It seems that Paul is drawing a noose around the necks of the Jewish readers who may be tempted to trust in their own status as Jews who follow the Law of Moses. This is an incredible strategy, for he has painted the Gentiles a bleak picture. Now he turns to the Jews and begins to show their guiltiness before God. To those who are under the law they will be judged by the law, but to those who don’t have the law, they will perish outside of the law. He answers so many questions for the evangelist in this passage. It’s a must read & meditate on for anyone who deals with searching issues on a regular basis.
Parallel to Wisdom of Solomon, 1:18-32 repeats the negative summary of Gentiles that most Jews embraced (Edwards). Paul doesn’t mention the Jews by name in 2:1-16, but I believe he is drawing a noose around their necks. As several commentators suggest, he brings them to see their guilt without directly addressing them in this section. Edwards calls it the boomerang…what the Jews throw out regarding the Gentiles, comes back to judge them also.
I can’t help but note 2:4 and the three key terms here, ‘kindness, tolerance and patience’. This characterization of God is a trump card in a pluralistic society like existed in the ancient Roman Empire. It is an avenue that speaks to the heart of westerners today as well and should be explored by all believers who share their faith. God’s kindness, tolerance and patience are attributes that He is not frequently charged with by popular opinion.
Broadly speaking, 2:1-16 shows a simple concept in a powerful way. The Jews cannot take comfort in the fact that they have the law, because they are condemned by it. In the same way the Gentiles cannot take refuge in the fact that they do not have the law, because they are condemned by the law written in their hearts. And so Paul continues to lay the foundation that all are guilty. He is building an executioners rampart. The structure will finally conclude in chapter 3. But for now we see excuses for why we didn’t do what we should have done are being knocked down by the master craftsman. It does remind me of how the prophet Nathan was able to wisely bring King David under conviction for his own sin. Turning one’s own heart standards on their behavior is a powerful tool for clarifying the guiltiness of an individual.
