SSS4 : Epistle to the Romans : Lesson 6

Text: Romans 2
14 May 2017

A QUICK REVIEW OF ROMANS  1

1. The issues dealt with

a) The anger of God
i) Against all unrighteousness
ii) Against all who suppress the knowledge and truth of God
iii) Against all forms of immorality
b) These issues were dealt with strongly
i) To offer a Biblical-Theological perspective
ii) To address issues that existed in Rome in the days of Paul

2. Rome in the first century

a) The Capital of the vast Roman Empire
b) It was not just the political Capital
c) It was also the centre
i) Business
ii) Education
d) Diverse ethnic groups
i) Jews
ii) Gentiles
e) Diverse religious practices and views
i) Idolatry
ii) Judaism
iii) Christianity

3. The Christian

a) The church and the world
b) The individual believer and diverse philosophies

4. Paul presented a strong and cohesive Biblical Christian Theology

ROMANS 2

1. Addressing the Jewish quarter in the Church

2. Same roots

a) Judaism
b) Christianity

3. Strong Jewish presence in the Church in Rome

a) Exertion of Jewish views and practices
b) The Church needed to have a strong understanding of its faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

4. There were also many Gentiles in the Church

a) A difficult mix at times
b) Clear thinking was needed

THE JEWISH MINDSET

1. The judgmental-critical spirit (Romans 2:1)

2. They judged people (Gentiles) (Romans 2:1)

3. They believed that God would judge the world (Romans 2:2)

ADDRESSING THE JEWS FIRMLY

1. They think they will escape the judgment of God (Romans 2:3)
Paul disagrees!

2. The grace and mercy of God expressed

a) The riches of His goodness (Romans 2:4)
b) His forbearance (Romans 2:4)
c) His longsuffering (Romans 2:4)

3. These were misunderstood

a) That God has blessed
b) Therefore God would not judge

4. The correct understanding

a) God’s goodness should lead one to repentance (Romans 2:4)
b) Not just the threat of God’s judgment (Romans 2:2)

5. The true plight of the Jews

a) Hardness of heart (Romans 2:5)
b) Impenitence (Romans 2:5)
c) Treasuring up wrath (Romans 2:5)

6. How would God judge?

a) According to truth (Romans 2:2)
b) According to each one’s deeds (Romans 2:6)

7. The verdict

a) Eternal life
i) Patient continuance (Romans 2:7)
ii) Doing good (Romans 2:7)
iii) Seeking glory, honour, immortality (Romans 2:7)
iv) Glory, honour and peace (in earth) (Romans 2:10)
b) Indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish (Romans 2:8-9)
i) Self-seeking (Romans 2:8)
ii) Do not obey the truth (Romans 2:8)
iii) Obey unrighteousness (Romans 2:8)
iv) Doing evil (Romans 2:9)

8. God as the Divine Supreme Judge

a) No partiality
b) Jews and Gentiles would be judged (Romans 2:10-11)