For Theo: The book of Romans in a nutshell - Chapter 2

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Continuing on!

Paul begins chapter 2 by explaining in detail sin, and it's ramifications in context of the law, and the ones who are supposed to have heard it: The Jewish people. We can see the long term ramifications of this passage even into our own world where the Jew will both tell you they're being persecuted, but never WHY. It also is a supporting scripture to what Jesus told his followers in Matthew, about the nature of judgement and sin.

Matthew 7: 7 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others.[a] The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. (VERY Important, and one of the most taken out of context scriptures in the entire Bible)

3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye[c] when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend,[d] ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

Romans 2: 1 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

Romans 2: 6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done. 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.

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Paul then continues with explaining that EVERYONE has God written in their heart. It's literally a God shaped hole that can only be filled with Him. It's a longing, a need, that everyone has and so many don't really recognize. They attempt to fill it with sex, drugs, money, and other vices, and yet, we all know deep down what the true intentions of God were. The nature of sin is such that even those who have never heard the word of God still know it. For example, we all know without being told that murder is a sin.

Romans 2: 12 When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. 13 For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. 14 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. 15 They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.

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The last part of chapter 2, Paul calls the Jews out by name. it's a shame we can't get the kikes to sit down and read even this one passage of scripture because I think many would pause in their thinking of being "Anointed" and realize that God can make ANYONE his children. It has nothing to do with being circumcised. it has nothing to do with eating koshier. It has nothing to do with any actions you can take. Period. Faith is what God calls us to, which Jews kind of threw out the window when they murdered God.

Romans 2: 17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. 18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. 19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. 20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.

Romans 2: 21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? 22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?[b] 23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it.

Romans 2: 25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.

Romans 2: 28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise[d] from God, not from people.

Continuing on! Paul begins chapter 2 by explaining in detail sin, and it's ramifications in context of the law, and the ones who are supposed to have heard it: The Jewish people. We can see the long term ramifications of this passage even into our own world where the Jew will both tell you they're being persecuted, but never WHY. It also is a supporting scripture to what Jesus told his followers in Matthew, about the nature of judgement and sin. Matthew 7: 7 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others.[a] The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. (VERY Important, and one of the most taken out of context scriptures in the entire Bible) 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye[c] when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend,[d] ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Romans 2: 1 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2: 6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done. 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Paul then continues with explaining that EVERYONE has God written in their heart. It's literally a God shaped hole that can only be filled with Him. It's a longing, a need, that everyone has and so many don't really recognize. They attempt to fill it with sex, drugs, money, and other vices, and yet, we all know deep down what the true intentions of God were. The nature of sin is such that even those who have never heard the word of God still know it. For example, we all know without being told that murder is a sin. Romans 2: 12 When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. 13 For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. 14 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. 15 They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The last part of chapter 2, Paul calls the Jews out by name. it's a shame we can't get the kikes to sit down and read even this one passage of scripture because I think many would pause in their thinking of being "Anointed" and realize that God can make ANYONE his children. It has nothing to do with being circumcised. it has nothing to do with eating koshier. It has nothing to do with any actions you can take. Period. Faith is what God calls us to, which Jews kind of threw out the window when they murdered God. Romans 2: 17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. 18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. 19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. 20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth. Romans 2: 21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? 22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?[b] 23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. Romans 2: 25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it. Romans 2: 28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise[d] from God, not from people.

[–] • 1 pt

Yes. An easy way to understand this is to imagine kids. In the garden, we were innocent, free, happy. God gave 1 law: Don't eat this. We ate it. So by breaking a law, we became guilty of committing a sin. The punishment for sin is death. ANY sin. Death penalty. So God had every right to end it right then and there. But He chose not to. Instead, he turned us into a world that is unbound and imperfect.

He then made himself known, and gave laws to the people to help protect them from themselves. For example: God said faggots fucking is bad. Do they die the second they stick it in? No. But we can clearly see what happens in our world, short and long term. AIDS, Monkey Pox, destruction of the family unit that God created, and the downfall of a country that once feared Him. I chose homosexuality in particular because it was the largest sin that caused the downfall of the Roman empire. It's also the singular sin that Jews in particular get their hats in a twist over.

The law was there for two reasons: two protect us, and to give us a standard of holiness to try to strive towards. He knows we can't do it alone, but He still wants us to try. Like how when your kid crashes the car, or sets the cats tail on fire, or blows up your shed. You had rules to stop this and they did it anyway. You still love them, but you get angry and punish them. You also use it as an example of "You fucked up, huh? Shouldn't do that again, huh?"

Why did he not want us to eat that fruit?

That's a VERY deep theological question that I'm not sure I'm qualified to answer as I'm just a random faggot on the internet. I have two chains of thought regarding it though so take it as you will: First is that the fruit was metaphorical. Similar to how God didn't give explicit details of aspect of creation, and how Jesus spoke in parables, perhaps the entire Garden story was simplified into a means for people to understand how betraying the actions of God and his laws (Because while God is love, He is also a just god, and you can't have Justice without Laws).

Second, is that the fruit was literal embodiment of higher thinking. Like a 3 year old suddenly being given the brain of a 30 year old and all of the higher thinking that comes with adult thoughts and thinking. The serpent gave them just enough truth to hang themselves when he said "You Shall Not Die." Did they drop dead? No. But he tricked them into sin by lying by virtue of withholding truth. Jesus said children are wonderful because they are the closest one can come to God. I have always interpreted this to mean they have innocence and wonderment that we lose as we get older. The fruit took that away from us.

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