Revelation of the Sin of Good People: Part 4 of 4 (series: Lessons on Romans)

by John Lowe
(Woodruff, S.C.)

15 who show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)

They show the work of the Law written in their hearts. It is not the Law itself which is written in their hearts, but the work of the Law. The work which the Law was designed to do in the lives of the Israelites is seen in some measure in the lives of Gentiles. The fact that they know that it is right to respect their parents, for example, shows the work of the Law written in their hearts. They also know that certain acts are basically wrong. Their conscience, serving as a monitor, confirms this instinctive knowledge. And their thoughts are constantly deciding the rightness or wrongness of their actions, accusing or excusing, forbidding or allowing.

16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

This verse is a continuation of the thought in verse 12. It tells when those without Law and those under the Law will be judged. And in doing so it teaches one final truth about the judgment of God—namely, that it will take into account the secrets of men, not just their public sin. Sin which is secret at the present time will be open scandal at the Judgment of the Great White Throne. The Judge at that solemn time will be Jesus Christ, since the Father has committed all judgment to Him. “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22). When Paul adds, according to my gospel, he means “so my gospel teaches.” My gospel means the gospel Paul preached, which was the same one which the other apostles preached.