Romans 2:19–20: And are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.
Such pride and presumption can make one insufferable. That is what it did to the Jews. They fancied themselves guides—lights—correctors—teachers—and so looked down with condescension and scorn on the unwashed. The Gentiles sensed this and resented it. Tacitus said, “Among themselves their honesty is inflexible, their compassion quick to move, but to all other persons they show the hatred of antagonism.” In Alexandria the Jews allegedly took an oath never to show kindness to a Gentile.2 The very privileges which should have produced saints produced arrogant, loveless egotists instead! 1
Paul levels his charge—You violate the very law you use to argue that you have a right relationship with God. Rather than the law of Moses being your unique heritage among the nations, it is your greatest embarrassment! You discredit the integrity of God by your disregard of His moral standard. 2
Application
- Is your confidence in what you do, or in what He does in you and through you?
- What one gift has God given to you? How do you use that gift to serve others?
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for using my spiritual knowledge to justify myself instead of using it to serve others and glorify you.
1. Hughes, R. K. (1991). Romans: righteousness from heaven. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
2. Bence, C. L. (1996). Romans: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House.
