Scripture Response: Romans 2:17-3:8

In Romans 2:17-3:8 Paul examines the legitimacy of keeping the Mosaic Law and the importance of Jewish ancestry and compares them with faith. In verses 17-29 of chapter two Paul looks at how the Jews define their relationship with God and others. Upon probing Hebrew reasoning, Paul exposes the narrowness and hypocrisy of the Jewish definition of faith by stating, “. . . you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself?” (Romans 2:21) By subtly referring to defining by genus and difference, Paul reveals that observance of the Law and a Jewish heritage are assets of worshipping God; however, he reveals a fuller, broader definition. At the end of Romans 2 Paul writes,

A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. (Romans 2:29)

Through this statement Paul describes faith as something from the heart. Romans 2:29 broadens the scope of the Jewish definition, while still mentioning the essential characteristics of faith.

Moving to Romans 3, Paul strengthens his conclusion in chapter two. Leaning upon genus and difference, Paul clarifies Judaism as a species of the genus “faith.” In Romans 3:2 Paul affirms the importance of the Hebrew heritage. However, Paul emphasizes the fact that God does not need a Jew or a “Law-keeper” to accomplish his will by stating, “What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar.” (Romans 3:3-4) Overall, by affirming Judaism, Paul does not mean that works influence God’s plan. Instead, Paul places works as the result of genuine faith.

Overall, the sequence of Romans 2:17-3:8 struck me. Recently, I have heard a lot of emphasis on faith, but a strange silence when it comes to the relationship between faith and the Law. By categorizing faith and the Law according to the genus and species model, the relationship now makes sense to me. To accomplish the Law one must first have true faith in the One who made the Law! Also, Romans 2:17-24 and Paul’s comparison of the Jewish standard with their actual religious product convicted me to practice what I preach. As a representative of Christ, the way I act reflects directly upon the way the world looks upon Christ.