Having accused his fellow Jews of presuming upon God’s loving kindness early in chapter two, this week as we consider Romans 2:12-29 we will hear Paul further his charges against them. He now charges them with hypocrisy – as those who have the law, and teach it to others, but constantly break it themselves.
It is not those who have, hear or rely on the law who will be justified, but those who keep it. This is only fulfilled when one’s heart has been circumcised, not by the letter of the law, but by the Spirit of God. Righteous is not earned, it is a covenant gift of God.