Romans 2
So, we left off in chapter 1 with Paul grouping all humanity together by their sin. In reading Rob Bell's "Velvet Elvis" recently, I was reminded of this. The fall of man didn't just happen, but it continues to happen. The point Paul leaves us with is that we all would have done the exact same thing Adam and Eve did, and we continue to do it. Paul continues this basic thought in chapter 2, but he narrows the focus to the Jews in Rome. He is speaking to those who consider themselves to be religious and right and good. As Christians, this chapter is speaking very specifically to us. With that in mind, let's dig in.
Rom 2:1 Therefore you are without excuse, O man, everyone who judges; for in that in which you judge another, you condemn yourself, for you who judge do the same things.
Rom 2:2 But know that the judgment of God is according to truth on those who practice such things.
Rom 2:3 And, O man, the one judging those who do such things, and practice them, do you think this, that you shall escape the judgment of God?
Rom 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, and the forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
Ok, first things first. Paul is beginning an argument about the law. These first four verses, in a very subtle way, begin to point out the missing piece of the law. This is a point that will be made all the more clearly in chapters 5 and 6. My favorite part about these verses is the second half of verse 4. "...the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" Paul is laying the groundwork for the argument for Grace; a Grace that is controversial and radical and life-changing. A Grace that teaches us that God's kindness and not our fear of him leads us to repentance. We will get there, but I get really excited by Paul's hinting at it. Moving on...
Rom 2:5 But according to your hardness and your impenitent heart, do you treasure up wrath for yourself in a day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
Rom 2:6 who will render to each according to his works;
Rom 2:7 indeed to those who with patience in good work are seeking for glory, and honor, and incorruptibility, everlasting life.
Rom 2:8 But to those who indeed disobeying the truth out of self-seeking, and obeying unrighteousness, will be anger and wrath,
Rom 2:9 tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man who has worked out evil; of the Jew first, and also of the Greek.
Rom 2:10 But He will give glory, honor and peace to every man who works good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of faces with God.
Rom 2:12 For as many as sinned without Law will also perish without Law. And as many as have sinned within Law shall be judged through Law.
Rom 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.
Rom 2:14 For when the nations, who do not have the Law, do by nature the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law unto themselves;
Rom 2:15 who show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and the thoughts between one another accusing or even excusing one another,
Rom 2:16 in a day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Now we start to get into it. Put yourself in the shoes of a first century Jew. You are chosen. You are set-apart. You are blessed. You were lucky enough to be born into a group of people who is "better." Why? Well, because God set-apart your people and fulfilled a promise to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. You were given the Law of Moses. You were given the writings. You were given the prophets. So your boast is in the fact that you are a Jew and you have the law. However, what value is the law if you don't follow it. Even worse, what if you don't follow the law, but someone who is not a Jew does follow it? Paul is again pointing out that the problem in the law is that it must be fulfilled by people who don't know how to follow it. He is inherently saying that even you Jews, even you religious people, need saving. As always, you can't expect someone to be grateful for something they did not know they needed.
Rom 2:17 Behold, you are called a Jew, and rest in the Law, and boast in God;
Rom 2:18 and know His will and approve the things excelling, being instructed out of the Law;
Rom 2:19 and persuading yourselves to be a guide of the blind, a light to those in darkness;
Rom 2:20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, who have the form of knowledge and of the truth in the Law.
Rom 2:21 Therefore the one teaching another, do you not teach yourself? The one preaching not to steal, do you steal?
Rom 2:22 The one saying not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? The one detesting idols, do you rob temples?
Rom 2:23 You who boast in Law, do you dishonor God through breaking the Law?
Rom 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the nations because of you, as it is written.
17-24 are my favorite verses of Chapter 2, because they speak to modern day Christians so clearly. The first half of these verses talk about humbleness and humility, or rather the lack thereof. I think it is alaways important for us, as believers, to be very careful about how highly we view ourselves. This was clearly the issue with the first century Jews that he was speaking to. The second half of these verses should be printed on cards and given to every Christian in the world today. Let's take them verse by verse. Verse 21 hints at something huge. It is the idea that we don't have all the answers. We don't always know, and that is ok. We need to keep learning, always. So, if we assume to have all the answers, what are we saying about how we view ourselves. This goes back to something God was really teaching me about a year ago. Do I believe in the true, soveriegn God, or do I believe in a version of Him I have created for myself that is easy to understand and explain? The second part of verse 21 through verse 22 gets into the idea of judgement. Now, before I go on, I think it is very important to remember that Paul is talking about Jews judging Gentiles. He is talking about believers judging non-believers. As a believer, you should expect and encourage the accountability of other believers. However, Paul is speaking very clearly against judging non-believers. So, with that in mind, are you guilty of what you judge? If you look at the world around you with condemnation, you perhaps need to look at yourself more closely. I have a good friend who is a solid believer and someone I really respect. However, in a conversation once, He spent about twenty minutes talking about how homosexuals, liberal media, and growing tolerance amongst believers for all types of issues were the big problems with the world, and that we as believers should do more to speak out against such things. Less than ten minutes later he was asking me to pray with him becuase he was struggling with having sex with his girlfriend. I don't say this to knock my friend. I am just as guilty of the same thing. That is why we need to drop this idea of "good" and "bad." People don't fit into those categories. Not for those who follow Christ anyway. The idea of your morality being the key to heaven is NOT in the gospel of Christ. Verse 23 explains why. "You who boast in Law, do you dishonor God through breaking the Law?" If you are righteous by a code of morality you have set for yourself, then you better make darn sure you live by it. This is what Paul was talking about in verses 12-16. Even if you weren't a Jew, even if you didn't have the law, you still have an understanding of morality, of "right" and "wrong." The question is, "how succesful were you at living up to that standard?" Let's be very clear. Paul is not a universalist. He is NOT saying that everyone has salvation as long as they are a "good" person. He is saying the exact opposite. He is saying that morality in and of itself was and will never be enough for salvation because no one lives up to that morality. Especially believers. In fact, Paul says that the very name of God is blasphemed among the nations because of how believers act. Think about that in a modern setting. Think about the people you know who have heard the Gospel of Christ but do not believe. Do they not believe in God? Or do they not believe that you are for real about this God because of what they see in your life?
It's pretty heavy stuff. Moving on...
Rom 2:25 For circumcision truly profits if you keep the Law, but if you are a transgressor of the Law, circumcision becomes uncircumcision.
Rom 2:26 If then the uncircumcision keeps the ordinances of the Law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
Rom 2:27 And the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the Law, shall it not judge you, who through letter and circumcision become transgressors of the Law?
Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that outwardly in flesh;
Rom 2:29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart; in spirit and not in letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.
Paul is again speaking specifically to the Jews here. He is establishing need. You can not take this chapter out of the context of who he is speaking to, or what he is going to say about them. However, I think the most important thing he says here, for the first century Jews as well as modern-day believers, is in the last two verses. He is not a Jew who is one outwardly, but he is one inwardly. To put it in different terms... Salvation is in the heart and mind and not appearances. Jesus spoke out again and again about his frustrations with the pharisees who prayed loudly in public so that everyone would see them do it. In fact, the only time in scripture we are told of Jesus weeping happens when he sees pharisees' empty wailing at the tomb of Lazarus. In that scene, according to the gospel of John, Mary is heart broken by her brothers death. The pharisees should be there to share her burden to help her carry it, and yet they stand around making a lot of noise without really doing anything to care for Mary.
I love this chapter of Romans. It speaks so clearly to us about who we are as believers, and who we are not supposed to be. First, stop looking at the world around you with judgement and condemnation. Why should you be suprised by sin in a sinful world. Instead of yelling at the darkness for being dark, maybe it is time to be a brighter light. Second, being a brighter light doesn't happen because you have "good" morality. It happens when Jesus changes you inwardly. It happens when your identity becomes different.
Anyways, Paul doesn't knock the religious people for no reason. There is a benefit to knowing the law and being born into the promise of God, and Paul is going to get there next week.
Until then, thanks for taking the journey together.
-Rob
So, we left off in chapter 1 with Paul grouping all humanity together by their sin. In reading Rob Bell's "Velvet Elvis" recently, I was reminded of this. The fall of man didn't just happen, but it continues to happen. The point Paul leaves us with is that we all would have done the exact same thing Adam and Eve did, and we continue to do it. Paul continues this basic thought in chapter 2, but he narrows the focus to the Jews in Rome. He is speaking to those who consider themselves to be religious and right and good. As Christians, this chapter is speaking very specifically to us. With that in mind, let's dig in.
Rom 2:1 Therefore you are without excuse, O man, everyone who judges; for in that in which you judge another, you condemn yourself, for you who judge do the same things.
Rom 2:2 But know that the judgment of God is according to truth on those who practice such things.
Rom 2:3 And, O man, the one judging those who do such things, and practice them, do you think this, that you shall escape the judgment of God?
Rom 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, and the forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
Ok, first things first. Paul is beginning an argument about the law. These first four verses, in a very subtle way, begin to point out the missing piece of the law. This is a point that will be made all the more clearly in chapters 5 and 6. My favorite part about these verses is the second half of verse 4. "...the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" Paul is laying the groundwork for the argument for Grace; a Grace that is controversial and radical and life-changing. A Grace that teaches us that God's kindness and not our fear of him leads us to repentance. We will get there, but I get really excited by Paul's hinting at it. Moving on...
Rom 2:5 But according to your hardness and your impenitent heart, do you treasure up wrath for yourself in a day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
Rom 2:6 who will render to each according to his works;
Rom 2:7 indeed to those who with patience in good work are seeking for glory, and honor, and incorruptibility, everlasting life.
Rom 2:8 But to those who indeed disobeying the truth out of self-seeking, and obeying unrighteousness, will be anger and wrath,
Rom 2:9 tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man who has worked out evil; of the Jew first, and also of the Greek.
Rom 2:10 But He will give glory, honor and peace to every man who works good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of faces with God.
Rom 2:12 For as many as sinned without Law will also perish without Law. And as many as have sinned within Law shall be judged through Law.
Rom 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.
Rom 2:14 For when the nations, who do not have the Law, do by nature the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law unto themselves;
Rom 2:15 who show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and the thoughts between one another accusing or even excusing one another,
Rom 2:16 in a day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Now we start to get into it. Put yourself in the shoes of a first century Jew. You are chosen. You are set-apart. You are blessed. You were lucky enough to be born into a group of people who is "better." Why? Well, because God set-apart your people and fulfilled a promise to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. You were given the Law of Moses. You were given the writings. You were given the prophets. So your boast is in the fact that you are a Jew and you have the law. However, what value is the law if you don't follow it. Even worse, what if you don't follow the law, but someone who is not a Jew does follow it? Paul is again pointing out that the problem in the law is that it must be fulfilled by people who don't know how to follow it. He is inherently saying that even you Jews, even you religious people, need saving. As always, you can't expect someone to be grateful for something they did not know they needed.
Rom 2:17 Behold, you are called a Jew, and rest in the Law, and boast in God;
Rom 2:18 and know His will and approve the things excelling, being instructed out of the Law;
Rom 2:19 and persuading yourselves to be a guide of the blind, a light to those in darkness;
Rom 2:20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, who have the form of knowledge and of the truth in the Law.
Rom 2:21 Therefore the one teaching another, do you not teach yourself? The one preaching not to steal, do you steal?
Rom 2:22 The one saying not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? The one detesting idols, do you rob temples?
Rom 2:23 You who boast in Law, do you dishonor God through breaking the Law?
Rom 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the nations because of you, as it is written.
17-24 are my favorite verses of Chapter 2, because they speak to modern day Christians so clearly. The first half of these verses talk about humbleness and humility, or rather the lack thereof. I think it is alaways important for us, as believers, to be very careful about how highly we view ourselves. This was clearly the issue with the first century Jews that he was speaking to. The second half of these verses should be printed on cards and given to every Christian in the world today. Let's take them verse by verse. Verse 21 hints at something huge. It is the idea that we don't have all the answers. We don't always know, and that is ok. We need to keep learning, always. So, if we assume to have all the answers, what are we saying about how we view ourselves. This goes back to something God was really teaching me about a year ago. Do I believe in the true, soveriegn God, or do I believe in a version of Him I have created for myself that is easy to understand and explain? The second part of verse 21 through verse 22 gets into the idea of judgement. Now, before I go on, I think it is very important to remember that Paul is talking about Jews judging Gentiles. He is talking about believers judging non-believers. As a believer, you should expect and encourage the accountability of other believers. However, Paul is speaking very clearly against judging non-believers. So, with that in mind, are you guilty of what you judge? If you look at the world around you with condemnation, you perhaps need to look at yourself more closely. I have a good friend who is a solid believer and someone I really respect. However, in a conversation once, He spent about twenty minutes talking about how homosexuals, liberal media, and growing tolerance amongst believers for all types of issues were the big problems with the world, and that we as believers should do more to speak out against such things. Less than ten minutes later he was asking me to pray with him becuase he was struggling with having sex with his girlfriend. I don't say this to knock my friend. I am just as guilty of the same thing. That is why we need to drop this idea of "good" and "bad." People don't fit into those categories. Not for those who follow Christ anyway. The idea of your morality being the key to heaven is NOT in the gospel of Christ. Verse 23 explains why. "You who boast in Law, do you dishonor God through breaking the Law?" If you are righteous by a code of morality you have set for yourself, then you better make darn sure you live by it. This is what Paul was talking about in verses 12-16. Even if you weren't a Jew, even if you didn't have the law, you still have an understanding of morality, of "right" and "wrong." The question is, "how succesful were you at living up to that standard?" Let's be very clear. Paul is not a universalist. He is NOT saying that everyone has salvation as long as they are a "good" person. He is saying the exact opposite. He is saying that morality in and of itself was and will never be enough for salvation because no one lives up to that morality. Especially believers. In fact, Paul says that the very name of God is blasphemed among the nations because of how believers act. Think about that in a modern setting. Think about the people you know who have heard the Gospel of Christ but do not believe. Do they not believe in God? Or do they not believe that you are for real about this God because of what they see in your life?
It's pretty heavy stuff. Moving on...
Rom 2:25 For circumcision truly profits if you keep the Law, but if you are a transgressor of the Law, circumcision becomes uncircumcision.
Rom 2:26 If then the uncircumcision keeps the ordinances of the Law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
Rom 2:27 And the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the Law, shall it not judge you, who through letter and circumcision become transgressors of the Law?
Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that outwardly in flesh;
Rom 2:29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart; in spirit and not in letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.
Paul is again speaking specifically to the Jews here. He is establishing need. You can not take this chapter out of the context of who he is speaking to, or what he is going to say about them. However, I think the most important thing he says here, for the first century Jews as well as modern-day believers, is in the last two verses. He is not a Jew who is one outwardly, but he is one inwardly. To put it in different terms... Salvation is in the heart and mind and not appearances. Jesus spoke out again and again about his frustrations with the pharisees who prayed loudly in public so that everyone would see them do it. In fact, the only time in scripture we are told of Jesus weeping happens when he sees pharisees' empty wailing at the tomb of Lazarus. In that scene, according to the gospel of John, Mary is heart broken by her brothers death. The pharisees should be there to share her burden to help her carry it, and yet they stand around making a lot of noise without really doing anything to care for Mary.
I love this chapter of Romans. It speaks so clearly to us about who we are as believers, and who we are not supposed to be. First, stop looking at the world around you with judgement and condemnation. Why should you be suprised by sin in a sinful world. Instead of yelling at the darkness for being dark, maybe it is time to be a brighter light. Second, being a brighter light doesn't happen because you have "good" morality. It happens when Jesus changes you inwardly. It happens when your identity becomes different.
Anyways, Paul doesn't knock the religious people for no reason. There is a benefit to knowing the law and being born into the promise of God, and Paul is going to get there next week.
Until then, thanks for taking the journey together.
-Rob
posted by Rob @ 10:01 AM
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