Romans Chapter 2 Vs. 5

Condemnation According to Divine Standards

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Rom 2:5

hardness... Caused by a long course of rebellion.

and impenitent heart... Caused by the hardness of heart.

treasurest up... Greek: thesaurizo, increase or store up (Rom. 2:5; Mat. 6:19-20; Luke 12:21; 1Cor. 16:2; 2Cor. 12:14; Jas. 5:3; 2Pet. 3:7). Here it is storing up things that will call for the wrath of God. The treasure of wrath is varied to the extent one rejects the goodness of God and punishment will be according to its contents (Rom. 2:6; Mat. 11:22-24; 23:14; Rev. 20:11-15).

day of wrath... Final Judgment

Paul no doubt refers here to the final judgment when all rebels will receive full retribution for their sins (Rev. 20:11-15; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:16). It is called "the wrath to come" (Mat. 3:7; 1Thes. 1:10). All rebels are "children of wrath" (Eph. 2:3; 5:6). Many days of wrath have come upon people locally and in this life because of rebellion (Num. 11:33; 16:46; Deut. 9:7-8; Luke 21:23; 1Thes. 2:16; etc.). One more great day of wrath is coming upon people on earth (Rev. 6:16-17; 14:19; 15:1, 15:7; 16:1, 16:19; 18:3; 19:15), but the great day of wrath is that of the final judgment and eternal hell (Rev. 14:9-11; 20:11-15; 21:8).

Impartiality

Why are people ignorant of God’s intention to be kind? (Rom. 2:4) And why do they despise it? It is because of their stubbornness (lit., “hardness”; sklērotēta, whence the Eng. “sclerosis”) and their unrepentant heart(s). So God’s wrath against people’s sins is being stored up like a great reservoir until the day when it will all be poured forth in His righteous judgment. On that day God will give to each person according to what He has done (quotation of Psm. 62:12 and Pro. 24:12). God’s judging will be based on the standard of truth (Rom. 2:2) and it will be impartial (Rom. 2:11).


The English word “sclerosis” (as in arteriosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries) comes from the Greek word. But here the danger is not physical, but spiritual hardness.

“Impenitent heart”: A refusal to repent and accept God’s pardon of sin through Jesus and cling to one’s sin is to accumulate more of God’s wrath and earn a severer judgment.

“Day of wrath … judgment”: Refers to the final judgment of wicked men that comes at the Great White Throne at the end of the Millennium. Although Scripture everywhere teaches that salvation is not on the basis of works, it consistently teaches that God’s judgment is always on the basis of a man’s deeds.

Daniel Chapter 4 Vs. 37

Nebuchadnezzar Restored

Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. Dan. 4:37

Now I Nebuchadnezzar... Twenty things

Nebuchadnezzar learned:

1. that he should honor God.

2. that God was the King of heaven.

3. that All God’s works are truth.

4. that God’s ways are just.

5. that God is able to abase the proud (Dan. 4:37).

6. that God is Lord of kings (Dan. 2:47).

7. that God is a revealer of secrets (Dan. 2:47).

8. that God sends angels to protect those who put their trust in Him (Dan. 3:28).

9. that God can change man’s word (Dan. 3:28).

10. that true servants of God will not worship any other god (Dan. 3:16-18, Dan. 3:28).

11. that there is no other god who can deliver people like the true God (Dan. 3:29).

12. that no other god can do miracles like the true God (Dan. 3:25-29; 4:3).

13. that God’s kingdom is everlasting (Dan. 4:3, 4:34).

14. that there will be eternal generations of men on earth (Dan. 4:3).

15. that the Spirit of God can dwell in man (Dan. 4:8, 4:9, 4:18).

16. that God is supreme in earth (Dan. 4:17, 4:34).

17. that God gives rule to whomsoever He will (Dan. 4:17, 4:32).

18. that the wise men of earth are incapable of solving human problems (Dan. 2:2-13; 4:4-8).

19. that sin does not pay (Dan. 4:27-33).

20. that pride is the cause of downfalls (Dan. 4:28-37).

Romans Chapter 2 Vs. 4

God's Righteous Judgment 

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Rom 2:4


Or despisest thou... Do you Jews despise the good dealings of God and the superior advantages you have had, not knowing that they were designed to lead you to repentance?

riches of his... Rom. 9:23; 11:33; Eph. 1:7, 1:18; 2:7; 3:8, 3:16; Phlp. 4:19; Col. 1:27; 2:2.

leadeth thee to... Three things lead to repentance:

Goodness... Greek: chrestotes, the virtue and beneficence of God whereby He leads sinners to repentance (Rom. 2:4; cp. 5:6-8).

Forbearance... Greek: anoche, the self-restraint of God whereby He tolerates sinners and permits them to live to be saved (Rom. 2:4; 3:25; cp. Neh. 9:30).

Longsuffering... Greek: makrothumia, the leniency and patience of God whereby God’s mercy and goodness are extended to people to bring them to eternal reconciliation to Himself (Rom. 2:4; 1Pet. 3:20; 2Pet. 3:15).

repentance... See Mat. 4:17 and Luke 13:3.

By not exacting His divine penalty on sinful humanity immediately, God is displaying the riches of His kindness (chrēstotētos, “benevolence in action,” also used of God in Rom. 11:22; Eph. 2:7; Tit. 3:4), tolerance, and patience (cf. Acts 14:16; 17:30; Rom. 3:25). God’s purpose is to lead people toward repentance — a return to Him — through His kindness. (This word for “kindness” is chrēstos, a synonym of chrēstotētos, also trans. “kindness,” used earlier in the verse.) Both words mean “what is suitable or fitting to a need.” Chrēstos is used of God in Luke 6:35 and 1Pet. 2:3 and of people in Eph. 4:32. “Despisest”: Meaning to despise or to think down on, thus to underestimate someone’s or something’s value, and even to treat with contempt. 

“Goodness”: This refers to “common grace,” the benefits God bestows on all men.

“Forbearance”: This word, which means “to hold back,” was sometimes used of a truce between warring parties. Rather than destroying every person the moment he or she sins, God graciously holds back His judgment. He saves sinners in a physical and temporal way from what they deserve, to show them His saving character that they might come to Him and receive salvation that is spiritual and eternal.

“Longsuffering:” This word indicates the duration for which God demonstrates His goodness and forbearance, for long periods of time.

Together these three words speak of God’s common grace, the way He demonstrates His grace to all mankind.

“Repentance”: The act of turning from sin to Christ for forgiveness and salvation.

Not realizing (lit., “being ignorant of”) God’s purpose, people showed contempt for (kataphroneis, “you thought down on”) God’s attributes and actions (cf. “suppress the truth,” Rom. 1:18). People knew of God’s Being through natural revelation (Rom. 1:19-21, 1:28), but did not know the purpose of His kindness.

Daniel Chapter 4 Vs. 36

Nebuchadnezzar Restored

At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. Dan. 4:36

At the same... Seven Restored Blessings of Nebuchadnezzar

1. His understanding returned (Dan. 4:34).

2. His reason returned (Dan. 4:36).

3. The glory of his kingdom was restored.

4. His honor and brightness returned.

5. His counselors and lords sought after him again (Dan. 4:36).

6. He was reestablished in his kingdom.

7. Excellent majesty was added to him.

Romans Chapter 2 Vs. 3

God's Righteous Judgment

And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Rom 2:3

And thinkest thou... Questions 1-2. Next, Rom_2:21.

Thinkest... Greek: logizomai, to reckon or reason. First of 19 times in Romans (Rom. 2:3, 2:26; 3:28; 4:3-24; 6:11; 8:18, 8:36; 9:8; 14:14).

doest the same,... This was covered in depth in verse one above. “Condemn thyself:” If someone has sufficient knowledge to judge others, he condemns himself, because he shows he has the knowledge to evaluate his own condition.

Daniel Chapter 4 Vs. 35

Nebuchadnezzar Restored

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? Dan. 4:35

And all the... In comparison this is true (Isa. 40:12-29; 66:1-2; Rom. 11:33).

army of heaven... This confirms the fact of a real social order on the planet heaven (Job. 1:6; 2:1; Col. 1:15-18; Rev. 12:12).

What doest thou?... Question 8. Next, Dan. 5:13.

Romans Chapter 2 Vs. 2

God's Righteous Judgment

But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. Rom 2:2


we are sure... God will not punish anyone on hear-say evidence. God judges in Truth. He knows what the Truth is even before we begin.

“According to the truth”: The meaning is ‘right.” Whatever God does, is by nature right.


The first divine standard of judgment is truth. Nowhere in Scripture is God identified as “Truth” as He is as “Spirit” (John 4:24), “Light” (1Jn. 1:5) and “Love” (1Jn. 4:8, 1Jn. 4:16), though Jesus did call Himself “the Truth” (John 14:6). But God is called “the God of truth” (Psm. 31:5; Isa. 65:16). Truth — absolute, infinite truth — is unquestionably one of God’s essential attributes. God will not punish anyone on hear-say evidence. God judges in Truth. He knows what the Truth is even before we begin.

“According to the truth”: The meaning is ‘right.” Whatever God does is by nature right.

As a result when God’s judgment of people is declared to be based on literally “According to” “truth,” no escape from that judgment is possible for anyone. All are without “excuse” (Rom. 2:1) and without “escape.” One may be moral and he may even judge his contemporaries as totally enmeshed in a depraved lifestyle, but yet he is judged by God because he does the same things (cf. Rom. 2:1).