Keeping it simple is NEVER read a verse given as sauce by itself. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, GO TO THE SAUCE. Read the whole book first. Get a general idea of the theme (like what about 1 & 2 Thessalonians which should never be read separately!) and then go back and do a chapter study. Better yet, for all anons who question and dig, get the Inductive Study version of the New American Standard Bible.
PAUL TAUGHT THE LAW. He quit Judaism.
I was thinking about Paul in Sunday School today. Paul had been a Pharisee. He knew the written law. After his mission trip to Asia he returned to Jerusalem. In Acts 21 the lies about Paul were this:
20 And when they heard it [Paul's report of many Jews and Gentiles believing in Jesus] they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; 21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs."
THOUSANDS of Jews who have believed. Believed what? Believed in Jesus? I think so.
22 "What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.
25 But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication.”
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with them, went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them.
So, Paul did not quit Judaism, IMO. If you are a Messianic Jew, you do not have to stop eating Kosher food. KEK I was just wondering about the natural foods and wondered if it would pass the Kosher muster! Just wondering.
Read all of Acts, and Romans, and remember to whom the letter of Romans was written, former pagans now Christians who probably didn't know the law. Whereas the book of Hebrews was written to the Messianic Jews, who did know the law.
Your verse Rom 2:13 isn't even the whole sentence. I love Paul's sentences! KEK NASB
12 For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; 13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
The above is why the whole book should be studied.
I'm continuing to read Acts and in 24 Paul says to Felix:
14 But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.
So. Also consider the discussion Paul had about being with weaker Christians and eating meat sacrificed to idols. Here is his teaching from 1 Corinthians 10 NASB
23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. 25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for the earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains. 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake; 29 I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?
31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.