Romans 2:17-29 depicts two groups of individuals, with an accentuation on the way in which their transgression connects with their insight into God's composed Law for the country of Israel. Here, the Gentiles are the individuals who sin, are separated from the law, while the Jews are the people who sin while under the law. Paul shows how, in these two cases, God will pass judgment on individuals dependent on whether they kept the law and were circumcised in their souls. Indeed, even Gentiles who observe the law out of honesty, would be viewed by God as being Jewish. In the meantime, God will limit the Jewishness and circumcision of somebody under the law who violates the law and does not have a truly sincere heart. Paul will show in the accompanying chapter that, in truth, nobody can keep the law.
In verses 17-20:
Paul keeps on contending that all individuals stand blameworthy before God. In the wake of portraying the destiny of the unbelieving, agnostic Gentiles, he moves to that of the privileged religious people, the Jews. In spite of their insight into God's will, they are blameworthy in light of the fact that they also have not live by their convictions. Those of us who have experienced childhood in Christian families are the privileged religious people of today. Paul's criticism concerns us if we do not live that to which we know.
Paul is building a staggering “in the event of” assertion in this segment of verses. He is tending to the people who might call themselves Jews, who depend on the law, and who brag in God. In verse seventeen, Paul alluded to the individuals who recognized themselves as Jewish, contingent upon the law and assured about their relationship to God.
Paul is tending to a delegate Jewish individual. He is showing every one of the advantages that that individual has gotten due to obtaining the law from God. This individual realizes God's will. By that, they can assess everything to see what is "brilliant," and what is not.
He also adds that this individual can fill in as a manual for the visually impaired and a light to those in the dark. What he is saying is that God gave his law just to Israel. In this way, they had the amazing chance to show every other person what was valid, and what God’s identity was. They had the light of God's truth that others needed.
However, Paul is driving all of this development to a negative. He is inquiring that, if this multitude of things are valid for Jewish individuals, for what reason do they not live as per the law? This is essential for Paul's transient objective of showing that even God's chosen (Deuteronomy 7:6) miss the mark regarding his principles of flawlessness.
• The Religious Sinner trust in religion or in a denomination for salvation.
• The Religious Sinner has knowledge of God’s will but refuse to live by his guidance. They trust in religious ceremonies & rituals.
• The Religious Sinner thinks that they are the ones to direct others in proper living.
In verses 21-27:
These verses are a searing analysis of being hypocritical. It is a lot more straightforward to advise others on how to act than to act appropriately ourselves. It is simpler to say the right words than to permit them to flourish in our lives. Realizing God's will, notwithstanding, does not pardon us from making it happen. Do we encourage others to accomplish something that we are reluctant to do ourselves? We should ensure that our activities match our words.
Paul had disclosed to the Jews that they needed to show themselves, not others, by their Law. They knew the Law, in such a way, that they had figured out how to pardon their own behavior while reprimanding others. Yet, the Law is more than the minimal legalistic prerequisites. It is a rule for living as per God's will. It additionally reminds us that we cannot satisfy God without a legitimate relationship with him. As Jesus called attention to, keeping what legitimately has a place with another person is stealing (Mark 7:9-13). In addition, looking on someone else with vulgar lustful expectation is considered infidelity (adultery) (Matthew 5:27-28). Before we blame others, we should check ourselves out fist to determine whether that wrongdoing, in any type, exists inside us.
If we claim to be one of God's chosen people, our life ought to reflect God’s likeness. At the point when we defy God, we shame his name, and individuals might even talk evil of God as a result of us. What thoughts enter into people’s minds about God from watching our day-to-day existences?
The word circumcision in this context, alludes to God's covenant with his people and it was a prerequisite for every single Jewish male (Genesis 17:9-14). As per Paul, being a Jew (being circumcised) amounted to nothing in the event that the individual did not comply with God's laws. Then again, the Gentiles (the uncircumcised) would acquire God's adoration and endorsement on the off chance that they complied with God's laws. Paul proceeds to clarify that a genuine Jew (one who satisfies God) is not somebody who has been circumcised (an outward Jew) yet somebody whose heart is right with God and submits to him (an inward Jew).
The Religious Sinner does not do that which they instruct others to be doing.
In verses 28-29:
To be a Jew implied that you were in God's family, as a main successor to every one of his promises. However, Paul clarified that enrollment in God's family depends on inner, not outside, characteristics. All of those whose hearts are right with God are the genuine Jews, that is, essential for God's family (Galatians 3:7). Going to chapel, to church, being submersed, baptized, sprinkled, affirmed, confirmed, or accepted as members of, is not what it takes, similarly as circumcision was insufficient for the Jews. What God wants is our dedication and submission.
• Deuteronomy 10:16, Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
• Jeremiah 4:4, Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
Is the Religious Sinner better than the others because they at least have the Word of God? But if the Religious Sinner does not come to Christ and believe in his heart, he will still die and go to hell. Man’s nature is to run from God. The Religious Sinner is unwilling to accept Christ and to be saved. Many know the truth, yet they deny the truth and do not know God personally. Hypocrisy is one that does not practice what he preaches.
• 2 Timothy 3:5, Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
• Matthew 23:3, All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
• Ezekiel 36:20, And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.
