Bible Study Snacks, Romans 2:12-29

Hello everyone,

I hope that all is going well with you! As always, I thank you for joining me in another bible study session. We have been studying the Book of Romans for the past few weeks. Today, our focus will be on Romans Chapter 2, verses 12 thru 29.

I know I have said this before, but it is my sincerest hope that you find these Bible Study Snacks both helpful and spiritually enlightening. Before we move on with our study, we should briefly review the scripture that was covered during our previous meeting.

In our last study we learned:

Everyone will be prosecuted. Even the self-righteous are liable for their sins before God. (Romans 2: 1-4). The self-righteous exclude themselves from Godʼs judgment. They do not feel they are that ʻbadʼ and therefore do not see any need of salvation for themselves. They are okay without a savior. They pride themselves on how good they are and have no time for standards in their lives.

Obviously there are many self-righteous among the Gentiles, but Paul chiefly aims his argument so that the Jew would seek Christ. The arguments and applications adequately reveal the sins of all mankind.

Everyone will be justly prosecuted. Everyone is judged according to his or her works.(Romans 2:5-11). The principle of “works” is explained starting in verse 5. Everyone will be impartially rewarded for what he has stored up. They will reap what they have sowed.

Let’s pray:

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Carefully read through Romans 2:12-29. Here again, I must stress the word “carefully” because if you aren’t “careful” you will miss Paul’s point. This week we will exposing three (3) excuses of the self-righteous who mistakenly think they are exempt from God's standards.

This week’s study questions:

I. Not Through the Knowledge of the Law (Romans 2:12-16)

Generally (Romans 2:12-16)

1. How will those who sinned without knowing about the Law God revealed to the Jewish people be judged (Romans 2:12)?
2. Those who have sinned under the Jewish Law will be judged by _______________________ (Romans 2:12).
{Please fill in the blank}.
3. How do we know those who have not heard of the Jewish Law have the work of the Law written on their hearts (2:14-15)?
4. What is it that one day God will judge through Jesus Christ (16)?
5. Is it possible to sin and perish without a knowledge of the Law (i.e. God’s standards)?
6. Is it possible to sin and perish with a knowledge of the Law (i.e. God’s truth)?
7. What reason does Paul give in Romans 2:13?

Gentiles (Romans 2:14-16)

1. Some say, because the Gentiles do not know what was expected of them that they couldn’t be held accountable for their actions. This sounds good, but Paul says they are accountable. Why?
2. What does this conscience do?
3. Who will judge the invisible conscience (Romans 2:16)?

II. Not Through One’s Heritage (Romans 2:17-24)

1. Write down some general characteristics of the Jews as described in verses 17-18.
2. In verses 19-20 how does Paul describe some of the negative traits of some of the Jews?
3. Write down the specific problems some of the Jews had as mentioned in Romans 2:21-24?

III. Not Through Rites (Romans 2:25-29)

1. Read Genesis 17:9-14 to discover the origin of circumcision in Judaism? Who started it?
2. What is the significance of circumcision (Genesis 17:11)?
3. Put the last phrase of Romans 2:35 in your own words, “your circumcision has become uncircumcision.”
4. Is keeping the law or being physically circumcised more important (Romans 2: 25-26)?
5. A person who _________________is not necessarily a Jew (Romans 2:28)?
6. How does Paul positively redefine a Jew in Romans 2:29?
7. List at least three changes you desire to take place in your life because of these verses.

Finally, after answering the study questions, read Romans 2:12-29 again. Pause and read each question and verse as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that you might see something new that you overlooked the first time around. As we go along in our studies together, I will pray that God’s message will continue to come through loud and crystal clear to you! Until next time...

God bless you!

Sheri