By Robert Olsen, Ph.D.
Professor of Historical Theology and Director of Intercultural Studies, University of Mobile
COMING JUDGMENT
Romans 2:1–13
No Excuses (1–5)
Paul begins chapter 2 by emphasizing that we need to be more concerned about our own sins than about judging others. This mirrors Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7 in the Sermon on the Mount. It is easy for Christians to be self-righteous and look at others’ sins while ignoring our own. We need to be guided by the Holy Spirit and have sound Christian friends who can help point out sins in our lives.
This is often distorted today by Christians being told they are not allowed to judge others and their behavior. We have to remember that the Bible is full of judgments that we need to keep in mind.
For example, the Bible clearly lays out what acts are sinful. When we tell others what the Bible says in these instances, it is God judging, not us. We are merely stating what Scripture says. The difficulty Christians have is that they take personal convictions and try to put them on other Christians.
The Pharisees did not want to break the law of Moses, and so they added elements to the law to guard against it. Christians need to be careful not to add to what the Bible says.
From what Bible version to use to what clothes to wear to what songs to sing, Christians need to distinguish between biblical teaching and personal preference.
Perfect Standard (6–11)
God is going to judge each person according to their deeds. This is not works-based salvation, however. Christians are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8–9), and Paul emphasizes this throughout the rest of the Book of Romans.
Christians are the ones who, because of their salvation, do works that please God. A demonstration of our salvation leads to works that glorify God, not ourselves.
Those who are not saved do works that do not glorify God; they are self-seeking. The purpose of this passage is two-fold. First, it should motivate us to do good works that bring glory to God and not ourselves.
Second, it reminds us that those who are living for themselves need the gospel so that they do not receive God’s wrath.
One Way (12–13)
There is only one way to be made right with God, and that is through Jesus Christ. Paul emphasizes that while the Jews have the law, it does not save them, and for Gentiles without the law, their actions condemn them.
In both cases, Christ is the solution. Some Christians believe that the purpose of the law in the Old Testament was to provide a works-based salvation and that if people could follow the law, they would be saved. But Paul denies this. (See especially Gal. 3:21–24.) The law was never meant to save.
Rather, it brings awareness of our sin so that we realize the need for a savior, who is Christ. It is by belief in Christ that we are saved — grace through faith. (See Eph. 2:8–9.) This is of utmost importance.
Since we can only be saved through Christ, the gospel needs to be preached to everyone everywhere. Some Christians believe that God will reach people from other nations apart from hearing the gospel. This is not what the Bible teaches. In fact, the drive for missions comes from this realization. The gospel needs to be preached to the man on the deserted island just as much as it needs to be preached to your neighbor in the U.S.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
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