Exegetical Outline Romans 2:6-11
Here is the exegetical outline I prepared for my sermon on Romans 2:6-11. My intention on releasing the study notes on passages I’m preaching is both to heighten my accountability to the text and church, as well as to provide an example to others who are interested in learning sermon craft. Comments are open so leave me a thought or observation. I especially appreciate those of you who have been doing this for longer than I have.
I. Introduction
Romans 2:6-11 is a key passage in Paul’s argument about divine judgment. It emphasizes God’s impartiality in rewarding or punishing people based on their deeds. This passage serves as a warning to both Jews and Gentiles that judgment is according to works, highlighting God’s justice.
II. Text and Context
Romans 2:6-11 (ESV)
6 He will render to each one according to his works:
7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;
8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,
10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.
11 For God shows no partiality.
Context
Immediate Context (Romans 2:1-5)
Romans 2:6-11 is part of Paul’s argument about divine judgment and impartiality. The passage follows Romans 2:1-5, where Paul condemns self-righteousness and hypocrisy, particularly among Jews who judge others but fail to obey God themselves. Paul warns that God's judgment is based on truth and that His kindness is meant to lead people to repentance, not complacency.
Romans 2:1-3 – Paul addresses those who judge others but commit the same sins, pointing out their hypocrisy.
Romans 2:4-5 – Paul warns that those who presume upon God’s kindness without repentance are storing up wrath for themselves on the day of judgment.
Thus, Romans 2:6-11 continues this thought by explaining how God will judge all people—Jews and Gentiles alike—based on their works, proving that God is just and impartial.
Larger Context (Romans 1:18–3:20)
Paul is building an argument about the universal guilt of humanity before God:
Romans 1:18-32 – The Gentiles are guilty because they have rejected God's truth and turned to idolatry, leading to moral corruption.
Romans 2:1-16 – The Jews are also guilty because they, though having the Law, fail to obey it.
Romans 2:17-29 – Paul specifically targets Jewish reliance on the Law and circumcision, showing that true righteousness comes from the heart.
Romans 3:1-20 – Paul concludes that all people—Jews and Gentiles—are under sin and that no one is righteous by their own works.
Thus, Romans 2:6-11 serves as a key moment in Paul's argument, demonstrating that God’s judgment is based on works but without partiality, laying the foundation for his later discussion on justification by faith.
Theological Context
Romans 2:6-11 underscores several key theological themes:
Divine Judgment – God will judge each person based on their deeds, demonstrating His justice.
Impartiality of God – Both Jews and Gentiles are judged by the same standard.
The Role of Works – Good works are evidence of genuine faith, though salvation is ultimately by grace through faith (Romans 3:21-28).
Eternal Consequences – The passage contrasts eternal life for the righteous with wrath and punishment for the wicked.
Paul is not teaching salvation by works but rather reinforcing the principle that true faith produces righteous living, which will be evident at judgment. Romans 2:6-11 fits within Paul’s broader argument that both Jews and Gentiles are accountable before God and that judgment is based on deeds. However, this is not a contradiction to salvation by faith (Romans 3:28), but rather a warning against hypocrisy and self-righteousness. This passage sets the stage for Paul’s ultimate conclusion: that justification comes by faith, not works of the Law (Romans 3:21-26).
III. Structural Outline
A. The Principle of Divine Judgment (v. 6)
God "will render to each one according to his works" (cf. Psalm 62:12; Proverbs 24:12).
The judgment is based on deeds, not merely profession or ethnicity.
This affirms God's justice—reward for good and punishment for evil.
B. Two Categories of People and Their Outcomes (vv. 7-10)
Those Who Persevere in Righteousness (v. 7)
They seek "glory, honor, and immortality."
Their pursuit is characterized by "patience in well-doing."
Their reward: "eternal life."
Those Who Are Self-Seeking and Disobedient (v. 8)
They are driven by selfish ambition.
They reject "the truth" and obey "unrighteousness."
Their punishment: "wrath and fury" (divine anger).
The Universal Scope of Judgment (vv. 9-10)
Both Jews and Gentiles are accountable.
Punishment for evildoers: "Tribulation and distress."
Reward for the righteous: "Glory, honor, and peace."
"The Jew first and also the Greek" (indicating priority but not favoritism).
C. The Basis of God’s Judgment: His Impartiality (v. 11)
"For God shows no partiality" (Deuteronomy 10:17).
Ethnic background, status, or privilege does not exempt anyone from judgment.
Judgment is purely based on righteousness and obedience to God’s truth.
IV. Theological Themes and Implications
God's Justice and Impartiality
God is just in rewarding and punishing based on deeds, not mere identity.
This serves as a warning against complacency for both Jews and Gentiles.
The Role of Works in Judgment
Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), yet works serve as evidence of genuine faith.
This passage does not contradict justification by faith but affirms that faith produces righteous deeds (James 2:14-26).
The Universality of God’s Judgment
Everyone—Jew and Gentile—will be judged.
No favoritism; only obedience to God determines the outcome.
Eternal Consequences
The contrast between eternal life and wrath and fury shows the seriousness of God’s judgment.
The call to perseverance in righteousness is emphasized.
V. Conclusion
Romans 2:6-11 reinforces the principle of divine judgment according to works, emphasizing God's justice and impartiality. It serves as a warning that no one is exempt from judgment and calls for perseverance in righteousness as evidence of faith.
