(Rom 2:1 NASB) Therefore you are without excuse, every man of you who passes judgment, for in that you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
Rom 2:1: In this chapter, Paul is showing that Elohim will judge those who judge others, but are doing those same sins themselves. Keep in mind that Paul is judging those he spoke of in chapter 1:25-32.
“…For you who judge practice the same things.” Paul is speaking of hypocrisy here. Paul is not saying that we should not stand up for righteousness. But if we do, we should not be involved in that same sin when we judge others.
Yeshua said this same thing (Matt. 7:1-5, John 7:24). We are not to judge others conduct if we too are involved in the same sin. That is the theme of this chapter, “hypocrisy.”
(Rom 2:2 NASB) And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.
Rom 2:2: The judgment of Elohim is according to “truth” or reality. He judges according to His Torah.
(Rom 2:3 NASB) And do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment upon those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?
Rom 2:3: Robert Govett has called attention to four ways that man can escape when he breaks man’s laws:
1. His offence will not be discovered.
2. He can flee beyond jurisdiction of the court.
3. After arrest, he may get off by some technicality.
4. After conviction, he may escape from prison.
None of these avenues of escape are open to man in regard to divine judgement.
1. Your offences will be discovered.
2. You cannot go beyond Elohim’s jurisdiction.
3. There are no legal technicalities.
4. You cannot escape Elohim’s “prison” of eternal damnation.
(Rom 2:4 NASB) Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
Rom 2:4: Elohim takes HIS time in judgement. He is long-suffering. We need to understand that this trait of long-suffering is what saved you and saved me. If Elohim doesn’t judge others quick enough to suit us, we should be thankful He doesn’t judge you or me quick enough to satisfy someone else.
(Rom 2:5 NASB) But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
Rom 2:5: We all really know that Elohim has been good to us. We just arrogantly refuse to acknowledge Him and what He has done for us.
Keep in mind that Paul is referring to those who are hypocritically judging others while they are practicing that same sin.
(Rom 2:6 NASB) who WILL RENDER TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:
Rom 2:6: Absolute justice is the criterion of the judgment or rewards. Man’s deeds will stand before the light of Elohim. No man in his right mind wants to be judged on that basis.
Paul is quoting the Tanakh (Psalm 62:12, Isaiah 3:10-11, Ezek. 18:30).
(Rom 2:7 NASB) to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;
(Rom 2:8 NASB) but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.
(Rom 2:9 NASB) There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek,
Rom 2:9: We will judged according to our deeds, whether they be good or they be bad. That is a fact of Scripture. Paul does not teach against this at all.
If sin rules in our lives we will be judged accordingly. If righteousness rules in our life, we will receive glory and honor and peace.
(Rom 2:10 NASB) but glory and honor and peace to every man who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
(Rom 2:11 NASB) For there is no partiality with God.
Rom 2:11: This is a great principle of the Torah (Deut. 10:17). Simon Peter discovered this when he went to the home of Cornelius (Acts 10:34). Elohim plays no favorites. He has no little favorites. Things like church membership, paying all your churchy offerings and governmental taxes, and being a good citizen mean nothing to Elohim. We need a Messiah. And when we come to know Him, we are to obey Him.
(Rom 2:12 NASB) For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law; and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law;
(Rom 2:13 NASB) for not the hearers of the Law are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.
Rom 2:13: Paul is being very straightforward in this letter to the Romans. Those that judge others and speak of Torah are not saved by Torah. They will be judged according to the Torah. We must not be hypocritical in judging others.
Paul tells us that the doers of the Law will be justified. If we are truly chosen, His Torah is written on our hearts and minds. Our desire is to obey His Torah.
(Rom 2:14 NASB) For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,
(Rom 2:15 NASB) in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
(Rom 2:16 NASB) on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
Rom 2:16: Why did Elohim give us a conscience? It says here that we have a natural law built into our souls that, if we never hear the Gospel (Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is at hand!), we will be judged by.
Some people think that since the heathen do not have the revelation of Elohim, they will escape judgement. The fact is, they are not living up to the light they have, their own conscience. Elohim will judge them on that basis and they will fail.
(Rom 2:17 NASB) But if you bear the name “Jew,” and rely upon the Law, and boast in God,
(Rom 2:18 NASB) and know His will, and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law,
Rom 2:18: For the Jew, the light of Elohim’s will created an added responsibility, which brought a greater condemnation as a people. Verses 17-20 list several advantages the Jew had over the Gentile.
(Rom 2:19 NASB) and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
(Rom 2:20 NASB) a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,
Rom 2:20: The Jews knew they had the Truth in Elohim’s Torah. They knew it was right and righteous.
But just because we have the Torah, does not mean that we follow it.
(Rom 2:21 NASB) you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one should not steal, do you steal?
(Rom 2:22 NASB) You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
(Rom 2:23 NASB) You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?
Rom 2:23: Paul mentions three common sins: theft, adultery, and not properly tithing.
For those to really know Torah and break it, they bring a great dishonor to Elohim.
(Rom 2:24 NASB) For “THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU,” just as it is written.
(Rom 2:25 NASB) For indeed circumcision is of value, if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
Rom 2:25: Circumcision is the badge of Torah. There was no merit in circumcision in and of itself if one does not follow the Torah. It is commanded for all who celebrate Passover to be circumcised. But for us to break Torah, brings disgrace to Torah whether we are circumcised or not.
That which should be sacred becomes profane when we break Elohim’s Law. We bring shame upon the name of Elohim when we sin (Isa. 52:5-6).
(Rom 2:26 NASB) If therefore the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
Rom 2:26: Circumcision is the badge of the one who follows the Torah of Elohim and is a son of Abraham. If an uncircumcised man follows the Torah in every other way, his uncircumcision is regarded more highly than a circumcised man in sin.
(Rom 2:27 NASB) And will not he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law?
Rom 2:27: If a man is not circumcised, but otherwise keeps the Law, he will judge those who have the Law, but do not keep it.
The point here is that Paul is saying that circumcision should stand for something. It should stand for righteousness. But instead, some of those circumcised in Rome were being hypocrites.
(Rom 2:28 NASB) For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
(Rom 2:29 NASB) But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
Rom 2:29: Torah already stated that circumcision should come from the heart (Deut. 10:16). We do not follow Torah or claim Torah out of pride or out of arrogance. Our hearts are to be circumcised to obedience, then we are truly His people. That is the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34, Ezek. 36:25-27)
Patrick McGuire
Copyright 2014 Patrick McGuire and Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly All rights reserved, no portion of this Lesson may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews. Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly Fort Smith, Arkansas