Therefore, you are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment. For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God on those who do such things is true. 3 Do you suppose, then, you who judge those who engage in such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you hold his priceless kindness, forbearance, and patience in low esteem, unaware that the kindness of God would lead you to repentance? 5 By your stubbornness and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God, 6 who will repay everyone according to his works: 7 eternal life to those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through perseverance in good works, 8 but wrath and fury to those who selfishly disobey the truth and obey wickedness. 9 Yes, affliction and distress will come upon every human being who does evil, Jew first and then Greek. 10 But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, Jew first and then Greek. 11 There is no partiality with God.
Paul told the community of both Jewish and Gentile converts that those who judge others but do the very same things are not without guilt because they cannot claim ignorance about their actions (Mt. 7:1-5). Paul strongly urged them to embrace humility and self-awareness, cautioning against passing judgment on others when they themselves are culpable of comparable offenses, as it may result in their own condemnation. God's judgment is righteous and impartial so they should not be self-righteous hypocrites and judge others yet engage in similar behavior because they will not escape God’s just judgment. No one should consider himself righteous because all men are sinners in the eyes of God (1 Jn. 1:10).
God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience are to lead men to repentance so that they will avoid God’s punishment for their sins. Their own stubborn and insolent hearts will condemn them on the day of judgment when God repays everyone according to his or her works (Ps. 62:13). Some Jews were proud of their higher religious moral standards because of their knowledge of God through the Mosaic Law (Rom. 2:17-20). Paul told them that those who are favored by God and judge themselves as superior, but sin will not be protected from divine judgment. They will die in their sin (Jn. 8:21) unless they accept the Gospel which leads to salvation (Rom. 1:16). They must persevere in good works to inherit eternal life (Gal 6:7-9), but the wicked who disobey the truth will experience God’s wrath and fury (Rev. 21:8).
Affliction and distress await all who do evil, regardless of their ethnic, cultural, or religious background. God’s impartial judgment does not take into consideration those distinctions. Divine judgment applies to both Jews and Gentiles alike if they do evil. Glory, honor, and peace await both Jews and Gentiles alike if they do good. God judges impartially so the Jews will be no better off than anyone else unless they do what God expects of them.
Heavenly Father, grant us the grace to avoid judging others and to recognize your kindness and mercy which should lead us to repentance and perseverance in good works. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen! Alleluia!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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