Romans 2: Raw Stuff

It seems to me this chapter is about example and hypocrisy.

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Paul is exhorting the Romans, particularly those in leadership positions, which is incidently anyone that's a Christian, to be an example of 'doing the law' rather than knowing, saying, and pretending to 'do'.

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This too, the letter to the Romans, is Paul's 'gospel' or good word as he mentions in verse 16, when he refers to God judging the deeds of humankind 'according to my gospel.'

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Jeremiah 31:33 mentions regarding the new covenant as opposed to the old, God saying, "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." Paul is indicating a person in chapter two who has the law written on their hearts -- for they do what the law requires even though they're apart from the law. In this way they're accusing the unrepentant believer, even defending themselves by their actions. How will God deal with this quandary in the day of judgment?

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And verse 11, Paul states plainly that God is no respecter of persons. He shows no favourtism such is his wisdom and truth that it cuts through and can be applied equally among creation and is proportionate to his love.

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At the end of the day we are all models for Christ -- the right Way. We preach perilously. We get it wrong and we not only confound God to blasphemy, but we convict ourselves most terribly.

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We must do as we say. When we fail, we must repent and turn back to God -- by turning back the hearts of those we hurt. Let us not be Pharisees.