Sermon Tone Analysis

A. EVEN THE "JUDGES" WILL BE JUDGED (2:1-11)

1.

The inconsistent judge judges himself (1)

Therefore (Dio) - refers to the general considerations which were suggested by a view of the whole case (God’s judgment upon sin)

no excuse (anapologetos)- without defense or excuse

pass judgment (krino) - to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong [Present, Active, Participle]

condemning yourself – Reciprocated Judgment

2. The hypocritical judge is judged by truth (2)

practice such things - God’s righteous judgment falls on unrighteous deeds though enveloped in righteous truth.

3. The foolish judge reasons poorly (3)

do you think (logizomai) - to reckon, count, compute, calculate, count over [Present, Middle, Indicative]

will escape (ekpheugo) - to seek safety in flight [Future, Middle, Indicative]

He minimizes his sin by maximizing the sin of others

4. The presumptuous judge treasures up wrath (4-11)

do you presume on (kataphroneo) [Present, Active, Indicative] - despise, look down upon or think little or nothing of the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience

leads you towards repentance – God’s purpose

storing up (thesaurizo) - to gather and lay up, to heap up, store up [Present, Active, Indicative] wrath

God’s Righteous Judgment

Eternal life – well-doers

Eternal judgment- evil-doers

Jew first and also the Greek - the order of judgment is similar to the order of salvation.

For God shows no partiality - Jew or Gentle incur the same judgment

B. NOT HAVING A "WRITTEN" LAW DOES NOT EXEMPT FROM JUDGMENT (2:12-16)

1.

Those who sin will still perish (12)

sinned without the law...perish without the law...sinned under the law...judged by the law - God’s punishment seems to vary in severity depending on the sinners exposure to God’s truth

2. The Gentiles DO have a law (13-15)

Hearing alone does not produce righteousness

The true doers of the law are those who have been justified by faith

The Gentiles, though they did not have God’s written law, and because they are created in the image of God, have an innate awareness of God’s law.

their consciences also bearing witness

3. Jesus Christ will judge accordingly (16)

All secrets revealed; no stone left unturned

C. THE JEWS CONDEMNED BY THEIR OWN LAW (2:17-24)

1.

The Jewish self-portrait (17-20)

Rely on and instructed from the law

Brag about relationship with God

Know God’s will

Approve the superior

Guide the blind

Light the darkness

Instruct the foolish/teach infants

2. The Jewish inconsistency and dishonor of God (21-24)

Teach but need teaching

Do not steal, but steal

No adultery, but commit adultery

No idols but rob temples (commit sacrilege)

Brag about the law but break it

Blaspheme the name of God through their inconsistency

D. THE LIMITATION OF CIRCUMCISION (2:25-29)

1. Voided by transgressing the Law (25-27)

Circumcision - This was the peculiar rite by which the relation to the covenant of Abraham was recognized

Value if you observe the law – The act of circumcision meant nothing in itself but the identification with the covenant was to bring obedience

Not circumcised but keeps the law – greater value

2. The true Jew is one circumcised in the heart, in the Spirit (28-29)

Note that even when the law of circumcision was in effect, the priority was a circumcised heart!

E. THE JEWISH ADVANTAGE (3:1-2)

1.

In many respects (1)

The objection would arise particularly from the position advanced, (Rom.

2:25, 26)

2. Especially in having the "Oracles of God" (2)

Been entrusted - commit to (one’s) trust

“Unto them were committed.

Or were entrusted, were confided.

The word translated “were committed,” is that which is commonly employed to express faith or confidence, and it implied confidence in them on the part of God in entrusting his oracles to them; a confidence which was not misplaced, for no people ever guarded a sacred trust or deposit with more fidelity, than the Jews did the sacred Scriptures.

“ - Barnes

The words of God - oracle (KJV/NASB) among the heathen meant, properly, the answer or response of a god

F. ANSWERS TO POSSIBLE OBJECTIONS (3:3-8)

1. Unbelieving Jews will not make the faithfulness of God without effect (3-4)

Nullify (katargeo) - to render idle, unemployed, inactivate, inoperative

Not at all (me ginomai) – Lit: “become not” or, “may this never be”

David acknowledges God’s “rightness” in His judgments.

Psalm 51:4b (ESV)

4 ...so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

2. God is right to be angry, even if "unrighteousness" demonstrates His Own righteousness (5-6)

unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly (sunistao) - to show, prove, establish, exhibit

3. Though sin might increase God's truth and give Him glory, people will still be judged for their sins (7-8)

God will be glorified in all things, whether we do righteous deeds or not.

However, even though the glory of God is magnified in the contrast between God’s righteousness and man’s unrighteousness, man is still accountable and will be judged for that unrighteousness.

Paul mentions this again in Romans 6 with regard to our sanctification.