From here to the end of the chapter the discussion is directly focused toward the Jews, the special privileges they were endowed with and the charges the apostle Paul makes against them. Principally with their intimate knowledge of God's Law they could not be justified before the Lord due to their lack of obedience to His Law.
He accuses them by saying that they are Jewish by name, by nation, and by religion; but no name, or outward professing in false piety or a mere profession, will justify anyone before God. When he says that they restest in the law; which means that they have the Law and an intimate knowledge of it, regarding what manner of living is to be done. But, merely pleasing and applauding themselves with just knowing and hearing of it is no substitute of following the Law, therefore, they resist actually doing what it says. Paul points out that the Jews had the divine Law, worshiped the one true God, knew right from wrong, and yet regarded themselves better than all those who didn't have the law (i.e., were not Jews). Paul is presenting an argument that asks frankly, "If you claim to be Jewish, why don't you live up to the name?" The same question can be offered to Christ's followers today, "do we live up to this name?" They makest thy boast of God. The same expression is charged in the book of Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 9:23–24 |
