Romans chapter 2 beginning there in verse number six. On last week we looked at the first part of this chapter in Romans chapter 2:es 1-5. We’re in the middle of chapter 2 and it’s a little bit tricky because if you take the middle of chapter 2 by itself, you might get the impression that it actually teaches or communicates something that contradicts what comes later in Paul’s teaching.
So, it’s very important that we grapple with this within its proper context. So, look with me if you will. Romans chapter 2 beginning at verse 6 and it reads, “He will render to each one according to his works. To those who by patience and welloing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek. But glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good. The Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. Verse 12. For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles who do not have the law by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves. Even though they do not have the law, they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts.
For their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. And here’s what’s interesting. This whole section that we’re looking at is dealing with this issue of justification by faith.
And right here, right smack dab in the middle of it, Paul says in no uncertain terms that God will render to each according to his works. Not God will render to each according to his faith, but God will render to each according to his works. And as we read it in the second paragraph, it almost seems as though he’s alluding to the possibility at least of those who do not have the law being justified by responding to and obeying whatever light they do have.
