Hypocrisy and Pride
Romans 2:17-29
📖 Scripture
17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;
18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;
19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark,
20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—
21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?
22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.
26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?
27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.
29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
📝 Scripture Summary
Paul addresses those who call themselves Jews and rely on the Law. Though they teach others, they break the Law themselves, which leads to Gentiles blaspheming God’s name. What really matters is not being a Jew outwardly or circumcision as an outward sign but the circumcision of the heart by the Spirit. A person circumcised in heart will receive praise from God.
💡 Memory Verse
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
– Romans 1:17
🔎 Reflection
More Than Knowledge (2:17–24)
Some of God’s people take pride in knowing His Law and boast about their special relationship with Him, but they dishonor Him with their hypocrisy. They teach and preach about the Law, but they break the Law themselves. We may know Scripture very well. We may even be able to preach or teach it. However, if we do not obey God’s Word, then we are blaspheming His name. We are not representing Christ. Let us remember what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross and not only know what God commands but also obey it. May we seek to both know God’s will and follow it so that we might bring honor and glory to Him.
What commandments in God’s Word do you find difficult to obey? Confess to God the difficulties you experience and ask Him to show you why you struggle in this area.
The True People of God (2:25–29)
For the Jews, the ritual of circumcision demonstrates that they are God’s chosen people. However, as many Gentiles become Christians, they do not show their dedication through circumcision; they demonstrate their faithfulness to God by obeying His commands. Those who faithfully obey God become better representatives of His people than those who may be circumcised physically and know the Law but fail to obey it. Sometimes, we are overly concerned with outward appearances, acting out of spiritual pride so that we might receive the praises of people. However, the true follower of God is one who has accepted the circumcision of the heart by committing themselves entirely to Him. Instead of following religious traditions with a sense of pride, we can humbly dedicate our lives to God.
What well-intentioned traditions and practices can become a source of spiritual pride? Consider what practical steps you can take to keep your heart humbly dedicated to God.
🌟 Today’s Inspiration
“Pride is the sin we cannot see in ourselves and yet so detest in others.” – R. Kent Hughes
🙏 Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess that I sometimes care too much about the praises of other people when all I really need is You. Keep my heart from becoming prideful. Make me humble, and remind me of how desperately I need You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
✍️ Essay
Overcoming Spiritual Walls
On a mission trip to a former communist country in Europe, our group partnered with local missionaries to conduct a spiritual survey of neighborhoods to see where a new church might be planted. The missionaries cautioned us that sharing the gospel or even handing out Christian literature in this culture was usually unwelcome. The people were very proud of their spiritual heritage as nearly everyone considered themselves a member of the state-sponsored church. They knew about Jesus, but they did not want to hear about sin or their need for forgiveness; they felt that they were morally good enough.
We can easily build such walls ourselves if we are not careful. Spiritual pride is a dangerous form of sin because it can so easily take root in a devoted heart and grow like a cancer, twisting and deforming our perspective, reorienting our confidence away from Jesus and toward ourselves. Instead of recognizing our need for Christ, we begin to place our confidence in the good deeds we do or the religious traditions we follow.
As our mission trip ended, we were excited to see how God used our meager efforts to help the church grow. Many of the people we met began attending the newly planted church, and the missionaries followed up with many of the people we met. The team returned over the years to continue supporting this work, and by God’s grace, the new church is continuing to grow.
Written by Kris Anderson