DOCTRINAL 2:12 - 5-11
- 1:16-5:11 Sins, Old Nature, Results
- 5:12-8:39 Sins, Old Nature, Itself
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS GROUP OF VERSES/CHAPTER
1) To see how people without a direct revelation of God's Will can
still be lost
2) To see how people who may have a written Law from God are also in
need of salvation
SUMMARY
Having vividly depicted the condition of the Gentile world in chapter
one, Paul now addresses his comments to those who pass judgment on
others when they themselves are guilty of the same things (1). He
points out that they are in danger of God's righteous judgment, who
"will render to each one according to his deeds" (2-6). This judgment
will offer either eternal life or wrath and indignation, given without
partiality, and the decision is based on whether one does good or evil
(7-11).
To justify the condemnation of Gentiles who did not have a written Law
(like the Jews), Paul affirms that the Gentiles could "by nature do the
things contained in the law" and that their own consciences will bear
witness of their guilt on the day of judgment. In this way Paul
demonstrated the Gentiles' need of salvation (12-16).
Lest the Jews think their having the Law frees them from condemnation,
Paul proceeds to demonstrate that they too are in need of salvation.
Though they have the Law, their failure to keep it perfectly caused
them to dishonor God and blaspheme His Name (17-24). Introducing a
thought he will expand upon later in the epistle, he points out that a
true Jew is one who is circumcised in his heart, and not just in the
flesh (25-29).
OUTLINE
2:12-5:11 The Power And Righteousness of God Revealed
2:2-11 Jew and Gentile Guilty Before God
A. EVEN THE "JUDGES" WILL BE JUDGED (1-11)
1. The inconsistent judge judges himself (1)
2. The hypocritical judge is judged by truth (2)
3. The foolish judge reasons poorly (3)
4. The presumptuous judge treasures up wrath (4-11)
2:12 The case of the Jew and Gentile
- Those who sin will still perish (12)
2: 13-16 General reasons
- The Gentiles DO have a law (13-15)
- Jesus Christ will judge accordingly (16)
22:17-27 The case of the Jew
A. THE JEWS CONDEMNED BY THEIR OWN LAW (17-24)
1. The Jewish self-portrait (17-20)
2. The Jewish inconsistency and dishonor of God (21-24)
2:28-29 General reflection
1. Voided by transgressing the Law (25-27)
2. The true Jew is one circumcised in the heart, in the Spirit (28-29)
