I’m Sorry I Love You, Man Eating Chicken, and Let’s Eat Grandma!?
Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a [real] Jew who is only one outwardly and publicly, nor is [true] circumcision something external and physical.29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and [true] circumcision is of the heart, a spiritual and not a literal [matter]. His praise is not from men but from God.
Punctuation, or the lack thereof, can create multiple misunderstandings. Consider the following: Let’s eat Grandma! or Let’s eat, Grandma! Another example: I’m sorry I love you versus I’m sorry; I love you. One more example: Man eating chicken or Man-eating chicken?
When the Bible was originally written there were no punctuation marks, or paragraphs. These were inserted and delineated by translators of the original texts. Case in point is the culmination of thought found in the passage listed above (Rom. 2:28-29). Paul lists several things that true Jews do and don’t do. (And may I add Paul was not advocating that Christians replaced Jews. That’s a heresy). One of the things true “Jews” don’t do is found in Romans 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse or defense or justification, O man, whoever you are who judges and condemns another. For in posing as judge and passing sentence on another, you condemn yourself, because you who judge are habitually practicing the very same things [that you censure and denounce]. True Jews, and by implication, true followers of Christ do not judge others. Now there is a lot of confusion regarding this topic. A popular cultural saying is, “Don’t be judging,” in response to anyone who disapproves of their lifestyle, behavior or actions. What could be confusing about this issue is when one erases the chapters, verses, and paragraphs of the Romans 2:1 passage. Why is this confusing? Let’s clump Romans 1:18, 31-32 with Romans 2:1: For God’s [holy] wrath and indignation are revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their wickedness repress and hinder the truth and make it inoperative.[They were] without understanding, conscienceless and faithless, heartless and loveless [and] merciless.32 Though they are fully aware of God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them themselves but approve and applaud others who practice them. Therefore you have no excuse or defense or justification, O man, whoever you are who judges and condemns another. For in posing as judge and passing sentence on another, you condemn yourself, because you who judge are habitually practicing the very same things [that you censure and denounce]. Back to the original question: Why is this confusing? Isn’t Paul being “judgey” in denouncing the actions of those in the world, and “judgey” of the believers? Add to that, Aren’t we supposed to look at the world practicing the aforementioned sins and abominations and determine that those who live like this and approve of these actions deserve hell? The point the Apostle Paul is making simply echoes Jesus’ teaching on the matter. We are called to be fruit inspectors. In other words, That’s good fruit, and that’s bad fruit. But what we are not called to do or be is God. The key to understanding judging others is found in this phrase: “and passing sentence on another,…” Judging others crosses the line over into God’s jurisdiction. Only He knows the thoughts and motives of another. Only He can pass sentence on their actions. In other words, inspect the fruit, but leave the sentencing and verdict up to God. In addition to all of this, fruit inspectors do not, and will not repress and hinder the truth (Jesus) or make it inoperative. In other words fruit inspectors are not amateur Providences (reference Oswald Chambers often used classification) – dulling or softening the impact of the Sword which proceeds from Jesus Mouth. Why not? There’s the kiss of resurrection life and encountering Jesus on the other end. Why would any True Follower of Jesus, or Spiritual Jew, want to prevent that?
