Rom 2:21-23 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 21. Thou therefore , etc. he who is a teacher of others may be expected to be learned himself. They ought to be found to be possessed of superior knowledge; and by this question the apostle impliedly reproves them for their ignorance. The form of a question is chosen because it conveys the truth with greater force. He puts the question as if it were undeniable that they were grossly ignorant. Comp. , "They say, and do not," etc. That preachest . This word means to proclaim in any manner, whether in the synagogue, or in any place of public teaching. Dost thou steal ? It cannot be proved, perhaps, that the Jews were extensively guilty of this crime. It is introduced partly, no doubt, to make the inconsistency of their conduct more apparent. We expect a man to set an example of what he means by his public instruction. (d) "Thou therefore which"

Romans 2:21-23

Verse 21. Thou therefore, etc. he who is a teacher of others may be expected to be learned himself. They ought to be found to be possessed of superior knowledge; and by this question the apostle impliedly reproves them for their ignorance. The form of a question is chosen because it conveys the truth with greater force. He puts the question as if it were undeniable that they were grossly ignorant. Comp. Mt 23:3, "They say, and do not," etc.

That preachest. This word means to proclaim in any manner, whether in the synagogue, or in any place of public teaching.

Dost thou steal? It cannot be proved, perhaps, that the Jews were extensively guilty of this crime. It is introduced partly, no doubt, to make the inconsistency of their conduct more apparent. We expect a man to set an example of what he means by his public instruction.

(d) "Thou therefore which" Mt 23:3 Verse 22. Dost thou commit adultery? There is no doubt that this was a crime very common among the Jews. Mt 12:39; Jn 8:1 and Jn 8:2-11. The Jewish Talmud accuses some of the most celebrated of their rabbies, by name, of this vice. Grotius. Josephus also gives the same account of the nation.

Thou that abhorest idols. It was one of the doctrines of their religion to abhor idolatry. This they were everywhere taught in the Old Testament; and this they doubtless inculcated in their teaching. It was impossible that they could recommend idolatry.

Dost thou commit sacrilege? Sacrilege is the crime of violating or profaning sacred things; or of appropriating to common purposes what has been devoted to the service of religion. In this question, the apostle shows remarkable tact and skill, he could not accuse them of idolatry, for the Jews, after the Babylonish captivity, had never fallen into it. But then, though they had not the form, they might have the spirit of idolatry. That spirit consisted in withholding from the true God that which was his due, and bestowing the affections upon something else. This the Jews did by perverting from their proper use the offerings which were designed for his honour; by withholding that which he demanded of tithes and offerings; and by devoting to other uses that which was devoted to him, and which properly belonged to his service. That this was a common crime among them is apparent from Mal 1:8,12-14, 3:8,9. It is also evident, from the New Testament, that the temple was, in many ways, desecrated and profaned in the time of our Saviour. Mt 21:12, Mt 21:13. Verse 23. Makest thy boast, etc. To boast in the law implied their conviction of its excellence and obligation, as a man does not boast of that which he esteems to be of no value.

Dishonourest thou God. By boasting of the law, they proclaimed their conviction that it was from God. By breaking it, they denied it. And as actions are a true test of men's real opinions, their breaking the law did it more dishonour than their boasting of it did it honour. This is always the case. It matters little what a man's speculative opinions may be; his practice may do far more to disgrace religion, than his profession does to honour it. It is the life and conduct, and not merely the profession of the lips, that does real honour to the true religion. Alas, with what pertinency and force may this question be put to many who call themselves Christians !