Romans 2:22

22 You say, "Do not commit adultery" - but do you commit adultery? You detest idols - but do you rob temples?

Romans 2:22 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 2:22

Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery
Adultery here is to be taken not figuratively for adulterating the word of God, and mixing it with their own inventions; but literally for the sin of adultery, and that not in heart only, but in act:

dost thou commit adultery?
an iniquity which greatly prevailed among the Jews at this time of day; hence Christ calls them "an adulterous generation", ( Matthew 12:39 ) ( 16:4 ) ( Mark 8:38 ) ; and that to such a degree, that by the advice of their great Rabbi, R. Jochanan ben Zaccai, they left off the trial of the suspected woman, cases of this nature being so very numerous: and this sin prevailed not only among the common people, but among their principal doctors; as may be learnt from their own writings, and from that conviction of this iniquity which the Scribes and Pharisees were brought under by Christ, when the woman, taken in adultery, was had before him by them, ( John 8:9 ) .

Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
for though at this time they abhorred idolatry, to which their forefathers were so much inclined, and so often fell into, yet they were guilty of sacrilege; by violating the worship of God, and polluting it with their own inventions; by pillaging or withholding, or not offering the sacrifices they ought; and by plundering the temple, and converting the sacred things of it to their own use.

Romans 2:22 In-Context

20 an instructor for the foolish, and a teacher for the ignorant. You are certain that in the Law you have the full content of knowledge and of truth.
21 You teach others - why don't you teach yourself? You preach, "Do not steal" - but do you yourself steal?
22 You say, "Do not commit adultery" - but do you commit adultery? You detest idols - but do you rob temples?
23 You boast about having God's law - but do you bring shame on God by breaking his law?
24 The scripture says, "Because of you Jews, the Gentiles speak evil of God."
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.