|
by Howard Watson
In verses 1 - 11God's
just judgment in truth of our earthly lives is described as being
without respect of persons (verse eleven). There is no excuse for
sin or unrighteousness in view of our personal knowledge of right
and wrong. People judge each other on this basis constantly in their
courts of law. So why should God not judge us according to the law
of righteousness? First, we cannot escape the judgment of God (verse
3). Second, God will judge according to our deeds ("erga"
plural) works, deeds, actions from "ergon" work).
Our life is judged as either one of obedience and trust in well
doing or one of disobedience and unrighteousness (verses six to
eleven). Those who seek God and His righteousness can find encouragement
in faithfully doing the Lord's will in the face of evil in a world
of unbelief and unrighteousness.
We are promised the blessing of immortality ("apharsia"
incorruption), glory, honor ("timen" from "timae"
value, worth, verses 7 and 10) and peace. God will give glory, honor
and peace to those who seek His way and will and follow in patience
of faith (verse 7). But the disobedient and evil doers who reject
God's law and way will receive a just judgment of wrath, tribulation
and anguish. There is no peace in the sinful life, present or future.
Romans 2:12-16
God is a God of love but also a God of justice and holiness who
desires justice and holiness from the people of His kingdom. In
His justice He judges the failures of His chosen people and others
as well. Everyone, therefore, is to be judged without respect of
status, race, family history or any other worldly merits of standing.
Verses 12 says sin is to be judged, whether the person sinned under
the personal knowledge of conscience or under the known Law of Moses
(including the Ten Comandments and royal law of loving our neighbor
as ourselves); both condemn sin and disobedience. Christians have
the law of Christ which guides them into all righteousness.
The law of conscience is that law written in the hearts of people
as stated in verse 15. The Greek word for law here is "nomos"
from "nemo" meaning to dispense, distribute, a law, a
rule and standard of conduct.
Verse sixteen tells that there are no secrets of the heart and life
which shall not be judged in Christ and by Christ. Also we find
in this verse a day of judgment according to the plan and will of
God the Father when this judgment is to occur. Does God the Father
hold each one of us accountable for our choices and selected direction
for our acts of living whether according to righteousness as revealed
by the Law of Moses or by the law of conscience? Yes, God will judge
our lives whether in Christ or without Christ Jesus as Lord of our
lives.
Verses 17-29,
We need to remember that the Apostle Paul, at this point in his
letter to the Roman Christians, is covering the singularly important
point of faith in Christ Jesus as key to being in the spiritual
family of God, whether Jew or Gentile (non-Jew). In verses 17 to
23 he notes the blessings and privileges of the Jews as the people
of promise and the faith of Abraham. They were the recipients of
the Law, the ones who would share the Law with the world about them
by example and word. Therefore, they were to live according to the
Law's instructions and demands as well as instruct and teach others
of the greatness and the supreme nature of the Law.
When the Jewish person disregarded or changed the Law, then he no
longer would receive the blessing even though he was ceremonially
Jewish via circumcision. Their disobedience negated the fact of
circumcision. On the other hand, whenever the non-Jew Gentile obeyed
the law of conscience, and in a true sense the Law of Moses, their
fleshly uncircumcision was credited as heart circumcision, and,
therefore, they would be on equal status in God's sight as Jewish
in character and obedience. Verse 26 says: "If, therefore,
the uncircumcision (uncircumcised persons) keep the ...law, shall
not his uncircumcision be counted ("logisthesetai" fut.
pass. from "logizomai/lego" - to impute/account, deem/consider)as
circumcision.
Praise the Lord. He is just and righteous in His dealings with all
people, Jew or Gentile.
Verses 27-29
Leads us to believe that our faith/work in and through Jesus Christ
gives status to all true believers as Jewish through heart circumcision,
which is not a ceremonial rite of the body of flesh. Verse 28 says:"
for he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly ("phanero"
from "phaino", to cause to appear, to be in appearance,
to be visible) through the circumcision of the body/flesh. Verse
29 states: "But he is a Jew which is one inwardly, and circumcision
is that of the heart 'kardias', in the spirit 'pneumati'...."
The truly Jewish persons who have the circumcision of the heart
are those who are recognized of God and who receive the praise of
God rather than praise of earthly men.
|
