Romans 2:17-29
God’s Judgment of His People

Today, March 10th, 2023, let us, together in the grace of God, rejoice and reflect on the Word of God in Romans 2:17-29.

17 Behold, you are called a Jew, and rest in the Law, and boast in God,

18 and know the will, and approve the things excelling, being instructed out of the Law,

19 and persuading yourself to be a guide of blind ones, a light to those in darkness,

20 an instructor of foolish ones, a teacher of infants, having the form of knowledge and of the truth in the Law.

21 Then the one teaching another, do you not teach yourself? The one preaching not to steal, do you steal?

22 The one saying not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? The one detesting the idols, do you rob temples?

23 You who boast in Law, do you dishonor God through transgression of the Law?

24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the nations through you, even as it has been written: Isa. 52:5

25 For indeed circumcision profits if you practice the Law, but if you are a transgressor of Law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.

26 If, then, the uncircumcision keeps the ordinances of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?

27 And will not the uncircumcision by nature by completing the Law judge you, the one who through letter and circumcision becomes transgressor of Law?

28 For he is not a Jew that is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that outwardly in flesh;

29 but he is a Jew that is one inwardly, and circumcision is of heart, in spirit, not in letter; of whom the praise is not from men, but from God.

[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]

Suggested Questions:

1. What does “resting in the law” mean? Is the Church resting in the law of God?

2. What does “robbing temples” of idols mean?

3. What does “dishonoring God through transgression of the Law” mean? Can God’s people today “dishonor God through transgression of the Law”?

4. How did the Israelites cause “the name of God to be blasphemed among the nations”? Can the Church today do the same thing?

5. What does the circumcision of the heart, in spirit, mean?

6. Is God’s standard for judging His people different from His standard for judging other nations?

Suggested Applications:

1. Have you ever “robbing temples” of idols?

2. Have you ever “dishonored God through transgression of the Law”?

3. Have you ever caused “the name of God to be blasphemed” among unbelievers?

4. Have you experienced circumcision of the heart? Are you a spiritual Jew? Which verse in the Bible teaches about this?