Is there a problem in Romans 2?

In the past few years I have read about Protestant theologians and scholars who are now teaching justification by works. And they quote this passage in Romans 2 in support of their message. Is there a problem in Romans 2? Is Paul saying that we are made right with God by our good works?

The Passage
2:6  Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10  But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

What is this passage saying? I think it’s real clear, God will give eternal life to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality. Any way you slice it, this verse tells us that we can receive eternal life by patient continuance in well doing. And I believe it. But there is a problem.

The Problem
3:9  …for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
13  Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips:
14  Whose mouth [is] full of cursing and bitterness:
15  Their feet [are] swift to shed blood:
16  Destruction and misery [are] in their ways:
17  And the way of peace have they not known:
18  There is no fear of God before their eyes.
And as 3:23 says, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Did you notice that in 2:6-10 there is no mention of grace? or redemption? or forgiveness? or Jesus? That’s because this passage is presenting a principle of  judgment. Judgment is always about works. In the Day of Judgment we will be rewarded for what we actually did, and we will be punished for what we did and didn’t do.

Notice the context of this passage: Chapter 1 sin; Chapter 2, sin; Chapter 3, sin. Yes, this is the principle, If you will obey God and by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, He will give you eternal life. But this principle should itself convict us – I have not done this. I have failed. What can I do about my sins?

And this brings us, also in context, to

The Gospel
3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.
21  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22  Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Paul was the one who wrote 2:6-10, notice his conclusion: by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight. And why not? for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

And now the good news: But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets. Amen! God demands righteousness and I am unable to produce it, so He provides it.

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe. This is one of my favorite verses. It is so full!

† God has prepared an acceptable righteousness - the righteousness of God

† He makes it available to us by faith of Jesus Christ

† It is promised unto all them that believe

† It is actually given upon all them that believe

Chapter 2:6-10 tells me about the coming Day of Judgment. Justification and Condemnation are judgment words. My sins have rendered me unable to be right with God, consequently I have no hope of passing the judgment. But God (are these not the greatest words in the English language!), because of His great love for me, has provided redemption through Jesus Christ, Whom God hath set forth a propitiation through faith in his blood. So now I am justified freely by his grace when I believe in Jesus.

Is there a problem in Romans 2? No. It is designed to lead me to Jesus, so that I would return to God by repenting of my sins and believing in Jesus, the Son of God, whom He raised from the dead. And when I believed He gave me the righteousness of God. Amen!

The holy, meek, unspotted Lamb,

Who from the Father’s bosom came,

Who died for me, e’en me to atone,

Now for my Lord and God I own.