- Gentiles a law for themselves: (2:14-15): The Jews looked down on the Gentiles partly because they did not have the revelation or commandments of God in the Mosaic Law. But, as Paul pointed out, there are moral Gentiles who do by nature things required by the Law. Such persons show that the Law is not to be found only on tablets of stone and included in the writings of Moses, but it is inscribed in their hearts and is reflected in their actions, consciences, and thoughts. The Law given to Israel is in reality only a specific statement of God’s moral and spiritual requirements for everyone. Moral Gentiles by their actions show that the requirements of the Law are written on their hearts. This is confirmed by their consciences, the faculty within human beings that evaluates their actions, along with their thoughts that either accuse or excuse them of sin. This is why Paul called such Gentiles a law for themselves. One must take note that conscience is an important part of human nature, but it is not an absolutely trustworthy indicator of what is right. One’s conscience may be good and clear but it can also be guilty corrupted and weak. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Pr.14:12). It is absolutely necessary that all people need to trust the Lord Jesus Christ so that the blood of Christ will cleanse their consciences. (thought taken from “Bible knowledge commentary”)
- The secrets are laid bare: (2:16-17): Therefore God deals with men’s secrets, the hidden things of men, reveal all that concealed according to the standard of God’s judgement. The judgement of God is a part of the gospel and it is a reason for trusting the Lord Jesus Christ. All men have committed sins and come short of the glory of God. All human beings will be judged unless they are justified and redeemed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. No one will escape from the punishment on one’s own merit. So God is impartial. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ” (Rom.6:23). The Jewish scripture also reveal that God will judge all the humanity one day. This thought is not unfamiliar to the Gentiles, but Paul reveals the inner truth that Jesus would be the Judge. In judging another, a sinner condemned himself, which is applicable to the Jew also, because God’s judgement rests on moral and not on national or ceremonial grounds. The Law of Moses or the circumcision did not shield from condemnation. In conclusion, Paul puts the emphasis on the judgement of God which is a must for everyone, unless they are born again through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Here Paul points out that God’s ultimate judgement is certain in His second coming. The judgement is a righteous judgement.
Religious people and God: (2:17-29):
After dealing with the Gentiles of their sinful life, Paul refutes the Judaizers and their inability to work through the Law.
The law was given as a privilege: (2:17-20):
Judaizers boast of the possession of the law. They were extremely proud and confident of the fact that God gave His holy law to them as a nation and they are a privileged people. The following are the reasons of their confidence:
- They rely on the law which was given by the Holy God through Moses.
- They brag (boast) about their relationship to God (2:17). They glory in their covenantal ties with God.
- They know God’s will. e. they have an awareness of God’s desire and plans.
- They know the approval of God and what is superior as instructed in the Law. They have concern for spiritually superior standards.
- They are instructed and convinced that they are guide to: the blind people, a light for those who are in dark, instructor for the foolish and a teacher of infants. These catechetical lessons they have learnt from their youth and through regular reading of the Law in the synagogues.
They have concern for superior spiritual standards. Yet they failed miserably. This is true even today. Many people are grown up in Christian families, yet do not have the basic need of “Salvation experience” in their lives. That’s many churches in India and Asia are filled with such peudo-Christians who have an embodiment of knowledge and truth like the Judaizers, yet forfeiting the necessary Salvation and eternal life.
The marks of religious people: (2:20-24):
The Judaizers thought they interpreted the Law and they were completely justified by the Law. The Lord Jesus has exposed their errors (Matt.5:19-48). Paul says that Jews needed to teach themselves instead of teaching others.
This is true with every so called Christian of today’s world. The churches and congregations are filled with such hypocrites who know the Bible, the stories of the Bible, passed on to them by their parents or grand-parents yet their lives are not changed. Let’s see some of them:
- Jews talk of religion as hypocrites. God applies His law to both our actions and our attitudes. God will hold us responsible for motives, actions and attitudes etc.
- Their tongue runs upon patterns, they are fair professors, but foul sinners and carnal Christians.
- They teach against stealing, yet they themselves steal. They steal God’s They take money and use it not for God’s work viz. outreach, helping others but they help themselves.
- They preach against adultery, yet they gain the dominance upon the weak willed wives, widows, excusing themselves that they have the licence to do any horrible thing.
- They abhor idols, yet rob temples. Clearly some people including the first century Jews were making profits from dishonest practices connected with idolatry. Even today many pastors, bishops, presbyters etc are making dishonest gains through the ministry specially through property left by the earlier missionaries. This has become a curse specially in India.
- The name of God is blasphemed among Gentiles. The failure of the Jew to obey the law given by God has caused the Gentiles to blaspheme God.
When we claim to be God’s people, we should reflect God’s character. Our lives should speak rather than our words. “We have overcome the world, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in this world” (1Jn.4:4).