Romans 2:1–29

Morality and religious heritage cannot get a person to heaven…or make them righteous. Just when moral or religious people might be tempted to feel superior to the sinners described in chapter 1, Paul turns to them and says, “You have no excuse.” Why? Because those who judge others often commit the very same sins, just in more socially acceptable ways.

Paul’s point is that God shows no partiality. He will judge everyone—Jew and Gentile, religious and irreligious—according to their deeds. The Jews had the law, the covenants, and the sign of circumcision, but those things didn’t exempt them from judgment. In fact, they made them more accountable.

He exposes the danger of hypocrisy: knowing God’s will and teaching others but not applying the truth to one’s own life. Ultimately, Paul says that true belonging to God is not about external signs or rituals, but about an inward transformation by the Spirit.

Key Takeaways:

• Moral people are just as guilty—they often judge others while committing similar sins.
• Having the law (or going to church, reading Scripture) doesn’t save you; it increases your responsibility.
• Hypocrisy is a major target of God’s judgment. It reveals a hard, unrepentant heart.
• True faith is inward, not outward—it’s not about appearances, but a heart changed by God.
• Religion without repentance and regeneration is meaningless.

Know that there’s good news coming.