When we come to Romans 2, we may wonder whether there was any relation between Paul and Matthew. Both of them teach against passing judgment on others. However, Paul was writing a letter. His tone is more natural like face to face talking. Matthew is more highly refined and polished. He even expresses his teaching in parables and irony (splints vs. log in the eye!).
Forever a moralist, Paul was harsh in his wordings.
God has revealed His will in the Creation. They have no excuse of not knowing (Romans 1:20). They are able to know Him (Romans 1:21), His glory (1:23), His truth (1:25) and His judgment (1:32). Paul was speaking in the 3rd person plural. Who were they?
They could not be Jews because the Jews were supposed to know God. So, they were Gentiles. From the text between verses 21-31, we can conclude that they referred to Gentiles who worshipped idols. He has not yet torched, yes torched, the readers but it wouldn't be long.
Then Paul changed the subject into the 2nd person: thou. The readers suddenly discovered that Paul was pointing his fingers at them! You are inexcusably wrong when you pass judgment on those sinners mentioned above while you are doing the same wrong!
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things (Romans 2:1).
Those sinful Gentiles were inexcusable (Romans 1:20). Yet, the readers who judged other Gentiles were also inexcusable because they, assumed to be Gentiles Christians, were doing the same things (Romans 2:1).
What does that mean?
It seems to me that once a Gentile became a Christian, he could start judging his fellow Gentiles who had not yet converted. That is to say, becoming a Christian made the convert think that he was in a superior position to judge.
Paul had never visited Rome before. Perhaps it was out of courtesy that Paul praised the Roman Christians for their faith which was famous, spoken of throughout the world. (Romans 1:8). Now, he began to criticize them. In terms of their behaviours, the Roman Christians were not different from the other Gentiles who worshipped idols. How dared they to pass judgment of their fellow Gentiles! So, what did Paul actually hear about the Roman Church? What problems was the Roman Church facing so much so that Paul wanted to write to them?
That said, the text also applies to Jewish Christians living in Rome. They were the Chosen People. So, even before they became Christians, they believed that they were able to pass judgment on the Gentiles. Here, Paul was in a better position to write to them because being a Pharisee, Paul knew more about his fellow Jews than the contemporary Gentiles.
Whether the readers were Jewish or Gentile Christians, the worst attitude, as Paul saw it, was to abuse the patience of God.
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Romans 2:4)
God always gives us a second chance, to allow us to change for the better to receive more blessings. However, many times, we capitalize on God's forbearance and continue to indulge in gratification of our lust. Too bad! We continue to inflict damages on our body and soul.
Paul's conception of justice is straight forward. God
will render to every man according to his deeds (Romans 2:6).
You will be rewarded glory, honour and peace for doing good (Romans 2:7, 10) and sufferings for doing evil (Romans 2:8-9). Notice the chiastic structure (ABBA) here, a Semitic signature. Paul did not give up his roots. He was still a Jew in heart. Therefore, he mentioned "Jews first and then the Gentiles", twice (vv. 2:9-10). It is not the place to discuss the sufferings of good and righteous people. Simply bear in mind that those who judge others will be judged by God as well.
For there is no respect of persons with God (Romans 2:11).
Here, Paul portrayed a legalistic God very much different from the loving Father of Jesus. Perhaps Paul was not too familiar with his readers yet. He could not tell them the kind of Christian freedom preached by John. To play safe, he would only write legalistically, which was more palatable for Roman readers.
Dear Lord, pull out the log in my eyes. Cleanse me. Amen
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