টীকা বর্তমানে শুধুমাত্র ইংরেজিতে উপলব্ধ। বাংলা অনুবাদ চলছে।
Romans 2 — Or Despisest Thou the Riches of His Goodness?
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest. Despisest thou the riches of his goodness... not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? God will render to every man according to his deeds. Glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good. There is no respect of persons with God. As many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law. The Gentiles which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law. He is not a Jew which is one outwardly. Circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter.
“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
— Romans 2:4
- v.1-11 God's impartial judgment
- v.12-16 Law and conscience
- v.17-29 The Jew, the law, and inward circumcision
Equality before the divine bench. The privileges of birth, status, religion do not move Him. The Jew and the Greek meet on the same standard.
A check on every form of religious snobbery. God is not impressed by what impresses men.
The doctrine of natural law. Even Gentiles without the written law have a moral compass within. Conscience accuses and excuses.
A reply to those who claim moral ignorance. Some standard of right and wrong has always operated in every human breast.
The true Jew is the believing one, marked inwardly. The chapter relocates the badge of belonging from flesh to spirit.
Praise is not of men, but of God. The true religion seeks divine approval, not human applause.
Verse 4 reframes God's patience. If He has been patient with you, do not mistake the delay for approval. The kindness is meant to bring you to repentance. Use today's mercy to turn, not to extend the sin.
Romans 2 closes the door on every form of religious self-confidence. Jew or Gentile, lawful or lawless, all stand under the same judgment. The chapter prepares the ground for chapter 3's announcement of righteousness through faith in Christ — the only door that opens for any seeker.
God's patience is meant to soften, not to embolden. Many misread delay as approval. The chapter corrects the misreading.
The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. The Father's kindness is the engine of conversion. Where harshness fails, His goodness wins.