Romans 2:17-3:8 Lesson 288

Romans 2:17-3:8
Lesson 288

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

The case against God's chosen people.
The Mosaic Law cannot save us.

Boasts and privileges.

A commentary on hypocrisy (2:21-29).

Jesus
By American artist Jared Barnes.

Why circumcision -

Circumcision began as an Old Testament rite to serve as "a token of the covenant" between God and the Jewish people. God promised Abraham that He would protect Jews, bless them with many descendants (Genesis 15:5), and give them the land known as Palestine (Genesis 15:18). In return, Abraham vowed to obey God and sealed this commitment with a promise to circumcise every boy child at eight days old (Genesis 17:1-14). Circumcision shows that a Jewish man belongs to God (Genesis 17:9-14), but it is not a necessary ritual for Christians (Romans 4:9-11; 1 Corinthians 7:18-19; Galatians 5:2-6; 6:15; Colossians 2:11).

Study Tip:

"It shall greatly help to understand scripture if thou mark, not only what is spoken or written, but of whom, to whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, and with what circumstances, considering what goes before and what follows."

By minister and Bible translator Miles Coverdale (1488-1569)

The Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Romans

The King James Bible

Romans 2:17-3:8
The Jews and God's Law

17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;

19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.

21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?

27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?

28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Romans 3:1-8

1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

Margin notes:

"Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law." (2:17) - "Look, you are called a Jew, and you depend on the (Mosaic) Law."

"Approvest the things that are more excellent." (2:18) - "You (Jews) know what is best/right."

"A guide of the blind." (2:19) - Some morally superior Jews referred to Gentiles as being blind because they weren't God's chosen people and couldn't see His spiritual truth.

"An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes." (2:20) - "Foolish" and "babes" are derogatory terms for Gentiles.

"Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?" (2:23) - "You boast about knowing the (Mosaic) law, but when you break the law you dishonor God."

"For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written." (2:24) - As it is written in Isaiah 52:5 and Ezekiel 36:20. Jews considered themselves role models for Gentiles, but the impressions they left were often negative.

"Circumcision verily profiteth." (2:25) - "Circumcision truly has merit." Physical circumcision is the Jewish acknowledgment of the agreement (covenant) between Israel and God (see "Why Circumcision" above). In verses 2:28-29, Paul discusses circumcision of the heart. That is, to symbolically cut away anything that keeps us from devoting our hearts to God. Therefore, anyone with a righteous heart could be thought of as Jewish (Galatians 3:7). Read Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; and Jeremiah 4:4 to learn more on circumcising the heart. See also the Margin Note on verse 2:29 below.

"Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law." (2:26) - "Therefore if the Gentiles obey the (Mosaic) law."

"Shall not uncircumcision." (2:27) - "Shall not the Gentiles."

"Who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?" (2:27) - "Who know scripture and are circumcised Jews break the (Mosaic) law."

"He is a Jew, which is one inwardly." (2:29) - See Philippians 3:3 and 1 Peter 3:4.

"Circumcision is that of the heart." (2:29) - Circumcision of the heart means to cut off the evil tendencies that grow from the heart. The rite of physical circumcision is less important than what is in your heart.

"What advantage then hath the Jew?" (3:1) - What advantage has a Jew over a Gentile? The Jewish nation was created by God to pave the way for the Messiah. "But that does not mean that intrinsically within themselves they are any better in God's sight than other nations." ("Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 586).

"What profit is there of circumcision." (3:1) - "What benefit is there in being circumcised." What benefit is there to follow any of the Jewish rites and ceremonies?

"Unto them were committed the oracles of God." (3:2) - "Jews were given God's Law (Deuteronomy 4:6; Psalm 147:19-20)." Why? So they would know and follow God's will.

"Every man a liar." (3:4) - "In comparison with God who is Truth itself, every man is essentially unreliable, and may at any time intentionally or unintentionally fall into error." ("The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New; page277)

"That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings." (3:4) - A paraphrase from Psalm 51:4, showing that God's judgment of man proves He is faithful to His promise.

"Our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God..." (3:5) - "Our unrighteousness shows God's righteousness." In Paul's day, many believed that, since forgiving sin highlights God's mercy, then sinning gives God more to forgive and thus glorifies Him more. If that were true, then God couldn't judge us, and morality would have no value.

"I speak as a man." (3:5) - "I speak in human terms."

"Let us do evil." (3:8) - Some believed that having God's grace would cheapen the law and lead people to sin even more. A theory Paul will disprove in chapter six.

"Damnation is just." (3:8) - "Punishment is deserved."

New Living Translation

Romans 2:17-3:8
The Jews and the Law

17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God's law, and you boast about your special relationship with him.

18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law.

19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness.

20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God's law gives you complete knowledge and truth.

21 Well then, if you teach others, why don't you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal?

22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?

23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it.

24 No wonder the Scriptures say, "The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you."

25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God's law. But if you don't obey God's law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile.

26 And if the Gentiles obey God's law, won't God declare them to be his own people?

27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God's law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God's law but don't obey it.

28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision.

29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.

Romans 3:1-8
God Remains Faithful

1 Then what's the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision?

2 Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.

3 True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful?

4 Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him,

"You will be proved right in what you say,
and you will win your case in court."

5 "But," some might say, "our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn't it unfair, then, for him to punish us?" (This is merely a human point of view.)

6 Of course not! If God were not entirely fair, how would he be qualified to judge the world?

7 "But," someone might still argue, "how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?"

8 And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, "The more we sin, the better it is!" Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's Question:

1. What "boasts" did Jews make? (2:17)

You can receive these lessons up to five times per week.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. Paul scolded the Jews for boasting that:

1) God gave His laws to them (2:17).

2) They are God's chosen people (2:17).

3) They know God's will (2:18).

4) They know right from wrong (2:18).

5) They can "guide" the "blind," and be a "light" to those in "darkness" (2:19).

6) They can teach the "foolish" and "babes," i.e. Gentiles (2:20).

7) They know the law (2:20).

God's plan called for Jews to be spiritual leaders to the rest of the world, but arrogance grew out of their spiritual pride.  Too often, Christians also suffer from spiritual smugness.

Application thought for the day:

Some think of God as an unfair and harsh judge.
To settle that question in your heart, re-read and meditate on verses 3:1-8.
They can help us get a sharper, more unmistakable image of God.

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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