Teaching and Preaching to Others and Yourself Romans 2:21

Paul the apostle told the Jews in Rome how they were, “An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which have the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-one of Romans, Paul questioned those who were, “teaching and preaching” to others where we read:

You therefore which teach another, teaches you not yourself?

you that preach a man should not steal, do you steal?

The verse begins, “You therefore which teach another, teaches you not yourself?” Paul began with the words, “you therefore” which means “the Jews accordingly, consequently and these things being so” “which teach another” which means “who hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses, impart instruction and instill doctrine ”, “teach you not” or “do not hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses, impart instruction and instill doctrine to” “yourselves” which refers to “the Jews themselves”. Paul questioned whether the Jews who were “instructing” other people were “instructing” themselves as well.

The verse goes on to say, “you that preach a man should not steal, do you steal?” Paul continued with the words, “your that preach” which means “the Jews who herald, proclaim and publish openly always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed ” “a man” or “a human being whether male or female” “should not steal” which means “should not take away by theft or stealth” “do you steal?” or “are you guilty of taking away by theft or stealth”? Paul wanted to know if those who “heralded and proclaimed” that people should not “take away things by stealth” actually “stole” from others themselves.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how he began to be more specific concerning those who were “teaching” and “preaching” to others. He desired to know if they were giving “instructions” to their listeners concerning “stealing” and yet “stealing” themselves. The idea was, “were they practicing what they preach”? Because it is much easier to “tell others” what to do and not do rather than “keeping and following” those same rules, Paul questioned their righteousness integrity. Jesus Christ came not only to give instructions through teaching and preaching, but also demonstrated how to live according to a “Godly” and “Righteous” standard. This is why He is the “Savior” of the world. Not only did He proclaim the “law of God”, but He also fulfilled it, and all who are wise shall receive His righteousness which is required by God.

Next time Paul asks about, “adultery and committing sacrilege”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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