October 15, 2025: Romans 2:1-11
Paul had never preached in Rome before. This letter is something of an introduction of himself to the Romans. He had started his letter my calling himself a slave of Jesus Christ, which would resonate with the Romans because eighty percent of the population were slaves and their common language was Greek. Latin was used by the citizens.
Who would have the advantage in Rome, Jewish people or Greek-speaking slaves? This is the question for today. It seems that there must have been some argument about judging other people. Perhaps this is politics at work in the Church as it often seems in our modern society.
Paul made the point that to judge is to take the place and right of God For us to judge also sets the standard for others to judge us. The one who judges is for us to set the standards for others to use the same criteria for judging the other.
God alone has all the facts needed for judgment, and God has no place for pride in ourselves. God will judge without favoritism. God punishes and rewards with the same criteria, Jews first and Greeks second, both together in other words.
So it will happen for us. If we think of ourselves as having a privileged place, we must also be aware that we shall have the same privileged place when it comes to punishment.
The people of Rome used to judge people. Throughout history people have judged other people. Even today, we ourselves judge others. As we judge so shall we be judged because God has no favorites.