Hypocrisy
A Sermon on Romans 2:17-24
Originally preached Dec. 14, 1956
Scripture
17Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 18And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, …
Sermon Description
There is no difference between the Jews and Gentiles. No one is saved based on heritage or works. But with this sermon on Romans 2:17-24 about wrath and condemnation, the Jews were hypocritically stirring up excuses of why they were not subject to the judgement Paul was preaching. Paul carefully eliminated any excuse and showed how no one is righteous and all will be subject to wrath. Preaching on hypocrisy, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones exposes the conduct of a hypocrite: complacent, never examining themselves, preaching to others but not themselves, and criticizing others but not themselves. It is not enough to hear God’s word; one must also apply the truth and be humbled by it. This will produce an inward change. In the second half of the message, Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses the Jews’ last resort excuse of circumcision. Paul carefully outlined that those who rely on this outward sign are missing the point that God only cares about the inward sign of true change and repentance. Circumcision is pointless unless it also comes with a changed heart. Let the Christian not rely on nationality, outward signs, or misguided truths but always be in humble adoration of a Lord that provided a way for salvation from wrath.
Sermon Breakdown
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The apostle Paul is arguing that Jews cannot rely on the law and circumcision alone to save them. They must have an inward change and relationship with God.
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Paul puts forth a series of arguments to show the Jews that they are hypocrites for teaching the law but not following it themselves.
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The first characteristic of a hypocrite is that they take only a theoretical interest in the truth. They are interested in arguing and discussing it but not applying it.
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The second characteristic is complacency and overconfidence. Hypocrites are never humble and think they have no need to examine themselves.
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The third characteristic is that hypocrites never apply the truth to themselves. They teach others but not themselves.
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The fourth characteristic is that hypocrites do the very things they condemn in others. They preach against stealing but steal themselves.
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The fifth characteristic is that hypocrites dishonor God by breaking the law they boast in. Their actions contradict their words.
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The sixth characteristic is that hypocrites cause others to blaspheme God by their poor example. Outsiders judge God by the lives of His supposed people.
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Paul argues that circumcision is useless without obedience to the law. If you break the law, you might as well be uncircumcised.
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Paul argues that if an uncircumcised man kept the law, he would condemn the circumcised lawbreaker. The outward sign means nothing without the inward reality.
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True circumcision is of the heart, not the flesh. True Jews are those who are Jews inwardly, not outwardly. They seek God's praise, not man's.
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We must examine ourselves to see if we are relying on outward things or if we have the inward reality of a new heart and life. Hypocrisy is subtle and we are all prone to it.
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The only thing that avails before God is holiness. Without it, no one will see the Lord.
Sermon Q&A
Key Questions About Hypocrisy and Christianity from Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon
What is the main passage that Dr. Lloyd-Jones is examining in this sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones is examining Romans 2:17-24, where Paul addresses the Jews who rest in the law but don't practice what they preach. This passage contains Paul's devastating exposure of religious hypocrisy, as he questions those who teach others but don't teach themselves.
What are the general characteristics of a hypocrite according to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Lloyd-Jones, a hypocrite: 1) Takes only a theoretical or intellectual interest in truth rather than applying it personally; 2) Displays complacency and self-satisfaction, always "on good terms with himself"; and 3) Never examines himself because he doesn't see any need for self-examination, being confident in his own righteousness.
Why does Lloyd-Jones say preachers are particularly susceptible to hypocrisy?
Lloyd-Jones explains that preachers are particularly susceptible to hypocrisy because their role requires intellectual engagement with scripture, which can lead to treating the gospel as merely an intellectual exercise. They can become interested only in "the form of his sermon or the form of his message," delivering intellectual treats rather than spiritual truth. As James warns, "be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation."
What specific charges does Paul make against the hypocrite in action?
Paul charges that the hypocrite: 1) Teaches others but never teaches himself; 2) Is actually guilty of doing the very things he tells others not to do (stealing, adultery, etc.); and 3) Dishonors God through breaking the law while boasting about the law.
What are the consequences of religious hypocrisy according to the sermon?
The consequences are severe: "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you." Lloyd-Jones explains that people outside the church judge God, Christ, and Christianity by what they see in professing Christians. They judge: 1) God Himself by His representatives; 2) The truth of Christianity by its adherents; 3) The salvation of God by what they see in believers; and 4) The power of God by what they observe in Christians' lives.
What was the "last bastion of defense" for the Jews that Paul addresses?
The "last bastion of defense" for the Jews was circumcision. After Paul demolished their arguments about the law, they fell back on circumcision as proof they were God's people. They argued that since circumcision was older than the law (going back to Abraham), it was an indissoluble sign that they belonged to God regardless of their behavior.
How does Paul respond to the argument about circumcision?
Paul responds by saying that circumcision only profits if one keeps the law (Romans 2:25-29). He argues that true circumcision is not external but "of the heart, in the spirit." He makes the devastating point that uncircumcised people who keep the law would be counted as circumcised, while circumcised people who break the law are essentially uncircumcised.
What modern religious practices does Lloyd-Jones compare to the Jews' reliance on circumcision?
Lloyd-Jones compares the Jews' reliance on circumcision to modern Christians relying on: 1) Nationality ("I'm from a Christian country"); 2) Baptism (whether as an infant or adult); 3) Church membership; 4) Taking the sacrament/communion; 5) Knowledge of evangelical terms or doctrine; 6) Intellectual belief in the gospel; and 7) Theoretical assurance of salvation without evidence of spiritual fruit.
What does Lloyd-Jones say is the only thing that ultimately matters in our relationship with God?
Lloyd-Jones states that what ultimately matters is whether we are born again: "Are we born again? Have we received the new nature? Have we got the life of God in our souls? Are we partakers of the divine nature?" He emphasizes that moral behavior and scriptural knowledge without the new heart are worthless.
How can Christians avoid the trap of hypocrisy according to the sermon?
Christians can avoid hypocrisy by: 1) Examining themselves honestly; 2) Applying scripture to themselves first before teaching others; 3) Recognizing "in me dwelleth no good thing"; 4) Confessing sins privately before God; and 5) Being mindful that non-believers are watching and judging Christianity by what they see in Christians' lives.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.