The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Rob temples

". . . You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?" (Romans 2:22 NASB)

What exactly is Paul getting at when he speaks of robbing temples? Is it comparing their handling of their finances independently from God as being an idol?

This entire section in Romans 2 is where Paul is dealing with two basic issues in regard to the Jews: 1) their air of superiority; they being God's chosen in contrast to the lowly and profane Gentiles, and 2) their rank hypocrisy. The Jews thought themselves to be the "elite" of all the people's of the earth since was to them that God had called, cut a covenant and been with them for myriad centuries. They prided themselves on this fact, i.e., they bore the marks of the covenant in their flesh; circumcision and were children of Abraham. (cf. Matt 3:9; Jh 8:33, 39; Lk 18:10ff) Thus, being God's chosen race, at least in an outward sense, they felt that the wrath of God did not rest upon them but upon all those who were not of them. But Paul makes it all to clear that ALL are under condemnation and shall be judged accordingly; those who have not had the law (Gentiles) and those who have had the law (Jews) (Rom 2:12). Now, the second item which Paul addresses is most relevant to the text you are asking about. He begins the chapter by specifically bringing to light the matter of hypocrisy:


and then Paul mentions at least three specific examples of how the Jews do exactly this, i.e., they pride themselves in the fact that they have the law of God and are therefore superior to all others, yet they fail to abide by that law and thus they are no less guilty that those who they disdain. They were well aware of the prohibitions against idolatry, adultery and robbery. Yet, Paul accuses them of being guilty of doing these very things with his rhetorical questions.

There is no biblical evidence that the Jews actually robbed temples, although it is true that they did not consider robbing pagan temples a violation of the law because they didn't consider pagan temples to be "real" temples. However, they were guilty of robbing the temple of God due to their various cleverly devised loopholes which they felt excused them from giving that which God required of them. (cf. Mk 7:11) This charge against them isn't something new either. For God, through the prophet Malachai, accused them of robbing Him some 500 years previous to Paul's accusation, see Mal 3:8. And we can also see yet another instance of this type of robbery in Matthew 21:12, 13. James sums up this entire section with this observation and accusation:

In His grace,