Chapter 2:17-29

Commentary On The Epistle To The Romans

By Dr. John R. Stone

Romans 2:17-29

Overview:

Paul has explained to his readers that all men everywhere are guilty before God and are desperately in need of salvation because all are without excuse. All men have creation that tells them there is a God and a conscience that tells them they are separated from that God. Now he turns his attention to the Jews in particular. They thought that because God chose them to be His special people in the Old Testament that they did not need to be saved. They also thought that all their religious activity would be enough to satisfy God’s demands for holiness, but Paul shatters that empty hope in Romans chapter 2:17-29. The Jewish attitude toward the practice of circumcision in particular was a matter of much concern to Paul. Circumcision, above all else for the Jews in Paul’s audience, was symbolic of trying to earn God’s favor through outward religious ritual. A religious duty like circumcision may be nothing more than an empty ritual, but God requires a heart that is full of repentance and humility.

The Hypocrisy of Empty Religious Ritual

Vss.17-24: In chapter two Paul is attacking the idea that the Jew can be saved simply by performing certain religious duties. He begins by building a chain of logic from which there is no escape. If the things in verses 17-20 are true, then the things in verses 21-23 must also be true. If they rely on their name, their Law, their reputation, their pride, and their knowledge, then they must also obey the Law of Moses which they teach. Instead of doing that, though, the Jews were hypocrites. They were thieves and adulterers who lied about the hidden evil in their hearts, and the outcome of their hypocrisy was that the Gentiles cursed the God of the Jew. After the Gentiles saw the hypocrisy of the Jews, they wanted nothing to do with their God. How often is that true of Christians today? Unbelievers see our lives, and they reject our God because of our poor testimonies.

Importance of True Spiritual Circumcision

Vss. 25-29: God gave circumcision as a seal of the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen.17:11), and it was designed to teach that God’s children are to be separate from the rest of the world. The Jews acted as if circumcision alone could save a man, but Paul says if one is hoping for salvation by keeping the law of Moses (circumcision), he must obey all the Law perfectly or be condemned by that same Law. Abraham was circumcised after he was declared righteous, and that fact shows that a man is saved through faith, not through works (Rom. 4:11). Being circumcised and being a Jew by race means nothing to God ( 2:28). True spiritual circumcision means sincere faith toward God from an obedient heart. Salvation from the wrath of God can come only through trusting Christ, not through keeping the law.

—to be continued

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