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God's Justice and Kindness
Romans 2:1-29
In the previous chapter we ended up with a list of behaviors that were totally depraved. Mankind, left to his own reasoning, moves further and further away from God and ultimately suppresses any knowledge of God, becomes a god unto himself, and acts in an entitled, selfish manner. This results in a whole list of sins given by Paul and results in Paul's statement that these people are worthy of death.
Allow me to list the downward progression of mankind without God
What can we get from this?
This is more or less where we left off at the end of Romans 1. Now we sense a real change in the Apostle Paul's focus.
In chapter 2 we are going to learn a lot about the Justice of God and about His great Kindness.
In this chapter it is almost as if we hear some Christians in the church at Rome saying, “Amen! Preach it brother Paul!”
Perhaps we too, shake our heads condemningly at such wickedness in the world. Though we may loudly denounce so much terrible behavior in the world, some of us are doing some of the same stuff at a personal level. Paul seems to expect that some of us are hypocrites. He says;
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. Ro 2:1 ¶
Keep in mind that Paul has never visited this church. He knows some of the members, because at the end of this book (or letter) he mentions them by name. He has mentioned what a good reputation this church has throughout Asia … and yet, he believes there are some hypocrites there. Does he actually know this for a fact, or is he merely thinking that every church has some?
Whatever the case, Paul is talking to hypocrites right now. In just a few verses he will change his focus and talk to another category of believers.
So what is he saying to the hypocrites?
“You are doing the same things as the people you are criticizing.”
What things did Paul say that the unbelievers were doing? They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. (Ro 1:29 - 31)
Unrighteousness and evil – Since he is addressing church people, we can imagine people who are hiding their actions. Perhaps in their 'thought life' they are having evil imaginations.
Envy … we have ways to hide that as well. Murder? Sometimes envy progresses to the point of hating someone. Jesus said that hatred is equal to murder1. Strife and deceit could be going on in church. Maliciousness is kind of strong. It means 'the desire to hurt'. Gossip … never happens in churches, right? Slanderers – is a cousin to gossip. “Did you hear what __A__ said to __B___ ?”
Guess what … A has now been slandered. Haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful … perhaps not to the same degree as one of these evil unbelievers that Paul talked about in chapter 1, but when it happens even to a lesser degree, … we know better! There is no excuse! Disobedient to parents … happens in Christian homes too. And the list goes on.
And so what is Paul saying about so-called Christians who denounce this wickedness out in the world, but in truth are doing the same stuff on a different level? He is saying that God is going to come down on the world in judgment on these wicked people ... (Ro 2:2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. ) … but that he will also not let it go in the church. We will not get away with it.
Ro 2:3 Do you suppose, O man — you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself — that you will escape the judgment of God?
Can you hear, “But wait! Are we not under God's grace? We know God is good and kind and long-suffering … and nothing has happened to me yet ...so what's the big deal?”
Paul suggests that such people are taking advantage of God's goodness … Ro 2:4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
God's goodness, gentleness and kindness … is God's way of encouraging us to come to Him and come clean, confessing our sin, asking for forgiveness.
But the opposite can also happen. That is, if we think we are getting away with something, we get calloused and bold and just keep right on in our selfish path. This next verse says that there will be a payday someday.
Ro 2:5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
That sounds down-right scary. Are we talking about phony Christians who are really not saved at all? Or are we talking about believers who have drifted away from Jesus … who will have to face up to this behavior on judgment day?
Well, doubtless there are those with whom we meet every Sunday, people who say the right words, people who praise the right way … who are not born again. People who have never come to the place where they admitted to God that they are sinners in need of forgiveness and salvation.
But when Paul talks about a future judgment in verse 5, he is not elaborating on any details. But Paul does expand on judgment day in II Corinthians.
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Paul uses the pronoun, 'We'. We, Christians must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. And WE will receive payment for what has been done by us, both for the good and for the evil.
There is a second judgment … the final judgment that takes place a thousand years later, but this one is not for us. It is described in Revelation 20
Re 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
We (all the believers from Adam to the rapture) will have already appeared at the judgment seat of Christ at this point.
Who then, is called to this second judgment?
In verses 6 – 11, if we did not know better, it looks like salvation is being based on our good works. Let's slip in something that Jesus said.
Matthew 7:16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Paul is writing to the church in Rome, a church that has a very far-reaching positive reputation. But as we read these words I get the distinct impression that Paul assumes (or knows) that some of the congregation are hypocrites. These hypocrites may be born again but back-slidden, carnal, and immature believers. Or they may be unsaved people who think they are saved just because they go to church.
At any rate, these words in verses 6 to 11 are very serious. If we say, “If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck … it's probably a duck.”, we can apply that right here. If he talks like an unbeliever and acts like an unbeliever … he probably is an unbeliever.
So if we see those who are patiently doing well and their lives reflect that they want to glorify God, and are living honorable lives, and their focus is on immortality … they are probably believers and will experience eternal life with God. If we see those, in the church or in the world who are 'self-seeking', not applying God's word to their daily lives, and their lives, interests, discussions, attitudes concerning the world, the choice of words that come out of their mouths, are not any different than an unbeliever, they are probably unbelievers … and as such will experience God's wrath and fury.
Ro 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law
Even though this verse sounds connected to what Paul has just previously said, it actually introduces a new thought or dimension to this whole topic of evil, degenerate, Truth-suppressing sinners and hypocrites in the church that basically do the same things. To make things much easier for us to relate to, let's change the word 'law' in the above verse, to the word 'bible'. He is saying that there are people who have sinned, but because they do not have a bible to explain just what it is that is sinful, God will judge them on that basis .. He will judge them without using the Bible against them. But there are people (the hypocrites in church) who do know the bible, they know what sin is … and God will judge them more harshly, using scriptures against them on the day of judgment.
Paul is now moving from the justice of God, to the kindness and mercy of God, but he is not quite done with the hypocrites.
Ro 2:13 for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;
As God looks down on us, He knows who are His. He knows every one by name who has called on His name for salvation. But Paul presents this in such a way as if God has to look down and inspect behaviour and make a judgment as to whether someone is saved or not. So he is saying, those whose lives demonstrate that they have not only heard many hours of sermons, heard hours of scripture taught (as no doubt many of the hypocrites had) but those whose lives show by their actions and service to God … that they are genuine believers - they are 'the justified ones'
Ro 2:14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the (bible) law, by nature do the things in the (bible) law, these, although not having the Bible, are a Bible to themselves, 15 who show the work of the Bible written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
These are marvelous verses. These verses address how God will deal with the millions of people who have not had access to His Word, have never heard about Jesus.
Have you ever wondered about the 'fairness' of God when it comes to the fate of whole language groups of heathen tribes who have never heard the gospel?
Are you familiar with scriptures like the following?
Acts 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
If these verses are comprehensive, all-inclusive … This would mean that since they have never heard the gospel, therefore they could not accept Jesus as their Saviour and so will be cast into hell when they die.
Verses like these cause us to conclude … the heathen are all lost without the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Again, have you ever wondered about the 'fairness' of God when it comes to the fate of whole language groups of heathen tribes who have never heard the gospel?
So now with these verses in mind let's take a closer look at what Paul is saying here in Romans.
Paul is referring to a gentile, who does not have a bible … by nature does the things contained in the Bible, shows that the bible is written on his heart. He is talking about gentiles who have seen the handiwork of God written in the sky. And Paul is saying if this gentile is not a believer in God there is enough evidence of God in creation for God to condemn him. But the reverse has to be true. If, as he examines the evidences of a creator, he comes to a firm belief in God, there is enough there to save him. If he now, by nature, believes he should not kill, not steal, not worship idols of stone and he believes he should do unto others as he would have them do unto him … he loves his neighbor … he loves God, how does God see him?
The answer to this comes a little later in our chapter.
First Paul goes on to talk about the Christians in Rome who are of Jewish birth and had been of Jewish religion prior to their having heard and obeyed the gospel. Someone with Jewish background could have come into Christianity but without letting go of their elitist attitude.
Paul gives a whole list of items that a former Jew might treasure, and which might cause him to feel superior.
Ro 2:17 ¶ Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?
You say Don't steal – but do you steal?
You say, Don't commit adultery – But do you commit adultery?
You make a lot of noise about the evils of idols … but do you make money because idolatry exists in your area? A modern day example … a Christian retail store owner really hates Halloween, but puts out the displays and makes a lot of money on the holiday.
Hypocrisy. Saying one thing but doing another. You say you believe the bible, but you are doing things that are unbiblical.
Ro 2:23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?
So as Paul speaks to the Roman church, speaks rather to the Jewish hypocrites in the church … he rightly assumes that they have not let go of the air of superiority that they had when they were still Jews. He refers to this old attitude as he quotes an old testament verse .. Ro 2:24 For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," as it is written.
The pride of being a Jew was huge. We think how terrible to hear about the wickedly superior attitude of the white slave owners of a hundred years ago. The black slaves were not even considered as people. That is what Jews thought about the gentiles. Many today still have an attitude of superiority. This is one of the things that galled Hitler to the extent of trying to eliminate them altogether. This in no way excuses Hitler and this is not saying that all Jews had a superiority attitude. But Paul, for some reason, really believes it exists in the Roman church. And with small wonder. Paul experienced a bad situation with the Apostle Peter one time.
Ga 2:11 ¶ ... When (Peter) Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to (Peter) Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?"
For us gentiles, in our current setting and culture it is difficult to grasp how in-grained this feeling of superiority really was. Paul had to fight it in every church. So as he writes to the Roman church, even though he has never been there, he assumes that this attitude must be held by some of them. Paul has personally witnessed that name and reputation of God is blasphemed because of what the world knows about church 'in-fighting'.
Paul refers to some Jewish facts and puts them into a proper light so that the christian Jews will get it. He talks about circumcision … It was a physical 'brand'. It showed that a man belonged to the people of God. But Paul explains … it only counts if you were a follower of God. He said that if a person was not a 'keeper of the law', he might as well be uncircumcised.
Ro 2:25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.
Now Paul turns it around and says that if an uncircumcised person follows the precepts of the bible (law) … (That is, he is a genuine believer and follower of God and his works show it), He says that his 'missing mark of ownership' will … not only be overlooked, but it will be considered that he has 'the mark of ownership'.
Ro 2:26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Ro 2:27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law.
We all have an invisible mark of ownership. It is called the seal of the Holy Spirit.
Eph 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Re 9:4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
Ro 2:28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
This chapter has clearly talked about the justice of God. God deals with sin. He deals with bold-faced God hating sinners and he deals with hypocrites in the church.
And the kindness of God is clearly seen in the special provision he makes for those who have not been told salvation's story. I think it is clear that it is not their fault that the have not heard the gospel. We know whose responsibility it is to go into all the world.
Are the heathen better off without sending missionaries then? No. Because even among the heathen, only a few will come to God on the basis of creation. Why is that? It is because of the sin nature.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned — every one — to his own way; ...
People here and people in the darkest primitive part of the world need to be persuaded of the gospel. Paul said it in 2Co 5:11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.
1Mt 5:21 ¶ "You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’
Mt 5:22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
1Jo 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
Allow me to list the downward progression of mankind without God
- Pride in their own wisdom and achievement
- Unthankful to God. (There is no need to thank God if man thinks he did it all)
- Suppress the knowledge of God. (Remove God totally, as much as possible)
- Enjoy your own passions_
- No longer experience 'restraint'
- Selfish passions escalate
- Become full-fledged enemies of the gospel.
- Experience the final wrath of God.
What can we get from this?
- Sin usually goes from bad to worse.
- All sin is not equal in the eyes of God. (this is true in the world of lost sinners as well, even though they are all going to hell.)
- Some people are 'normal' sinners in need of salvation.
- Some have pushed God out of their thinking to the extent that they are no longer under the call of the Holy Spirit.
This is more or less where we left off at the end of Romans 1. Now we sense a real change in the Apostle Paul's focus.
In chapter 2 we are going to learn a lot about the Justice of God and about His great Kindness.
In this chapter it is almost as if we hear some Christians in the church at Rome saying, “Amen! Preach it brother Paul!”
Perhaps we too, shake our heads condemningly at such wickedness in the world. Though we may loudly denounce so much terrible behavior in the world, some of us are doing some of the same stuff at a personal level. Paul seems to expect that some of us are hypocrites. He says;
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. Ro 2:1 ¶
Keep in mind that Paul has never visited this church. He knows some of the members, because at the end of this book (or letter) he mentions them by name. He has mentioned what a good reputation this church has throughout Asia … and yet, he believes there are some hypocrites there. Does he actually know this for a fact, or is he merely thinking that every church has some?
Whatever the case, Paul is talking to hypocrites right now. In just a few verses he will change his focus and talk to another category of believers.
So what is he saying to the hypocrites?
“You are doing the same things as the people you are criticizing.”
What things did Paul say that the unbelievers were doing? They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. (Ro 1:29 - 31)
Unrighteousness and evil – Since he is addressing church people, we can imagine people who are hiding their actions. Perhaps in their 'thought life' they are having evil imaginations.
Envy … we have ways to hide that as well. Murder? Sometimes envy progresses to the point of hating someone. Jesus said that hatred is equal to murder1. Strife and deceit could be going on in church. Maliciousness is kind of strong. It means 'the desire to hurt'. Gossip … never happens in churches, right? Slanderers – is a cousin to gossip. “Did you hear what __A__ said to __B___ ?”
Guess what … A has now been slandered. Haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful … perhaps not to the same degree as one of these evil unbelievers that Paul talked about in chapter 1, but when it happens even to a lesser degree, … we know better! There is no excuse! Disobedient to parents … happens in Christian homes too. And the list goes on.
And so what is Paul saying about so-called Christians who denounce this wickedness out in the world, but in truth are doing the same stuff on a different level? He is saying that God is going to come down on the world in judgment on these wicked people ... (Ro 2:2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. ) … but that he will also not let it go in the church. We will not get away with it.
Ro 2:3 Do you suppose, O man — you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself — that you will escape the judgment of God?
Can you hear, “But wait! Are we not under God's grace? We know God is good and kind and long-suffering … and nothing has happened to me yet ...so what's the big deal?”
Paul suggests that such people are taking advantage of God's goodness … Ro 2:4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
God's goodness, gentleness and kindness … is God's way of encouraging us to come to Him and come clean, confessing our sin, asking for forgiveness.
But the opposite can also happen. That is, if we think we are getting away with something, we get calloused and bold and just keep right on in our selfish path. This next verse says that there will be a payday someday.
Ro 2:5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
That sounds down-right scary. Are we talking about phony Christians who are really not saved at all? Or are we talking about believers who have drifted away from Jesus … who will have to face up to this behavior on judgment day?
Well, doubtless there are those with whom we meet every Sunday, people who say the right words, people who praise the right way … who are not born again. People who have never come to the place where they admitted to God that they are sinners in need of forgiveness and salvation.
But when Paul talks about a future judgment in verse 5, he is not elaborating on any details. But Paul does expand on judgment day in II Corinthians.
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Paul uses the pronoun, 'We'. We, Christians must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. And WE will receive payment for what has been done by us, both for the good and for the evil.
There is a second judgment … the final judgment that takes place a thousand years later, but this one is not for us. It is described in Revelation 20
Re 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
We (all the believers from Adam to the rapture) will have already appeared at the judgment seat of Christ at this point.
Who then, is called to this second judgment?
- all unbelievers from creation to the end time on earth as we know it.
- Believers who were born during the millennial reign and have come to faith in Christ during the millennial reign – but have missed the judgment seat of Christ.
This is called 'the Great White Throne Judgment'. This is where all the unbelievers of the ages are called up from Hades (hell), are judged according to their works and then are cast in the Lake of Fire to suffer the specific penalty that God feels is right for them.
And this is where the millennial believers (those who were born and accepted Christ during the thousand years) will receive their just rewards as well.
In verses 6 – 11, if we did not know better, it looks like salvation is being based on our good works. Let's slip in something that Jesus said.
Matthew 7:16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Paul is writing to the church in Rome, a church that has a very far-reaching positive reputation. But as we read these words I get the distinct impression that Paul assumes (or knows) that some of the congregation are hypocrites. These hypocrites may be born again but back-slidden, carnal, and immature believers. Or they may be unsaved people who think they are saved just because they go to church.
At any rate, these words in verses 6 to 11 are very serious. If we say, “If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck … it's probably a duck.”, we can apply that right here. If he talks like an unbeliever and acts like an unbeliever … he probably is an unbeliever.
So if we see those who are patiently doing well and their lives reflect that they want to glorify God, and are living honorable lives, and their focus is on immortality … they are probably believers and will experience eternal life with God. If we see those, in the church or in the world who are 'self-seeking', not applying God's word to their daily lives, and their lives, interests, discussions, attitudes concerning the world, the choice of words that come out of their mouths, are not any different than an unbeliever, they are probably unbelievers … and as such will experience God's wrath and fury.
Ro 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law
Even though this verse sounds connected to what Paul has just previously said, it actually introduces a new thought or dimension to this whole topic of evil, degenerate, Truth-suppressing sinners and hypocrites in the church that basically do the same things. To make things much easier for us to relate to, let's change the word 'law' in the above verse, to the word 'bible'. He is saying that there are people who have sinned, but because they do not have a bible to explain just what it is that is sinful, God will judge them on that basis .. He will judge them without using the Bible against them. But there are people (the hypocrites in church) who do know the bible, they know what sin is … and God will judge them more harshly, using scriptures against them on the day of judgment.
Paul is now moving from the justice of God, to the kindness and mercy of God, but he is not quite done with the hypocrites.
Ro 2:13 for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;
As God looks down on us, He knows who are His. He knows every one by name who has called on His name for salvation. But Paul presents this in such a way as if God has to look down and inspect behaviour and make a judgment as to whether someone is saved or not. So he is saying, those whose lives demonstrate that they have not only heard many hours of sermons, heard hours of scripture taught (as no doubt many of the hypocrites had) but those whose lives show by their actions and service to God … that they are genuine believers - they are 'the justified ones'
Ro 2:14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the (bible) law, by nature do the things in the (bible) law, these, although not having the Bible, are a Bible to themselves, 15 who show the work of the Bible written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
These are marvelous verses. These verses address how God will deal with the millions of people who have not had access to His Word, have never heard about Jesus.
Have you ever wondered about the 'fairness' of God when it comes to the fate of whole language groups of heathen tribes who have never heard the gospel?
Are you familiar with scriptures like the following?
Acts 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
If these verses are comprehensive, all-inclusive … This would mean that since they have never heard the gospel, therefore they could not accept Jesus as their Saviour and so will be cast into hell when they die.
Verses like these cause us to conclude … the heathen are all lost without the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Again, have you ever wondered about the 'fairness' of God when it comes to the fate of whole language groups of heathen tribes who have never heard the gospel?
So now with these verses in mind let's take a closer look at what Paul is saying here in Romans.
Paul is referring to a gentile, who does not have a bible … by nature does the things contained in the Bible, shows that the bible is written on his heart. He is talking about gentiles who have seen the handiwork of God written in the sky. And Paul is saying if this gentile is not a believer in God there is enough evidence of God in creation for God to condemn him. But the reverse has to be true. If, as he examines the evidences of a creator, he comes to a firm belief in God, there is enough there to save him. If he now, by nature, believes he should not kill, not steal, not worship idols of stone and he believes he should do unto others as he would have them do unto him … he loves his neighbor … he loves God, how does God see him?
The answer to this comes a little later in our chapter.
First Paul goes on to talk about the Christians in Rome who are of Jewish birth and had been of Jewish religion prior to their having heard and obeyed the gospel. Someone with Jewish background could have come into Christianity but without letting go of their elitist attitude.
Paul gives a whole list of items that a former Jew might treasure, and which might cause him to feel superior.
Ro 2:17 ¶ Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?
- We KNOW God's will
- We know what is best for us and others because we have the true bible
- We have 'insights' to share with the spiritually blind
- We are 'spiritual grownups' and know how to teach the less mature and the babies.
- We are highly educated and know bible truths backward and forward.
You say Don't steal – but do you steal?
You say, Don't commit adultery – But do you commit adultery?
You make a lot of noise about the evils of idols … but do you make money because idolatry exists in your area? A modern day example … a Christian retail store owner really hates Halloween, but puts out the displays and makes a lot of money on the holiday.
Hypocrisy. Saying one thing but doing another. You say you believe the bible, but you are doing things that are unbiblical.
Ro 2:23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?
So as Paul speaks to the Roman church, speaks rather to the Jewish hypocrites in the church … he rightly assumes that they have not let go of the air of superiority that they had when they were still Jews. He refers to this old attitude as he quotes an old testament verse .. Ro 2:24 For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," as it is written.
The pride of being a Jew was huge. We think how terrible to hear about the wickedly superior attitude of the white slave owners of a hundred years ago. The black slaves were not even considered as people. That is what Jews thought about the gentiles. Many today still have an attitude of superiority. This is one of the things that galled Hitler to the extent of trying to eliminate them altogether. This in no way excuses Hitler and this is not saying that all Jews had a superiority attitude. But Paul, for some reason, really believes it exists in the Roman church. And with small wonder. Paul experienced a bad situation with the Apostle Peter one time.
Ga 2:11 ¶ ... When (Peter) Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to (Peter) Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?"
For us gentiles, in our current setting and culture it is difficult to grasp how in-grained this feeling of superiority really was. Paul had to fight it in every church. So as he writes to the Roman church, even though he has never been there, he assumes that this attitude must be held by some of them. Paul has personally witnessed that name and reputation of God is blasphemed because of what the world knows about church 'in-fighting'.
Paul refers to some Jewish facts and puts them into a proper light so that the christian Jews will get it. He talks about circumcision … It was a physical 'brand'. It showed that a man belonged to the people of God. But Paul explains … it only counts if you were a follower of God. He said that if a person was not a 'keeper of the law', he might as well be uncircumcised.
Ro 2:25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.
Now Paul turns it around and says that if an uncircumcised person follows the precepts of the bible (law) … (That is, he is a genuine believer and follower of God and his works show it), He says that his 'missing mark of ownership' will … not only be overlooked, but it will be considered that he has 'the mark of ownership'.
Ro 2:26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Ro 2:27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law.
We all have an invisible mark of ownership. It is called the seal of the Holy Spirit.
Eph 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Re 9:4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
Ro 2:28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
This chapter has clearly talked about the justice of God. God deals with sin. He deals with bold-faced God hating sinners and he deals with hypocrites in the church.
And the kindness of God is clearly seen in the special provision he makes for those who have not been told salvation's story. I think it is clear that it is not their fault that the have not heard the gospel. We know whose responsibility it is to go into all the world.
Are the heathen better off without sending missionaries then? No. Because even among the heathen, only a few will come to God on the basis of creation. Why is that? It is because of the sin nature.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned — every one — to his own way; ...
People here and people in the darkest primitive part of the world need to be persuaded of the gospel. Paul said it in 2Co 5:11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.
1Mt 5:21 ¶ "You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’
Mt 5:22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
1Jo 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.