I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      In the previous lesson of this series from the epistle to the Romans, we considered Paul’s inspired account of the corruption of the Gentiles (Rom. 1:18-32).

B.      In our present lesson, we will consider how Paul addressed the Jews who were also guilty of sin in Romans 2:1-3:8.

                                                             1.      This passage continues the section of the epistle in which Paul established the universal and equal need of the gospel of Christ for both Jews and Gentiles (1:18-3:31).

                                                             2.      As with the previous lessons in this series, let us seek to give an overview of this text and to understand the lessons from the text that apply to us in our modern world.

II.      “GOD WILL RENDER TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS”

A.      After describing the corruption of the Gentiles, Paul proclaimed that all who practiced the deeds of the Gentiles would receive the same condemnation as the Gentiles (Rom. 2:1-10).

                                                             1.      At the first, Paul did not explicitly identify the Jews as his target for this message, but his context makes it apparent that they are considered here.

                                                             2.      The message of verses 1-5 is that it is foolish for men to proclaim the judgment of God against others who commit evil deeds while assuming that they can commit the same deeds without penalty.

a.       This is a classic biblical message against hypocrisy that is found so often in the sayings of Jesus (such as Matt. 23:1-36).

b.       Men who practice such hypocrisy have assumed that they have such a relationship with God that makes them exempt from His judgment.

i.         This is equivalent to a man thinking he can get away with murder because he knows the judge.

ii.        Jews were wrong to make such assumptions, and Christians are also wrong if they make such assumptions.

c.        Such men have misinterpreted the patience of God as His tolerance of their sin (vv. 4-5).

i.         They have assumed that they are excused from judgment because punishment from God has not come swiftly.

ii.        The truth is that God is patiently waiting and delaying to give all of us the opportunity to repent of our sins (2Pet. 3:9).

iii.      The longer we fail to repent of our sins, the more we provoke the wrath of God, for we are arrogantly rejecting His kindness and patience toward us.

                                                             3.      The truth about God’s judgment is that He will judge all men according their deeds (vv. 6-10).

a.       These verses describe the two possible outcomes of the judgment of God.

i.         Those who do good will receive glory, honor, immortality, eternal life, and peace.

ii.        Those who do evil will receive wrath, indignation, tribulation, and distress.

b.       These results are true for all men, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.  The basis of God’s judgment is what we have done, not who we are (2Cor. 5:10).

B.      God’s judgment is equal for both Jews and Gentiles because there is no partiality with God (Rom. 2:11-16).

                                                             1.      God’s lack of partiality means that when a man stands in judgment, God will not see him as a Jew or as a Gentile (v. 11).

                                                             2.      God’s judgment will not be according to what a man knew to do but rather it will be according to what a man actually did (vv. 12-16).

a.       Sin will be punished, whether it was committed under the Law of Moses or not.

b.       Notice that Paul wrote, “For not the hearers of the Law are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified” (v. 13).

i.         This is reminiscent of James’ message in James 1:22-25.  James and Paul are in perfect agreement on the subject of faith and works, despite what some have falsely taught.

ii.        The Jews, who had the Law of Moses, were accountable for keeping it.  The Gentiles were not subject to that Law, but they “were a law to themselves” in that their consciences dictated to them right and wrong.  Therefore, both Jews and Gentiles will be judged according to their deeds.

C.      The Jews had assumed a false security because they trusted in their fleshly heritage rather than giving spiritual service to God (Rom. 2:17-29).

                                                             1.      Paul described the Jews’ false and arrogant impression of themselves in verses 17-20.

                                                             2.      In verses 21-24, Paul declared the contrast between what the Jews thought they were and what they really were according to their deeds.

a.       The truth is that while the Jews condemned others for committing evil, they committed the same.  They did not practice what they preached.

b.       This resulted in blasphemy against God, for the Jews represented Him poorly to the world.  Their hypocrisy was evident, and it discredited them and the words they spoke.

c.        Christians should learn this lesson well, for we represent the Lord to the world.  Our purpose is to bring honor and glory on Him, not shame.  If our works to not match our profession, then the world will blaspheme the Lord on our account.

                                                             3.      The truth was that there was much more to being a Jew than just the fleshly heritage.  It was a matter of spiritual service to God (vv. 25-29).

a.       Fleshly heritage and physical circumcision was of value only if the Jews gave spiritual service to God through sincere keeping of His word.

b.       Likewise for Christians, being baptized and attending the assemblies of the church are valuable only if we are giving spiritual service to God.  Our religion is of no value if it does not change us inwardly.  See Romans 12:1-2.

III.   THE OBJECTIONS BY THE JEWS

A.      Paul anticipated the objections of his Jewish brethren (Rom. 3:1-8).

                                                             1.      Throughout this epistle, Paul answered objections and the conjectures that he anticipated would arise from those who received these words (for example, 3:9, 31; 6:1; 15; 7:7, 13; 10:18; 11:1, 11).

                                                             2.      The objections that Paul anticipated in this passage are as follows:

a.       If the Jews received no partiality from God, then what was the advantage of being a Jew (v. 1)?

b.       Was not God to blame for giving the Jews such a burdensome Law and then condemning them for not believing it (v. 3)?

c.        If the failure of the Jews to keep the Law resulted in the revelation of the righteousness of God through the gospel, why should the Jews be judged for violating the Law (vv. 5, 7-8)?

B.      All of these objections are answered here and throughout the epistle.

                                                             1.      First of all, the Jews had a great advantage because they had the word of God.

a.       It was a privilege for the Jews to be entrusted with the oracles of God.

b.       It is still a privilege today for us to be entrusted with His precious treasure, for it is of great value.

                                                             2.      Secondly, the unbelief of the Jews reflected only on them and not on God.

a.       Even if the Jews failed to obey Moses, this was not the fault of God.

b.       Likewise, even if many fail to believe and obey the gospel of Christ and are lost, the responsibility for their failure is their own and not God’s.

                                                             3.      Finally, the condemnation of the Jews who sinned is just because they violated the Law.

a.       Even if the righteousness of God shone brighter in contrast to the unrighteousness of the Jews, they were still unrighteousness and justifiably condemned.

b.       This foolish, human reasoning will be further refuted in chapter 6.

IV.    CONCLUSION

A.      At this point in the epistle to the Romans, Paul had established that both Jews and Gentiles were guilty of sin.  Neither group could claim any excuse or privilege to exempt them from the judgment of God.

B.      If this was the end of the story, then it would be a sad story indeed.  However, the gospel of Christ is God’s good news, and the good news is that we may be saved through faith in Christ Jesus as we will see in lessons to come.