Daily Bread Romans 2
Daily Bread Romans 2
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?[b] 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.”[c]
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.
Observation:
In chapter 2, Paul teaches on God’s judgment and the role of the Law. He starts out by saying that no one should condemn others, because at whatever point we judge others we are judging ourselves, since all of us fall short of obeying God’s law perfectly. Then he makes a distinction between just knowing the Law (or God’s commands) and obeying them.
Some of the Jews were boasting that because they had the Law, they were God’s special ones. But when the disobeyed the Law, they were a bad testimony to the Gentiles, who observed their behavior. On the flipside, when the Gentiles did what was right, even though they didn’t have the Law, they showed the Law was written on their hearts.
The Jews also used circumcision to show their superiority over the Gentiles, but Paul reminds them that circumcision (like Baptism) was a sign that was fulfilled as those who were circumcised lived out their calling as children of God. If someone who was circumcised did not obey the law, they were no better than an uncircumcised person who obeyed God’s law.
Paul concludes the true circumcision comes as when one’s heart is changed, which comes from recognizing God’s mercy and kindness and is a change produced by God’s Spirit, so there is no reason for us to boast about it.
Application:
Although Paul is talking to the Jews, who were feeling superior to the Gentiles because of their special relationship with God, we could very easily to translate to the Church today. There are certainly Christians today, who have a similar judgmental attitude to those outside the faith, or even towards those who struggle with certain sinful behaviors.
Paul’s admonition to the Roman church is a good reminder to us today, that our faith is a gift of God produced by the Spirit. It is only as we realize God’s kindness to us that we are led to repentance and obedience to God’s commands. If we try to do this in our own strength or power, or to please others, we will certainly fail.
We are only able to begin to obey the law as our hearts our changed, which comes when we realize how merciful God is to us. When we see God’s love and kindness, we are brought to our knees to say or sing, “Amazing Grace who sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” That is the beginning of a right relationship with God, which leads to right living in the power of the Spirit.
Prayer: God we thank you for giving us the Law, which shows us our need for you and for Jesus. Thank you for sending us the Spirit to convict us of our need for your kindness and mercy, which leads us to repentance and new life. As we live this new life in You, may it be to please you not others, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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?[b] 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.”[c]
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.
Observation:
In chapter 2, Paul teaches on God’s judgment and the role of the Law. He starts out by saying that no one should condemn others, because at whatever point we judge others we are judging ourselves, since all of us fall short of obeying God’s law perfectly. Then he makes a distinction between just knowing the Law (or God’s commands) and obeying them.
Some of the Jews were boasting that because they had the Law, they were God’s special ones. But when the disobeyed the Law, they were a bad testimony to the Gentiles, who observed their behavior. On the flipside, when the Gentiles did what was right, even though they didn’t have the Law, they showed the Law was written on their hearts.
The Jews also used circumcision to show their superiority over the Gentiles, but Paul reminds them that circumcision (like Baptism) was a sign that was fulfilled as those who were circumcised lived out their calling as children of God. If someone who was circumcised did not obey the law, they were no better than an uncircumcised person who obeyed God’s law.
Paul concludes the true circumcision comes as when one’s heart is changed, which comes from recognizing God’s mercy and kindness and is a change produced by God’s Spirit, so there is no reason for us to boast about it.
Application:
Although Paul is talking to the Jews, who were feeling superior to the Gentiles because of their special relationship with God, we could very easily to translate to the Church today. There are certainly Christians today, who have a similar judgmental attitude to those outside the faith, or even towards those who struggle with certain sinful behaviors.
Paul’s admonition to the Roman church is a good reminder to us today, that our faith is a gift of God produced by the Spirit. It is only as we realize God’s kindness to us that we are led to repentance and obedience to God’s commands. If we try to do this in our own strength or power, or to please others, we will certainly fail.
We are only able to begin to obey the law as our hearts our changed, which comes when we realize how merciful God is to us. When we see God’s love and kindness, we are brought to our knees to say or sing, “Amazing Grace who sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” That is the beginning of a right relationship with God, which leads to right living in the power of the Spirit.
Prayer: God we thank you for giving us the Law, which shows us our need for you and for Jesus. Thank you for sending us the Spirit to convict us of our need for your kindness and mercy, which leads us to repentance and new life. As we live this new life in You, may it be to please you not others, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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