EXPLORE THE TEXT
We should focus on our own sin rather than judging others.
1 Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse.
For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.
2 Now we know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth.
3 Do you think-
anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same-
that you will escape God’s judgment?
4 Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience,
not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
5 Because of your hardened and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself
in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed.
no excuses.
In Romans 1:18-25, Paul focused on the Gentiles having
no excuses for their sin.
In Romans 2:1-5, Paul shared that the Jewish people had
no excuses either.
Matthew 7:1 to note Jesus’s words about judging others.
1 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged.
2 "For in the way you judge, you will be judged;
and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
Evaluation doesn’t mean condemnation.
When we condemn others, we pass judgment on their sin while we exhibit the same sinful behavior.
If we don’t think that we will face God’s judgment
when we condemn others, we have deceived ourselves.
We will not escape God’s verdict on our hypocrisy. (PSG, p. 21)
In the beginning man was innocent of sin
and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice.
By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race.
(See Genesis 3; Psalm 51:5.)
Suggest ways Paul’s words in verses 1-5 align with this statement about humanity.
Note that our universal guilt removes any moral high ground for judging others.
Identify the three characteristics of God in Romans 2:4.
Kindness, restraint, patience.
All people live under God’s judgment, but He delays judgment to move people toward repentance.
One day, though, the ones who reject His kindness will face His wrath.