looking at romans 2,3

Looking at Romans 2,3Looking at Romans 2,3

New Testament ExegesisNew Testament Exegesis

New Testament ExegesisNew Testament Exegesis 22

IntroductionIntroduction

In In 2:1-162:1-16 Paul turns from a general Paul turns from a general view of depraved Gentile society to view of depraved Gentile society to the Roman churchthe Roman church itself, to people itself, to people who think themselves moral.who think themselves moral.

In In 2:17-3:82:17-3:8 he examines the claims he examines the claims of of self-confident Jewsself-confident Jews..

In In 3:9-203:9-20 he considers he considers the whole the whole human race.human race.


1. God’s judgement is inescapable1. God’s judgement is inescapable

2:1-4 2:1-4 Not all are described by chapter 1: Not all are described by chapter 1:

what about moral people ?what about moral people ? The tendency to judgeThe tendency to judge The hypocrisy of the double standardThe hypocrisy of the double standard The appeal to God’s characterThe appeal to God’s character God’s kindness leads to METANOIAGod’s kindness leads to METANOIA


2. God’s judgement is righteous2. God’s judgement is righteous

2:5-112:5-11 Refusal to repent makes judgement Refusal to repent makes judgement

more inescapablemore inescapable Even though justification is by faith, Even though justification is by faith,

judgement is by worksjudgement is by works Judgement is publicJudgement is public Trouble, distress…or glory and Trouble, distress…or glory and

peace?peace?


3.God’s judgement is impartial3.God’s judgement is impartial

2:12-162:12-16 No favouritism between Jew and No favouritism between Jew and

GentileGentile The requirements of the law are The requirements of the law are

written on human heartswritten on human hearts Judged according to the light Judged according to the light

receivedreceived


God’s judgement and lawGod’s judgement and law

The law is a basis of judgementThe law is a basis of judgement The law is a basis of Christian The law is a basis of Christian

missionmission In evangelism, their conscience is on In evangelism, their conscience is on

your sideyour side Every society has its codes of ethics.Every society has its codes of ethics.


What about the claims of moral What about the claims of moral Jews?Jews?

The The LAWLAW (2:17-24) (2:17-24) CIRCUMCISION CIRCUMCISION (2:25-29)(2:25-29) Jewish objections (3:1-8)Jewish objections (3:1-8) (Is Paul thinking of his own (Is Paul thinking of his own

unconverted ideas as a Pharisee?)unconverted ideas as a Pharisee?)• ““This undermines the covenant”This undermines the covenant”• ““This nullifies God’s faithfulness”This nullifies God’s faithfulness”• ““This impugns God’s justice”This impugns God’s justice”


The whole human raceThe whole human race

3:9-203:9-20 The unrighteousness of the world The unrighteousness of the world The hypocrisy of moralistsThe hypocrisy of moralists The false confidence of JewsThe false confidence of Jews Now…”Are we any better?”Now…”Are we any better?” Paul personifies Sin a tyrantPaul personifies Sin a tyrant


““The scriptures bear witness…”The scriptures bear witness…”

Seven OT quotationsSeven OT quotations

The ungodliness of sinThe ungodliness of sin The pervasiveness of sinThe pervasiveness of sin The universality of sinThe universality of sin

V19 The defendant is speechless V19 The defendant is speechless against the weight of evidenceagainst the weight of evidence


Works of the law?Works of the law?

E.P.Sanders/ JDG Dunn’s “new E.P.Sanders/ JDG Dunn’s “new perspective”: the ritual law?perspective”: the ritual law?

Ziesler’s alternative: “ popular Ziesler’s alternative: “ popular perversion of the law”?perversion of the law”?

Luther’s thesis (Stott): any kind of Luther’s thesis (Stott): any kind of self-salvation through worksself-salvation through works


LutherLuther

““The principal point of the law…is to The principal point of the law…is to make men not better but worse; that make men not better but worse; that is to say: it sheweth unto them their is to say: it sheweth unto them their sin, that by the knowledge thereof sin, that by the knowledge thereof they may be humbled, terrified, they may be humbled, terrified, bruised and broken, and by this bruised and broken, and by this means may be driven to seek grace means may be driven to seek grace and so come to that Blessed Seed.”and so come to that Blessed Seed.”

looking at romans 2,3

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