Study 11

Romans 2:25-3:1

LIVE IN THE SPIRIT

EXTERNAL RELIGIOSITY

The Jews had the problem of external religiosity. They profess to be Jews by performing certain important rites such as the ritual of circumcision. Through practising this rite, they thought that God would be pleased with them. But the Jews performed this rite only in form. It was not done from their hearts.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RITE OF CIRCUMCISION

The rite of circumcision was considered the most important ritual in demonstrating that a person was a Jew. This special rite was given by God as part of the Abrahamic Convenant. It was a sign for the people of Israel to indicate that they were clean and holy before God. All who did not perform this rite were not considered part of Israel.

CIRCUMCISION IN RELATION TO THE KEEPING OF THE LAW

What was Paul's understanding of this important Jewish rite? Paul wrote, "For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law;" (Rom. 2:25). This means that even if a person was circumcised and he did not keep the law, his circumcision was of no use (Rom. 2:25). Paul considered circumcision as something not as important as the keeping of the Law. Even a person who is not circumcised, but keeps himself righteous before the Lord, would be considered as truly circumcised (Rom. 2:26). It did not matter that the Jews had the heritage of the Mosiac law. As long as they were unrighteous in their behaviour, they were regarded as transgressors of the law.

LIVE IN THE SPIRIT, NOT THE LETTER OF THE LAW

What was a true Jew? Paul wrote what a Jew should not be... "For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;" (Rom. 2:28). A true Jew was not one who was circumcised physically only. His religion would not be only externally displayed. He would not just keep the letter of the law.

A true Jew, according to Paul, has to be "one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God" (Rom 2:29). He was one who was circumcised in the heart. His heart was cleansed in the Holy Spirit. His heart became righteous before the Lord. There was spiritual cleansing rather than physical cleansing. As a result of this cleansing, the Jew would seek to fulfill the law of God.

TO BE PRAISED BY GOD

The word "Jew" is defined as one whose "Praise is of God". The Jews tended to take pride in their heritage of the Mosaic Law. This was "self praise". But a true Jew who sought to be spiritually cleansed and to live according to the Law, he would be praised by God. God would be pleased with such a person. Let's be challenged not to end up with eternal religiosity... where we would focus on fulfilling the letter of the law only. Let's be challenged to be cleansed in the Spirit of God and to live our lives according to the Lord's Word.

~ A-P Rev Mark Tan ~

First released 17 March 2002, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore