Study Questions: Romans 2:1-29

1.  Who is Paul addressing? Why is there no excuse for these people? (2:1)

2.  What falls upon those who practice the sins that Paul introduced in Rom 1:18-32? (2:2)

3.  What two rhetorical questions does Paul pose to the man who passes judgment on those who practice such sins and does the same himself? To what does the kindness of God lead? (2:3-4)
(A) State these two questions in your own words.

4.  (A) What things do you condemn in others but do yourself? How has God’s kindness led you to repentance? How might God’s kindness shown to you keep you from condemning others?

5.  What might cause you to  store up wrath for yourself? For what day does Paul say that you are storing up wrath for yourself? (2:5) (D) When will this day occur?

6.  How will God render His judgment? (2:6) What will those receive who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality? (2:7)

7.  What will those receive who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness? (2:8)

8.  (A) Based on Paul’s teaching in Rom 2:6-8, what do you expect to receive? Why?

9.  What will there be for every soul of man who does evil? For whom is this true? (2:9) What will there be for everyone who does good? (2:10)

10.  What does God not exhibit in judgment? (2:11) (PR) State a principle drawn from this verse that is true for all people at all times.

11.  Who will perish without the Law? Who will be judged by the Law? (2:12) Who is NOT considered just before God? Who will be justified? (2:13)  (D) To what Law is Paul referring? (cf. Exod 20:1-17)

12.  How do Gentiles show that the work of the Law is written in their hearts? (2:15) What will God judge through Christ Jesus? (2:16)

13.  How does Paul describe those who bear the name “Jew”? (2:17-20)

14.   What five questions does Paul ask those who bear the name “Jew” and fit these descriptions? (2:21-23)

                  a.

                  b.

                  c.

                  d.

                  e.

15. Because of whom is the name of God being blasphemed among the Gentiles? (2:24) (O) In your own words, describe why the name of God was being blasphemed?

16.  What is of value if a Jew practices the Law? What happens if a Jew transgresses the Law? What happens to the uncircumcised man who keeps the requirements of the Law? (2:25-26) (O) In your own words, restate Paul’s argument? 

17.  According to Paul, who is not a Jew? What is not circumcision? (2:28) According to Paul, who is a Jew? What is true circumcision? From whom does his praise not come? From whom does his praise come? (2:29)

(optional) Give an explanation of circumcision based on the following verses:
Gen 17:10-14, 23-27; Lev 12:3; Deut 10:16; 30:6; Josh 5:2; Jer 4:4; 9:25; Luke 1:59; John 7:22; Acts 7:8; 15:1, 5; 21:21; Gal 2:7-9; 6:12-13; Phil 3:4-5; Col 2:11.

18.  What do you learn about God in Rom 2:1-29? How could you apply this truth to your life?

Write a prayer response to Rom 2:1-29.

Rom. 2:1   Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.  2 And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.  3 But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?  4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?  5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,  6 who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:  7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;  8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.  9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek,  10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  11 For there is no partiality with God.

Rom. 2:12   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;  13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.  14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,  15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,  16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.

Rom. 2:17   But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God,  18 and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law,  19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,  20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,  21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?  22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?  23 You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?  24 For “THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU,” just as it is written.

Rom. 2:25   For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.  26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?  27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law?  28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.  29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

Book of Romans Study: Romans 1:18-32

This video is a discussion of Romans 1:18-32, covering the doctrine of sin and results of:

I.    Denial         (1:18-20)

II.  Dishonor     (1:21-23)

III. Depravity    (1:24-32)

Principle: Denial and dishonor of God results in depravity.

Rom. 1:18   For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,  19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.  20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.  

Rom 1:21  For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,  23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 

Rom 1:24  Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.  25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 

Rom 1:26  For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,  27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 

Rom 1:28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,  29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,  30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,  31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;  32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. 
(NASB; bold print & underline added)

Study Questions: Romans 1:18-32

Rom. 1:18   For  the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who  suppress the truth  in unrighteousness,  19 because  that which is known about God is evident  within them; for God made it evident to them.  20 For  since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen,  being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.  21 For even though they knew God, they did not  honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became  futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  22  Professing to be wise, they became fools,  23 and  exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and  crawling creatures. 

Rom. 1:24   Therefore  God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be  dishonored among them.  25 For they exchanged the truth of God for  a  lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator,  who is blessed  forever. Amen. 

Rom. 1:26   For this reason  God gave them over to  degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is  unnatural,  27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another,  men with men committing  indecent acts and receiving in  their own persons the due penalty of their error. 

Rom. 1:28   And just as they did not see fit  to acknowledge God any longer,  God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,  29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are  gossips,  30 slanderers,   haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil,  disobedient to parents,  31 without understanding, untrustworthy,  unloving, unmerciful;  32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of  death, they not only do the same, but also  give hearty approval to those who practice them. 

Study Questions – Romans 1:18-32

1.  What is being revealed from heaven? (1:18) (D) Define the “wrath of God.”

2.  List two things against which the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven. (1:18)

            a.

            b.

(O) Why do you think that people suppress the truth of God?

3.  Why is the wrath of God being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness? (1:19)

4. What has been evident since the creation of the world through what has been made? Why does this leave people without excuse for unbelief? (1:20)

5.  (A) How have you witnessed God’s invisible attributes, eternal power, and divine nature in creation? How does this strengthen your faith? What can you not discover about God in creation? What is the only source of  special revelation from God?

6.  What is the result of people knowing God, but not honoring Him as God or giving thanks? (1:21b) (A) How would having a darkened heart impact a person’s choices and thought processes? What evidence do you see of darkened hearts in the world today?

7.  What insight do the following verses offer about unbelieving, darkened hearts?

      Exod 7:13

      Ps 14:1

      Ps 36:1

      Ps 53:1

      Ps 81:12

      Prov 28:14

      Prov 29:1

      Mark 16:14

      John 12:40

      Acts 19:9

      Rom 9:18

8.  What do those with foolish, darkened hearts profess? What do they become? (1:22)

9.  What do those with foolish, darkened hearts exchange? What do they worship and serve? (1:23)  (A) Who/what do you worship and serve? How do your resources of money, time, gifts…reflect the object of your worship and service?

10.  As a result of their failure to honor and give thanks to God, a three-ring downward spiral is indicated by the phrase “God gave them over” in 1:24, 1:26, and 1:28. To what does God give them over?

            Rom 1:24

            Rom 1:26

            Rom 1:28

11.  Why does God give them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity so that their bodies would be dishonored among them? (1:24-25)

12.  Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator (1:26-27):

To what kind of passions does God give them over?

What do women exchange for the natural function?

What do men abandon?

For what does the desire of men burn?

What do men with men commit and receive?

13. (A) How does Rom 1:25-27 contribute to your understanding of homosexuality?

14.  Why does God give them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper? (1:28)

15.  With what are those filled who did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer? (1:29-31)

16.  At the bottom of the downward spiral into depravity, how do they respond to those who practice such things that are worthy of death? (1:32) (A) How does our society respond to the sins listed in Rom 1:24-32? How do you respond? Why?

17.  List examples of practices in the world today that are contrary to the nature of God and what He has revealed in the Bible. What does this reveal about society?

18.  What do you learn about God in Rom 1:18-32? How could you apply this truth to your life?

Write a prayer response to Rom 1:18-32.

       

*(A)=Application (C)=Context (D)=Difficult (O)=Opinion (PR)=Principle (P)=Prophecy

Jessica K. Taylor

jessicat@lakepointe.org