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Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Great in every respect. First, that they were entrusted with the actual words of God. 3 What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? 4 Far from it! Rather, God must prove to be true, though every person be found a liar, as it is written: “So that You are justified in Your words, And prevail when You are judged.” Romans 3:1-4 God is utterly reliable in what He has promised. The failures we all exhibit in faith will have no bearing on God’s faithfulness to us.

for it is not the hearers of the Law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the Law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law instinctively perform the requirements of the Law, these, though not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of mankind through Christ Jesus. Romans 2:13-16 Many critics claim there is a contradiction in Paul’s teaching of salvation through faith vs. works in reading these verses. They claim in these verses Paul emphasizes salvation through works when he has declared salvation through faith on other occasions. Again, context is always king. In verse 15, Paul explicitly addresses the conscience and thought that will be judged as a testimony of faith. Paul emphasizes that sincerity in our religion will manifest in our efforts. A good parallel to this can be found in James 1:22-25.

For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law. Romans 2:12 Keep in mind that this letter was written to those in Rome who had converted to Christianity, both Jews and Non-Jews. Paul is building the case for salvation through Christ alone. He provides a perspective of sin by emphasizing that unrepentant sin leads to judgment no matter how you slice it.

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. Romans 2:6-11 Undoubtedly, God’s standard to judge humanity outside of Christ is performance, either good or bad. But maintain the proper context here, Paul is speaking of the performance and not the performer, as God shows no favoritism. However, the entire narrative of Romans explains that every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin and, therefore, impossible for us to be good enough to receive glory, honor, and peace from God outside of the gospel. “Great, but what about morally good folks who have never heard the gospel, are they left in the cold?” This is where God’s sovereign election comes into play. Whoever God desires to come to His Son will have the gospel revealed to them somehow, in many ways which we will never understand. God has determined the end from the beginning and will not call someone to His Son who is bound to fail. Scripture is unequivocal, God is sovereign, and He alone decides.

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? 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. Romans 2:1-5 Paul points out a common condition of our fallen nature; we are more tolerant of our conduct than we are of the behavior of others. We can hardly stake a claim upon moral righteousness as we commit the same offenses as others. You might be thinking, “but I do not commit the terrible sins as many do.” Ok, but we all sin, and God does not categorize sin. For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. James 2:10 “But did not Moses state, God is compassionate, slow to anger, and overflowing with grace?” He is all those things and much more. Yet, we must take great care not to manipulate the context of scripture to minimize our behavior. God’s infinite kindness is not a “get out of jail free card.” Instead, it is one of patience. It provides us with the blessing of being sensitive and remorseful of our sin, which leads to the glorious atonement of Christ and away from the wrath of God.

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. Romans 2:25-29 Paul emphasizes symbolism is not spirituality. Religious symbolism has relative value if the lessons of the cross have been learned and true disciples have been born. The words of Jesus, “For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24

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.” Romans 2:17-24 How can we instruct others if we do not instruct ourselves? We must teach ourselves. The more we know of God’s word, the more we will understand it, and great will be our joy in that work. It was once said that the weeds will grow wherever the garden is neglected. So, renew your minds each day in the cause of Christ.

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. Romans 2:12-16 In these verses, the apostle Paul addresses natural law. Natural law is the standard moral foundation God set in place, which applies to all people, regardless of nationality or religion. In addition, all people have knowledge of natural law from birth. For example, we all know murder is wrong without having a law telling us so. Paul also emphasizes that our obedience to the law requires our faith in God, and our faith in God demands our obedience.

…who will render to each person according to his deeds: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. Romans 2:6-11 On the surface, this appears to contradict some of Paul’s other statements concerning faith and works in matters of salvation (Eph. 2:8-9). There is no contradiction here, as Paul refers to people in general outside of Christ. All who are outside of Christ will be judged by their works, through which no one will be justified (cf. 3:20).

Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. 3 But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, Romans 2:1-5 The original audience Paul is addressing is the Jews. However, as Paul’s epistles often indicate, an extended application is often appropriate and intended. The point of these verses is a simple warning; do not assume God’s grace regardless of conduct or station in life. Paul is expressing that sin is a serious matter and should never be dismissed but repented.

Being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. Romans 1: 29-32 This is a description of Paul’s world, and of our own. As mankind continues to deny God, their punishment is guaranteed by His Holiness, which is one of total depravity. History itself shows the deterioration of nation upon nation who have positioned themselves in opposition to God’s will. Scripture makes very clear, God’s righteous judgement is not confined to this present time and place. As a result, it is a terrible thing when we harden ourselves against God’s will.

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper. Romans 1:29 As mankind overlooks and even denies the reality of God, they seek with mind, body and soul the things that can never satisfy.