Looking at Romans 2,3 New Testament Exegesis

2 Introduction In 2:1-16 Paul turns from a general view of depraved Gentile society to the Roman church itself, to people who think themselves moral. In 2:1-16 Paul turns from a general view of depraved Gentile society to the Roman church itself, to people who think themselves moral. In 2:17-3:8 he examines the claims of self-confident Jews. In 2:17-3:8 he examines the claims of self-confident Jews. In 3:9-20 he considers the whole human race. In 3:9-20 he considers the whole human race.

New Testament Exegesis 3 1. God’s judgement is inescapable 2:1-4 2:1-4 Not all are described by chapter 1: what about moral people ? Not all are described by chapter 1: what about moral people ? The tendency to judge (diagnose versus lead to the cure) The tendency to judge (diagnose versus lead to the cure) The hypocrisy of the double standard The hypocrisy of the double standard The appeal to God’s character The appeal to God’s character God’s kindness leads to METANOIA God’s kindness leads to METANOIA METANOIA = True RepentanceMETANOIA = True Repentance

New Testament Exegesis 4 2. God’s judgement is righteous 2:5-11 2:5-11 Refusal to repent makes judgement more inescapable Refusal to repent makes judgement more inescapable Even though justification is by faith, judgement is by works Even though justification is by faith, judgement is by works Judgement is public Judgement is public Trouble, distress…or glory and peace? Trouble, distress…or glory and peace?

New Testament Exegesis 5 3.God’s judgement is impartial 2: :12-16 No favouritism between Jew and Gentile No favouritism between Jew and Gentile The requirements of the law are written on human hearts The requirements of the law are written on human hearts Judged according to the light received Judged according to the light received

New Testament Exegesis 6 God’s judgement and law The law is a basis of judgement The law is a basis of judgement The law is a basis of Christian mission! The law is a basis of Christian mission! In evangelism, their conscience is on your side… you can bypass the intellect and arguments and activate the truth they already know In evangelism, their conscience is on your side… you can bypass the intellect and arguments and activate the truth they already know Every society has its codes of ethics. Every society has its codes of ethics.

New Testament Exegesis 7 What about the claims of moral Jews? The LAW (2:17-24) The LAW (2:17-24) CIRCUMCISION (2:25-29) CIRCUMCISION (2:25-29) Jewish objections (3:1-8) Jewish objections (3:1-8) (Is Paul thinking of his own unconverted ideas as a Pharisee?) (Is Paul thinking of his own unconverted ideas as a Pharisee?) “This undermines the covenant”“This undermines the covenant” “This nullifies God’s faithfulness”“This nullifies God’s faithfulness” “This impugns God’s justice”“This impugns God’s justice”

New Testament Exegesis 8 The whole human race 3:9-20 3:9-20 The unrighteousness of the world The unrighteousness of the world The hypocrisy of moralists The hypocrisy of moralists The false confidence of Jews The false confidence of Jews Now…”Are we any better?” Now…”Are we any better?” Paul personifies Sin - a tyrant Paul personifies Sin - a tyrant

New Testament Exegesis 9 “The scriptures bear witness…” Seven OT quotations Seven OT quotations The ungodliness of sin The ungodliness of sin The pervasiveness of sin The pervasiveness of sin The universality of sin The universality of sin V19 The defendant is speechless against the weight of evidence V19 The defendant is speechless against the weight of evidence

New Testament Exegesis 10 Works of the law? E.P.Sanders/ JDG Dunn’s “new perspective”: the ritual law as a boundary? E.P.Sanders/ JDG Dunn’s “new perspective”: the ritual law as a boundary? Ziesler’s alternative: “ popular perversion of the law”? Ziesler’s alternative: “ popular perversion of the law”? Luther’s thesis (Stott): any kind of self-salvation through works Luther’s thesis (Stott): any kind of self-salvation through works

New Testament Exegesis 11 Luther “The principal point of the law…is to make men not better but worse; that is to say: it sheweth unto them their sin, that by the knowledge thereof they may be humbled, terrified, bruised and broken, and by this means may be driven to seek grace and so come to that Blessed Seed.” “The principal point of the law…is to make men not better but worse; that is to say: it sheweth unto them their sin, that by the knowledge thereof they may be humbled, terrified, bruised and broken, and by this means may be driven to seek grace and so come to that Blessed Seed.”

The Law is known by the conscience… New Testament Exegesis 12 Wake-Up Call – from Click to start