These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
- The doctrine of Grace – Chapters 1-8
- All have sinned – Chapters 1-3
- Saved by faith alone – Chapters 4-5
- Victory over sin – Chapters 6-8
- Judging Others…
- Those who are RELIGIOUS – might think their RELIGION makes them OK with God…
- So they are comfortable JUDGING [participle] those whom they see as UNRIGHTEOUS…
- Yet their RELIGION gives them NO [ἀ] DEFENSE [ἀπολογέομαι] – they are condemning themselves…
- BECAUSE they are doing the SAME things they are JUDGING [κρίνω]!
- Cannot Save…
- Those who are RELIGIOUS – will also be JUDGED by a righteous God…
- Because their RELIGION has NO power to change a HARD and UNREPENTANT heart…
- They were still STORING up wrath for themselves – for the DAY of WRATH…
- And God who sees the HEART – will give to each one accordingly…
- To those who patiently SEEK after the LORD – blessing and ETERNAL life…
- To those who SEEK themselves – tribulation and His WRATH!
- No Favorites…
- Because God has NO partiality – He does NOT judge by the outside appearance…
- Those who are NOT religious [gentiles] – will be judged by the Law written on their hearts…
- Those who are RELIGIOUS [Jews] – will be judged by the LAW of God…
- Bottom line – those who are RELIGIOUS are no better off than those who are NOT!
- 1st – False Hope… vs. 17-24
- 1st – Empty Religion… vs. 17-20
- Boasting… vs. 17
- Indeed you are called a Jew – and rest on the law – and make your boast in God!
- Having established that God is NOT partial – He will judge everyone [Jew and Gentile]
- Paul continued to dismantle the confidence of those who put TRUST in Religion…
- SINCE [εἰ] you call [ἐπονομάζω] yourself [middle] a JEW [religious]
- What did it mean to label themselves as RELIGIOUS [two things]
- FIRST – it meant they put their CONFIDENCE [rest] in THE Law [dative]
- SECOND – it meant they BOASTED [present] in God!
- Matthew 3:9 – “God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!”
- When the Pharisees and Sadducees came to John the Baptist…
- He rebuked them for putting their TRUST in their RELIGION [being a Jew]
- Just because someone belongs to a CHURCH – does NOT mean they are SAVED…
- We can give ourselves LABELS – a particular DENOMINATION or RELIGION…
- But that is NOT what God looks at or cares about – He is looking at the heart!
- Jeremiah 17:10 – “I the LORD search the heart – I test the mind.”
- Knowing… vs. 18
- Know His will – and approve the things that are excellent – being instructed out of the law!
- FIRST – what did it mean that their CONFIDENCE was in THE Law…
- It meant they KNEW [γινώσκω] the WILL [θέλημα] of God…
- As they had the way to TEST [δοκιμάζω] and see what was GOOD or BAD [διαφέρω]
- Because they were [present] TAUGHT out of THE Law [τοῦ νόμου]!
- There is a BENEFIT to KNOWING [γινώσκω] the WORD of God…
- It gives us the ability to TEST [δοκιμάζω] and SEE what the BEST choice is…
- Knowing the WILL [θέλημα] of God for our lives is always going to be the BEST…
- Therefore coming to CHURCH – being in the WORD – is helpful…
- But it leaves the question – do we DO what the WORD tell us – James 1:22
- Confident… vs. 19-20
- 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!
- SECOND – what did it mean to BOAST in God – it meant they were CONVINCED [πείθω]:
- They were a GUIDE – to the blind [non-religious]
- They were a LIGHT – to those who were in the DARK [lost in the world]
- They were an INSTRUCTOR – to those who were FOOLISH [did not know the Word]
- They were a TEACHER – to those who were still infants [in their understanding]!
- We are quick to give our WISDOM to those around us…
- Especially if we can add to that the CONFIDENCE we are NOT giving our OPINION…
- We are giving them the WORD – pointing them the TRUTH…
- But it leaves the question – are we just giving them the right WORDS…
- Or are we living our lives as an EXAMPLE for them to follow – I Corinthians 11:1
- The Truth… vs. 20
- Having the form of knowledge and truth in the law!
- The Law does contain [μορφώσεις] the KNOWLEDGE and TRUTH of God…
- Partially validating the CONFIDENCE and BOASTING of those who are RELIGIOUS [Jews]
- But it was easy to miss the more important POINT…
- Were they living what they TAUGHT – were they an EXAMPLE to the lost!
- The Apostle Paul was one of the greatest teachers in the New Testament…
- Yet even he did NOT assume his KNOWLEDGE could save him…
- He DISCIPLINED himself – to make sure he was NOT disqualified – I Corinthians 9:27
- We attend Bible studies every week – we KNOW the Word…
- Yet that knowledge can make OVERCONFIDENT [even arrogant]
- Because we have the ANSWERS to the QUESTIONS – we KNOW the TRUTH…
- But we need to EXAMINE ourselves and make sure we are APPLYING it!
- II Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.”
- 2nd – Hypocrisy… vs. 21-24
- Teach yourself… vs. 21
- You therefore who teach another – do you not teach yourself?
- Paul asks ONE simple question – you who are TEACHING [present] others…
- Why do you NOT teach [διδάσκω] yourself!
- If you were preparing to JUMP out of a plane to go SKYDIVING…
- And I came up and began to give you DETAILED instructions on what to do [to save your life]
- Yet when you asked how many times I had JUMPED – my answer was NONE…
- What I was telling you were things that I had READ about!
- Before we can TEACH others what they should do…
- We NEED to be setting the EXAMPLE for them by doing it ourselves FIRST!
- Examples… vs. 21-22
- You who preach that a man should not steal – do you steal?
- You who say: Do not commit adultery. Do you commit adultery?
- You who abhor idols – do you rob temples?
- Paul gave THREE examples of the HYPOCRISY of those who are RELIGIOUS [Jews]
- FIRST – they were [present] PREACHING [κηρύσσω] others should NOT steal – Exodus 20:15
- Yet they were the one who were [present] STEALING [indicative]
- SECOND – they were [present] SAYING – do NOT commit adultery – Exodus 20:14
- Yet they were the ones who were having [present] AFFAIRS [indicative]
- THIRD – they were [present] REPULSED by idol – Exodus 20:4
- Yet they had NO problem making MONEY from their TEMPLES [ἱεροσυλεῖς]!
- Paul gave a variety of examples to emphasize our HYPOCRISY…
- Because while we MIGHT not be having an AFFAIR – we do STEAL [not pay taxes]
- Or we might not STEAL – but we make a PROFIT from things that are UNGODLY [idols]
- Therefore who are we to tell others how to LIVE Godly…
- Since we are just as GUILTY as they are – we are also LAW breakers!
- James 2:10 – “Whoever shall keep the whole law yet stumble in one point – he is guilty of all!”
- Dishonor… vs. 23-24
- You who make your boast in the law – do you dishonor God through breaking the law?
- For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you – as it is written!
- The person who BOAST in their own RULES [no article]
- It is important to note that Paul uses TWO ways of looking at the LAW [τοῦ νόμου]
- Those who are RELIGIOUS may know what the Bible says [the Law]
- But they make it into RELIGION [law] – and miss the POINT God is trying to show them…
- They WALK over [παράβασις] THE Law [τοῦ νόμου] and DISHONORS [ἀτιμάζω] God…
- For the NAME of God had been BLASPHEMED through them among the NATIONS [ἔθνος]
- As it was WRITTEN about them in the Prophets – Isaiah 52:5
- The Pharisees challenged Jesus why His disciples WALKED over [παράβασις] their rules…
- The TRADITIONS of their elders that had been passed down [washing hands]
- Jesus responded by asking why they used their TRADITIONS [corban]
- So that they could WALK over [παράβασις] the LAW of God [honor your parents]
- Matthew 15:7-8 – “Hypocrites… These people draw near to Me with their mouth – and honor Me with their lips – but their heart is far from Me.”
- There is a LOT of MANIPULATION – a LOT of RELIGION – in the church today…
- Denominational churches – often elevate TRADITION above the Word…
- Charismatic churches – often elevate EMOTION above the Word…
- Reformed churches – often elevate INTELLECT above the Word…
- Yet ANYTIME someone puts ANYTHING above the Word it is dangerous…
- Because EMOTIONS can be deceiving – TRADITIONS can be wrong…
- And rather than HONOR God – we end up BLASPHEMING Him before the world [nations]
- Therefore we do NOT listen to the IDEAS of men – we go back to the TRUTH – John 14:6
- Because if put our trust in RELIGION [rules] – we are NOT following Jesus!
- Galatians 1:10 – “If I still pleased men – I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”
- 1st – Empty Religion… vs. 17-20
- 2nd – Change of heart… vs. 25-29
- 1st – Circumcision… vs. 25-27
- The Proof…
- Paul is going to use CIRCUMCISION as an ILLUSTRATION…
- As the PROOF someone had a particular RELIGION [Jew]
- To show that PROOF has no benefit if it does NOT change the individual!
- When Abraham was NINETY years old – God gave him a PROMISE…
- He would be the FATHER of MANY nations [Isaac had NOT been born] – Genesis 17:4
- The PROOF of that PROMISE – was the covenant of CIRCUMCISION…
- It was meant to show how the JEWS were NOT to follow the FLESH [sinful nature]
- From then on – every JEW would be circumcised on the EIGHTH day – Genesis 17:12
- There is nothing wrong with being a part of a particular CHURCH…
- The problem comes when we make that CHURCH our identity – I Corinthians 3:4
- I am not a fan of church MEMBERSHIP – locking into our CLICKS…
- It causes division within the BODY of Christ – hindering the power of the Gospel…
- We wonder why more people do NOT believe in Jesus – why churches are EMPTY…
- It is because the CHURCH of God is DIVIDED – focused on LABELS…
- There is only ONE body – of which we are all MEMBERS!
- I Corinthians 12:10 – “Now indeed there are many members – yet one body.”
- Law Breaker… vs. 25
- For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law.
- But if you are a breaker of the law – your circumcision has become uncircumcision!
- Being CIRCUMCISED [mark of a Jew] was USEFUL [ὠφελέω]
- IF [ἐὰν] someone was [present] able [subjuntive] to keep the RULES [no article]
- But IF [ἐὰν] they [present] WALKED over [παράβασις] the RULES [no article]
- Then they would become [present] UNCIRCUMCISED!
- For context – if someone takes COMMUNION on a Sunday morning…
- The SACRAMENT is BENEFICIAL [ὠφελέω] to them…
- So long as they are living their lives in REMEMBRANCE of Jesus – Luke 22:19
- But if they live their lives in a GODLESS way – then they might as well NOT have taken it!
- Law keeper… vs. 26
- Therefore if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law.
- Will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?
- IF [ἐὰν] those who are NOT circumcised…
- KEEP [present] the righteousness required in THE Law [τοῦ νόμου]
- They will be [future] counted [λογίζομαι] as CIRCUMCISED!
- For context – if someone has NEVER been BAPTIZED…
- Yet they live their life fully devoted to SERVING and LOVING Jesus…
- Would we NOT say they DIED to their old man – and have a NEW life – Romans 6:4
- Judgement… vs. 27
- And will not the physically uncircumcised if he fulfills the law – judge you.
- Who even with your written code and circumcision – are a transgressor of the law?
- AND [καί] – that person who was NOT physically circumcised…
- BUT was made PERFECT by keeping THE Law [τοῦ νόμου]
- Would one day JUDGE [κρινεῖ] those who had the WORD [γράμμα] and CIRCUMCISION…
- Because they WALKED over [παράβασις] the RULES [no article]
- Paul turned their whole argument against them…
- The RELIGIOUS thought they were the ONES who had the right to JUDGE – Romans 2:1
- And yet they were the one who would be JUDGED by those who were NOT religious!
- Jesus told a PARABLE about someone who THOUGHT they were RIGHTEOUS…
- The Pharisee prayed with HIMSELF [God was not listening]
- Thanking God that he was NOT like other men [a sinner]
- At the same time a TAX collector stood far off [not worthy]
- And asked God to have MERCY on him – a SINNER!
- Luke 18:14 – “This man went down to his house justified rather than the other.”
- We might be VERY surprised on who gets into HEAVEN…
- People who were BAPTIZED – there EVERY Sunday – taking COMMUNION…
- MANY who said LORD – LORD – will be rejected – Matthew 7:22
- And there will be MANY who NEVER stepped foot into a church…
- But they cried out for MERCY – and they will be welcomed into Glory!
- 2nd – The Heart… vs. 28-29
- Outward… vs. 28
- He is not a Jew who is one outwardly – nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh!
- Someone is NOT a Jew [religious] who is only one on the OUTSIDE [φανερός]
- Neither is someone CIRCUMCISED if it is ONLY in the physical [σάρξ]
- This was terrifying statement for a Jew to hear…
- Because ANYONE who was NOT circumcised – would be CUT off from God!
- Genesis 17:14 – “That person shall be cut off from his people – he has broken My covenant.”
- People worry about being CUT off from a RELIGION…
- Some will stay in place they KNOW is wrong – just to be ACCEPTED…
- They fear being REJECTED by friends – looked down upon by MEN!
- What we should FEAR – is being cut off from God…
- If we are still acting like the world around us – where is Jesus…
- Those who live in willful sin – ignoring the conviction of the Holy Spirit in our lives!
- Galatians 5:19 – “Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
- Inward… vs. 29
- He is a Jew who is one inwardly.
- And circumcision is that of the heart in the Spirit – not in the letter!
- BUT [ἀλλά] – he is a Jew who is one on the INSIDE [not obvious]
- INWARD [κρυπτός] – something that is HIDDEN and CANNOT be seen…
- Because their CIRCUMCISION is of the HEART [καρδία]
- Not in obedience to the RULE [γράμμα] – but the SPIRIT of God [instrumental]!
- Colossians 2:11 – “When you came to Christ you were circumcised not by a physical procedure. It was a spiritual procedure cutting away your sinful nature.” [NLT]
- Every Jew was circumcised PHYSICALLY in obedience to the Law…
- But they did NOT keep law – showing were NOT circumcised SPIRITUALLY…
- Circumcision of the HEART [cutting away sinful nature] is how we are able to obey the Lord…
- Those circumcised in their heart – walk by the Spirit who empowers them to keep the LAW!
- For the first time Paul contrasts the LETTER with the SPIRIT of God – II Corinthians 3:6
- This is HUGE foreshadowing of where the book is going…
- It is NOT a matter of what we need to DO [letter] – but what God does…
- It is about the SPIRIT of God cutting off the sinful desires of our heart…
- That change of heart [circumcision] is how we can be obedient to the Lord!
- Romans 6:6 – “Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.” [NLT]
- Praise… vs. 29
- Whose praise is not from men but from God!
- Who will receive PRAISE – NOT from MEN – BUT [ἀλλά] from God…
- Being RELIGIOUS – has NOTHING to do with serving God…
- Those who follow RULES – do so to the PRAISE of MEN…
- Only when we are willing to let God circumcise our HEART [by His Spirit]
- Then will we be able to live a life that brings His PRAISE!
- 1st – Circumcision… vs. 25-27