17 But if thou art named a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast in God, 18 and knowest the will, and discerningly approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19 and hast confidence that thou thyself art a leader of the blind, a light of those who [are] in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and of truth in the law: 21 thou then that teachest another, dost thou not teach thyself? thou that preachest not to steal, dost thou steal? 22 thou that sayest [man should] not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23 thou who boastest in law, dost thou by transgression of the law dishonour God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed on your account among the nations, according as it is written.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 2:17-24
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.