Romans 2:23

23 You brag about the law. But when you break it, you rob God of his honor!

Romans 2:23 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 2:23

Thou that makest thy boast of the law
Of their having it, which other nations had not; of their knowledge of it, which many of their own people were without, or had but a small share of; and of their keeping of it even to perfection:

through breaking of the law dishonourest thou God?
sin sometimes is expressed by a word which signifies a "fall"; sometimes by another, which signifies missing of the mark, or straying from it; sometimes by another, which signifies a "contrariety to the law" of God; and here, by one which signifies a "passing over it", and the bounds which it has set, as the rule of man's obedience; and hereby God, the lawgiver, is dishonoured: for as God is glorified by good works, when rightly performed, he is dishonoured by evil ones; for his authority, as a lawgiver, is trampled upon and despised. Now persons guilty of such iniquities as here mentioned, could not be justified before God, or accepted by him on account of any works of righteousness done by them.

Romans 2:23 In-Context

21 You teach others. But you don't teach yourself! You preach against stealing. But you steal!

22 You say that people should not commit adultery. But you commit adultery! You hate statues of gods. But you rob temples!

23 You brag about the law. But when you break it, you rob God of his honor!

24 It is written, "Those who aren't Jews say evil things against God's name because of you."(Isaiah 52:5; Ezekiel 36:22)

25 Circumcision has value if you obey the law. But if you break the law, it is just as if you hadn't been circumcised.