21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?
Romans 2:21-24, ESV
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.”
Paul has just reminded the Jews in the Roman church of their immense privilege in having the Law of the Lord through Moses. But as we know, privilege is followed by responsibility. How do we handle advantages? More importantly, how do we handle gifts from the Lord? As we read in this week’s passage, the Jews were missing a key component to their privilege… application. They had no problem telling, teaching, and instructing others in the law. They knew the law applied to others, but what about them? Paul is trying desperately, out of his deep love for them, to help them see that they are not above the law or God’s judgment. They had an application problem because of a pride problem. Oh, how this sounds familiar to many Christians today. Lord help us!
As Paul explains in verse 23, the bottom line is that to break God’s law is to dishonor God. And as a reminder to us, in Romans 1:8, Paul highlights the widely known faith of the Roman church throughout the world at that time. They were talked about. They were being watched. And what a tragedy it would be for them to get it wrong and lead others to know a false version of God.
It was helpful for me to go back and re-read Romans 1:1-17 to remember Paul’s motivation in writing this letter. Paul loves them. He prays endlessly for them. His desire is to visit them so they can encourage him as he encourages them in return. As direct and “in your face” as Paul’s words seem to be after verse 17, we must remember that this is an Apostle set to build God’s church on God’s truth and His truth alone.
Will the Jews see the error of their ways?
Will we see ours today?
May our ways of living represent the one true God to a watching world!