Subject: Christians before Jesus came |
Bible Note: Country Girl My Greek is very limited (read that to mean I studied enough to pass). I have found that the NLT, a translation I have learned to trust, usually brings the completeness of understanding to a passage. Romans 2:1-16 You may be saying, "What terrible people you have been talking about!" But you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you do these very same things. [2] And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. [3] Do you think that God will judge and condemn others for doing them and not judge you when you do them, too? [4] Don't you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin? … “removed verses 4-8 to comply with 500 word restriction” … [9] There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on sinning—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. [10] But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. [11] For God does not show favoritism. [12] God will punish the Gentiles when they sin, even though they never had God's written law. And he will punish the Jews when they sin, for they do have the law. [13] For it is not merely knowing the law that brings God's approval. Those who obey the law will be declared right in God's sight. [14] Even when Gentiles, who do not have God's written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong. [15] They demonstrate that God's law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right. [16] The day will surely come when God, by Jesus Christ, will judge everyone's secret life. This is my message. This seems to imply that Gentiles without the Law will be judged by what is in their hearts. Which seems to imply salvation without Christ. However we have the passages Romans 3:23 For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard. John 8:24 That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am who I say I am, you will die in your sins." Acts 4:12 There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them." Hebrews 9:22 In fact, we can say that according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified by sprinkling with blood. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 12:14 Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Therefore I have to believe what this passage is really saying is different than the understanding that comes from the initial reading of it. So I turn to John MacArthur with whom I agree with his take on this. Romans 2:1–16 Having demonstrated the sinfulness of the immoral pagan (1:18–32), Paul presents his case against the religious moralist—Jew or Gentile—by cataloging 6 principles that govern God’s judgment: 1) knowledge (v. 1); 2) truth (vv. 2, 3); 3) guilt (vv. 4, 5); 4) deeds (vv. 6–10); 5) impartiality (vv. 11–15); and 6) motive (v. 16). 2:14 by nature do … the law. Without knowing the written law of God, people in pagan society generally value and attempt to practice its most basic tenets. This is normal for cultures instinctively (see note on v. 15) to value justice, honesty, compassion, and goodness toward others, reflecting the divine law written in the heart. law to themselves. Their practice of some good deeds and their aversion to some evil ones demonstrate an innate knowledge of God’s law—a knowledge that will actually witness against them on the day of judgment. 2:15 work of the law. Probably best understood as “the same works the Mosaic law prescribes.” conscience. Lit. “with knowledge.” That instinctive sense of right and wrong that produces guilt when violated. In addition to an innate awareness of God’s law, men have a warning system that activates when they choose to ignore or disobey that law. Paul urges believers not to violate their own consciences or cause others to (13:5; 1 Cor. 8:7, 12; 10:25, 29; 2 Cor. 5:11; cf. 9:1; Acts 23:1; 24:16), because repeatedly ignoring the conscience’s warnings desensitizes it and eventually silences it (1 Tim. 4:2). See 2 Cor. 1:12; 4:2. MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Ro 2:1). Nashville: Word Pub. So we see MacArthur’s take is Romans 2 is not talking about the pagan but rather about the religionist that sins knowingly and there end will be the same as pagan that ignored God. EdB |