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.
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