Romans 2:1-11
Keep this in context: Remember Paul is writing to Christians (both Jews and Gentiles) at the church in Rome.
Study Tip: Any time you see the word “therefore” it is connecting the current passage with something previously said so look and find what it is “there for.”
Verses 1-6 It would be easy for the church to read Chapter 1 with the “world” in mind. So in Chapter 2 Paul brings the concept closer to home for them. Church-going people often develop an air of superiority to the “God-hating world”. Paul corrects this erroneous view. The thing to grasp is all flesh (and I do mean all) suffers from the same sickness—sin. All flesh suffers from the same condition—our sin separates us from fellowship with our Creator. All flesh is traveling to the same destination—eternal torment.
Do you know this about your flesh? That it is sick with sin; that sin keeps you separated from a Holy God; and God is completely justified in throwing you into the pit of fire?
Verse 4 Paul asks a very important question. Have you ever wished God would just zap someone for his or her foolishness? God does not operate that way. Our God is long suffering. God explains this part of his personality when He passes by Moses on Mt. Sinai in Exodus 34:6-7. Look it up.
We must realize the purpose behind God’s long suffering—“to bring others toward repentance.” This is great news for our sin sick selves. A God that is completely justified in blotting us out of existence does not, to lead us toward repentance!
Verses 7-11 Paul continues showing the reward due to those who receive righteousness and pursue God’s glory and the punishment due those who are self-seeking and about their own glory.
Whose Glory are you interested in? Whose service do you busy yourself with? Do you concern yourself with things that will gain favor with man, self, or God?
