Romans Chapter 2 (LR commentary)
vs 1-3: "I just want to help a friend conquer the sin in his life, I am keeping him accountable!" This verse does not claim it, but it is the job of the holy spirit, alone, to convict people of their sins. When we show other's their sins, all we do is expose the sin in our lives to the world. By bringing sinful nature and choices to light in anyone's lives, we also prove ourselves sinful. It is not the judging that is sin, we already have the sin. Judging others only exposes us to judgement as well. Sin is a personal issue between God and an individual man. Sure there is benefit in sharing your own sin, but to share someone else's sin only with bring judgement back on yourself. This is another area in scripture where it is made clear that sin is equal for all people, and it doesn't matter how small or how big, we have all violated the commands of God. God will judge all sin, it is not our job.
vs 4: As Christ Followers we should understand the depth of God's grace (kindness and tolerance and patience). The same salvation and grace we have been given, it has also been given to others. Do we take this lightly? Do we forget and start to tell others that they are missing the mark? If we know we are missing the mark in our own lives (but are still loved and forgiven) how then can we turn around and prove guilt in another Christ Follower's life?
vs 5-8: It is a sign that we are selfishly ambitious when we point out sin in other people's lives, for we feel we have something to gain by it, we feel it shows us as better. We forget that God sees our own sin, and the ambitions of our heart. Those deeds will be given the righteous judgement of God. Judging is an issue of Pride and self service, those are sin. We not only open up the sin we already have to God's judgement, but we create new sin by our selfish and prideful heart.
vs 9-10: So instead of looking to another's life and works, let us focus on our own. Rewards are in store, good for good, and bad for bad. Lets focus on what we can control (our own decisions and motives) and not focus on others, because we will not stand before God based on the good or bad acts of another, only our own.
vs 11-15: God has a sturdy standard that is not moved, no matter who you are. Imagine a school that is impartial based on: age, race, gender, disability status or anything. You see in america we don't understand this, we think if you are dealt a bad hand you should be given mercy... but that is not how the Kingdom Of God works. Mercy is given to those who ask for it, not those who need it most. We are all in the same boat, we have true equality in the sight of the Lord, and that equality is in a title. "SINNER". One who has missed the mark, a failure. Whether we knew we were missing the mark or not, we are all on equal status. Those who have known the commands of God all their life are in the same boat of those who did not have it. Knowing the law gets you nothing, living rightly does. For when you live by the commands (having been told of them or not) it is shown on your heart by your actions. You we accuse yourself before God with how you have lived your life.
vs 16-23: When you are now aware of the law (the commands of God) you are now in a tough spot. For all who know have responsibility to that knowledge and understanding. Responsibility to: guide the blind (those who do not see the understanding fully), reveal the truth to those that do not have knowledge, correct those who have a wrong understanding, Teach the young in the faith, and ultimately we are to do all that to ourselves. The pattern in the church is to be taught and taught and taught, until we can teach... then we learn from someone and teach another, learn from someone and teach another... at some point we need to stop relying on someone to teach us, but instead talk hold of that which we have power to do, and teach our selves while we teach others. If we know a way of obedience, it is easy to jut pass along that information, but it is our duty and calling to put that obedience into practice and then pass it on to others. If you are a sinner, how then do you teach someone to not sin? (side note: this could be an argument that it is not our job to help others not sin, maybe it is our job only to lead people to Jesus Christ where they receive the holy spirit who shows them how to not sin. People may not need rules as much as they need Jesus.)
vs 24-29: These verses essentially echo the verses before only addressing the cultural ritual of circumcision. This was a big issue for Jews, because it meant something very deep and profound to them, it meant you were God's child. Paul was saying although circumcision shows that you KNOW HOW TO BE a child of God, it doesn't justify you as one. Instead our inward circumcision (or a decision to follow Christ) is what justifies us. I would like to note that it is incredibly evident in all of Paul's writings that an inward decision for Christ is always followed by an outward expression of that. He is not saying that Outward expression is worth nothing, he is saying it is worthless only when the inward decision is not driving it.
summary: It is obvious that Paul is writing to a divided church. One side that believes themselves to be holy and elite because of a birthright and the other who believes (correctly) that it is an inherited birthright not through a physical family, but a spiritual one. As I sit here and write this I see the same division in the church today. I see a lot of churches that look like they are Christians, then I see those who are truly pierced at the heart (it seems in america these seem to be pierced other places as well) to follow Christ. We have a revival of "look at me, I am a Christian" people. Guess what, it is a decision to follow Christ in your most inward being that truly justifies a person. None of us can really see that but Christ himself, so we must all be very careful to examine our hearts and motives. It is not enough to pastor a megachurch or evangelize to millions. None of that gets you salvation and forgiveness. Christ gets you forgiveness, no amount of ministry will ever help you gain that which is given to those of a pure God fearing heart.
vs 4: As Christ Followers we should understand the depth of God's grace (kindness and tolerance and patience). The same salvation and grace we have been given, it has also been given to others. Do we take this lightly? Do we forget and start to tell others that they are missing the mark? If we know we are missing the mark in our own lives (but are still loved and forgiven) how then can we turn around and prove guilt in another Christ Follower's life?
vs 5-8: It is a sign that we are selfishly ambitious when we point out sin in other people's lives, for we feel we have something to gain by it, we feel it shows us as better. We forget that God sees our own sin, and the ambitions of our heart. Those deeds will be given the righteous judgement of God. Judging is an issue of Pride and self service, those are sin. We not only open up the sin we already have to God's judgement, but we create new sin by our selfish and prideful heart.
vs 9-10: So instead of looking to another's life and works, let us focus on our own. Rewards are in store, good for good, and bad for bad. Lets focus on what we can control (our own decisions and motives) and not focus on others, because we will not stand before God based on the good or bad acts of another, only our own.
vs 11-15: God has a sturdy standard that is not moved, no matter who you are. Imagine a school that is impartial based on: age, race, gender, disability status or anything. You see in america we don't understand this, we think if you are dealt a bad hand you should be given mercy... but that is not how the Kingdom Of God works. Mercy is given to those who ask for it, not those who need it most. We are all in the same boat, we have true equality in the sight of the Lord, and that equality is in a title. "SINNER". One who has missed the mark, a failure. Whether we knew we were missing the mark or not, we are all on equal status. Those who have known the commands of God all their life are in the same boat of those who did not have it. Knowing the law gets you nothing, living rightly does. For when you live by the commands (having been told of them or not) it is shown on your heart by your actions. You we accuse yourself before God with how you have lived your life.
vs 16-23: When you are now aware of the law (the commands of God) you are now in a tough spot. For all who know have responsibility to that knowledge and understanding. Responsibility to: guide the blind (those who do not see the understanding fully), reveal the truth to those that do not have knowledge, correct those who have a wrong understanding, Teach the young in the faith, and ultimately we are to do all that to ourselves. The pattern in the church is to be taught and taught and taught, until we can teach... then we learn from someone and teach another, learn from someone and teach another... at some point we need to stop relying on someone to teach us, but instead talk hold of that which we have power to do, and teach our selves while we teach others. If we know a way of obedience, it is easy to jut pass along that information, but it is our duty and calling to put that obedience into practice and then pass it on to others. If you are a sinner, how then do you teach someone to not sin? (side note: this could be an argument that it is not our job to help others not sin, maybe it is our job only to lead people to Jesus Christ where they receive the holy spirit who shows them how to not sin. People may not need rules as much as they need Jesus.)
vs 24-29: These verses essentially echo the verses before only addressing the cultural ritual of circumcision. This was a big issue for Jews, because it meant something very deep and profound to them, it meant you were God's child. Paul was saying although circumcision shows that you KNOW HOW TO BE a child of God, it doesn't justify you as one. Instead our inward circumcision (or a decision to follow Christ) is what justifies us. I would like to note that it is incredibly evident in all of Paul's writings that an inward decision for Christ is always followed by an outward expression of that. He is not saying that Outward expression is worth nothing, he is saying it is worthless only when the inward decision is not driving it.
summary: It is obvious that Paul is writing to a divided church. One side that believes themselves to be holy and elite because of a birthright and the other who believes (correctly) that it is an inherited birthright not through a physical family, but a spiritual one. As I sit here and write this I see the same division in the church today. I see a lot of churches that look like they are Christians, then I see those who are truly pierced at the heart (it seems in america these seem to be pierced other places as well) to follow Christ. We have a revival of "look at me, I am a Christian" people. Guess what, it is a decision to follow Christ in your most inward being that truly justifies a person. None of us can really see that but Christ himself, so we must all be very careful to examine our hearts and motives. It is not enough to pastor a megachurch or evangelize to millions. None of that gets you salvation and forgiveness. Christ gets you forgiveness, no amount of ministry will ever help you gain that which is given to those of a pure God fearing heart.
