Bible Study: Legalism vs. Circumcision Of The Heart (Romans 2:17-28)
Rev. William L. Barron, March 21, 2018Part of the Wednesday Bible Study series, preached at a Wednesday Bible Study service
This is a recording of one of our weekly Bible Studies at The Woodlands. The passage selected for study contains the apostle Paul gently warning the Jewish believers in the Roman church against hypocrisy. He also shows that they are on an equal plane with uncircumcized gentiles who have been saved by grace through faith.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « Live As Long As You Are Alive | None | The First Supper » |
Romans 2:17–28 (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.
(ESV)