Romans 1-2

“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself ...” (2:1). Paul described humanity’s corruption, detailing how they rejected “the knowledge of God” and descended into terrible sin (ch 1). Knowing some religious listeners might be imagining the pagan Gentiles, Paul turned the tables: “you who pass judgment do the same things” (2:1). Paul wanted his hearers to avoid the trap of self-righteousness and instead walk in faith and humility - the “circumcision of the heart” (2:29).

The gospel is the “power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (1:16), reminding us that we are equally and constantly in need of His mercy.