ROMANS: The RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT of GOD

The righteous judgement of God  

Passage: Rom. 2:1-16

Structure:

a. 2:1-5, the day of God’s judgement

  b. 2:6, who will repay to everyone

    c. 2:7, patiently doing good

      d. 2:8, wickedness

      d’. 2:9, everyone who does evil

    c’. 2:10, everyone who does good

  b’. 2:11, there is no partiality with God

a’. 2:12-16, the day of God’s judgement   

Important terms and concepts:

Why suddenly, “out of the blue,” St. Paul shifts from third person plural (they, them) to second person singular (thou/you)? Later, the apostle will use first person plural (“we”, ch. 6:1 “are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?”). I think he does it to bring his listeners/readers into a conversation. His letter is not a “conference paper” nor it is a private correspondence between Paul and unknow “man” (2:1, 3). It is a “written sermon” that should’ve been read aloud in front of the whole congregation (cp. Rev. 1:3).   

Literature features:

We’ve noticed the pairs in the previous passage. Here we have a few more:

hardness and impatience of the heart (v.5).

those who are self-seeking/contentious and do not obey the truth (v. 8).

there will be wrath and fury (v. 8). 

Tribulation and distress (v. 9).

Jew and Greek (v. 9).

Also, we have some triplets: 

kindness, forbearance, and patience (v. 4).

Seeking glory, honor, and immortality (v. 7).

Glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good (v.10).

Two different meanings of the Law (v. 14): Gentiles had rules and regulations. What did not have is Torah – Teaching of God: holy, written, and inerrant Word of God. Yet even being outside of the Covenant, they do follow the commandments to some extent, creating their own law/order of things.

v. 14 forms a beautiful micro-chiasm:

a. Gentiles do not have Law

  b. do what the Law requires

  b’. a law to themselves

a’. Though they do not have the Law.     

Commentary:  

Three features of God’s character that should lead to repentance: kindness, forbearance, and patience.

These features are in juxtaposition with the hardness and impatience of the [human] heart. The qualities man acquired at the Garden.         

The judgement of God produces “mixed feelings” or conflicting thoughts in a Gentile mind and a lack of balance – sometimes there is too much accusation and sometimes they excuse whatever they do. 

St. Paul is so confidant in the Gospel that he calls it my, and this “my gospel” is the basis for God’s judgement over secrets of men by setting them up against the standard of Jesus Christ. This, actually, gives us a proper understanding of the faith-works/deeds relationship. If we’ll try to compare what we do with what Christ did – we have no hope. If we rely on restoration of our relationship with the Father because of Him – works of faith – His judgement/evaluation will lead to glory, honor, and peace (v. 10, cp. Phil. 4:7).                 

Book of Concord: 

2:6,10,13 – Apology (Ap.) V (III): 1, 249 – talk about misinterpretation of these verses attempting to establish salvation by works.

2:15 – LC, II:67 establishes the concept of the Law written in the hearts.