Romans 2

     2:1.  This verse may seem like a direct contradiction of Romans 1:32.  But there are two ways that men vainly seek to justify themselves: 1.  By approving the depravity of others, and thus themselves; or 2.  By agreeing with Paul’s account of other’s depravity, but failing to recognize it at all in themselves.  Though the judgment of the evil actions of others is correct, the hypocritical double standard is not.

     2:2-3.  We may be adept at turning a blind eye to our own fatal flaws, but God’s judgment will expose us.  We will be unable to say that we didn’t know, or that we deserve mercy, for we judged our own behavior when seen in others with a sharp eye and little mercy.  “…by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.”  See Mt.7:1-5.

     2:4.  God has thus far restrained his wrath, extending forbearance in a day of grace that we might repent, and not because we were his innocent favorites.

      2:5.  Those who remain stubbornly unrepentant, abusing God’s extended offer of grace, only store up more wrath for themselves.

     2:6-10.  A man’s own deeds and words will judge him at the bar of God’s perfect justice (Mt.12:33-37).  All men will answer before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10).  When the record of our life is played, will we hear ourselves pleading for mercy, or condemning ourselves by our condemnation of others while doing the same things ourselves?  (Cf. the Pharisee and the Publican, Lk.18:9-14).

     2:11-29.  V.11 is a key verse, supporting Paul’s calling to preach the gospel of Christ to all men (cf.1:14-17).  This key point is developed through the remainder of chapter two, and actually throughout the whole of the epistle.  What pleases or displeases God is not whether a man is a Jew or a Gentile, but whether he obeys the righteous will of God or not.  Jews have the Law, but having it is not righteousness if it is not obeyed.  Circumcision is nothing more than a mark in the flesh if the covenant to serve God from the heart and spirit is not kept.

     2:14.  “…do instinctively (Lit., by nature, margin) the things of the Law….”  (The word instinctively used in the text obscures Paul’s point made in 1:18-20.)  This is natural law.  Man knows by the nature of things what is right, but suppresses the truth.  Men of all cultures carry something very like the Ten Commandments around in their hearts when it comes to their sense of justice as to how they think they should be treated by others (13:8-10).

     2:24.  Ezek.36:20 ff.

     2:25.  Cf. Jer.9:23-26.

     2:26.  For the requirements of the Law, cf. Mic.6:8.  For what is regarded as circumcision, see Col.2:11-12.

     2:28-29.  This is expanding on the principle stated in v.11.  (Cf. 9:6-8, 24.  Also John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.”)