Bible Passage: Romans 2:1-16
Memory Verse: Romans 2:6, 11
Objectives:
Memory Verse: Romans 2:6, 11
Objectives:
- To know the principles by which God judges all men
- To commit yourself to obeying the truth rather than using it to criticize and condemn others
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The persons described by Paul in Romans 2 are religious people who know what is right. As Paul discusses these people, he gives some basic principles which God uses in judging all men. We need to know these principles so we can know how we stand before God.
I. BASED ON TRUTH (Romans 2:1-3)
Question: According to Romans 2:1, what does Paul say about a person who condemns another for sin? (2:1a)
Question: Why is this true? (2:1b, 3)
We need to think carefully about the truth Paul is giving here.
A. Knowledge of the Truth (2:1, 2)
Question: First of all, does a man who condemns another know what is right? (2:1, 2)
It is our knowledge of what is right that we use as the standard by which we judge and condemn others! Those who condemn others show that they know the truth. Therefore, they should be obeying the truth themselves.
B. Repentance Expected (2:1, 3, 4)
Question: According to verse 4, what is God's purpose in giving us the truth and being patient with us in all His dealings?
God wants to bring us to repent of our wrong ways and come to Jesus Christ for salvation and freedom from sin.
Question: But did these people in Romans 2 use their knowledge to come to God in repentance and learn to obey Him? (2:1, 3)
No, instead they used the truth to condemn others. Why? Because they were not obeying the truth themselves.
In other words, when a person criticizes and condemns another, this shows that he is not living according to the truth in his own life. This is the way our consciences work. It is the one who is guilty himself who is quick to point out the weaknesses and sins of others. It makes him feel better when he can show that another is worse than he is.
For example, there was a man who was always late for his appointments. This caused much inconvenience to others. But he always complained that others were too easily irritated about such small matters as lateness and should be more patient. He was using criticism of others to cover up his own wrong.
God's judgment will be based on truth. We must remember that He will judge us according to the truth just as strictly as we judge our neighbor. We need to apply the truth to ourselves rather than use it to condemn others. This will lead us to Jesus Christ in repentance for our own sin, instead of allowing us to indulge in criticism. Then we can be delivered from the power of this sin in our own lives.
II. HEAVIER ON THOSE WHO DESPISE GOD'S KINDNESS (Romans 2:3-5)
These religious people whom Paul was warning in this part of Romans had another wrong thought about God. They noticed that even though they did wrong, God did not send immediate punishment.
Question: According to verses 3 and 4, what did they think about this kind treatment of God to them?
They thought the fact God had not sent judgment through some calamity meant that He was not going to punish them.
This is the thinking of many people today. They are doing some things which they know are wrong. Yet because God hasn't sent immediate punishment, they think they are all right or that He doesn't care. But we have already seen in Romans 2:4 that God's kindness, tolerance and patience toward those who are sinning is to give them a chance to repent. If He immediately punished all who did evil, we would all be dead. Because of His kindness, He waits before sending His judgment on those who sin.
Question: What will be God's judgment on those who do not repent? (2:5, 8)
God's kindness toward sinners will not continue forever. One day those who have despised Him by continuing to do evil will experience His wrath and anger.
III. ACCORDING TO WHAT WE DO (Romans 2:6-10, 13)
Question: According to verse 6, what will God's judgment of people be based on?
The Bible makes it very clear that God is concerned about what we DO. He knows how easy it is for us to make promises about what we should do. He knows how easy it is for us to use our knowledge of the truth as a cover-up for not doing it. But His judgment will be on our actions, not on our empty promises.
When a man is campaigning for a political office, he usually tries to expose the evils of the party in power. Then he promises the people that he will remove all these evils if he is elected. If people believe and elect him, he has the chance to prove whether or not he meant what he said. Too often people find out that most of the promises have been empty. The knowledge of right, the exposure of the sins of others, the promises to do right—all these were used only to get into power. There was no real concern for the people, no action, no improvement.
God expects actions, not empty promises. In the day of judgment God will check to see what each one of us has done. He will not consider only what a person has said against evil, but He will look for what he has done to cooperate with Christ to remove the evil.
Question: According to this principle of God's judging us by our works, to whom will He give eternal life? (2:7)
God will give "eternal life" to those who patiently continue to do good. It is only through our relationship to Jesus Christ as our Savior that we will do good. This kind of life will be the result of walking in love and obedience to Christ. Eternal life is His life in us, His character being lived through our lives. Therefore, doing good is the evidence that a person has eternal life through Christ.
Question: What has God stored up for those who refuse to obey the truth and instead continue to do evil? (2:8, 9)
The evil in the life of any person shows that he does not love God, nor has he come to Jesus Christ for salvation. He may be a church member. He may even be a religious leader like some of these people. But his evil works show that his heart is rebellious against God and therefore he will be in trouble and distress.
God knows that we act according to what we really believe. Therefore, He will judge us according to our works. We need to check on ourselves to see if our works show that we have eternal life, that we are really walking in love and obedience to Christ. We need to be careful that we do not deceive ourselves through our pride and find ourselves facing God's wrath in the day of judgment.
IV. WITHOUT FAVORITISM (Romans 2:11)
Question: What principle about God's judgment does Paul give in verse 11? Why is this important?
One of the problems we face in our courts today is the unfairness of some of the judges. Some are ready to take bribes which pervert their judgment. Some are ready to help their friends escape the punishment which they deserve.
The Jews thought that their special relationship to God because of His covenant with Abraham, would make Him automatically forgive their sins even while He judged the sins of the Gentiles. They were like some today who have the idea that God will not judge the evil of those who belong to the Christian religion or a particular church, as severely as He judges the sins of pagans. Some condemn pagan tribes for their practice of premarital sex, while the same thing done by Christian young people is excused as a weakness. Revenge killing in pagan tribes is condemned, yet hatred and revenge among church members is tolerated.
But God is not partial. He is fair to all. He will judge evil wherever it is, inside or outside the church. Those who come to Him in repentance will be forgiven. Those who continue to do wrong will be punished.
V. ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGE RECEIVED (Romans 2:12-16)
The fifth principle is in verses 12-16. Because God is just, He will judge men according to the amount of knowledge which they have received.
Question: What will God use to judge the man who has the law of God, the Bible? (1:12)
The more a man knows of God's law, the more he will be responsible for obeying it. Therefore, it is a serious matter to be learning God's law without obeying it.
Question: Then is it better for a man not to know God's law? What is the situation of those who do not know God's Word? (2:12)
They will not be judged by the Bible which they do not know, but they will be condemned.
Question: Why will they be condemned according to verses 14-16?
God has given all men a conscience by which they know what is right and wrong. It may be a very limited knowledge of the truth as in some pagan tribes. But everyone has some knowledge. Therefore, God will judge pagans by their knowledge of right and wrong and what they have done about this. He will judge Jews and Christians by the standards which we know from the Bible.
I. BASED ON TRUTH (Romans 2:1-3)
Question: According to Romans 2:1, what does Paul say about a person who condemns another for sin? (2:1a)
Question: Why is this true? (2:1b, 3)
We need to think carefully about the truth Paul is giving here.
A. Knowledge of the Truth (2:1, 2)
Question: First of all, does a man who condemns another know what is right? (2:1, 2)
It is our knowledge of what is right that we use as the standard by which we judge and condemn others! Those who condemn others show that they know the truth. Therefore, they should be obeying the truth themselves.
B. Repentance Expected (2:1, 3, 4)
Question: According to verse 4, what is God's purpose in giving us the truth and being patient with us in all His dealings?
God wants to bring us to repent of our wrong ways and come to Jesus Christ for salvation and freedom from sin.
Question: But did these people in Romans 2 use their knowledge to come to God in repentance and learn to obey Him? (2:1, 3)
No, instead they used the truth to condemn others. Why? Because they were not obeying the truth themselves.
In other words, when a person criticizes and condemns another, this shows that he is not living according to the truth in his own life. This is the way our consciences work. It is the one who is guilty himself who is quick to point out the weaknesses and sins of others. It makes him feel better when he can show that another is worse than he is.
For example, there was a man who was always late for his appointments. This caused much inconvenience to others. But he always complained that others were too easily irritated about such small matters as lateness and should be more patient. He was using criticism of others to cover up his own wrong.
God's judgment will be based on truth. We must remember that He will judge us according to the truth just as strictly as we judge our neighbor. We need to apply the truth to ourselves rather than use it to condemn others. This will lead us to Jesus Christ in repentance for our own sin, instead of allowing us to indulge in criticism. Then we can be delivered from the power of this sin in our own lives.
II. HEAVIER ON THOSE WHO DESPISE GOD'S KINDNESS (Romans 2:3-5)
These religious people whom Paul was warning in this part of Romans had another wrong thought about God. They noticed that even though they did wrong, God did not send immediate punishment.
Question: According to verses 3 and 4, what did they think about this kind treatment of God to them?
They thought the fact God had not sent judgment through some calamity meant that He was not going to punish them.
This is the thinking of many people today. They are doing some things which they know are wrong. Yet because God hasn't sent immediate punishment, they think they are all right or that He doesn't care. But we have already seen in Romans 2:4 that God's kindness, tolerance and patience toward those who are sinning is to give them a chance to repent. If He immediately punished all who did evil, we would all be dead. Because of His kindness, He waits before sending His judgment on those who sin.
Question: What will be God's judgment on those who do not repent? (2:5, 8)
God's kindness toward sinners will not continue forever. One day those who have despised Him by continuing to do evil will experience His wrath and anger.
III. ACCORDING TO WHAT WE DO (Romans 2:6-10, 13)
Question: According to verse 6, what will God's judgment of people be based on?
The Bible makes it very clear that God is concerned about what we DO. He knows how easy it is for us to make promises about what we should do. He knows how easy it is for us to use our knowledge of the truth as a cover-up for not doing it. But His judgment will be on our actions, not on our empty promises.
When a man is campaigning for a political office, he usually tries to expose the evils of the party in power. Then he promises the people that he will remove all these evils if he is elected. If people believe and elect him, he has the chance to prove whether or not he meant what he said. Too often people find out that most of the promises have been empty. The knowledge of right, the exposure of the sins of others, the promises to do right—all these were used only to get into power. There was no real concern for the people, no action, no improvement.
God expects actions, not empty promises. In the day of judgment God will check to see what each one of us has done. He will not consider only what a person has said against evil, but He will look for what he has done to cooperate with Christ to remove the evil.
Question: According to this principle of God's judging us by our works, to whom will He give eternal life? (2:7)
God will give "eternal life" to those who patiently continue to do good. It is only through our relationship to Jesus Christ as our Savior that we will do good. This kind of life will be the result of walking in love and obedience to Christ. Eternal life is His life in us, His character being lived through our lives. Therefore, doing good is the evidence that a person has eternal life through Christ.
Question: What has God stored up for those who refuse to obey the truth and instead continue to do evil? (2:8, 9)
The evil in the life of any person shows that he does not love God, nor has he come to Jesus Christ for salvation. He may be a church member. He may even be a religious leader like some of these people. But his evil works show that his heart is rebellious against God and therefore he will be in trouble and distress.
God knows that we act according to what we really believe. Therefore, He will judge us according to our works. We need to check on ourselves to see if our works show that we have eternal life, that we are really walking in love and obedience to Christ. We need to be careful that we do not deceive ourselves through our pride and find ourselves facing God's wrath in the day of judgment.
IV. WITHOUT FAVORITISM (Romans 2:11)
Question: What principle about God's judgment does Paul give in verse 11? Why is this important?
One of the problems we face in our courts today is the unfairness of some of the judges. Some are ready to take bribes which pervert their judgment. Some are ready to help their friends escape the punishment which they deserve.
The Jews thought that their special relationship to God because of His covenant with Abraham, would make Him automatically forgive their sins even while He judged the sins of the Gentiles. They were like some today who have the idea that God will not judge the evil of those who belong to the Christian religion or a particular church, as severely as He judges the sins of pagans. Some condemn pagan tribes for their practice of premarital sex, while the same thing done by Christian young people is excused as a weakness. Revenge killing in pagan tribes is condemned, yet hatred and revenge among church members is tolerated.
But God is not partial. He is fair to all. He will judge evil wherever it is, inside or outside the church. Those who come to Him in repentance will be forgiven. Those who continue to do wrong will be punished.
V. ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGE RECEIVED (Romans 2:12-16)
The fifth principle is in verses 12-16. Because God is just, He will judge men according to the amount of knowledge which they have received.
Question: What will God use to judge the man who has the law of God, the Bible? (1:12)
The more a man knows of God's law, the more he will be responsible for obeying it. Therefore, it is a serious matter to be learning God's law without obeying it.
Question: Then is it better for a man not to know God's law? What is the situation of those who do not know God's Word? (2:12)
They will not be judged by the Bible which they do not know, but they will be condemned.
Question: Why will they be condemned according to verses 14-16?
God has given all men a conscience by which they know what is right and wrong. It may be a very limited knowledge of the truth as in some pagan tribes. But everyone has some knowledge. Therefore, God will judge pagans by their knowledge of right and wrong and what they have done about this. He will judge Jews and Christians by the standards which we know from the Bible.
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MEDITATION
God is just. He has promised to deal with all men fairly, according to the truth which they have received and according to their deeds.
Are we ready to face His judgment? As we think of this, here are some questions for us to consider. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to use them to search our hearts.
If the Holy Spirit has shown you some sin or rebellion in your heart, take it to God right now for forgiveness and cleansing.
God is just. He has promised to deal with all men fairly, according to the truth which they have received and according to their deeds.
Are we ready to face His judgment? As we think of this, here are some questions for us to consider. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to use them to search our hearts.
- Do I use the standards I have learned from the Bible to live by, or to condemn others?
- Do I make excuses for myself that I would not consider valid for others?
- Are there areas of my life where I am disobeying God?
- Do I deceive myself by saying that God has not punished me yet, therefore He will not do so in the future?
- Am I obeying all the truth I now know?
- Do I have any wrong motives that I am hiding?
If the Holy Spirit has shown you some sin or rebellion in your heart, take it to God right now for forgiveness and cleansing.
Source:
Foundations of Faith (Romans 1-7)
PCEP Adult Bible Studies 2
Foundations of Faith (Romans 1-7)
PCEP Adult Bible Studies 2