KEEP IN MIND WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED; AND WHAT COMES NEXT:
1.the problem of righteousness: sin, 1:1-3:20.
1:1-17, Introduction; Laying a foundation for showing humanity’s desperate need for the Gospel.
1:18-3:20, First, with Scripture and logic, he builds an airtight case for the condemnation of all people before the Creator; Therefore, universal need for salvation is obvious.
1:18-32, In building this case, Paul begins with Gentiles and shows that righteousness is not to be found in their religion of paganism and idolatry.
2:1-3:8, Now Paul turns to the conceited Jews and shows they were no better than the Gentiles. He has shown how people without a direct revelation of God's Will can be lost; Now he will show how people who have a written Law from God are also in need of salvation. The Jews passed judgment on the Gentiles when they themselves were guilty of the same things.
a.Righteousness was not found in the revealed religion -- The Old Covenant which required sinless perfection. That Law they did not (could not) keep, and under it they were guilty.
b.In this section Paul overcomes their objections to this conclusion.
2:1-5, God judges according to truth.
2:6-10, And also according to works.
2:11-16, And He does this judging with impartiality.
2:17-29, Thus, even under the light of revelation, man still sinned and thus failed to reach perfection.
5.2:1-3:8, Some think the view that Chapter One is about the Gentile and Chapter Two is about the Jew is too simplistic, and that the early verses of Chapter Two are about the self-righteous moralist (whether Jew or Gentile). The entire section is difficult, so do your own study, and do it carefully. These notes follow the older view; SO, we say it seems that Paul now turns to the conceited Jews and shows they were no better than the Gentiles, in that righ-teousness was not found in the witten law which they did not keep and under which they were guilty. He has shown the Gentile to be without excuse; He now says the same about the Jew, and shows that neither of them can be saved by their own righteousness.
a.2:1-5, God judges according to truth.
A. EVEN THE "JUDGES" WILL BE JUDGED (1-11)
1. The inconsistent judge judges himself (1)
2:1, Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest DOESt the same things.
a.This does not condemn judging someone, unless the one doing the judging is guilty of the same offense. Paul judged in 1:29-31, but it was righteous judgment (see Mt 7:1 and Jn 7:24).
b.The Jew had God’s revealed truth, and violated it, so in his judgment of others he condemned himself. The Gentile did not live up to the light he had about God, and the Jew did not live up to the light he had from God.
c.The Jews had been favored by God, and they thought that meant He preferred them to others, and would never con-demn them no matter what they did.
d.They thought their descent from Abraham was all that was needed, without holiness of life - Compare Mt 3:7-9.
2:2, But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
(1) He points out that they are in danger of God's righteous judgment, who "will render to each one according to his deeds" (2-6)
a.Man’s judgment is faulty, fallible, because it is according to appearance (which may be deceiving); but God’s judgment is perfect and infallible because it is ACCORDING TO TRUTH.
b.He always knows what is right, knows all the facts (the motives and opportunities also), and can judge properly, according to the merits of each case - Heb 4:13.
2. The hypocritical judge is judged by truth (2)
2:3, And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and DOESt the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
3. The foolish judge reasons poorly (3)
a.Here is a warning; Paul was endeavoring to get the Jews (or any self-righteous people) to see their need for the gospel by convincing them that they too were sinners.
b.DOEST THE SAME: They were not going to be condemned for their judging of the Gentiles, but for their own sin.
c.Just telling others of their faults does not justify us from the same faults, so we had better search our own hearts before we sit in judgment on someone else’s sin.
d.The Jews had forgotten WHY they were chosen:
1)To show that the wages of sin is death (animal sacri-fices would be the demonstration of this).
2)To teach others of the coming of God’s Lamb.
2:4, Or DESPISESt thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God LEADEth thee to repentance?
4. The presumptuous judge treasures up wrath (4-11)
a.God had been rich in His goodness to the Jews by giving them ample time to repent.
b.One who spurns the goodness of God DESPISES it; That is, holds it in contempt -- And shows it by knowing what sin is, and yet continuing in it.
c.It is not God’s purpose just to give physical blessings, but through the blessings to lead to something greater by causing people to repent and gain spiritual blessings.
2:5, But after thy hardness and impenitent heart TREASURESt up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
a.Now the moralist judge is going to be judged, and it will lead to the stopping of his mouth (Rom 3:19), and hope-fully to his repentance.
b.HARDNESS: If God’s goodness is rejected long enough, one will become morally and spiritually insensible, untouchable, not responsive.
c.IMPENITENT: One’s heart can become so calloused and dark that there will be no place for repentance.
d.TREASUREST UP: Just as there can be a heaping up of the RICHES of God’s goodness (verse 4), so there can be an accumulation of an awesome measure of God’s anger as a consequence of ignoring His goodness.
e.AGAINST <in, ASV> THE DAY OF WRATH: There will then be a REVELATION, or disclosure, which will show God’s judgment to be absolutely RIGHTEOUS; THE DAY will pay out the full treasure of WRATH which the impenitent have accumulated.
f.This last day and its final judgment will clear up every-thing, answer every question and objection, and settle all doubts - Compare Jude 15.
g.Compare this verse with 2Pe 3:7, “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
b.2:6-10, God also judges according to works.
points out that they are in danger of God's righteous judgment, who
"will render to each one according to his deeds" (2-6).
2:6, Who will render to every man according to
a.EVERY MAN: Whether Jew or Gentile, none will be over-looked; In preparation for that day individuals can place themselves in either of two classes, now to be described; So we do not have to wait until the judgment to find what the final verdict will be in our own personal case.
b.DEEDS: The deeds (or works) of verses 7-10, all of which are up to personal choice. Just as fruit tells the kind of plant, so our lives identify us. Compare Pro 24:12.
c.The following verses show this judgment will not be ac-cording to the amount of good works we do (no merit on our part), but according to our character (which is demonstrated by the way of life we choose).
d.These verses will show that the Gentiles were lost, not because they did not have the written law the Jews had, but because they did not follow the moral law which was impressed in their hearts and consciences.
e.Note there is no middle road contemplated; Only two kinds of deeds, only two classes of people, only two destinies.
2:7, To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and HONOR and immortality, eternal life:
will offer either eternal life or wrath and indignation, given without partiality, and the decision is based on whether one does good or evil (7-11).
. This judgment will offer either eternal life or wrath and indignation, given without partiality, and the decision is based on whether one does good or evil (7-11).
a.PATIENT CONTINUANCE...SEEK: This has been called “stick-to-it-tiveness” -- It involves not being weary in well doing, as Paul teaches in Gal 6:9.
b.GLORY: Eternal joy and satisfaction with God in Heaven.
c.HONOR: Highest esteem, enjoyed with the Father.
d.IMMORTALITY <incorruption, ASV>: Eternal exemption from sin, impurity, and decay.
e.ETERNAL LIFE: Not just eternal existence, but a quality of life which is defined by the three preceding words.
2:8, But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
a.CONTENTIOUS: A proud, self-centered, arrogant spirit against truth. The Jews often exhibited this type of antagonism - Compare Ac 7:51; Rom 10:3.
b.DO NOT OBEY THE TRUTH: Salvation is conditional, and each one has a choice - Heb 5:9.
c.INDIGNATION AND WRATH: One who does not believe that God can express displeasure does not believe the Bible.
d.Thus we have set before us two masters (TRUTH and UN-RIGHTEOUSNESS); Which one do we choose to obey?
2:9, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
a.TRIBULATION AND ANGUISH: Affliction and distress produced by INDIGNATION AND WRATH - Compare Rev 6:15-17.
b.EVERY SOUL...JEW FIRST: Every person is responsible, but the Jews had been distinctly favored, and it is just and fair that responsibility be measured by ability plus opportunity (A + O=R). The Jew was first in privilege, so he is first in responsibility, guilt, and punishment.
2:10, But glory, HONOR, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
a.These blessings will come to those who, although not sinlessly perfect, have made a constant effort, an unwavering honest effort to walk in the light (1Jn 1:7).
b.Their attitude showed a love for truth and righteousness.
c.2:11-16, And God does this judging impartially.
2:11, For there is no respect of persons with God.
a.The Jews thought God held them in higher esteem than the Gentiles, because of (1) Their descent from Abraham, (2) Circumcision, and (3) Their legalistic adherence to a form of godliness.
b.They were wrong -- The ground of their hope has been cut from them, and they now should be able to see they are on the same level with the Gentile -- ALL are sinners.
c.And the judgment of God is absolutely righteous, just as has been indicated in verse 5. Compare Deu 10:17; Ac 10:34-36; Eph 6:9; Col 3:25; 1Pe 1:17.
2:12, For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
B. NOT HAVING A "WRITTEN" LAW DOES NOT EXEMPT FROM JUDGMENT (12-16)
To justify the condemnation of Gentiles who did not have a written Law
(like the Jews), Paul affirms that the Gentiles could "by nature do the
things contained in the law" and that their own consciences will bear
witness of their guilt on the day of judgment. In this way Paul
demonstrated the Gentiles' need of salvation (12-16). To justify the condemnation of Gentiles who did not have a written Law (like the Jews), Paul affirms that the Gentiles could "by nature do the things contained in the law" and that their own consciences will be a witness of their guilt on the day of judgment. In this way Paul demonstrated the Gentiles' need of salvation (12-16).
a.SINNED WITHOUT LAW: We have no record to indicate that the Gentiles had any written revelation -- They were WITHOUT the law the Jews were under (Deu 5:1-3,15; Mal 4:4), but they had to be under some law, else there could have been no sin - 1Jn 3:4; Rom 4:15.
b.So all of them who sinned will perish, but without being judged by a written law which they did not have.
c.They will be judged according to the system under which they lived; The character is the test in both cases.
e.SINNED IN THE LAW: The Jews lived under the Law of Moses, and will be JUDGED (the original word here means “con-demned”) according to that system; Today we are amenable to the Gospel of Christ (Mk 16:15), and will be judged by the words of Christ - Jn 12:48.
2:13, (For not the hearers of the law [are] just
before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
a.HEARERS: The Jews trusted in possession of the Law, and in being entertained by hearing it.
b.DOERS: They did not exemplify the Law in daily life, so they could not be justified by it - Compare Rom 3:20a.
c.JUSTIFIED: Perfect doing (obedience) was required for one to be justified, because Law cannot save -- Law can only call for obedience, and then assess the penalty for disobedience - Deu 27:26; 30:11-19; Gal 2:16; 3:10.
2:14, For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
5) How will God judge those who do not have a "written" law? (14-16)
- The law of their conscience will condemn them when God judges the
secrets of their hearts by Jesus Christ
6) Without a "written" Law, how did the Gentiles know the difference
- "by nature" (note the definition above); they are able to do the
things contained in the Law, for they have the "work of the Law"
written in their hearts
a.THE GENTILES, WHICH HAVE NOT THE LAW: They did not have the written Law of Moses (the context, see especially verses 17-18, suggests THE LAW here means the Law of Moses), but some of them came closer to being right before God than did the Jews.
b.DO BY NATURE: It is true that it is natural for human beings to be moral -- God made us that way (we are in His image), so there is within us a sense of right and wrong.
1)But it seems in this case that NATURE means what people do by custom, practice, habit - Compare Eph 2:3.
2)It cannot mean that the Gentiles were born with know-ledge of the Law, or that we now are born with an inherent understanding of God’s will -- If this were true, then why did the Jews have to have a revelation?
3)The only way one can know the Mind of God is for God to give a revelation - 1Co 2:9-13; Compare Jer 10:23.
4)We are not born with either sin or law in our hearts; We have to learn both, and what we decide to practice becomes what we DO BY NATURE (our custom or habit).
c.A LAW UNTO THEMSELVES: Obviously some truth had been revealed to the Gentiles, and it apparently was handed down by tradition (may not have been written, at least we have no record of such) - 1Jn 3:4; Rom 1:19-20; 4:15 -- There could be no “missing the mark” (what the word “sin” means) unless there was a mark to miss.
d.So the Gentiles were not required to keep the ceremonies and religious laws of the O.T., but they were required to have the same attitude toward God as the faithful Jews.
e.They stand or fall by the measure of light they had; In-sofar as their knowledge corresponded with right, and they acted accordingly, they were right.
2:15, Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
a.WORK OF THE LAW WRITTEN IN THEIR HEARTS: They had either received a revelation, or they had been exposed to the Law through their association with Jews; Then they in-clined their hearts in the direction of that which they learned, and practiced doing right.
b.Illustrate this by drawing a circle around the words “Gentile” and “Jew,” then draw a small circle around “Jew,” leaving the Gentiles to whatever revelation they had, but only the “Jew” under the Law of Moses.
c.THEIR CONSCIENCE ALSO BEARING WITNESS: Conscience is not a guide, but is a judge of our actions; Its judgment is according to our knowledge and belief. So conscience is not God speaking to us, but the person speaking to self. As the Gentiles had stayed near the light they had, their conscience correctly judged them as being right.
d.THEIR THOUGHTS THE MEAN WHILE ACCUSING OR ELSE EXCUSING ONE ANOTHER: Not one Gentile judging another, but one’s own reasonings operating back and forth between them-selves -- This is the action of conscience as it looks upon one’s life from every angle.
e.The words HEART, CONSCIENCE, THOUGHTS indicate the Gen-tiles had some revelation, and were therefore responsible to God for their conduct.
2:16, In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
a.This completes the thought which was interrupted by the parenthesis of verses 13-15, and shows that the moral law written on the heart causes everyone to know that the time is coming when an account will be given.
b.GOD SHALL JUDGE THE SECRETS: Perhaps this is the SECRETS of one’s heart as he has wrestled with himself about doing the will of God. This is as serious as it can be, for it is GOD Who will judge. See Ecc 12:14 (We will stand there completely exposed).
c.ACCORDING TO MY GOSPEL: Paul is not saying the gospel he preached (MY GOSPEL) is the rule or basis of judgment (this would create a problem with verses 12 and 14). But rather he is saying that the gospel teaches there will be a general judgment, each person to be judged by the reve-lation under which he lived. Compare John 5:22.
d.On verses 12-16 someone has noted man is responsible for:
1)What he knows - Lk 12:47-48.
2)What he could know - Jn 15:22-25; Rom 2:20 and context.
3)What he claims to know - Jn 9:39-41 (Compare the teach-er who says and blows, but does not really know -- God holds him accountable just the same - see Jas 3:1).
d.2:17-29, Thus, under the light of revelation, man still failed to reach perfection.
Lest the Jews think their having the Law frees them from condemnation, Paul proceeds to demonstrate that they too are in need of salvation. Though they have the Law, their failure to keep it perfectly caused them to dishonor God and blaspheme His Name (17-24).
A. THE JEWS CONDEMNED BY THEIR OWN LAW (17-24)
7) Why were the Jews in need of salvation? (21-24)
- Through inconsistency and disobedience to the Law, they dishonored
God
B. THE LIMITATION OF CIRCUMCISION (25-29)
(28-29)
law - when preceded by the definite article "the" (in the Greek) it
usually refers to the Law of Moses, otherwise it may refer to the
principle of law in general; there are exceptions, and the
context must determine
by nature - "a mode of feeling and acting which by long habit has
become nature" (THAYER)
conscience - that faculty of thought which makes moral judgments
(either excusing or condemning our actions); developed
through training
Lest the Jews think their having the Law frees them from condemnation,
Paul proceeds to demonstrate that they too are in need of salvation.
Though they have the Law, their failure to keep it perfectly caused
them to dishonor God and blaspheme His Name (17-24).
2:17, Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest
2:18, And knowest [his] will, and approvest
the things that are more excellent, being
a.THOU ART CALLED A JEW: But a mere name is nothing; The Jews were in need of the gospel, no matter what they were called, or how proud they might be of their name.
b.RESTEST IN THE LAW: They were not obeying the law, they just had it, and were relying on that possession to be enough. Rather than being ashamed because they had not used their blessings to the fullest, they were proud and arrogant in their knowledge of truth.
c.Christians! Here is a lesson for us: There is no profit in knowing truth if we do not constantly obey it and continue to grow in knowledge and usefulness.
2:19, And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are
2:20, An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
a.Paul agrees the Jews had all these privileges, but shows they therefore had great responsibility - Mt 7:1-8.
b.TRUTH IN THE LAW: They had opportunity through prophets to know Him Who is truth, but they rejected Him; Their sin was increased because they had written revelation.
2:21, Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost
a.The knowledge they pretended to have did not influence their lives. They boasted of the law and claimed to be teachers, but they were lightly regarded by the Gentiles because they were living just like the Gentiles.
b.Some students of history say the Jews hated idols, but loved money so much that they would sell items which had been stolen from a pagan temple.
c.They approved the better things because they had better light, yet they practiced evil, and these words charge them with doing so from corrupt hearts.
2:22, Thou that SAyEST a man should not com-
mit adultery, dost thou commit adultery?
thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
a.COMMIT SACRILEGE? <dost thou rob temples?, ASV>: SACRI-LEGE: An unholy act against holy things; It is to make common those things which are sacred - Eze 22:26.
b.The immorality and hypocrisy of verses 21-23 is seen in the words of Christ, “They say and do not” - Mt 23:2.
2:23, Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law DISHONOuREst
a.They talked of the excellence of the law, but their lives did more harm than their talking did good.
b.When people see and hear us, are they attracted to truth?
2:24, For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
a.The Jews did not live up to their own teaching; The Gentiles could see that, so they mocked God and His power, and all which is designed to draw people to Him.
b.AS IT IS WRITTEN: The reference may be to Isa 52:5. Paul does not quote it, but simply uses the wording of it to illustrate his point. Also see Ezek 36:22; 2Sa 12:14.
c.Any failure on our part to be what disciples of the Lord are taught to be is a hindrance to the spread of the gospel - See Mt 5:16.
COMPARE THE CHARGES:
GENTILES JEWS
Ungodliness (Sins Ungodliness (Sins against God), 1:21-23. against God), 2:22-23.
Intemperance (Sins Intemperance (Sins against self), 1:24-27. against self), 2:22.
Unrighteousness (Sins Unrighteousness (Sins against man) 1:21-32. against man), 2:21.
Introducing a
thought he will expand upon later in the epistle, he points out that a
true Jew is one who is circumcised in his heart, and not just in the
flesh (25-29).
2:25, For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made UNCIRCUMCISion.
a.Circumcision was PROFITABLE as a sign that the Jews were living a clean life, with sins cut off. The problem was they boasted of the sign, but did not live the life.
b.This made the fleshly operation of no value, and they would be as though they had not been circumcised, for ceremonies alone do not save; Circumcision profits only IF THOU KEEP THE LAW - Compare Gal 6:13.
2:26, Therefore if the UNCIRCUMCISED keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his UNCIRCUMCISion be counted for CIRcumcision?
a.KEEP THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW: This does not affirm that any Gentile had kept all the moral requirements.
b.But IF they were to live in harmony with God’s will they would be saved, just as the Jews would be saved on the same condition - verse 25; Compare Ac 10:1-2 (A Gentile).
c.The Gentiles had not been commanded to be circumcised, so there was no sin if it was not done.
d.Some say this teaches that if a person lives right, then his “unbaptism” shall be counted for baptism. But this cannot be made parallel to baptism, because ONLY the Jews were included in the circumcision order, whereas ALL peo-ple are included in the Great Commission - Mt 28:19.
2:27, And shall not UNCIRCUMCISion which is by nature, if it fulfilL the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
a.This seems to be a hypothetical question (IF IT FULFILL THE LAW).
b.Or perhaps it is not hypothetical; Maybe THE LAW is the Great Law, and the Gentile fulfilled it by faith, love, and obedience to the light he had.
c.JUDGE THEE: The Gentile’s life would condemn the Jew’s life by the contrast - Compare Heb 11:7.
2:28, For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
a.A JEW: The church is the ISRAEL of God - Gal 6:16, so in the best usage ISRAEL would mean “saved people of God;” and JEW would mean “saved person of God.”
b.The Jews as a corporate body rejected Christ, therefore rejected the law and circumcision. Because of their unbelief they ceased to be children of Abraham (that is, they ceased to be the saved people of God).
c.The Gentiles who accepted Christ and His spiritual cir-cumcision (see Col 2:11-12) thereby became children of Abraham by faith - Compare Phi 3:3.
2:29, But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.
a.HE IS A JEW: Here is the real Jew (the one who is praiseworthy - Compare verse 17; Gen 29:35; 49:8.
b.WHICH IS ONE INWARDLY: The true Jew (God’s saved person) is holy in life because he is holy in heart (See the O.T. teaching - Deu 10:16; 30:6; Jer 4:4; 9:26; Eze 44:7).
c.CIRCUMCISION IS THAT OF THE HEART, IN THE SPIRIT: The cutting away of stubbornness, evil desires, and sin; This spiritual change makes a spiritual Israelite, an imitator of Abraham, who desires only the praise of God, not man.
d.NOT IN THE LETTER: Not in mere outward compliance with a written law. A dangerous misinterpretation of this verse says we do not have to keep God’s commandments to the letter -- that we can just sort of “keep the spirit” of the thing commanded, and all will be well.
1)But the context shows THE LETTER to be the written O.T., and specifically it is the written command to the Jew to be circumcised.
2)The Bible is very clear that we must keep “to the letter” everything commanded of us, understanding of course that it must be from the heart - Rom 6:17-18.
e.PRAISE IS NOT OF MEN, BUT OF GOD: Man looks on the out-ward appearance; God looks on the heart (the “within”), and sees the poor in spirit and the pure in heart - 1Sa 16:7; 1Pe 3:3-4. Whose praise do WE seek?
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