Romans: The Moralistic Problem

Romans 2:1-11

Paul wanted to personally deliver a message to the Roman believers, but every time he planned the trip, something got in the way. So, while he was in Corinth on his third missionary journey, he found out that a woman named Phoebe was planning to go to Rome. He asked her to deliver the letter for him. This letter was written and delivered in AD 58. 

There was no “church of Rome,” so Phoebe would have given the letter to the Christians she knew. That group would have copied it and sent either the copy or the original to another group in the city. This process was repeated until all the known Christians had received Paul’s message. No Christian in Rome who read or listened to Paul’s message would have missed the main point.

Roman 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” 

This letter contains the blueprint of salvation—past, present, and future. The entire process of salvation includes justification, sanctification, and glorification:

• We were saved—past—Justification
• We are being saved—present—Sanctification
• We will be saved—future—Glorification

After Paul stated the theme of his letter, he followed up by addressing the question of why. One leadership book that had a significant impact on me was Simon Sinek’s Start With Why. That’s precisely what Paul did. He began by addressing the question, “Why do we need this salvation from God?” 

In Romans 1:18-32, Paul explains that humanity is in a helpless and hopeless condition, affected by sin and separated from God. We all, no matter who we are, find ourselves in this situation before God. Paul starts his theological argument by showing that no one is without excuse before the Almighty God (Rom. 1:20). 

There was a group of people who appreciated Paul’s condemnation of those far from God. When they heard this first section of Romans, they might have stood and applauded. This group was made up of Jews and Gentiles.[1] They considered themselves morally superior. 

The Jewish people often believed they held a higher position because God had chosen them as his people to receive the law, worship him exclusively, and represent him to other nations throughout the Old Testament. Jesus was the promised Messiah—a Jew who came to the Jews. They saw themselves as the religious elite, holding a position of dominance. 

There were also some moralists among the Gentiles. They listened to Paul’s discussion about the pagans in Romans 1:18-32 and looked down on them as well. They believed in marriage between a man and a woman for life, raised their children to be good citizens, and were generous with their giving. 

So, Paul shared some tough teachings that all moralists—Jew or Gentile—needed to hear. 

No Excuse. No Escape. (Romans 2:1-5)

Romans 2:1-2
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.

“No excuse" translates the Greek word anapologetos. Our word, apologetics, comes from the Greek word apologetos, meaning to make a defense, specifically to defend the gospel. However, a negative prefix is added here to emphasize that the moralist has no defense before God. 

When moralists judge godless pagans, they often break their own code of conduct. Pretending to be perfect, they reveal their flaws by condemning someone made in God’s image. The righteous Judge’s judgment “falls on those who practice such things.” Jesus explained in the Sermon on the Mount that merely not killing, not committing adultery, or not worshiping carved idols doesn’t mean you aren’t a murderer, adulterer, or idolater (Matt. 5:21-22; 5:27-28; 6:24). God’s standard is all-encompassing, and he knows our inmost desires. The righteous Judge perceives the intentions and motives of our hearts (Prov. 16:2; Heb. 4:12). 

Romans 2:3-5
Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?  But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 

Moralism makes hypocrites of us all. We judge in others the same things we practice. Paul asks, “Do you think hypocrites will escape the judgment of God?” Paul emphasizes that no one should ever presume on God’s grace. Instead, his grace should lead us to repentance—admitting our sins, seeking forgiveness, and turning away from them. Repentance is difficult for a moralist because they must admit they are wrong. A moralist is just too proud for that. 

Storing Up God’s Wrath (Romans 2:6-11)

The result of practicing moralism is that God is “storing up wrath” for the day of judgment. The punishment for the moralist will not be so obvious now. But, like water building up behind a dam, one day God will open the gates, and on that day, it will be too late for repentance. 

Romans 2:6-11
He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing 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. 

God shows no favoritism. Everyone—Jew or Gentile—is a sinner in need of a Savior. Those who try to earn a relationship with God through their morality are “self-seeking and do not obey the truth.” They will one day face “wrath and fury.” Evil in our sinful hearts results in “tribulation and distress.” Paul makes this theological truth clear and direct. 

On the other hand, those who seek to honor God and obey him will enjoy eternal life—“glory and honor and peace.” This does not refer to salvation by works. Paul presents his message as a legal argument, building a case for Jesus. He later shares that all people—Jew or Gentile—are “justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Romans 2:1-11. Focus on the moralist's dilemma.

Talking to God: In what ways am I tempted to judge others while excusing or minimizing my own sin, and how is God calling me to respond with humility and repentance instead?

Zoom Calls: We’re excited to invite you to a special Zoom call on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM as we come together to reflect on what we’ve learned in our study of John and take a midpoint review of the book of Romans. There will be more details coming closer to that date. 

And please mark your calendars for our next two Zoom gatherings as well:
Romans Wrap-Up – Monday, November 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Revelation Wrap-Up – Monday, January 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM
We look forward to continuing to grow together in God’s Word!

Have questions?  Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to help as we study God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll respond soon. Let us know if you would like to learn more about a relationship with Jesus or if you are seeking spiritual guidance.