Exegetical Outline: Romans 2:12-16

Our church is currently working through the book of Romans. Here is my exegetical outline for the passage I’ll be preaching this coming Sunday. As alway comments and questions are open in the comments section. I’d love your feedback!

I. The Basis of Judgment: The Law and Conscience (2:12-13)

A. Judgment According to the Law (v. 12)
1. Those who have sinned under the Law (the Jews) will be judged by the Law.
2. Those who have sinned without the Law (the Gentiles) will perish apart from it.
3. Implicit principle: God's judgment is impartial and based on revelation given.

B. Hearing vs. Doing the Law (v. 13)
1. Merely hearing the Law does not make one righteous before God.
2. True righteousness is determined by obeying the Law.
3. Connection to James 1:22—"Be doers of the word, and not hearers only."

II. The Role of Conscience in Moral Accountability (2:14-15)

A. The Law Written on the Heart (v. 14)
1. Gentiles, who do not have the Mosaic Law, instinctively follow moral principles.
2. Their moral actions demonstrate that God's law is embedded in human nature.
3. This aligns with the doctrine of general revelation (cf. Romans 1:19-20).

B. The Testimony of Conscience (v. 15)
1. The conscience serves as an internal witness to moral right and wrong.
2. Inner thoughts either accuse or defend a person’s actions.
3. This shows that all people have an innate awareness of God's moral law.

III. The Final Judgment by Christ (2:16)

A. A Day of Divine Judgment
1. There is a definite, future day when God will judge all people.
2. Judgment is based not only on external deeds but also on "secrets" (hidden motives and thoughts).

B. Judgment Through Jesus Christ
1. Christ is the appointed Judge of all humanity (cf. Acts 17:31; 2 Cor. 5:10).
2. Paul emphasizes that this judgment aligns with the gospel he preaches.
3. The gospel includes both salvation and accountability before Christ.

Theological Themes

• Universal Accountability: Both Jews and Gentiles are subject to God's judgment, whether under the Mosaic Law or under the law of conscience.

• Moral Awareness: The existence of conscience affirms that God's moral law is universally known, leaving no one with an excuse.

• Christ-Centered Judgment: Jesus is the ultimate judge, affirming His divine authority and role in God's redemptive plan.