Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Romans Ch.2 / 16 Ch.s
RO:2
* The Jews could not be justified by the law of Moses, any more
than the Gentiles by the law of nature. (1-16) The sins of the
Jews confuted all their vain confidence in their outward
privileges. (17-29)
#1-16 The Jews thought themselves a holy people, entitled to
their privileges by right, while they were unthankful,
rebellious, and unrighteous. But all who act thus, of every
nation, age, and description, must be reminded that the judgment
of God will be according to their real character. The case is so
plain, that we may appeal to the sinner's own thoughts. In every
wilful sin, there is contempt of the goodness of God. And though
the branches of man's disobedience are very various, all spring
from the same root. But in true repentance, there must be hatred
of former sinfulness, from a change wrought in the state of the
mind, which disposes it to choose the good and to refuse the
evil. It shows also a sense of inward wretchedness. Such is the
great change wrought in repentance, it is conversion, and is
needed by every human being. The ruin of sinners is their
walking after a hard and impenitent heart. Their sinful doings
are expressed by the strong words, "treasuring up wrath." In the
description of the just man, notice the full demand of the law.
It demands that the motives shall be pure, and rejects all
actions from earthly ambition or ends. In the description of the
unrighteous, contention is held forth as the principle of all
evil. The human will is in a state of enmity against God. Even
Gentiles, who had not the written law, had that within, which
directed them what to do by the light of nature. Conscience is a
witness, and first or last will bear witness. As they nature.
Conscience is a witness, and first or last will bear witness. As
they kept or broke these natural laws and dictates, their
consciences either acquitted or condemned them. Nothing speaks
more terror to sinners, and more comfort to saints, than that
Christ shall be the Judge. Secret services shall be rewarded,
secret sins shall be then punished, and brought to light.
#17-24 The apostle directs his discourse to the Jews, and shows
of what sins they were guilty, notwithstanding their profession
and vain pretensions. A believing, humble, thankful glorying in
God, is the root and sum of all religion. But proud,
vain-glorious boasting in God, and in the outward profession of
his name, is the root and sum of all hypocrisy. Spiritual pride
is the most dangerous of all kinds of pride. A great evil of the
sins professors is, the dishonour done to God and religion, by
their not living according to their profession. Many despise
their more ignorant neighbours who rest in a dead form of
godliness; yet themselves trust in a form of knowledge, equally
void of life and power, while some glory in the gospel, whose
unholy lives dishonour God, and cause his name to be blasphemed.
#25-29 No forms, ordinances, or notions can profit, without
regenerating grace, which will always lead to seeking an
interest in the righteousness of God by faith. For he is no more
a Christian now, than he was really a Jew of old, who is only
one outwardly: neither is that baptism, which is outward in the
flesh: but he is the real Christian, who is inwardly a true
believer, with an obedient faith. And the true baptism is that
of the heart, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of
the Holy Ghost; bringing a spiritual frame of mind, and a
willing following of truth in its holy ways. Let us pray that we
may be made real Christians, not outwardly, but inwardly; in the
heart and spirit, not in the letter; baptized, not with water
only, but with the Holy Ghost; and let our praise be, not of
men, but of God.