Notes on Romans 2...

In Chapter 1, Paul demonstrated the sin of the immoral pagan. (1:18-32). In Chapter 2:1-16 he speaks to the moralist or self-righteous religious person. 

I liked how one commentator compared them:

“A good example of this mind set is Jesus’ illustration of the Pharisee and the Publican. If we take those figures from Jesus’ parable, Paul spoke to the Publican in Romans 1 and now he addresses the Pharisee (Luke 18:10-14).”

David Guzik points out that Paul seems to be assuming that the moralists are congratulating themselves that they are not like the people in Romans 1.  

Verse 1:  Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

Anyone who judges another admits by the act of judging that there is a standard outside of himself. That standard condemns everyone. So in 

the very act of judging you have condemned yourself because if you have enough knowledge to judge someone else you are showing that you can 

also evaluate your own condition. John MacArthur also pointed out that if the religious moralist thinks he is exempt from God’s judgment because they have not indulged in the immoral excesses described in ch. 1 they are tragically mistaken. They have more knowledge than the immoral pagan and therefore greater accountability.  practice the very same things...planking and specking came to mind as I thought about the last part of this verse. 

 Judge not, that you be not judged.

"For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

 "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

"Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye?

"Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.—Matthew 7: 1-5

Self-righteousness blinds us to our own sin.  It is much easier for fallen man to see sins in others rather than in ourselves. Perhaps the moralist has not sinned to the extent of the pagan but he should know the following according to William MacDonald

—He is capable of committing all of them 

—He has more knowledge so He is more accountable before God

—by breaking one commandment, he is guilty of all (Jas. 2: 10). 

—He has committed sins of thought which he may never have committed in actual deed, and these are forbidden by the word. Jesus taught that the lustful look, for instance, is tantamount to adultery (Matt. 5: 28).

Verse 2:  But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.

God's judgment will be according to truth, because He'll judge not only men's actions but the motives that prompted the actions. 

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.—Hebrews 4:13

Verse 3: And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

The judgment of God is inescapable unless we turn from our sin, repent and receive His forgiveness. Judging others for sins that they themselves commit will only serve to increase their condemnation.  

Verse 4: Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

BLB

Despise - to contemn, despise, disdain, think little or nothing of

Goodness - moral goodness, integrity, benignity, kindness

Forbearance - self-restraint, i.e. tolerance:

Longsuffering - patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs

Believers Bible Commentary:  

—judgment of God is according to truth

—judgment of God is inescapable unless we repent

—judgment of God is sometimes delayed  (vs 4)

I memorized Romans 8 very shortly after I got saved and I can remember loving this verse because it made me look back to the road I traveled to repentance. It made me see that it truly was His goodness, His forbearance, and His long-suffering toward me that led me to repentance.  1 Peter 3:9 says this:

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

I am so glad the Lord was patient with me...looking back I can see His providential hand on my life...protecting and preserving me while leading me to Himself with cords of kindness. ❤️

Verse 5:  But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

God’s judgment is in accordance with your guilt. As a person continues to despise the riches of God’s goodness, forbearance and long suffering, he only increases his condemnation when God’s wrath is revealed at the Great White Throne judgment.  On that day God’s judgment will be seen as altogether righteous.  I liked this quote from Lenski on the BLB:

As men treasure up the wrath of God against them, what holds back the flood of wrath? God Himself! He holds it back out of His forbearance and longsuffering! “The figure is that of a load that God bears, which men heap up more and more, making heavier and heavier. The wonder of it all is that God holds any of it up even for a day; yet he holds up all its weight and does not let it crash down on the sinner’s head.” (Lenski)

Verse 6:  who "will render to each one according to his deeds":

Gods judgment will be according to our deeds. (Not good news) God will judge each person according (it means down from) to what they have done.  No matter what a man can boast about in this life, in the next he will be judged by His own conduct. 

I, the LORD, search the heart,

I test the mind,

Even to give every man according to his ways,

According to the fruit of his doings.—Jeremiah 17:10

Verse 7:  eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;

In explaining that judgment will be according to our works (vs 6) Paul says God will give eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.  The patient continuance in doing good is not what saves...that would be another gospel.  The “patient continuance in doing good” and the seeking of glory, honor and immortality do not even begin until the first good work which is believing God for their salvation occurs. 

As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15, ESV)

Verse 8:  but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness--indignation and wrath,  

The unsaved are also judged by works...all of their works, however, will be as filthy rags because they have committed the unpardonable sin...they have not believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. They are, therefore, slaves to sin   and are promised indignation and wrath.

"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.—John 3:18

The unbelievers works will determine their level of punishment.  

“And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. “But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.—Luke 12:47-48

Verse 9:  tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;

His evil works lay bare his evil heart....tribulation and anguish will be his reward.  To the Jew first shows that judgment will be according to light received.  To the Jews were given the oracles of God. (Romans 3)

Verse 10:  but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Again... The verdict will be glory, honor, and peace to everyone, Jew or Gentile, who works what is good. (No one can do good, as far as God is concerned, unless he has first placed his trust in Jesus.) According to one commentator the expression to the Jew first, and also to the Greek here cannot indicate favoritism, because the next verse points out that God's judgment is impartial.  Perhaps it is the historical order in which the gospel went out. 

Verse 11:  For there is no partiality with God.

the judgment of God is that it is without respect of persons.

Lit., “to receive a face,” that is, to give consideration to someone simply because of his position, wealth, influence, popularity, or appearance. Because it is God’s nature to be just, it is impossible for him to be anything but impartial—MacArthur:  

where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.—Col 3:11

This is my take away on verses 7-11:  but Christ is all and in all.

Vs 12-16 from the Believer’s Bible Commentary...

Verse 12:  For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law

As mentioned above, verses 12-16 expand the point that the judgment of God will be according to the measure of light received. Two classes are in view: those who do not have the law (the Gentiles) and those who are under the law (the Jews). This includes everyone except those who are in the church of God (see 1 Cor. 10: 32, where the human race is divided into these three classes). Those who have sinned without law will also perish without law. It does not say "will be judged without law" but will also perish without law. They will be judged according to whatever revelation the Lord gave them, and, failing to live up to that revelation, they will perish. Those who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law, and if they have not obeyed it, they too will perish. The law demands total obedience.

Verse 13:  for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;

Mere possession of the law is not enough. The law demands perfect and continuous obedience. No one is accounted righteous simply because he knows what the law says. The only conceivable way of obtaining justification under the law would be to keep it in its entirety. But since all men are sinners, it is impossible for them to do this. So this verse is really setting forth an ideal condition rather than something that is capable of human attainment.

Verses 14 and 15 are a parenthesis, looking back to verse 12a, where we learned that Gentiles who sin without the law shall perish without the law. Now Paul explains that although the law was not given to the Gentiles, yet they have an innate knowledge of right and wrong. They know instinctively that it is wrong to lie, steal, commit adultery, and murder. The only commandment they would not know intuitively is the one concerning the Sabbath; that one is more ceremonial than moral. So what it boils down to is that the Gentiles, who do not have the law, ... are a law to themselves. They form their own code of right and wrong behavior from their moral instincts.

Verse 14:  for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,

by nature do what the law requires. “Without knowing the written law of God, people in pagan society generally value and attempt to practice its most basic tenets. This is normal for cultures instinctively to value justice, honesty, compassion, and goodness toward others, reflecting the divine law written in the heart. law to themselves. Their practice of some good deeds and their aversion to some evil ones demonstrate an innate knowledge of God’s law—a knowledge that will actually witness against them on the day of judgment”—J.  Mac

Verse 15:  who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)

They show the work of the law written in their hearts. It is not the law itself which is written in their hearts, but the work of the law. John Mac says this can be best described by the word conscience. The work which the law was designed to do in the lives of the Israelites is seen in some measure in the lives of Gentiles. The fact that they know that it is right to respect their parents, for example, shows the work of the law written in their hearts. They also know that certain acts are basically wrong. Their conscience, serving as a monitor, confirms this instinctive knowledge. And their thoughts are constantly deciding the rightness or wrongness of their actions, accusing or excusing, forbidding or allowing.  Paul tells believers in several places not to violate their conscience because ignoring it desensitizes it and eventually silenced it.  

Verse 16:   in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

This verse is a continuation of the thought in verse 12. It tells when those without law and those under the law will be judged. And in doing so it teaches one final truth about the judgment of God—namely, that it will take into account the secrets of men, not just their public sin. Sin which is secret at the present time will be open scandal at the Judgment of the Great White Throne. The Judge at that solemn time will be Jesus Christ, since the Father has committed all judgment to Him (John 5: 22). When Paul adds, according to my gospel, he means "so my gospel teaches." My gospel means the gospel Paul preached, which was the same one which the other apostles preached.

Paul, having now shown that the self-righteous moralist...both Jew and Gentile...stand condemned by God’s judgment, looks now solely at the Jew, God’s chosen, covenant people. 

Verses 17-20 speak to the Jews heritage and knowledge. The Jew to whom the law was given rest on it...

They make their boast in God (vs 17)

They know His will (vs 18)

They approve the things that are excellent (vs18)

They are instructed out of the law (vs 19)

They are confident in their ability as a superior spiritual teacher (vs 19)

They are wise in the ways of God and able to teach the immature (vs 19)

They have the “form” of knowledge and truth in the law (vs 20)...They had the embodiment in the law of knowledge and truth...the form of godliness but were not godly themselves. 

Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering." (Luke 11:52, ESV)

Verses 21-22 speaks to what the Jewish teachers knew and taught vs their actual practice...in other words did they actually practice what they preach.  

Verse 23-24 say this:  

You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.

For, as it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." (Romans 2:23-24, ESV)

God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because the Jews do not practice what they preach.  They were hypocrites.  

Vs 25 For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.

As John MacArthur aptly puts it the outward sign (circumcision)means nothing without the inward reality. A Jew who transgressed God’s law had no more a saving relationship with God than the unbelieving, uncircumcised Gentile.  

Verse 26-27:  Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?  And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law?

So....if a Gentile keeps the law his uncircumcision can be counted as circumcision...because his circumcision is of the heart and is more acceptable than the Jewish transgressor of the law physical circumcision.

The Gentile’s fulfillment of the law condemns the Jew who with his written code and circumcision doesn’t keep the law.

Verses 28-29:  For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;  but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Deu 10:16 NKJV -  “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.

In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.—Colossians 2:11-12

And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.—Deuteronomy 30:6

I love that God wants our hearts.  He wants the inward not the outward.  He wants us to look to Him and not to man for our praise.  Man looks on the outward, but God looks at the heart.  

Fair pretences and a plausible profession may deceive men: but God cannot be so deceived; he sees through shows to realities. This is alike true of Christianity. He is not a Christian that is one outwardly, nor is that baptism which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Christian that is one inwardly, and baptism is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men but of God.—Matthew Henry

William Newell summarizes Romans 2 with “Seven Great Principles of God’s Judgment” that are worth noting:

· God’s judgment is according to truth (Romans 2:2)

· God’s judgment is according to accumulated guilt (Romans 2:5)

· God’s judgment is according to works (Romans 2:6)

· God’s judgment is without partiality (Romans 2:11)

· God’s judgment is according to performance, not knowledge (Romans   2:13)

· God’s judgment reaches the secrets of the heart (Romans 2:16)

· God’s judgment is according to reality, not religious profession (Romans 2:17-29)

Notes on Romans 1:18-25

Verse 18: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against the human race. His wrath is righteous.  We deserve it.  John Mac says that this is not an impulsive outburst of anger aimed capriciously at people whom God does not like. It is the settled, determined response of a righteous God against sin.  

The Mosaic Law was written on two tablets of stone. The first tablet dealt with man's relationship with God; the second dealt with man's relationship with his fellow man. A man is ungodly when he isn't right with God; he is unrighteous when he isn't right with his fellow man as God wishes him to be. The wrath of God is revealed against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. You cannot have a right relationship with God and a wrong relationship with your brother. If you say that you love God, then you have to love your brother also. You cannot love God and hate your brother. (1 John 4:20)

who hold (suppress) the truth in unrighteousness;  Holding the truth in unrighteousness is believing that there is a God, yet living as though He didn't exist.  I really liked how Matthew Henry explained this:

“They held the truth as a captive or prisoner, that it should not influence them, as otherwise it would. An unrighteous wicked heart is the dungeon in which many a good truth is detained and buried. Holding fast the form of sound words in faith and love is the root of all religion (2 Tim. 1:13), but holding it fast in unrighteousness is the root of all sin.”

Verse 19:  because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

God has supernaturally implanted evidence for His existence within our consciences. We know what is right and we know what is wrong.  It is manifest within us.  

That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.—John 1:9

For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them (Romans 2:14-15, ESV)

Verse 20:  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

The existence of God is universally attested to. The design of His work is self-evident to all. Those who deny or ignore God are totally without excuse.  God, the Creator made all that we see (and don’t see) and sustains it by His eternal power. God is faithful, kind and good. From j MacArthur...

Divine Nature evident...

God is faithful...

And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.  While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease." (Genesis 8:21-22, ESV)

God is kind and gracious... 

Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." (Acts 14:17, ESV)

The creation itself speaks to who God is...

The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament shows His handiwork.

2 Day unto day utters speech,

And night unto night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech nor language

Where their voice is not heard.

4 Their linefn has gone out through all the earth,

And their words to the end of the world.

In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,

5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.

6 Its rising is from one end of heaven,

And its circuit to the other end;

And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;

The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;—Ps 19:1-8

they are without excuse. From John MacArthur: God holds all men responsible for their refusal to acknowledge what he has shown them of himself in his creation. Even those who have never had an opportunity to hear the gospel have received a clear witness about the existence and character of God—and have suppressed it. If a person will respond to the revelation he has, even if it is solely natural revelation, God will provide some means for that person to hear the gospel. 

for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.

Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:

24 "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.

25 "Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.

26 "And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,

27 "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;

28 "for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'—Acts 17:23-28

(Emphasis mine)

Also...

See Acts 8:25-40 - “An Ethiopian Receives Christ”

My take away this week was the reminder that if I am not right vertically (in my relationship with God) I will not be right horizontally (in my relationships with others).  I remember listening to a pastor teach on the Ten Commandments at a little church in Freehold not long after I got saved.  It was the first time I heard what the difference was between ungodly and unrighteousness.   I “preached” that message often to myself as well as to my kids when they failed to get along with one another.  It taught me that if I wasn’t getting along with my husband, I needed to spend time with the Lord and allow Him to search my heart.  It taught my kids to do the same in relation to each other.  I am so grateful for His word and how it helps me to discern and understand the underlying motives of my words and actions.  

For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.—Hebrews 4:12

Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; 24And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.—Psalm 139:23-24

Verse 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful,

Paul's first charge against natural men is that they knew God, but they didn't glorify Him as God. His second was that they were not thankful. 

“Will you kindly notice, that, according to my text, knowledge is of no use if it does not lead to holy practice? ‘They knew God.’ It was no good to them to know God, for ‘they glorified him not as God.’ So my theological friend over there, who knows so much that he can split hairs over doctrines, it does not matter what you think, or what you know, unless it leads you to glorify God, and to be thankful.” (Spurgeon)

Man’s simple ingratitude against God is shocking. “I cannot say anything much worse of a man than that he is not thankful to those who have been his benefactors; and when you say that he is not thankful to God, you have said about the worst thing you can say of him.” (Spurgeon)

“But when you glorify God as God, and are thankful for everything – when you can take up a bit of bread and a cup of cold water, and say with the poor Puritan, ‘What, all this, and Christ too?’ – then are you happy, and you make others happy. A godly preacher, finding that all that there was for dinner was a potato and a herring, thanked God that he had ransacked sea and land to find food for his children. Such a sweet spirit breeds love to everybody, and makes a man go through the world cheerfully.” (Spurgeon)

Psalm 50:23 (NKJV)

23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth [his] conversation [aright] will I shew the salvation of God.

in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.—1 Thessalonians 5:18

I am guilty of the charges against the natural man in verse 21 probably multiple times a day ...Thinking about this verse made me grateful for the conviction God’s word brings as I study it, and also for the subsequent transformation that takes place in our hearts as we surrender to the Spirit’s prompting and correct our course.  

Verse 21 cont..but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened 

Again, the problem wasn’t that man did not know God...He did. The problem was/is that he refused to glorify Him whom he knew to be God as God.  God created us in His own image (Gen 1:27) to reflect who He is to the world.  We are His image-bearers pointing the world to God.  Our chief end is to glorify Him, and to enjoy Him forever.  When man rejects this truth...they must by default embrace error.  Their hearts become dark and their thoughts futile.  They can no longer see truth because they have denied the central truth.  

34 "The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness.

35 "Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness.

36 "If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light."—Luke 11:34-36 

Isaiah 44:9-20 on the foolishness of idolatry esp vs 20...God speaking

He feeds on ashes;

A deceived heart has turned him aside;

And he cannot deliver his soul,

Nor say, "Is there not a lie in my right hand?"—Isaiah 44:20

Verse 22:  Professing to be wise, they became fools,

It is foolish to deny what one already knows to be true. (The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God.")  People who refuse to acknowledge God might think they are wise but in reality they become fools.  They demonstrate this foolishness by making for themselves gods of their own imaginations and believe what they want to about the universe and said god. 

"How can you say, 'We are wise,

And the law of the LORD is with us'?

Look, the false pen of the scribe certainly works falsehood.

9 The wise men are ashamed,

They are dismayed and taken.

Behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD;

So what wisdom do they have?—Jeremiah 8:8-9

Verse 23:  and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Verse 23 is the polar opposite of honoring and glorifying God. God in His gracious kindness honored man by making him in His own image. Man, in effect, does a God makeover.  He makes God into an image made like himself...corruptible, depraved man—and birds and four footed animals and creeping things.  He attributes to them deity and uses them to represent God.   Repugnant and repulsive. 

Thus they changed their glory

Into the image of an ox that eats grass.—Ps 106:20

Has a nation changed its gods,

Which are not gods?

But My people have changed their Glory

For what does not profit.

12 Be astonished, O heavens, at this,

And be horribly afraid;

Be very desolate," says the LORD.

13 "For My people have committed two evils:

They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,

And hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water.—Jeremiah 2:11-13

From the Believers Bible Commentary:  I liked this...

Instead of evolving from lower forms, "early man" was of a high moral order. By refusing to acknowledge the true, infinite, incorruptible God, he devolved to the stupidity and depravity that go with idol worship. This whole passage gives the lie to evolution. Man is instinctively religious. He must have some object to worship. When he refused to worship the living God, he made his own gods of wood and stone representing man, birds, animals, and creeping things, or reptiles. Notice the downward progression—man, birds, animals, creeping things. And remember that man becomes like what he worships. As his concept of deity degenerates, his morals degenerate also. If his god is a reptile, then he feels free to live as he pleases. Remember too that a worshiper generally considers himself inferior to the object of worship. Created in the image and after the likeness of God, man here takes a place lower than that of serpents! When man worships idols, he worships demons. Paul states clearly that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice to idols they sacrifice to demons and not to God (1 Cor. 10: 20).

Verse 24:  Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

God gave them up...According to John MacArthur, this is a judicial term in Greek, used for handing over a prisoner to his sentence. By refusing to acknowledge the true, infinite, incorruptible God, man devolved to the stupidity and depravity that go with idol worship. (BBC) In response to the evil lusts of their hearts, God handed them over to “eat the fruit of their own way” so to speak.  They dishonored Him, so He abandoned them to uncleanness (sexual impurity) to dishonor their bodies among themselves.  I liked how the Amplified says it...He abandoned them to the degrading power of sin.

A man [who is held] in honor, Yet who lacks [spiritual] understanding and a teachable heart, is like the beasts that perish.—Psalm 49:20

Verse 25: who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

By choice they traded the truth of God for the lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than their Creator.  

The lie - A denial of God’s existence and his right to be obeyed and glorified

“ Has a nation [ever] changed gods Even though they were not gods [but merely man-made objects]? But My people have exchanged their Glory (the true God) For that [man-made idol] which does not benefit [them]. 12“ Be appalled, O heavens, at this; Be shocked and shudder with horror [at the behavior of the people],” says the LORD. 13“ For My people have committed two evils: They have abandoned (rejected) Me, The fountain of living water, And they have carved out their own cisterns, Broken cisterns That cannot hold water.—Jeremiah 2:11-13

Notes on Romans 1:6-7

For the remainder of notes on Romans 1:1-5; 8-17 go here https://istwenty63.blogspot.com/2020/07/notes-on-romans-11-17.html

Verse 6:  among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

The Amplified version says it this way: 

and you also are among those who are called of Jesus Christ to belong to Him;

Those who respond to the gospel and believe are the called of Jesus Christ. I love the way the amplified version says it....called to belong to Him. ❤️❤️

Verse 7: To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Paul’s greeting...Paul had never been to Rome ...this makes Romans different from Paul’s other letters because most of his letters were to churches he had founded.  He did know some of the Christians who resided in Rome because he mentions them at the end of this letter in Chapter 16. I love how Paul reminds them of the truth of who they are in verse 7...they are:

—beloved of God - God has set His love on me.   I am loved by God...a favorite...beloved, esteemed, dear, worthy of love

—called to be saints - God has set me apart from sin unto Him 

Next, comes Paul’s favorite greeting...one he uses in all his letters.  —Grace to you and peace -  Grace and peace are gifts that come

from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  They are often  coupled together.  It is appropriate that grace is first and then peace because you can't have peace with God until you've first experienced His grace. Similarly, peace with God is necessary before you can have the peace of God.  Explanations coming...

The basic meaning of “grace” is unmerited, undeserved favor; 

Peace with God is a result of God’s saving grace. 

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1, ESV)

The result of our justification is that we have peace with God.  Prior to our salvation we were his enemies.  Salvation brings that long war to an end.  

Peace of God - divine origin; God’s peace guards or keeps watch over believers. It guards them from anxiety, doubt, fear and distress.  I am united with Christ...he guards my inner being.  Peace Himself dwells in me.  He is my peace. 

After I recognize that the grace of God is not dependent on anything I do, I can then experience the peace of Godbecause I stop striving.  I realize that His blessings are not earned by my merit or my goodness.  I trust in His steadfast love toward me and commit myself completely into His care.  He will complete the good work He began in me.  I BELIEVE God. ❤️

"These things I have spoken to you, that “IN Me” you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."—John 16:33

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15, ESV)

Father,  Give me a thankful attitude knowing that Your will for me comes from Your heart of love.  Your steadfast love toward me never ceases.  I can be completely confident that You are sovereign and can and will do what is best for me always.  Let Your peace rule my heart.