Commentary of the Book of the Romans
By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins
Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible
Bible Study Romans 2: 1-29
Text:
God’s Righteous Judgment
2 Therefore you are without excuse, O man, everyone 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 [a]rightly falls upon those who practice such things. 3 But do you presume this, O man—who passes judgment on those who practice such things and does the same—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But [b]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, 6 who will repay to each according to his works: 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 anger. 9 There will be affliction and turmoil [c]for every soul of man who works out evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who works good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.
12 For all who have sinned [d]without the Law will also perish [e]without the Law, and all who have sinned [f]under the Law will be judged [g]by the Law. 13 For it is not the hearers [h]of the Law who are [i]just before God, but the doers [j]of the Law will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles who do not have [k]the Law naturally do the things of the Law, these, not having [l]the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they demonstrate the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
The Jew Is Judged by the Law
17 But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely [m]upon the Law and boast in God, 18 and know His will and [n]approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 a [o]corrector of the foolish, a teacher of [p]the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, 21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who [q]preach that one shall not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast [r]in the Law, through your transgression of the Law, do you dishonor God? 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written.
25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice [s]the Law, but if you are a transgressor [t]of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 So if the [u]uncircumcised man observes the righteous requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he [v]fulfills the Law, will he not judge you who, through the letter of the Law and circumcision, are a transgressor [w]of the Law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
Verse by verse commentary:
Verse 1: “Therefore you are without excuse, O man, everyone who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.”
Both Jewish people, Paul's primary audience, and moral Gentiles who believe they are exempt from God's judgment due to their avoidance of the immoral excesses described in chapter 1 are gravely mistaken. Their greater knowledge compared to the immoral unbelievers leads to increased accountability.
To condemn oneself means that if an individual possesses sufficient knowledge to judge others, they inherently condemn themselves. This is because they demonstrate an awareness of their own condition. When they "practice the same things," it implies that in their condemnation of others, they have excused and overlooked their own sins. Self-righteousness stems from two critical errors: 1) minimizing God’s moral standards, often by focusing on external actions, and 2) underestimating the true depth of one's own sinfulness. This can be seen in several Christian denominations that have dress codes and manuals that prohibit certain activities not referenced in the Bible.
Verse 2: “And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.”
God judges each person based on their individual response to Him, not on external factors.That is right and just.
Verse 3: “ But do you presume this, O man—who passes judgment on those who practice such things and does the same—that you will escape the judgment of God?”
If a person breaks man’s laws, four things can happen:
Their crime may go undetected.
They might flee to a place where the court has no authority.
Even after being apprehended, a legal loophole could disrupt the proceedings.
Following a conviction, they could escape incarceration and remain hidden.
However, no man can escape divine judgment. Your offenses will be discovered, and you cannot go beyond God's jurisdiction. There will be no legal technicalities to exploit, nor will you ever be able to escape from prison.
Verse 4: “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”
We ought to acknowledge today that God's goodness should lead us to humility and repentance before Him. Instead, it often drives people away. The psalmist was troubled by the prosperity of the wicked, as God seemed to take no action against them. In Psalm 73, the psalmist expressed envy of the foolish and the wicked's prosperity, However, ultimately, they will face God's judgment.
Verse 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,”
A hardened heart leads to religious arrogance, as persistent opposition to God's gracious will is a rejection of His purpose. This resistance accumulates guilt, even while innocence is claimed. Such an accumulation of guilt stores up wrath, foreshadowing a commensurate punishment in hell for all eternity.
Verse 6: “who will repay to each according to his works:”
God’s judgment and rewards are based on absolute justice, evaluating each person according to their deeds. No individual, if truly rational, would desire to be judged solely on this criterion. Consider Cornelius as an example: despite being a good man, he was lost.
Verse 7: “to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;”
It's important to remember that a person's way of life is not the subject of judgment, but rather the basis for it. Those who strive to "do good" will face judgment based on their actions. As John states in Revelation 20:12, "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." While individuals may attempt to earn eternal life through their deeds, they are warned that such efforts will be fruitless. Revelation 20:15 states, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Our names are recorded in the "book of life" not through our efforts, but by trusting in Christ as our Savior. Eternal life is not a reward for work; it is a gift bestowed upon those who place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 8: “but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and anger.”
Judgment will be based on a person's actions and character. Paul clarifies that while salvation is a free gift, not earned by works, divine judgment considers every aspect of a person's relationship with God. Those who embrace grace genuinely seek "glory and honor and immortality", whereas others are "selfishly ambitious" and do not honor God. Paul emphasizes that salvation comes through grace, but judgment is according to works. Without grace, only one verdict is possible for all, both Jew and Greek, and that verdict is guilty. The punishment is eternity in hell.
Verse 9: “There will be affliction and turmoil for every soul of man who works out evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek,”
Because Israel was given greater light and blessing, she will receive more severe punishment. Just as the Jews were given the first opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel, they will be the first to receive God's judgment if they refuse.
Verse 10: “but glory and honor and peace to everyone who works good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
Scripture consistently teaches that salvation is not based on works. However, it also clearly states that God's judgment is always determined by a person's deeds. Paul differentiates between the deeds of two groups: the redeemed and the unredeemed. For the redeemed, their deeds are not the foundation of their salvation but rather evidence of it. While not perfect and still prone to sin, their lives show undeniable proof of righteousness.
Verse 11: “For there is no partiality with God.”
One's standing with God is not determined by ethnic origin or any other inherent or self-created human differences. It is a relationship based on faith, not work.
Verse 12: “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.”
Gentiles who did not have the opportunity to know God's moral law will be judged based on their disobedience in relation to their limited understanding. Both Jews and many Gentiles who had access to God’s moral law will be held accountable for their greater knowledge, and "judged by the law."
Verse 13: “For it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.”
It is often claimed that non-believers are lost because they have not heard of Christ and have not accepted Him. However, they are lost because they are sinners—a condition that applies to all humanity. Salvation is not achieved by the understanding one possesses; rather, people are judged by the understanding they have. "For it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God"—many people mistakenly believe that simply approving of the Sermon on the Mount or the Ten Commandments is enough to secure salvation.
Verse 14: “For when Gentiles who do not have the Law naturally do the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,”
Although personal righteousness cannot save anyone, the existence of universal moral standards (despite varying degrees of clarity) and a shared sense of obligation to them point to a universal moral constitution and accountability that comes from God. This is evident because "their conscience bearing witness."
Verse 15: “in that they demonstrate the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,”
"Work of the law" likely refers to actions prescribed by the Mosaic law. "Conscience" is an innate moral compass, an instinctive sense of right and wrong that leads to guilt when violated. This built-in warning system from God activates when individuals choose to disregard or disobey God's law. Paul advises believers to avoid violating their own consciences or causing others to do so. Repeatedly ignoring these warnings can desensitize and eventually silence the conscience.
Verse 16: “on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.”
Paul's gospel emphasizes that the bad news of judgment precedes the good news of grace. The Lord Jesus Christ holds all judgment. This judgment will be flawless, piercing "the thoughts and intentions of the heart," leaving nothing hidden from the Judge (Hebrews 4:12-13). No one can claim unfairness in being judged by a Holy God, as the agent of judgment will be the incarnate Christ, Himself a man.
Verse 17: “But if you bear the name ‘Jew’ and rely upon the Law and boast in God,”
The term "Jew" became the most common designation for descendants of Abraham through Isaac in the first century, superseding earlier names like Hebrews and Israelites. This name derives from "Judah" (meaning "praise"), one of the twelve tribes and the name for the southern kingdom after Solomon's death. Following the Babylonian captivity, the entire ethnic group adopted this title. Despite their significant heritage, it regrettably fostered pride and complacency, ultimately leading to judgment rather than "praise."
Verse 18: “and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law,”
For this individual, religion was no longer a support system but rather a source of pride and self-sufficiency. Increased understanding brought with it increased responsibility, leading to greater condemnation. The Jewish people held ten advantages over the Gentiles, as outlined in these verses. The first five describe their inherent characteristics: (1) bearing the name "Jew," (2) relying on the Law, (3) boasting in God, (4) understanding God's will, and (5) discerning superior values through instruction in the Law.
Verse 19: “and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,”
The Jews prided themselves on certain privileges, believing these blessings made them superior to others, a point Paul addresses.
Verse 20: “a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,”
The Jew's final five personal privileges relate to their actions: (1) guiding the blind; (2) illuminating those in darkness; (3) correcting the immature; (4) teaching novices; and (5) embodying knowledge and truth through the law.
Verse 21: “you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?”
Verses 21-23 pose a series of questions that highlight the disparity between the actions of most Jews and the knowledge and teachings they espoused.
Verse 22: “You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?”
Paul identifies specific commandments—adultery, idolatry, and theft—as examples of responsibilities associated with privilege that have been neglected.
Verse 23: “You who boast in the Law, through your transgression of the Law, do you dishonor God?”
They proudly boasted of God and His law, seeing them as an honor. However, their actions brought dishonor to God and His law, causing outsiders to believe their religion condoned such behavior. While those who draw such inferences are sinful (for the faults of followers should not be attributed to their beliefs), it is equally sinful for believers to give cause for these inferences, and their sin and rebellion will be severely magnified.
Verse 24: “For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written.”
This is a quote from Isaiah 52: 5. It is regrettable that those intended to bring glory and praise to God instead brought shame and dishonor to their religion. The greatest harm caused by the sins of believers is the discredit they bring to God and their faith through their actions.
Verse 25: “For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law, but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.”
Paul concludes his argument in chapter 2, emphasizing that condemnation stems from disobedience to Divine revelation, regardless of its form. He specifically addresses the transgression of Mosaic law by Jews, arguing that their physical circumcision has lost its true meaning. While acknowledging the special status of Jewishness and circumcision, Paul asserts that physical circumcision is merely a symbol of sanctification and a renewed life. The essence lies in the spiritual reality, not the outward sign, and this reality can be attained by anyone, Jew or Gentile.
Verse 26: “So if the uncircumcised man observes the righteous requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?”
God equally favors a believing Gentile and a circumcised, believing Jew.
Verse 27: “ And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the Law, will he not judge you who, through the letter of the Law and circumcision, are a transgressor of the Law?”
A humble and obedient Gentile should serve as a stark reminder to a disobedient Jew, particularly given the latter's inherent advantages.
Verse 28: “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.”
This refers to Abraham's physical descendants who have been properly circumcised.
Verse 29: “But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”
A true child of God is a "Jew" in the spiritual sense, a genuine descendant of Abraham. "Circumcision" refers to a transformation of the heart. The external ritual is only meaningful if it signifies an inner commitment to God, separating oneself from sin. Salvation is achieved through the work of God's Spirit within the heart ("Spirit"), rather than through mere outward adherence to His law ("letter").
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