Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Romans 2:16

"in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ." — Romans 2:16 (ASV)

“This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets” (v.16). What does “this” refer to? Does Paul mean that only at the judgment will conscience be engaged in the manner he has just indicated? This would seem to be a severe limitation. Perhaps, therefore, it is best to see vv.14–15 as a parenthesis, so that what takes place on the day of judgment is the declaration of righteousness (or otherwise) referred to in v.13 (cf. NIV).

God’s judgment will include “men’s secrets” (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:5). This is the only court able to assess them. Many an act that seems entirely praiseworthy to those who observe it may actually be wrongly motivated; and contrariwise, some things that seem to us to merit stern disapproval may pass muster in this supreme court because the intention behind the deed was praiseworthy. The Jews theoretically admitted judgment and certainly welcomed it in the case of the Gentiles, while trying to shield themselves behind their privileged position. NonJews admitted the reality of judgment implicitly by the very process of reasoning that either accused or excused their conduct. What they did not know was the item included here—that God will judge “through Jesus Christ” (Acts 17:31). Paul concludes this section by noting that these principles of judgment are consistent with the Gospel that he preached.