Context is important, and scripture must always interpret scripture.
Romans 2:13 declares, "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." At first glance, it seems Paul teaches justification by works, but in context his argument is different. In Romans 1-3, Paul is laying out the universal guilt of both Gentiles and Jews. In chapter 1, Gentiles are shown guilty for sinning against conscience and creation's witness. In chapter 2, Paul turns to the Jew, who boasted in possessing the law. His point is clear: merely hearing the law read in synagogue does not make a person righteous. God's standard is perfect obedience. Thus, if one actually kept the whole law, that person would indeed be justified. But Paul quickly demonstrates that none do. Romans 3:9-20 drives this conclusion: "There is none righteous, no, not one for by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified." Therefore, Romans 2:13 functions as a principle, not as an attainable path. It exposes hypocrisy and proves that the law cannot justify, only condemn.
This fits the pattern of Israel's program. Under the law of Moses, the promise was "do and live" ( Lev. 18:5). But Israel failed, and the law testified against them, shutting every mouth. Paul's gospel then reveals the only way men can be justified: "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe" ( Rom. 3:21-22). The "doers" principle stands hypothetically to silence Jewish pride, setting up the unveiling of grace. So, Romans 2:13 is not offering salvation by law-keeping, but proving that true justification is found only in Christ, apart from the law.
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."
Revelation 22:14 "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness ( 1 John 1:9).
When Jesus was on earth, as He healed and forgave sins He told them to "go and sin no more". Once you surrender your life totally (with heart mind and soul) to God, He will send you the comforter (Holy Spirit) that will work in and through you to help you do what God ask of you. John 14:15,16 says. "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;".
All of Scripture is given for our learning, correction, and instruction in righteousness ( 2 Tim. 3:16). The Old Testament writings, the Gospels, and even books like Hebrews, James, and Revelation contain truth, prophecy, and examples that reveal God's character and His dealings with Israel. These portions of the Bible teach us much about His justice, mercy, faithfulness, and ultimate plan for the ages. Paul himself affirms this when he says, "whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning" ( Rom. 15:4).
Yet, NOT ALL of the Bible was written directly to the Church, the Body of Christ, in this present dispensation of grace. The law, the prophets, and the earthly ministry of Jesus were directed primarily to Israel and tied to the promises of the coming kingdom. In contrast, Paul uniquely declares that the "dispensation of the grace of God" was committed to him for us Gentiles ( Eph. 3:1-9). His epistles-Romans through Philemon-contain the revelation of the "mystery" and set forth the plan of salvation by grace through faith, apart from the works of the law ( Rom. 3:21-28; 1 Cor. 15:1-4).
Therefore, while the whole Bible is for us, only Paul's writings are to us for salvation and daily instruction in this age. His gospel of grace explains the believer's justification, reconciliation, heavenly calling, and identity in Christ. The rest of Scripture, while not our direct marching orders, provides background, prophecy, and examples that illuminate God's eternal purpose. By rightly dividing the Word of truth ( 2 Tim. 2:15), we can appreciate the entire Bible without confusing Israel's kingdom program with the Body of Christ's heavenly hope.
Only Paul's 13 epistles (Romans-Philemon) are the only books written directly to the Body of Christ, revealing salvation by grace through faith and God's mystery program for this present dispensation.
2nd Cor. 5:19 "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."
God, through Christ's work on the cross, chose not to hold the world's sins against them.
Instead of charging humanity's trespasses to their account, He provided reconciliation-peace and restoration-through Christ. This does not mean everyone is automatically saved, but it means the barrier of sin has been dealt with once for all. The message entrusted to Paul and those who preach the gospel of grace is to announce this reconciliation: that forgiveness is already secured at the cross, and by faith in Christ's finished work, individuals enter into that reconciliation personally.
In short: the cross removed sin as a barrier, we are already forgiven of every sin past-present and future and the gospel invites all to receive the gift of justification/salvation by believing, with nothing else being required for salvation.
Let's have a discussion about the sins of mankind-when and how are they forgiven.
What saith the scripture?
Grace and Peace.
Context is important, and scripture must always interpret scripture.
Romans 2:13 declares, "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." At first glance, it seems Paul teaches justification by works, but in context his argument is different. In Romans 1-3, Paul is laying out the universal guilt of both Gentiles and Jews. In chapter 1, Gentiles are shown guilty for sinning against conscience and creation's witness. In chapter 2, Paul turns to the Jew, who boasted in possessing the law. His point is clear: merely hearing the law read in synagogue does not make a person righteous. God's standard is perfect obedience. Thus, if one actually kept the whole law, that person would indeed be justified. But Paul quickly demonstrates that none do. Romans 3:9-20 drives this conclusion: "There is none righteous, no, not one for by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified." Therefore, Romans 2:13 functions as a principle, not as an attainable path. It exposes hypocrisy and proves that the law cannot justify, only condemn.
This fits the pattern of Israel's program. Under the law of Moses, the promise was "do and live" ( Lev. 18:5). But Israel failed, and the law testified against them, shutting every mouth. Paul's gospel then reveals the only way men can be justified: "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe" ( Rom. 3:21-22). The "doers" principle stands hypothetically to silence Jewish pride, setting up the unveiling of grace. So, Romans 2:13 is not offering salvation by law-keeping, but proving that true justification is found only in Christ, apart from the law.
Grace and Peace.
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."
Revelation 22:14 "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
Blessings
When Jesus was on earth, as He healed and forgave sins He told them to "go and sin no more". Once you surrender your life totally (with heart mind and soul) to God, He will send you the comforter (Holy Spirit) that will work in and through you to help you do what God ask of you. John 14:15,16 says. "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;".
Again...Context matters.
All of Scripture is given for our learning, correction, and instruction in righteousness ( 2 Tim. 3:16). The Old Testament writings, the Gospels, and even books like Hebrews, James, and Revelation contain truth, prophecy, and examples that reveal God's character and His dealings with Israel. These portions of the Bible teach us much about His justice, mercy, faithfulness, and ultimate plan for the ages. Paul himself affirms this when he says, "whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning" ( Rom. 15:4).
Yet, NOT ALL of the Bible was written directly to the Church, the Body of Christ, in this present dispensation of grace. The law, the prophets, and the earthly ministry of Jesus were directed primarily to Israel and tied to the promises of the coming kingdom. In contrast, Paul uniquely declares that the "dispensation of the grace of God" was committed to him for us Gentiles ( Eph. 3:1-9). His epistles-Romans through Philemon-contain the revelation of the "mystery" and set forth the plan of salvation by grace through faith, apart from the works of the law ( Rom. 3:21-28; 1 Cor. 15:1-4).
Therefore, while the whole Bible is for us, only Paul's writings are to us for salvation and daily instruction in this age. His gospel of grace explains the believer's justification, reconciliation, heavenly calling, and identity in Christ. The rest of Scripture, while not our direct marching orders, provides background, prophecy, and examples that illuminate God's eternal purpose. By rightly dividing the Word of truth ( 2 Tim. 2:15), we can appreciate the entire Bible without confusing Israel's kingdom program with the Body of Christ's heavenly hope.
Only Paul's 13 epistles (Romans-Philemon) are the only books written directly to the Body of Christ, revealing salvation by grace through faith and God's mystery program for this present dispensation.
Grace and Peace.
I like to look at it this way.
The penalty is death.
Hebrews 9:22
Romans 6:23
The penalty wasn't forgiven it was pay for. Mark 10:45.
Also.
Romans 5:8-10 reads "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
When we recieved Christ as savior we were baptized into his death and justified by the resurrection of Christ.
Blessings.
[Comment Removed]
2nd Cor. 5:19 "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."
God, through Christ's work on the cross, chose not to hold the world's sins against them.
Instead of charging humanity's trespasses to their account, He provided reconciliation-peace and restoration-through Christ. This does not mean everyone is automatically saved, but it means the barrier of sin has been dealt with once for all. The message entrusted to Paul and those who preach the gospel of grace is to announce this reconciliation: that forgiveness is already secured at the cross, and by faith in Christ's finished work, individuals enter into that reconciliation personally.
In short: the cross removed sin as a barrier, we are already forgiven of every sin past-present and future and the gospel invites all to receive the gift of justification/salvation by believing, with nothing else being required for salvation.
Grace and Peace.
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