Ed Urzi

“For there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:11).

Romans 2:11 presents a characteristic that is easily discerned, yet rarely practiced: impartiality. For instance, most of us have likely encountered the adverse effects of partiality at various points throughout our lives. Much like the Biblical example of Jacob and his son Joseph, some parents have favorites among their sons and daughters. Then there are employers who promote favored employees while other, more qualified candidates are denied an opportunity for advancement. These, and other such examples abound in everyday life, often with predictably negative results.

But there are other, less conspicuous illustrations of partiality that may be easy to miss. Consider the example of those who favor others on the basis of…

• Shared allegiances.
• Common interests.
• Physical attraction.
• Wealth.
• Influence.
• Political affiliation
• Family relationships, or other arbitrary qualities.

These expressions of partiality are so ingrained that we may fail to notice them, except when they impact us in an unfavorable way. This helps explain why Romans 2:11 is easy to understand, but difficult to grasp.

While human beings might overlook the transgressions of those whom they favor, God will treat everyone with absolute, unconditional impartiality. That characteristic quality is restated in both the Old and New Testaments…

“You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man’s presence, for the judgment is God’s…” (Deuteronomy 1:17).

“…Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery” (2 Chronicles 19:7 NIV).

“…God shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34 AMPC).

“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear” (1 Peter 1:17).

So, this verse reminds us that God will treat everyone without favoritism, partiality, or bias. The following source offers several modern-day applications that help provide us with a timely reminder…

“By personal application, this teaching should be related to those who believe they are saved because they were born into a Christian family, have godly parents and were baptized as a child. This should also be related to the nice people, who have been and are living a moral life and have more integrity than many who profess to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

If you fall into that category, as Paul addresses the Jew, realize that he is addressing you if you are trusting in your godly heritage or your moral integrity for salvation.” ₍₁₎

Image Attribution: “lady justice” Public Domain, CC0, via rawpixel

(1) Dick Woodward, Mini Bible College Booklet Twenty-Nine The Book Of Romans Verse By Verse (part one) [pg.24] https://mbc.icm.org/

“but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 2:10).

Romans 2:10 highlights three important qualities that God will render to those whose faith in Christ leads them to pursue good works. The first of those qualities is “glory.”

The concept of “glory” is derived from the word doxa in the original language of this passage. This word is associated with the value we place upon an individual or an object of significant worth. It also relates to such noble characteristics as excellence, preeminence, and dignity. ₍₁₎ The Old Testament uses the word kabod in a similar manner to express a sense of weight or substance. So, this passage speaks of a future life that is marked by characteristic qualities of substance, excellence, and dignity.

Next comes “honor.” Much like the word glory, “honor” expresses the qualities of value, esteem, deference, and reverence. While those who seek to honor God may not receive such recognition today, Jesus offers the following assurance: “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor” (John 12:26).

Finally, we have a reference to peace. “Peace” is typically defined by a sense of contentment and/or well-being. Thus, we can find peace in the absence of external conflicts (ranging from warfare all the way to personal disputes) and internal conflicts (like worries or anxieties). Therefore, a person who is free of these types of conflict is someone who is likely to be “at peace.”

The Biblical book of Galatians tells us that peace is a product of the Spirit of God (see Galatians 5:22). As we await the eternal peace that is reflected in the promise of Romans 2:10, we can find temporal peace in a turbulent world as we seek to be led by God’s Spirit.

One commentator follows with an important reminder regarding this reference to “everyone who works what is good…”

“Salvation is achieved by Christ for all who are to be saved, and it becomes theirs by simple faith in him and his work… It is an equal error, as Paul also shows, to think that one can be saved by faith and then continue down the same path he or she has been treading, doing no good works at all. A person doing that is not saved, regardless or his or her profession.” ₍₂₎

Our text then concludes with a mirror image of the previous verse. Just as God will prioritize the Jewish people in judgment (Romans 2:9), He will also prioritize their receipt of these blessings.

(1) G1391 doxa Vine’s Expository Dictionary https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1391&t=NKJV

(2) Boice, J. M. (2005). Romans: Justification by Faith (Romans 1-4). Baker Books. p.230

“but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness–indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek” (Romans 2:8-9).

In contrast to those who patiently seek glory, honor, and immortality through persistence in doing good, the self-seeking and those who do not obey the truth face another destiny. Unfortunately, this reference to “self-seeking” serves as the defining characteristic in many human lives, and the following source offers some intriguing background information regarding this term: “This word is found before NT times only in Aristotle where it denotes a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means.” ₍₁₎

Though some may object to the use of this phrase to characterize their lives, a look at their day-to-day activities might tell a different story. You see, people generally allocate their time according to the value they place upon a particular activity. In other words, people make time for the things they feel are important. Our financial transactions, leisure activities, personal interactions, entertainment choices, online activities, and other aspects of our daily lives thus serve to reveal our priorities. Those choices help determine whether we prioritize service to God or the pursuit of self-interest.

This attribute is then followed by a reference to those who “…do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness.” As mentioned earlier in our look at Romans 1:18, “the truth” refers to what we can know about the reality of God’s existence. In part, that knowledge comes to us through general revelation, or the truth of God’s reality as seen within the created realm. When that reality begins to press upon us, many respond with an attempt to suppress it.

That effort inevitably leads to “unrighteousness,” a wide-ranging term that encompasses an array of inappropriate attitudes and behaviors. Taken together, these characteristics inevitably lead to some fearsome consequences…

Indignation, a word that encompasses “wrath, fury, anger, rage, [or] a state of intense displeasure based in some real or perceived wrong.” ₍₂₎

Tribulation, or a sense of crushing distress. One source remarks, “In Romans 2:9 ‘tribulation and anguish’ are the penal sufferings that shall overtake the wicked. In Matthew 24:21, 29, the word denotes the calamities that were to attend the destruction of Jerusalem.” ₍₃₎

Anguish. The idea behind this word conveys the experience of being in a narrow place, as if the “walls are closing in.”

The Jewish people are first among those who experience these repercussions for “…God entrusted them with his word” (GW) as we’ll later read in Romans 3:2 (see also Romans 9:4). Yet even though these verses tell us that the Jewish people will be prioritized in judgment, the following verse tells us they will be prioritized in blessing as well.

(1) G2052 – eritheia – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2052/kjv/tr/0-1/

(2) G2372 – thumos- billmounce.com (n.d.). https://www.billmounce.com/greek-dictionary/thumos

(3) “Tribulation” M. G. Easton: Easton’s Bible Dictionary – Christian Classics Ethereal Library. (n.d.). https://www.ccel.org/ccel/easton/ebd2.html?term=tribulation

“eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality” (Romans 2:7).

Romans 2:7 highlights two key attributes that help distinguish a person who seeks to honor God. First, he or she is actively engaged in doing good. Next, he or she is someone who demonstrates their patient and persistent commitment to that virtue. Yet even while we seek to integrate these attributes within our lives, we would be naïve to presume that everyone shares the same definition of “good.”

For instance, two well-intentioned people might choose very different life paths based on the way they interpret and define the meaning of “good.” Therefore, we should ensure that our understanding of “good” aligns with God’s perspective on that characteristic.

We can draw several principles for doing good from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Another benchmark that should help define our idea of good appears in the book of the Biblical prophet Micah…

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

These attributes are much like beacons that serve to guide us along the road of doing good. If we encounter these characteristics in our daily lives, we can be reasonably assured that we are traveling the path of Romans 2:7. While we cannot find salvation by doing good (for salvation is through faith in Christ alone, as Paul the Apostle established earlier in Romans 1:16-17), those who have experienced a transformed life through Christ will demonstrate that transformation by doing good.

Romans 2:7 also lays out three important motivations for doing good: the quest for “glory, honor, and immortality.” In the language of the Old Testament, the word “glory” expresses the characteristics of weightiness, substance, worth, and/or value. In the New Testament, this word is closely associated with the concepts of excellence, dignity, and praiseworthiness.

The following reference to honor draws our attention to the qualities of reverence and respect. “Immortality” speaks of more than everlasting life, for this term encompasses life in all its fullness without the sinful limitations or restrictions we experience today. God alone possesses immortality, as we’re told in 1 Timothy 6:16, and He is willing to share that quality with humanity (2 Timothy 1:10).

For those who yearn for genuine meaning and significance in a world that often seems meaningless and insignificant, this passage offers the comforting assurance that “He will give everlasting life to those who search for glory, honor, and immortality by persisting in doing what is good…” (GW).

“He will render to each one according to his works” (Romans 2:6).

Some may erroneously believe they can defy God without repercussion, for they presume He is either ignorant or indifferent to their conduct. Then there are those who seem to believe they can disregard this portion of Scripture and adopt an attitude of disrespect towards God without consequence. While some may seemingly avoid accountability for their actions (at least in the short-term), everyone will eventually have to deal with the ramifications of their conduct according to Romans 2:6.

The Gospel of John touches upon this theme as well…

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God” (John 3:19-21 NIV).

While Jesus is the light of the world, there are some who prefer to remain in darkness. But as Jesus Himself warned us, “There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. There is nothing kept secret that will not come to light” (Mark 4:22 GW). The Psalmist expressed this sentiment as well…

“Where could I go to escape from you? Where could I get away from your presence? If I went up to heaven, you would be there; if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there… I could ask the darkness to hide me or the light around me to turn into night, but even darkness is not dark for you, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same to you” (Psalms 139:7-8, 11-12 GNB).

So, while some may be highly skilled in masking their actions or motives, nothing is concealed from God. Therefore, we would do well to contemplate the sobering message given to us in the Biblical book of Hebrews…

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13 NIV).

Nevertheless, we find a far more encouraging motivation in Jesus’ message from Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” In light of these things, the New Testament book of 1 Corinthians offers the following counsel…

“…do not judge anything before the time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts. Then each will receive recognition from God” (1 Corinthians 4:5 NET).

“He will give each one whatever his deeds deserve” (Romans 2:6 TLB).

Romans 2:6 is one of the shortest verses in this book and one of the most sobering. While some may pile layer upon layer of explanations, justifications, obfuscations, and/or rationalizations to explain their behavior, God will eventually penetrate those layers to give us whatever our deeds deserve. Whether we seek to offer a legitimate justification for our actions or cover the motivations we wish to conceal, we can be assured that God knows the difference.

There are several key principles we can draw from this passage and the verses that precede it. First, God will not permit us to make exceptions for ourselves when it comes to the standards we impose on others (Romans 2:1). Again, if we judge a certain behavior to be wrong, then it is wrong for everyone, including ourselves. Thus, we can say that God will not show favoritism in giving us what we deserve.

Next, God’s judgment will be rooted in truth according to Romans 2:2. In other words, God will assess our thoughts and behaviors on the basis of reality and not appearance. While human beings are occasionally shocked to discover that others are not what they seem, God is never surprised by such revelations, and He will judge accordingly.

Romans 2:6 also tells us that God’s judgment is based on “deeds” and not intent. For instance, we may desire to fulfill various ambitions, but there is a difference between the things we aspire to do, and the things we actually do. God’s judgment will be based on what we do and not what we intended to do, no matter how noble those aspirations may be. Therefore, a statement such as, “I meant to do it“ will hold no value as God makes His assessment of our lives.

In addition to what we read here in Romans 2:6, the Old Testament reiterates these concepts as well. Consider the following passage from the Biblical book of Ecclesiastes…

“God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad” (Ecclesiastes 12:14 NLT).

The book of the prophet Jeremiah adds…

“I, the Lord, probe into people’s minds. I examine people’s hearts. I deal with each person according to how he has behaved. I give them what they deserve based on what they have done” (Jeremiah 17:10 NET).

So while salvation is solely by God’s grace through faith in Christ, we should seek to apply Jesus’ counsel from the Gospel of Matthew…

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

Image Attribution: kai Stachowiak, “Lie Truth” via Public Domain Pictures.net

“But because of your hardness and impenitent heart, you are storing up treasures of wrath against yourself on the day of wrath when the righteous judgment of God will be revealed, and He ‘will render to every man according to his deeds'” (Romans 2:5-6 MEV).

Commentators have developed several illustrations that can help us visualize the “treasury of wrath” mentioned in these verses. For instance, we might compare this treasury to the act of hoarding. A hoarder is “…one who accumulates, collects, and stores, especially one who does so to excess” ₍₁₎ or, “a person who accumulates things and hides them away for future use.” ₍₂₎

One commentator applies these definitions to the idea of “treasuring up” wrath for ourselves…

“There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil. (Rom. 2:4–9) That’s a scary thing, because what Paul is describing is a hoarder, someone who amasses a supply of something.” ₍₃₎

That same author also employs a financial analogy to illustrate this idea…

“In explaining our sin in relation to God’s wrath, Paul uses a banking metaphor: If we begin to save our money, taking a small portion of each paycheck and putting it in the bank, we are building up, slowly but surely, a treasure… Just so, every time we sin, we add an indictment against ourselves, treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath.

Do we really believe that? I do not think the world believes it. Every day that we sin without repenting, we are depositing future wrath into the account of God’s judgment.” ₍₄₎

Another commentary likens God’s wrath to a large repository…

“God s wrath against people’s sins is being stored up like a great reservoir until the day when it will all be poured forth in His righteous judgment. On that day God will give to each person according to what He has done…” ₍₅₎

Our final source illustrates the danger of treasuring up God’s wrath with a look at Jesus’ experience as He faced His impending death…

“Do we doubt that God’s wrath is real and threatening? If we do, we need only look at Jesus in the hours preceding his crucifixion. He was not like Socrates who calmly quaffed the hemlock that was to end his life. Jesus’ soul was ‘troubled’ (John 12:27), and he agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane, asking that the ‘cup’ God had prepared for him might be taken away (Matt. 26:36-44)…

The reason Jesus trembled before death is that his death was not to be like the death of mere mortals. Jesus was not going to die for himself. He was going to die for others. He was going to take upon himself the full measure of the wrath of God that they deserved. He was to drink the cup of wrath to the very dregs—in order that the justice of God might be satisfied and sinners might be spared.” ₍₆₎

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(1) Hoarder in Thesaurus: All Synonyms & Antonyms, www.powerthesaurus.org/hoarder/definitions. Accessed 06 Oct. 2025.

(2) Hoarder. (n.d.) WordNet 3.0, (2003-2008). Retrieved October 6 2025 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/hoarder

(3) Sproul, R. C. What Comes after This Life? Ligonier Ministries, 2023. p. 57

(4) Sproul, R. C. The Power of the Gospel: A Year in Romans. Ligonier Ministries, 2024. p. 51

(5) John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, Bible Knowledge Commentary (1983), David C Cook. p. 445

(6) Boice, J. M. (2005). Romans: Justification by Faith (Romans 1-4). Baker Books. p.222

“But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’” (Romans 2:5-6).

While certain portions of Scripture may present us with some interpretive difficulties, nearly everyone can relate to the mindset depicted here within this passage. For instance, most of us know what it’s like to interact with those who are stubborn, obstinate, or callous. That represents the type of attitude portrayed by the use of the word “hardness” here in Romans 2:5-6. ₍₁₎ That unyielding mindset defines the way some respond to God’s kindness (which is intended to lead them to repentance according to Romans 2:4).

That brings us to this reference to “impenitence,” a word that makes its only Biblical appearance here in Romans 2:5. This word conveys a sense of resistance or unwillingness to repent. For instance, “repentance” speaks of a change of mind that leads to a change in behavior. However, “impenitence” is just the opposite. It identifies someone who “admits no change of mind” ₍₂₎ and thus brings insult upon God’s mercy.

These references communicate an ingrained, deep-rooted mindset as evidenced by the use of the word “heart, ” “Heart” is represented by the word kardia in the original language of this passage. As you might expect, it also forms the basis for our modern-day word “cardiac.” “Kardia” refers to our innermost person in a physical, emotional, intellectual, or spiritual sense.

One source alerts us to an important distinction in considering this reference: “A person’s habitual conduct, whether good or evil, reveals the condition of his heart.” ₍₃₎ A person with a “hardened and unrepentant heart” (CSB) is not someone who makes an isolated mistake, delivers an ill-advised comment, or suffers from a momentary lapse in judgment. Instead, he or she consistently and obstinately resists God’s “kindness, tolerance, and patience” (GNB) as He seeks to lead that person to repentance.

These verses offer another word-picture that helps to illustrate the cost of that response: “you are treasuring up for yourself wrath.” This serves to warn us concerning the accumulated guilt we incur from an impenitent attitude and its resultant behaviors. While the Biblical epistle of James tells us that one sin is a violation against the entire law (James 2:10), Romans 2:5 tells us that each sinful act adds to the repository of wrath that awaits the unrepentant.

We’ll consider this reference to “treasuring up wrath” at greater length next.

(1) G4643 – sklerotes – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4643/kjv/tr/0-1/

(2) G279 – ametanoetos – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g279/kjv/tr/0-1/

(3) John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, Bible Knowledge Commentary (1983), David C Cook. p. 445

“Or perhaps you despise his great kindness, tolerance, and patience. Surely you know that God is kind, because he is trying to lead you to repent” (Romans 2:4 GNB).

Romans 2:4 is a verse that requires a thoughtful approach that accounts for several factors that influence the way we interpret this verse. For instance, it’s important to acknowledge that “repentance” may present itself in forms that are authentic or inauthentic. The New Testament book of 2 Corinthians illustrates that difference…

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

While it’s not unusual to hear others voice their sorrow over an inappropriate action or behavior, it may help to clarify the source of their distress. For instance, consider the difference in the following statements:

• “I’m sorry; I did something wrong.”
• “I’m sorry; I got caught doing something wrong.”

You see, a person who apologizes for doing something wrong may not actually regret his or her behavior. In fact, he or she might even repeat that same behavior if given the opportunity. Instead, that person may simply regret the consequences of getting caught. We can associate that response with “the sorrow of the world” mentioned in 2 Corinthians 7:10.

That type of sorrow fails to lead us to authentic repentance because it simply flows from the negative consequences of a behavior. On the other hand, “godly sorrow” produces a God-honoring response that reflects a change of mind that leads to a change of behavior.

When God demonstrates “kindness, tolerance, and patience” towards those who engage in various forms of immoral conduct, those individuals may feel as if they have successfully evaded the repercussions of their behavior. In fact, the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes spotlights that very attitude when it says, “Because God does not punish sinners instantly, people feel it is safe to do wrong” (Ecclesiastes 8:11 TLB). However, God may be expressing His kindness in providing an opportunity to repent according to our text from Romans 2:4.

In addition, we should also recognize that every genuine Christian is a “work in progress” to a greater or lesser extent. Because God is patient, merciful, and benevolent, He may graciously permit us to overcome our sinful inclinations quietly, without the discomfort of public disclosure. But those who decline that opportunity should pay careful attention to the message given to us in Numbers 32:23: “…take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.”

“Or do you have contempt for the wealth of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, and yet do not know that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4 NET).

Authentic repentance comprises a prayerful commitment to abstain from sinful or inappropriate behaviors in favor of choices that are virtuous and pleasing to God.

To illustrate this idea, let’s take the example of a motorist who discovers that he or she is traveling in the wrong direction. Once our hypothetical driver realizes that he or she has made a navigational error, the best course of action is to stop, change direction, and return to the correct route.

In a similar manner, genuine repentance is best demonstrated through action, much like a motorist might execute a U-turn in order to change course. Jesus once used two real-world examples to underscore the importance of this idea…

“Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them — do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish'” (Luke 13:1-5 NIV).

From the dawn of humanity, God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience have characterized His means of interacting with sinful human beings in seeking to lead them to repentance. For instance, consider the sequence of events that occurred in the Garden of Eden. Following Adam’s creation, God spoke to him and said, “…Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17).

Even though Adam’s transgression resulted in immediate spiritual death in the form of his separation from God, his physical life continued for many centuries. In fact, God was gracious enough to clothe Adam and his wife following their expulsion from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:21). These events thus serve as an object lesson: “…God’s goodness, which is not to show approval of people’s sins, but to extend to them further opportunities of repentance, and to persuade them by means of such goodness.” ₍₁₎

Image Attribution: Indian Roads Congress, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

(1) Coffman, James Burton. “Commentary on Romans 2”. “Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible”. https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bcc/romans-2.html. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1983-1999.