Romans 2:17

Explicit exposure of Jewish responsibility, guilt, and peril

17. Behold Better, But if. A single additional letter in the Gr. makes this difference; and it should certainly be so read. The framework of the sentence is thus somewhat altered: "But if thou art a Jew, and dost glory in the name and privilege, say, dost thou act up to thy light?"

thou Emphatic, "thou, my supposed hearer or reader."

art called Lit. art surnamed. Perhaps in the word "named" lies a slight reference to the contrast between external and internal "Judaism." See Romans 2:28.

restest in Lit. restest upon. The possessionof the Law was the foundation-rock of the man's peace and hope. On this he reposed himself, thanking God that he was "not as other men were." The Divine exposure of his sin he perverted into a reason for self-righteousness!

makest thy boast of God Lit. boastest, or gloriest, in God. A "boast" either most holy or most sinful according to the man's view of God and of himself. See Isaiah 45:25, for the sacred promise perverted by Pharisaic pride.