As chapter 2 begins, Paul turns to address his Jewish brethren he
focuses in on their perceptions of themselves and their relationship with God based on their reception of his word, the law of Moses. Paul addresses this subject as if he is speaking to an individual with the opposing viewpoint. Paul begins by asserting that God's righteous judgment will still fall on those who perceive themselves to be righteous, the self-righteous (verses 1-5). Our own perceived righteousness is not enough to keep us from God's judgment. Paul proceeds to explain the standard by which God will judge all humanity - even believers (vs. 6-11). Every person who has ever lived, will give account to God for the manner in which they have lived and ultimately if they have accepted his gift of forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. As noted, your perceived righteousness will not stand up before Jesus on judgment day. This is a sobering exhortation from Paul, but essential in our day.
Throughout Romans, Paul offers a defense of what he believes and teachers about the gospel for these believers in Rome he has not yet met. Some of them may have been questioning him, his message and how it relates to Judaism. Paul writes to explain at length the connection of Jesus, the gospel and defend it, in spite of the rejection of Jesus as the Jewish Messiah by many Jews.
