Scripture Reference: Romans 2:1-16

Truthfulness

Please review Romans 2:1-4 for background to this section.

In any generalization such as the preceding blanket indictment of pagan humanity (see Paul’s comments in Romans 1:18-32) exceptions to the rule always exist. Obviously some pagans had high ethical standards and moral lifestyles and condemned the widespread moral corruption of their contemporaries. In addition the Jews morally stood in sharp contrast with the pagan world around them and freely condemned the Gentiles. Both groups of moralists might conclude that God’s condemnation did not apply to them because of their higher planes of living. But Paul insisted that they also stood condemned because they were doing the same things for which they judged others.

Therefore, Paul declared, at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself. Everyone in the entire human race has turned away from God and commits sins even though there are differences of frequency, extent, and degree. In addition, the entire human race, especially moral pagans and the Jews, stood condemned before God (therefore, have no excuse; compare Romans 1:20) because God’s judgment is based on three divine standards—truth, impartiality, and Jesus Christ Himself—which are absolute and infinite, condemning every person.

The first divine standard of judgment is truth. Nowhere in Scripture is God identified as “Truth” as He is “Spirit” (John 4:24), “Light” (1 John 1:5), and “Love” (1 John 4:8, 16), though Jesus did call Himself “the Truth” (John 14:6). But God is called “the God of truth” (Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 65:16). Truth—absolute, infinite truth—is unquestionably one of God’s essential attributes. As a result when God’s judgment of people is declared to be based on or literally, according to “truth,” no escape from that judgment is possible for anyone. All are inexcusable and condemn[ed]. One may be moral and he may even judge his contemporaries as totally enmeshed in a depraved lifestyle, but still he is judged by God because according to the first verse, he practice[s] the same things.

By not exacting His divine penalty on sinful humanity immediately, God is displaying the riches of His goodness [kindness, His benevolence in action], which is also used of God (compare  Romans 11:22; Ephesians 2:7; and Titus 3:4), along with His forbearance, [tolerance] and longsuffering [patience], (compare Acts 14:16; 17:30; and Romans 3:25). God’s purpose is to lead people toward repentance, in other words, a return to Him, through His goodness. Not knowing, realizing or being ignorant of God’s purpose, people despise[d], or showed contempt for God’s attributes and actions; in other words, they suppressed the truth in unrighteousness (see Romans 1:18). People knew of God’s Being through natural revelation (see Romans 1:19-21, 28), but did not know the purpose of His goodness, that it leads you to repentance.

To Be Continued

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.