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"Judged by the law..."

Text: Romans 2:12

REVIEWING THE WAYS IN WHICH GOD JUDGES

Paul had already declared two ways in which God would judge man.

1. He will judge according to the truth (Romans 2:2).

2. He will also judge according to the deeds of the individual (Romans 2:6).

A THIRD WAY REVEALED (with special reference to the Jews)

To allay any unfounded misgivings, Paul declared that God had a third way of judging.

“For as many as have sinned without law
will also perish without law,
and as many as have sinned in the law
will be judged by the law.”
Romans 2:12

1. The Giving of Divine Laws to the Jews

This historic event was carefully recorded in the Book of Exodus, and carefully the significance of the law was re-iterated in the Book of Deuteronomy (Cf. Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5).

a) The Law brought light and understanding

i) Of how man was to relate to God (The first Four laws);

ii) Of how man was to relate to man (The last Six laws).

b) The Law demanded obedience

i) This is natural, for laws were made to be obeyed.

ii) There were severe penalties when man broke God’s laws.

c) The Jews would be judged according to the Laws of God(Cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27, 28)

2. Those who were not given the Law

They will not be judged according to the Law of God given to Israel. They will be judged according to truth and the deeds done by the individual. How would they fare if so judged? Paul did not believe that they would fare at all well. His solemn statement is worth pondering over carefully.

“For as many as have sinned without law
will also perish without law.”
Romans 2:12