17 But if you bear the name "Jew " and rely upon the Law and boast in God , 18 and know His will and approve the things that are essential , being instructed out of the Law , 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind , a light to those who are in darkness , 20 a corrector of the foolish , a teacher of the immature , having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth , 21 you, therefore , who teach another , do you not teach yourself ? You who preach that one shall not steal , do you steal ? 22 You who say that one should not commit adultery , do you commit adultery ? You who abhor idols , do you rob temples ? 23 You who boast in the Law , through your breaking the Law , do you dishonor God ? 24 For " THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU," just as it is written . 25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law ; but if you are a transgressor of the Law , your circumcision has become uncircumcision . 26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law , will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision ? 27 And he who is physically uncircumcised , if he keeps the Law , will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law ? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly e , nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh . 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly ; and circumcision is that which is of the heart , by the Spirit , not by the letter ; and his praise is not from men , but from God .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 2:17-29
Commentary on Romans 2:17-24
(Read Romans 2:17-24)
The apostle directs his discourse to the Jews, and shows of what sins they were guilty, notwithstanding their profession and vain pretensions. A believing, humble, thankful glorying in God, is the root and sum of all religion. But proud, vain-glorious boasting in God, and in the outward profession of his name, is the root and sum of all hypocrisy. Spiritual pride is the most dangerous of all kinds of pride. A great evil of the sins professors is, the dishonour done to God and religion, by their not living according to their profession. Many despise their more ignorant neighbours who rest in a dead form of godliness; yet themselves trust in a form of knowledge, equally void of life and power, while some glory in the gospel, whose unholy lives dishonour God, and cause his name to be blasphemed.
Commentary on Romans 2:25-29
(Read Romans 2:25-29)
No forms, ordinances, or notions can profit, without regenerating grace, which will always lead to seeking an interest in the righteousness of God by faith. For he is no more a Christian now, than he was really a Jew of old, who is only one outwardly: neither is that baptism, which is outward in the flesh: but he is the real Christian, who is inwardly a true believer, with an obedient faith. And the true baptism is that of the heart, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Ghost; bringing a spiritual frame of mind, and a willing following of truth in its holy ways. Let us pray that we may be made real Christians, not outwardly, but inwardly; in the heart and spirit, not in the letter; baptized, not with water only, but with the Holy Ghost; and let our praise be, not of men, but of God.