Answering the Critic
Paul occasionally adopts a literary device of debating with an
imaginary challenger in Romans. This unseen critic raises
objections, asks questions, and forces Paul to defend his
statements with fuller explanations. Greeks called this type of
moral debate a "diatribe." This device enabled Paul respond to
anticipated objections.
Romans 2 Outline
2:1-16
God's judgment and the moralist
2:1-2
Dangers of passing judgment
2:3-4
Misconceptions about God
2:5-11
Impartiality of God
2:12-16
Unwritten law of conscience
2:1-16
Failure of the Jews
2:17-24
Hypocritical guides
2:25-29
Circumcision of the heart
The Moralist
Verses 1-16 focus on the impartiality of God, and present an
unseen critic dubbed "the moralist." A moralist teaches
morality, practices morality, and wants to regulate the morality
of others. The moralist could be a Jew or a gentile.
At the end of Romans 1, Paul cataloged the vices of pagans, and
asserted that God gave them over to their own evils. At Paul's
conclusion, one can almost hear the moralist heartily agree,
"Yes, God was right to reject those wicked people. As for me,
I'm better than they for I am a good person."
Remember the greater context of Paul's letter. He is trying to
explain God's rescue plan, and to do that he must first prove
that all of us need to be rescued.
With the words "you are without excuse" Paul targets the
moralist. Anyone who forms a moral judgment is without excuse
(2:1). Knowing the difference between right and wrong doesn't
prevent transgression. Don't think you can escape God's judgment
because you judge others (2:3). It is a mistake to believe God
won't condemn you because he is patient, kind, and compassionate
(2:4). God demonstrates kindness to lead you to repentance
(2:4).