Romans 2:10
10 But [de] [kai] glory [doxa], honour [time], and [kai] peace [eirene], to every man [pas] that
worketh [ergazomai] good [agathos], to the Jew [Ioudaios]
first [proton], and [te] also [kai] to the Gentile [Hellen]: KJV-Interlinear
10 but
glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also
the Greek. ESV
You cannot justify your pattern of life by the
definitions that you determine for yourself, but only through the mandates that
God places on us.
And contrary to those who are antagonistic or
indifferent toward truth as well as to their own spiritual existence, then
there are those who pursue their spiritual heritage and destiny, with a genuine
desire to learn and know and grow.
While indifference or antagonism gains you a reward of
emptiness and suffering, as well as the pressures that accompany them, then in
contrast, the spiritually positive person will gain blessings and rewards that
are pure and good and mind boggling to be sure.
Those who neglect their spiritual life either
intentionally or through pretense, will have nothing and less, and sadness at
best.
Those who are positive will have happiness and peace
and greater things beyond imagination.
Both types of people face the same pressures of this
world. Only the positive and growing
believer, will have in their soul, the resources and capacities to be able to
handle those pressures of life.
The difference between the two types of people, is Bible
doctrine in the soul or the lack of it.
The positive want it and pursue it. The negative do not want it and they ignore
it, or they want it, but not according to Gods design, but by their own
intentions.
And as stated in the last verse as well as in this
verse, to the Jew first and then to the gentile.
And so it is.
The Jewish people were initially positive toward God,
as per the example of Abraham, who crossed over from negative to positive, thus
becoming designated as Hebrew. And then
the Nation arose at the Passover, and was called Israel, still virtually
positive toward God and the promise of the savior. And then they were given custody of the
scriptures and the writing of the same.
So they had more opportunities to know and understand the spiritual
truths of life, where as the gentiles had none of these privileges.
And yet the gentiles held to the principles of truth,
more so than the Jews, and after the Cross, that custody and favor fell to the
gentiles. The Jews had lost track of their privilege.
So, condemnation is more than justifiable for those
who should have known better but failed in their responsibilities, while
likewise reward is more than reasonable for those who are obedient and responsible
to Gods will especially in the face of the overwhelming difficulties they face
in this world.
Which are you?
