Scripture

Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? (emphasis added)

Romans 2:17-21 (NIV)

Observation

Although Paul is addressing Jews in these verses, we can apply the truth of what Paul says to us who are non-Jews and follow Christ. Indeed, Jesus refers to those who follow him as the “light of the world,” which means that Christians are a light in the dark. While we don’t directly follow the Mosaic law, we do follow Jesus, who embodies and fulfills the law. Thus, one can say we are the “embodiment of knowledge and truth” in the sense that God gives us wisdom when we ask (cf. James 1:5). Furthermore, we are filled with the Holy Spirit which leads and guides us into all truth (John 16:13). Finally, with the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), one cannot deny our place as “guides” for the “blind” and “instructors” for the “foolish.” 

Furthermore, Christians are ambassadors for Christ. 

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)

In verse 21, Paul asks a thought-provoking question: “You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself?”

You might not consider yourself a “teacher” or a pastor, evangelist, etc., but all Christians share the same obligation to tell others about Christ. This obligation comes from the Holy Spirit within, and it is a desire that no one perishes, but everyone come to repentance and know God for themselves. 

Whenever we tell people about the Lord, we also tell ourselves about him. When I tell someone that Jesus loves them and died for their sins, I remind myself that Jesus loves me and died for my sins, too. In the same way, if someone comes up to you and asks you about forgiveness and you tell them what the Bible says about it, you’re telling yourself about it—even if you don’t realize it. 

Thus, when Paul talks about teaching oneself when teaching others, that’s what he talks about. However, Paul’s issue wasn’t teaching others. Paul’s issue dealt with self-righteousness and hypocrisy. Jesus had something to say about teaching others while not following one’s own teaching. 

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

Matthew 23:1-4 (NIV)

Therefore, it’s okay and good to teach others about Jesus and tell them what the Bible says, but if we don’t do what the Bible says, we’re nothing more than self-righteous hypocrites. In that case, we do more harm than good when we tell others about Jesus. Still, there’s a difference between telling people about the Lord, doing your best to live by the things you teach, and disregarding God’s word as something for “other people.”

Application

Do what God’s word says to do. Don’t just tell people what God says, but do it for yourself. 

Prayer

Lord, I praise and exalt you. Forgive me for when I might have told others what your word says and didn’t follow through by doing what it says myself. Please help me remember that when you’re speaking through me to others, you’re also talking to me about myself. Then, please help me to do what your word says to do. Thank you for doing these things. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.