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 .
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.