Romans 2:1-16

“Therefore thou art inexcusable . . .” (v. 1). Therefore refers to knowing the judgment of God (see Rom. 1:32). In the preceding verses the Apostle Paul makes it known that God allows the unrighteous to follow after their natural lusts. God does not prevent those who have separated themselves from Him from following paths of depravity.

Knowing that which God does, we bring judgment upon ourselves when we judge others “for thou . . . doest the same things.” Wait! Stop! In Romans 1, Paul cited things which were very wicked. Surely, we are not doing the same things.

The wicked have separated themselves from God. When we sin, we separate ourselves from God. There is, however, a difference between us and the wicked and Paul addresses that difference in verse 2. He states, “But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.” The difference between us and them is that we know that we shall answer to God for our doings; they hold no such knowledge.

Paul states that we are inexcusable through a question (v. 3). He asks if we think that we can escape God’s judgment when we do the same things as them who most certainly shall face His judgment.

The text before us is scripture. The things which Paul wrote in his epistles were given to him by the Holy Spirit of God (see II Pet. 3:15-16). Paul warned the believers in Rome (and all believers in similar circumstance) of the danger of judging others. It is God’s desire that we see ourselves as He sees us. Do we do the same things as the vile and depraved? We are without excuse because we know “Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them” (Deut. 27:26). We know also, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). We most certainly are among the law breakers.

In verse 4, Paul provides an additional question to them who might believe that they are not subject to God’s judgment for judging others. Paul asks them if they despise the very thing that led to their repentance. This question is an accusation because believers know and have accepted God’s goodness (if we continue in sin, our actions [deeds] declare that we reject His goodness). Judging others is a testimony of a hard and impenitent heart. In judging others, we collect wrath which God shall judge in the day of His righteous judgment (v. 5). In that day of judgment, God shall issue two very different sentences. To them who have patiently continued in well-doing, there shall be given glory, honor, immortality and eternal life. To them who have continued to reject His goodness, there shall be given tribulation and wrath (v. 8).

God’s judgment is according to truth. It is the same for both the Jew and the Gentile (v. 9). Gentiles who sin without the law will perish without consideration of the law. The Gentiles, having not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law (v. 14). Jews who sin in the law shall be judged by the law (v. 12). Both those without the law and them under the law are condemned because both Jew and Gentile shall be judged by their works. None are justified by works because none have kept the law — the Jews failed to keep that which they were given and the Gentiles failed to keep that which they knew by nature to keep.

God is a perfect God. No man is justified by works because all have failed God’s standard of perfection. God has provided the perfection which He requires. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16). One is justified by believing God. Both the Jew and the Gentile is justified by believing God as Abraham believed God. Believing is more than an external acknowledgment of the truth. External acknowledgment does not justify anyone. Hearers of the law acknowledge God’s perfection. A doer of the law reveals his belief by ever seeking to satisfy the law. Being a hearer of the word does not make one just (v. 13). One is made just by satisfying the law. In Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Israel is instructed to hear the Lord God and to love the Lord God. Both Jews and Gentiles are to hear and to love the Lord God.

New Testament believers who do not seek to do as Jesus has said are hearers only. They heard Jesus speak but their hearts failed to direct them to act upon the way, the truth and the life. The just are made just by Jesus. The judgment which awaits New Testament believers is dependent upon doing as Jesus has said to do. We are to love one another as He loves us. The order of our love-doing is to be JOY — Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last. We are called to place Jesus first because Jesus placed us before Himself. Hearers who do, have JOY. Believers who are hearers only are without JOY.

In verse 16, Paul states that God shall judge “the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” The secrets of men are not hidden from God. Those who both hear and do shall receive honor, glory and immortality.

All men have been judged by God and are in need of a righteousness that only He can supply. Knowing His judgment is according to truth, let us seek honor, glory and immortality in well doing. May His works be seen in us.