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This is a sermon that is part of a series of messages on the book of Romans and it covers Romans 2:17-3:20.
Written Excerpts...
Introduction:
This morning we are returning to our study on the book of Romans and we
are going to be looking at the second half of chapter 2 and about two-thirds of
chapter three. Before we get started, let me bring us up to date with our progress so
far.
After covering Paul’s introductory comments at the beginning of chapter
1, we noticed that the general theme of the letter is stated in verse 17; and
that is, the righteousness of God.
As the Apostle developed this general topic, he started out by showing
his readers how that the righteousness of God is, first of all, demonstrated by
the judgment (wrath) of God.
I pointed out in chapter 1:18-32 that the Gentiles were under the
judgment of God as Paul describes the general idolatry of the pagans and those
who had never received the special revelation of God.
In chapter two, I shared with you how that Paul switched his focus from
Gentiles to Jews and pointed out that they were not exempt from the judgment of
God either.
In my last sermon we were speaking to you about the judgment of God being…According to truth (see v. 2); according to human conduct (see v. 6);
and according to human knowledge (see v. 12).
Today we are going to pick up with verse 17, and continue through
chapter 3, verse 20. As you might guess, in order to cover that much “ground,” we will need
to skim lightly over some of the verses, while we look more intently at others. Beginning with verse 17 of chapter two, we need to point out the fact
that Paul is still addressing his comments toward the Jews and continuing to
show that they too are under the judgment of God.
If I could start off by trying to give a modern-day equivalent to the
point that Paul seems to be making in these verses, I would simply use the
analogy of a child that has had so many privileges that he becomes conceited
and downright spoiled.
After doing a limited search on the internet, I came across this
article on a website affiliated with the magazine Psychology Today. The title
of the article was, “Three Principles to Keep Privileged Kids from Becoming
Jerks.” In the article, the author says,
“… one of the
unintended consequences of providing so much for your offspring is the risk
that they will become entitled, demanding, narcissistic, and smug jerks! To
make matters even worse… they may attribute their good fortune and success to
their own efforts rather than the fact that they were lucky to be born into a
family that had the motivation, interest, and means to provide them with so
many helpful advantages.” (Plante, Thomas, http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/do-the-right-thing/201310/three-principles-keep-privileged-kids-becoming-jerks)
I actually think that this brings us close to the understanding that
Paul seems to be trying to convey in these verses. He is trying to help the Jewish readers to see that they have been the
recipients of special divine privileges and rather than take full advantage of
the blessings and privileges, they have squandered those privileges and have
simply used them as an excuse to become proud, arrogant and judgmental of
others.
So, [following the outline that I have already used in previous messages], let us begin and take a look at God’s Word to understand that God
not only judges according to truth, human conduct and human knowledge, but …
iv. God [also] judges
according to divine privileges. (2:17-3:1-8)
At various times throughout these verses, Paul uses a popular form of
debate by frequently raising questions that might be raised by an opponent,
then providing answers to those questions. Some have suggested that the questions raised represent the ideas and
thoughts by Paul himself before his dramatic conversion to faith in Christ.
a. The privilege provided by the Law.
(2:17-24)
The first thing we
notice in the privileges they had received is the benefit of the law.
1. Paul describes several qualities about them that resulted from this
privilege. (vv. 17-20)
Their attitude
about themselves was one of satisfaction and comfort in their status and their
“accomplishments.” They failed to
realize that their “accomplishments” were not theirs, but God’s.
2. He challenges them for their hypocrisy. (vv. 21-24)
They failed to
recognize that they were often in violation of the law that they rested in and
boasted of.
b. The privilege provided by the covenant.
(2:25-29)
In these verses
Paul switches to the topic of circumcision.
Circumcision was
given to Abraham as a “sign” of the covenant that God had established with him. As a “sign,” it was
a visible symbol of an invisible grace and privilege. The equivalent sign
today that we could compare is baptism, and it could apply to communion and
other outward / visible signs that merely represent something that is spiritual
and invisible.
It is entirely
possible for even Christians today, or anytime, to become so confident in their
own performance of certain outward rituals and signs that they fail to maintain
a vibrant spiritual relationship with Christ by faith.
c. Greater privilege results in greater
condemnation. (3:1-8)
This section is somewhat difficult to put together smoothly. William Greathouse in Beacon Bible Commentary does about the best job of any author I read. This is how he summarizes the "dialog" in verses 1-8.
If the Jew stands
under the judgment of God like the Gentiles, what advantage does he have over
them? Answer: He possesses special revelation (law) from God.
If this possession
has not served it intended purpose (Israel
If God’s
faithfulness and grace receives greater attention through human sin, why does
He still judge sinners? Answer: Because of His own righteous character (the
justice of God).
“The end doesn’t justify the means.” When God saves the
sinner and forgives His sin, it does magnify the mercy and grace of God, but that doesn’t
bring us to the conclusion that we should sin all the more so that the grace of
God can be demonstrated more.
Victory over sin
shows His grace just as much as His forgiveness for our failures.
C. The whole world is under
the judgment of God. (3:9-20)
i. Probing question is asked. (3:9)
Privilege doesn’t equal merit or worth.
Go back to the statement of the author I quoted near the
beginning about privilege kids…
“To make matters even worse… they may attribute their good fortune and success to their own efforts rather than the fact that they were lucky to be born into a family that had the motivation, interest, and means to provide them with so many helpful advantages.”
“To make matters even worse… they may attribute their good fortune and success to their own efforts rather than the fact that they were lucky to be born into a family that had the motivation, interest, and means to provide them with so many helpful advantages.”
God’s choice to
grant them special privileges doesn’t mean He loves them more or that they have
escaped God’s judgment.
ii. Summary of wickedness is
described. (3:10-18)
The condition of the whole world is supported by OT texts.
iii. Condemnation of all is restated.
(3:19-20)
The law of God is
the standard, but the law cannot justify anyone [it can only condemn].
The law merely
provides us knowledge of God’s will and the realization of our own failure to
measure up. So, again (as
already stated many times before) we are all condemned by the righteous
standard of God.
Conclusion:
We have been talking about some of the arrogant and self-satisfied
attitudes of the Jews because of their privileges.
We must never forget that we American Christians have been the
recipients of many, many privileges as well.
We can never rest on our heritage or our religious “pedigrees” and
expect that to be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of God’s law.
We need to ask God to search our hearts to see if our attitudes and
motives are right.
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