Romans 2:1-29
The Jews were God's chosen people. The Lord had blessed them like no other people upon the earth. In Romans 9:4, 5 the apostle Paul reminded his countrymen that it was to them "pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen."
As proud, religious moralists, they would not identify themselves with the catalog of sins that Paul listed in Romans 1:17-20. No, they had become teachers of the commandments, and judges of the immoral. Relying upon their morals, they made their boast in God.
But in reality they weren't any better than the heathen Gentiles, whom they thoroughly despised and derisively called Uncircumcision. Paul described the Gentiles as "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." Ephesians 2:12.
Throughout their history the Jews have also been hated by Gentiles. Today this hatred toward Israel clearly continues to be displayed throughout the world. Even the United Nations is united in its dislike for the nation of Israel.
But in addressing the Jewish moralists in Romans 2, the apostle Paul asked sharp, piercing questions. To the teachers of the law he asked, "You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?" Romans 2:21. The very commandments that they were teaching others, they did not obey from the heart. They did not commit adultery as such, but they did lust. They did not steal, but they did covet. It was said of them that "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." Romans 2:24. To those who sat in judgment of others he inquired, "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?" Romans 2:3.
The fundamental truth is that both Jew and Gentile are sinners. Consider Romans 2:12. "For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law." The Gentiles lived without the law of God. They sinned, and deserved to die. "And as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law" and found guilty. This is an obvious reference to the Jews who had the law.
And then there is the Lord. There isn't any partiality with Him. He deals with Jews and Gentiles alike. His goodness leads to repentance and faith in the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. Those whom He saves produce the fruits of salvation. He gives "eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness --- indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first, and also to the Greek, but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Romans 2:7-10.
Heavenly Father, we know that You are not a respecter of persons. We would not boast of our good works, but rather desire to glory in the cross of our wonderful Savior, Your Son and our Lord. Help us to be impartial in our dealings with others. In Jesus' name. Amen!
