Romans 2

 

SECTION OUTLINE TWO (ROMANS 2)

Paul describes God’s dealings with three kinds of people. Each is charged with high treason against God.

I. The Moral Person and God (2:1–11)

A. The plea rendered (2:1a): The moral person says, “I should be acquitted on grounds that I am not as bad as some pagans are.”

B. The plea refuted (2:1b–11)

1. The reason for this (2:1b–4): God says, “You do the same basic things, only in a more refined way!”

2. The results of this (2:5–11)

a. To be the object of God’s terrible wrath (2:5–8)

b. To experience sorrow and suffering (2:9–11)

II. The Pagan Person and God (2:12–16)

A. The plea rendered (2:12–13): The pagan person says, “I should be acquitted on the grounds of ignorance!”

B. The plea refuted (2:14–16): God says, “You have the twin witnesses of conscience and nature (see also 1:19–20). Therefore, you will be judged by these and not by the written law.”

III. The Religious Person and God (2:17–29)

A. The plea rendered (2:17–20): The religious man says, “I should be acquitted on the grounds that I know the law of God and teach courses in religion!”

B. The plea refuted (2:21–29): God says, “You don’t practice what you preach!”

1. The marks of religious Jews (2:21–24): Because of their hypocrisy, they dishonor God’s holy name among the Gentiles.

2. The marks of redeemed Jews (2:25–29): Their hearts are right with God.