Romans 2:17-29 Jewish People are Also Unrighteous
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
We finished up last year by going through chapter 2:1-16; today we will pick up in: Romans 2:17-29
But if you call yourself Jewish and rely upon the Torah and boast in God and know His will and determine what matters because you are instructed from the Torah— and you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Torah the embodiment of knowledge and the truth— you then who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach not to steal, do you steal? You who say not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples? You who take pride in the Torah, through your violation of the Torah, do you dishonor God? For as it is written, “the name of God is slandered among the nations because of you.” Circumcision is indeed worthwhile if you keep the Torah; but if you break the Torah, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Therefore, if the uncircumcised keeps the righteous decrees of the Torah, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? Indeed, the one not circumcised physically who fulfills the Torah will judge you who—even with the written code and circumcision—break the Torah. For one is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision something visible in the flesh. Rather, the Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—in Spirit not in letter. His praise is not from men, but from God.
Without Excuse, O Man
Without Excuse, O Man
This chapter had started with a diatribe with an imaginary person in the congregation at Rome, someone who was Jewish, grew up knowing the Word of God, and was judging others for not keeping Adonai’s righteous decrees.
Paul now goes into some of the attributes of what it meant to grow up in a 1st Century Jewish home. Here is the list, and we will go through each one:
Rely upon the Torah,
Boast in God,
Know God’s will,
Determine what matters.
All of these things come because the Jewish people of Paul’s day were “instructed from the Torah.” And because of this instruction, there was a self-assured sense that these Jewish followers of Yeshua were:
a guide to the blind,
a light to those in darkness,
a corrector of the foolish,
a teacher of the immature.
And Paul is not saying that this is incorrect. Rather Paul is pointing to the reason for this, which is because the Torah of Adonai is the very embodiment of knowledge and the truth.
Rely upon the Torah
Rely upon the Torah
I was reading a book, 40 Questions about Christians and Biblical Law, by Thomas Schreiner that asked the question, “Is perfect obedience to the Law mandatory for salvation?” His answer intrigued me:
40 Questions about Christians and Biblical Law Summary > Question 7: Is Perfect Obedience to the Law Mandatory for Salvation?
There is significant evidence in both the Old Testament and the New Testament that perfect obedience to the law was necessary for salvation. Paul’s fundamental complaint with the Jews of his day was not that they excluded Gentiles. Rather, he indicted them for failing to do God’s will, for failing to see the depth of God’s demand on their lives. I think we can say with confidence that the same is true today. Many do not rely on Christ’s atoning sacrifice for forgiveness and his righteousness because they believe their own obedience is sufficient.
You see, the problem is not that there is anything wrong with the Torah/Law of God, the problem has always been in our ability to keep the Law perfectly. Paul is not discounting the Torah, but rather our ability to “keep doing everything written in the book of the Law.” We see that Paul quotes in Gal. 3:10
For all who rely on the deeds of Torah are under a curse—for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not keep doing everything written in the scroll of the Torah.”
Here Paul is quoting directly from the Torah in Deut. 27:26, and is showing that when we say that we are relying on the Torah, we should be recognizing that we do not measure up.
Boasting in God
Boasting in God
Is it wrong to boast in Adonai? David wrote in Ps. 34:2-5
I will bless Adonai at all times. His praise is continually in my mouth. My soul boasts in Adonai. The humble ones hear of it and rejoice. Magnify Adonai with me and let us exalt His Name together. I sought Adonai, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
David did not thing that there was anything wrong with boasting in God, not in exalting and praising the Lord. And in reality Paul is not disparaging this behaviour. We should be praising, exalting and boasting about what Adonai has done in our lives, and in the world. Once again, the issue is not with the majesty of Adonai, it has to do with our pride.
Know His Will and Determine What Matters
Know His Will and Determine What Matters
So many people are looking for purpose and meaning in life. Paul points out that through the instruction of the Torah we are able to know what God wants for our lives and true meaning in life.
Adonai answers these questions in so many ways. In Mic. 6:6-8
With what shall I come before Adonai? With what shall I bow myself before God on high? Shall I present Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? Will Adonai be pleased with thousands of rams, with hordes of rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my belly for the sin of my soul? He has told you, humanity, what is good, and what Adonai is seeking from you: Only to practice justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Yeshua quoted from this verse in Micah and addresses the same point that Paul is making in Matt. 23:23-24
“Woe to you, Torah scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint and dill and cumin, yet you have neglected the weightier matters of Torah—justice and mercy and faithfulness. It is necessary to do these things without neglecting the others. O blind guides, straining out a gnat while swallowing a camel!
We are supposed to study the Word of Adonai so that we know the will of Adonai, but not just to study, but rather so that we do what Adonai requires, so that we live our lives in accordance to what Adonai wills/wants.
Guide to the Blind
Guide to the Blind
Paul next point out in verses 19 to 20, that there are several results that can come from studying God’s Word. But, as I read them again, I would like you to notice something similar between all four, they are all actions that we do for others. When we study God’s word we can become:
a guide to the blind,
a light to those in darkness,
a corrector of the foolish,
a teacher of the immature.
Now this list reminds me of a prophesy that Yeshua fulfilled. We read about it in Luke 4:14-21
Yeshua returned in the power of the Ruach to the Galilee, and news about Him went out through all the surrounding region. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone was praising Him. And He came to Natzeret, where He had been raised. As was His custom, He went into the synagogue on Shabbat, and He got up to read. When the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him, He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Ruach Adonai is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of Adonai’s favor.” He closed the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue were focused on Him. Then He began to tell them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your ears.”
Now Yeshua is reading from Isaiah 61 and is claiming to be the Servant of Adonai that Isaiah spoke of in all of the Servant Songs. But all the 4 things that Paul mentioned: guide to the blind, light to those in darkness, corrector of the foolish and teacher of the immature, are all areas that we are called to work in as followers of Yeshua.
Yeshua, when speaking to His talmidim, specifically stated Matt. 5:14
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
But as we know from John 8:12 we only become that light when we follow the source of light, Yeshua the Torah made flesh.
Yeshua spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. The one who follows Me will no longer walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
All of us are called to do these things that Paul is mentioning, so what is the problem?
Do you not teach yourself?
Do you not teach yourself?
The rest of Rom. 2:21-24 points out that just because we know the Word of Adonai, and study the Torah, does not mean anything unless we put it into practice! These next few verses have been copied by evangelists for thousands of years. It it one thing to try and say that you are a good person, it is another thing when we measure ourselves against the unchanging, perfect standard of right and wrong as shown by the light of Adonai’s Torah.
None of us measure up.
Part of my own story is that the biggest area of sin in my life was Pride, and I arrogantly told everyone else what the Bible said they should do, but I did not apply it to my own life. So God had to bring me to the point when I knew that, not only had I broken God’s word, but I had also broken the commands that I had told others to obey.
Paul touches on the sins of stealing, adultery and idolatry and asks us if we are guilty even though we have taught others that these things are wrong. Yeshua does the same with the sins of murder, adultery and swearing falsely. Here is how Yeshua teaches the same thing as Paul in Matt. 5:17-22
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets! I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. Amen, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or serif shall ever pass away from the Torah until all things come to pass. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps and teaches them, this one shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees and Torah scholars, you shall never enter the kingdom of heaven! “You have heard it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever commits murder shall be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be subject to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca’ shall be subject to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be subject to fiery Gehenna.
And that is just the beginning, if you think, “Well, that does not apply to me...” Let’s pick up in Matt. 5:43-48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than anyone else? Even the pagans do that, don’t they? Therefore be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Now if you don’t have any enemies, be thankful, but it may be because you have not lived long enough yet.
As for the rest of us, it is one thing to know the teaching of Torah, and the instructions of Yeshua, but how do we apply this to our lives? Well we are not actually going to get to that answer until the end of Chapter 3, but I will give you a sneek-peek, it is not by our own efforts. Instead as Paul will point out in Rom. 3:21-23
But now God’s righteousness apart from the Torah has been revealed, to which the Torah and the Prophets bear witness— namely, the righteousness of God through putting trust in Messiah Yeshua, to all who keep on trusting. For there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
The only way that we are made right before God is by trusting in the atoning work of Yeshua’s death (and we will cover that in more detail later on).
Outwardly vs Inwardly
Outwardly vs Inwardly
These last few verses in Romans chapter 2, have been used to say all sorts of things. Firstly, circumcision is the outward sign of the Abrahamic covenant that is initiated by the parents of the male child. Now the reasons for this, could be because of a true faith/trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, or it could be simply for cultural identification. But let me paraphrase these verses in my own way:
Having an outward physical sign of being Jewish might be worthwhile if you actually have the faith of Abraham, but if you are breaking the Torah then that outward sign is worthless, and you might as well be a pagan. And if a Gentile keeps the righteous decrees of the Torah and follows the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, then they would be considered to be in covenant with God. Because a Jewish person is not in covenant with Adonai simply because of an outward sign, but because his heart has the same trust in Adonai as Abraham had.
Now this is nothing new, but Adonai has been saying this since the beginning. In Deut. 30:1-6 we see that Adonai spoke about how the hearts of the people of Israel would be turned to follow after Adonai.
“Now when all these things come upon you—the blessing and the curse that I have set before you—and you take them to heart in all the nations where Adonai your God has banished you, and you return to Adonai your God and listen to His voice according to all that I am commanding you today—you and your children—with all your heart and with all your soul, then Adonai your God will bring you back from captivity and have compassion on you, and He will return and gather you from all the peoples where Adonai your God has scattered you. Even if your outcasts are at the ends of the heavens, from there Adonai your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you. Adonai your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, and you will possess it; and He will do you good and multiply you more than your fathers. Also Adonai your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants—to love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live.
Note that this passage in Deuteronomy comes just after the blessings and curses are stated, and Moses is pointing to a time when both the blessings and curses will have come to pass in full. It will be at that time that Adonai will draw the Jewish people back to Himself. You see, the external show of holiness is not what pleases Adonai, but a true repentant heart, that actually wants to follow after Him and His ways.
Now just as Moses had prophesied that these things would happen, the blessing and the curse, we see that Jeremiah says the same things just before the first exile to Babylon in Jer. 4:1-4
“If you will return, O Israel, return to Me,” declares Adonai. “If you will put your detestable things out of My sight. Then you will not waver. You will swear, ‘As Adonai lives!’ in truth, in justice and in righteousness. The nations will bless themselves in Him and in Him they will glory.” Thus says Adonai to the people of Judah and to Jerusalem: “Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to Adonai and remove the foreskins of your heart, men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. Else My wrath will break out like fire and blaze, with no one to quench it, because of your evil deeds!”
To summarize this, I will read a quote from the Messianic Jew, David Stern, in his commentary on this passage. But before I read it I should note that he writes more detail on these verses then on the rest of the chapter but together. Stern writes:
The simple sense of the text…is that the only real Jew is the born Jew who has been born again by trusting in Yeshua the Messiah, for only he lives up to what the name “Jew” conferred on him at birth and confirmed by physical circumcision, implies and demands.
Application
Application
In Romans Chapter 1, Paul writes of how the pagan Gentile world has rejected Adonai and will therefore be judged, and here in Chapter 2 Paul shows that the Jewish people, who know the ordinances of God, will be judged because they have not kept the Law, but rather, just as in Jeremiah’s day, have walked their own way.
The next chapter we will see that Paul summarizes this all by showing that we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s perfect Law. So, as Paul asks in Romans 7:24 “Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”
How are we supposed to make right with Adonai?
How are we supposed to make right with Adonai?
Well, when the temple stood, we were supposed to take a spotless, unblemished animal, lay our hands on the head of that animal, pray to Adonai for forgiveness, and trust that the blood of that innocent animal would cover our sins, and that Adonai would forgive us.
But there has been no temple since 70 A.D. and Paul writes in Rom. 8:3-4
For what was impossible for the Torah—since it was weakened on account of the flesh—God has done. Sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as a sin offering, He condemned sin in the flesh— so that the requirement of the Torah might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Ruach.
So today, whether we are Jewish or Gentile, we go to the spotless, unblemished Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, we lay our sins and their penalty onto Him, and we pray for Adonai to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The beloved disciple of Yeshua wrote in 1 John 2:1-2
My children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Intercessor with the Father—the righteous Messiah Yeshua. He is the atonement for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.
