Romans 2:17-24

Expanded Bible

The Jews and the Law

¹⁷ What about you? You call yourself a Jew. You ·trust in [rely on] the ·law of Moses [^Llaw] and ·brag that you are close to God [^Lboast in God]. ¹⁸ You know ·what he wants you to do [his will] and ·what is important [can discern/test what is best/superior], because you have ·learned [been instructed in] the law. ¹⁹ You ·think [are convinced/confident that] you are a guide for the blind and a light for those who are in darkness. ²⁰ You think you ·can show foolish people what is right [^Lare an instructor to the foolish] and ·teach [^La teacher for] ·those who know nothing [the immature/ignorant; or children/infants]. You have the law; so you think you ·know everything and have all truth [^Lhave the embodiment/formulation of knowledge and truth]. ²¹ You teach others, so why don’t you teach yourself? You ·tell [preach to] others not to steal, but do you steal? ²² You say that others must not commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You ·hate [abhor; detest] idols, but do you steal from temples [^Cperhaps (1) profiting by selling stolen idols to Gentiles; or (2) withholding what is due to God and so “robbing” his temple]? ²³ You ·brag [boast] about ·having God’s law [^Lthe law], but do you ·bring shame to [dishonor] God by breaking his law? ²⁴ It is just as the Scriptures say: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you [Is. 52:5; Ezek. 36:20].”