Doers, not Hearers of the Law Romans 2:13

Paul the apostle told the church members in Rome, “there is no respect of persons with God”, and he added, “for as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law”. In chapter two and verse thirteen of Romans, Paul shared, “not the hearers of the law...but the doers of the law shall be justified” where we read:

(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

The verse begins, “(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, ...” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “not the hearers” which means “not those who listen intently” “of the law” or “of the rule producing a state approved of God” “are just” which means “are righteous, virtuous and keep the commands” “before God” which means “in front of an near the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Paul declared how people who only “listen” to God's law are not “righteous and virtuous”.

The verse continues, “... but the doers of the law shall be justified.” Paul added the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “the doers” or “the producers, performers and ones who are obedient and fulfill” “of the law” which refers to “of the rule producing a state approved of God” “shall be justified” which means “shall be rendered righteous, innocent or such as he ought to be”. Paul shared how people who “are obedient” to God's law will be “rendered righteous and innocent”.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see the advantage of being “obedient” to God's law versus “only listening” to it. People who “do” the “law of God” receive the label of “innocent”, but those who “hear” it only and do not perform it are not. Jesus Christ fulfilled the “law of God”, and He made access for every person who “believes and trusts” in Him to be made “righteous”. Jesus carried out God's law perfectly, and only an appropriation of His “performance” makes anyone “justified”. In other words, no one is a “doer of the law” except Jesus, and only through Him may a person be saved.

Next time Paul shares about, “the Gentiles, which have not the law”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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