“A SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS” ROMANS 2:17-29 THE CONDEMNATION OF THE JEWS – FAILURE TO ATTAIN GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS

As we approach again this superb book of Romans, we need to remember that Paul has already uttered that the Gentile world stood condemned, because they spurned God’s revelation in nature; and in so doing, they rejected the light of God’s revelation to them and that resulted in the exhibition of unnatural behaviors on their part (Romans 1:18-32).  Paul went on to demonstrate that the Jews who had the law were guilty also because they did not keep the law; therefore, the Jews stood condemned (Romans 2:1-16).

In this section (Romans 2:17-29), Paul will again argue that the Jews were culpable and stood condemned because they had the privilege of having the law but they still missed the mark of what God expected of them (Romans 2:17-29).  In verses 17-20, Paul explained the fact that the Jews failed in that they were a privileged group that had the law and the promises of God; yet, they did not act as a light and guide to those in darkness.  Although, the Jews glorified in their status of being custodians of the law, they were guilty of being hypocrites – they knew the law but they did not practice the law (Romans 2:21-24).  In other words, the Jews, who knew the law, were telling others not to do those things that they were guilty of committing! Thus, Paul indicted the Jews with being hypocrites! They were really dishonoring God by violating the law.

Paul condemned these Jews on the basis of God’s word, not on his apostolic authority.  The Jews were guilty of breaking the law; thus, it caused the Gentiles to blaspheme God.

Having shown that the Jews were guilty of not keeping the law of Moses      (verses 17-24 ), Paul will argue that the Jews’ observance of the rite of circumcision, which was a sign of their special covenantal relationship with God, was also done in vain, and stood as the basis for God’s judgment          (verses 25-29 ).   In verses 25-27, Paul will argue that circumcision has value only to the one that kept the law. In other words, a Jews’ rite of circumcision meant nothing if he was guilty of breaking the law.  However, if a Gentile, who obeyed the law’s requirements, even if he did not know the law, was in God’s sight similar to a circumcised Jew.

Finally, in verses, 28-29, Paul concludes that a genuine Jew is one that is inwardly fit and true circumcision is a matter of the heart and the Spirit.