David Bahn – Reflections

Romans 2:23-24

You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

The Facebook post/image comes to mind again (cf, Unintelligent Chaos). It shows a pierced and tattooed person with the words superimposed: Some of the most kind and accepting, loving and understanding people I’ve met are covered with tattoos and piercings. Some of the most judgmental and unloving people I’ve ever met go to church every Sunday. Why is it that the charge can ever be leveled against church-goers that they are hypocrites? What moves us to think and act as though we are in any way superior to anyone else?

These verses (and the larger context of 2:12-29 below) translate well to Christian and Non-Christian behaviors and relationships. We all too easily  fall into the trap of presuming we have our act together when in fact we do not. How is it that we can worship in a church (Lutheran in my case) in which we confess our sins every Sunday, yet believe, act, and speak about others’ sins as though we have none? Simply put: this ought not to be true.

Paul has set out the nature of divine judgment in chapter 2: It is something that we all must face. It is based on truth (v. 2) and marked by righteousness (v. 5). It is according to works (v. 6), impartial in nature (v. 11), and executed through Christ (v. 16). Such judgment will bring agonizing ruin to all sinners (vv. 8, 9). (From The Reformation Study Bible) Now he turns to the manner in which the Jews show themselves guilty under the law. The situation he paints is hopeless, for even the righteous show themselves to be unrighteous. And the comparison between the Jews and Gentiles is that both groups express righteousness as well as sinful behavior. Later he will say, “For there is no distinction, all have sinned…” (Romans 3:23).

The sins Paul lists are particularly obvious to those who look on from outside. But what is worse is that the Jews want to hold themselves up before others while looking down on them. Their two-faced behavior is so vile that people curse God because of them. May it never be said of us that we bring such a poor witness that others turn us off and reject Christ. Unbelievers have plenty of reason to reject the truth of God’s word and his claim on them. Let’s not add another reason by means of our behavior!

Romans 2:12-29

For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

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; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.