1 Therefore (that is, on account of the decrees of God, 1:32) you are inexcusable, O man, whosoever you are that judges (i.e. every one judging): for in which you judge the other, you condemn yourself; for you that judge practices the same things. (No one has a right to judge another as far as spiritual things are concerned. Discernment o.k., do not judge)
2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth (see 1:18) against them which practice such things. (Don't worry, God will take care of it.)
3 And do you reckon this, O man, that judges them which do such things, and do the same, that you shall escape the judgment of God?
4 Or despise you the riches (cp. 9:23; 11:33. Eph. 1:7,18; 2:7; 3:8,16. Phil. 4:19. Col. 1:27; 2:2) of His goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? (Don't try to change God! God knows the minds of people. 2 Pet. 3:7,8)
5 But after your hardness and impenitent heart (they don't intend to bring people to repent. Ignorant) treasure up (Matt. 6:19,20. Luke 20:21. 1 Cor. 16:2. 2 Cor. 12:14. Jas. 5:3. 2 Pet. 3:7) to yourself wrath against the day of wrath (storing it up for yourself. Cp. Rev. 6:17; 19:15. Isa. 61:2; 63:4) and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will recompense to each one according to his deeds: (Don't be impatient with God. Everybody gets what's coming to them)
7 To them who according to patience in well doing (lit. of good work) seek for glory (see 1:23) and honor and incorruption, eternal life:
8 But to them that are of contention, and do not obey the truth (see Acts 14:2), but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (They are obstinate.)
9 Tribulation (see Acts 7:10) and anguish, upon every soul of man that work the evil, of the Israel first, and of the nations; (Everyone is treated the same, good or bad.)
10 But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that work good, to the Israel first, and also to the nations:
11 For there is no partiality with God. (2 Pet. 3:7-9)
B J¹ 2:12. The case of Israel and Gentile [nations].
K¹ 2:13-16. General reasons.
J² 2:17-27. The case of Israel.
K² 2:28,29. General reflection.
J³ 3:1-26. The case of Israel.
K³ 3:27-31. General conclusion.
J4 4:1-22. The case of Abraham.
K4 4:23-5:11. General application.
12 For as many as sinned without law shall perish also without law (the Mosaic Law will not be cited against non-Israelites): and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by law; (God judges in that which He gives. Who God gives much He expects much, He is not a respecter of persons.)
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. (Nature teaches itself what is right and wrong. Watch nature its self. A plant springs up and produces fruit. Same thing with us, produce spiritual fruit when you grow up.)
14 For when nations, which have not the law, do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which show forth the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience (see Acts 23:1) also bearing witness therewith, and their reckonings the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
16 In the day (the Lords day) when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. (God is fair.)
17 But if, you are called a Israelite, and rests upon the law, and glories of God,
18 And know His will, and approves the things that are more excellent (see Acts 27:27), being instructed (see Acts 18:25) out of the law; (You know what God expects.)
19 And art confident that you yourself (not God) are a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, (Said in irony)
20 An preceptor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which have the external form (fraud, morphing, rob people of their birthright) of knowledge and of the truth in the law. (Never get into the meat of the Word.)
21 You therefore (said in irony) which teach another, teach you not yourself? you that preach a man not to steal, do you steal? (Teach all of God's Word, not just part of it.)
22 You that say a man should not commit adultery (stems from idolatry. Spiritually. See Mark 13:17), do you commit adultery? you that abhor idols, do you rob temples? (Cp. Acts 19:37.)
23 You that make your boast of the law, through the transgression of the law dishonor you God?
24 "For the name of God is blasphemed among the nations through you," as it is written. (Cp. Ezek. 36:20,23. Isa. 52:5, 2 Sam.12:14. Call themselves Christians but act like heathens.)
25 For circumcision verily profits, if you practice the law: but if you be a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? (i.e. in the day of v.5.)
27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge you, who by that which is written and circumcision are a transgressor the law? (The heathen better off than you if you transgress.)
28 For he is not an Israelite, which is one outwardly (see v.20); neither is that circumcision, which is in outward guise in the flesh:
29 But he is a an Israeli (from the tribe of Judah, the lawgiver), which is one in secret; and circumcision is that of the heart, in spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (You don't want to be shedding blood and say its religious. Blood sacrifices done away with in Christ's crucifixion. Its circumcision of the heart, mind.)