1. Romans 2
Hypocrites!!

2. [T]hat which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:19-20)

3. The Effects
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.
Romans 1

4. The Effects
29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;
Romans 1

5. The Effects
31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Romans 1

6. The Effects
31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Two groups in the Roman Church:
Wild partying pagans
Good, moral people (Jews and non-Jews)
Romans 1

7. The Effects
31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Two groups in the Roman Church:
Wild partying pagans
Good, moral people (Jews and non-Jews)
Romans 1

8. The Effects
31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Two groups in the Roman Church:
Wild partying pagans
Good, moral people (Jews and non-Jews)
Romans 1

9. The Effects
31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Two groups in the Roman Church:
Wild partying pagans
Good, moral people (Jews and non-Jews)
Romans 1

10. The Effects
31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Two groups in the Roman Church:
Wild partying pagans
Good, moral people (Jews and non-Jews)
Romans 1

11. 1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
Romans 2

12. 1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
What?? I’m a GOOD PERSON
Romans 2

13. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
Romans 2

14. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
James 2:10 – For whoever keeps the whole Law and yet stumbles in one point has become guilty of all.
God’s standard is absolute
Romans 2

15. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
James 2:10 – For whoever keeps the whole Law and yet stumbles in one point has become guilty of all.
God’s standard is absolute
But is that fair?
Romans 2

16. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
What are the alternatives?
No standard?
Romans 2

17. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
What are the alternatives?
No standard?
Arbitrary cutoff?
Romans 2

18. Romans 2
Man’s perspective

19. Romans 2
Man’s perspective
5,000,000
100,000,000

20. Romans 2
Man’s perspective
4,999,999
5,000,000

21. Romans 2
Man’s perspective
4,999,999
5,000,000

22. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
What are the alternatives?
No standard?
Arbitrary cutoff?
Good vs. bad?
Romans 2

23. Romans 2
Man’s perspective
BAD
GOOD

24. Romans 2
Man’s perspective
anger
selfishness
cheating
BAD
GOOD
lying

25. Romans 2 Man’s perspective anger selfishness lying love kindness
sacrifice
giving
honesty
integrity
altruism
trustworthiness
care
fairness
patience
cheating
BAD
GOOD

26. Romans 2
God’s perspective
BAD
GOOD

27. Romans 2 God’s perspective BAD GOOD love kindness sacrifice giving
honesty
integrity
altruism
trustworthiness
care
fairness
patience

28. Romans 2 God’s perspective patience fairness care trustworthiness
altruism
integrity
honesty
giving
sacrifice
kindness
love
BAD
GOOD
selfishness

29. Romans 2 God’s perspective conceit fraudulence idolatry arrogance
prejudice
negligence
envy
God’s perspective
ruthlessness
patience
exploitation
fairness
self-pity
injustice
care
trustworthiness
dishonesty
betrayal
altruism
integrity
honesty
discord
self-indulgence
giving
gossip
cheating
greed
sacrifice
carnality
anger
kindness
laziness
deception
slander
omission
love
contempt
hatred
lying
lust
self-obsession
BAD
GOOD
drunkenness
selfishness
selfishness
violence
hypocrisy
ignoring God
pride
blame shifting
jealousy
using people
swindling
dissension
rebellion

30. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
Romans 2

31. 1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
This verse is speaking against self-righteous judgment –
The judgment that holds another in contempt
Romans 2

32. 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
God does not want to judge…
Romans 2

33. 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
God does not want to judge…
John 3:17 – For God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world but to save the world through him.
Romans 2

34. 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”
God does not want to judge…but he is willing to
Romans 2

35. 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
This is not salvation by works
Titus 3:5 – God saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to his mercy.
Romans 2

36. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.
The tables have turned!
Romans 2

37. Self-righteous Hypocrisy A big turn-off from Christianity
Are you sure you’re immune?
Cornelius Plantinga Jr. “ we put other people on a tight moral budget while making plenty of allowances for ourselves . . .” Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be, Page 3

38. Self-righteous Hypocrisy
Do you ever find it easier to talk about other people’s problems than your own?
Do you ever try to cover up your mistakes or sins?
Do you get defensive when people point out your problems?
Do you have the fear, “If people just knew…”?

39. 12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law
Romans 1:20 – They are without excuse
- People are not held responsible for what they don’t know
- But God will hold them responsible for rejecting what they do know
Romans 2

40. 12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.
Religious commitment isn’t enough either
Romans 2

41. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law.
Romans 2

42. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)
Romans 2

43. 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
So it’s not just someone’s actions, but their very thoughts will be judged
Romans 2

44. 17 But if you bear the name “Jew”;
Romans 2

45. 17 But if you bear the name “Jew”; if you rely on the law and boast in God; 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;
Romans 2

46. 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—
You see the arrogance inherent in this view
Romans 2

47. 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself
21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?
Romans 2

48. 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
Who are you worried about?
And which standard are you using?
Romans 2

49. Jesus’ standard: Matt 5:21-22 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister, will be subject to judgment.”

50. Jesus’ standard: Matt 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

51. Today’s standard: You say racism is wrong. Correct
Today’s standard: You say racism is wrong. Correct! But have you ever made a snap judgment about someone based on their appearance? You say people are selfish. Correct! But what about the time you didn’t serve your roommate? You are saying stealing is wrong. Correct! But what about that shirt you ‘borrowed’?

52. 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law
23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
Romans 2

53. 25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?
Romans 2

54. 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
Romans 2

55. 28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
Romans 2

56. This doesn’t sound like good news What about 2:4 – God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
Not all kindness feels good
Romans 2

57. This doesn’t sound like good news What about 2:4 – God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
Not all kindness feels good
Romans 2

58. This doesn’t sound like good news What about 2:4 – God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
Not all kindness feels good
Romans 2

59. William Newell, Romans Verse-by-Verse (Kregel Publications, 1994), p55
William R Newell
Christian Author
William Newell, Romans Verse-by-Verse (Kregel Publications, 1994), p55
[Paul] is seeking to [awaken] all men from that sense of security arising from self-love and self-flattery.

60. William Newell, Romans Verse-by-Verse (Kregel Publications, 1994), p55
William R Newell
Christian Author
William Newell, Romans Verse-by-Verse (Kregel Publications, 1994), p55
Of course, this whole second chapter…is meant by God, whose name is Love,
to drive us out of our false notions of Himself and His judicial procedure
into the arms of our Redeemer, Christ.

61. Romans 2 And so from that perspective this is the best news ever.
No more need to pretend, even to yourself
No more need to defend yourself
No more need to put others down to feel better about yourself
You can show grace to anyone
Romans 2

62. Application Have you messed up really badly?
You can be saved by grace!
Have you been a pretty good person?
Phil 3:6 – “As for righteousness based on law I was perfect.”
1 Tim 1:15 – “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am the worst.”

63. Conclusions There is no one who is good enough for God
God tells us this because he loves us, so that we can be saved by grace
Romans 1:17 – This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight.
This is accomplished from start to finish by faith.