OET interlinear ROM 2:11

Section 2:1–16: The unbelieving hypocrite must change his thinking

In all of chapter two, Paul wrote as if to someone who disagreed with him. He used the singular “you” throughout the chapter. This form of teaching is called a “diatribe.” Only one person is talking (or writing), but it is as if two people are talking back and forth, asking and answering questions, making objections and responding. Using this diatribe, Paul rebuked those who judged others improperly. The person whom Paul spoke to here was not a believer. His evil deeds store up God’s wrath against him (2:5), and his sins will cause him to perish (2:12).

In this section, Paul addressed someone who judged others as bad but did the same things (2:1). God would punish such a person (2:2–3); it is according to what a person has done (2:6–11) and according to the knowledge of God that a person has (2:12–15).

Here are other possible headings for this section:

The person who does not believe and judges other people as bad yet does the same things

Hypocritical people who do not believe in Jesus

For God does not show favoritism.

• For God does not see one person as more important/higher than another.

• Because God judges everybody in the same way.