In verses 17-20 Paul enumerates a number of privileges upon which the Jews of his day were inclined to congratulate themselves. If you make a list of them you should find ten in all. Racial and religious prides are by no means confined to the Jews only, however. Substitute ‘Christian’ for ‘Jew’ and ‘the Word’ for ‘Law’, and show how the argument could be applied to professing Christians today. Answer: I can see how some could be seen as being righteous, really even self righteous in the Word. How some have lost the love that Christ told us to share with unbelievers. They want to condemn others but not look at their own problems. I will admit that yes I find it very hard to live with the growing number of sins that our culture is beginning to think is “ok.” How can I condemn them when I can not even obey the simple commands that Christ set forth for me.
Verses 25-29. The Jews rested upon circumcision as the seal of God’s covenant with them. What else does Paul show here to be required without which the outward sign ceases to have value? Cf. 1 Sam 16:7. How would you frame the argument in relation to Christian ordinances? Answer: God looks at the inward man, judging his motives for his actions. All the outward appearances may be there, but if he is not forgiven (by faith and belief in God and Christ) by God he can not be made righteous in God’s sight and therefore all outward appearances are for naught.
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