Chapter 2:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Acts 1 Corinthians
Romans 2
Concise Complete
The Jews could not be justified by the law of Moses, any
more than the Gentiles by the law of nature. (1-16) The sins of the Jews
confuted all their vain confidence in their outward privileges. (17-29)
Verses 1-16 The
Jews thought themselves a holy people, entitled to their privileges by right,
while they were unthankful, rebellious, and unrighteous. But all who act thus,
of every nation, age, and description, must be reminded that the judgment of God
will be according to their real character. The case is so plain, that we may
appeal to the sinner's own thoughts. In every wilful sin, there is contempt of
the goodness of God. And though the branches of man's disobedience are very
various, all spring from the same root. But in true repentance, there must be
hatred of former sinfulness, from a change wrought in the state of the mind,
which disposes it to choose the good and to refuse the evil. It shows also a
sense of inward wretchedness. Such is the great change wrought in repentance, it
is conversion, and is needed by every human being. The ruin of sinners is their
walking after a hard and impenitent heart. Their sinful doings are expressed by
the strong words, "treasuring up wrath." In the description of the just man,
notice the full demand of the law. It demands that the motives shall be pure,
and rejects all actions from earthly ambition or ends. In the description of the
unrighteous, contention is held forth as the principle of all evil. The human
will is in a state of enmity against God. Even Gentiles, who had not the written
law, had that within, which directed them what to do by the light of nature.
Conscience is a witness, and first or last will bear witness. As they nature.
Conscience is a witness, and first or last will bear witness. As they kept or
broke these natural laws and dictates, their consciences either acquitted or
condemned them. Nothing speaks more terror to sinners, and more comfort to
saints, than that Christ shall be the Judge. Secret services shall be rewarded,
secret sins shall be then punished, and brought to light.
Verses 17-24 The
apostle directs his discourse to the Jews, and shows of what sins they were
guilty, notwithstanding their profession and vain pretensions. A believing,
humble, thankful glorying in God, is the root and sum of all religion. But
proud, vain-glorious boasting in God, and in the outward profession of his name,
is the root and sum of all hypocrisy. Spiritual pride is the most dangerous of
all kinds of pride. A great evil of the sins professors is, the dishonour done
to God and religion, by their not living according to their profession. Many
despise their more ignorant neighbours who rest in a dead form of godliness; yet
themselves trust in a form of knowledge, equally void of life and power, while
some glory in the gospel, whose unholy lives dishonour God, and cause his name
to be blasphemed.
Verses 25-29 No
forms, ordinances, or notions can profit, without regenerating grace, which will
always lead to seeking an interest in the righteousness of God by faith. For he
is no more a Christian now, than he was really a Jew of old, who is only one
outwardly: neither is that baptism, which is outward in the flesh: but he is the
real Christian, who is inwardly a true believer, with an obedient faith. And the
true baptism is that of the heart, by the washing of regeneration and the
renewal of the Holy Ghost; bringing a spiritual frame of mind, and a willing
following of truth in its holy ways. Let us pray that we may be made real
Christians, not outwardly, but inwardly; in the heart and spirit, not in the
letter; baptized, not with water only, but with the Holy Ghost; and let our
praise be, not of men, but of God.
Chapter 2:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Acts 1 Corinthians
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
