Bible Study

Chapter 2.   No one is entitled before God.  Not by birth or inheritance.  Hypocrisy hides in the ranks of royalty.  It is not who you are or what you know.  It is what’s in your heart.  And that is exhibited in your speech and behavior.  Does it align with the character of the Spirit and by the requirements of the Word according to Christ? 

Verse 1-4;  Among the audience of this letter; No doubt many heads nodded as Paul condemned the idol worshippers, homosexual practices, and violent people.  But what surprise his listeners must have felt when he turned on them and said in effect you have no excuse; you are just as bad.  Paul was emphatically stressing that nobody is good enough to save himself or herself.  If we want to avoid punishment and live eternally with Christ, all of us whether we have been murderers, molesters, or whether we have been honest, hardworking solid citizens, we depend totally on God’s grace.

Verses 5-11;  One can do good in many ways and still do wrong also in other ways.  No different than one who is Holy on Sunday and cuss all day at work on Monday.  The ‘go along to get along’ approach will not work with God.  Example: Peter acted one way among the Jews and another way among the Gentiles.  There is no double standard with God. The Law and the Word are the same for all.  You are not exempt from a speeding ticket just because you are a police officer or judge. (in the world, with corrupt leaders maybe; but not with God) And you can’t live saying “do as I say and not as I do” just because of your position or family ties.   

Verses 12-16;  Paul reasons here that the law only protects those who obey it.  Even those who do not know the law have a heart and desire to do what is good.  They are justified.  For there is both Good and Evil in nature.  And God is Good. So, all those that do Good are justified by God whether by choice or by nature. This will be made clear and evident at the Judgement of Christ.  But it is evident now in the fact that ‘we reap what we sow.’    

Verses 17-24;  Paul shows that the title of Jew does not save.  Many today place great value in their titles, nationality, race, connections, memberships, families, money, possessions, and many other earthly connections.  But after all is said and done, only one connection counts.  And only one action is of eternal value.  That is to be saved by the Grace of God and to live faithfully in that salvation.  To be hypocritical to it is a blasphemy before God.       

Verses 25-29;  Speaking directly to the Jew, Paul let’s them know that their status as a Jew has value and meaning only in what they do, not who they are.  Because, those that are not Jews, but do God’s will, carry the ‘Banner of Jew’ in their hearts.  And that is where it coun