The Man Who Agrees with Romans 1
Picture someone listening as Romans 1 is read aloud. Idolaters, the sexually immoral, murderers, haters of God: he nods at every line. Then Paul turns and looks straight at him. Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man.
Romans 1 showed the world without the Bible. Romans 2 shows that the world with the Bible is in the same condition. The moral person, the religious person, the person raised on God's law: none of them is safe because he knows better. Paul's word inexcusable in verse 1 is the same Greek word he used in Romans 1:20, without excuse. The pagan has no defense, and neither does the man who sits in judgment on him.
Paul writes like a teacher answering an imagined questioner. He does not name the Jew until verse 17. Many interpreters think the Jew is in view from verse 1, since everything in verses 1-16 fits him so well; others think Paul first speaks to any moral person and then narrows to the Jew. Either way, the chapter catches every one of us who has ever agreed with God about someone else's sin.
- 2:1-5. The one who judges others does the same things, and he despises God's patience.
- 2:6-16. God judges every person impartially, by deeds and by the light each one had.
- 2:17-24. Having the law is not the same as keeping it.
- 2:25-29. An outward sign cannot replace a changed heart.
God's judgment rests on what is really so, not on appearance, reputation, or heritage (Romans 2:2). He judges even the secrets of men (Romans 2:16).
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For Deeper Study
- RomansAmazon Thomas R. SchreinerA thorough commentary in the Baker Exegetical series by a Reformed Baptist New Testament scholar, careful on the debates of Romans 2. We differ with him on election.
- The Epistle to the RomansAmazon Leon MorrisA clear, balanced Pillar commentary by an evangelical Anglican scholar, readable for serious church members.
- Romans Verse by VerseAmazon William R. NewellA Moody Bible Institute teacher's careful, dispensational exposition of the whole letter.
- Conscience: What It Is, How to Train It, and Loving Those Who DifferAmazon Andrew David Naselli and J. D. CrowleyA careful, practical study of what conscience is and how it works, the inner witness Paul describes in 2:15. Naselli writes from a Reformed Baptist setting.
- Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.
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Romans
Romans is Paul's fullest explanation of the Gospel: every person is guilty, God declares believing sinners righteous through Christ's blood, the Spirit gives power for a new life, God keeps His promises to Israel, and the saved live as worshiping, serving people.
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