The publican and the Pharisee.

The publican and the Pharisee

<Click here for PDF of hand-out: Three Kinds of Unbelievers>

2. “There is none righteous, not even one.” (Romans 1:18-3:20)

In this section of Romans, Paul is going to indict the entire unregenerate, unbelieving human race.

He is going to prove that every member of the unregenerate human race is unrighteous and ungodly.

He is going to indict the three categories of unregenerate humanity, which together constitute the entire unbelieving human race.

Easiest to Hardest
to convince the people THEMSELVES that they are unrighteous and ungodly.

These are the THREE KINDS OF UNBELIEVERS that are out there.

Because of the extent of their blindness!
MAT 7:1-5

Romans 1:18 - 3:20 is our guide for witnessing to the three kinds of unbelievers.

First, notice that this group is spoken of in the third person plural: “they”, “them”, “their”.

These people are filled with unrighteousness, and they know it, and everybody knows it.

The first kind of unbeliever is the immoral pagan.

The immoral pagan unbeliever is the EASIEST to show as unrighteous and ungodly.

Now it is no longer about “them”. Now it is about “you”. And it’s in the singular.

Most people do not see themselves as immoral pagans. Most people see themselves as more moral than the next guy.

Now we have people who JUDGE others for that immoral behavior.

The second kind of unbeliever is the self-righteous hypocrite.

This is the one reaching for the splinter of immorality in another sinner’s eye …

…while sporting a telephone pole of bogus righteousness in his own eye!

The whole indictment here concerns their unrighteousness. Sinning. Doing evil. Deeds.

Believers allow the kindness of God to lead them to repentance. Stubborn self-righteous unbelievers do not.

Only believers are doers of the law.

Paul emphasizes the wrath of God over and over again in this section.

The third kind of unbeliever:
the self-righteous AND religious kind!

They rely upon the Law AND boast in God.

They are holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power
(2TI 3:5).