Three ways to live

The main idea of this section is summarized on 3:9-11,20:

Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.

10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. “

Let’s trace this theme throughout the section.

Whom does Paul address in vv. 1:18-32?

Gentiles. It is clear because all their revelation about God comes from nature.

What is the state of gentiles, according to Paul?

Not so good:

a. They are under the wrath of God (v.18)
b. Though they knew about God from creation - they didn’t honor him, worshipping idols instead (v. 19-23)
c. They are given up by God to pursue all the evil things they want - homosexuality, depraved mind (v.26-28)
d. They are filled with evil, jealousy, murder, strife, deceit, and many, many other bad things (v.29-32)

Whom does Paul address in 2-3:8?

Jews, see 2:17. It is interesting also that instead of using plural language on gentiles, Paul switches to personal address to a Jew. This was a standard rhetoric tactic designed to carry a higher impact on readers.

Well, Gentiles don’t seem do be fairing well. Are Jews any better?

Not at all - they do exactly the same things! And they deserve the same condemnation from God as the Gentiles, despite their greater revelation about God.

So what is the difference between the Jews and Gentiles?

There appears to be no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles with respect to sinful nature and God’s judgment. God does not show favoritism (v. 2:11). He applies the same standard of judgment to everyone, the standard that is compatible with what is revealed to them. Those under the law (i.e. Jews) will be judged based on the requirements of the Law. Those who are not given the written law (i.e. Gentiles) will be judged based on the law written on their hearts (i.e. their conscience).

There is, however, one quite a big difference. While both Jews and Gentiles are guilty of sin, the Jews may believe that they are not condemned by God because they are favoured as a “chosen race”, have undergone physical circumcision and given the law to obey. Some Rabbis even used preach that no Jews who are circumcised will go down to Hell. And Paul agrees with this statement, except for definition of the circumcision; the real circumcision is not physical, it is spiritual, and any person who openly sins undoes his physical circumcision and hence is not a part of covenant. The real circumcision is the circumcision of the heart, accomplished by the Spirit, and is not limited to Jews alone.

Application point 1. The right relationship with God is not only about how much you know. Yes, Jews knew much more than Gentiles. Yet this didn’t stop them from sinning. In fact, it made it worse in some sense. John 9:41 - Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains”.

Do we think we are better Christians because we regularly study the bible? Think again. It is not the knowledge that pleases God, it is the obedience. What value is then in studying the Bible? Much in every way, but only if your gained knowledge leads you to better obedience.

Application point 2. From 1:1-12 it appears that God’s salvation standard is based on performance. But what about salvation by faith alone, which is what Paul is driving at?

There is no contradiction here. God’s last and final standard is our works. Yet, we are simply unable to do them. When we try, we fail. When we start doing good works to make ourselves right with God, to make God owe us, we sin and distance ourselves from Him even more. Salvation, our making right with God is only possible by faith alone. Yet good works will follow, if we properly understood our salvation and will be a basis for our final judgment.

To put it in other words, in v.3:20, by saying “No one will be declared righteous by observing the law”, Paul means that everyone can be declared righteous by observing the law, but never will be, as obeying it simply impossible. In other words, God says, run 100m in 5 sec and you will be right with me. It is theoretically possible to accomplish that, but very likely will never happen. In the words of Jonah, “Salvation is of the Lord”, it is not of our making.

Some tried to interpret these verses as saying that it is possible to achieve salvation without the gospel. Yet, this is not what Paul is trying to say. It is only theoretically possible, but practically impossible. This is how one commentator puts it:

Salvation for both Jew and Gentile is available only by doing good (2:6, 11, 13)
The power of sin prevents both Jew and Gentile from doing good (3:9 – 19)
Therefore: No one can be saved by doing good (3:20)

Application point 3. Jews seemed to believe they were superior because they belonged to God’s chosen people. Wisdom of Solomon 12-15 talk about Jews being sure that God will love them despite their sin. Are we any different?

Not really. This attitude that you can do whatever you like as soon as you become a Christian is quite widespread today. Paraphrasing Paul’s words, it is not the hearing of the gospel and professing the belief which makes one Christian, just as it was not being born a Jew that makes one a Jew. What makes one Christian is the circumcision of the heart by the Holy Spirit.