Romans 2:1

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

(v1, NIV)

At the end of the last chapter, Paul was talking about God's wrath. People exchange God's glory for something else and so God gives them over to different things, like a depraved mind. The chapter ends with a long list of sins and talking about those who approve of others who commit these sins. In saying this, there may be some listening or in the audience who are feeling self-righteous. The problem is that they forget to label themselves as the sinner who has traded away God's glory. These people are hypocrites, pointing the finger at others and never themselves. Paul addresses the self-righteous hypocrites in this next section. They judge others, but they condemn themselves in their judgment of others.

What is also interesting is that they are without excuse. In the last chapter, Paul explains that God has made it evident. The truth is made evident because God has showed it and revealed it. However, people suppress the truth. So, what's the point in saying that they are without excuse? Why would you explain to a child that they are without excuse? The situation suggests discipline to follow. In explaining this idea that they are without excuse, you explain that the discipline is just. You can't claim ignorance because you knew, so you are without excuse. Being without excuse, the punishment is basically what you deserve. Hypocrites are without excuse as is everyone and so judgment is just.