All Need Salvation. Romans 2:1-29

1 All Need Salvation Romans 2:1-29

2 All Need Salvation Text: Romans 2:1-29, 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. 2. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 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? 4. Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 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; 6. Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7. To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: 8. But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath. 9. Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10. But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11. For there is no respect of persons with God. 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; 13. (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

3 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: 15. Which show 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;) 16. In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. 17. Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 18. And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19. And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness. 20. An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. 21. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22. Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, doest thou commit adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23. Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonorest thou God? 24. For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. 25. For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. 26. Therefore, if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? 27. And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge thee, who be the letter and circumcision doest transgress the law? 28. For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

4 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. Introduction: I. God is righteous, fair in his dealings with everybody, both Jews and Gentiles! A. All have sinned, fallen short of God s glory and God s requirements. B. All, therefore, stand condemned before God. II. Judgment will be by Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, and his word! A. The Jews retained no advantage because they were children of Abraham and had been given the law of Moses (which they did not keep). B. The Gentiles retained no disadvantage because they had not been the recipients of so full a revelation from God as had the Jews. Commentary: God s Righteous Judgment Romans 2:1, 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. I. Paul here declared that all people are without excuse for their condemned, lost condition.

5 A. In chapter one (verse 20) Paul had addressed this message to Gentiles. B. Paul now directs the same statement to the Jews. II. Jews condemned, judged others, but they did not themselves keep the law of God. A. The unconverted Jews thought of themselves as being righteous, more righteous than any other people. B. However, the unconverted Jews were guilty of the same sins they condemned in others. See Romans 2:28-32. C. Romans 1:28-32, And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. D. Men are self-condemned when they do what they condemn in others. Romans 2:2, But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. I. God judges, condemns according to truth all those who practice, commit evil.

6 A. Paul is here speaking of those who willfully live in rebellion against God. B. The standard of judgment is the truth, the word of God. 1. John 17:17, Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 2. John 12:48, He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. C. The privileged state claimed by the Jews did not negate the absolute necessity of their obeying from the heart God s truth. Romans 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? I. Do not think, Paul declared, that you who do what you condemn in others will escape God s judgment? II. There is no respect of persons with God! A. All are subject to the same standard, the word of God. B. God does not have one standard for them and a less strict one for us. 1. Matthew 3:8, 9, Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

7 2. God will settle with each man according to his deeds! (Barclay) Romans 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? I. Paul asked the unconverted Jews of Rome, A. Do you despise the riches of God s goodness, forebearance and longsuffering? 1. God s goodness toward Israel is documented throughout the Old Testament. 2. Despise means to disdain, look down upon. B. Don t you know that the goodness of God is designed to lead you to repentance? 1. In spite of all God did for the Jewish people, these things being done to lead Israel to righteousness, they obstinately refused to repent of their sins. Romans 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; I. By their arrogant, stubborn, hard and impenitent, unrepentant hearts,... A. God s goodness was designed to lead Israel to repentance. B. Israel s response to God s goodness was stubborn rebellion.

8 II. Unconverted Jews stored, treasured up for themselves wrath... A. 2 Corinthians 2:15, 16, For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savor of death unto death and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? B. Stored indicates saving up on a regular basis little by little, act by act. III. to be heaped on them in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. A. Scriptures: 1. Matthew 7:22, Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? 2. Matthew 11:22-24, But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. Romans 2:6, Who will render to every man according to his deeds: I. God will render to every person according to his works. A. Works:

9 1. 2 Corinthians 5:10, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2. James 2:24, Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 3. Titus 3:5, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; a. Humans cannot earn salvation. b. God s commands are to be obeyed. 4. Romans 1:5, By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 5. Romans 16:26, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 6. 1 Thessalonians 1:3, Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 7. Matthew 19:17, And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 8. Philippians 2:12, Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much

10 B. Faith: more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 9. Acts 2:40, And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 1. Romans 5:1, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2. Ephesians 2:8, 9, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. 3. James 2:17, Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. C. We are saved by works (doing God s will), not saved by works alone. We are saved by faith, but not by faith alone. We are saved by faith that leads us to do God s will! Romans 2:7, 8, To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath. I. Those who patiently continue in well doing seeking for glory, honor and incorruption will receive eternal life. A. God will reward the righteous! II. Inversely those who are factious and obey unrighteousness rather than the truth will receive wrath and indignation.

11 A. God will punish evildoers. 1. 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8, And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Romans 2:9, 10, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: I. God will afflict every soul of man that works evil with tribulation and anguish,... A. This will be true of the Jews first and also of the Greeks. II. God will reward every person who works that which is good with glory, honor and peace. A. This is true of the Jews first and also to the Greeks. Note 1: The Jews had been richly blessed of God and would receive priority in judgment, whether to salvation or condemnation. Note 2: 1 Peter 4:17, For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? Romans 2:11, For there is no respect of persons with God. I. There is no respect of persons with God.

12 A. Israelites are no longer God s chosen people! Neither are Americans nor any other ethnic, political, religious nor national group. B. Acts 10:34, 35, Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respector of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. II. What God expects of one he expects of all! Romans 2:12, 13, 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; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. I. All who have sinned without the law (of Moses) will die, perish without the law (of Moses); that is, Gentiles. A. Gentiles were lost, not because they did not have the law of Moses, but because of their sins. II. All who have sinned under the law (of Moses) will be judged, condemned by the law (of Moses). A. Jews were lost because they did not keep the law God had given them. Note: God s dealings will be fair and impartial even in regard to people of diverse backgrounds and circumstances. III. Not the hearers of the law (of Moses) will be justified before God, but the doers of the law (of Moses) will be justified.

13 A. Jews heard the law read every Sabbath in the synagogues. That alone would not save them. 1. It is not how many sermons you have heard, but by how much gospel you live. 2. James 1:22-25, But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. B. Justification comes to those who do God s commandments. Romans 2:14, 15, 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: Which show 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;) I. Gentiles who do by nature the things contained in the law, although they did not have the law, are a law unto themselves in that they do what their consciences dictate. A. Their consciences accuse them or excuse them. B. God s righteous judgment takes into account the light of truth men have been given. C. The heathens had an unwritten law of nature that made clear the basic tenants of right and wrong.

14 II. Both Jews and Gentiles had failed to live up to the laws of righteousness they had, either the law of Moses or the law of conscience. A. A new and better way was required! Romans 2:16, In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. I. The day has been set... II. When God will judge... III. the secrets of men... A. acts known only to the individual. B. thoughts known only to the individual. C. motives known only to the individual Note: God will also judge men on the basis of their conduct. Nothing escapes God s judgment. IV. according to Paul s gospel... A. That is, the gospel Paul preached and by which he was saved. B. That is the same as the gospel preached by all the apostles and New Testament writers and by which they also were saved. C. John 12:48, He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

15 V. by Jesus Christ. A. Christ is the judge. John 5:22, For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: B. Christ s word is the basis of judgment. John 12:48, He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. The Jews and the Law Romans 2:17-20, Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness. An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. I. Paul here addressed non-christian Jews who had an exceptionally high, exaggerated view of their standing before God. A. Bore the name of a Jew (from Judah, praise). B. Rested upon the law. C. Gloried in God. D. Knew God s will. E. Approved the things that were excellent. F. Had been instructed out of the law.

16 G. Had confidence that they were a guide to the spiritually blind. H. Regarded themselves as a light to them in spiritual darkness. I. Regarded themselves as correctors of the foolish. J. Regarded themselves as a teacher of babes. K. Thought of themselves as having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth. II. These non-christian Jews gloried in their self-righteousness. Note: The name Jew first appears in the Bible in 2 Kings 16:6, At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day. It may have been derived from Judah and was a highly respected, honored title. A. The above qualities were honorable if humbly cultivated. B. Scriptures: 1. 1 Corinthians 1:31, That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 2. Jeremiah 9:23, 24, Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

17 3. 2 Timothy 3:2, 5, For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blaspehemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Romans 2:21-24, Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, doest thou commit adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonorest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. I. Why don t you who teach others teach yourselves? II. Do you who preach that others should not steal yourselves steal? III. Do you who say a man should not commit adultery yourselves commit adultery? IV. You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? V. Do you who glory in the law dishonor God by disobeying the law. VI. The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you... A. even as it is written. 1. Matthew 21:13, And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of them that sold doves.

18 2. Jeremiah 5:7, 8, How shall I pardon thee for this? Thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots houses. They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour s wife. 3. Jeremiah 2:20, For of old time I have broken the yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot. 4. Malachi 3:8-10, Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse; for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 5. Isaiah 52:5, Now therefore, what have I here, saith the Lord, that my people is taken away for nought? They that rule over them make them to howl, saith the Lord; and my name continually every day is blasphemed. B. Paul brands these non-christian Jews of being rank hypocrites. Romans 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. I. If Jews were sincere doers of the law circumcision would for a fact have been beneficial.

19 II. If Jews transgressed the law circumcision would be of no value. A. Jews, if all else failed, relied strongly on circumcision as their proof of a favorable standing before God. Romans 2:26, Therefore, if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? I. In regard to uncircumcised Gentiles, if they keep God s law, their uncircumcision will not be a factor in regard to salvation. A. This must have infuriated non-christian rebellious sinful Jews! B. Galatians 4:16, Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? Romans 2:27, And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision doest transgress the law? I. Shall not righteous Gentiles (uncircumcised) judge unrighteous Jews (circumcised) who have transgressed the letter of the law? A. Matthew 12:41, The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and behold, a greater than Jonas is here. Romans 2:28, 29, For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 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.

20 I. Who is a true Jew, person of god? A. one who is God s person inwardly. B. one who has heart circumcision. C. one who serves God in the spirit, not simply in the letter of the law. II. A true Jew does not seek men s praise, but God s praise.

21 Questions Romans 2:1-29 1. God is, in his dealings with, both and. 2. All have, of God s and. All, therefore, stand before God. 3. What excuse did unrighteous Jews have for their lost condition? What excuse did unrighteous Gentiles have for their sins? 4. Jews condemned, judged others, but they did not keep God s commandments themselves. Do we ever do this kind of thing? Give examples. 5. When are people condemned? 6. What is the standard of judgment for all people?

22 7. There is no of with. God does not have one for them and a one for. 8. Do we despise the riches of God s goodness, forebearance and longsuffering? If so, how and when? 9. The of God was designed to lead people to. Did it work with the Jews? Does it work for us? 10. When and how has God s goodness been seen in your life? What long term effects did this have in your life? 11. God will render to every according to his. cannot God s are to be obeyed. 12. What kinds of works are there?

23 13. We are not saved by. We are not saved by. We are saved by that leads us to do. 14. Those who continue in seeking for, and will receive. 15. Those who are and will receive and. 16. God will every of that. God will every person who does that which is with, and. 17. There is no of with. Does God now have a chosen people? If so, who are they? 18. Those who have without the of will without the of ; that is,. Those who have under the of will be by the of ; that is, the. 19. Not the of the will be before God, but the of the will be justified. Of what law was Paul speaking in this passage? 20. Both and had failed to live up to the laws of they had, whether the of or the law of,.

24 21. How does the fact that your secrets will be judged by the all knowing God make you feel? 22. How did non-christian Jews view themselves? See Romans 2:17-20. 23. What did non-christian Jews do that showed them to be sinful hypocrites? See Romans 2:21-24. 24. How did the non-christian Jews cause the name of God to be blasphemed among the Gentiles? How may we cause the name of God to be blasphemed? 25. Many Jews thought they would be blessed because of their being circumcised and descendants of Abraham regardless of any sins they committed. What things may we in our practice equate with circumcision and being descendants of Abraham?

25 26. Who is and is not a true (Jew) person of God?