Romans 2:3
3 And [de] thinkest thou [logizomai] this [touto], O [o] man [anthropos], that
judgest [krino] them which do [prasso] such things [toioutos], and
[kai] doest [poieo] the same [autos], that [hoti] thou [su] shalt escape [ekpheugo] the judgment [krima] of God
[theos]? KJV-Interlinear
3 Do
you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them
yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? ESV
Obduration is a term that enters into this passage,
wherein God is seen as not inclined to judge, simply because judgment does not occur
quickly. This is a disregard of Gods
righteousness and justice policies for all.
The second view here is that of calculating an escape from Gods
judgment, simply because of what we believe, to presume that Gods judgment somehow
does not apply to us.
And both views are wrong.
Judging others is far easier than judging
ourselves. It gives us excuses and
presumes that we are not guilty of anything.
It also justifies our disregard of our many responsibilities and
obligations in life. It also allows us
to blame others, when life just messes up against our expectations.
And Paul clarifies this all, by asking one simple
question. If God will judge others for their
transgressions, then will He not judge us as well?
And since this is directed at the Jewish people in
Rome, the bigger question here is, since God judges the gentiles, who did not
have custody of the scriptures, then how much more will He judge the Jewish
people who did have custody of the scriptures and therefore should have known
better.
And so, the question to all of us is, since you
know some of the Christian principles and expectations, then you have an even
less excuse for your transgressions than do people, especially unbelievers who should
have less understanding of Christianity.
If you ignore your responsibilities, especially
when you know them, do you really expect to escape Gods reprimand? And if life falls down around you, then do
you have a right to complain?
