God's Righteous Judgment

Paul writes, "Therefore you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judge. For in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge practice the same things." God's judgment is according to truth, and no one who condemns others while doing the same things will escape it.

He asks whether they despise the riches of God's goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads to repentance. A hard and unrepentant heart stores up judgment for the day when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. God will pay back everyone according to their works: eternal life to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek glory, honor, and incorruptibility, and trouble to those who obey unrighteousness.

Glory, honor, and peace come to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. "For there is no partiality with God." Not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers. When Gentiles who do not have the law do by nature the things of the law, they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness. God will judge the secrets of people through Jesus Christ.

Paul then speaks to anyone who relies on the law, boasts in God, and teaches others. He asks whether they teach themselves, and warns that God's name can be dishonored among the nations when teachers do not live what they teach. Outward signs are valuable when the law is kept. But Paul says true belonging to God is inward, and circumcision is of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter. Its praise is not from men, but from God.