Romans: Spiritual Superiority

Romans 2:17-29

All men and women, Jew and non-Jew, are separated from God, yet everyone is without excuse. We saw last time in Romans 2:12-16 that the moralist disagrees with this statement. The moralist is convinced that doing good deeds will earn them a right standing before God. 

Paul challenges this moralistic thinking. He states that one day God will “[judge] the secrets of men by Christ Jesus” (Rom. 2:16). We may seem morally upright on the outside, but when we are honest with ourselves, no one would want to share their secret thoughts, desires, and motives. 

Chrysostom was a 4th-century early church father. Here’s what he said about Romans 2:16.

If a secret deed of any one of us were brought to the open right now, in the midst of the church, what would we do except to pray for death and have the earth swallow us up, rather than have so many witnesses of wickedness?[1] 

There is another group Paul needs to address. This group, by their birthright, believed they would be granted entry into heaven. The Jews felt they had an advantage because they were, after all, God’s chosen people. They considered themselves on a higher spiritual level than the Gentiles. So, when Paul specifically addresses the Jews, he begins with eight areas where they saw themselves as having a spiritual edge. These are the ways the Jews justified their perceived superiority in their relationship with God. Paul introduces these with the word “if.” The Greek construction (First Class conditional sentence) indicates that Paul assumes what he says is true. 

Rely on the Law (Rom. 2:17a)
The Jews put their confidence in the fact that God gave them the law. This law was received through Moses and had a profound influence on the entire Jewish nation. In fact, our country's laws are built on Judeo-Christian ethics that come from God's interactions with his people. The Jews mistakenly placed their trust in this truth. 

Boast about God (Rom. 2:17b)
The Jews took pride in their relationship with God as his chosen people. They believed that their ethnicity automatically granted them a special connection with the holy God. 

Know God’s will (Rom. 2:18a)
Because they were born Jewish and had God’s law, the Jews were confident they understood God’s plan for humanity. 

Superior Knowledge (Rom. 2:18b)
The Jews believed they knew what was best regarding God. They were granted the privilege of closer access than anyone else. 

Instructed from the Law (Rom. 2:18c)
The Jews felt highly valued because they learned the law from a young age and heard it regularly in their synagogues. God’s Word was part of their everyday lives.

Instructors of the Law (2:19-20a)
Since the Jews received the law and were taught in it, they believed certain things about themselves relative to Gentiles. They saw themselves as guides for the spiritually blind and as the light for those in spiritual darkness. They regarded their purpose as “instructors” for the spiritually foolish. The word “instructor” means “one who disciplines or trains.” They also viewed themselves as “teachers of children.” 

Possessors of the Truth (2:20b)
The Jews believed they were superior because they considered the law as the “embodiment of knowledge and truth.” 

You are the Teachers! (2:21a)
One might imagine that as the Jews read or heard this list, they nodded in agreement. Yes, Paul—we concur—we are a special and privileged people. We are the recipients of God’s law, we have been taught the law, we understand the law, and we know the truth; therefore, we are the rightful ones teaching it. 

Paul uses these eight statements to set up what comes next. He basically asks, “Since you know the law so well, why don’t you do what it says?”

Romans 2:21-24
…You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” 

Paul explains that the law is our tutor (Gal. 3:24 NKJV). It’s the highest standard that none of us can fully measure up to. Because of it, we are constantly reminded of our failures. The law was not given to the Jews to make them feel superior or elite. Its purpose was to keep them humble and dependent on God, looking forward to the One God had promised—the One who would come and perfectly fulfill the law. 

Instead of exemplifying God’s grace, the Jews had become legalists who couldn’t even follow the very commandments they taught others. Paul said, “You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself?” Paul questions their honesty as instructors because they are doing the same things they criticize in others. 

Paul quotes Isaiah 52:5 to emphasize his point: “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Those who should be turning to God by observing their example are instead turning away from him because of their legalistic hypocrisy. 

Many of the Jewish legalists focused on one thing—circumcision. For centuries, circumcision had been the sign of the covenant with God. It was intended as an outward symbol of inward grace. However, over time, circumcision became purely ceremonial and was no longer connected to obedience that demonstrated a transformation of the heart. 

Romans 2:25-27
For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 

Paul points out that physical circumcision without a circumcised heart is meaningless (see Dt. 10:16). If someone’s spiritual change through Jesus enables them to obey God, then that person should be considered circumcised—that is, part of God’s covenant family. Paul explains that a true “Jew” or genuine child of God “is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter” (Rom. 2:29a). A sincere relationship with God isn’t about outward rituals, but about inner transformation that only comes through Jesus. 

Finally, Paul reminds us that we should not seek the praise of others who only see our outward efforts. Instead, we should desire the praise that comes from God, who looks deeply into our hearts (Rom. 2:29). 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Romans 2:17-29. As you consider what made the Jews feel privileged, are there aspects of your faith journey that make you feel spiritually superior?

Talking to God: Are you relying on spiritual heritage, knowledge, or rituals to define your relationship with God, instead of a transformed heart?

Zoom Calls: We’re excited to invite you to a special Zoom call on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM as we come together to reflect on what we’ve learned in our study of John and take a midpoint review of the book of Romans. There will be more details coming closer to that date. 

And please mark your calendars for our next two Zoom gatherings as well:
Romans Wrap-Up – Monday, November 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Revelation Wrap-Up – Monday, January 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM
We look forward to continuing to grow together in God’s Word!

Have questions?  Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to help as we study God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll respond soon. Let us know if you want to learn more about a relationship with Jesus or if you seek spiritual guidance.