Paul’s diatribe style of writing here is aimed at the worst hypothetical position a Jew could take, but it could also be applied by any Jew with a lesser degree of the thoughts Paul is condemning here. It can also be applied by “religious” people today.
As Paul has been stressing, a religious background or knowledge is not what makes a person right with God. Paul lists a number of things that may be true of someone, or that they may think are true of them. Such as: keeping scripture in mind, boasting about God, knowing God’s will, prioritizing what God values, receiving instruction from scripture, being confident in ability to lead and instruct non-believers, able to correct those with bad philosophies and teach those who are ignorant of the truth, and possessing the embodiment of knowledge and truth in scripture. (v. 17-20)
Paul is not saying that these things are bad or unimportant. They just aren’t enough to make someone right with God. A person like this must have absolute consistency in behavior as well. Those who instruct others also need instruct themselves. As amazing as a person who really does all of these things may be, if they don’t live in perfect consistency with their professed beliefs, they will be condemned for it. (v.21-22)
When we go on and on about how great scripture is but fail to obey it, we dishonor God. (v. 23) In addition, when the Jews failed to live out the Law that God had given them, it caused non-Jews to blaspheme (speak against the reputation of) God.(v.24) The same is happening today as those who profess to be Christians (whether they are or not) live inconsistently from what they profess to believe. When unbelievers see this, it stimulates their already inherited hatred of God and gives substance and “evidence” that support their feelings.
It’s easy to think of the people who get TV or web coverage for their outlandish hypocrisy. But what about you and I in our conversations or the tone of our internet posts and e-mails? Apart from Christ, our hypocritical actions condemn us and encourage others to distance themselves from God.
Circumcision was a command given by God to the Jewish people to act as an outward “seal” of their covenant relationship with him. It was a “brand” that reminded them that God had given them a special role in service to him and that he had made unique promises of blessing to them. (See Gen. 17:10, Lev. 12:3) But this physical “brand” had no real value if the one circumcised didn’t live in consistent obedience to God. We could compare it to someone who still has the tattooed name of an old girlfriend after having broken up with her. Or a wedding ring on the hand of a cheating spouse. (v.25)
If someone who is not familiar with God’s commands ends up obeying them anyway, their very life provides evidence that condemns (the meaning here for “judge”) the religious person who lives in hypocrisy. (v.26-27)
God teaches us through Paul that being a Jew superficially is not being a real Jew. Likewise, real circumcision, a true “branding” that seals a relationship between a person and God, is performed by God’s Spirit, not written words. And it is a brand on a person’s innermost being. And the recognition of this branding is seen and acknowledged by God, not by other people. (v.28-29)
This “circumcision of the heart” was recognized, commanded and promised by the prophets of the Torah. (Lev. 26:41, Jer. 4:4; 9:25-26, Deut. 10:16)
Paul continues to paint a grim picture for humanity. Even the religious people are doomed unless they can obey all of the scripture they teach to others. In chapter 3, Paul will conclude his primary thoughts on the state of humanity and then present some “good news” about the situation.
Next Week- Did God’s plan for the Jews fail?
Coffee House Question- In what ways do you think religious people today can be like the Jews of Paul’s time? In what ways are you personally like the Jews of Paul’s time?
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