Romans 2:25-29 Lesson

Lesson

Where we have been so far:

Chapter 1: Gentiles are sinners

His eternal power and divine nature were and are clearly evident through the creation he made.

Gentiles knew that then, and we know that today.

So the Gentile knew God through creation, but turned from the truth to idolatry, sexual immorality, etc.

So in judgement God gave them over to that

Chapter 2: Jews are sinners

He begins taking about judgment on the part of people; if I as a wicked sinner condemn others because of their sins while I am lost in my sins, then I only increase the judgment coming on me.

To this point, a Jewish audience is loving the lesson that the Gentiles are getting, but then Paul turns to them

He states in verse 9 that every single evil person will receive their punishment, both Jew and Greek, because God shows no favoritism.

Last week we looked at the section immediately before this which established the hypocrisy of the Jews

Because they were given the special grace of the law and the distinction of being God’s people, yet walk contrary to the law, the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles.

That is a sad thing to think; that God’s people, whom he has given unspeakable grace, would bring reproach to him.

But thats what they did, and it brings us to VERSE 25 today.

The Gospel of God: Romans Jews and the Law of God (2:17–29)

Paul had already condemned the Gentiles for blaspheming God on the basis of the revelation that God gave to them. But that blasphemy is increased by the sin of hypocrisy among Jews.

VERSE 25

So because he is continuing his address to the sinful Jews, circumcision is in the immediate view. Why?

Sign of the Abrahamic Covenant, which is the foundation of the Jewish people, and for that matter, the Christian church as well.

Genesis 15:6 CSB

6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 15:17 CSB

17 When the sun had set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch appeared and passed between the divided animals.

Genesis 15:

The covenant of grace; Abraham could not fulfill it, only God could.

Paul will use that as an illustration in Chapter 4.

In God gives Abraham the human sign of the covenant, which would mark a man as a member of God’s chosen people: circumcision.

Dual representation: cut off, separated from the world and to God, that is, made holy

Exodus 19:6 CSB

6 and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”

At the same time, it was a reminder that if you were not circumcised, then you were cut off from God’s people

But as we see here, the circumcision itself did not carry any power.

“if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.”

meaning, that the outward sign of being a son of God means nothing if you are not devoted to him.

the sign was meant as a reminder of a person’s status in order to stir them toward devotion and obedience

But the mindset among many Jews was much different; they attributed saving power to circumcision itself.

The Gospel of God: Romans Jews and the Law of God (2:17–29)

One rabbinic tradition says, ‘Circumcision saves from hell.’ The same rabbi wrote that Abraham himself sits before the gates of hell and does not allow any circumcised Israelite to enter there.

So there was this attitude of superiority among many of the Jews who found their hope and security not in God, but in their own status because of circumcision.

There is a similar view toward baptism (not Church of Christ) and professions of faith in our culture.

Baptism: as a child or at some distant point

Profession: I “accepted Jesus” as my Savior

In both cases, if that is the basis of our eternal hope, then we are no better off than these wayward Jews.

Just like they were, we are trusting in a work or an act, rather than the grace of God.

The Gospel of God: Romans Jews and the Law of God (2:17–29)

If you don’t keep the law your circumcision has become uncircumcision and in the sight of God you are as a pagan.

VERSE 26

The Gospel of God: Romans Jews and the Law of God (2:17–29)

He is saying the same thing he said earlier. If those who are Gentiles do the things of the law by nature, God will honour that.

VERSE 27

A Gentile who keeps the law increases the condemnation of a circumcised man (a Jew) who does not keep the law, since he has basically done more with less.

The Jews were given the law, it was part of God’s special grace to them

The Gentiles were not given the law, so it is an even farther stretch for them to keep it

Yet God gives grace that they may. So if these people without the law keep it, how much more should the Jews who were given it?

VERSE 28-29

The Gospel of God: Romans Jews and the Law of God (2:17–29)

Isn’t this a fitting climax to the argument in chapter 2? What Paul has been driving at all along is this: God is going to look at the heart. We can come adorned with all kinds of externals, but if there is no circumcision of the heart, it will be to no avail.