Diatribe

Heelo everyone.

Today, we will start Romans 2.  Here are verses 1-5:

1 So then, all of you who pass judgment on others are without excuse.  You condemn yourself because you do the same things. 2 We know that the judgment from God against such practices is based on truth. 3 So, do you imagine that when you judge others, as mere human beings, will escape God’s judgment, when you do the very same things. 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of kindness, tolerance and patience?  Do you not understand God’s kindness is leading you toward repentance?  

5 Because of your stubborn and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day when the wrath of God’s righteous judgment is revealed.

Paul’s letter to the Romans takes an interesting turn in chapter 2.  The tone of the letter and the calling out sin remains the same as it had been from verses 18-32.  What changes is the audience.  Paul changes from addressing third person plural (they), to addressing second person singular (you).  He begins what is called a diatribe. 

Douglas Moo explains this change and defines diatribe for us:  “Paul describes those people … in the third person: "they" turned away from God; God handed "them" over. In chap. 2, however, it is the second person singular, "you," that Paul uses in making his accusation (2:1-5, 17-29). This does not mean that Paul is now accusing his readers of these things; were he to do that, the second person plural would have been needed. Rather, Paul utilizes here,... a literary style called diatribe. Diatribe style, which is attested in several ancient authors as well as elsewhere in the NT (e.g., James), uses the literary device of an imaginary dialogue with a student or opponent.” (Moo, 125.)

Schriener explains that Paul uses the diatribe here to demolish the claim that Law or circumcision give the Jews any kind of covenantal advantage. (Schreiner, 114.) 

Paul starts his diatribe with this statement: “So then, all of you who pass judgment on others are without excuse.  You condemn yourself because you do the same things.”  Paul's attention is now on those who stand in judgment on other people.  It is easy to read the second half of chapter1 and root Paul on, when he is talking about ‘them.'  However, Paul has shifted gears now and is talking to ‘you.'  His message, “Don’t stand in judgment of them, while you are doing the same things.” 

We see this again in verse 3.  Don’t judge others when you are doing the same things.  He points out that they are mere humans, and they also fall under God’s judgment.  And God judges based on truth. (Verse 2)

Schreiner explains verses 3 and 4 this way: Those whom Paul is addressing here, “are not only self-decieved and blind to their own actions (verse 3); they are also scorning the kindness and patience of God, who has not brought immediate judgment upon them. (verse 4)” (Schreiner, 117.)  In other words, they believe they are justified in their actions, but wonder why God has not brought punishment on others, even though both parties are guilty of the same things. 

It seems that Paul’s point is that we, as sinners, should not be judgmental.  Jesus says things that are similar.  Luke 6:37 “Don’t judge and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned.  Forgive and you will be forgiven."

Certainly, God is patient and kind.  Paul has just explained that the purpose of His patience and kindness is to lead us toward repentance. So, God’s kindness and patience is not license to sin, as some might conclude. That way of thinking actually shows contempt for God’s kindness and patience.  

In verse 5, we see that those who are stubborn and unrepentant, wasting God’s patience and kindness, are storing up wrath against themselves for another time.  

God continues to be patient, wanting people to be led toward repentance.  Another NT writer assures us of the same thing.  “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

God does not delight in punishing people. (Instead, God delights in our repentance. Read Luke 15.  It has three parables about how God rejoices when one sinner repents.)  

We need to understand that God's kindness is to lead us to repentance.  Since our sin hurts us and other people, repentance is for our own good.  A heart that refuses to repent, sadly, is storing up wrath for the day of judgment. 

So what does these verses mean for us?  Let us not abuse the kindness of God by being judgmental toward others.  Instead, we should heed the call of God's kindness and allow it to lead toward repentance.