Big Idea: Paul reverses the role that the law played as the stipulation of the old covenant. He argues that the very attempt to obey the law is keeping Israel in bondage. This is because obsession with the Torah derailed Jews from accepting Jesus as the Messiah and from seeing that the law was fulfilled in him and finished at the cross.

Understanding the Text

Romans 2:17–24, together with 2:25–29, focuses on the twin themes of the law of Moses as the stipulation of the Old Testament covenant and circumcision as the sign of that covenant. We can divide 2:17–24 into three points. The theme of Israel’s disobedience regarding the law in 2:21a, 23 forms an inclusio for 2:21–23.

1. Israel’s boasts in the law of Moses (2:17–20)

a. It is the stipulation of Israel’s covenant with God (2:17)

b.…