Romans 2:3 “Thinking”

As always, here’s my fairly literal translation of these verses:

³But do you think this, O man, the one judging those practicing such things and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

Like verse 1, Paul specifically addresses these words to “O man.”  I also think it notable that Paul is speaking in 2^nd person singular verbs. In other words, though his words may apply to the entire human race, he is addressing each of us as individuals. Also, I think the very use of the appellation, “O man,” is very deliberately intended to demonstrate that Paul is speaking to everyone, everywhere, in every age. Are you human? Then these words apply to you.

I should probably note here that, in my opinion, commentators all down through the ages have needlessly spilt a lot of ink asserting that these verses were meant primarily for the Jewish people. I totally disagree with that position. Twice in the first three verses, Paul addresses, “O man.” All men, Jews or Gentiles, can be judging moralizers. Though the Jewish people may have been notorious for this sin, it certainly is not unique to them. As Paul would develop the case against man (ch.1-3), he must address not only the profligate (ch. 1) and the moralizing Jew (2:17-3:8), but the moralizing Gentile as well (2:1-16). Us Gentiles are just as adept as any Jew at judging others while we justify ourselves. In my mind, addressing 2:1-16 to only Jews has no support from the text itself but also distracts from man’s universally characteristic practice of this judging others to justify ourselves. All people everywhere need this sin exposed if they are to see their own need of a Savior, and so these words are addressed to “O man...”

My next thought looking at this verse is that it ought to be a very probing question. “Do you think you will escape the judgment of God?” I would guess every single human being would answer that question, “Oh, no, I wouldn’t think that! Of course we must all appear before God in judgment!” Really? What the very question reveals is the sad perversion of our fallen minds. The plain import of the text (and reality) is that is exactly what we’re thinking – that, while others should be held rigidly to (our) high moral standards, somehow we won’t be. We are seriously deluded, yes, blinded, to the very thoughts which are sealing our doom.

How much good it would do every human being to sit and just ponder over this one simple question, “Do you think this, O man, the one judging those practicing such things and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?” Do you really think that somehow you yourself will escape the white hot, bright light of truth when God judges your life, especially when you have proven yourself quite skillful at doing the same to others? Yes or no? Will you escape? Do you here today honestly want to maintain that your heart and mind and life are totally free of the very sins you condemn in others? Yes or no?

Sadly for the human race, few will ever slow down long enough to ponder such questions. The deceitfulness of sin, the desperate wickedness of our hearts, and the deceptions of our Enemy, guarantee many will go to their grave having never paused to ponder these simple questions.

Of course, this is specifically a work of the Holy Spirit, to convict the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment. Until He intercedes, we all go on being hopelessly “wretched, poor, pitiful, blind, and naked.”  But could I suggest that one of the reasons many people might resist pondering this matter of judgment is that they sense no hope? In other words, they fear to broach the subject already anticipating its awful outcome. And may I suggest that this is precisely where you and I enter the picture? Is it possible that Jesus has spread us all over the world and mixed us right into the population, then very specifically called us to love God and love people, in order that we might be a living testimony to grace? In other words, is it possible that our unconditional love which we show to people, even in their failures, could be used by the Holy Spirit to plant within people’s minds the possibility that there is an answer beyond judgment? That there is a love that somehow supersedes their sins?

I think the answer is yes. And then may I add that when we instead become the same moralizing judges, we actually rob our world of the very hope we were supposed to give them. Our place here is to demonstrate grace. Even Jesus said, “I did not come to condemn the world, but to save it.”

May we all go and do likewise.