The Universal Nature of Sin
Preparing for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Three Days before Sunday (Year B)
Scripture
Semi-continuous: Psalm 125; Proverbs 1:1-19; Romans 2:1-11
Complementary: Psalm 146; Isaiah 30:27-33; Romans 2:1-11
___
Prayer
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)
___
Reflection
Therefore you are without excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others, for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is in accordance with truth. Do you imagine, whoever you are, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will repay according to each one’s deeds: to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life, while for those who are self-seeking and who obey not the truth but injustice, there will be wrath and fury. There will be affliction and distress for everyone who does evil, both the Jew first and the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, both the Jew first and the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality (Romans 2:1-11).
Romans 2:1-11 fits into Paul’s larger argument about the universality of human sin and the impartiality of God’s judgment.
In the first chapter, Paul begins by addressing the sinfulness of humanity, particularly focusing on the Gentiles. He describes how humanity has rejected God, leading to idolatry and various forms of moral corruption. God’s wrath against all ungodliness and unrighteousness is revealed in that God lets human beings have their way in rebellion.
In Romans 2:1-11, Paul shifts his focus addressing those who might assume they are morally superior, likely targeting Jewish readers, or anyone who considers themselves righteous. He argues that God’s judgment is impartial, applying equally to Jews and Gentiles. Everyone is guilty before God and that mere possession of the Law or moral knowledge does not exempt anyone from judgment.
Beginning in verse 12, Paul further elaborates on the idea that both Jews and Gentiles are accountable to God. For the Jews, having the Law is not enough; what matters is obeying it. For the Gentiles, their conscience and moral understanding make them accountable. Paul is dismantling any sense of spiritual superiority, pointing to the need for true inward righteousness.
In chapter 3, Paul concludes by asserting that no one is righteous before God, Jew or Gentile. He emphasizes the universality of sin and the futility of trying to achieve righteousness through the Law.
Romans 2:1-11 serves as a transition from the indictment of Gentile sinfulness in Romans 1 to the broader claim that all of humanity is guilty before God. It refutes the idea that some people might escape judgment because of their perceived moral superiority or religious privilege. The apostle stresses that God’s judgment is based on truth and righteousness, not on external markers like ethnicity or knowledge of the Law.
Both Jews and Gentiles are in need of salvation, which is available only through faith in Jesus Christ. It sets the stage for the discussion of justification by faith that follows in chapters 3 and 4.
PRAYER: Loving God, open our ears to hear your word and draw us closer to you, that the whole world may be one with you as you are one with us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary)
___
I tithe the earnings I make from “Faith Seeking Understanding” to my international teaching mission. Would you please consider supporting my mission with a paid subscription? Information on the various options is here.