Romans 2:1-29
Overview
Paul now begins a new section in this epistle specifically addressing the Jewish people. He proved in chapter one that all Gentiles were deserving of judgment, because they had suppressed the truth of God, and believed the lie that they could live independently from the Lord. He taught that all Gentiles deserved God’s wrath because they were “without excuse.” Why were the Gentiles without any excuse? They had rejected the fact of God’s existence by closing their eyes to the creation all around them. They had rejected the moral conviction of their own conscience, and had turned to idolatry and every conceivable immorality. In chapter two, Paul declared some of the same truths concerning the Jew whom he declared were in an “inexcusable” position before God, and also deserved His judgment.
Why were the Jews inexcusable and worthy of judgment just as the Gentiles?
Because they self-righteously judged the Gentiles while doing the same things (Vs. 1)
Paul declared to the Jew, “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever way you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” This is quite an indictment from a Jew to the Jews. The men Paul was addressing are not identified as the Jews until he reaches Romans 2:17 where he writes, “Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and you know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the Law.”
The Jews boasted that they knew the truth, because God had given them the Law of Moses. This moral instruction was something that the Gentiles did not have, and this is what caused the Jews to become very self-righteous, and to judge everyone else. When the Jews read Romans chapter one, they might have thought to themselves, That’s right, the Gentiles are sinners, and they are without excuse before God. But now Paul turns right around and declares to the Jew, “Wait a minute, you are not excused just because you know the truth, and have the law. You are equally as guilty, because you have not obeyed the Law.” They were equally guilty before God, because they had also suppressed the truth just as the Gentiles had done. The Gentiles suppressed the truth of creation, which revealed God’s existence. But the Jews suppressed the truth within their hearts by not obeying it.
Why is judging so detrimental to a person?
When you judge another, you are suppressing the truth in your own life, because you are only focused on what’s wrong with someone else. You are blinded to your own faults and can’t see that you have done the very same things as the person you are judging. This is the nature of judgementalism, because it is rooted in hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is found in the simple fact that you do the same things. You have either thought and desired to do that sin, or you have actually done it. This is why Paul stated, “For you who judge, practice the same things” (Rom. 2:1). This is also why Jesus taught His disciples, “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matt. 7:5). Jesus was using hyperbole in this text to make a powerful point. If you had a plank in your eye, you would never be able to take a speck from your brother’s eye. Jesus taught that the first thing we all need to do before we start pointing out other people’s faults, is deal with our own. When you see your own sinful behavior, then your heart will be humble, and this humility will keep you from judging and condemning others. So be careful of this attitude of judgmentalism, because every time we judge another, we are suppressing the truth in our own lives.
The meaning of the word judge
The word judge is thrown around quite often, and many do not understand how it is used in Scripture. The word judge means to discern, determine, or condemn depending on the context. The context is always essential to understanding this word. To judge a person means that you make a determination about that person or their behavior. The attitude of your heart is the key as to whether or not you have judged correctly. Let me explain.
The evil of judgmentalism is best illustrated by the story of the Pharisee and the Publican. In Luke 18:10-14 Jesus taught, “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” The Pharisee obviously didn’t think he was morally like this tax collector, and could only plead his good works before God. But Jesus taught that this man was not justified before God, and was only praying with himself. The Pharisee was judging the tax collector with an attitude of self-righteousness and arrogant condemnation. This religious leader was obviously blind to his own sinfulness, and the fact that he was just like other men!
Notice also that Jesus coupled this concept of judging with condemning others in Luke 6:37. Jesus taught, “Judge not lest you be judged,” and in the next phrase, “Condemn not, lest you be condemned.” In this passage, Jesus defined for us what evil judgment does. You can make a judgment to determine what is right or wrong, but if you have an attitude of self-righteousness, it will surely turn to condemnation of that person. Therefore, the attitude of self-righteousness reveals that you are blinded to your own sin.
When you judge and condemn others, you have ultimately blinded yourself to your own personal needs. This is why Jesus told the Pharisees that they had become blind guides (Matt. 23:24). Self-righteousness will always blind you to your own sin, and you will become insufferable in your dealings with others. Therefore, focus on your own spiritual needs, and your own personal growth in Christ. Ask God for humility when you have to deal with other people’s faults and problems. Why? Because the Lord has shown you mercy, which is exactly how He wants you to deal with others (Matt. 5:7).
The Jews were inexcusable before God, because they knew the truth and His righteous requirements. They judged others, which proved they knew the truth and what was right and wrong. Every time you make a judgment you are saying, “I know what’s right.” But, if you are not doing what you know is right, then you are only condemning yourself. Remember James declared, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).
The right way to make judgments.
To find the balance on this concept of judging, let me ask you a question. Does this commandment to not judge, mean that you should never make any judgements or determinations about what is right or wrong? When someone states a particular truth, or questions a moral behavior, would you be able to judge whether what they said was true or false? If you did make a determination that what they have stated is false, would you be judging them? No! You are judging what was stated, not judging the person.
To answer this question, let’s look at another verse of Scripture. In Luke 12:57, Jesus asked His disciples, “Why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?” In other words, Jesus was asking His disciples, “Why aren’t you making a judgment concerning the truth of what I’m teaching you?” This question by Jesus made it clear that all of us must judge between what is right and wrong. This is a judgment of determination, and not of condemnation. This kind of judgment is one that we must make on a daily basis.
Jesus also used this word judge to teach Simon the Pharisee about critical thinking. Jesus had gone to his home to eat dinner, and Simon had condemned Jesus in his heart because He had allowed a certain woman to anoint His feet. In Luke 7:40-43, Jesus told him a very simple parable about a creditor and two debtors. Jesus said, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Now, Jesus would never have said, “You have rightly judged,” unless you should rightly judge what a correct or incorrect behavior should be. Jesus taught him how to think critically by deciding what was right. If you fail to rightly judge in this manner, you will end up making terrible decisions in life.
In another example to prove this point that I am making, Paul wrote to Titus and said, “When I send Artemis to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there” (Titus 3:12). The word decided in this verse is the same Greek word translated in Matthew 7:1 for judge. In other words, Paul was saying that he had decided, or judged, that this was where he needed to stay for the winter. This passage in Titus makes it absolutely clear that the word judge has several different meanings depending on the context.
In addition, Jesus taught the religious leaders who constantly condemned Him, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). Jesus was clearly teaching them that it was an unrighteous judgment to judge by appearance, and to condemn someone without regard to the facts. This is exactly what the Pharisees were doing to Jesus. The facts concerning the life of Jesus should have convinced the Pharisees that He was the Messiah. Therefore, an unrighteous judgment would be to judge only by appearance, or with a superficial view of the facts. There are righteous judgments that you must make, and there are unrighteous judgments you should reject. Do you see the difference between the two? It is essential that you understand this concept. There are condemning judgments, and there are discerning, or determining judgments.
Judging false prophets.
Notice also that right after Jesus taught the disciples not to condemn others in Matthew 7:1, He turned right around in Matthew 7:15 and commanded them, “Beware of false prophets.” But, how can you decide if someone is a false prophet if you don’t make a discerning judgment? It is impossible to not make these discerning judgments in these kinds of situations. This is why getting a full understanding, and a balanced view of this vital truth is so very important. Each of us must be ready and able to make a determination of what is true, and what is false teaching. Failing to make this judgement is why the church today is so weak and is such easy prey for false teachers. Now that we have given you the balance of what it means to judge, let’s get back to Paul’s message to the Jewish Christians in Rome.
Why will the Jews not escape God’s Judgment? (Vs. 2-16)
Paul revealed in these next few verses four basic principles of how God will judge men. You don’t want to forget them, because they are the same ones He will use to judge you when you stand before Him on Judgment Day. What are these four principles of judgment?
First, God will judge all men according to truth (vs. 2-5)
Paul writes, “But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Rom. 2:2-5).
God in His omniscience always knows the truth about everything and everyone, which is how He can and will judge every man and woman according to truth. God knows the truth because He is the only One who can see the heart of man. He could see the heart attitudes within the Jews that exalted themselves and condemned others. He can also see everything in your heart. You must never forget what is clearly stated in God’s Word that, “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:13). Sometimes we forget this truth as the Prophet Samuel did when he searched for a king to replace King Saul. God reminded him that, “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). With God there is nothing hidden or secret, and this is why He can judge righteously and truthfully every time.
Paul also revealed in verse 4 how an arrogant and judgmental attitude toward others revealed that the Jews were despising the goodness and longsuffering of God. Do you see judgementalism toward others as despising God’s goodness and kindness? Why did Paul say this? Because when you judge and condemn another person for their failures, you are despising the longsuffering of God that has not judged you. We all want the goodness and longsuffering of God for our own sin, but then by condemning others, we don’t want others to receive what we have enjoyed. What a double standard! If we count His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering as the awesome riches that they are, why would we not want others to also enjoy these riches of God’s kindness?
These riches of His kindness have been extended to all men in order that we might all have the opportunity to repent and find salvation. Therefore, be longsuffering with others, and allow them the same grace you have received. The riches of His kindness should soften our proud hearts every day, because He has allowed each of us to find our own repentance and mercy.
What causes such hardness of heart? (Vs. 5)
How does a person get such a hard heart that judges and condemns others? This hardness of heart results from unrepentance. Paul writes, “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Rom. 2:5). Notice how Paul connects these two issues of hardness and the unrepentant heart of men. When you are unrepentant over your own sinful behavior, this automatically hardens your heart toward God and toward others. Why? Because you are refusing to listen to the voice of God calling you to repentance. This is what it means to suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Scripture declares, “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” (Heb. 3:15). If you sense that hardness of heart and spiritual dryness in your soul, all you need to do is humble yourself and ask His forgiveness. John declared that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Humble confession and repentance will bring a flood of God’s Holy Spirit, and the times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19). Humility will soften your heart, and pride will always harden you (Dan. 5:20).
The second reason God will judge all men is according to their deeds (V. 6-10)
The second principle of God’s judgement is that He judges every person according to their deeds. Why is this principle so important? Because a person’s deeds are the truth. It’s not what I say, it’s what I do, that reveals the truth of any profession of my lips. God is not concerned with my talk, he is concerned about my walk, and He is going to judge me on that basis. God declares, “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jer. 17:10). God sees my heart, and He knows everything I think and do every day. In Titus 1:16, Paul said, “Many profess that they know God, but in their works they deny Him.” A person’s deeds can deny and contradict their profession. James taught the same thing. If faith is without works, then it is a dead, or a worthless faith (James 2:14-17). Consequently, there must be action that follows your faith. God judges on the basis of what you are doing, because that’s the truth of what you believe. Remember, it’s not what you profess to believe, but it’s how you live every day that reveals what you actually believe!
Third, God will judge all men justly, because He is completely impartial (vs. 11-15)
This basis of God’s judgment is found in Paul’s statement, “For there is no partiality with God” (Rom. 2:11). What does it mean that God is impartial? Impartiality is part of God’s character and nature as One who is holy and separate from all others in this world. He shows no respect of persons. It makes no difference to Him if you are rich or poor, black or white, bond or free, male or female (Gal. 3:28). He deals with every person equally.
But some question in their minds, Is God really fair and impartial? This is a natural consideration which Paul addresses in this passage. People have even said to me, It doesn’t seem like God was impartial with the Jews and Gentiles. It looks like He was very partial to the Jews, because He gave them His law and commandments, but He gave nothing like that to the Gentiles.
How can God judge both Jew and Gentile and be impartial? Paul explained that God will judge every man on the basis of what a person knows, by the attitude of their hearts, according to truth, and on the basis of what they have done with the knowledge given to them. This is truly the fairest basis of judgment for mankind. If the Jew sins and violates the law of God, then he will be judged by the Law. But for the Gentiles who did not have the Law, God deals with them on the basis of their conscience. The question will be, did the Gentile obey his conscience? Why is the Gentile’s conscience so important? Because the conscience of man is the proof that the Law of God has been written on every man’s heart. Your conscience has been given to either accuse you when you do things that are wrong, or to approve your behavior when you do the things that are right. The tribesman in the jungles of Borneo has a conscience, and will be judged according to this standard. The Law of God is written upon his heart, just as it has been with someone living in a western country. We all are alike in this respect. Paul explained, “For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)” (Rom. 2:12-15).
Why is it that we sensed conviction about certain sins before we had ever heard the gospel? That was the conviction of our conscience. Yet, we violated our conscience anyway, and did whatever we pleased. Therefore, God is fair in His judgment, because He sees man’s heart. He sees the conscience of men, and the deeds that he does, which enables the Father to judge righteously and impartially every single time.
Last, God will judge all men by Jesus Christ, and the gospel He preached (Vs. 16)
God will judge all mankind by Jesus and the truths that He taught. Jesus is the One to whom all judgment has been committed. Jesus declared this truth when He said, “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (John 5:22-23). Jesus also taught, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him-the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). The most impartial Man who ever lived on this planet dealt with everyone individually and impartially. The gospels give a clear testimony to this fact. To the woman taken in the very act of adultery, He was gentle and forgiving. But to the self-righteous Pharisees, He reproved their condemning behavior by His example (John 8:1-11). To King Herod, whose only interest in Jesus was to see Him do a miracle, Jesus refused to even speak to him (Luke 23:8-9). Yet to a repentant tax collector, or to Mary who was demon possessed, He sought them out that He might transform their lives (Mark 2:14; Mark 16:9). Each of these examples reveal that Jesus dealt impartially with each person according to their need. These examples should give each of us the full confidence that He will deal fairly with all mankind. His life was the example that we should follow, because the truth that He lived by will one day judge us.
The three means of light
In Romans 1 and 2, God revealed three ways that He has revealed His light to every human heart. To the unbelieving Gentile, He has given the light of creation and the light of conscience so that all men might choose to seek Him. To the Jew, He has given the Law that they might see this light and seek after Him with repentance and humility. And to the Christian, He has also given the light of Christ and the gospel message to guide us today. He will judge fairly and impartially each man according to the light that they have received. Are you being obedient to the light you have received? Are you seeking after Him?
Paul exhorts the Jews to self-examination (Vs. 17-25)
Beginning in verse 17, Paul now explains to his Jewish readers the hard cold facts of their self-righteous attitude, and exhorts them to self-examination. Paul first rehearsed for them all the blessings they had received by being instructed out of the Law. “Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law” (Rom. 2:17-20). The Jew knew God’s will and approved the things that God required, and instructed others concerning His commands. The Law of Moses gave the Jew great privileges. But there was one problem. Were the Jews obeying what they had been taught?
Paul questions the self-righteous Jews
Paul wrote, “You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For ‘the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,’ as it is written. For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision” (Rom. 2:21-25). These words must have convicted some of the Jews and angered others, depending on their willingness to hear God’s voice. But self-examination like this was so important for the Jew if they were ever to realize God’s plan for their lives. Self-examination is so important for each of us to do.
What is the benefit of self-examination?
To answer this question, it is vital that you remember how this chapter began with Paul’s warning concerning judgementalism. One of the most important reasons God wants us to examine ourselves regularly is to keep us from becoming judgmental toward others. He doesn’t want us to focus on other people’s sin, but address the contradictions and sin in our own lives. God spoke through the Prophet Isaiah who told His people that when they presented themselves as self-righteous and declared to others, “‘Do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all the day” (Is. 65:5). Have you ever stood by a camp fire and got smoke up your nostrils? Didn’t you have to turn away from the fire immediately, because you got tears in your eyes and you couldn’t breathe? God used this illustration to remind us what it is like for Him to see someone self-righteously judge another person. It is like smoke up your nostrils, not just for a moment, but self-righteousness to Him is completely abhorrent all day long. So, self-examination is what keeps you from becoming distasteful to the Lord.
Second, self-examination also keeps you from self-deception. Paul warned the carnal Corinthian church about deceiving themselves, because they were not living what they professed to believe. This church had members among them that were involved in gross immorality. Paul wrote, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-10). These people had deceived themselves into thinking that they were right with God, when the reality was, they would not inherit the kingdom of God. Later in this same epistle he warned them again about what was causing their immoral behavior when he said, “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’ Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame” (1 Cor. 15:33-34). He was clearly telling this church that many of those who were among them were not true believers. This is why he wrote in his second epistle to all those within the church, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified?” (2 Cor. 13:5). Note that Paul’s solution to this self-deception was self-examination.
Therefore, self-examination is a very healthy thing to do on a regular basis in order to keep your attitudes and behavior in the right balance with God. This is one of the main reasons for attending a communion service on a regular basis, because this is where you can regularly do this self-examination. Paul explained this to the Corinthian church declaring, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world” (1 Cor. 11:28-32). So, the next time you partake in communion, examine yourself and judge yourself to be sure that you are walking in agreement with the profession of your faith.
What are the results if you fail to do self-examination?
The answer to this question is very simple. From the above passages it is clear that self-deception will incapacitate the self-righteous person, and they will miss the true blessings that God wants to bestow upon them. But Paul also declared that the self-righteous will cause others to stumble and ultimately turn and blaspheme God’s name. This is why Paul told the Jews who made their boast in God’s Law, yet broke the Law, “For ‘the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,’” (Rom. 2:24). This is a passage quoted from Isaiah 52:5 where God declared that the Jews had dishonored Him after they had been taken captive by the Assyrians. This is what the Assyrians were doing every day, as they mocked the God of Israel and exalted their own gods. We must walk in humility and love, and let our light so shine that others might see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16).
How can the circumcision become uncircumcision?
Paul then made this statement that is hard to understand. He wrote, “For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision” (Rom. 2:25). For the Jew this statement must have been very difficult to hear and to receive. Paul was teaching that the rite of circumcision was indeed profitable, only if they were actually keeping the Law. But if they broke the Law, their circumcision would literally become worthless to them, or as he said, would become uncircumcision. In other words, Paul was telling the Jews that they would be no different than a Gentile if they refused to obey the light that had been given to them. Why would this be the case for the Jew? Because circumcision was not just an external rite, but circumcision was to be of the heart. If their heart followed the way of the Gentiles, then this nullified the external rite of circumcision. This fact is proven by Paul’s next statements.
Circumcision must be done in the heart of men.
Paul writes, “Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God” (Rom. 2:26-29).
All through the Old Testament God made it clear that He wanted the cutting away of the flesh (the rite of circumcision) to be something that He actually wanted done in the heart. The outward sign of circumcision was to testify of the circumcision in their hearts. Moses told the Jews that, “Then the LORD your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live” (Deut. 30:5-6). Notice that God declared that their hearts would be circumcised, and that the result of this work would enable them to love the LORD with all their hearts. Clearly this was to be a work of God within them, that would result in the obvious fruit of love and true spiritual life within them. Jeremiah also taught the same truth when he warned them of the certain judgment that would come upon them. He declared, “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your hearts, you men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, lest My fury come forth like fire, and burn so that no one can quench it, because of the evil of your doings” (Jer. 4:4). God desired the foreskin of their hearts to be cut away, so they would not be governed by their fleshly desires anymore. This is why Paul then explained the reality that there was no difference between the Jew and the Gentile, because we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. In the next chapter he states this clearly when he wrote, “For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:22-23).
Keeping the righteous requirement of the Law
Another puzzling statement of Paul can only be understood by knowing that God required the heart of man to be changed. He wrote, “Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? (Rom. 2:26-27).
First, what does Paul mean by the righteous requirements of the law? Understanding this term is absolutely essential for you to fully grasp what Paul is teaching. You may be thinking, I didn’t think that anyone could keep the Law of God. There is a big difference between keeping the Law and fulfilling its righteous requirements. When Paul stated in verse 26, “if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law,” it proved that Paul believed that this was actually possible. However, no one can keep the law perfectly, because that is impossible. When the Pharisees sought to kill Jesus, He declared that these religious leaders were actually breaking the law when He said to them, “Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?” (John 7:19). Paul declared the same thing to the Galatian church, to those who were trying to be justified by the law. He declared, “For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh” (Gal. 6:13). So, make the distinction in your mind between keeping the law, and fulfilling the righteous requirements of the law, because Paul knew these two issues were completely different. In fact, Paul believed that the righteous requirements of the law could be fulfilled in us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He wrote later in this epistle concerning the work of the Spirit, “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:3-4).
What are the righteous requirements of the law, and how can they be fulfilled in us?
The simple answer to this question is when God possesses and controls your heart. As I have already stated, God has always wanted the circumcision of men’s hearts. He wants a heart transformation, not just behavioral modification. The one thing He wants is your heart! When God possesses your surrendered heart, in reality He now has control of you, and only then He can do what He desires inside you. The righteous requirements of the law will be fulfilled in this heart, as I already stated in Romans 8:4, “The righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Therefore, the Holy Spirit is the one Who works in you that which is well pleasing in His sight (Heb. 13:21). What is well pleasing to Him? That you believe in Him with all your heart, and seek to know Him above all others. This is what pleases Him! Scripture declares, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). It is important to note what it was that God charged the Children of Israel with failing to do as they were about to enter the promise land. Moses declared to them, “The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place. Yet, for all that, you did not believe the LORD your God, who went in the way before you to search out a place for you to pitch your tents, to show you the way you should go, in the fire by night and in the cloud by day” (Deut. 1:30-33 – Emphasis added). The one thing that would have enabled all the rest of what God had commanded them, was that they believe. This is the first obedience of the heart that God requires (Rom. 1:5). Never forget this truth!
Can a Gentile keep the righteous requirements of the law?
Paul obviously believed that a Gentile could fulfill the righteous requirements of the law, or he would have never written, “If an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? (Rom. 2:26). If a Gentile does keep the righteous requirements of the law, then God would look at them as if they were circumcised and keeping the Law. How can we be sure that this concept is correct? Has God dealt with Gentiles anywhere in Scripture that would prove this concept? Yes! There are many such examples. Let me give you the best one we have in Scripture.
The best example of this principle is Cornelius, the Roman Centurion. He was a devout man, one who feared God, who prayed always to God, and who gave alms to the poor. This man was fulfilling the righteous requirement of the law even though he was not a Jew, and was not circumcised. Cornelius was living in obedience to the light that God had given him. Luke records, “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, ‘Cornelius!’ And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, ‘What is it, lord?’ So he said to him, ‘Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter” (Acts 10:1-5). This man prayed often to the God he did not know, but God saw his heart and answered his prayers by sending an angel to get him in contact with Peter who could share with him the gospel.
After Peter saw the Holy Spirit fall upon Cornelius and all the Gentiles gathered in his house, Peter said, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35). Peter realized that the Gentiles could be accepted by God just as the Jews, if they would simply fear God and obey the light given to them, which would mean coming to faith in Christ. Peter also came to understand that God would accept Cornelius, because this man had fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law, although he had no knowledge of the law.
What are these righteous requirements? They are to fear or reverence God, to believe in Him, to seek Him in humble prayer, and to love Him and care for others. In the Old Testament the Prophet Micah said it this way. “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). These are clearly things that God wants to work in the hearts of all men. Remember, Jesus said that the great commandments were, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 22:37-40). Both of these passages were exactly what Cornelius was doing. By his prayers to God, he revealed that he believed in Him and wanted to know Him, and wanted His help, which was a form of love for the Lord. He also demonstrated that he cared about his neighbor by giving to the poor and the needy through his alms giving. Cornelius was believing and behaving more like a Jew than any of the Pharisees and Sadducees. John taught, “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another” (1 John 3:23). John’s words simplify the righteous requirements of the law. James also taught that we must fulfill the royal law, which is to love one another (James 2:8). If we love Him and love others, we have fulfilled the intent of the law and the prophets.
In conclusion, are you allowing the Holy Spirit to instill in you a greater reverence and respect for God in your life? Are you falling more in love with Him each day? Do you care about the poor and needy, and seek to give alms to aid others? Are you trusting Him more each day than you have in times past? This is the work of the Spirit in you, and this is what pleases Him! This is the proof that your heart has been circumcised to love Him!