Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. Paul's judicial reversal is merciless. Everyone listening thinks he's condemning those vile people in chapter 1, and suddenly Paul turns the courtroom around. You're condemning the same things you do. You're just hiding them better.
I'm a trial lawyer, and I've watched people construct elaborate justifications for their own behavior while condemning the same behavior in others. Paul sees this clearly. He's not letting anyone off the hook. The morally rigorous person who doesn't commit sexual sin but commits pride, greed, and judgment is equally condemned. The system is internal consistency.
This verse has undone me repeatedly. I was the person who could see everyone's sin except my own. I was judging people for anger while I harbored contempt. Judging people for lust while I judged them lustfully. Paul's reversal exposes the game. You can't condemn others without condemning yourself if you're operating at the same level of humanity. The only way out is repentance. Not improved judgment. Complete reorientation.
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