The Epistle of Paul The Book of Romans series: Learning to be rooted and established in The Cross of Christ
A Call to Genuine Righteousness Through the Cross
Romans 2:2 (KJV) But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
In our previous exploration of Romans Chapter 2, we discussed how the Apostle Paul addresses both Jews and Gentiles, emphasizing the themes of judgment and righteousness. Today, we delve deeper into Romans 2:1-2, shedding light on Paul’s powerful message about God’s impartial judgment and the righteousness that comes only through the cross.
Romans 2:1 begins with a strong indictment: “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.” The Expositor's Study Bible explains that this segment is directed specifically toward the Jews, who were known for their judgmental attitude toward the Gentiles. Despite their harsh judgments, the Jews were guilty of the same sins, making them no better than those they condemned.
The phrase “you condemn yourself” highlights a critical point: God judges us by the same standard we use to judge others. The Expositor's Study Bible references Matthew 7:1-2, emphasizing that when we judge others, we are essentially setting the criteria by which we ourselves will be judged. This underscores the hypocrisy of the Jews, who berated the Gentiles while failing to recognize their own shortcomings.
The Expositor's Study Bible also clarifies the phrase “for you who judge do the same things,” pointing out that Paul is asserting the Jews were just as guilty as the Gentiles, despite their constant berating. This ties into Denney’s commentary, which notes that the Jews’ readiness to condemn the Gentiles was, in fact, a self-condemnation because they too sinned against the light and knowledge they had been given.
Moving to Romans 2:2, Paul asserts, “But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.” The Expositor's Study Bible adds that this verse proclaims a judgment that is never presumptive but is instead based entirely on truth. God’s judgment is perfect because it stems from truth, reflecting His righteous nature.
Vincent further defines "the judgment of God" here not merely as the act of judging but as the contents of the judgment itself—what is decided and decreed. This emphasizes that God’s judgment is thorough and encompasses all aspects of the truth. The Expositor's Study Bible reinforces this by pointing out that God's judgment is fair and based on truth, holding everyone accountable to the same standard.
The KJV Study Bible adds depth to this understanding by showing how divine judgment is a consistent theme throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, God's judgment is evident through events like the Flood, the destruction of Sodom, and the fall of nations like Israel and Judah. In the New Testament, judgment manifests in various forms, including:
The Cross judgment (John 16:11)
The believer’s self-judgment (1 Corinthians 11:31)
Chastisement by the Father (Hebrews 12:6–11)
The Bema (judgment seat) of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10)
The Tribulation (Ezekiel 20:37, 38)
The judgment of Gentile nations (Matthew 25:31–46)
The Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:11–15)
The judgment of angels (1 Corinthians 6:3)
These judgments reveal that God’s standards are based on truth, deeds, light, and the gospel, which uncovers human thoughts and motives (Romans 2:2, 6, 11-16). Christians are reminded to live their lives accountable to God, knowing that He judges according to these principles.
God’s standards are consistently revealed through the cross, reflecting His righteousness in all His ways. From the very beginning, God designed for us to come to the cross, and it is through the cross that we understand His righteous judgment.
Romans Chapter 2, particularly Verses 1 and 2, serves as a reminder that God's judgment is impartial and based on truth, not on one’s background or status.
This chapter challenges us to reflect on our own lives, urging us to align ourselves with God’s standards as revealed through the cross. True righteousness is not about condemning others but about living in accordance with the truth of God's Word and the finished work of the cross.
Psalm 96:13; John 7:24; Psalm 9:8; 1 Samuel 16:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:5; Jeremiah 17:10; Revelation 19:11; Isaiah 11:3-4
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