Sermon Notes
Introduction
Paul has argued that the Jew who judges others has no excuse if he practices the same sins. He cannot escape God’s judgment by knowing the law, condemning sin, or teaching others. God’s kindness and patience should lead him to repentance, not to a hard heart. God will render to each one according to his works, giving glory and peace to those who do good, but wrath and distress to those who do evil. This judgment comes to the Jew first and also to the Greek, for God shows no partiality. Paul is making a case that all are guilty. Therefore, everyone needs the gospel of Christ.
1. Doers of the Law
How will God judge the Gentiles when they do not have the law? Paul anticipates this question. He explained that all who sinned without the law, the Gentiles, will perish without the law. The Jews who have the law will be judged by the law. Only the doers of the law will be justified.
Romans 2:12-13: For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
2. Law and Conscience
Paul asserts that the Gentiles, even though they were not given the Mosaic law, do what the law expects from them. The argument might be similar to God making Himself “known” to the Gentiles (1:19-20). God has put a law in the conscience of the Gentiles even without the law.
Romans 2:14-15: For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.
3. Judging the Secrets
According to Paul’s gospel, there is a day when God will judge the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. God will judge the Jew based on the Mosaic Law. God will judge the Gentiles based on their conscience. The secrets of men refer to the violation of the conscience in man, but it includes all deeds, even the hidden.
Romans 2:16: on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
Application
- Let us not be hearers only. It is not enough to know the word of God, read the word of God, or listen to the word of God. We must obey His word. Those who know His will but reject it will be judged by it. Therefore, let us repent, believe in Christ, and live as doers of the word.
- Let us listen to the witness of our conscience. It bears witness, and our thoughts accuse or excuse us before God. Therefore, let us repent and come to Christ, who alone can cleanse the guilty conscience.
- Let us remember that God will judge even the secrets of men. Nothing is hidden from Him, and Christ Jesus will be the Judge on that day. Therefore, let us repent, believe the gospel, and walk before God with a sincere heart. But God’s standard, who can pass?
Study Guide
- What will happen to those who sin without the law and to those who sin under the law? (Ro 2:12-13)
- What is written on the hearts of the Gentiles who do not have the law? (Ro 2:14-15)
- What will God judge by Christ Jesus on that day? (Ro 2:16)