Rom 2:1-3 What sort of man would be considered qualified to pass judgment upon such as those whom Paul has just described in the previous chapter? See Rom 2:17-20. Why does he say that those who do so actually condemn themselves? See Rom 2:1, 2, 3. Is a person just in the eyes of God because he knows and understands His righteous law? See Rom 2:13. What does make a person just before God? Are there any who deep in their heart of hearts can say that they have kept the law of God and are therefore clean and without sin? See Rom 3:23, Prov 20:9. What does this teach us as Christians about the danger of judging and condemning others for their sins? See James 4:11-12.
Rom 2:4-5 Note: NASB “think lightly” is literally “think down”. In spiritual pride men often think down upon others and suppose the riches of God’s kindness towards them is the result of some favored position they have with God because of what they know or understand. When they do so, what are they really thinking down upon? What does Paul say is the real purpose of God’s kindness and patience towards them? Note: “storing up” is literally “treasuring up”. What does Paul say those are storing up for themselves who suppose because of their understanding that they have treasure in heaven, but whose hearts are unrepentant? How are his words here a fitting description of so many of the religious Jews of the first century? See Mat 3:7-10. How are they a fitting description of so many religious Christians today?
Rom 2:6-10 What is the “righteous judgment of God”? See Rom 2:6, 7 and 8, and also Gal 6:7-8. What does it mean to persevere in doing good, and what is the result? Given our sinful nature, is it possible for us to persevere in doing good apart from a sincere faith that trusts in God to enable us to do so and offers us forgiveness when we fail? What does it mean to be selfishly ambitious and not obey the truth, and what is the result? See also 2 Thess 1:8-9. Why is both the judgment and blessing of God “to the Jew first”? Does this principle also apply to the Christian? See Rom 2:28-29, 1 Pet 4:17.
Rom 2:11-16 What is Paul’s purpose in saying that there is no partiality with God? Who thought that God was partial to them, and for what reason? How does Paul counter the false notion of those Jews who supposed they were saved because they possessed the Law? See Rom 2:13. How does he counter their false notion that the Gentiles were damned because they did not have the Law? See Rom 2:14-15. Do those who perish “without law”, i.e., without knowing the revealed truths found in the Law God gave the Jews—do they perish because they don’t have the Law, or because they have sinned in failing to live up to what light they do have? See 1:18-32. What part of a person indicates that God has not left anyone entirely without law? See Rom 2:15, James 4:17. What happens when a person continues to violate his conscience through unrepentant sin? See 1 Tim 4:2. Do Paul’s arguments against the false notions of the Jews apply to any false notions Christians might have in supposing they are saved because they know and understand the Gospel, while others are lost because they don’t? See again Rom 2:7-8, Mat 7:21,24,26, James 1:22.
Rom 2:17-29 Many of the Jews of Paul’s day prided themselves as having a favored position with God because they knew and understood the Law; however, were they in fact any different from the Gentiles in living up to the light that they had? See Rom 2:17-24. In these verses, replace the word “Jew” with “Christian”, “the Law” with “the Gospel”, and “circumcision” with “saying the sinner’s prayer and being baptized”; are we any different from the Jews in living up to the light that we have? Who is a true Jew/Christian and son of Abraham? See Rom 2:28-29, John 1:47, 8:37-39, Gal 4:28-29. What is the nature of true religion and how does it differ from false religion? See 1 Tim 1:5, James 1:27.