Romans 2: God's Righteous Judgement
- Graciously Yours
- Sep 12, 2020
- 2 min read
"Don't try and understand any book in the Bible unless you know why it was written." David Pawson
Welcome to this blog post and Bible study. If you haven't read the previous studies, I encourage you to read the post titled Introduction to Romans and Romans 1 before tackling today's study.
Introduction
Chapter 2 of Romans admonishes the Jews that living by the law does not make them righteous in God's eyes. Paul stresses that living by rules and regulations only, brings judgement and condemnation. Paul ends the book describing a true Jew is one that has experienced circumcision of the heart by the Spirit of God.
Summary of important points in Romans 2
Paul explains in Romans 2 that God does not play 'favourites' as we sometimes think - He loves ALL people EQUALLY - whether they are Jew or Christian, God loves all of us the same.
Hearing the Law only was not enough - Jews had to commit to obey the Law. This is why the Law could never bring salvation and therefore Jesus had to come to earth to bring the salvation of Grace.
Paul rebukes the Jews as hypocrites - in short, they did not practice what they preached. We should ask ourselves the same question!
A closer look on judging and repentance
When we judge others, we point to a standard outside of ourselves, and that standard condemns everyone i.e. in the very act of judging, you condemn yourself.
God's goodness, patience and long-suffering (vs 3-4) should bring us into humble repentance instead of an attitude of superiority and judging others.
God does FORCE us into repentance, but He does LEAD us into repentance.
Repentance means turning to a new life in Christ - not just a feeling that you are sorry you have done something wrong. It is an active turning away from things that displease God.
Romans 2 self-study
Read Romans 2 through once, then read through again this time with a commentary to assist you understand the chapter better. Romans 2 addresses some complex issues which in our day are sometimes hard to grasp fully.
Explain vs 1 in your own words.
What does vs 3 tell us about a consequence of judging others - We c_ _ n_ _ avoid God's judgement.
List three aspects of God's character which are identified in vs 3.
God will j_ _ _ _ everyone according to what they have d_ _ _ (vs 6).
What is promised to those who keep on doing good in vs 7? He will give e_______ l____.
What is the promise to those who continue do evil in vs 9?
God does not show fav_________m to anyone (vs 11).
It is o_________ the lay that makes us right in His sight (vs13b).
The Jews believed that circum___________ guaranteed their salvation. Read Deut 10:16. Were they correct? N_.
Rituals like circumcision, baptism or confession in booths can not save anyone!
What are your thoughts on Romans 2? It is one of those chapters in the Bible which you need to read through several times and have an understanding of the customs of that day. Read further commentaries to help you better understand this chapter.
Next Monday we move on to Romans 3 which is packed to the brim with practical advice and Christian principles we can apply to our lives.
Yours graciously.
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