Bible Studies

Studies in Romans Chapter 2

by Henry Jaegers
11/20/24
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Studies in Romans

By Henry Jaegers 

Chapter 2
 

The Danger of Self-Righteousness 

The problem Identified (Verses 1 and 2) 

 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.  But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 

When we judge others, it is a sign that we, and not God, is controlling our lives. We count ourselves as worthy to judge others, because we fail to remeber that we are dust. That is the right perspective that we should have of ourselves. But we refuse to accept God's evaluation of us and choose to believe the lie. (That we are worthy to and hve the right to judge another. It begins with a wrong perspective of ourselves.

 The problem of sin goes further than what we do. It is a matter of the heart. And as Paul considers those under the wrath of God, it is a matter far deeper than what we do. It points to the matter of who we are. And the verse before us is a continuance of pointing out the bad news that encompasses all sin. 

But before we approach this matter of judging others, perhaps a definition is in order.  We find this matter dealt with more specifically in chapter seven of Matthew, in the teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. The easiest way to define it is by saying that it is attributing something to another without having all the facts. A Judge in a court of Law would be considered corrupt if he did so. It is like charging someone with a crime without having evidence that such a crime was committed. 

We are especially foolish to charge another person's motive for what they do. Only God knows the true motives of men. The best we can do is expose ourselves by charging them with a motive that we ourselves hve. And that leaves us guilty and flatfooted in our charge against others. 

And I believe that is what Paul refers to in this charge. Before you view others' actions with suspicion, check back and see if you are guilty of a greater sin.

All of us are endowed with a sinful nature that is capable of committing the grossest of sins, under the right circumstances. So a little honesty about ourselves is in order.

 The Deception Illuminated (Verses 2 through 6)

 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?  But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;  Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

 The question that these words pose, is, how does self-deception contrast with "The Goodness of God that leads to repentance?

 If we tend to judge other's motives, then we are setting ourselves up as God. It is not the judgment of God that leads to repentance but the Goodness of God.   It is easy to forget, that at one time we also were judged by God. But when we experienced salvation, it was not God's wrath that changed my life, but God's goodness. Under the conviction of unworthiness, I called out to Him for mercy, and it was His mercy, despite my unworthiness, that made the change that led to embracing His salvation.  

 There is a day coming when we must face the true judge of men's hearts and motives. To continue on in our unrighteous motives will have their inevitable consequences in "That Day. Remember, it is the Goodness of God that leads to repentance. Judging others without considering our own sin will result in being judged by God. Who will render to every man according to their works. The works of the flesh will lead to death and the fruit of righteousness will lead to the glory of God. What is it that you are offering to Him, today?

 Righteousness: It’s a Matter of the Heart (Verses 7 through 16)

  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation, and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;  But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.  For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;  (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

 Although this section seems to be,  a Jewish problem, it is not. The Jewish people because of their past history of following the Law given by Moses, have a tendency to think that they are immune from the judgment of God. Paul is gradually leading them away from this way of thinking by stating that it is not outwardly righteous people who find favor with God, but those, who, have a clear conscience and a desire to please God, are the true Israelites. whether they be Jew or Gentile.

The main thrust of this section leads us to a further consideration, that having correct doctrine, does not lead to righteousness if it is not followed up by acts of love and Obedience. Even the Gentiles, who do not have the law, such as that of the Jews,  Can  obtain righteousness, because they follow the law that they do have with obedience. It is not the hearers of the Law who are just with God, but those who follow up with obedience. This is where our chapter is leading us.

 A Call for Self-Examination (Verses 17 through 23)

 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, And knowest his will, and approves the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.  Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?  Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?  Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

 This section is a perfect follow-up to where we began this chapter. It began by calling us to search out our own motives when we are tempted to judge others.

Now in the verses before us, Paul instructs in the matter of self-examination. Especially to those who  think of themselves to be teachers of the law. It is a question that is in line with teachers in our day. There is a tendency to exalt men who place great admiration on those with high degrees of education, as though that qualifies one as a leader. The principle of Jesus still applies. "If any man thinks to be great among you, let him be your servant. That is something that people do not wish to do. Rather than be servants, they would rather be Lords.

But the true leader is the one who must learn the lessons himself in order to properly instruct others.

 So, our closing word calls us to a soul-searching experience, just as the opening section does.

 But we are not finished with the subject of "Being under the Wrath of God.”  In our next chapter, we will discover that Sin is a universal problem. Not only to the Jews and Greeks but to all men in general.