“ And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. “

Let’s continue.

Just like with the Galatians, Paul was addressing hypocrisy among these Roman christians in verses 17-20.

While they were proud of certain characteristics about themselves, Paul was using these characteristics they bragged about to show them their hypocrisy.

“ And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, “

Paul might have been saying this in a humorous sort of way to make a point.

He knew they were believers in Jesus Christ, followers of Jesus Christ and saved by their faith in Jesus but while claiming to be instructors in showing others the way to live they themselves weren’t living up to their standards of teaching.

Jesus clearly said this about the Pharisees;

“ Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. “   Matthew 15:12-14

It is interesting to me that Jesus taught His disciples not to even attempt to show certain people the error of their ways.

Jesus just said;

“ Let them alone: “

My friend, Jesus never taught those who follow Him to beg anyone to believe in Him.

Never beg anyone to come to Jesus or repeatedly attempt to convince them they need Jesus.

Jesus Himself never begged anyone to follow Him!

Jesus clearly said to do this if anyone rejects your witness;

“ And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. “   Mark 6:11

“ a light of them which are in darkness, “

These Roman christians knew Jesus’ declaration about those who follow Him as being the light of the world.

Jesus said;

“ Ye are the light of the world… “            Matthew 5:14

“ An instructor of the foolish, “

Paul said this about the Galatian christians;

“ O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? “    Galatians 3:1-3

A fool is a person void of common sense, judgment…a silly person.

A fool is not necessarily an uneducated person.

There is such a thing as an educated fool.

Festus, who knew Paul was one of society’s most highly educated people said this about Paul when Paul was preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ;

“ And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. “    Acts 26:24-25

Those of us who believe in Jesus Christ know Paul was obviously not a fool as Festus said Paul was.

Paul was not in danger of going to hell because he called the Galatians foolish or in what he said in the verse of our study;

“ An instructor of the foolish, “

or when Paul said;

“ Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: “ 1 Corinthians 15:36

even though Jesus said;

“ …but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. “    Matthew 5:22

To be honest with you, I do not know what Jesus meant here nor do I know to what extent He meant this because He did start out by declaring;

“ But I say unto you,... “  Matthew 5:22

If this is a concern to you and feels the same as cussing and cursing to you, which is something hopefully as a born again christian you would not do, then do not call anyone a fool.

If this or anything else bothers your conscience at all, do not do it.

Do not ever go against your conscience, especially if your conscience is toward God.

Fortunately, a fool is not without hope.

James said;

“  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. “   James 1:5-7

Always keep this in mind…a “ smart mouth ’ is not a wise person. That is all he or she is…a “ smart mouth.”

A “ smart mouth “ is a fool.

“ a teacher of babes, “

Paul called the Corinthian christians babes;

“  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. “        1 Corinthians 3:1-2

Peter said;

“ Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. “   1 Peter 2:1-3

“ which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. “

The Greek word “ morphosin “ translated “ form “ means appearance, formation, form.

It seems that Paul compares their instruction and spiritual leadership to that of a facade, since he adds;

“ in the law. “

Paul warned Timothy about people;

“ Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. “   2 Timothy 3:5

Paul was obviously not promoting the Law as having the truth and something to live by.

Paul told the Galatians;

“ Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. “  Galatians 3:24-25

The point in all this that Paul is making is that teaching and living by the Law while claiming to believe in Jesus Christ does not mix.

If we teach both the Law and Jesus then our instruction is a façade, having only a form of truth and godliness with no power.

My friend, we are not under the Law.

I will continue with verse 21 in the next study.

Wayne Brown