Family Study Guide for Romans 2

September 8 – September 14, 2005
(Read Romans 2 Online)
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Reflections on Romans 2 by John Roy, Pastor

A few years ago, a movie was produced and shown in theaters across the country. This time the good guys were LA detectives and the bad guy was the Minister of Diplomatic Affairs for the South African Consulate. A car chase opened the movie -- a red BMW crashed, the trunk door flew open, and one million dollars worth of South African krugerrands was discovered. It turns out that the red BMW was registered to the South African Minister. The detectives making the discovery were re-assigned another case, as the Minister claimed diplomatic immunity. He was then promptly escorted away from police headquarters by high level U.S. Government officials. Needless to say, our good guys kept one eye on their new assignment and one eye on the bad guys throughout the remainder of the movie. At the very end, after some innocent people were killed by the Minister and his partners, he showed his ID, claiming “diplomatic immunity” for the last time. Judgment took place and the Minister was finally punished.

Diplomatic immunity is an agreement between governments that ensures diplomats are given safe passage and are considered not susceptible to lawsuit or prosecution under the host country's laws. It is, in effect, a status of privilege. One can break the law and not be prosecuted (unless it is a really serious crime, like murder, drug smuggling, espionage, etc.).

As we read Romans 2, we see that this kind of privileged status is the very thing Paul is arguing against. Many Jews in Paul’s day believed they had, in essence, a kind of “diplomatic immunity” from the law. Not a particular country’s law, but rather, God’s law. Why? Because they were God’s chosen people, and they thought this put them into a special position with God. They thought their eternal salvation was secure, solely because they were descendents of Abraham.

Although Paul did not identify the Jews as being his subject yet, in verse 1, he begins his argument against that kind of flawed thinking. “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.” Paul then goes on until verse 16, with establishing the principles of divine judgment by which the Jew is clearly condemned. Then in verses 17-29 the Jew comes under the spotlight of God’s judgment and is found guilty. In Romans 2:21-22, this is what Paul writes, “you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?” Then Paul addresses the very law that the Jews were praising as their own, “You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?”

Paul closes this portion of his argument by showing the difference between “spirituality” and “superficiality.” Or, another way of putting this, between “genuine” and “artificial.” “A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.” It is the condition of the heart that makes the difference in your relationship with God. Not the status of your family, your school, or anything else in this life. To God be the glory.

Questions to Consider from Romans 2:

• What kinds of things do people rely on for right standing before God?
• When you stand before God, on what basis will you expect to spend eternity in heaven?
• Does anyone in all of the world have a favored status with God and are immune from God’s judgment against breaking His law?

Chapter Outline: (From Jim’s Introduction to Romans)

• Condemnation against unfaithful Jews (2:1-3:8)

Finish the Verses for Romans 2:

You, therefore, have no excuse,// you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 2:1

God "will give to each // person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. Romans 2:6-8

A // man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God. Romans 2:28-29

Sample Questions for Studying

Capitalized words are once-used-words

1. You show CONTEMPT for the riches of his kindness, TOLERANCE and patience, not REALIZING that what?
2. 2 Part : You are STORING up wrath against yourself because of what?
3. Reference : According to Romans 1:10, by God's will what?
4. They are a law for themselves, even though what?
5. Nor is WHAT merely OUTWARD and physical?
6. All who sin under the law will be judged how?
7. 3 Part : It is the power of God for the salvation of whom?
8. 2 Part : Created things (they) what?
9. What is not from men, but from God?
10. 2 Part : Who may be MUTUALLY ENCOURAGED by each OTHER'S faith?
11. Since they did not think it WORTHWHILE to RETAIN the knowledge of God, he what?
12. Reference : According to Romans 1:16, I am not what?
13. Who will live by faith?
14. Their THINKING what?
15. My gospel DECLARES what?
16. Who will condemn you?
17. You are convinced that you are a GUIDE for the BLIND why?
18. 4 Part : They are a law for themselves why?
19. Who will be judged by the law?
20. Reference : According to Romans 1:17, what is written?

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