Romans 2:5-16 Judgment and Conscience Explained
Romans 2:5-16: Judgment and Conscience Explained
According to Romans 2:5-16, God's judgment is not limited to those with the law, but extends to all, regardless of their background or knowledge of the law. The passage begins by warning against hardening one's heart and accumulating wrath for the day of judgment (Romans 2:5) [3].
The text emphasizes that God's judgment is based on works, rendering to each person according to their deeds (Romans 2:6). This principle is rooted in the Old Testament, where it is written that God will judge the secrets of men (Psalms 62:12; Jeremiah 17:10) [4].
The passage then addresses the issue of conscience, stating that Gentiles, who do not have the law, still have the work of the law written on their hearts. Their conscience bears witness to this, and their thoughts accuse or defend them (Romans 2:15) [1]. This concept is echoed in the writings of John Calvin, who notes that the Gentiles have the righteousness of the law naturally engraved on their minds [6].
The role of conscience in judgment is further highlighted in verse 16, where it is written that God will judge the secrets of men according to the apostle's gospel. This refers to the idea that God will judge not only outward actions but also the inner thoughts and intentions of individuals (1 Samuel 16:7; Psalm 139:1-2) [7, 9].
The passage has been interpreted in various ways throughout history. The Catholic tradition, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, understands the passage to mean that at the final judgment, each person's conscience will bear witness to their deeds, and their thoughts will accuse or defend them [5]. In contrast, the Lutheran tradition, as represented by the Augsburg Confession, emphasizes the importance of faith in bringing consolation to troubled consciences [8].
The concept of conscience is also discussed in other biblical passages. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, conscience is the faculty of the mind that judges the moral character of human conduct. It is common to all people and has been perverted by the Fall [2].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 2:15 (BBE) — Because the work of the law is seen in their hearts, their sense of right and wrong giving witness to it, while their minds are at one time judging them and at another giving them approval;”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Conscience — That faculty of the mind, or inborn sense of right and wrong, by which we judge of the moral character of human conduct. It is common to all men. Like all our other faculties, it has been perverted by the Fall (John 16:2; Acts 26:9; Rom. 2:15). It is spoken of as "defiled" (Titus 1:15), and "seared" (1 Tim. 4:2). A "conscience void of offence" is to be sought and cultivated (Acts 24:16; Rom. 9:1; 2 Cor. 1:12; 1 Tim. 1:5, 19; 1 Pet. 3:21).”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Romans 2:5 cross-references: Exodus 8:15, Exodus 14:17, Deuteronomy 2:30, Deuteronomy 32:34, Joshua 11:20, 1 Samuel 6:6, 2 Chronicles 30:8, 2 Chronicles 36:13, Job 21:30, Psalms 95:8, Psalms 110:5, Proverbs 11:4, Proverbs 29:1, Ecclesiastes 12:14, Isaiah 48:4, Ezekiel 3:7, Daniel 5:20, Amos 3:10, Zechariah 7:11, Romans 1:18, Romans 2:2, Romans 9:22, Romans 11:25, Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 3:15, Hebrews 4:7, James 5:3, 2 Peter 2:9, 2 Peter 3:7, Jude 1:6, Revelation 6:17”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Romans 2:6 cross-references: Job 34:11, Psalms 62:12, Proverbs 24:2, Proverbs 24:12, Proverbs 26:10, Isaiah 3:10, Jeremiah 17:10, Jeremiah 32:19, Ezekiel 18:30, Matthew 16:27, Matthew 25:34, Romans 14:22, 1 Corinthians 3:8, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Galatians 6:7, Revelation 2:23, Revelation 20:12, Revelation 22:12”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement (Supplementum), Of the Knowledge Which, after Rising Again, Men Will Have at the Judgment Concerning Merits and Demerits, Art. 1: Article: Whether after the resurrection every one will know what sins he has committed? I answer that, According to Rm. 2:15,16, "In the day when God shall judge" each one's conscience will bear witness to him and his thoughts will accuse and defend him. And since in every judicial hearing, the witness, the accuser, and the defendant need to be acquainted with the matter on which judgment has to be pronounced, and since at the g”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 38: the former two, since an Apostle declares, “When the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meantime accusing or else excusing one another” ( Rom. 2:14, 15 ). If the Gentiles have the righteousness of the law naturally engraven on their minds, we certainly cannot say that they are altogether blind as to the rule of life. N”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 2:16: In the day, &c.--Here the unfinished statement of Rom 2:12 is resumed and closed. shall judge the secrets of men--here specially referring to the unfathomed depths of hypocrisy in the self-righteous whom the apostle had to deal with. (See Ecc 12:14; Co1 4:5). according to my gospel--to my teaching as a preacher of the Gospel.”
- Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), 15 But, although this doctrine is despised by the inexperienced,: 15 But, although this doctrine is despised by the inexperienced, nevertheless God-fearing and anxious consciences find by experience that it brings the greatest consolation, because consciences cannot be set at rest through any works, but only by faith, when they take the sure ground that for Christ’s sake they have a reconciled God. As Paul teaches Rom. 5:1: 16Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. 17 This whole doctrine is to be referred to that conflict of the terrified conscie”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 2:16: 2:16 secret life (literally the hidden things): Scripture frequently stresses that God will judge people according to their thoughts and intentions (see 1 Sam 16:7; Ps 139:1-2; Jer 17:10).”