Austin Bible Church
What does “under sin” mean? It means under the dominion, under the power, under the rulership, under the bondage of sin. Illustration: Let’s say I am going to dominate some guy by making him shine my shoes when he doesn’t want to. I come up to him and say, “Peter, shine my shoes!” But he won’t do it. So I knock him down. When he struggles to his feet I ask him to shine my shoes. But he still won’t do it. So I knock him down again. Finally he shines my shoes. The next day I only have to knock him down once and he shines my shoes. The next day I just have to ask him and by the end of the month I say “Jump” and he says, “How high?” I have dominated him. He has been pushed down to do my will. Sin does this to the human race. Every member of the human race is under the rulership and dominion of sin, completely and totally. It is the biggest bully and it dominates all of us. The judicial verdict is that both Jew and Gentile are under the dominion of sin. Rom. 3:9-11.
"What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;" (Romans 3:9-11, NASB)
Romans 3:10-18 describes the human race under the dominion of sin.
“as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE." "THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING," "THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS"; "WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS"; "THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD, DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS, AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN." "THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES."” (Romans 3:10-18, NASB)
"ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE."" (Romans 3:12, NASB)
God, the great physician, tells them to open their mouth so he can look at their throat and tongue, just like doctors today. When they stick out their tongue and say “ahh,” God smells their bad breath. The tongue turns out to be forked, like an asp snake. Rom. 3:13.
""THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING," "THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS";" (Romans 3:13, NASB)
Romans 3:14 describes the average factory where the discontented and critical workers cuss and gripe their way through the day. Romans 3:15 is a spiritual x-ray of the human race without Christ. In Romans 3:16-18 is the working motto of the United Nations.
""WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS";" (Romans 3:14, NASB)
""THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD," (Romans 3:15, NASB)
"DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS, AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN." "THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES."" (Romans 3:16-18, NASB)
Does this series of verses describe the little sweet old lady that lives down the block who is in some false cult and does not believe in Jesus Christ? Yes, this is God’s description of every member of the human race, even Adolf Eichmann. We have a problem today. It is hard to get people to recognize that they are lost. Very few are willing to admit they are lost. They try to justify themselves by baptism, membership, and doing good deeds. Rom. 3:19-20.
"Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:19-20, NASB)
In almost any city, if you ask the average man on the street, “Are you born-again?” he would say, “I’m Catholic” or I’m a Methodist” or I’m a Mormon.” This means nothing. The Bible isn’t a denominational Bible. It doesn’t belong to some brand of people. It is the Word of God and is the final standard of divine authority.
What does the Mosaic Law state? It says I am guilty. It puts a zipper on my mouth. It points out my sin. This lesson is hard on the dignity of man, but we need not be afraid of truth! One of today’s biggest tragedies would be Sunday School teachers telling children that if they keep the Ten Commandments, they would go to heaven. Or, trying to keep them as best they can will suffice. Remember that the Bible does not teach that you go to heaven because you are good, or even go to hell because you are bad. One goes to heaven by simply accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. The issue is not how good or bad you may be. One goes to hell for simply not accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. People who lived good lives on earth will be in hell and people who lived bad lives on earth will be in heaven. The only consequential issue in life is what did they do with the claims of Christ before death?
So, the Ten Commandments show me I am sinful and I need a cleansing through the Savior. Everyone should understand the plan of salvation and how to be cleansed by faith in the salvation promise. However, some may not be convinced that they are lost, even yet. Has there ever been a time when you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and recognized that you were lost?
Romans 3:20 says “for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.” Then, how can I be saved? By saying to Him, “God, I realize that I have sinned, right now I believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for my sins and I accept Him as my Savior.” You now have God's very own eternal life! You are now born again! You don’t have to blink your eyes, yell, scream, or feel good. You just simply receive Him by faith. John 1:12; John 3:36; Gal. 3:13-16.
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name," (John 1:12, NASB)
""He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."" (John 3:36, NASB)
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"— in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ." (Galatians 3:13-16, NASB)
What relation do we sustain to the Abrahamic Covenant? Why did Jesus Christ redeem us? So that the blessing of Abraham might come upon us. The New Covenant guaranteed Israel what? A new heart, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. How does this blessing come to us? By salvation, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
The real you, your soul is composed of; self-consciousness, mentality, volition, and emotion. Self-consciousness that makes you aware of your existence, the mentality is the thinking part of the soul and includes the left lobe and the right lobe, volition is the decider of the soul, and emotion is the appreciator of the soul.
Because the unsaved human being does not have a human spirit, God the Holy Spirit must deal directly with the soul. This is the doctrine of the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit. For the unbeliever, the Holy Spirit acts as a human spirit and makes Gospel information clear to them and puts it into the left lobe or mentality of the soul. With this information in the mentality of the soul, self-consciousness becomes oriented to a new set of circumstances and a new plan, the plan of salvation.
The self-consciousness becomes aware of man’s inadequacy and God’s perfect provision. Positive volition makes the decision to believe in Christ, a non-meritorious act. It may or may not be accompanied by emotion or appreciation. Some people say that when they were saved, they had a great emotional experience. Some have no emotional response and some are in between. The conscience in the right lobe of the soul for the first time has a new norm or standard called grace, entirely different from anything known before.
For the first time, the old sin nature gets its come-uppance for at the point of salvation we are not only indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but filled with the Holy Spirit. The first sin we commit gets us out of fellowship and fellowship can only be recovered by confessing sin biblically using 1 John 1:9. When the believer is in fellowship, the old sin nature is frustrated and cannot control the soul. At the moment of salvation, the human spirit is reactivated and becomes a new capability to learn and understand spiritual information by which we can grow spiritually.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, NASB)
The Old Sin Nature of Man
Romans 3:23 presents the sin part of man. But the old sin nature of man also has a human good part. Romans 1 deals with the sin part and Romans 2 deals with the human good part. Below is a diagram of the genetically-formed old sin nature that resides in every cell of every human being, except Jesus Christ.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23, NASB)
Romans 1:18 introduces us to the wrath of God. This is righteous judgment directed against ungodliness and unrighteousness. The old sin nature has a trend toward sin with another trend toward human good. This righteous anger is the outcome of those who do something mentioned in this verse, “who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” This means that there is suppression of God’s truth. Truth is held down and concealed. This results in sin.
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness," (Romans 1:18, NASB)
As an illustration, suppose I had a small kitten under my hand and kept suppressing it, pushing it down, cutting off its air. What would happen? It would die. So here, suppression of truth results in continued deeds of spiritual death - sins.
Romans 1:19 is not talking about Christians, but all normal humanity which has God-consciousness. Every normal human being is conscious of God at one time or another. They may suppress this consciousness and remain unsaved, or suppress truth by twisting it and becoming religious without Christ. Or they may become a fool, declaring themselves an atheist.
"because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them." (Romans 1:19, NASB)
Unsaved man can be conscious concerning God's creation that is visible all around them and realize that somebody is greater than we are. They are also conscious of God's power and Godhood. Appreciating creation won’t save and God-consciousness won’t save, but they make us conscious that God does exist and must be reckoned with. These people will be fed more information concerning God in the form of the Gospel. If they respond to the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit bringing them to faith belief in Jesus Christ, they become saved. They become believers with an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ. Rom. 1:20; Eph. 2:8-9.
"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." (Romans 1:20, NASB)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NASB)
Before salvation or after salvation, a person can have either negative or positive volition. If one says “no” to the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit before salvation, they stay unsaved. But if one goes on positive signals, God will feed more information to that individual in the form of the Gospel. It does not matter where the individual lives on this earth, they can accept Christ even if they live in a very remote part of the world. The Bible teaching on volition in no way violates the Bible teaching of total depravity. It is the meeting place of the sovereignty of God and the free will of man. Man can reject the Lord or he can accept Him. John 7:17.
" "If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. " (John 7:17, NASB)
Thus, this Romans 1 crowd got on negative signals at the point of God-consciousness and suppressed truth. Where does this suppression of truth lead? First of all, everyone is responsible for their own sin. Romans 1:20 says they are without excuse. Those who have never heard are just as lost as those who have heard and not responded. Why? Every normal person has God-consciousness and can have full facts of the Gospel, if they continue on positive volitional signals. Abnormal people who never reach God-consciousness, the mentally handicapped for example, go to heaven regardless of their age or physical appearance.
The Romans 1 crowd forsook God-consciousness. This led to downgrading God and forsaking Him. Their intellect was darkened. They could not know God. Their emotions were degraded. They could not love God. Their will was deadened. They could not obey God. Rom. 1:21-23.
"For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures." (Romans 1:21-23, NASB)
God then gave them up to lusts of their hearts to impurity, exchanging the truth of God for a lie, worshiping and serving the creature rather than the Creator. Rom. 1:24-26.
"Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural," (Romans 1:24-26, NASB)
Those who no longer acknowledge God, God gives them over to a depraved or reprobate mind. This is a mind totally abandoned to the whims and desires of the base side of the old sin nature. This is a person totally on negative signals. Rom. 1:28.
"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper," (Romans 1:28, NASB)
These things exhibit themselves in various sins that are listed in Romans 1:26-32. Note that there are internal and overt sins. Homosexuality is mentioned. Many American cities are plagued with this type of perversion which is called sin by the Bible, not a sickness. Sodom in Old Testament times was almost completely given over to this area of sin.
"being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." (Romans 1:29-32, NASB)
God can only judge when such sins are rampant. He destroys a nation when the iniquity of a nation is full. This is dependent upon the five cycles of discipline mentioned in Leviticus 26, also the iniquities of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation found in Exodus 20, Proverbs 30:11-14, Proverbs 30:17, and last of all, the law of sexual perversity. The latter puts an entire nation on negative signals and God destroys that nation. This is the Fifth Cycle of Discipline. Many Old Testament passages develop this as well as Romans 1.
"There is a kind of man who curses his father And does not bless his mother. There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes, Yet is not washed from his filthiness. There is a kind—oh how lofty are his eyes! And his eyelids are raised in arrogance. There is a kind of man whose teeth are like swords And his jaw teeth like knives, To devour the afflicted from the earth And the needy from among men." (Proverbs 30:11-14, NASB)
"The eye that mocks a father And scorns a mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it." (Proverbs 30:17, NASB)
Some will no doubt be saved while attending Bible classes. Others may not be Christians yet. Do we as Christians still have an old sin nature after salvation? Yes. Is the possibility of doing these sins in the ability of a Christian? Yes. What happens if we sin? Do we lose our salvation and have to get saved all over again? No. They need to get back in fellowship by using 1 John 1:9. Remember when a believer sins, they gets into divine discipline from God. There is no license to sin after becoming a Christian. Believers can and do sin after salvation. They can lie, for example and they can gossip. They can have the worst sins of all, mental attitude sins. These are sins of bitterness, hostility, hate, spite, pride, etc.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, NASB)
Every now and then some wild-eyed, stoop shouldered individual will come down the pike and say that once a person is saved, they cease to sin and have no more problems with the old sin nature. Hogwash! 1 John 1:8-10 indicates that a believer will have their difficulties. Being saved is just opening the door. The believer needs to grow in the Lord. Churches are loaded these days with born again people who have never been fed Bible doctrine. If you know where you can be fed, the Bible says you are responsible before God to be there.
"If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us." (1 John 1:8-10, NASB)
As Christians, we are just plain stupid sometimes. Let’s take a Kansas farm for example, where steers are fed extra at certain times of the year to get them in shape for sale. Those steers must be fed and there are feed boxes for that purpose. Imagine those hungry steers standing at the empty feed box when there were full feed boxes near them where they could eat their fill! Can you imagine them starving to death when they could simply walk over to full feed boxes? Then, why is it that unbelievers are made fully aware of God, but reject Him and the Gospel of Jesus Christ when all they had to do is exercise their free will to accept God and then accept the saving work of Jesus Christ on the Cross? This is the free will of mankind in action.
In Romans 1:23, we have a supplemental illustration of idolatry in America. This verse is often applied to those “heathen” living in dark Africa or India. Sometimes a class will really get worked up about the terrible idol worship in other nations. And if they are denouncing them, let them talk for a brief time concerning the so-called backward countries. Then reverse the issue and say, “All right, don’t we suppress God in America? Don’t the unsaved suppress truth?”
"and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures." (Romans 1:23, NASB)
Let’s try another example. “Now God bothers me, gets on my back and in my way, but yet I’m a bit uneasy about Him. Apparently I’ve got a consciousness of God and I’m not sure I’m right with Him. And so, God bugs me. So, I’m going to have to do something to please God, to appease God.”
“I have decided to build God a beautiful altar because I wouldn’t think of making a corrupt image of some idol at all, after all I’m civilized. So I will make a beautiful altar with magnificent gold ornaments on it, put lovely candles there in ornate holders, put on a marble top and it will be a real knockout. And I will tell God, “I’m making this for you! Did you know that?” Since I don’t want it to rain on the altar, I will build up some sides, put a roof over it held up by arches (God likes high roofs and arches) and it is looking great. “But God I want you to see out, so I’ll have you look out at the world through nice colorful stained glass windows so you’ll not get too offended over what is going on. I’m going to also put up a lot of pictures of you and Jesus Christ so you can look at yourself in the mirror.”
Then I have “God’s house” completed with beautiful pews with comfortable pads on them and beautiful red carpeted aisles. This is cultured and pleasing. But I keep the key of my church to myself.
So I have a big wing-ding week. Then suddenly late Saturday night I say, “Wife, let’s go to church tomorrow morning. We’re going to have to nod to God, we’ve been neglecting Him lately. Let’s go and pay our respects to Him.” She says, “OK,” so we finally get up in the morning, pull ourselves together, and look as respectable as possible. I unlock the door of “God’s house” and walk in and say, “Hi, God, it is good to see you. Haven’t had much to do with you all week, but wanted you to know that the interest is still there.”
“Oh, by the way, God, we’d like to give you some money,” and so I kick a little tip into the kitty and think, “Now that will help you get through the week God.” Then the wife and I sit back and hear a nice talk on how good we are. In all those beautiful surroundings, I get the feeling that somehow God must overlook some of my naughtiness and neglect and that I must be pleasing Him.
Finally, the talk is over and as we file out the door I really feel inspired but also glad it is over for another week. After everyone has cleared out, I slam the door, lock it, and say, “I’m sure glad that is over for another week. Bye, God, I’ve given you my due. Now please, God, will you keep your nose out of my business? Kindly look the other way. How about it? OK? It’s a bargain.” You can apply this illustration any way you want. Some will surely get the point of playing church.
Gentiles Are Under Sin
In Romans 1:3-4, Paul is introducing Jesus Christ to the Gentiles in Rome. In Romans 1:11-13, he is relating his desire to come to teach them even earlier for their spiritual edification.
"concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord," (Romans 1:3-4, NASB)
"For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine. I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles." (Romans 1:11-13, NASB)
Paul states that “I am a debtor, I am ready, and I am not ashamed.” This all involves the preaching of the Gospel. Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel because it was good news. It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believers. Rom. 1:14-16.
"I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:14-16, NASB)
As an illustration, let’s say that you go into a car dealer to buy a Zilch V-8. As you approach the salesman and inquire about the car, he tells you that the previous three that he sold were wrecked because the steering wheel came off. Furthermore, their ignition systems were catching fire and causing considerable damage. The fenders were also falling off. Would you buy the car? Most wouldn’t if they were thinking. You would want a car that was good news, not bad from day one. So it is with the Gospel. It is nothing but good news. It is not good news that I am a sinner, but good news that Jesus Christ died for my sins and can save me eternally. So don’t be afraid of the Gospel. It is good news and open to all, good or bad.
Believers are saved only by faith. This is the first instance of “faith” in Romans 1:17. They are to live by faith which is the second instance of the word “faith.” God never says to stop believing. We believed the promise of salvation by faith and were saved. We are to continue to believe the promises of God by faith after salvation so we can grow spiritually.
"For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."" (Romans 1:17, NASB)
Paul addresses a group of Jews who have been sitting in judgment on the Gentile group that Paul has just blistered. Can’t you just hear those Jews after Romans 1? “That’s right, Paul, really give it to them! They deserve it, those Gentile dogs. Sic ‘em, Paul, really lay it on!” But Paul turns right around and lowers the boom on the Jews! “All right, you Jews, I have a double barreled shotgun, the Gentiles got one barrel of the gun, now I’ll unload the other in your camp!” And he did! Rom. 2:1-2.
"Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things." (Romans 2:1-2, NASB)
What did the Gentiles do that caused the Holy Spirit to inspire Paul to write a sordid story like Romans 1? They suppressed truth. What did the Jews do? They rejected the light they had. Who had more light? Jews had more light to suppress and the more light, the more judgment. Certainly, the Gentiles needed to be judged for their wicked deeds, but the Jews would be too, for they did the same things. That is, the Gentiles immorally suppress truth and the Jews religiously suppress truth. Rom. 2:3.
"But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?" (Romans 2:3, NASB)
The Jews hadn’t lived up to the light in the Old Testament. Here was the Jew with the Old Testament promises to Abraham. Why, we are God’s chosen people! So, was the Jew automatically in because of nationality, because of papa Abraham, father of the Israelite nation? Of course not!
They were saying, “Abraham was a Christian, therefore I’m a Christian. That is like saying Martin Luther was a Christian. I’m a Lutheran, therefore, I’m a Christian. Or John Wesley was a Christian. I’m a Methodist, therefore, I’m a Christian. Or John Knox was a Christian. I’m a Presbyterian, therefore, I’m a Christian. Or, I’m a Jew, therefore, I’m in God’s favor by all means! I was raised in a Christian home, therefore, St. Peter is going to be impressed with me at the pearly gates. No, a thousand times no!
They were also saying in Romans 2:5 that because they were Jews they were not subject to judgment as the Gentiles. But Paul cuts them down to size. Listen, some people today think that because they are Methodists or Baptists or Bereans or something else, that it gets them into heaven. Or that being a Catholic gets them past St. Peter. God is not impressed with your brand or label. He wants to know, what you have done with the truth? That truth is, Jesus Christ died for your sins! Simply believe in Him as your Savior. John 3:36.
"But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God," (Romans 2:5, NASB)
""He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."" (John 3:36, NASB)
Where did the Jews learn about the longsuffering and goodness of God? Through His mighty acts in the Old Testament. Did the Gentiles have an Old Testament? No, the Jews were the custodians of the truth. Did the Gentiles know about God’s longsuffering as did the Jews? No, the Gentiles were seeing the wrath of God, the power of God, that there was a God and they could see this apart from the Old Testament Scriptures. The Jews knew that God was good and longsuffering, but they didn’t utilize His grace! Rom. 2:4.
"Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4, NASB)
“Wrath” is used in Romans 1:18. Is God righteous in judging sin? Now let’s take this verse in context! Does this mean that here is Mary Doe who is a good woman so she is going to heaven? Because she is so good? Here is Sarah Mud. She is bad so she is going to hell because she is bad? No! Put it in context, “according to his deeds.” What were their deeds? They suppressed truth! Rom. 2:5; Rom. 2:6.
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness," (Romans 1:18, NASB)
"But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God," (Romans 2:5, NASB)
"who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:" (Romans 2:6, NASB)
Read Romans 2:7-9. In Romans 2:9, “who does evil” is again holding down the truth, not responding to it. Why is the Jew mentioned first? More light. By the way, do you realize the light you are getting through studying this? More than the Jews ever had! We can use them and the Gentiles as whipping boys. Be careful how you handle truth.
"to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek," (Romans 2:7-9, NASB)
In that case you may say, “I had better get out of here.” Do you realize that the Bible indicates that we are also responsible for the truth that we could have received? James 4:17.
"Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." (James 4:17, NASB)
Romans 2:11 says that there is no partiality with God. This is a tremendous statement. Most of us are common ordinary people. We’re not big shots. In the world today, it is not who you are, but who you know! An illustration is that when we were in seminary, we had a neighbor who knew nothing about electricity, but he knew a vice-president of a huge electrical outfit and he was hired for a high-up job in that company. He knew the right man and was hired even though others were more qualified. This is partiality. Rom. 2:10-11.
"but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God." (Romans 2:10-11, NASB)
But with God, there is no partiality! It is not going to be what kind of clothing you have or what side of the tracks you were born on, or how much education you have, or your advantages or disadvantages. This shot the Jews down for they were counting on some special treatment from the Lord. They would say: “Why, I’m a Jew. I’m of the chosen race! I’ve got Abraham as my father. Look at those Gentile dogs.”
They believed that there had to be partiality with God but there is not. None! We have the same thing today. “Oh God, I’m a Methodist, I’m a Baptist, I’m a Congregationalist! I’m this or that. Are you impressed God? See God, here is my baptismal certificate. Here’s when I joined the church. God aren’t you impressed with me, don’t you know who I am?” Who sinned without the Law? The Gentiles. Who sinned within the Law? The Jews did. Rom. 2:12.
"For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law;" (Romans 2:12, NASB)
An illustration of Jews having the Mosaic Law: Let’s say I come in to my house and I’m jumping two feet off the floor with excitement and anticipation. I’ve got a document. I was going down the road and this black car with a large taillight on the roof stopped me and gave me a document. It says I am going to see the judge tomorrow! Oh boy, look what I’ve got. I am proud of this. But what I’ve got is a ticket. And what does this document do? It condemns me! It points out my violation, my sin!
And the very Law that the Jews boasted about, condemned them and called them sinners. But they said, “Look at this, the Law is entrusted to us. You poor Gentiles, you outsiders.” But more light and more judgment. Romans 2:13 looks like you can be saved by keeping the Law. Can you? No! The Law has no power to save anyone. Keep it in context. The Law pointed out sin. A person who does what the Law says, takes its message to heart. As a sinner, I need a Savior. When I believe in Him, I am justified.
"for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified." (Romans 2:13, NASB)
Churches are loaded with people who think they are justified by the Law, the do-gooders. They teach Sunday school, sing in the choir, pitch bills into the plate, and are religious to the gills. Down in Texas, a fine man attended a Christian church. On the invitation of an acquaintance, he went to a Bible class and was eventually saved. When he wrote his resignation (he was on the board of elders) he said, “I’ve gone to church the better part of my life, and had never been presented with the claims of Jesus Christ.” Now, was he a bad man? No. He had been a good religious man without Christ.
Romans 2 is designed to bring good people under conviction. The Gentiles had the law of conscience. Thus, they had the truth, they were responsible even though they did not have the Law. Rom. 2:14-16.
"For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus." (Romans 2:14-16, NASB)
Paul began to put on the heat. Note the sarcasm. “Why don’t you practice what you preach, boys?” Rom. 2:17-20; Rom. 2:21-23.
"But if you bear the name "Jew" and rely upon the Law and boast in God, and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth," (Romans 2:17-20, NASB)
"you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal? You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?" (Romans 2:21-23, NASB)
They were dishonoring the name of God. They replied, “Oh no, we honor it!” The Jews were actually blaspheming God in the presence of the Gentile nations. They were not a testimony to the Gentiles in any way most of the time. Rom. 2:24.
"For "THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU," just as it is written." (Romans 2:24, NASB)
You know what the biggest enemy of witnessing is? It isn’t the beer joints. It is converted Christians who are not walking in fellowship. How does the outsider look at your church? Do they say, “If you want the Bible explained, go to that church, it’s a really relaxed church and I feel right at home there.” Or, “The people who go to that church go to learn the Word and they sure put it to use when they get out.” Or, “If that is Christianity, they can have it.”
Romans 2:25 is an illustration of blaspheming God. Circumcision was a mark or outward sign of the Abrahamic Covenant, but it had just come to mean a mark with no spiritual significance.
"For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision." (Romans 2:25, NASB)
Water baptism, certainly taught in the Word of God, has lost its significance in many places today. Biblically, it symbolizes the mechanics by which we were placed into the Body of Christ. Water baptism has nothing to do with salvation. It illustrates what happened at the point of salvation when you were entered into union with Christ by the Holy Spirit. Biblical water baptism always comes in order, after salvation. But in the United States, a conversation can go like this; “Are you a Christian?” Reply; “Well, I’ve been baptized and joined the church.” Those two factors never saved anyone in the history of the human race according to the Bible.
There was a fellow in Iowa, a middle aged barber, a very fine fellow. One day a Christian went into his shop to get clipped. The place was empty and they started to talk about churches. The barber was asked inoffensively if he were going to heaven. The fellow paused and said, “No, I guess not.” He was asked why he wasn’t. He said, “Well, I lost my baptismal certificate.” This man was serious. At some time in his life someone had dropped a few drops of water on his head and had given him a certificate. He had grabbed it and said, “Oh boy, now I’m going to heaven.” But alas, he had lost his proof.
In Romans 2:26, the unbelieving Jew had made circumcision just a rite. Ritual without reality is meaningless.
"So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?" (Romans 2:26, NASB)
What is needful? A change of heart. Inside information. Obedience is better than ritual. Rom. 2:27-29.
"And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God." (Romans 2:27-29, NASB)