In this episode, I walk through Romans 2:12-16. This passage is going to look at how both Gentiles and Jews are judged. It was easy for both the Gentiles and Jews to come up with reasons for why they would not be judged by God. Paul’s intent of these verses is to show how both types of people, Gentiles and Jews, are judged by God. All of humanity is to be judged by God regardless of religion, creed, or heritage. This text shows that it didn’t matter if the reader was from Jewish decent or was a Gentile, they would still be judged.

“For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.” Verse 12

Paul is essentially saying that all will be judged regardless of the standards they held to. Although the Gentiles did not have the law, which was the written Old Testament, they still sinned knowing it was wrong. The Bible teaches that mankind is made in His image and has a deep since of knowing the difference between right and wrong. Even though the Gentiles did not have the written laws of the Old Testament, they knew the difference between right and wrong and still sinned. Thus the Gentiles would still be judged according to their sins. On the contrary, Jews who have lived under the law and sinned will be judged according to sinning against God by going against His commandments He gave to them in the Old Testament. It did not matter that they were of Jewish decent, they were still to be judged for their sins.

“For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.” Verse 13

Paul is establishing a truth that is restated through the New Testament which is that God is concerned with those who live out the truths of God rather than just hearing the truth. It really didn’t matter that the Jews heard the law if they did not live out the law in their lives. Paul is establishing that righteousness comes from submitting to God and living according to His standards for our lives rather than just hearing His standards.

“For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” Verses 14-16

These three verses are to explain why Gentiles are still judged by God on the day of judgement. Paul explains that they have a conscience, who despite sometimes has conflicting thoughts, showing them what is right and what is wrong. Their conscience has become for them a law that bounds them to right and wrong. According to the law written on their hearts, right and wrong, Gentiles will be judged.

In summary, Paul is telling the Roman readers that regardless of being gentile or Jewish, there will be judgement from God according to the sins that each person has committed. Once again, Paul is showing that all are sinful and deserving of God’s righteous judgement. This passage continues to layer on the foundation that Paul has been laying in Romans 1 and 2 which is to show the separation between God and man, and the judgement that is coming. Our response to this passage should be to see that God has instilled in all of us a sense of right and wrong and that ultimately He wants us to constantly do what is right. As we continue to study the book of Romans, Paul will show us how we can live rightly through the power of the Holy Spirit that comes to those who place their faith in Jesus Christ.