A Study in the Book of Romans
Lesson #3 : Who is Guilty (Romans 2-3)
In these two chapters Paul is showing that both the Jews and the Gentiles are guilty before God. As it says in Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. In chapter 2 he is discussing the Gentile before the law and the Jew under the Law, but the end result is the same they are guilty before God. That is why Jesus is given as the answer in at the end of Chapter 3 which will be the next lesson.
The Gentile:
Gentiles who did the Law without knowing about the law were a law unto themselves (verses 12-16). This is evident still today when you go into uncivilized regions you will find tribes or people who have some sort of punishment for stealing, adultery, murder etc.
The Jew:
The Jew was under the Law and therefore had an advantage over the Gentiles. But the Law was given to show them their guilt and sin before God (Romans 3:19-20 ; Romans 7:7 ; Galatians 3:19). When the Gentiles did the Law they were then judged by the Law just as the Jew was judged (Romans 2:25-29).
What is the outcome of these things:
In Romans 2:1-10 we see that all will be judged. God was doing everything he could to lead people to repentance (verse 4). Some treasurest up wrath against the day of wrath and some seek fro glory and honor and immortality ,eternal life (verses 5-7). This is both to the Jew and the Gentile (verses 9-11).
The conclusion of this is found in Romans 3:9-20. Note the following things.
- There is none righteous, no not one (verse 10)
- There is none that seeketh after God (verse 11)
- There is none that doeth good (verse 12)
- By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight (verse 20).
Up to this point man has a very serious problem and in the next lesson we will see that Jesus Christ is the answer to that problem.
A Study in the Book of Romans
Lesson #3 : Who is Guilty (Romans 2-3)
Handout
1) What is going on in these two chapters of the book of Romans?
2) What is said about the Gentiles in regards to the Law?
3) What is said about the Jews in regards to the Law?
4) What is going to happen to these who are guilty?