In this paragraph Paul saws off the final leg of the step-stool the Jews use to raise themselves up to show they are superior: circumcision. (No pun intended.)
***
25 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.
26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
27 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?
28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
29 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.
To sum up how we got here:
- The whole world is depraved because God has been rejected. Instead of being wise, we are fools. (Rom. 1:18-32)
- Some object to being called depraved, but we are without excuse. We will be judged fairly, based on our behavior. (Rom. 2:1-4)
- Others will say having the Law separates them from the depraved. That is of little help for we will be judged for our sin, whether under the law or not. (Rom. 2:5-16)
- Some will say knowing and teaching the Law shows we are not depraved. Except your lives show that you have contempt for God’s laws, and bring derision upon God. (Rom. 2:17-24)
- Finally, the claim that we must be special because we have the sign of circumcision, practiced since Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. So, see. We’re good.
***
V. 25 - “ For indeed, circumcision is of value ” - This paragraph had to be a slap in the face, a fist on nose wake up for the Jews! (See also: Jer. 4:4) I think the Jewish attitude was “We are good because we are Jews. Circumcision proves we are good. We have it. Gentiles do not.”
This is not to pick on the Jews. Christians can make the same error. If we say we are good because of baptism, communion, or church attendance the same approbation falls on us. Baptism is of value if you follow Christ. The worship song is not “You will Know we are Christians by our Baptism”. It is “They will know we are Christians by our Love” (based on the scripture: John 13:35; 1 John 3:1, 4:8, 5:2). It is fairly clear that Christians are not to put any value in the flesh. We are saved by our spiritual act of surrender and worship, not the mutilation of our bodies. (See: Phil. 3:3; Col. 2:11).
Circumcision became a symbol long before the Law was given. Abraham was commanded that his descendants were to bear this sign. Gen. 17:10; 21:4. God was not so interested in the physical act of circumcision. He wanted their hearts changed, cutting off of the old rebellious attitude and adopting one of love for God. Look at Deut. 10:16, “circumcise your hearts...” because God chose you (through your ancestors) Deut. 10:15. God wants you to love Him, and will cleanse your heart (circumcise) that you may do so. (Deut. 30:6)
“ But if you are a transgressor ” - You uncircumcise yourself. The symbol or image means nothing if you don’t follow the doctrine and faith that supports the symbol. I am not sure about the implication of the word ‘transgressor’ in the Greek; however, it seems to indicate this is not a one-time-thing. A person may make a mistake, and thereby break the Law. If you are a serial-mistake-maker it is a pattern of transgressing the Law, a way of life antithetical to the Law. This is borne out in the next verse.
V. 26 - “ if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law ” - The ‘keep’ is talking about guarding so you do not become despoiled, you are kept safe from harm. Guarding requires attentiveness and being alert. Standing watch in war time or in a battle was serious business - the lives of your fellow soldiers are your responsibility. It is a crime to fall asleep while standing watch.
V. 27 - “if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you” - WHAT! A Gentile will judge a Jew! That is insane - at least it was unthinkable to Jews. A non-person passing judgement against one of God’s own? I do not think this is about judging suitability for heaven. That is above any of “our pay grades”. Before we get self-satisfied and pleased that Gentiles may pass judgment of Jews go back to the beginning of this chapter, verses 2:1-4. “you are without excuse, whoever you are, when you judge someone else... you condemn yourself, because you who judge practice the same things. Now we know that God's judgment is in accordance with truth... do you think you will escape God's judgment?“ Gentiles have no grounds on which to be proud. We need the grace of God, we have done nothing to meet God’s justice. Only Christ can do that.
The point: no one, not Jew nor Gentile, is capable of standing before the Lord. You may not be depraved, but you are a sinner and will be judged. You think you are a special person because you are God’s people, whether Jew or Greek. This buys you nothing. If you live as if you don't believe in Christ, or live as if you don’t believe in the God of the Passover, then what good is it for you to claim to be Christian or Jew?
How we live is driven by what we truly believe in our minds and hearts. Our behavior does not happen by accident, our actions are started by a spark in our mind, formulated and planned there. The decision to act is made there. (See: Jam. 1:13-16; Matt. 15: 11, 18-20; Luk. 6:45-49) Jesus asks what good is it for you to call him Lord, and not obey His commands.
In reality, not one of us has any standing by which we can claim to pass judgment on another.
V. 28 - “he is not a Jew who is one outwardly ” - We (humans) put great value in outward appearances - otherwise super-models, actors and actresses would not be worshipped as they are. God does not worship us. (Compare: 1 Sam. 16:7 with 1 Sam. 10:23-25). Surely, David’s brother, Eliab, was to be king for he was good looking. Except, God was not paying attention to the physical appearance. By the way, King Saul was a big strapping man, regal in appearance. A lot of good that did him...
V. 29 - “circumcision is that which is of the heart ” - Paul takes us all the way back to Rom 1:17-19. That which is known about God is evident. And professing to be wise, they became fools. That which pleases God comes from the heart tuned to Him, not the outward appearances. (See: Phil. 3:3; Col. 2:11)
“By the Spirit, not by the letter” - The thousands of pages of laws written in our country are demonstrating the ‘need’ to identify in writing every possible infraction. There are ‘Speed Limit 25 mph” signs in almost every neighborhood. There are ‘Speed Limit 20 mph During School Hours’ near schools. It is not enough to tell people ‘Don’t Speed’ - their hearts are fastened on what-they-want-when-they-want-it. The safety and needs of others is unimportant. The sermon this last Sunday was on the 10 Commandments (Exo. 20:3-17; Deut. 5:6-21). The emphasis is on your relationship with God - what you can do for and with Him. The emphasis is on your relationship with other people - on how you treat them.
***End of Chapter 2
No comments:
Post a Comment