The Problem of Hypocrisy and Pride (Romans 2:17-29)
Rev. David Huffman, August 11, 2024Part of the Series On Romans series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
This teaching from Paul is difficult for religious people to consider. The Pharisees criticized Jesus for associating with known sinners. Jesus taught them that by these attitudes they placed themselves under the judgment of God, because they practiced the same sins. If you hold yourself to be a teacher, what should your disposition toward yourself and others be? Shouldn't it be that of a person who displays and lives the wisdom of God? Pride has no place here. Breaking God's law dishonors Him. In Exodus 19, God's people were to be a light to the nations, and yet they became hypocrites. The church is a hospital for sinners. We must not hold ourselves to be better than we actually are. Paul presses home the Jews' duplicity. We must not give nonbelievers another reason to reject God by hypocrisy. We are not perfect, but Christ is perfect, and in Him we have our hope. The sign of the covenant did not bring salvation to the Jews. If they did not believe, they would be cut off. Boasting is the sign of a curse that comes upon them. Circumcision is a matter of the heart. By the hypocrites' actions, the physically circumcised show themselves to really be uncircumcised dogs. Praise should come from God, not from man. It is the grace of God that makes us His people. How do we make the gospel attractive? Walking in humility and thankfulness for God's grace.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « The Fairness of God's Judgment | None | Covenant Community Advantage & God's Righteousness » |
Romans 2:17–29 (Listen)
17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
(ESV)