Frameworks:
Romans 2
(The
objective of these ‘Frameworks' is to provide an easy-to-read
layout of the text in order then to use these individual verses
for verse-by-verse study or meditation. To focus each
verse we have also added in italic a description of what is happening)
[Additional
Notes: any regular reader of the Bible knows that there
are often footnotes at the bottom of pages explaining possible
variants of a few words in the occasional verse. The footnotes
also give references sometimes of the quotes from the Old Testament.
Paul being a Jewish scholar uses such quotes in increasing numbers
in some of these chapters. References to the ‘Septuagint' is in
respect of Greek translations of the Old Testament scrolls that
started to come into being a little under 300 years before Christ,
initially by seventy two scholars but added to as the years went
on. The reason for the Greek translation is that many Jews lived
outside Israel and historians suggest they came under such Greek
influence that they were more comfortable with Greek rather than
the original Hebrew. The Greek and Hebrew scriptures thus often
differed in small ways of interpretation and New Testament writers
often used the Greek words rather than the original Hebrew, hence
the differences]
CHAPTER
2
v.1-8
God's Righteous Judgment
v.9-16
Jew or Gentile distinctions may be irrelevant
v.17-29
The Jews of Rome and the Law
[Context:
Having pointed out the sinfulness of the world in the
second half of chapter 1, Paul now makes the point strongly that
God will judge all such wrongdoing (v.1-8). Because the church
in Rome would comprise both Jew and Gentile, he goes to some length
to point out that such judgement falls on all; it doesn't matter
your background (v.9-16). Jews may be particularly vulnerable
to self-deception (v.17-29)]
v.1-8
God's Righteous Judgment for all
v.1
(we tend to
look and blame others while excusing ourselves, but if we do the
same things we're just as guilty) 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.
v.2 (God
knows he truth about each one and judges accordingly) Now
we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is
based on truth.
v.3
(so if you do
the same things you too will be judged) 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?
v.4
(do you
ignore God not realizing He's trying to bring you to repentance)
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?
v.5
(if you do this
you'll have a painful time on Judgement Day) 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.
v.6
(the scriptures
say all are judged by what they've done ) God
“will repay each person according to what they have done.”
[Psa 62:12; Prov 24:12]
v.7
(the truly good
seeker of good will receive eternal life) To
those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality,
he will give eternal life.
v.8
(but the godless
self-centred will be judged) But
for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow
evil, there will be wrath and anger.
v.9-16
Jew or Gentile distinctions may be irrelevant
v.9,10 (it
doesn't matter whether it is Jew or Gentile, there will be judgment
on wrong) There will be trouble
and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the
Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone
who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
v.11
(God treats
all the same) For God does not
show favoritism.
v.12
(you don't need
the Law to know what is wrong) 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.
v.13
(if you have
the Law (Jew) obedience is the only acceptable criteria)
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.
v.14
(if Gentiles
doe the good of the Law without knowing the Law they reveal law
in themselves) (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.
v.15
(they reveal
the Law is in them, shown by their conscience) 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.)
v.16 (this
will all become clear on Judgement Day) This
will take place on the day when God judges people's secrets through
Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
v.17-29
The Jews of Rome and the Law
v.17
(You may think
being a Jew excuses you) Now
you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast
in God;
v.18 (perhaps
you think yourself superior because you know the Law) if
you know his will and approve of what is superior because you
are instructed by the law;
v.19,20
(perhaps you
think you can be a guide to those who don't have the Law) if
you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light
for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a
teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment
of knowledge and truth—
v.21
(but if you
seek to teach others, do you teach yourself?) you,
then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach
against stealing, do you steal?
v.22
(do you do what
you say they shouldn't do?) You
who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit
adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
v.23
(do you dishonour
the Law by breaking it?) You
who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
v.24 (just
like the scriptures warned) As
it is written: “God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because
of you.” [Isa 52:5 (see Septuagint); Ezek 36:20,22]
v.25 (it's
fine to be circumcised if you obey the Law but if you don't obey
it you might as well not be circumcised) Circumcision
has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you
have become as though you had not been circumcised.
v.26
(but if Gentiles
keep the Law it's as good as if they were circumcised) So
then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements,
will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?
v.27
(they will show
you up) 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.
v.28
(being Jewish
is not about externals) A person
is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely
outward and physical.
v.29
(being Jewish
is about having an obedient heart for God) 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.