Romans 2:21-24 Thou therefore which teach another, teach thou not thyself? thou that preach a man should not steal, do thou steal? Thou that say a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhor idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that make thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonour thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
‘Thou therefore which teach another, teach thou not thyself? thou that preach a man should not steal, do thou steal? Thou that say a man should not commit adultery, do thou commit adultery? thou that abhor idols, do thou commit sacrilege? Thou that make thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonour thou God?’ People are quick to teach others, while they don’t heed their own advice; they preach to others not to steal, commit adultery or have idols, but sin in the same ways. They boast in how they serve God but don’t obey simple commandments as given throughout the Word.
‘Abhor’ [Greek: bdelusso] only here and in Revelation 21:8 where it is translated abominable. ‘Commit sacrilege’ [Greek: hierosuleo] rob temples; use consecrated things for self. It is also the same as robbing God in Malachi 3:10-12.
‘Through breaking the law dishonour thou God’ one cannot boast of the law, and at the same break it and bring reproach upon God by living in open contradiction to your own profession. In Biblical times the high priesthood itself was an office bought and sold like other commodities. The rapine of Eli’s sons was carried on many generations by priests (1Sam. 2:22; Matt. 23:1-39). Their adultery and polygamy were scandalous. They were guilty of theft, treachery, adultery, murder, and all the sins of Romans 1:18-32; 2:1-29; 3:10-18.
‘For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written’ Ezekiel 36:20, 23 describes how Israel profaned God’s name under the heathen nations instead of representing Him as was their purpose.
Living the Word 