Romans 2:17-18: But If You Call Yourself A Jew And Rely On The Law And Boast

Romans 2:17–18
[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; (ESV)

I remember when personal home computers first became a thing. I remember the Commodore 64 computers, and others that followed. During that time people learned how to write some basic computer commands for their home computers. I remember using a lot of "If - Then" statements. In this passage of Scripture Paul is writing a big "If - then" statement. He starts with "If you call yourself a Jew."

Over the next few verses we will see Paul building his "If" to be followed by a "Then" in verse 21. Let's look at the beginning part of his "If" statement. If you call yourself a Jew, and you rely on the law and boast in God, and know his will, and approve what is excellent. Paul is alluding to the arrogance of those who claim to follow the law.

Paul knew of what he was talking about. He refers to himself in his letter to the Galatians as a pharisee of pharisees. He was as close to perfect obedience to the Old Testament Law as anyone could be. What was the result? He was proud and arrogant. He was misguided to the point of missing who Jesus was and persecuting his followers.

If we are going to try to keep the Law we will always fail. Yet, because the Law demands absolute flawless obedience we are not going to want to be exposed for our failure. This leads to phony people who appear to be followers of the Law, but secretly are overwhelmed by failure. This is something that Paul will make clear in the "Then" statement that follows.

Pride goes before a fall. Be careful to put your hope in nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. He alone is perfect and fulfilled the Law for you. "IF" you follow him, "THEN" you will never be disappointed.

Comments

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co

Search This Blog