“But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth.”
Romans 2:17-20
So far, in chapter two, we have learned that God’s judgment is proper; it is impartial, and it is mediated through Jesus Christ. To this point, Paul has spoken, in general terms, about the judgment of God. Now he is directing his letter to the Jews in particular. The fact that the Jews faced the same judgment as everyone else was unknown to them. They believed that as possessors of the law, they held a unique position in the heart of God. They did not view their moral depravity as an issue with God.
Even though they lived two thousand years ago, human nature hasn’t changed for the better. Many today believe that because they know something intellectually, they are qualified to teach and instruct others, yet they may or may not live according to that knowledge. Perhaps you’ve heard someone say, “do what I say, but not what I do.” They are stating the essence of hypocrisy in which people publicly portray themselves as one way but are a different person privately.
Paul argues that the Jews were no better than other nations regarding moral conduct. In reality, their national character was such as to bring their very religion into disrepute among the heathen. Even though they possessed the law and the knowledge and truth of the law, they were not qualified to be guides and instructors of the law.
They took great pride in the fact that they were Jewish, a name that was and is rooted in their ancestry. The problem was that their pride led them to be judgmental of all others. The Apostle James put it this way; “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1). Being called to represent God to the world, did not exempt them from the same judgment. But instead, put them in a position to be first in line for judgment as well as in blessings. (Rom 2:9-10)
To quote the words of the Apostle James again; “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:10-12)