Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Romans 2:3

Copyright Ó 2014 J. Neely
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?