19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark,
19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
19 I have a special word of caution for you who are sure that you have it all together yourselves and, because you know God's revealed Word inside and out,
19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness.
20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth-
20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth--
20 feel qualified to guide others through their blind alleys and dark nights and confused emotions to God.
20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.
20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God's law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
(Read Romans 2:17-24)
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 dishonour done to God and religion, by their not living according to their profession. Many despise their more ignorant neighbours 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 dishonour God, and cause his name to be blasphemed.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 2:19
Commentary on Romans 2:17-24
(Read Romans 2:17-24)
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 dishonour done to God and religion, by their not living according to their profession. Many despise their more ignorant neighbours 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 dishonour God, and cause his name to be blasphemed.