Romans 2:17 – “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God.”

The book of Romans, written by the Apostle Paul, is a letter to the Christians in Rome, intended to provide them with a systematic presentation of the gospel. In this verse, Paul addresses the religious Jews, pointing out their reliance on the law and their pride in their relationship with God.

The verse begins with the word "behold," which is a call to attention and indicates the significance of what follows. Paul addresses the Jews, reminding them of their identity as God's chosen people. Throughout the Old Testament, the Jews were identified as God's chosen people, and they prided themselves on this fact. However, Paul is about to challenge their assumptions and show them that their identity as Jews is not enough to earn favor with God.

The phrase "and restest in the law" points to the Jewish reliance on the law of Moses. The law was a central aspect of Jewish identity and faith, and they took pride in their adherence to its precepts. However, Paul is going to show that simply following the law is not enough to gain righteousness before God.

The verse concludes with the statement "and makest thy boast of God." This indicates that the Jews took pride in their relationship with God. They boasted of their privileged position as God's chosen people, believing that this alone would secure their righteousness before God.

This verse sets the stage for Paul's larger argument in the book of Romans, where he will go on to explain that righteousness is not achieved through adherence to the law or through one's Jewish identity. Instead, he will argue that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

The themes present in this verse include the dangers of religious pride and self-righteousness, as well as the need for faith in Christ for true righteousness. The Jews in Paul's time had become complacent in their position as God's chosen people, believing that their identity and adherence to the law made them righteous. However, Paul challenges this mindset and shows that true righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not through religious identity or moral performance.

The verse also serves as a reminder to all believers, both then and now, that religious pride and self-righteousness can be destructive. It is easy for people to take pride in their religious heritage or moral performance, but Paul's message to the Jews is that true righteousness comes from faith in Christ alone.

In terms of context, this verse is situated within a larger section of Paul's letter to the Romans where he is addressing the Jews and their need for salvation. Throughout the early chapters of Romans, Paul is setting the stage for his larger argument about the universality of sin and the need for faith in Christ for salvation. This verse serves as a preliminary critique of the Jewish mindset, preparing the way for Paul's larger theological argument.

In terms of symbolism, this verse symbolizes the universal need for faith in Christ. The Jews, who prided themselves on their religious identity and adherence to the law, serve as a symbol of all people who trust in their own efforts for righteousness. The ultimate message of the verse is that true righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not through religious identity or moral performance.

In conclusion, Romans 2:17 serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of religious pride and self-righteousness, as well as the need for faith in Christ for true righteousness. It sets the stage for Paul's larger theological argument in the book of Romans and serves as a potent symbol of the universal need for faith in Christ.