Romans

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Romans 2 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Romans 2 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment

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.

"Wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself."
Should we judge others?

The author of the SAB compares apples and oranges. Does he believe that the Bible says there should be no judges at all? Judges are appointed to judge righteously and sit in God's place on this earth. Of course they should judge, and it is about appointed judges the verses speak the author of the SAB claims tell us “judge everything and everyone.”
So this verse is not about judges, but about ordinary people who judge others. They shall be judged by the measure with with they have judged.

2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

"Who will render to every man according to his deeds."
Is Salvation by faith alone?
What must you do to be saved?

Paul sets out in this epistle, see chapter 1:17, to prove that salvation is by faith and by grace, not by works. Persons are judged by their deeds, that is right. But if we trespass, we shall be judged by the law. As no one is without sins, 1 Kg. 8:46, no one would be saved. But not everyone is under the same law. We are either under the law of works, attempting to work our own salvation, or we are under the law of grace, see chapter 7:2.
On what you must do to be saved, read Acts 16:30-31.

7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

"For there is no respect of persons with God."
Does God respect anyone?

The author of the SAB is comparing apples and oranges. Respect means here consider status or money, instead of the case.

12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

"The doers of the law shall be justified."
Is Salvation by faith alone?
What must you do to be saved?

See verse 6.

14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;

19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.

21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?

27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?

28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.