1-3 [paraphrased] Paul was continuing what he spoke about in the previous chapter, about the people knowing they deserved God’s judgment, but they didn’t care, they kept sinning and encouraged others to join them.  In this chapter Paul is talking to the Jews/Israelite’s and he says, “You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse.”  You judge others, but you do the same things.  We know that God will punish anyone who does such things, so you can’t avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things. 

 4 (Direct Quote) “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you?  Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”  [The KJV words it “..not knowing the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentence?”

 My comments:   I love what verse 4 says, that it isn’t God’s judgement that causes people to repent, but rather His goodness, and his kindness.  The following verses talk about God’s anger and judgment, so God does have anger, and He will judge people, but verse 4 says it is His kindness that leads people to repent, I think we need to remember that when we witness to people.  They need to hear the good news.

 5-11 [paraphrase] In these verses, Paul says to the Jews:  Because you stubbornly refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself.  God’s anger and judgment will be revealed, He will judge all according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those that keep seeking God’s glory and honor, but will pour out His anger and wrath on that live a life of wickedness. There will be terrible calamity for anyone who keeps on doing evil. But there will be glory, honor, and peace for all who do good.  To the Jew first, and also the Gentile, for God does not show favoritism.   

I want to note here, that the book of Romans talks a lot about God’s grace, and that we have the GIFT of righteousness.  Romans 4:5 says, “But people are counted as righteous, NOT because of their WORK, but because of their FAITH in God who forgives sinners.”  Romans 8:1 says “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”  If you only read today’s passage (Romans chapter 2:1-11), and not the entire book of Romans, it looks as though we are justified and saved by our good works, and we will be judged for our evil deeds, but  I think we need to keep reading Paul’s letter to understand the full meaning of what is being said here.

I feel the need to explain that Jesus was a stumbling block for the Jews, they wanted to be counted as righteous by their own works, and not by their faith in Jesus.   We can read about that in Romans 9:30-33.  If we keep reading in chapter 2, verse 17 tells us that the Jews were relying on the law, and bragging about their special relationship with God. In verse 23 it says that they were very proud of knowing the law, but they dishonored God by breaking it.  Paul went on to explain to the Jews that it didn't matter that they were born from Jewish parents, or that they had been circumcised (which is the Old Testament signified having a covenant with God.)  In verse 29 Paul says that a true Jew is someone whose heart is right with God, and not someone who merely obeys the letter of the law, but someone who has a changed heart produced by God’s Spirit.  I think the point Paul was making in today’s passage is that without the redemptive blood of Jesus and a changed heart, everyone will be judged by their works alone, but if you read all of Romans, we know that we are counted as righteous by our faith in Jesus, and not by our good works.  Romans 3:23-25 tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, but we are justified by God’s grace through Jesus’ redemption.  Jesus became the sacrifice for our sin, and we are made right with God by believing in Jesus.  

 I would love to hear other’s thoughts and opinions