Romans Chapter 2
I feel like I should give you a warning - and that is that the writings of Paul can be a bit more challenging to follow. At least they are difficult for me. But I would encourage you not to give up because there are so many beautiful truths that the Holy Spirit wants us to learn. You may need to read a chapter more than once; and might I suggest reading it out loud can help as well. I also would encourage you to let me know if there is anything that I write that you feel is contrary to the truth!
Paul in the first chapter addressed all those who were living in sin having rejected God. In this chapter he addresses all those who believe they are morally good people and particularly those who think that they are better than those described previously. In and of itself this is not a problem since the immorality of mankind needs to be pointed out so that others can avoid the pitfalls of sin. But these people that Paul is addressing in chapter 2 believe themselves to be good people and better than the others, yet they commit the same sins.
Let's Reflect
1. What is the first rhetorical question that Paul puts forth to the person who thinks he is a good person, yet commits the same sins that the obvious sinner commits?
2. Paul asks a second rhetorical question regarding the person who is sinning and judging others, who might think that they fall into a special category, that because they are “a good person” that they will have a complete pardon from the wrath of God. This person believes that the great mercy and kindness and forbearance (patience with our sinful ways) will be extended to them because they are in that special category. What does Paul say that the kindness of God is meant to do? What is the only way that a sinner can be forgiven?
3. What is it that the person who thinks they are a good person, what will they discover on the day of judgement?
4. Verses 6-11 speaks of the fairness of God in His judgement. Paul says that if a person is always morally good – God will grant him eternal life. But the problem is there is no person who does good all the time, at some point they are self-seeking (prideful) and they will sin. This truth is expressed so well in Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. God is no respecter of persons; He judges all fairly. It doesn’t matter who was first in line to receive God’s favor. They may be the same people who are first in line to receive God’s wrath. What nationality of people groups did Paul mention that will be judged equally?
5. The Jews had a reputation of thinking that they were better than others because they had received the Old Testament laws. Paul said it would be by those laws that God would do what? A phenomenon that the Jews could not comprehend was that the Gentiles or Greeks could be good people since they did not have the laws of God. Paul explained that just hearing the law was not what made them good, they needed to obey it.
6. What did God give to every man, woman and child that will help them know when they are disobeying God?
7. Paul goes on to describe the life of those who think they are in the category of being good people, but they truly are hypocrites. What does Paul say is the consequence of the “good person” (Jewish) being a hypocrite? See verse 24.
8. In verses 25-29 Paul reminds them that just because they are a Jew that is circumcised, their circumcision has no merit with God when they sin before God. What does God judge according to verse 29?
Devotionals
