Thursday, January 14, 2010

Lesson 5

Lesson 5 (Romans 2:17-29)
Of What Benefit is Circumcision

Paul’s argument in these verses addressed the Jews who were living under the impression their Jewish origin and the sign of circumcision alone made them special, whether or not they were living lives that brought glory and honor to their God. This group of “Pharisees” believed it was enough they had their origins in the covenant of Abraham and that they were circumcised, no matter what kind of lives they led. Like many church goers today who want to be grandfathered into the kingdom of God, these “Pharisees” made the “sign” of the covenant the “evidence” of the covenant. Confessing Christ as Lord, being baptized, going to church, teaching Sunday school, reading one’s bible, prayer, and being an Elder, are all signs one has chosen to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. A transformed heart (II Cor. 5:17), and living by faith, (Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17; Heb. 11:1, 6; Eph. 2:8, 9) are the evidence.

Please allow me to clarify. I have a very dear friend who professes to be in Christ, actually the one who helped me understand my need to follow Christ, who has harbored a hatred and unbelievable animosity toward his own children for over twenty years. I have done everything in my power to remain connected with him so I can continue to try helping him realize his need to be forgiving. To this date, my efforts have been futile. My point here is that his failure to have a forgiving spirit might well indicate his conversion was never genuine. Deuteronomy 8:5 and Hebrews 12:8 indicate that God disciplines those who are truly His and indicates those without discipline are not His. I Corinthians indicates God sometimes takes those who don’t respond to His discipline though physical death (11:27-30; cf. Matt. 18:22-35). I make no claim to know the mind of God. but it seems after twenty plus years, this dear friend has no inclination to forgive those who have offended him. He appears to have no inclination to be obedient to the clearly revealed will of God (Matt. 18:35; Mk. 11:25). That concerns me.

Read and discuss chapter 2:17-29

1. Name the eleven things Paul thinks these Jewish converts relied on? 2:17-20

     a.

     b.

     c.

     d.

     e.

     f.

     g.

     h.

     i.

     j.

     k.



2. What is the point of his questions in 2: 21-23



3. Why was Jesus’ name being blasphemed among the gentiles? 2:24



4. What does it take for circumcision to be of value? 2:25a



5. What happens when one who has the law is a transgressor of the law? 2:25b



6. What benefit is it to one who is not circumcised to keep the law? 2:26, 27



In the final two verses of Romans 2 (28, 29), Paul iterates that a Jew is not, nor ever was a member of the covenant relationship with God simply because he was born into a Hebrew family and was circumcised. Contrary to what was being taught by the Jewish religious leaders of the time, Paul was putting the proverbial nail in the coffin by declaring those Jews who had rejected the new wine were old wine skins because their hearts were hardened to the truth (Matt. 9:17). He further reiterates it is by the Spirit, not by the letter, and it is not praise from men, but from God that matters (Jn. 2:24, 25). It’s important for us to understand that Paul was not suggesting, nor am I aware anywhere he does so for Hebrews, that they should not get circumcised. Circumcision was a covenant sign between the Hebrews and God (Gen. 17:9-14).He was declaring, as did the council at Jerusalem (Acts15), that the Gentiles do not need to be physically circumcised to be in the New Covenant relationship with God.

So far we have learned about the exalted position of the gospel, the consequences of unbelief, the impartiality of God regarding the lost and those whom He has and will call unto Himself, and national condemnation of the Jews who seek to be justified by the Law. In chapter 3 Paul declares all guilty and bound for eternity in hell because all men, women, and children reject the general revelation they have from God. He also sets to rest the thought that anyone is able to be saved on the basis of keeping the law, because nobody does, in fact, ever, keep the whole law (3:19, 20).

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