Romans 2:17 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

But if thou art called a Jew — This highest point of Jewish glorying, after a farther description of it interposed, Romans 2:17-20, and refuted, Romans 2:21-24, is itself refuted, Romans 2:25, &c. The description consists of twice five articles; of which the former five, Romans 2:17-18, show what he boasts of in himself; the other five, Romans 2:19-20, what he glories in with respect to others. The first particular of the former five answers to the first of the latter; the second, to the second, and so on. And restest in the law — Dependest on it, though it can only condemn thee. And gloriest in God — As thy God; and that, too, to the exclusion of others.