2:1-4 How are we to understand this passage of scripture?

In V1 Paul accuses the self-righteous moralists - Jews and Gentiles alike - for justifying themselves while condemning others for the sins enumerated in chapter 1. They were guilty of the same sins (cp Ro 1:29-31). The self-righteous moralists condemned themselves by virtue of the fact that they were able to judge right from wrong in others. They condemned others' sins but excused their own, so Paul then proceeded to teach about the judgment of God (cp Ro 2:2-16). God's judgment is according to truth and those who condemn others while doing the same thing themselves, will not escape this judgment. However, God delays His judgment in order to give sinners time to repent (cp Ro 2:4 with 2Pe 3:9). In His goodness God holds back His judgment, giving sinners time to repent, although they are worthy of immediate death. In spite of their provocations, God is longsuffering toward them. This demonstrates His grace by which men are saved (cp Ro 3:21-26; Eph 2:8-10). There is also a lesson for the contemporary church here: the church should not direct secular society to follow biblical teaching while at the same time it is blind to the worldliness and sin in its own membership (cp Lk 6:41-42).

2:5 What is the "Day of Wrath" Paul refers to here?

The day of wrath Paul refers to here is the final judgement - the Great White Throne Judgement, which will take place after the thousand years reign of Christ. Scripture calls it the second death (cp Rev 20:6, 12-15). After describing the sinfulness of ungodly pagans in Ro 1:18-32, Paul turns his attention in Ro 2 to those who censoriously criticize and judge others for sinning. Primarily he is addressing the Jews, but secondarily he is addressing everyone who judges others while at the same time they are themselves in sin. In condemning others they condemn themselves and store up God's wrath against them in the Day of Judgement (cp V1-4 with 16-29). See also comments on Rev 14:9-11 and Re 20:11-15,

2:6 Does this not teach that salvation is not by faith only but by works also?

No! Although deeds means works, this is not teaching salvation by works. The key to understanding this verse is found in V7-10 (cp V7-10). This simply teaches that in the future judgement God will punish evil and reward good (cp Isa 3:10-11; Jer 17:10; Jn 5:28-29; 2Cor 5:10; Ga 6:7-9; Rev 22:11-12). See also comments on Rev 14:9-11 and 20:11-15,

2:11-13 What do we learn from what Paul says here?

We learn in V11-12 that God does not show favouritism - the law is an impartial standard of judgement. It is not the knowledge of the law that counts, but obedience to it. This is for our admonition also. V13 teaches that it is folly for anyone who professes to be a Christian but is not totally consecrated to the service of God and completely yielded to the authority of Jesus, to think that they are saved (cp Deut 27:26; 1Sam 15:22-23; Mt 7:21-27; 12:30, 46-50; Lk 11:27-28; Jas 1:22-25). See also comments on Mt 3:10, 7:13-14, 7:21, 12:30, 25:14-30; Lk 19:11-27; Jn 15:2, 15:4-6, 15:16; Jas 1:22-25, 2:14-16

2:17-24 How are we to understand what Paul is saying here?

Here Paul is showing the Jews the error of their way. The things in which they boasted had never changed their lives - there was no moral transformation. Their empty formalism caused the Gentiles to blaspheme God (cp Isa 52:5; Eze 36:20-23). The Gentiles judged God by the Jews who professed to be His followers. The same happens today too. Unbelievers judge Christ by how much they see of Him in Christians (cp Ro 2:25-29). See also comments on Mt 5:13-16, 10:37-38; Mk 4:21-25; Lk 14:28-35, 16:1-13

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