Romans 2:1-16

2:1 | Using a favorite practice in his writing, Paul is “speaking” to an imaginary Jewish scholar who appreciated the indictment against the Gentiles in chapter 1. Religious moralists are indignant of their own. But judging others is evidence that they themselves might be judged (Matt. 7:1-5).

2:2-3 | Like a boy who makes a measuring stick his own height, declares to be equal to six feet, and then announces that he, too, is six feet tall, people fail when they invent a standard they apply to only themselves. God’s righteous standard for judgment. When people measure their own Christ-likeness against others, they use the wrong standard.

2:4-5 | Moralists have advantages in God’s goodness. His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering give them opportunity to repent.

2:8-9 | When people hypocritically and selfishly seek their own justification, the results are wrath (1 Thess. 1:8) – the consistent, purposeful response of God to unrighteousness; indignation – anger that rushes along vehemently; tribulation – extreme pressure; and anguish – a narrow place; confinement and constriction.

2:11-15 | God judges Jews and Gentiles alike – impartially and righteously – on the basis of their levels of understanding.

2:16 | The Day of Judgment will be in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel (Acts 17:31). It is foolish to pretend before God or try to get anything past Him (Eccl. 12:14).