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- Preaching
the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 - |
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THE CRITERION OF GOD’S JUDGMENT (Rom
2:6-10) 2/11/07 Pastor
I.
GOD’S JUDGMENT IS BASED ON MAN’S DEEDS (6) A. Context
Concerning God’s Covenantal People 1. Paul
continues to speak to the Jews, God’s covenantal people, in vss. 6-12 (cp.
Rom 2:9, 10, 17, 28, 29). 2. Beginning
in Rom 2:1, Paul declares that the Jews, like the Gentiles (Rom 1:20), are
without excuse (anapológêtos
- without an argument or defense; 3. Therefore
by quoting Ps 62:12 and Pr 24:12 (verbatim in LXX), Paul concludes that all
will be judged according to their deeds. The fact that God’s judgment is
based on man’s deeds is a prevalent theme throughout the Scriptures (Job
34:11; Isa 3:10-11; Jer 17:10; Jer 32:19; Eze 18:30; Mt 16:27; Rev 20:12; Rev
22:12). B. Interpretations
on Rom 2:6-10 1. Salvation
is Based on Works a) Some
hold that Rom 2:6-10 argues that salvation is based on works. They would
claim that good deeds determine the possibility for salvation. b) However,
this view contradicts the theme of Romans, i.e. justification by faith (Rom
1:17; Rom 3:28; Rom 4:5) not to mention the theme of the entire Bible (Eph
2:8-9; Tit 3:5). 2. Hypothetical View a) This
view would suggest that Paul is arguing hypothetically. In other words, if a
person could live a sinless life, they would be allowed entrance into heaven,
but no one can. b) While
in theory, this thought may be true, it is very unlikely that Paul is making
such an argument here. 3. Evidence
of Salvation a) Supporters
of this view argue that goods deeds are the believer’s evidence of salvation.
Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone (it produces good
works cp. Eph 2:10 with Eph 2:8-9). b) This
view is not only supported by the majority of evangelical commentaries, but
it is consistent with Paul’s argument in Romans. Believers have the
righteousness of Christ imputed to them (Rom 4:22-24) and the Holy Spirit
produces righteous deeds through them (Rom 8:4). (1) A person’s habitual conduct, whether good
or evil, reveals the condition of his heart. Eternal life is not rewarded for
good living; that would contradict many other Scriptures which clearly state
that salvation is not by works, but is all of God’s grace to those who
believe (e.g., Rom. 6:23; 10:9-10; 11:6; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). A person’s
doing good shows that his heart is regenerate. Such a person, redeemed by
God, has eternal life. Conversely a person who continually does evil and
rejects the truth shows that he is unregenerate, and therefore will be an
object of God’s wrath. (Bible Knowledge Commentary in loc.) (2) Although Scripture everywhere teaches that
salvation is not on the basis of works (see notes on 4:1–4; Eph. 2:8, 9), it
consistently teaches that God’s judgment is always on the basis of a man’s
deeds (Is. 3:10, 11; Jer. 17:10; John
5:28, 29; 1 Cor. 3:8; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal.
6:7–9; cf. Rom. 14:12). Paul describes the deeds of two distinct groups: the
redeemed (vv. 7, 10) and the unredeemed (vv. 8, 9). The deeds of the redeemed
are not the basis of their salvation but the evidence of it. They are not
perfect and are prone to sin, but there is undeniable evidence of
righteousness in their lives (see notes on James 2:14–20, 26).
(MacArthur in loc.) II. GOD’S
JUDGMENT RESULTS IN WRATH OR ETERNAL LIFE (7-10) A. Deeds
of the Believer (7, 10) 1. Salvation
is not based on works, but God’s Judgment is. Paul now contrasts the works of
the unbeliever (8,9) with the works of the believer (7,10). The contrast of
the mèn/dè construction
is translated, “on the one hand”….”but on the other hand.” 2. True
believers are the ones who (toís)
have perseverance in doing good. Their perseverance does not save them;
rather those who are already saved will persevere. Essentially, this is the
doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints. Perseverance (hupomonế – lit. remain under)
means that the believer remains faithful and steadfast in good works (érgou agathoú) even while
under extreme difficulty. 3. The
believer continually seeks (pres act part of zetéō) for glory, that is, God’s glory (dóxa – 4. The
result of God’s judgment, based on the good works produced by a believer, is
eternal life. Eternal life is the euphemism for heaven and the eternal (aiṓnios) timeframe in which
one enjoys life (zoế) with
God (cp. Mt 25:46). 5. According
to vs. 10, eternal life will be also characterized by those things that the
believer is seeking, namely, glory (bringing glory to God), honor (bring
honor to God), and peace (eternal peace with God). B. Deeds
of the Unbeliever (8, 9) 1. On
the other hand (mén…dè),
those without Christ, which in this case, are the unbelieving Jews which Paul
is arguing against. They are the ones who (toís) are self-glorying (eritheía, which can be selfish ambition (NASB) or
contentious (KJV), but in this context is preferable as self-glorying or
self-seeking (NIV). Their chief end is not to glory God, but rather
self-glory. 2. Such
vainglory is demonstrated by not obeying God’s truth (alếtheia –real state of affairs cp. Rom 1:25) concerning
God’s salvation and righteousness. Consequently, they obey unrighteousness
(cp. Rom 1:18; Rom 6:13). 3. The
result of God’s judgment, based on the lack of good works produced by an
unbeliever, is wrath and indignation. The first word is wrath (orgế, the same word used in Rom
1:18) and refers to God’s external reaction to any violation of his
righteousness. Indignation (thumós)
on the other hand refers to God’s internal reaction to any violation of his
righteousness. 4. In
addition, vs. 9 declares that the unbeliever will experience tribulation and
distress. These are not speaking of what is experienced in this life, but
rather in the next life as a result of God’s judgment. Tribulation (thlípsis) literally means
pressing together and many times carries the idea of divine pressure of judgment
(Mt 24:21). Distress (stenōchoría)
can be inner restrictive pressure, which is certainly characteristic of the
lonely isolated and confined punishment of hell (Mt 25:30; 2Pe 2:4; Jude 6,
13). 5. Therefore,
God’s criterion of judgment is according to the deeds of men. God judges the
deeds of those without Christ with wrath, but the deeds of those with Christ,
who already have eternal life, give evidence of salvation. III. RAMIFICATIONS A. Those
without Christ will face the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev 20:11-15). B. Those
with Christ will face the Judgment Seat of Christ (1Co
3:11-15; 2Co 5:10) C. Is
there enough evidence in your life to convict you of being a Christian? |
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