Romans Part 10

Paul now shifts his focus directly to the Jews in verse 17: 

"Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God." (Romans 2:17)

He begins by listing several advantages they possessed. They were called Jews. They rested on the law. They made their boast in God. They knew His will and approved of excellent things because they were instructed out of the law. They were confident they could guide the blind, enlighten those in darkness, instruct the foolish, and teach babes. They possessed "the form of knowledge and truth in the law." These were genuine advantages because the law of God truly does contain knowledge and truth.

The problem was not that they had the law. The problem was pride, hypocrisy, and the assumption that possessing the law automatically made them righteous. The Jews had access to true worship and God's law in a way the Gentiles did not, and that was a real blessing. Being born into a family who knows God's law and being raised with His commandments gives a person a head start. Yet that blessing can also become a source of pride. It can be squandered if a person rests in religious privilege instead of faithful obedience.

The Pharisees and Sadducees often rested in tradition, position, and outward religious identity. Jesus repeatedly confronted this religious pride and hypocrisy. The same danger exists today for those raised in the Church. Growing up with the Sabbath, Holy Days, God's commandments, and Bible teaching is a tremendous blessing, but it can also produce complacency or pride if a person assumes that being around the truth is the same as obeying the truth.

Paul therefore presses the charge: "You who teach another, do you not teach yourself?" He asks, 

"You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, 'Do not commit adultery,' do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?" (Romans 2:21-23)

Paul is exposing hypocrisy. It is not enough to condemn sin in others while practicing the same sins ourselves. Those who teach God's law must be especially careful to obey it. Breaking the law while boasting in the law dishonors God.

Paul is not condemning God's law. Rather, he is condemning those who dishonor God by breaking the law while claiming to uphold it. Jesus confronted the religious leaders for the same reason. They often elevated their traditions above God's commandments. They criticized Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, missing the fact that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. In their effort to build a "fence" around the law, they sometimes trampled one part of God's law to protect their own traditions. At times they were more concerned about preserving their Sabbath traditions than about a man with a withered hand being healed. The issue was not careful obedience, but self-righteousness and tradition that distorted God's actual intent.

Paul concludes this section by saying, 

"For 'the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,' as it is written." (Romans 2:24)

Hypocrisy among God's people causes others to blaspheme God's name. Those who claim to represent God must take that responsibility seriously.  

Epistles of Paul is a course taught at ABC by Mr. Steve Myers. Recordings from the 2023–2024 class year are available to listen to on the ABC website.      

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.