Romans 2:5,6 - God will repay

2:5

What does the self-righteous person that Paul is addressing think when he condemns the "sinners" of chapter 1? He feels better about himself, thinking he is alright with God because he does not do these evil things. This reminds us of the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14). In condemning others he thinks he is emphasising his own righteousness. In reality he is storing up wrath for himself when God's judgement is revealed. What Paul is saying, and what is entirely consistent with Jesus' teaching, is that it is the condition of our own hearts that we need to look at. It is a repentant heart that God honours (Psalm 51:17). Remember that the overarching narrative in these early chapters of Romans is that all have sinned and are in equal need of salvation.

2:6

We now embark on what is in some ways a difficult passage to interpret, and the reason for the difficulty is that at one level it seems to be teaching a salvation by works, or the possibility of being righteous by our works. Two ways of looking at this are as follows:

On the one hand this could all be part of the rhetorical argument. He is addressing the self-righeous Jew (and much applies to any self-righteous person as well), and showing him the inconsistency of his own arguments. The Jew would readily agree that God will judge "according to his works".

On the other hand it could be looking ahead to the last day when it is those who have faith in Christ who will be righteous.

Both these approaches to the passage have merit and are true. One of the key arguments of Paul is that the Law is good, but no one can be made righteous by the Law. For under the Law everyone is under judgement and so destined for God's wrath. At the same time, he argues that those who live by faith are the ones who actually fulfil the Law. This happens in two ways. On the one hand the blood of Jesus justifies us, it perfectly atones for our sins. On the other hand, the work of the Spirit in our lives transforms us into the people we are meant to be, and this work will be brought to completion at the last day. So on the last day God will have a people who are truly righteous, and these people will be those who live by faith, not by the Law.

So there is merit in looking at this passage from both perspectives.