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The Failure of the Jews (Daily Portion 10311)

Scripture Passage: 
Romans 2:17-29

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). 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 30:6 and Philippians 3:3. 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 6:1. 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 2:21, Romans 2:29

Daily Proverb

Proverbs 25:6

Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: