Every One of You Who Judges
Romans 2:1-2
“Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.” -Romans 2:1–2
Chapter 2 opens with Paul turning his attention to the religious hypocrites in general, and his own people, the Jews, in particular (vs. 17) in order to demonstrate that none are in fact righteous before God.
Calvin describes this group of people as they “who dazzle the eyes of men by displays of outward sanctity, and even think themselves to be accepted before God, as though they had given him full satisfaction.”
In other words, Paul is speaking now to those who put on airs of righteousness outwardly by passing judgment on another. For in the privacy of their homes and the privacy of their hearts and minds (for that’s where sin takes place cf. Matthew 5:19-22) they do the very same thing for which they are judging others.
Therefore, they too are ἀναπολόγητος (without excuse).
In verse two, Paul reminds them that God’s judgment rightly falls on those who practice such things. By rightly, he means according to the righteous character of God and the truth of things regardless of who commits it.
There is no class of people who receive special privilege. There is no potential for God to make an error in judgment. And, there is not any way for the judge of all the earth to not do justly by overlooking even the smallest sin—even the sin of the heart.
All sin will be judged, even especially the sins of those who pass judgement.
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