Lesson 5
Romans 2:17-29
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Living by Faith: A Study in Romans
But a Jew is on inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit not by the letter: His praise is not from man but from God.
Romans 2:29
Read Romans 2:17-20
Still speaking to a Jewish representative, Paul begins a series of "ifs" in which he shines the spotlight on the way Jews see themselves. This list is not just the prideful imaginings of a people convinced of their national superiority, these "ifs" express what Israel was actually called to be. Remember that out of all the nations of the earth God called Israel to be a holy people. He gave them far more than the general revelation available to all men, he gave them the Law and his very presence.
1) What three "ifs" does Paul give in verse 17?
2) What does verse 18 say about the benefits Jews gained from the Law?
3) What do verses 19 and 20 say believe about their ministry?
It is no mystery that in addition to all the spiritual blessings God gave Israel he also placed them in the center of the earth where they could have maximum impact in spreading the knowledge of God to the nations.
4) How are the things we have learned about Israel true of the church? See Isaiah 49:6 and Acts 13:46-47.
Read Romans 2:21-23
5) So far the Jews are looking pretty good, but in verse 21 Paul asks questions meant to expose hypocrisy and presumption. Summarize Romans 2:21-23. What point do you think Paul is making by asking these rhetorical questions.
Read Romans 2:24
6) Paul calls the prophet Isaiah as witness against the Jews because in not keeping the Law they brought dishonor to God.
a) How did the Jews dishonor God?
b) Are there ways that we dishonor God today?
Read Romans 2:25-29
7) To understand the importance of circumcision for Jews, let's look at a couple Old Testament Passages that deal with its significance. Record what each of the following verses teach about circumcision.
8) What do you learn about circumcision of the heart from Deuteronomy 10:16 and 30:6?
Paul has challenged the presumption of those who preach the Law to others but do not keep it themselves. He now goes even further by calling into question the validity of their circumcision.
9) What does Romans 2:25-29 teach about:
10) According to verse 29, who performs this heart circumcision?
11) Paul says more about being the real circumcision in Philippians 3:3 and Colossians 2:11-12. What additional understanding do you gain from these verses?
Read Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Hebrews 8:10-13. When God commanded circumcision for Abraham and his descendants he was concerned with more than the body, he was concerned with the heart. In quoting Jeremiah the writer of Hebrews shows us that God's promise to Israel to make a new covenant is fulfilled in Christ. Israel was never fully successful in keeping the old Covenant because the commandments were were written on tablets of stone and could not penetrate hearts of stone. More was needed. In Christ we are given hearts of flesh and minds on which his law is written. Because the Spirit has circumcised our hearts and his laws are in our hearts and minds we are able to live by God's word.
12) How has a circumcised heart been evidenced in your life recently?
Rejoice in the Lord for what he has done for you....and continues to do!
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:25
Copyright © 2009, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Romans 2:17-29
Read Mark Learn Bible Studies
Living by Faith: A Study in Romans
But a Jew is on inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit not by the letter: His praise is not from man but from God.
Romans 2:29
Read Romans 2:17-20
Still speaking to a Jewish representative, Paul begins a series of "ifs" in which he shines the spotlight on the way Jews see themselves. This list is not just the prideful imaginings of a people convinced of their national superiority, these "ifs" express what Israel was actually called to be. Remember that out of all the nations of the earth God called Israel to be a holy people. He gave them far more than the general revelation available to all men, he gave them the Law and his very presence.
1) What three "ifs" does Paul give in verse 17?
2) What does verse 18 say about the benefits Jews gained from the Law?
3) What do verses 19 and 20 say believe about their ministry?
It is no mystery that in addition to all the spiritual blessings God gave Israel he also placed them in the center of the earth where they could have maximum impact in spreading the knowledge of God to the nations.
4) How are the things we have learned about Israel true of the church? See Isaiah 49:6 and Acts 13:46-47.
Read Romans 2:21-23
5) So far the Jews are looking pretty good, but in verse 21 Paul asks questions meant to expose hypocrisy and presumption. Summarize Romans 2:21-23. What point do you think Paul is making by asking these rhetorical questions.
Read Romans 2:24
6) Paul calls the prophet Isaiah as witness against the Jews because in not keeping the Law they brought dishonor to God.
a) How did the Jews dishonor God?
b) Are there ways that we dishonor God today?
Read Romans 2:25-29
7) To understand the importance of circumcision for Jews, let's look at a couple Old Testament Passages that deal with its significance. Record what each of the following verses teach about circumcision.
- Genesis 17:10-14
- Exodus 12:48
8) What do you learn about circumcision of the heart from Deuteronomy 10:16 and 30:6?
Paul has challenged the presumption of those who preach the Law to others but do not keep it themselves. He now goes even further by calling into question the validity of their circumcision.
9) What does Romans 2:25-29 teach about:
- the value of circumcision?
- true circumcision?
- true Jewishness?
10) According to verse 29, who performs this heart circumcision?
11) Paul says more about being the real circumcision in Philippians 3:3 and Colossians 2:11-12. What additional understanding do you gain from these verses?
Read Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Hebrews 8:10-13. When God commanded circumcision for Abraham and his descendants he was concerned with more than the body, he was concerned with the heart. In quoting Jeremiah the writer of Hebrews shows us that God's promise to Israel to make a new covenant is fulfilled in Christ. Israel was never fully successful in keeping the old Covenant because the commandments were were written on tablets of stone and could not penetrate hearts of stone. More was needed. In Christ we are given hearts of flesh and minds on which his law is written. Because the Spirit has circumcised our hearts and his laws are in our hearts and minds we are able to live by God's word.
12) How has a circumcised heart been evidenced in your life recently?
Rejoice in the Lord for what he has done for you....and continues to do!
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:25
Copyright © 2009, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
