Romans 2:1-16 (NIRV)
1 If you judge someone else, you have no excuse for it. When you judge another person, you are judging yourself. You do the same things you blame others for doing. 2 We know that when God judges those who do evil things, he judges fairly. 3 Though you are only a human being, you judge others. But you yourself do the same things. So how do you think you will escape when God judges you? 4 Do you disrespect God’s great kindness and favor? Do you disrespect God when he is patient with you? Don’t you realize that God’s kindness is meant to turn you away from your sins?
5 But you are stubborn. In your heart you are not sorry for your sins. You are storing up anger against yourself. The day of God’s anger is coming. Then his way of judging fairly will be shown. 6 God “will pay back each person in keeping with what they have done.” (Psalm 62:12; Proverbs 24:12) 7 God will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good. They want glory, honor, and life that never ends. 8 But there are others who only look out for themselves. They don’t accept the truth. They go astray. God will pour out his great anger on them. 9 There will be trouble and suffering for everyone who does evil. That is meant first for the Jews. It is also meant for the Gentiles. 10 But there will be glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good. That is meant first for the Jews. It is also meant for the Gentiles. 11 God treats everyone the same.
12 Some people do not know God’s law when
they sin. They will not be judged by the law when they die. Others do know
God’s law when they sin. They will be judged by the law. 13 Hearing the law
does not make a person right with God. People are considered to be right with
God only when they obey the law. 14 Gentiles do not have the law. Sometimes
they just naturally do what the law requires. They are a law for themselves.
This is true even though they don’t have the law. 15 They show that what the
law requires is written on their hearts. The way their minds judge them proves
this fact. Sometimes their thoughts find them guilty. At other times their
thoughts find them not guilty. 16 This will happen on the day God appoints
Jesus Christ to judge people’s secret thoughts. That’s part of my good news.
Discussion:
1. Why cannot people judge another person?
2. Is it “good” to be judged by God? What is the purpose of God judging people?
3. Paul is using harsh words about the “you”. What is wrong with them?
4. Paul says that Gentiles unfamiliar with the Bible still have the law written
on their hearts. What then is the purpose of the written law.
5. How will people be judged “on the day”?
Reflection and
Application:
6. Paul speaks of God’s anger. Do you agree
with his attribution of anger to God? Do you ever experience God as angry?
When? At what?
7. Are you prepared to stand before the
judgement seat? How can we be prepared for it?
