“A SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS” ROMANS 1:18-32 A NEED FOR GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS – MANKIND’S REBELLION AGAINST GOD

As we continue the marvelous letter of Romans, we endeavored to present Paul’s argument that the Gentiles were guilty and stood condemned on the basis that they spurned the natural revelation in creation that revealed the existence of God;  and through rejecting natural revelation that concluded God’s existence, the Gentiles rejected God Himself and exhibited unrestrained immoral behavior (Romans 1:18-32).  In chapter 2, Paul will now present his argument against the Jewish race, showing their need for the righteousness of God.  Paul will show that the Jews who had many advantages (Romans 9:4-5) and were acquainted with the Law (Romans 3:2), did no better with regard to keeping the Law.  As the Jews passed judgment on the Gentiles, they were really condemning themselves (2:1).

In verse 2, Paul declares that God’s judgment is according to truth; thus He will judge all men according to one standard – truth.  God will always judge correctly, for Abraham said – “Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?”  (Genesis 18:25).  According to verse 3, most Jews would look in disdain at the Gentiles and conclude that they were beyond hope because of the gross sins that they committed in chapter 1.  However, Paul knew that the Gentiles, as well as the Jews, needed God’s grace.  So, Paul pointed out the fact that if one rejects the truth of the gospel (Galatians 2:5), it is impossible to “escape the judgment of God.”

In verse 4, the “goodness of God” is a great motive for coming to repentance.  The goodness of God is expressed through God’s love; and to spurn His love is to despise the riches of His goodness and forbearance.”  The basic idea of repentance is to change one’s mind with a resultant change in one’s life.  It is God’s supreme desire “that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9) and to confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9).

According to verse 5, those who continue to exhibit a stubborn and unrepentant heart are treasuring God’s wrath and His wrath will unleash upon them on the “day of wrath” when God’s righteous judgment will be served.  Furthermore, in verse 6, whereas deeds are not the basis for one’s salvation, they do reveal a living faith to the world (James 2:20) and provide a standard for judgment and reward (I Corinthians 3:13; Revelation 20:12).  Whereas, good works can never secure our salvation, “patient continuance in well doing” is clear and ample evidence of our salvation (v. 7).  On the other hand, in verses 8 and 9, those who disregard the truth by living wickedly, will experience “tribulation and anguish.”  Those who reject the truth, whether he is Jew or Gentile, will be judged by God according to truth.  The truth of God’s word is revealed to all, for “there is no respect of persons with God” (verses 10-11).

Paul preached the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 1:16).  Although the Gentiles were not privileged in receiving the law as the Jews; however, the Gentiles who did not follow the light that they had in creation would still “perish without law.”  However, the Jews who had the law and did not keep the law, will be judged by the law they had received (v. 12).  We must remember that the purpose of the law was not to save but to identify sin (Romans 3:20; 7:7).  Those who lived under the law were never acquitted.  God could acquit no one who had broken it.  Only Jesus Christ can fully acquit a sinner!  The very law that many Jews maintained that they kept, only served to indict them (v. 13).  In closing, the divine standard by which all men will be judged is God’s truth – and His truth is fully revealed by His Son, Jesus Christ (vs. 14-16).