What Happens to All Sinners (Romans 1:18–2:10)
One of the most common misconceptions about God is that since He is a God of love, there is no way He would allow anyone to miss out on heaven and end up in the other place. But it is hard — even impossible — to read the Bible and make a case for that kind of thinking.
The apostle Paul — following some greetings to the Roman church, including stating his desire to visit them — points out that there is a price to be paid for all sin, even what we might consider the little ones. He begins this section by stating very clearly that “God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness” (Romans 1:18). Paul goes on to say that sin starts in the heart of humans who won';t acknowledge God for who He is or even recognize Him for what He has done.
Because of these things, Paul tells us, God allowed all of humankind to go into every kind of sinful behavior:
Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. (Romans 1:29–31)
Still, many people might look at the things that Paul has written in Romans 1 and say, “I haven';t done any of those things, so I must be doing all right!” But Paul writes, “You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things” (Romans 2:1).
Then comes the unavoidable truth about the sin for which each and every human being is guilty: “And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God';s judgment when you do the same things?” (Romans 2:2–3).
Paul gives his readers a hint of the Good News, pointing out that God is kind, tolerant, and patient with each and every one of them and that this kindness, tolerance, and patience is designed to bring them to repentance and away from punishment (Romans 2:4–6) if they will just turn from their stubborn ways. Paul writes, “But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness” (Romans 2:8).
Paul is coming to the Good News for all of us — Jew and Gentile alike (Romans 2:10), but before he gets to that, he has another point to make when it comes to the sinful condition of all humankind.
Study Questions
What does this passage say God has in store for sinners?
What kinds of behaviors does the apostle Paul condemn as sinful in this passage?
