Romans 2:22 - Adulterers All
Aug
25
Written by:
8/25/2008 2:54 PM
"You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?" (NLT)
If we look toward history we will find that Adultery was a most common crime in Israel.
Romans 2:22
"You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?" (NASB)
"Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?" (KJV)
"You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?" (NLT)
"You who tell others not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?" (NET)
"'Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.' Then Jesus left them and went away." (Mathew 16:4 NLT)
"You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God." (James 4:4)
If we look toward history we will find that Adultery was a most common crime in Israel. The Jewish Historian, Josephus, give us a firm account of the widespread sin of this nation (Josephus, Ant. IV. 8, 10). Even the Jewish Talmud accuses, by name, the most celebrated Rabbis of adultery. (Dr. Albert Barnes)
"The greatest obstructers of the success of the word are those whose bad lives contradict their good doctrine, who in the pulpit preach so well that it is a pity they should ever come out, and out of the pulpit live so ill that it is a pity they should ever come in." Mathew Henry
"The apostle directs his discourse to the Jews, and shows of what sins they were guilty, notwithstanding their profession and vain pretensions. A believing, humble, thankful glorying in God, is the root and sum of all religion. But proud, vain-glorious boasting in God, and in the outward profession of his name, is the root and sum of all hypocrisy. Spiritual pride is the most dangerous of all kinds of pride. A great evil of the sins professors is, the dishonor done to God and religion, by their not living according to their profession. Many despise their more ignorant neighbors who rest in a dead form of godliness; yet themselves trust in a form of knowledge, equally void of life and power, while some glory in the gospel, whose unholy lives dishonor God, and cause his name to be blasphemed." Mathew Henry
Mathew Henry could not have said it better. As we look into the mirror each morning, ought we not to consider that Grace is the reason that we have breath. It is God's longsuffering that stayed the day of our destruction against that day when we would believe. Saint Augustine said: "Love God, do as you please." For if we truly love God, then our actions are already pleasing. Then why is it that we instead take license of this Grace and live abhorrent lives. The original Greek meaning is to turn away from a horrible stench. God abhors sin! What then is our true witness as believers? Is it the words proceeding from our mouths as we tell others how to live? Or is it the way we live our lives the grandest of all witnesses. If, because of Grace within us, we live a life worthy of our calling then we are a witness unto life. If, because of our sin nature, we live a life that looks like the world around us we are a witness unto death. Let us begin each day with a joyous thanksgiving in our hearts knowing that our sins are no longer counted against us! Rather our lives have been covered by the blood of the Lamb.
"The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning." (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT)