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Romans 2:6
[God] “will render to each one according to his deeds.”
In his commentary on Romans, Dr. James M. Boice points out that Romans 2 reveals several principles that will guide God’s final judgment. He will judge according to truth (v. 2), in proportion to human sins (v. 5), according to righteousness (v. 5), and impartially (v. 11). But Paul spends most of his time in this chapter dealing with one of the most poorly understood principles of divine judgment. It is the principle stated in Romans 2:6—that God will judge on the basis of people’s deeds. What is Paul saying here?
First, let us be clear as to what the apostle is not saying. Scripture tells us that deeds have nothing to do with whether a person is saved. Indeed, salvation is in spite of the things we naturally do, for Scripture says that our “righteousness” is comparable to filthy rags (Isa. 64:6)—in other words, it is no righteousness at all—so we cannot possibly merit salvation. When anyone is saved, it is because of the grace of God, not because good deeds earned His favor.
However, while deeds contribute nothing to salvation, they do contribute to damnation. Both the sinful condition of the human heart and the evil deeds that flow from that sinfulness incur guilt before God and are subject to His wrath. Thus, evil deeds help bring the unredeemed to hell. Unbelievers receive God’s “justice” (the punishment their evil deeds deserve), while the redeemed receive His “mercy” (a reward their deeds do not merit). Also, God considers our deeds to determine the rewards or punishments that we experience in the afterlife. Paul has asserted that all people naturally reject God and thus are “treasuring up” wrath for themselves. This is the principle of proportionality, the truth that those who sin more will be punished more. But Scripture says the same will be true for the good deeds of the redeemed—the more we do, the greater our reward will be. God will measure all we do by the standard of His perfect righteousness, justly judging and either recompensing or rewarding each deed.
As we will see in this week’s remaining studies, there are two paths in life, the path of righteousness and the path of evil. The sovereign grace of God determines which path we are on. But every deed we do on the path we tread will be taken into account in the Day of Judgment, and we will be rewarded or punished accordingly.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
What treasure are you amassing today? Is it a “treasure” of wrath, an outpouring of indignation over a long list of evil deeds? Or is it a treasure of reward, divine favor for deeds done for God’s honor and glory? Let the prospect of divine reward on the Day of Judgment drive you in your struggle to resist temptation and overcome sin.
For Further Study
- Psalm 62:12
- Matthew 6:20
- 1 Corinthians 3:12–15
- 1 Corinthians 4:5
- 2 Corinthians 5:10