Romans 2 begins with Paul talking about people who judge those doing the very things they themselves are doing.

Paul thinks they don’t get that God’s kindness and patience, in not destroying us immediately for our sin, is not meant to show acceptance of our sin, but rather is meant to lead us to repentance in gratitude that we’re given a chance to turn back.

Paul warns these selfish and unrighteous people that they are storing up wrath for themselves.

Tribulation and distress are promised those who do evil. But glory and honor and peace are promised to those who do good.

We are told who is righteous before God. It’s not those who hear the law but those who do the law that are justified before God.

At the same time, Paul warns those who think they are righteous in keeping the law that they are really lawless, law breakers. They aren’t actually keeping the law since no one does. Paul can say that with authority.

Who can be righteous? Only God is good. Christ becomes our righteousness. The Spirit in us gives us the power to love others, growing and changing us from glory to glory into the image of Christ. The Spirit washes us clean of our sin as we press on in faith in a God who justifies sinners who confess and repent and give their lives to Christ. They do this that His life will be lived through them.

Romans speaks a lot of Jews and Gentiles. The gospel is for all. Paul defines Jews in Romans 2. He says a Jew is not merely one who is circumcised physically. He says a Jew is one whose heart has been circumcised by the Spirit.

God praises the one who by faith “cuts off” the flesh and lives by the Spirit of God.