Nobody likes hypocrites. They do not practise what they preach. Had they shut up, people would have been more tolerant towards them. People are offended because the hypocrites seem to be above the law. Paul criticized them harshly in Romans 2.
The Jews were a privileged people because of their special relationship with God. They deserved to be proud. Paul knew them through and through. Therefore, in Romans 2, he painted a picture of an ideal Jew.
But if you call yourself a Jew and rely upon the law and boast of your relation to God
and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed in the law,
and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth (Romans 2:17-20).
The Jews were very proud of themselves because they had received the Torah from the hands of Moses.
For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?
And what great nation is there, that has statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law which I set before you this day? (Deuteronomy 4:7-8)
Since they were instructed in the law, which was the embodiment of knowledge and truth (Romans 2:20), they knew the will of God. They could be a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish and a teacher of children. The Jews felt a kind of superiority over the other peoples because of this Torah. However, in reality, they were conquered by the Assyrians and Babylonians. The Jews were superior no more. What had gone wrong? It was because they did not practise what they preached (Romans 2:21-23). Paul concluded with a quotation from Isaiah.
But if you call yourself a Jew and rely upon the law and boast of your relation to God
and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed in the law,
and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth (Romans 2:17-20).
The Jews were very proud of themselves because they had received the Torah from the hands of Moses.
For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?
And what great nation is there, that has statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law which I set before you this day? (Deuteronomy 4:7-8)
Since they were instructed in the law, which was the embodiment of knowledge and truth (Romans 2:20), they knew the will of God. They could be a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish and a teacher of children. The Jews felt a kind of superiority over the other peoples because of this Torah. However, in reality, they were conquered by the Assyrians and Babylonians. The Jews were superior no more. What had gone wrong? It was because they did not practise what they preached (Romans 2:21-23). Paul concluded with a quotation from Isaiah.
To begin with, it seems to be human nature to pass judgment on others. There is no harm passing judgment on others only when you are blameless. In most cases, the sins you condemn are exactly the same sins you commit. Paul said that in passing judgment on others, you pass judgment on yourself (Romans 2:1). Only God is blameless enough to judge.
In our Moral Theology course, Fr. Robert Ng, S.J. always emphasizes that we do not know the conscience of other people enough. Only God knows. Only God can pass judgment on their conscience. Though the Church forbids suicide, she has never condemned Judas to hell. His conscience might be very confused and his fury would have rendered his will impotent. God might have a very special way unknown to us to save his soul.
Paul warned people not to take advantage of God's kindness and mercy.
First of all, no sinner can escape God's punishment.
Secondly, nobody can take advantage of God's kindness.
Or do you presume upon the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not know that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?(Romans 2:4)
God is merciful because He wants to lead us to repentance.
To conclude his argument for the righteousness of God, Paul warned his readers and stated in no uncertain term that God is impartial.
For God shows no partiality (Romans 2:11).
In the final analysis, everybody agrees that actions speak louder than words. Only actions count.
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified (Romans 2:13).
In our Moral Theology course, Fr. Robert Ng, S.J. always emphasizes that we do not know the conscience of other people enough. Only God knows. Only God can pass judgment on their conscience. Though the Church forbids suicide, she has never condemned Judas to hell. His conscience might be very confused and his fury would have rendered his will impotent. God might have a very special way unknown to us to save his soul.
Paul warned people not to take advantage of God's kindness and mercy.
First of all, no sinner can escape God's punishment.
Secondly, nobody can take advantage of God's kindness.
Or do you presume upon the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not know that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?(Romans 2:4)
God is merciful because He wants to lead us to repentance.
To conclude his argument for the righteousness of God, Paul warned his readers and stated in no uncertain term that God is impartial.
For God shows no partiality (Romans 2:11).
In the final analysis, everybody agrees that actions speak louder than words. Only actions count.
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified (Romans 2:13).
Psychologists have argued that the moral development of man goes through several stages. We obey law out of a fear of punishment, out of the rewards we get for following the laws or we even want to gain approval from the others. Psychologists think that this kind of morality belongs to a lower level because laws are imposed from without. When we mature, we may bypass external laws because we have built up a set of laws within our hearts.
Psychologists think that this kind of morality belongs to a higher level. It comes from within. We call such an entity, conscience.
They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them (Romans 2:15).
They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them (Romans 2:15).
Dear Lord, we thank St. Paul for enlightening us on the true nature of morality. Grant us discernment to know what actions are acceptable to You and torch our hearts to put our discernment into action. Amen.
Appendix:
τὸ γὰρ ὄνομα τοῦ θεοῦ δι' ὑμᾶς βλασφημεῖται ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν
The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you (Roman 2:24)
δἰ ὑμᾶς διὰ παντὸς τὸ ὄνομά μου βλασφημεῖται ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν. (Isaiah 52:5b)
τὸ γὰρ ὄνομα τοῦ θεοῦ δι' ὑμᾶς βλασφημεῖται ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν
The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you (Roman 2:24)
δἰ ὑμᾶς διὰ παντὸς τὸ ὄνομά μου βλασφημεῖται ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν. (Isaiah 52:5b)
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