Romans 2:3–16

There is no human born of Adam that is righteous…NO. NOT. ONE… 

Jesus, born of the Spirit all man/all God, is the spotless lamb of God whose sinless life the Father sees in us.

God alone can judge. He sees the heart of a person we do not!

Theologian Charles Spurgeon has said, "No darkness is so dark as that which falls on eyes accustomed to the light.”

Job was an example of how God-fearing people, including the powerful and wealthy, should live and treat others. With a sincere heart, he worshipped God and not his wealth. Job trusted God for provision and made no claims that his own efforts had created his wealth (Job 31:25-28). He wasn't greedy or selfish but used his influence and money for good, protecting the weak and caring for the poor (Job 29:15-17;  Job 30:24-25). When he spoke, his wisdom and words blessed and encouraged others (Job 29:21-25). …our faithfulness to God rests on God's faithfulness to us, which will always outlive the enemy's schemes.  First5 

"For our sake [God] made [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Romans 2:3–16

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? 5 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, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. 12 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 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 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, 15 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) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. The New King James Version

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. Wrath as used here is different from the “wrath of God”. There God’s wrath was His present anger; here the word refers to God’s future wrath. Most take this future wrath to refer to the Day of Judgment. Thus people who continue in their rebellion against God are accumulating wrath for themselves.

According to this verse, it seems that eternal life can be gained by doing good. But Romans clearly teaches justification by faith. But Paul does not contradict himself. The subject of this verse is judgment, not justification. Believers who continue in good works will receive rewards in the life to come. 

Whenever the NT speaks of eternal life as a present possession, it is a gift received by faith (John 3:16); but whenever it refers to eternal life as something to be received in the future by those who are already believers, it refers to eternal rewards. Rewards will be based on works accomplished here on earth. Truth refers to the gospel message. All believers doing good works will be rewarded. 

Those without law are the Gentiles. Those in the law are the Jews. Gentiles who do not have the Law still do such things as honor their parents, which indicates that they believe in a basic moral law. They know within their hearts that there is a difference between right and wrong. This “law of conscience” serves as a judge to them in place of Moses’ law.

The Law is not inscribed in our hearts, but the work of the law is written on our hearts. The Law of Moses was engraved in stone, and there is a similar moral law within every person. According to the gospel Paul preached, God will judge not only people’s actions, but their motives, or secrets, as well. The NKJV Study Bible

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. Forbearance and patience 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 for repentance, 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. 

At the second coming of Jesus, on this day of final judgment, God will pour out His wrath against the wicked and deliver His people from evil. Paul emphasizes that God judges fairly and righteously. Paul wants his fellow Jews to understand that they must not elevate their ethnicity over good works. 

Paul emphasizes that God is a fair and just judge. Those who do good will receive glory, honor, and eternal life. In contrast, those who do evil will receive wrath and affliction. This applies to both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jewish people), since God does not show partiality. These deeds are expressed especially in kindness toward others; therefore, they reflect God’s character and belief in him. 

For Paul, immortality is an aspect of eternal life reserved for believers when God raises the dead to the resurrected life. 

Believers now share in God’s life through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16). They also have power to do good works and resist evil through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Although believers have eternal life, it is not yet fully realized—they still die and struggle with sin. 

Jews are “first” because God gave them priority in blessing, and they were the first people group that He personally visited and called His own. But this also means that He will give them priority in judgment. 

The Greek word used here, for honor eirēnē, refers to perfect well-being that comes from God’s righteous work through Christ. God does not show partiality He judges both Jews and Gentiles on the same basis—according to works. Paul is attempting to convince some Jews that God will not overlook their sinful activity just because of their ethnicity. For as many as have sinned without law refers to the Gentiles. They are not sinless merely because they do not know the requirements of God’s law. Later, Paul argues that all have sinned and that sin existed before the law defined it. Paul contrasts those who “perish,” despite not having the law, with those who experience “eternal life”.  Faithlife Study Bible

The human will is in a state of enmity against God. Even Gentiles, who had not the written law, had that within, which directed them what to do by the light of nature. Conscience is a witness, and first or last will bear witness. As they kept or broke these natural laws and dictates, their consciences either acquitted or condemned them. Nothing speaks more terror to sinners, and more comfort to saints, than that Christ shall be the Judge. Secret services shall be rewarded, secret sins shall be then punished, and brought to light. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

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,

Psalm 62:12 

Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy;

For You render to each one according to his work.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

1 Peter 1:7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,