Background Passages: Romans 1:18-2:29; Matthew 23
Memory Verse: Romans 2:13
Objectives:
- To understand that God's wrath is on those who say they believe the Bible, but do not obey Him
- To determine to obey what God says to you in the Bible
The first group according to Romans 1 is condemned because of their open rebellion and wickedness.
The second group according to Romans 2 are good religious people who condemn others and think they themselves are all right. Paul shows them their wrong thinking by reminding them of the principles God uses in judgment. In the last part of chapter 2, he applies the principles specifically to these people so they can see why they are condemned even though they are religious.
I. PRIDE IN RELATIONSHIP TO GOD (Romans 2:17-20)
Question: What were these Jews like? What does Paul say about them in Romans 2:17, 18?
God had given the Jews many privileges. He had given them His laws, He had made a covenant with them that He would be their God. But because of God's covenant with Abraham, the Jews believed they were special favorites of God. They boasted of their knowledge of God which others did not have. They were proud of their possession and knowledge of God's Word.
Question: Therefore, what was their attitude towards those who were Gentiles and didn't know God? (2:19, 20)
Again we can see that they were proud of their ability to teach others who were in darkness. They believed that their knowledge of the truth made them superior to those whom they taught.
Discuss: How does the situation of these Jews compare with ours today? What privileges has God given us? What do we rely on for our authority? Do we feel proud that we know the truth which others do not? For example, have we ever boasted to our neighbors or relatives that we do not pray before images?
These privileges which we have are given to us to bring us and others and salvation. For this we should be most grateful. But we are in danger when we become proud and think we are better than others because of our knowledge of God and the Bible.
In the next verses Paul points our the great danger for all who are proud of knowing the Bible or of belonging to the "right religion," but who do not love and obey God with all their hearts.
II. EVIDENCES OF A DOUBLE STANDARD (Romans 2:21-24)
Question: What was the problem among these Jews who believed in God and were teachers of His Word? (2:21-23)
They simply did not obey in their lives what they taught in their synagogues. They appeared to be good but in reality they loved to do wrong. They were teaching but not doing what was right.
The Lord Jesus said this same thing about the Jewish leaders in Matthew 23. (Read Matthew 23:1-7)
Question: According to Matthew 23:2, 3 what did Jesus tell His disciples to do regarding the teaching of the Jews?
They were to follow the teaching of the Jewish leaders but not their actions. The problem was the same as that of those religious Jews in Rome. They taught God's laws, but they did not practice what they taught.
Question: According to the Lord Jesus, what were some of the signs that these Jews did not truly love God?
- They taught the people of all the rules and regulations of the Law, but they did not help them to learn how to obey. (Matthew 23:3)
- They were proud of their religious activities. They did all their good deeds to be seen by men. They loved places of honor in the homes of fellow-Jews and in their synagogues. (Matthew 23:5-7)
- They worked hard to win converts and made them even worse hypocrites. (Matthew 23:15)
- They appeared to be good on the outside, but their hearts were full of hidden evil. (Matthew 23:27, 28)
Notice that neither Jesus nor Paul condemned these Jews for their theology. They believed and taught the right doctrines about God. Their sin was that they did not live according to what they taught (Matthew 23:3)
In other words, these religious people were just as rebellious and money-loving as the pagans. But they covered up their evil thoughts and deeds with pious words and empty religious services which they called worship.
Discuss: What kind of things do some religious people do today that would be condemned as hypocrisy by the Lord? What about the pastor who scolds his people for not giving more to the church, yet does not give much himself? What does God think of a church leader who expects to be given a place of honor whenever he is invited to a party? What does God think of the church elder who helps discipline a person who commits adultery, and then jokes about sex with the young people?
God is just in His judgment of all people. He will judge us according to what we really are on the inside, not according to what we pretend to be.
Question: According to Romans 2:24 what was the result of the sinful actions of these religious Jews?
Non-Jews or Gentiles laughed at their religion. They knew the evil these Jews were practicing. They saw through their hypocrisy. So God's name was dishonored or blasphemed by the very ones who were teaching that He is to be honored.
III. TRUST IN RELIGIOUS RITES (Romans 2:25-29)
Question: According to Romans 2:25-29 what were these Jews putting their trust in instead of obeying God?
Circumcision was given by God to Abraham as the sign of His covenant with him and his descendants, the Jews. It was an outward symbol to remind them of their dedication to God, and of God's promise to bless them in return.
These Jews relied upon this outward sign as the proof that they belonged to God. But they were not dedicated in their hearts to God as Abraham had been. Therefore, this outward symbol no longer had any value to them. They had no right to claim God's blessings as His people when they refused to keep His commandments.
Because of their disobedience, in God's eyes they were like the pagans who were uncircumcised (2:25). On the other hand, when the Gentiles who were not circumcised loved God and kept His laws, God looked on them as though they had the symbol of circumcision (2:26). Circumcision which was a symbol of the Jews' dedication to God was only meaningful and accepted by God if their hearts were really dedicated to Him. (2:28, 29).
Discuss: What outward forms or symbols do we practice in our churches today to show our faith in Christ? (Baptism, church membership, communion, etc.) What danger is there in the practice of these especially for those who are born and raised in a Christian church? How can we be sure we have true faith in God and are not just trusting in these outward symbols of our faith?
On the other hand, how do these symbols help to strengthen our faith if we have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ?
God's judgment on us as on these Jews depends on our faith in and obedience to Jesus Christ. Any outward symbol of faith cannot give salvation if there is rebellion in the heart. But if a person is determined to follow Jesus Christ, God will use these symbols of devotion to strengthen him in his faith.
One thing that we should be learning through these lessons is that God is absolutely just to all men. He has no favorites. He loves all men equally. He wants all men to become holy and good. He is equally concerned about Protestants and Catholics, Muslims and pagans, rich and poor, believers and atheists, good and bad. Because He knows the sinfulness of the hearts of all men, He sent Jesus Christ to bring salvation to all.
- As one who is called a Christian, are you seeking each day to obey Jesus Christ whom you say is your Savior? Or are you secretly doing things which you would condemn in others?
- Are you trusting God to accept you because of your baptism, your church membership, your knowledge of the Bible, your "receiving Jesus as your Savior" even though you are now disobeying Him?
We need to remember that those who are raised in a religious atmosphere are under God's wrath for disobedience just as much as those who are outside the church. All of us must repent and trust Jesus Christ for salvation so that we can learn to love and obey God with all our hearts.
Foundations of Faith (Romans 1-7)
PCEP Adult Bible Studies 2