I. THE PRIVILEGES OF THE JEW (2:17-20) The Jew claimed privileges in which the Gentiles did not share. Those privileges are definitely related to religion, a subject not mentioned in the first sixteen verses of chapter two. There is no reason why a religious person should be immune from scrutiny. It makes no difference what name the religion goes by. If its followers fall short of that which God requires of them, then they must come under the judgment of God. If there are Jews whose conduct brings God's name into disrepute, they must stand trial before God. The principle must apply equally to all persons includ ing zealous Roman Catholics or fervent Protestants. One's religion is not enough to put him in good standing with God if his religion does not change his behaviour for the better. The paragraph begins: "Behold, thou art called a few" (2: 17). This was a worthy claim and a high privilege. The term 11 Jew" was one of three titles, Hebrew, few and Israelite. It appears first in Scripture in 2 Kings 16:6, and was used to distinguish him from the Gentile. It was tied closely to his nationality and was a name of which he was proud. Paul spoke of Jews as being "Jews by nature" (Galatians 2:15). One of the privileges the Jew enjoyed was the fact that he "rested in the law" (2: 17), that is, he leaned heavily upon it. His reliance on the Mosaic Law was Justified for the reason that God gave it to the Jew. When God gave the Law to Moses at Sinai, it was for the children of Israel exclusively. It was never intended for the Gentiles, thus it was never enjoined upon them. The Jew was proud of the fact that he possessed the Law and that it was given to him by God. But he was wrong in supposing that his possession of the Law exempted him from judgment if he failed to practice it. Paul continues, "and makest thy boast of God" (2: 17). The Jew rightly glorified in God because Jehovah was the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the universe. The God of Israel was the one true, eternal, self-existent God who made the Jews His chosen people. There was no reason why they should not glory in Him. "And knowest His will" (2: 18). The religion of the Jews was unique in that it was the only religion to which God had revealed Himself and His future plans. The human penmen 68
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