

a) But it is more difficult to see when we fail to meet the standard.

b) We like to excuse ourselves while demanding that others be held accountable.

3. Being able to judge others, rather than exonerating us, actually makes us guiltier. The fact that we know enough to judge someone else means we are responsible to make sure we live by those same judgments.

B. The ability to judge others proves that we have some inner concept of right and wrong.

1. Acts 17:31 shows that the judgment to come by a higher power is known by men. Men must either suppress this knowledge or live in dread of it. Cp Ro. 2:2 and 1:19-32.

2. We expect others to behave in a certain way and judge them accordingly.

a) Yet, we ourselves never live completely by the judgments we use to judge others.

b) When you point your finger at someone else, three are pointing back at you.

C. God’s Mercy makes them responsible

1. “Forbearance” means “to hold off” and “long suffering” means “to keep wrath far away.” These refer to times when God withheld from Israel the judgment she justly deserved.

2. “Riches” in v. 4 with above. God has tried both positive and negative means to bring us to repentance. He bestows good gifts on us and he chastises us.

D. Hardness of their heart makes them responsible

II. God’s Judgment will be Without Partiality

A. He will render to every man according to his deeds

B. It will be for both Jew and Gentile

1. The Law given to the Jews, rather than making them special, actually made them more responsible. They looked at the Law as giving them special privileges, not realizing that it also gave them greater responsibility.

2. Wiersbe: “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 had 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 repentance, but the goodness of God; but Israel did not repent.”

C. There is no respecter of persons with God

1. Ro. 2:11 there is no respecter of persons with God.

a) That is why justice is blindfolded, so that she will not see who is before her, not because justice itself is blind.

b) God will not care our station or position in life

2. Judgment will be individual, not national.

3. Remember, these are principles of judgment, not salvation.

4. The basis for judgment is different from salvation.

III. God’s Judgment Will Include God’s Law

A. All are guilty whether or not they have the law

1. Be judged by their deeds

2. Be judged their conscience

3. Be judged their judgments

B. Conscience makes us guilty

C. The Law makes us guilty

1. Because you do not keep it

2. Because you are to be a light to Gentiles

IV. Judgment Will Not Be According To Circumcision

A. Illus. Consider that Abraham was saved long before circumcised

B. The blessing of Abraham was through faith, not law

C. It is the heart, not the outside that is key