Romans 2:12,13

For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. Romans 2:12,13 ESV


It's important that, as we break down what Paul was writing, we keep in mind his line of thought. He led into this section by talking about God's righteous judgement, which he went on to explain is free from partiality. Now, Paul carries this one step further - explaining that exposure to the law makes no difference when it comes to God's judgment - there really are no excuses. 


For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law

all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law

These two lines are similar, yet they address different audiences. Both lines deal with "the law," so it seems important that we understand what that is. I feel at the time Paul was most likely referring to the law of Moses, specifically given to the Jews. I would argue that today, however, this refers to the moral law of God, given to all of His children who have access to His Word
 
The law of Moses and God's moral law both accomplish the same thing - they reveal the perfect character of God and, as a result, our inability to perfectly satisfy them. That is why we must cling to Jesus Christ, who, in His perfect righteousness, fulfilled every requirement for us.

So, back to the two audiences being addressed:


For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law

The first audience has not been exposed to the law - they do not have full knowledge of God's perfect requirements in order to be in His presence. As a result, this group of people will not be held accountable for what they have not been taught.

However - this is very important - what does Paul say about these people?

While they do not know the law, they will still perish because of their sin

                                   unless they are covered by the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

It is very clear that the law does not provide a means of salvation for us - so those are not exposed to the truths of God are justly condemned on the basis of unforgiven sin. 

all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law

The second audience has been exposed to the law - they do have a knowledge of God's perfect requirements in order to be in His presence.  This group of people will be judged according to the knowledge that they have been given through God's Word. Those of us that are fortunate and have easy access to God's Word will be held accountable for what He has laid out in it. 

However - this is very important - a knowledge of the law is not to provide a way of salvation, but to reveal our sinfulness and our inability to perfectly keep all that God requires. 

For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.

In support of what Paul wrote in the previous verse, he explains that hearing the law (having a knowledge of it) has nothing to do with being righteous before God. The fact that Paul describes those who will be justified as doers of the law goes hand in hand with what he wrote in verse 6 of this chapter:

"He will render to each one according to his works"

While we know that performing the works of the law (or any effort put forth by us at all) cannot save us, Paul makes it clear that it is utterly impossible for anyone who lives a life completely void of any good work to be justified and called righteous before God. Those who have been sealed with the Holy Spirit WILL be doers of the law by the power of God.

In summary, these two verses really bring home the fact that knowledge of God's perfect requirements (which are His character revealed) has no power to save us. We are all justly condemned regardless of our scope of knowledge.

I would say, though, that those who have been exposed to a greater knowledge of the Truth, yet do not repent will suffer a greater eternal torment due to the realization that the opportunity to spend eternity with our Heavenly Father was right in front of them...yet they refused.



I would encourage anyone who has spent time studying these verses to share your wisdom in the comments below. These verses can be confusing, so any added clarity would be much appreciated!


Next post: 1.12.13