Judgment by the Mosaic Law (Rom. 2:17-29)

Now if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of God 18 and know his will and are able to discern what is important since you are instructed from the law, 19 and if you are confident that you are a guide for the blind and a light for those in darkness, 20 that you are a trainer of the foolish and teacher of the simple, because in the law you have the formulation of knowledge and truth— 21 then you who teach another, are you failing to teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast of the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 For, as it is written, “Because of you the name of God is reviled among the Gentiles.” 25 Circumcision, to be sure, has value if you observe the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 Again, if an uncircumcised man keeps the precepts of the law, will he not be considered circumcised? 27 Indeed, those who are physically uncircumcised but carry out the law will pass judgment on you, with your written law and circumcision, who break the law. 28 One is not a Jew outwardly. True circumcision is not outward, in the flesh. 29 Rather, one is a Jew inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, in the spirit, not the letter; his praise is not from human beings but from God.'

Paul stated the attitude of the Jews regarding the Mosaic Law in verses 17 & 18:

1) I am a Jew; 2) I rely on the Law; 3) I can boast of Yahweh; 4) I understand Yahweh’s will; 5) I am instructed by the Law and know right from wrong.  These are blessings and privileges bestowed upon them by God.

Paul focused on Israel’s role relative to others in verses 19 & 20:

1) I am a guide for the blind; 2) I am a light for those in darkness; 3) I am a trainer of the foolish; 4) I am a teacher of the simple; 5) I have the formulation of knowledge and truth from the Law.  This reflects the ministerial role that Israel was to play in being a light to the Gentiles.

Paul posed five rhetorical questions to the Jews in verses 21 to 23:

 1) You teach others, but are you failing to teach yourself? 2) You preach against stealing, but do you steal? 3) You forbid adultery, but do you commit adultery? 4) You detest idols, but do you commit sacrilege? 5) You boast in the Law, but do you dishonor God by breaking the law?  Since the Jews did not practice what they taught and preached, they did not reflect God’s holiness (Lev. 19:2).  These sins were committed by some of the Israelites even though they were expressly forbidden in the Torah.  

The Jews took pride in their status as God’s chosen people entrusted with the Mosaic Law given to them on Mount Sinai through Moses.  They possessed knowledge and instruction in the Law which formed the foundation of Israelite religious and social life.  They were entrusted with every privilege by God (Rom. 9:4-5) but possession of the privilege is not enough.  Knowledge of the Law should lead to discernment between right and wrong, as well as the ability to distinguish what is truly excellent according to God's will.  The Jews saw themselves as guides for the blind and lights for the Gentiles in darkness, educators, and guardians of divine truths.  Paul challenged them to examine themselves to see if they adhered to the Law they taught.  Failure to practice what they preached undermines the credibility of their message to the Gentiles and dishonors God thereby affecting their relationship with God.  Being a Jew will not give them a special privilege since they have failed to keep God’s Law as God intended, and their teachings about the Law are not in harmony with their actions.  The Law has not saved Israel from sin in the past and will not save them from God's wrath on the day of judgment (Rom. 2:1-2; 5-7).  

Circumcision was the sign of the covenant God made with Abraham (Gen 17:10-11), Israel’s first sacrament.  It admitted them as members of God’s chosen people.  True circumcision is more than a physical act and only has value if the Law is observed (Gal. 5:3).  It requires spiritual obedience to God’s commands.  Gentiles who follow the moral law written into their hearts demonstrate a circumcision of the heart, which is acceptable to God (Rom. 2:14-15; Deut. 10:16).  If the Gentiles without physical circumcision are obedient to God’s Law, they will condemn those Jews who are physically circumcised but violate God’s Law.  Obedience to God's law is more important to God than adherence to external rituals (1 Sam. 15:22; Mt. 23:23).  Being a Jew is not merely a matter of external markers but of inner transformation and adherence to God's will (metanoia).  True Jewish identity and circumcision are matters of the heart rooted in spiritual obedience, rather than outward observance which earns praise from man rather than God. 

Almighty God, grant us the understanding of what truly identifies us as Your children.  Help us to seek a genuine conversion of heart and mind and not focus on the observance of external rituals.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen! Alleluia!

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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.

                Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.