Romans 2:17 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Behold, &c.— If the unbelieving Jew was at all disposed to admit evidence and conviction, the Apostle has said enough to awaken his conscience in the preceding part of this chapter; and therefore here he throws off the cover, and openly argues with him in the most plain and nervous manner, that his superior knowledge, privileges, and professions served only to aggravate his condemnation; and that, in fact, he, who, under all his greater advantages, transgressed the law of God, stood condemned by the honest Gentile, who, to the best of his knowledge, obeyed it. In Romans 2:17-20. St. Paul makes use of the titles which the Jews assumed to themselves, from the advantages they had of light and knowledge above the Gentiles, to shew them how inexcusable they were in judging the Gentiles, (who were, even in their own account, so much beneath them in knowledge,) for doing those things, of which they themselves were also guilty. St. Paul says emphatically, thou art called a Jew; for such a Jew as described in the following verses, he insists, was a Jew only in name, not in reality; and so he concludes, Romans 2:28-29. The Greek words Καυχαομαι, καυχημα, καυχησις, are used by none of the New Testament writers except St. Paul and St. James; by the latter thrice, by the former above fifty times. They are favourite terms with St. Paul, probably because of their very expressive and extensive signification. We render them by boasting, glorying, rejoicing, joy; but glorying best suits all the places where they are found. Now glorying, as it gives the sense of those words, denotes being pleased with, and acquiescing in the object wherein we glory, as it is supposed to be an object of joy and delight, of hope and dependence; as being praise-worthy, and reflecting an honour upon us: and such an object may be either in ourselves, or in other things or persons. I. In ourselves; 1 with regard to dependence, Jeremiah 9:23.—2 with regard to honour, Judges 7:2. 1 Corinthians 1:29. Ephesians 2:9; Ephesians 2. In other things or persons; 1 with regard to joy, Psalms 5:11.Philippians 2:16.—2 with regard to hope, Proverbs 11:7 in the LXX.—3 with regard to dependence, Psalms 49:6. Philippians 3:3-4.—4 with regard to what is praise-worthy, 2 Corinthians 5:12. —5 with regard to honour, Jeremiah 13:11. 2 Corinthians 1:14. These several senses the words above mentioned will admit; but commonly more senses than one are implied, and sometimes all the several significations are included in the force of the word: so here, and makest thy boast, or rather, and gloriest in God; that is to say, "You rejoice in him as the object of your hope and dependence;—you praise, or speak well of him; you account it your honour that he is your God, and that you worship him, &c." So Romans 2:23 ch. Romans 5:2; Romans 3:11, &c. See Locke and Mintert.