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?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 2:17-23
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.