Romans 2:23,24 – Misplaced boasting 

Who are boasting in a law, through the transgression of the law you are dishonoring God! For because of you the name of God is being blasphemed among the nations, according as it is written.

Paul continues to elaborate on the subject of hypocrisy. It is confessing with the mouth (“boasting in the law”) but in practice denying (“dishonoring GOD”). It is double-minded, a janus face and double standards. Nothing (rightly!) Evokes more disdain than this attitude. As the prophets in “the Old Testament” so often point out to Israel in lashing language that the name of GOD is blasphemed against them among the nations.

We read of Jesus in the Gospels that he was a friend of harlots and publicans. There was only one category of people he was in constant conflict with and that was the religious elite. Read Matthew 23 where he makes a flaming tirade against their so-called “Faithfulness to Scripture” which was really only faithfulness to tradition. Hypocrites who put burdens on people’s shoulders but did not touch those with their fingers themselves (23: 4). How different is the word of GOD that came from Jesus’ mouth and was later also sent to the nations through Paul. No heavy burden, but rest and relief!

Delen: