Romans Part 8

Romans Part 8 – Romans 2:12-16 Verse 12 • “As many as have sinned without the law shall also perish without law” – Gen 6:7, 1Sam 15:1-7. • “As many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law” – Num 15:32-35, 1Kings 11:1-13. • Verse 12 is to be tied to verse 16 because verses 13-15 is a parenthetical sentence. Verse 13-14 • “The hearers are not justified but the doers” – James 1:22-25, John 15:4 – Israel was given the Law, they were hearers, but if they did not do the law they would not be justified. • The Gentiles were not hearers of the law but they by nature could be doers of the law even if they had no laws. • This why they can be judged apart from the law because of their conscience. They knew right from wrong but chose wrong – Rom 1:18-21. • “doers of the law” – Our gospel is not found here. Paul is setting the stage to show our need for Grace because we are all sinners without excuse before God. • “Gentiles by nature do things contained in the law” – Even the Gentiles had morals/laws/order. • We often show the difference between Romans 4:5 and James 2:24 but Romans 2:13 and James 1:22-23 they are saying the same thing here. • James concludes you should keep the law – James 2:10-12. Paul concludes the law cannot justify and says we are not under it – Rom 3:20-22. Paul is writing about the Jews in time past and James was writing to Jews under the law. Verse 15 • “work of the law written in their hearts” – This is not to be confused with the new covenant – Jer 31:33. But it is the “work” of the law in their hearts. The law shows your sin. • “Conscience” – With knowledge, particularly knowledge between good and bad. • “accusing or excusing one another” – You accuse someone of wrong doing. You make excuses for wrong doing. Thus, showing your knowledge of right and wrong. Gentiles judging what is okay and what is not. Verse 16 • “in the day” – the day of judgment when men are judged by their deeds. • “by Jesus Christ” – Judgement is given to the son – John 5:22. This is the first time Jesus Christ is mentioned since Romans 1:16 again affirming that Paul is not explaining the gospel of grace in this passage. • “according to my gospel” - Paul’s gospel is different than the gospel of circumcision. Paul’s gospel condemns all as guilty before God with no difference between Jew or gentile and he will judge all men with no respect of persons – Rom 3:22-23. Romans 2 is a difficult passage and you will find most commentaries say that Paul is speaking of a hypothetical scenario and not realistic since he contradicts himself in the next chapter. I would say that Paul is speaking literally but of a different age than the age of grace. He saying there will be a day when all will be judge by their deeds but in the next chapter he will a plain that you can miss out on that day if you trust the gospel revealed to him and get saved in this age of grace - Rom 2:10, 13 vs Rom 5:1. If you have any questions: My email - [email protected]