17 Lo, thou art named a Jew, and dost rest upon the law, and dost boast in God, 18 and dost know the will, and dost approve the distinctions, being instructed out of the law, 19 and hast confidence that thou thyself art a leader of blind ones, a light of those in darkness, 20 an instructor of foolish ones, a teacher of babes, having the form of the knowledge and of the truth in the law. 21 Thou, then, who art teaching another, thyself dost thou not teach? 22 thou who art preaching not to steal, dost thou steal? thou who art saying not to commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou who art abhorring the idols, dost thou rob temples? 23 thou who in the law dost boast, through the transgression of the law God dost thou dishonour? 24 for the name of God because of you is evil spoken of among the nations, according as it hath been written. 25 For circumcision, indeed, doth profit, if law thou mayest practise, but if a transgressor of law thou mayest be, thy circumcision hath become uncircumcision. 26 If, therefore the uncircumcision the righteousness of the law may keep, shall not his uncircumcision for circumcision be reckoned? 27 and the uncircumcision, by nature, fulfilling the law, shall judge thee who, through letter and circumcision, 'art' a transgressor of law. 28 For he is not a Jew who is 'so' outwardly, neither 'is' circumcision that which is outward in flesh; 29 but a Jew 'is' he who is 'so' inwardly, and circumcision 'is' of the heart, in spirit, not in letter, of which the praise is not of men, but of 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.