SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF JUDGMENT

1. According to Truth: (2:1-4)
2. According to accumulated guilt (2:5)
3. According to works (2:6-10)
4. Without respect to persons (2:11)
5. According to performance not works (2:12-15)
6. According to secrets of the heart (2:16)
7. According to reality, not religious profession (2:17-29)

Principles 1-6 deal with those who feel they are better because of race, civilization, environment, education or culture.

Principle 7 deals with those who think they are better because of their religion (possession of the oracles of God).

We who read this book are reminded that we are in danger of judging or becoming self-righteous. Paul is heading off every escape from the truth:

*the proud judges of others (moralists, philosophers)

*those who would escape the consciousness of guilt & judgment by running under a religious roof

JUDGMENT #1 According to Truth (2:1-4)

2:1 "inexcusable"/ anapologhtoV / without apology or defense if we pronounce any judgment

"for wherein thou judgest another... thou doest the same thing" - We can’t be blind regarding our sin. The goodness of God should lead us to repentance, not self-righteousness or ignorance. The Jew was willing enough to judge the Gentile, but forgot that the same laws and principles also govern them. The righteousness of Christ is for the Jew and the Gentile.

2:4 "despiseth"/ think nothing, disdain, hold in contempt

"riches of his goodness"/ integrity, kindness, moral goodness of God Ps. 86:5

"riches"/ Rom. 9:33; 10:12; 11:33; Eph. 1:7; 2:4

"forbearance"/ toleration / Ex. 34:6

"longsuffering"/ patience, slowness to avenge

"leadeth to repentance"/ to lead to a point of destination by accompanying the person as an attendant, guide, or direction.

JUDGMENT #2 According to Accumulated Guilt (2:5)

2:5 "but after the hardness"/ obstinacy, stubborn pride and nature

Ex. 8:15; Prov. 29:1

"and inpentitent heart"/ no way attitude

"treasurest up wrath"/ gather, store up, accumulate guilt gradually for later judgment

Challenge: 2 Chron. 30:8; Heb. 3:13-15

"against the day of wrath..."/ Job 2130; 2 Peter 2:9

JUDGMENT #3 According to Works (2:6-10)

2:6 "render"/ pay, give as in paying a debt

2:7 "patience continuance"/ enduring, steadfast / Ps. 27:14; Lam. 3:25; I Cor. 15:58; Heb. 6:12

"seek"/ crave, deep inquiry

"glory"/ condition of blessing / Rom. 8:18; 9:23

"honor"/ precious in the sight of a person: John 5:44; Col. 1:27

"immortality"/ perpetuity, incorruptible / 2 Tim. 1:10

"eternal life"/ I John 2:25

2:8 "but unto them"/ distinct group from those described in 2:7

"that contentious"/ strife, Lit. to put yourself forward in the self-seeking pursuit of a political office / Phil. 2:3; James 3:14

"indignation"/ fierceness, anger, heat, passion / Isa. 30:27; Heb. 10:27

"wrath"/ punishment inflicted by a magistrate / Rev. 4:10

2:9 "tribulation"/ pressing together

"anguish"/ stenocwria / narrow place, extreme calamity

"doeth evil"/ katergazomenoi / achieve by labor, work, perform

2:10 "But glory, honor, peace"/ Rom. 9:21-23; John 12:26

"to every man that doeth good"/ Psalm 15:1-2; Prov. 11:18

JUDGMENT #4 No respecter of persons (2:11)

2:11 "no respect of persons with God"/ proswpolhyia / does not discriminate, no partiality

Deut. 7:6-11; 10:17; Acts 10:34; Eph. 6:9; I Pet. 1:17

JUDGMENT #5 According to Performance, not works

2:12 "sinned without the law"/Gentiles

"sinned in the law"/ Jews

"judged by the law"/ no partiality, same criteria

2:13-15 is a parenthetical statement: The Gentiles show the work of the law in their hearts, having a moral consciousness (2:14-15). The Jews have the law. Therefore, all have a valid standard for trail.

2:13 The doers of the law where those who believe God’s way of salvation is perfect, and that the atonement was a complete payment for sin.

2:14 The Gentiles did not have law given to them, but were affected by the law. Their conscious awareness of right and wrong was a reflection of the greatness of the law and the character of God. Therefore, knowing what is right and wrong, they became a law unto themselves. That is, their moral consciousness condemns them as the law would condemn the Jew.

2:15 The conscience of the Gentile was touched by the truth of the law that had been originally been given to the Jew. They were constantly being reminded in their conscience of their sin and failure, but rationalized their actions, by excusing or accusing one another.

JUDGMENT #6 According to the secrets of the heart

More than a profession of faith, there is an inward truth that is demonstrated by our lives as believers! Read Romans 2:12 then 2:16, without the parenthetical statement of 2:13-15.

2:16 "in the day"/ Acts 17:31

"when God shall judge"/ Rom. 14:10; Psalm 9:7; 96:13

"the secrets of men"/ Eccl. 12:14; Luke 8:17; I Cor. 4:5

"by Jesus Christ"/ John 5:22

"according to the Gospel"/ Rom. 16:25; I Tim. 1:11

JUDGMENT #7 According to reality, not religious profession
Romans 2:17-29

In 2:17-20 You are ready to teach, but why don’t you learn yourself! Your walk is not a reality!

Called a Jew, resting in the law, make your boast of God, know His will, approve the things that are more excellent, instructed out of the law, confident to guide the blind, a light to them who are in darkness, instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babies, have the form of knowledge, and have the truth of the law.

2:21-27 There are specific to challenge those wh were proud of their ability, greatness, and accomplishments: Exegete - the name of God is blasphemed

2:28-29 True change is indicative of the internal working of God which produces righteousness