A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 16 Chapter 2:24 – 29

 

  1. Last week we looked at:
    1. The main focus here is still on verse 12 “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;”
    2. Paul also said; verse 18 “And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;” While you had a great understanding of the law and through God’s Prophets knew God’s will you were ignorant to the fact that no man has ever been justified by the law or by works.
    3. Verse 19 “And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;” you are nothing more or les than the blind leading the blind.
    4. Verse 21 “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself…” How can you teach someone to obey the law if you are as guilty as they are.
    5. Verse 23 “Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?” You are not holy people, you are no better than the Gentiles if you are a hypocrite then you still dishonor God. You cannot just know the scripture but you must also follow the scripture.
  2. Verse 24 “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”
    1. Without Christ as their Saviour they are proclaiming they are as Holy as God is and this is what Paul called blasphemy.
    2. The Jews bragged about being chosen of God, and in their unholy living showed the Gentiles how God could not have been omniscience, and omnipotence, if the Jews broke God’s law and God did nothing about it.
    3. It is like a professed Christian who lives like the Devil, how is God to be feared?
    4. Paul ended this verse with “as it is written.” This refers to Isaiah 52:5 “Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.” 
  3. Verse 25 “For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.”
    1. Circumcision – is a religious rite performed on male children of Jews on the eighth day after birth; also on their slaves, whether born in the house or not. It was enjoined upon Abraham and his descendants as "a token of the covenant" concluded with him by God for all generations, the penalty of non-observance being expulsion from the people. Circumcision is made out to be something it is not, Circumcision is a thing of the past just as all Jewish ritual are.
    2. Paul very boldly states man is not saved by works, keeping the law, or keeping of the ordinances. Colossians 2:20  “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,” 
    3. “For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law…” The Life Application Bible Commentary said: “Circumcision was fundamental to the Jews—it symbolized the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants (Genesis 17:9-14). It was the expression of Israel's national identity and was a requirement for all Jewish men. Circumcision was a physical reminder to Jews of their national heritage and privilege. Many were confident that it sealed their position with God. But just as having the law did not make a person right before God, neither was circumcision in itself a cause for confidence. To be circumcised was only worthwhile if God's law was followed Galatians 5:3 “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.” To be circumcised and yet break God's law was no better than not being circumcised at all. What God desires is a pure and obedient heart.” – This is exactly what Paul is saying.
    4. “but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.”” – If you break one single law, circumcision is useless. 1 Corinthians 7:18 “Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.”
  4. Verses 28, 29 “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: (29.) But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”
    1. What is more valuable, circumcision of the outward flesh or circumcision of the heart? God said in Deuteronomy 10:16 “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.” That is the cutting away of the old man and now you are spiritual and walking with God.
    2. Micah 6:8 “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
    3. 1 Samuel 16:7 “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” – What is there in the outward man that praises the Lord? The Lord works inside not outside.