A VERSE-BY-VERSE STUDY ON ROMANS 2
I. ON THE JUDGEMENTAL ATTITUDES OF THOSE WHO ARE IN THE CHURCH
Rom
2:1
1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest:
for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest
doest the same things. (KJV)
The word “therefore” in verse one tells us that Paul is continuing with his discourse from Romans 1. In the days when the New Testament was written, there were no chapter and verse divisions. The letter to the Romans was simply one long letter. Chapter and verse are good for us, in the sense that they help us locate a particular spot in the scripture, but sometimes Chapter divisions cause us to lose the continuity of the thought being conveyed.
Paul had just described those who have been given over to their sins, to do
those things which are not convenient, because, while they held the truth,
they rejected it, and chose instead to pursue unrighteousness.
After he had described the results of becoming reprobate, (or not standing
the test), he states that the ones he is referring to were not acting in ignorance,
but they fully knew that they were rejecting the Will of God for their lives.
Now he says that the one who would judge these people as being worthy of going
to Hell, condemning them for their ungodliness, is himself inexcusable, because
whether the individual’s sin is as blatant as those just described, or is
more “subtle”, we can be sure that we have occasions where we may hold the
truth, but choose sin over the truth.
Jesus’ mission was not to condemn the world. How can we as mere vessels of clay pronouce sentance on anyone if even Jesus did not come into the world to do such a thing. We know that those who do such things are worthy of death, but we are not to pronounce judgement on them. Otherwise, we become guilty of putting ourselves in the position of God, Who is the only True and Righteous Judge.
John
3:17
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that
the world through him might be saved. (KJV)
The Greek word here translated as “condemn” is the same word used in Rom. 2:1 which is translated as “judgest”. See the broad spectrum of meaning it carries with it:
2919 krino-
1) to separate, to put asunder, to pick out, to select, to choose
2) to approve, to esteem, to prefer
3) to be of an opinion, to deem, to think
4) to determine, to resolve, to decree
5) to judge
a) to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong
to be judged, that is, summoned to trial that one's case may be examined and
judgment passed upon it
b) to pronounce judgment, to subject to censure,
used of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common
life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others
6) to rule, to govern
to preside over with the power of giving judicial decisions, because it was
the prerogative of kings and rulers to pass judgment
7) to contend together, of warriors and combatants
a) to dispute
b) in a forensic sense;
to go to law, to have suit at law
Taking the definitions given in Thayer’s concerning the word “krino”, we can see many ways in which people can judge others:
1) to separate, to put asunder, to pick out, to select, to choose
By looking at people and preferring to fellowship with them, over another person. The “Clique” mentality in a church. Say what you want, if you prefer to hang with a small group of people, rather than embracing all with unpreferential love, you are guilty of putting yourself in a position of Judge.This type of judgement is what denominationalism fosters.The disciples themselves were in danger of falling into that type of error.
Mark 9:38-40
38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in
thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth
not us.
39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle
in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40 For he that is not against us is on our part. (KJV)
On the positive side, we need to understand that there is nothing wrong with using our abilities to discern good from evil. We are told to choose between good and evil, between light and dark. We are to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but we are to reprove them.
2) to approve, to esteem, to prefer
The Word of God says that God is no
respecter of persons. In James we see this type of judgement being given,
(preferring one above another) and being condemned:
James 2:1-4
1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory,
with respect of persons.
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel,
and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him,
Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit
here under my footstool:
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
(KJV)
Preferential treatment should not be given to people, but certainly it should
be given to GOD.
3) to be of an opinion, to
deem, to think
We become very opinionated in our ways, and sometimes our opinions are only
that: Opinions. Often times our own understanding of a matter becomes flawed.
The Word of God tells us
Prov 3:5-8
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. (KJV)
4) to determine, to resolve, to decree
Each of these words bring the meaning
of being steadfast in a thing, to make a firm decision. We can fall into the
error of being so sure that a person is going to hell because of their sinful
ways, that we can become unforgiving, or unmerciful toward them.
It defies my understanding (see
3) that a man like John Wayne Gacy or Ted Bundy could receive mercy
toward God, and find forgiveness. But God is the final and absolute Authority,
the Righteous Judge, who has decreed that He is not willing that any man should
perish, but that ALL should come to repentance. Paul identified himself as
the chief of sinners, one who had persecuted the Church of Christ, and who
had delivered many Christians to death. But he recieved mercy from God.
5) to judge
a) to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong (see
3 above).
to be judged, that is, summoned to trial that one's case may be examined and
judgment passed upon it
b) to pronounce judgment, to subject to censure,
used of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common
life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others (see
4 above).
6) to rule, to govern
To preside over with the power of giving judicial decisions, because it was
the prerogative of kings and rulers to pass judgment
Christians have been called by God to be leaders. In following Jesus, we learn
how to lead by example, because that is what He did.
We have been given power by the Holy Spirit to be world changers, but so often we settle for being world followers.
Though we are to be trend setters,
the fact remains that God has placed rulers over us (pastors, teachers, apostles,
evangelists, and prophets) so that we can learn to be equipped to become leaders
ourselves.
So many strive to be in a position of leadership, that once they get there,
they become despots. They get puffed up in pride, and think they are God’s
man of the hour.
If other Christians aren’t growing as fast spiritually as they think they
are, they despise them, and belittle them with offhand remarks. They use their
authority to hold an iron fist over the congregation, not helping them to
find their place in the Kingdom, in many cases deeming them “not mature enough”
to be entrusted with the things of God. In the book of Revelation, we see
a group of people described whose doctrine God hates. This doctrine is called
the doctrine of the Nicolaitaines.
The meaning of Nicolaitans comes from 2 Greek words:
“Nico”= to conquer
“laos” = people. We get our word Laity from this word. There are many people
in positions of leadership in the ministry who prevent the Christians from
finding out what their calling is, because they prefer to Lord it over the
flock, rather than being examples and encouraging them to find out thier position
in the Kingdom of God.
They prefer the eminent places, the pulpit, which is usually higher than the
congregation. They prefer the recognition and the rewards. It’s a modern day
Pharisaical tendancy that has run rampant in the Church.
What will those who have supressed their brothers and sisters have to say
when they stand before God, and the fruit of their labor is shown in all the
accolades they had recieved in their position of prominence, and in their
beautiful buildings, and their wonderful testimonies of what “I” did. The
fruit of that glory will be dried up and withered, as they stand, protesting,
“But Lord, didn’t I prophesy in Your Name, and in Your Name do many mighty
works?” We need to be examples, so that the Body of Christ will be equipped.
1 Pet
5:1-4
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness
of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be
revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof,
not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory
that fadeth not away. (KJV)
7) to contend together, of
warriors and combatants
a) to dispute
b) in a forensic sense;
to go to law, to have suit at law
Immediately, as I read this definition of the word “krino”, I think about James
James 4:1-11
1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even
of your lusts that war in your members?
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye
fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon
your lusts.
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world
is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the
enemy of God.
5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in
us lusteth to envy?
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but
giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;
and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning,
and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother,
and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but
if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. (KJV)
How often Christians war and fight
with one another! In a previous study in Romans 1, I pointed out that the
word “lusts” in verse one is the Greek word “hedone”, from which we get our
word “hedonism”, which is defined the pursuit of pleasure as the highest goal
in one’s life.
Christians today go to court with one another over things of the world. Moth
and rust.The bottom line is it is our love for things that gets us bound up
and fighting one another. Oh, there are rare occasions where we are justified
for our legal actions, but the Bible says this should not be done through
secular means:
1 Cor 6:1-8
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust,
and not before the saints?
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall
be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain
to this life?
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to
judge who are least esteemed in the church.
5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you?
no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one
with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer
yourselves to be defrauded?
8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
(KJV)
Paul’s attitude, as well as mine, is that rather than taking our matters to court against one another, we ought to just take the wrong done to us. Isn’t that what our Jesus did? But if we fight with one another, and hold grudges, and threaten to sue, we become guilty of judging each other unrighteously. We must believe that our God, who is the righteous Judge, will vindicate us. The Word of God says that Love is the fulfilling of the Law.
Rom 13:8-10
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another
hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt
not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if
there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying,
namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling
of the law.
(KJV)
Where there are fightings and legal disputes among brethren, the Love of God is missing.
1 Cor 13:4-8
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth
not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked,
thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all
things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it
shall vanish away.(KJV)
To sum up this study, we must understand that to look down at those who have been given over to a reprobate mind as described in Romans 1, renders us inexcusable, because we are guilty of transgressing God’s will in some way or another. The only difference between us and them is that they have gotten to the point where they willingly resist, and for that, God has given them over to a reprobate mind. We have seen there are many aspects to being guilty of judging some one. If we become too puffed up with our own righteousness, and look down on those who are described in Romans 1, we become guilty of being in the position of that Pharisee who was so proud that he wasn’t like that sinner who stood next to him.
FOR
ONE READER'S RESPONSE TO THIS STUDY, CLICK HERE:
FOR
MORE FOOD FOR THE SOUL CLICK HERE
SOME
OF THE COMMON LIES THAT HINDER PEOPLE FROM OBTAINING SALVATION
If you prayed that prayer
and meant it in your heart, be assured that the Word of God promises that
whosoever comes to the Lord, He will in no wise cast them out. But that prayer
was only the beginning of a Wonderful Life with the God who created you for
Himself. Now you have to get to know Him intimately, because He desires to
have a personal relationship with you. Find yourself a good Bible believing,
Bible teaching church, and begin to be a faithful attender so you can learn
about Jesus, and to be in fellowship with your new family, which consists
of all the Born Again Christians in the world.
Wonderful Jesus! All of heaven is rejoicing over
you today! You are that special to God.
Not only should you find a good church to fellowship at, but you need to read
your Bible every day. Personally, I get into a good four hour study each day,
but just a half hour of prayer and study is a good start for a new believer.
Learn about the Word of God, and hide his word in your heart, and you will
find victory over sin.
Also, as soon as you can, get baptized.
I'll be straight up with you, and I know that many people won't like this,
but you need to stay away from Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses, and Masons,
and other cults. There is a link on this page that will tell you about the
false doctrines of the cults, and who they are.
Catholicism really can't help you... only Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pray to the Lord for wisdom and to lead you to the right church. If you have
any questions, feel free to contact me.
Be assured that Satan isn't going to give up on you. He's going to try all
he can to cause you to fall, or to doubt your salvation. The Word of God says
that if we submit to God, and resist the devil, he will flee from us.
GOD BLESS YOU, CHILD OF GOD.
TO GO
BACK TO MY HOME PAGE, CLICK HERE
HOW
TO GET IN TOUCH WITH OTHER CROSSBEARERS
BEWARE OF CULTS AND FALSE TEACHERS
TO
GO TO THE NEXT PAGE, (Are We Living In The Last Days?)CLICK HERE