Romans 2:1-4

God hates hypocrisy. 

Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery…who condemns you? He told those without sin to cast the first stone. All of them from the youngest to the oldest left. He left her saying neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more. There is no one righteous, no not one.

God is   faithful to  forgive us when we confess our sin. He loves us so very  much! John 3:16

Only in God's mercy and grace do we have the ability to choose whom we will serve. Only in the power of God in Holy Spirit can we live a life that honors  Him.

Theologian Harvey Cox explores how parables invite the hearer to encounter God in an everyday and ever-changing reality: Stories were Jesus’ stock-in-trade, the main medium by which he conveyed his message. The parables occupy fully 35 percent of the first three Gospels. But one of their most surprising features is that they are not about God. They are about weddings and banquets, family tensions, muggings, farmers sowing and reaping, and shrewd business dealings. God is mentioned in only one or two... Rabbi Jesus obviously wanted us to look closely at this world, not some other one. It is here and now—all around us in the most ordinary things—that we find the divine presence. (Harvey Cox, When Jesus Came to Harvard: Making Moral Choices Today) 

Romans 2:1-4

2 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 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? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? The New King James Version

Just as Gentiles are without excuse for suppressing the truth of God, Jews are without excuse because they do the same things they condemn others for doing. The Greek word used here, krinō, refers to condemning someone. Those who judge inappropriately assume a role that belongs to God. 

Later, Paul will warn Gentile Christians not to pass judgment upon Jewish Christians who feel compelled to maintain certain dietary customs. The apostles’ statement that Gentiles should abstain from sexual immorality suggests that such activity was common. Some Gentiles, called “God-fearers,” lived to a higher moral standard but probably did not practice circumcision, which Gentiles considered a disgusting practice. For this reason, some Jews did not consider these Gentiles to be under the law. Paul criticizes such people because they assume they are not subject to God’s judgment. Moreover, they wrongly assume a position of moral superiority, even though they do the same things. Paul states that the Jews’ relation to the law does not excuse them from the judgment of God. 

Paul criticizes self-righteous Jews because of their hypocrisy and self-deception. Ironically, when such people pass judgment on others, they also pass judgment upon themselves because they do the same things. Paul affirms that God’s judgment is just and true. 

The Jews Paul addresses might feel that they will not experience God’s judgment because they have the law and are in a covenant with God. Paul also refers to God’s kindness. The term is used in the Septuagint translation of several psalms describes God’s patience in delaying judgment and punishment of people who sin and break the law. 

Paul cautions against the Jewish assumption that the experience of God’s goodness and mercy would exclude them from God’s righteous judgment. The Greek word used here, metanoia, describes a change in mindset about sin and God. The purpose behind God’s display of kindness, forbearance, and patience is not assurance, but repentance. Faithlife Study Bible

Paul declares that all unrighteous people are without excuse. Now he demonstrates that the self-righteous (those who judge others) are inexcusable, by revealing the standards by which everyone will be judged. 

Judgment will be (1) according to truth, (2) according to works, and (3) according to the light one has of the law. Truth as used in this verse refers to the true condition of humanity.

Repentance literally means “to change one’s mind.” In this context, it means to reject one’s sinful habits and turn to God. This is the only occurrence of this word in Romans. The NKJV Study Bible

Exodus 34:6 And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,

Matthew 7:1  “Judge not, that you be not judged.