Romans 2

** This post represents my summary and understanding of this passage. Before reading, please read Romans 2 so that you can better know if you agree with me or not. I suggest the ESV version. **

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Summary [Verses 1-16]

Paul writes about judgement of others. He warns the people to not judge each other for not following the laws because no one is perfect in following every law. God will judge everyone in the end. God’s kindness, patience and restraint are meant to lead them to repentance. But because of their hardened hearts the people weren’t repenting. Those who repented and looked to do good and seek God’s glory will have eternal life. They will receive glory, honor and peace. But those who do not seek and obey God, who rebel against the truth and don’t repent, they will suffer affliction and distress. They will see the wrath of God. This goes for both Jews and Gentiles (not Jews). If the Gentiles follow the law (that was originally made for the Jewish people) it shows that they have had a change of heart and are seeking to glorify God.

Summary [Verses 17-29]

The Jews, who said they knew the law and taught the law, were being asked if they followed what they preached. Paul called the Jews out for not following what they preached and dishonoring God. This caused many Gentiles to look at the Jews as an example and they also rebelled against God. If the Jewish people were circumcised but didn’t actually follow Christ and had a change of heart, they were not going to be saved. And a Gentile who was not physically circumcised but followed and loved Christ, had a circumcision of the heart. Their praise was from God and not from people.

My Take-Aways:

Guys, this was a hard one for me to summarize and understand. There is so much in here that can be confusing. So after reading this multiple times, in multiple versions, this is what I learned from this passage and what I feel God is showing me in this.

1. We tend to be quick to judge others for their sins and we forget to look at our own lives and realize that a lot of the times we are committing the same sins. If not the same sins, we have other sins to be accountable for. Paul is warning us to not jump into judging others for their actions but to look at our own hearts and realize we also need to repent.
2. When Jesus comes back, we will be judged for our actions. However, God is kind and patient and he gives us the time and chance to repent from our sins and turn to him. This does not mean that once we accept Christ, we will no longer sin. It means that when we truly love God with our hearts we strive to do better each day and to honor him with our lives. We will never be perfect, and that is why we need God. We need his grace, mercy and forgiveness each and every day. (Ephesians 1:7-8)
3. The thing that confused me is that when you read this passage, it seems like we need to follow all these laws in order to be saved. And this seems to contradict what Paul said in Chapter 1:16-17 when he said faith alone saves us. After re-reading this a few times and looking into commentary I can see that the issue at hand here is the lack of change of heart. We are saved by faith in Christ alone. But when we truly believe that Christ is our only savior and the only way to eternal life, our hearts and minds change and we strive to follow and obey Christ. Every time we sin we repent and ask God for forgiveness which he gives to us abundantly. He loves us so much that once we believe in him, nothing can separate us from his love! (Romans 8:38-39) When we love someone we want to do all we can to please them and honor them. Same thing goes for Christ. When we truly love Him, we want to honor Him.
4. When Paul describes the Jews that knew the law but didn’t follow the law it made me think of the hypocrisy of many “Christians”. A lot of people are born in Christian homes, raised in the church, but still have not had a change of heart and mind. Therefore, even though they know God’s commandments , they don’t follow them which makes them just like any other unbeliever. It’s not enough to grow up in a christian home, know the Bible and know God. There needs to be a change of heart through faith and a willingness to glorify God with your actions.

Here are some questions to reflect on:

1. What is something you have been judging others for, lately? Is this something that maybe you also struggle with and maybe not seeing it in your own life?
2. How has believing that you are saved in Christ through faith and that there is nothing you can do to make him love you less changes how you obey God and his commandments?

Thanks for reading! Please feel free to leave any questions or comments you would like! Also please let me know how I can be praying for you :).