GOD’S IMPARTIAL JUDGMENT
Romans 2:6-11
Ninth in the sermon series, “Romans: Gospel Blueprint.”
Paul addresses the self-righteous Jew who feels safe from the wrath of God. Their false confidence is that they know the law of Moses. Paul removes the false sense of security of the interlocutor, an imaginary person with whom Paul is arguing. The use of the diatribe technique is to address the Jewish mind, which Paul is familiar with, being a Jew and a Pharisee. He rebuked the hypocrisy of those who would condemn the sins of the Gentiles but are guilty of the same thing. The apostle also addressed those who presume the kindness of God. He clarified that His kindness should lead us to repentance. But to those who will not repent because their hearts are stubborn, they can expect God’s judgment.
Eternal Life
Knowing the law does not acquit anyone of guilt. God will judge according to what men have done. For those who follow His commands, the ones who seek glory and honor, God will give them eternal life. However, Paul will explain later in his letter that no one is qualified (3:11-12).
Romans 2:6-7: He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;
The self-righteous Jew, even with all the knowledge of the law, will be judged according to what they have done.[1] But whoever fully obeys the law has 100% eternal life. Only the Lord Jesus, the eternal Word, was able to fulfill the law.
God’s Wrath
Paul identifies the self-seeking, ἐριθείας, which could also be translated as “selfish ambition.”[2] It implies that selfish ambition can cause strife and disputes.[3] The self-seeking and those who do not obey the truth will suffer the judgment of wrath and fury.
Romans 2:8-9: but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,
God will not grant rewards to the Jew just because of their heritage.[4] If they do not obey the truth, they can expect His wrath and fury. Note that Paul mentions to every human being who does evil, the Jew first and then the Greek (Gentile, non-Jew). Paul is pointing out the individual, so this is a personal thing.
God is Not Partial
Paul explains that God will grant glory, honor, and peace to all who do good. One will observe that the Jew goes first, then the Gentile. It refers both to blessings and judgment. Both the Jew and the Gentile will be judged because God is not partial.
Romans 2:10-11: but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.
Paul’s emphasis in the section from verse one of chapter two is that God is not partial. God will judge both the Jew and the Gentile. Paul is not advocating for salvation by works. He will explain that no one does good. What Paul was driving at is that God is not partial.
Application
1. Believe and understand that God will judge every individual, whether Jew or non-Jew. Each one will be judged according to what they have done. Not because they are Gentile or Jew, but because He will judge every human.
2. Believe and understand that all who practice or have practiced ungodliness and unrighteousness deserve wrath, fury, tribulation, and distress. A person’s only way out is to truly believe the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is God’s power to salvation.
[1] Michael J. Gorman, Romans (Eerdmans, 2022), Romans 2:6-16.
[2] “Strong’s Greek: 2052. Ἐριθεία (Eritheia) -- Selfish Ambition, Strife, Rivalry,” accessed May 31, 2026, https://biblehub.com/greek/2052.htm.
[3] F. F. Bruce, Romans (IVP, 2015), Romans 2:8.
[4] Thomas R. Schreiner, Romans (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament), 2nd ed. (Baker Academic, 2018), 113.
Poem
IMPARTIAL GOD by Ed Pilapil Jr Now God will render what is due To every sin that men pursue To the righteous, eternal life But then, who would be qualified? Self-seekers who promote such strife Must repent of that kind of life Else, tribulation and distress It is judgment like a winepress Unrepentant and stubborn heart From God’s righteousness you depart Knowing the law will not save you Self-righteousness is a trap, too God is impartial in judgment Wrath against sin, that’s the treatment The gospel is what we all need There, salvation is guaranteed
Study Guide
1. To whom will God give eternal life? Is Paul promoting salvation by works? (Ro 2:6-7, 3:11-12)
2. What will happen to those who do not obey? (Ro 2:8-9)
3. What does Paul mean when he said that God shows no partiality? Explain. (Ro 2:10-11)
