God’s Righteous Judgment (Romans 2)

1. Read: Romans 2:11 – “For there is no partiality with God.”

2. About the Text:

1) The book of Romans is about God’s righteousness.

2) In chapter one, we noticed God’s righteousness vs. man’s unrighteousness.

3) Paul continues to talk about God’s righteousness in judgment of man’s sins.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Toward everyone who judges (1-3).

1) After addressing the rebellious in chapter one, Paul addresses the self-righteous.

2) Many people self-justify by judging others, but then practice the same things (1-2).

3) God will judge them also (3).

2. Toward everyone who does not repent (4-5)

1) God’s goodness should lead to repentance, not to abuse of His goodness (4).

2) The impenitent heart is treasuring up wrath from God (5).

3. Toward everyone who is disobedient (6-11)

1) God will render to everyone according to their deeds (6).

2) Eternal life to those who do good patiently (7).

3) Wrath to those who are self-seeking and disobedient both Jew and Greek (8-9).

4) Glory, honor, and peace to those who do good, Jew and Greek (10).

5) There is no partiality with God (11).

4. God’s righteous judgment is impartial.

1) “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35).

2) “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear” (1 Peter 1:17).

5. God doesn’t play favorites.

1. He will judge both those who sin under the law and those who sin without the law (12-16).

1) Those who sin will be judged whether they are under the law or not (12).

2) It is not the hearers of the law who are justified, but the doers (13).

3) Even Gentiles who do the law will be justified (14-15).

4) They will be judged by Jesus Christ (16).

2. He will judge those who endorse Him publicly, but are inconsistent in practice (17-23).

1) Paul speaks specifically to the Jew who boasts in God (17-20).

2) But many who boast in God are not consistent with their boasting (22-23).

3) For this reason, God is blasphemed (24).

3. God’s righteous judgment is consistent.

1) “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” (Matthew 15:7-9).

2) “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).

4. God’s judgment is wholly consistent.

1. He will not judge based on appearance (25-27).

1) Those circumcised who break the law will be counted as uncircumcised (25).

2) Those uncircumcised who keep the law will be counted as circumcised (26).

3) The uncircumcised will even judge those who are circumcised but break the law (27).

2. He will judge the heart (28-29).

1) Being a “Jew” (i.e. a person who has a good relationship with God) is not about outward signs, but the inward heart (28).

2) Circumcision that counts for anything is of the heart not the flesh (29).

3. God’s righteous judgment is penetrating.

1) “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:12-13).

2) “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

4. God sees into our hearts.

1. God’s Righteous Judgment is . . .

1) Impartial

2) Consistent

3) Penetrating

2. Invitation