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"Doers of the Law" -- A New Episode of the Blessed Hope Podcast (Part Two of a Deep Dive into Romans 2:1-16)

Episode Synopsis:

Paul’s words in Romans 2:13 come as quite a shock to the Christian ear of those who have grown up with a theology that God is all-loving, but not holy in the sense described by Paul: “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.” These words are enough to send shivers down the spine of any conscientious Christian willing to examine themselves in light of the demands of God’s law. How can God be so strict? How can such a God be loving? How is that fair? If God requires perfection, this would mean that everyone is bound for eternal punishment. Yes, it does. But that is only half the story.

Reformed Christians affirm that Adam—as the biological and federal head of the human race—was created in a covenant of works. Therefore, Adam lived in Eden under a time of divine probation. He must keep YHWH’s commands perfectly on behalf of all humanity. If he does, God will confirm him in righteousness and glorify human nature. But should he disobey, he will plunge the entire human race into sin, guilt, and death. The covenant of works remains in force, as indicated by Paul in Romans 2:6, which is repeated in 2:13. Paul’s words have generated much controversy, which we will discuss, not because Paul isn’t clear, but because he is—crystal clear. His words challenge many people’s assumptions about how a loving God can demand such perfection from sinners. Yes, God is supremely loving. But he is also holy.

Romans 2:12–16 is part of that section of chapter two in which Paul continues to expose Jewish hypocrisy for criticizing Gentile behavior, all the while doing the same things the Gentiles were doing. Paul now explains why the Gentiles (who did not have the law) are as guilty as the Jews who had the law given through Moses at Mount Sinai. It is because God’s law is written upon the human heart by virtue of the fact that all people are created in God’s image. This is the basis for natural law—God’s revelation in the natural order (the civil kingdom and the ordering of society)—and is revealed through reason, the conscience, and human emotions.

So, there is much here in this part of Romans well worth our consideration. And just so I don’t leave you hanging, the second part of the story answers all the objections just mentioned. In the gospel, through the merits of Jesus Christ—the law keeper—God freely gives what he demands of us under the law. There’s no more loving act imaginable. And we’ll get there, Lord willing, when we get to Romans 3:21 and following. But for now, only doers of the law can be justified. The bad news comes before the good news.

To read the show notes and listen to the episode, follow the link below

Blessed Hope PodcastKim RiddlebargerSeptember 14, 2026Romans 2:12-16, The covenant of works, The "works principle", Natural Law Comments

The Basics -- The Covenant of Works

In Hosea 6:7, the prophet records the word of the Lord as follows: “But like Adam they [Israel and Judah] transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me.” Based upon this declaration it is clear that Adam stood in a covenant relationship to his creator while in Eden, and that Adam had indeed violated the terms of that covenant through a personal act of disobedience. In this declaration from Hosea, we find two very important elements of Christian theology as understood by Reformed Christians. The first is that Adam was created in covenant relationship with God–this covenant was not arbitrarily imposed upon Adam after God created him. Second, Adam’s willful violation of this covenant brought down horrible consequences upon himself, as well as upon the entirety of the human race whom he represents and which has biologically descended from him.

The identity and character of this covenant is a matter of long-standing debate. The covenant of works or, as it is also known, the “covenant of creation,” lies at the heart of the balance of redemptive history both before and after Adam’s fall into sin. Indeed, it is important to acknowledge the presence of this covenant from the very beginning of human history for a number of reasons. Because Adam was created as a divine image-bearer, he was therefore in a covenant relationship from the first moment of his existence, because moral and rational creatures are by their very nature obligated to obey their creator. If Adam should disobey the demands of this covenant–perfect obedience in thought, word, and deed—then Adam and all those whom he represents (the entire human race) are subject to the covenant curse, which is death.

To read the rest, follow the link below

The BasicsKim RiddlebargerApril 27, 2023The covenant of works, Adam in Eden Comment