Does Romans 2 teach a works based salvation?

[NathanH83]

“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

Bible Gateway passage: Romans 2:5-6 - New King James Version

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”:

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“Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work.”
-Psalm 62:12

Bible Gateway passage: Psalm 62:12 - New King James Version

Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work.

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“If you say, ‘Surely we did not know this,’ Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?”
-Proverbs 24:12

Bible Gateway passage: Proverbs 24:12 - New King James Version

If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

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[hedrick]

Not exactly. This is part of a larger argument. Romans as a whole is dealing with the question of whether it is necessary to become Jewish before you can become Christian. The first part of Romans is written in "diatribe style," where opponents' arguments are stated and then answered. A major part of the case for the Judaizers is the claim that Gentiles are inherently immoral. That case is stated in Rom 1:18-32. That passage is a standard Jewish attack against Gentiles: because of idolatry, they are corrupted and become inherently immoral.

Paul's answer takes two parts: (1) Gentiles are not inherently immoral. Some of them have the Law written in their hearts. (2) Jews are not so perfect either. There are several places in 2, including this passage, where Paul talks about Gentiles being judged on their works. Paul certainly did believe that people would be judged on the basis of their works. You can see that places like 1 Cor 6:9. But really, Rom 2 isn't about salvation, which for Paul comes only through faith. It's about behavior. He maintains that Gentiles are just as capable of acceptable behavior as Jews.

It's pretty clear that salvation for Paul comes from Christ. But he also sees actions as reflecting faith, as you can see from his description of Abraham. He's realistic about our imperfections. We are at the same time sinners and redeemed. 1 Cor 3:12 ff describes judgement for Christians: that much of our lives may be found not to be based on Christ and thus discarded, while we still survive.

Is he in Rom 2 suggesting some basis on which non-Christians might be saved? I think this is ambiguous, since that's not the question he's dealing with in Rom 2. Certainly Abraham was saved, and Paul mentions Abraham's actions. But those action are part of Abraham's faith, so it's not salvation by works. I wouldn't want to take Rom 2 out of the context of his argument and use it to create doctrine on salvation, although he may well have thought that there were righteous Gentiles, a concept that was common (though not universal) in 1st Cent. Judaism. Indeed about half the time I think Paul was universalist. But 2:6 is about judgement for our actions, which Paul certainly did believe in, even though salvation is based on faith.

Moo, whose commentary is a moderately traditional Calvinist one, says

"Paul signals that he is continuing the general discussion of vv. 1–5 by connecting this verse grammatically with v. 5.243 Paul’s assertion that God “will render” or “recompense” every person according to what that person has done244 reflects common OT and Jewish teaching.245 And this teaching, though set in a new context as a result of the revelation of God’s grace in Christ, is not retracted (see Matt. 16:27; 2 Cor. 11:15; 2 Tim. 4:14)."

That's not unreasonable. But still, the idea of God rewarding a pagan for good conduct doesn't sit well with the person being damned. I've wondered whether Paul has in mind some kind of concept of "virtual faith," that non-Christians who do right because it's right are really following the Logos, which is Christ. CS Lewis suggests something like that. But I would make no claim that such an idea is here in any very obvious way.

 

[Odë:hgöd]

.
• Rom 2:5-9 . . God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those
who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal
life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will
be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does
evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who
does good

That appears to be a description of works-based salivation but in reality it doesn't
satisfy the standard definition of salvation; which basically offers a rescue rather
than a reward.

What we see in Rom 2:2-9 lines up with the classic winter holiday song: "Santa
Claus Is Coming To Town."

You better watch out, you better not cry,
Better not pout, I'm telling you why:
Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list, and checking it twice;
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice:
Santa Claus is coming to town.

He sees you when you're sleeping,
He knows when you're awake,
He knows if you've been bad or good,
So be good for goodness sake!

There's no grace in that song just as there is no grace in Rom 2:2-9-- none at all -
no generosity, no absolution, no altruism, no kindness, no charity, no love, no
peace, no understanding, no sympathy, no patience, no tolerance, no courtesy, no
compassion, no forgiveness, viz: there are no gifts in Santa's bag; only merit
awards for those who prove themselves worthy enough to deserve them.

Now, the catch to Rom 2:5-9 is the word "persist" i.e. in order to merit eternal life,
glory, honor, peace, and immortality via their manner of life, people have to be
consistent at doing good because God intends to lower the boom on people for the
bad they do as well as rewarding their good; so unless folks are consistent at doing
good, they are in for a very bumpy road ahead.

NOTE: Jesus was consistent.

• John 8:29 . .The one who sent me is with me; He has not left me alone, for I
always do what pleases Him.
_

 

[Josiah]

No.



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