The Jews had 2 false hopes of heaven – their knowledge of the Law, and the rite of circumcision. We must be very careful to base our hope of eternal life on the only thing that will never fail us – Jesus Christ!
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The Jew’s Hope of Heaven
Romans 2:17-29
It seems like everyone has some kind of hope of heaven. If you ask 100 people if they died today would they go to heaven or hell, 99 out of 100 would say “heaven”! That’s very interesting in light of the fact that Jesus said that the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. Jesus said few will go to heaven, yet almost everyone thinks they are among the few. Obviously, there are a lot of people who have a false hope of salvation. What is the hope that people cling to that they will be go to heaven? Some people’s hope is their belief that God is too good to punish anyone in hell, and so they believe everyone will go to heaven. Others base their hope on the fact that they are religious. Others base it on the fact that they are a good person. Everyone has got something that they are banking their eternal fate on.
It was no different with the Jews. As we will shortly see, the Jews based their hopes of everlasting life on their knowledge of the Law, and the rite of circumcision.
Remember, that in the first three chapters of Romans, Paul as a master prosecuting attorney is one by one bringing different groups of people before the judgment bar of God and proving that all are guilty, all are without excuse, and all deserve the wrath of God.
The first group that Paul dealt with was the Heathen. In Romans 1:18-32, Paul proves that the heathen hasn’t lived up to the light that he has received in nature. He has suppressed the truth that there is a Creator, and that all men should honor Him and give Him thanks. Instead, he has gone his own way, exchanging the glory of the incorruptible God for false gods. Therefore, God has given him over to go his own way, spiraling further and further downward into sin.
The second group Paul arraigns before God are the Hebrews, the Jews. That’s who he is dealing with in Romans chapter 2. The Jews could never see themselves in Romans 1. They were self-righteous and proud. They looked down their noses and judged the people Paul referred to in chapter 1. They said, “Paul you are absolutely right! Those people deserve God’s wrath. What they are doing is despicable!” But Paul shows them that they too are without excuse. They practice the same things they despise in others. Therefore, God’s judgment on them is inescapable.
We know that Paul is dealing with Jews in chapter 2, because in verse 17 he says, “But if you bear the name Jew.” The Jew based his hope of heaven on his knowledge of the Law, and the rite of circumcision. Yet Paul is going to show conclusively that neither of these can save him. Therefore, the Hebrew as well as the Heathen needs a Savior. I think we will see that many religious people today can easily relate with the Jews. Let’s look at the Jew’s first false hope of salvation – his knowledge of the Law. Notice verse 17, “But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law…” They relied on the Law for their hope of everlasting life.
Paul is systematically going around kicking the false hope that everyone has from underneath him. At first we might think that Paul is just being mean and cruel. After all, he is making people feel uncomfortable and fearful. Why would Paul deliberately do that? Well, although it doesn’t seem like it, he is actually doing the most loving thing for them. If you had bought an insurance policy that you had spent your life savings on, and someone told you that the whole thing was a scam and that the insurance company didn’t even exist, how would you react? You could become angry and say, “Hey, just leave me alone. I was happy before, and now you have made me nervous and fearful. What kind of a friend are you?” No, you would say, “Are you sure? Do you have any proof?” If evidence could be given that the insurance company was a fraud, you would thank him, because you would get rid of your false hope, and go find an insurance company that would actually help you in your hour of trouble. Well, that’s exactly what Paul is doing here. He knows that religion can’t save. So, he is methodically knocking out the false hopes from underneath the feet of the Jews he is writing to, so that they can seek out a true hope that will actually save them.
1. The Knowledge Of The Law
Notice verse 17, “But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law…” The Jews relied on the Law for their hope of everlasting life. But what about the Law were they relying on? Were they relying on the fact that they kept the Law? No. Actually, they were relying on the fact that they knew the Law, and they taught the Law. In verses 17-24, Paul gives two lists of four items each.
They Knew the Law. In verses 17-18 Paul says, “if you rely upon the Law and boast in God, and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law.” There Paul gives us four statements that tell us about the Jews’ knowledge of the Law. Because they were instructed out of the Law, they relied on the Law, boasted in God, knew His will, and approved the things that are essential. All of this has to do with their knowledge of the Law. The words Paul uses are “know”, “approve”, and “instructed”.
The Jew “relied” on the Law. That means he rested on, and trusted in the Law for salvation. Of all the nations of the world, God gave His Law only to the Jews. Therefore, the Jews saw themselves as special and superior to all others. Because they knew the Law, they felt their salvation was secure. By the time a Jewish child was five years old, they would commit large portions of the Law to memory. That’s why Paul could write to Timothy and say, “and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). Jewish children were instructed in the Law in the synagogue and by their parents. Learning and understanding God’s Law was a major part of the Jewish religion.
They Taught the Law. In verses 19-20 Paul gives another list of four things: “and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth.” Because the Jews had in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, they were able to be four things – a guide, a light, a corrector and a teacher. All of these things speak not just of knowing the Law, but using the Law to instruct others. They used the Law to guide the blind, shed light on those in darkness, correct those who were foolish, and teach those who were immature. Who were these blind, those in darkness, the foolish, and the immature? I believe that Paul is probably thinking of the heathen Gentiles of chapter 1. In all this, we see the Jewish attitude of superiority. He felt that he alone had the truth of God. He would gladly and arrogantly teach any foolish Gentiles, if they would only submit to his teaching.
They Broke The Law. It was good that the Jew knew the Law, and taught the Law, but the problem was that he broke the Law!
2:21. “You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?” The Jews knew their Law. In the ten commandments, it said, “You shall not steal.” However, they stole? When Jesus drove out the moneychangers in the temple He said, “My Father’s house is to be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” They were stealing by charging exorbitant rates to change the currency so that it could be used in the temple. They were stealing by charging exorbitant rates on the sale of animals that were temple approved. In Matthew 23:14, when Jesus was denouncing the Pharisees He said, “you devour widow’s houses.” The Jews robbed and stole from others, even though they taught that a person should not steal.
2:22. “You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?” How were the Jews committing adultery? Well, you remember that there was one school of thought among the Jews that taught that a man could divorce his wife for almost any reason. These Jews would divorce their wives and marry someone else. However, Jesus taught that if a man divorced his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” So, even though they were technically married, they were committing adultery in God’s eyes, because they had no Biblical grounds for their divorce. The Jews were also guilty of committing heart adultery. You will recall that Jesus taught, “everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” They taught that you should not commit adultery, but did it themselves.
2:22. “You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?” Some Jews were actually guilty of going into heathen temples, and robbing the idols, and then either putting the idols in their homes, or selling the idols for the value of the silver or gold. The Jews said they hated idols, yet couldn’t keep themselves from going into pagan temples, stealing them, and using them for their own ends!
What Was the Result of their Hypocrisy? Verses 23-24, “You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? For ‘the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,’ just as it is written.” The Jews knew the Law, and taught the Law to Gentiles, but they didn’t keep the Law. The result is that God was dishonored and God was blasphemed. The Jews were to properly represent God to all the nations. However, when they taught one thing and lived another, God was dishonored, because the nations got a perverted view of God. They thought of God as evil, when in fact, He was spotlessly holy. Notice that the great point that Paul is driving home here is that the Jew as well as the Gentile does not honor God. In Romans 1:21 Paul wrote, “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks.” Then in Romans 2:23 he writes to the Jews, “through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?” Sin is dishonoring God. When we teach one thing, and live another, we dishonor God and blaspheme Him!
Application
- One of the Jew’s false hopes was that he knew the Law, and taught the Law. However, this was a false hope, because he did not keep the Law. There are a lot of people today who are pinning their hopes of salvation on the fact that they know God’s Word. They were brought up in a Christian home where their parents had taken pains to teach them the truth of Scripture. Others have been in the church for many years and have been taught the Word. Others have even taught the Word in Sunday School, or home bible studies. There are many people who feel secure about the coming judgment, simply because they know the truth of the gospel. My friend, if that is you, watch out! Knowledge of the Bible alone will never save. You must know, and love, and trust the One the Bible speaks of. Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:15 “you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” You can know the truth of God’s Word, but if that knowledge doesn’t lead you to a personal trust in Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord, you are still lost! Just because you own a Bible, and carry a Bible to church, and know many verses in the Bible, doesn’t mean you are a Christian. You must have a living relationship with Jesus Christ.
- The Jews know the Law, and taught the Law, but did not keep the Law. They felt they were secure in their relationship with God because of their knowledge of the Law, but they were sadly self-deceived. Many professing Christians are self-deceived today. They know the truth, but they don’t live it. The Bible is clear – without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Unless your faith in Christ is having a sanctifying effect on your life, you are deceived. Your hope of heaven is a false hope. James 1:22 says, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” Is your hope of salvation a delusion? It could be if you are professing faith in Christ, but living in ongoing sin. Be careful that your life does not cause unbelievers to blaspheme God!
2. The Rite Of Circumcision
What Was The Popular Jewish Opinion of Circumcision? The Jews believed that a circumcised man would never be condemned by God. Rabbi Joel Kut Rabin said, “Circumcision saves us from hell.” In the Midrash, it says, “God swore to Abraham that no one who was circumcised would be sent to hell. Abraham sits before the gate of hell and never allows any circumcised Israelite to enter.” Not only did the Jews pin their hopes of heaven on their knowledge of the Law, but also on the rite of circumcision.
What Was The Value Of Circumcision? Romans 2:25-27 says, “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. So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 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?” Circumcision was of value in that it was the outward ritual that marked off a man as being in the covenant community of Israel. It was the visible mark on the body that showed that a man had been separated unto God. It was a little like a cow that is branded on its body to show who it belongs to. However, if that man did not keep the Law, his circumcision was worthless. If a man was not truly separated unto God, this symbol was meaningless. And that is the great problem – ritual without reality. They had the symbol without the substance.
Paul tells us here that a Gentile can be included in the covenant blessings, even though he is not circumcised, if he keeps God’s Law. The point is that circumcision is unnecessary. If you don’t keep the Law, circumcision is not going to help you. If you do keep the Law, it isn’t necessary. The real point is obedience. If a man keeps the Law, he receives the covenant blessings. If he doesn’t keep the Law, he is regarded as an uncircumcised man. The really important thing was obedience to God’s Law. That is how a person showed that he had been separated unto God. In fact, that is what Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 7:19, “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.”
My friends, I pray you never make the mistake that the Jews did. They felt secure because they had been circumcised. Do you believe you are secure before God because you have been baptized? Never put your hope of eternal salvation in some religious ritual or ceremony. If you asked some people whether they were going to heaven, they would tell you “Of course! I was baptized in 1996, and I joined the church, and my name is still on the church roll.” That doesn’t mean anything! Baptism is of value only if you walk in obedience to Jesus Christ. I know there are religious groups that teach baptismal regeneration, like the Roman Catholic church and the Church of Christ. They believe that a person is saved at the moment of water baptism. However, that is unbiblical. My friend, your baptism can’t save you. Only Christ can save you. And if you have been baptized in water, but have not experienced the life-transforming work of the Holy Spirit conforming you into the image of Jesus Christ, your baptism is worthless!
Who Is A True Jew? How is it that some people keep the Law, where others don’t? Paul answers that question in verses 28-29, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 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.” A true Jew, a real Jew, a genuine Jew, is not just a man who has been circumcised in his flesh. Rather, he is a man who has experienced an inward circumcision of his heart. How does this heart circumcision take place? By the Spirit. Who does he receive praise from? Not men, but God.
Even in the Old Testament, God spoke about this heart circumcision. In Deuteronomy 30:6 we read, “Moreover the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.”
Now, what is Paul talking about? What is this circumcision of the heart? I believe Paul is talking about the New Birth or regeneration. Jesus told Nicodemus that a man must be born of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. So, what happens in the new birth. I believe we have the answer in Ezekiel 36:25-27, “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.” There it is! God is the One who causes the new birth. It is He who gives a new heart and puts a new spirit within us. It is He who removes the heart of stone and gives a heart of flesh. It is He who puts His Spirit within us and causes us to walk in His statutes and observe His ordinances. In this spiritual circumcision, the Holy Spirit surgically cuts away the caloused foreskins that are over our heart, and makes us hardened to Him. The lost man ignores God and neglects God. The Spirit must do an inward work on the heart to make him tender towards God again. The person who has been born again of the Spirit is a true Jew.
This same truth is taught in many places in the New Testament. Philippians 3:3 says, “for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit and put no confidence in the flesh.” Galatians 3:7 says, “Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.” Galatians 3:29 says, “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.” Are you a true Jew? Are you one of God’s chosen people? That is true, only if you have experienced the work of the Spirit in causing you to be born again? Sometimes we throw around that phrase “born-again Christian” as if there are two kinds of Christians – those that are born again and those that are not! No, there is only one kind of true Christian – he who has experienced the new birth by the Spirit.
We make a tragic mistake when we focus on the external. We tell people, “Don’t smoke or drink. Start tithing, and attending church, and get baptized.” Instead we should be telling people to focus on their heart towards God. “Fall in love with Christ! Develop the inner devotion of your heart toward Him!” A circumcised heart represents a heart that is extremely tender towards God. Seek a tender, responsive, repenting heart. When we emphasize the external, we are in danger of producing hypocrites. People will start to act like what they are not. They may do all the right things outwardly, but inside are void of the life of God. A true Jew is one whose heart the Spirit has made tender toward God.
My friend, what is your hope of heaven today? Do you expect salvation because you know the Word of God, or have joined the church? Is your hope in the fact that you were baptized in water? If your hope is in those things, you better throw that hope away right now, and get a better one! The only true hope of salvation is that you have been united to Jesus Christ, and He has become your life.
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