Self- Righteousness and The Wrath of God - Part Two (Romans 2: 1-16)

Please Note: This is a continuation of yesterdays longer two part episode. 

Episode Title: Self-Righteousness and The Wrath of God - Part Two
Scripture: Romans 2:1-16

In this episode, I continue my deep dive into Paul's teachings on divine judgment and wrath. I explore the distinction between present and future wrath and the impartiality of God's judgment. The role of works—not as a means of salvation, but as evidence of true faith.

Paul makes it clear that God's judgment is based on truth, reality, and our response to the light we've received. 

No one will escape His justice, but through Christ, there is hope. The kindness of God leads us to repentance, and true faith in Him transforms how we live.

Join us as we unpack this amazing but difficult passage and its implications for our daily walk with God.

🎙️ Listen now and subscribe to stay up to date with our journey through Romans!

Transcript

Self- Righteousness and The Wrath of God - Part Two (Romans 2: 1-16)

Transcript - Part Two:

....So, what we have discovered is that there are two kinds of wrath.

Many assume that any reference to future wrath must pertain to eternal judgment, like hell or the Great White Throne Judgment. However, a careful study of the New Testament reveals that it in fact refers to two different forms of God's wrath:

Present Wrath. – This is the judgment of God currently at work in the world, as seen in Romans 1. Seen by God simply allowing people to suffer the consequences of their own rebellion by giving them over to their sins.

Future Wrath. – This refers to an impending divine judgment upon the world. 

The New Testament frequently associates this with the coming tribulation period.

Paul's statement in Romans 2:5 aligns with this second category. His writings in 1 Thessalonians also provides additional support to this perspective:

"Jesus (is the one ) who delivers us from the wrath to come."

(1 Thessalonians 1:10)

Likewise, the Book of Revelation repeatedly describes the tribulation as the day of God's wrath. Revelation 6, for instance, explicitly refers to the events of the tribulation as the being thee great day of His wrath.

Scripture presents for us the concept that wrath can be stored up over time and poured out in full at a later date. A striking example appears in Genesis 15:16, where God tells Abraham:

"The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full."

God delayed judgment on the Amorites for generations until their sins reached a climax. Only then did He execute judgment by giving the land of Canaan to Israel.

Jesus Himself affirmed this principle in Luke 11:49-51, declaring that the guilt of all the prophets killed from Abel onward would be required of that generation, the one that rejected Him.

Similarly, here in Romans 2, Paul describes the progressive accumulation of sin and wrath across generations, culminating in an outpouring of a judgment one day in a great tribulation.

Paul's ultimate point remains clear: Judgment is based on reality, not appearances. The self-righteous assume they are safe, but they are in fact amassing divine judgment. And Paul warns that the whole world will face God's wrath in the coming tribulation.

The weight of Paul's argument presses in upon all who think they can escape judgment.

Paul then introduces a second principle of divine judgment in Romans 2:6:

"Who will render to each one according to his deeds."

This verse is a direct quotation from Proverbs 24:12 and is echoed throughout Scripture. It establishes that judgment is not only based on truth (verse 2) but also on what we do.

At first glance, the following verses seem troubling to those who are from a Protestant or evangelical persuasion:

"Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality." 

(Romans 2:7)

Does this suggest salvation by works? At first reading it might appears so, yet Paul will later clarify that no one achieves righteousness through works alone. 

Instead, he is establishing a principle here:

Judgment is rendered based on deeds. While those who persist in good would theoretically receive eternal life, no one naturally ever meets this standard, which is why salvation through faith becomes necessary.

Paul will expand on this in the coming verses, but for now, his point remains: Judgment is based on reality and according to how we have lived our lives.

In the next section, Paul will address how God’s judgment is impartial, applying equally to Jews and Gentiles alike.

But remember at this point in Romans 2 focused not on justification, but on judgment. This is not to say that works earn salvation, but rather that they serve as evidence of one’s faith and ultimate standing before God. 

To unpack this more, we can examine three key elements: What he calls:

1.     The patient continuation of good works.

2.     The seeking of glory, honor, and immortality.

3.     The resulting eternal life.

First, Paul speaks of those who patiently continue, in good works. The Greek word for "patient" in this passage literally means "to endure." This endurance in good works is not the cause of salvation but is a sign of a transformed life.

Paul consistently teaches that salvation is by grace through faith. Passages like Ephesians 2:8-9 state:

"For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast."

However, he still does teach that believers are created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10). 

Thus, those who continue in good works as believers, that endurance is a testament to their faith.

Second, Paul highlights the seeking of glory, honor, and immortality. 

Biblical scholar C.E.B. Cranfield notes that these terms refer to end time rewards associated with the blessing of the  resurrected life.

In 1 Peter 1:6-7, Peter similarly speaks of trials refining faith so that it "may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." This suggests that those who seek these things are not earning salvation but looking forward to the fullness of eternal life in God's kingdom.

Third, Paul speaks of eternal life as the result. The Greek structure of the sentence places "eternal life" at the end, emphasizing it as the outcome of endurance in good works and the acheiving of divine rewards.

This raises the question: Is eternal life a present possession or a future acquisition? The New Testament say both aspects are true.

In John 5:24, Jesus declares that those who believe "have eternal life." Yet, passages like Galatians 6:8 and Titus 1:2 also describe eternal life as something to be reaped or hoped for in the future.

When eternal life is spoken of as a future reward, it refers to the fullness of life in the kingdom to come, it is also a place where we can experience an abundance of God's presence and blessing in the every day.

Paul is not contradicting himself but distinguishing between the gift of salvation and the rewards of faithful living. Just as physical life is a gift at birth but can be lived fruitfully or fruitlessly, so too is eternal life given by grace but experienced in varying degrees in the every day based on our faithfulness.

This aligns with the biblical teaching of rewards, such as the "crown of life" (James 1:12) and an "abundant entrance" into the kingdom (2 Peter 1:11).

Conversely, Romans 2:8-9 describes also the coming judgment of unbelievers.

Those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth but follow unrighteousness face indignation, wrath, tribulation, and anguish. The phrase "do not obey the truth" refers to rejection of the gospel.

In Romans 1:5, Paul speaks of "obedience to the faith," implying that faith in Christ is an act of obedience. Those who refuse to believe are characterized by self-centeredness and a life dominated by unrighteousness, and they will be judged accordingly.

Thus, Romans chapter 2 today teaches that yes judgment is based on works, but not as a means of salvation, but as the evidence of a person’s relationship with God. And we will see the consequences of that play out in the day to day for them, not just in an end times judgement 

Believers who persist in good works, seeking God’s glory, and in doing so will experience the fullness of eternal life in His kingdom, while those who reject the truth will face divine wrath, both now and in the future.

Paul presents two sets of words to describe what God’s judgment is like.

The first set—indignation and wrath—refers to what God will do.

The second set—tribulation and anguish—describes what people will experience as a result, everyday. 

This passage connects back again to verse 5, where Paul speaks of the coming Day of Wrath, emphasizing that judgment and the wrath of God will ultimately be poured out on those who fully reject Him, regardless of their background.

Paul stresses that this judgment will be impartial, applying equally to everyone, all the people of the earth.

God does not show favoritism, as stated in verse 11: Judgment will be according to each person's works, those who obey the truth will be rewarded, and those who disobey will face consequences. 

This fairness in judgment aligns with the well-known depiction of justice of a blindfolded figure holding scales and a sword as seen on top of the Old Bailey in London. The blindfold represents impartiality, the scales symbolize a standard of righteousness, and the sword signifies the execution of justice. 

Similarly, God’s judgment is just and unbiased.

Finally Paul introduces a third standard of judgment—reality. 

No one can deceive God, for judgment will be based on what each person has truly done.

Verse 12 clarifies this principle: All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 

Paul affirms the idea he mentioned earlier but also expands upon it, explaining that everyone has some knowledge of the law, whether through direct revelation or through an innate sense of morality.

Verse says

For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

(Romans 2: 13)

For the Jews, simply possessing the law is insufficient. 

However, as Paul will explain in chapter 3, no one fully obeys the law, so they will be judged by it and found guilty. 

The Gentiles, though not having the Mosaic Law, often follow its principles by nature. Paul then explained in verse 15 that the "work of the law" is written on our hearts. While God gave the Jews the law in stone, Gentiles still had an innate moral awareness, understanding that murder, adultery, and theft are wrong. 

This universal moral sense suggests that a basic knowledge of right and wrong exists in every human heart.

However, the human heart is an imperfect tablet—unlike stone, it is prone to change, distortion, and corruption. Some people suppress or pervert their innate moral knowledge. Yet Paul insists that all people still have some level of awareness of moral truth. 

He then highlights the three internal witnesses to this reality:

1.     The heart (an intuitive sense of right and wrong).

2.     The conscience (which testifies to moral truth), and.

3.     Our thoughts (which either accuse or excuse actions). 

All these internal reflections confirm that all people have some degree of moral awareness.

One commentator I read poetically explains this structure this way: 

“The heart serves as the law’s record, the conscience as its witness, the thoughts as the prosecutor or defender, and God as the final judge”.

Paul underscores for us that even those who do not have the written law will still be judged by the moral knowledge they possess. Since everyone has some awareness of right and wrong, no one has an excuse.

Paul concludes by stating that God's final judgment will reveal even the hidden aspects of human hearts. And this judgment will be carried out through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the gospel thus revealed. 

The overarching message is clear: self-righteous individuals who judge others will not escape judgment themselves. God's judgment is based on truth, works, and the light or revelation each person has received. Whether Jew or Gentile, all will be held accountable before Him.

It all comes down to three key points.

First, there is an absolute standard for judgment: the law of God. This standard never changes because it is rooted in God's own character—His holiness and righteousness.

Second, the basis of that judgment will be reality—your works and your knowledge of God's law. Judgment is not based on perception or comparison to others but on what is true.

Third, no one will escape God's judgment, and no one will have an excuse on that day. Paul makes this clear when he says in Romans 1:20 that people are "without excuse." Then, in chapter 2, he turns the focus to those who judge others, saying, "You are inexcusable." The reality is, when we understand the principles of God's judgment, we all fall short.

Though this passage may seem hopeless at first, there is hope—but only if you include Jesus Christ in your life. Because Paul also reminded us that God's kindness is meant to lead us to repentance.

Too repent means to change your mind. Salvation is by faith, but repentance and faith go hand in hand. You cannot truly trust in Christ without first recognizing your own need for Him. 

If you change your mind about sin, no longer excusing it but admitting that it is your own problem, then you have repented. 

If you change your mind about Jesus, recognizing that He is not just a great teacher but God in the flesh who died and rose again—you have repented. 

And if you change your mind about salvation, understanding that it is not by works but by faith alone in Christ—you have repented.

God has been patient with you, giving you time to turn to Him. Yes, apart from Christ, this passage paints a bleak picture. But in Him, there is boundless hope.

This passage is not teaching that God's judgment is based on how you compare to someone else. Human nature tempts us to say, "Well, at least I'm not as bad as that person." That is exactly the attitude Paul condemns. He says, "You are inexcusable," because the truth is, we all fall short. Judgment is not about relative goodness; it is about God's absolute standard.

If you took a Maths test. And the question was: "What is 8 × 7?" and you answered 46, then some other person said 44. You can’t protest and say you were closer to the correct answer of 56 and say give me a mark because I was closer than they were.

You were still wrong and you both scored zero.

You may think you've done better than someone else, but in the face of God's perfect standard, we all fall short. 

The only way forward is to admit our need and turn to the one true answer—Jesus Christ. If you haven't done that yet, I urge you to do so. And do it without delay.

 Transcript