God Speaks
You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done. 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. 9 There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 10 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.
12 When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. 13 For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. 14 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. 15 They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. 16 And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.
17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. 18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. 19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. 20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? 22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples? 23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”
25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.
28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: In this chapter, Paul deals with people who judge others for bad actions while doing the same or similar things themselves. They feel that they have a right to judge because they are God’s special people. In His time and in true justice, God will punish such people (even His special ones). He doesn’t play favorites. Sometimes, He seems to delay that punishment. This great patience and kindness is meant to give people time to repent, to change their attitudes and actions from against God to for Him. God will eventually hold everyone accountable for what they have done, particularly in regard to His Son, Jesus Christ. This accountability will be based on what they know about God and His laws. Jews and those who have the Bible will be judged according to it. Those who do not have the Bible will be judged according to what God sees in their minds and consciences regarding Him and doing good. “[T]he day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.” (Romans 2:16 NLT) If, however, we bring those sins to God and claim the forgiveness and cleansing made available through Jesus’ death in our place, we won’t have to face this judgment because Jesus already did. Out of gratitude, we ought to be telling everyone we encounter how they can be forgiven, too.
Consider, also, the following questions regarding Romans 2
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1. God is the only One with the right to judge people’s hearts and actions.
2. People tend to shift the blame or judge other people for things they themselves are doing.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Romans 2?
Dear Father God, thank You for being the ultimate lawgiver and judge who holds people accountable for their actions. I humbly ask that You accept Jesus’s suffering, shame, and death on the cross as payment for my sins: _______ (name specific ones). I receive the forgiveness Jesus died to give me. On this same basis, I can and do forgive myself for ____ (name something specific), and I forgive _____ (someone specific) for how they harmed me (name the specific offense). Thank You for Your great patience and kindness in my life turning me to You instead of away from You. Holy Spirit, please help me to live out actions and attitudes that bring glory to Your name. Use me to draw other people to trusting and obeying Christ as well. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Romans 2?
- I will ask God how I need to change my attitudes and actions so that I will be moving closer to Him.
- I will ask God to help me stop judging other people, especially when I do the same, similar, or worse things.
- I will look for a way to show kindness to my family member, friend, neighbor, co-worker, stranger, or an “enemy”, then carry it out.
- I will start a conversation with a stranger. Perhaps, they will be open to a discussion of Jesus. If God arranges, I will be prepared to tell the story of my coming to and growing in faith in Jesus.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.