v.1-11
1. repeated: judge v.1x2. What do "judge" mean?
BDAG 2b-to pass judgment upon (and thereby seek to influence) the lives and actions of other people, esp. pass an unfavorable judgment upon, criticize, find fault with, condemn 特別指不好的意味：對人不公平地論斷，批評，挑剔，責難
e.g. v.3 你這人哪，你論斷行這樣事的人，自己所行的卻和別人一樣 14:10 你這個人，為甚麼論斷弟兄呢？又為甚麼輕看弟兄呢？因我們都要站在神的台前
Same word can mean BDAG 3-to make a judgment based on taking various factors into account, judge, think, consider, look upon 1 Co 11:13 你們自己審察，女人禱告神，不蒙著頭是合宜的嗎？
Same root judgment (noun) legal decision rendered by a judge v.2 神必照真理審判他
Summary: The context of v.1 suggests here it means criticize, find fault with, condemn. The other meaning of judge is encouraged, but not this kind of judge.
2. Repeated:
A. v.1 自己所行卻和別人一樣
v..3 卻和別人一樣
- The problem is not just criticize, but you did the same. If you know that it is wrong, why you did the same thing? This person think they are special.
B. The consequence is judgment v.1 定自己的罪 v.2 神必照真理審判他 v.3 你以為能逃脫神的審判嗎
- The consequence of being judged and condemned by God is for sure
C. v.4. 不曉得他的恩慈是領你悔改
if we do not repent we are storing God's wrath and eventually judgment is waiting for us v.5 你竟任著你剛硬不悔改的心，為自己積蓄忿怒
God intended for people's repentance, but they dont and therefore wrath is stored up.
In v.8 the one who will face wrath are those who live in selfish ambition and do not obey the truth. Therefore, these are the problem of the audience in v.1-11.
selfish ambition結黨=strife, contentiousness
Reflection: We do not commit the same kind of sins, but we all commit sins. Sin is define as selfish, disobedience to God and unrighteous. However, we easily detect the different kind of sins and think we are different, but in fact we are the same. Before I say, "it is horrible" or "unthinkable," or "how can they do that?" remember what Ro 2:1 same we practice the same thing. We are in the same level. We cannot do what only God, the Holy One do, i.e. judging.
v.12-16
1. Repeated word: law, (x74 in the whole book, and 9 times here). Since the meaning of the word should be consistent in the whole passage, the interpretation=the Mosaic Law.
And since v.13 said those who do the law will be declared righteous, then what v.6-7 described (He will reward each one according to his works: 7 eternal life to those who by perseverance in good works seek glory and honor and immortality) also mean those who meet the requirement of the law.
2. What does "without the law"凡沒有律法 mean?
BDAG those who sin without awareness of the Mosaic law (expressed from the vantage point of Israel’s chosen status) will also perish without reference to it
3. Structure: v.12 is a summary of God's righteous judgment and will raise the eye brow for unfairness for those who sin apart from the law still suffer perish. 12 凡沒有律法犯了罪的，也必不按律法滅亡；凡在律法以下犯了罪的，也必按律法受審判。
v.13-15 explain how it is fair.
a. whom God declared righteous is the doer, not the hearer (therefore, not hearing of the law will not be perish)
b. some might argue then, without hearing who can do the law? v.14 they can still do
- by nature, 順著本性 (BDAG-when gentiles spontaneously (i.e. without extraneous legal instruction; cp. the prophetic ideal Jer 31:32–34) fulfill the demands of the (Mosaic) law)
(NET) Some (e.g. C. E. B. Cranfield, Romans [ICC], 1:135–37) take the phrase φύσει (phusei, “by nature”) to go with the preceding “do not have the law,” thus: “the Gentiles who do not have the law by nature,” that is, by virtue of not being born Jewish.
- This is described as: "they are a law to themselves" (because it is in their nature),
- exactly what is taken place for those without the law to do it by nature?
- as their conscience bears witness (the participle is in singular)
- their conflicting thoughts (lit= the reasonings between one another) accuse or else defend them (the participles are in plural)
Does it mean that the doers of the law can do it by the conscience telling them in their hearts what to do? And by the group reasonings, which works when one member of the community accusing one others who fail and defend those who is innocent? Something like a court or moral code?
- The demonstration of v.15 will be done in the day of God's judgment
Does it mean that who is the doers of the law will be seen in the future judgment day? Just like what v.6-7 said? But if this is a hypothetical case, i.e. no one will pass the judgement then there will be no real doers of the law? Or sometimes people can be doers, but no one can perseverance and still no one will pass the judgment? What does this have to do with "my gospel through Christ Jesus?"
Reflection: What is the intend of Paul to tell the Romans about this? The doers of the law is possible. In v.13, Paul's focus is on the Jews who have the law, yet not doing it. Therefore, the Jews should not have false-security by being a Jews. In fact, by 3:20, no one should have a false-sense of security. This passage in 2:12-16 is just the beginning to set that stage, but still it is important in the whole argument. Do not look down on other people, just because of your poor theology. You did not see the reasoning behind why you yourself should not have a false-sense of security just because you did not understand how God's law work or how God's judgment work.
Why do the Jews not noticing about this point? Maybe they are too satisfying just being the hearer. They are satisfied being the hearer because it looks outwardly, and intellectually. They do not see their lives needing the law. The law never touches their lives. Am I like that? Taught the SS and being praise or envying other people's result already took up too much space in my heart? Not thinking that God wants to talk to me or wants me to teach what He talks to me to others? Or do I just want to get the teaching time being filled and get done and not really thinking about the teaching anymore?
Green Olive questions for v.1-16
1. What was the problem of the audience in v.1, 3?
What do "judge" mean?
BDAG 2b-to pass judgment upon (and thereby seek to influence) the lives and actions of other people, esp. pass an unfavorable judgment upon, criticize, find fault with, condemn 特別指不好的意味：對人不公平地論斷，批評，挑剔，責難
e.g. 14:10 你這個人，為甚麼論斷弟兄呢？又為甚麼輕看弟兄呢？因我們都要站在神的台前
Same word can mean BDAG 3-to make a judgment based on taking various factors into account, judge, think, consider, look upon 1 Co 11:13 你們自己審察，女人禱告神，不蒙著頭是合宜的嗎？
Same root judgment (noun) legal decision rendered by a judge v.2 神必照真理審判他
2. Other than judging, what was their problem v.1,3 ? .1 自己所行卻和別人一樣 v..3 卻和別人一樣
3. Why would anyone judge but do the same? The problem is not just criticize, but you did the same. If you know that it is wrong, why you did the same thing? This person think they are special. v.1無論你是誰，也無可推諉
4. What fact did they miss v.2? v.1 定自己的罪 v.2 神必照真理審判他 v.3 你以為能逃脫神的審判嗎
5. They might have known the judgment of God, but they do not have the correct view of the ju of God. what is it? v.4-5 .4. 不曉得他的恩慈是領你悔改, v.5 你竟任著你剛硬不悔改的心，為自己積蓄忿怒
6. How is the ju of God fair and remind the audience that they should not be just a knower of the law but a doer? 6 他必照各人的行為報應各人
7. According to God's judgment the result of the audience is wrath of God v.5, who else will face the wrath of God in v.8? In v.8 the one who will face wrath are those who live in selfish ambition and do not obey the truth. Therefore, these are the problem of the audience in v.1-11.
selfish ambition結黨=strife, contentiousness
Reflection: We do not commit the same kind of sins, but we all commit sins. Sin is define as selfish, disobedience to God and unrighteous. However, we easily detect the different kind of sins and think we are different, but in fact we are the same. Before I say, "it is horrible" or "unthinkable," or "how can they do that?" remember what Ro 2:1 same we practice the same thing. We are in the same level.
v.12-16
v.12 凡沒有律法 hose who sin without awareness of the Mosaic law (expressed from the vantage point of Israel’s chosen status) will also perish without reference to it
v.12 is a summary of God's righteous judgment and will raise the eye brow for unfairness for those who sin apart from the law still suffer perish. 12 凡沒有律法犯了罪的，也必不按律法滅亡；凡在律法以下犯了罪的，也必按律法受審判。
some might argue then, without hearing who can do the law? v.14 they can still do
by nature, 順著本性 (BDAG-when gentiles spontaneously (i.e. without extraneous legal instruction; cp. the prophetic ideal Jer 31:32–34) fulfill the demands of the (Mosaic) law)
The proof of v.14 is in v.15
Does it mean that the doers of the law can do it by the conscience telling them in their hearts what to do? And by the group reasonings, which works when one member of the community accusing one others who fail and defend those who is innocent? Something like a court or moral code?
The demonstration of v.15 will be done in the day of God's judgment
Reflection: Why do the Jews not noticing about this point? Maybe they are too satisfying just being the hearer. They are satisfied being the hearer because it looks outwardly, and intellectually. They do not see their lives needing the law. The law never touches their lives. Am I like that?
17-29
1. If...then in v.17, 21
If
you call yourself...rely on law...boast in God...know His will...approve the superior things (BDAG-determine genuineness of the things that really matter; BKC-They have a concern for spiritually superior standards. These abilities of Jews exist because they are instructed by the Law)....convinced that you yourself are...
then
therefore you who teach someone else, do you not teach yourself?
Summary: This type of teaching they claimed to be is not just someone knowing the law. They claimed to "rely on the law," "know his will," and "have a concern for what is really matter spiritually" are not just knowledge, but a relationship. This is a teacher who calm to have a relationship close to God. This is not a bad standard for a teacher and actually a good standard.
Their problem is their inconsistency v.21b-22, and it is not just between what a person know and do, but what a person who is close to God still not doing what Gods them to do.
2. And the result is not just dishonor to yourself, but dishonor to God
23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by transgressing the law! 24 For just as it is written, “the name of God is being blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
3. Circumcision is a symbol of their covenant and the covenant implies a close relationship with God.
v.25 For circumcision has its value if you practice the law
A person who has a close relationship with God should make them to please God-practice the OT law (for people who deny the Gospel).
Reflection: Am I a person who is close to God and still not doing what God pleases? Am I a teacher who do not do what I teach?
Question:
1. Being a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relationship to God 18 and know his will and approve the superior things because you receive instruction from the law, 19 and if you are convinced that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an educator of the senseless, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the essential features of knowledge and of the truth
2. not teach themselves, not teach yourself, steal, commit adultery, rob temples, transgressing the law
(rob temples-BDAG w. vandalism against sacred images) prob. to be taken literally of temple plundering OR to commit irreverent acts (in Isaeus 8, 39 ἱεροσυλία is used of conduct relating to burial rites)
(EBC) The Jew who has been taught to abhor idols is charged with laying hands on them for the sake of profit
(IVP) But those who would rob temples would have to value their contents.
3. Dishonor God's name (let other people have an excuse to accuse God being inconsistent like His worshipper).
People may think that all Christians are mean and easily angry.
4. teachers who do not do what we teach. Being a Christian but not doing what pleases God.
5. they need to practice the laws (obedience to what God told them to do)
6. I will need to obey the leading of the HS
7. I need to pursuit a inward closeness with God and obey the HS then a will do what God wants. Then I will say I want the praise from God not from people.
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