Paul has already condemned the Gentiles for their wickedness in the first chapter of Romans. Here, he blasts the Jews because of their pride and false sense of righteousness. They are absolutely confident of their special position with God, but their confidence is in themselves and not in God.

What Does It Say?

1. “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the _________, and makest thy boast of _______.”
2. The Jews to whom Paul speaks are confident that they are a guide of the __________, a light of them which are in _____________.
3. The Jews abhor (vehemently hate) idols, but Paul asks them if they commit ____________.
4. If the uncircumcision (that is, the Gentiles) keep the _____________ of the law, their uncircumcision is counted for circumcision.
5. Paul declares that he is not a Jew, which is one ____________.

What Does It Mean?

1.  If you titled this passage “The Failure of the Jews,” three points might be: 1) Their confidence; 2)Their contradiction; 3) Their circumcision. What verses would fit each point (as if you were making an outline for the passage)? How does each point prove the failure of the Jews to be obedient to God?
2. A token of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants was circumcision (Genesis 17:9-12 [9] And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. [10] This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. [11] And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. [12] And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
   See All...). This was the external sign of their covenant with God. Verse 25 of our passage states that for the Jew who breaks the law, his “circumcision is made uncircumcision.” What is meant by this? What is meant by the opposite statement in verse 26?
3. The true Jew is one inwardly and true circumcision is that which is “of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” (v.29). Compare this with Deuteronomy 30:6And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
   See All... and Philippians 3:3God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
   See All.... What does God mean when He refers to a circumcised heart?

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. Verse 21 asks, “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?” Explain what this means. Give examples of how people are guilty of this. How can we avoid this sin?
2. Paul accuses these self-righteous Jews, “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you” (v.24). Compare this to the command and warning given to servants in 1 Timothy 6:1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
   See All.... How did the actions of these Jews cause the name of God to be blasphemed among the Gentiles? What lessons are here for us? That is, how could we do the same thing and how can it be avoided?

Suggested Memory Verses

Romans 2:21Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
See All..., Romans 2:29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
See All...