Hypocrites in the Church

Romans 1: Gentiles

Romans 2: Jews

Romans 2:21-24 21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23 thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. P

Key Concepts There are two things you need to concentrate on in this passage. In verses 21-23, Paul exposes the hypocrisy of the Jews self-righteous attitude. Then in verse 24, he details the effects of their hypocrisy upon their witness to others.

WHEN EXAMINED IN LIGHT OF THEIR OWN CLAIMS, MORALISTS ALWAYS FALL SHORT Paul enumerates four things the Jews think about themselves and their relationship with God: 1) They took confidence in the fact that they were Jews (v. 17). 2) They took confidence in their possession of the Law and their obedience to it (v. 17).

1) They took confidence in the fact that they were Jews (v. 17). 2) They took confidence in their possession of the Law and their obedience to it (v. 17). 3) They were proud of their God and boasted in Him (v. 17). 4) They took confidence in their own spiritual and moral discernment (v. 18).

Paul exposes four ways the Jews thought of themselves with regard to the Gentiles: 1) They were convinced they were a guide for the Gentiles, who were spiritually blind (v. 19). 2) They were convinced they lived in the light while the Gentiles lived in the darkness (v. 19). 3) They were convinced that they were capable of and called to the job of tutoring those who were foolish in the ways of God (v. 20). 4) They were convinced that they were well-equipped to instruct new converts in the way of life (v. 20).

Romans 2:21 21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? P

WHEN EXAMINED IN LIGHT OF THEIR OWN CLAIMS, MORALISTS ALWAYS FALL SHORT Paul charged his people with not practicing what they preached.

WHEN EXAMINED IN LIGHT OF THEIR OWN CLAIMS, MORALISTS ALWAYS FALL SHORT Like Jesus, Paul accused his own people collectively, generally, and specifically of hypocrisy.

Paul's accusation would have shocked the Jews for a couple of reasons: The Jews considered themselves as distinct from the world because they owned and followed the Law of God, as it was given by Moses. The Jews despised the repulsive polytheism that surrounded them in the Greco-Roman world.

Idolatry

The Evidence The contemporary literature of the day confirmed that the Rabbis knew this was a problem among the Jews. The O.T prophets had continuously brought this charge against Israel. This was Jesus' main charge against the religious leaders of the Jews. Paul's teaching was based on a biblical understanding of the demands of the moral law. The Christian charge against the Jews was not that they were making too much of the Law, but that they weren't making enough of it.

The Evidence There is historical evidence that there was a terrible degradation of Jewish morals immediately prior to the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD.

Romans 2:21-23 21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23 thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? P

The Evidence Paul's charges were against the very areas that the Jews had convinced themselves they were strong in. Paul's proof of their sin was the inconsistency between their profession and practice, namely, their hypocrisy. This was also proof that they deserved judgment. And this was proof that they needed the gospel of grace.

Paul's Point Paul's point in all of this was to convince the Jews that they didn't have a righteousness which would commend them to God. They needed righteousness from outside of themselves. The only righteousness that could fit the bill was the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

PROFESSING BELIEVERS WHO CLAIM TO BE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST YET LIVE IN CONTRADICTION TO THAT PROFESSION, BECOME THE SINGLE GREATEST HINDRANCE TO THE GOSPEL 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you as it is written.

12 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

The Jews They Were Convinced That They Lived in the Light While the Gentiles Lived in the Dark. The call of Israel was a missionary call -- so that all the nations of the earth might know the one true God and worship Him.

In verse 24, Paul tells them that not only had they failed their calling, but that their hypocrisy had negated their witness to the point where the Gentiles were blaspheming God because of them.

i Isaiah 52:5 5 Now therefore, what have I here, saith the Lord, that My people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the Lord; and My name continually every day is blasphemed. i

The Moral Unbeliever This is the person who thinks they can make it into heaven by their own merit and good deeds. Paul's message to them is: “You are not the moral person you think you are, and in the end you will be condemned.” In order for us to commend ourselves to God we must do two things: (1) In every action that we take the emotions of our heart must be right with God; (2) Every outward action we make must be strictly in accordance with His Law.

The Earnest Believer This is the person who is a true believer and knows that they struggle with hypocrisy. Paul's message to them is: “You are witnesses and the Gentiles are watching.”

The Hypocritical Believer This is the person who who has professed faith in Christ but is not living as if they really cared more about the kingdom of God than anything else; or they may have never experienced the new birth. Paul's message to them is: “Confess and repent of your sins and come to Christ.”

George Whitefield