These closing verses of the chapter (though they weren't closing verses when Paul wrote it because there weren't any chapter or verse numbers at that time!) sum up the heart of the argument, and that is to do with the heart. The Jews focused on the outward appearance, indeed Jesus criticised the Pharisees and scribes for this (Matt 23:25-28). As we have mentioned while commentating on previous verses, in the Old Testament it is clear that God is concerned with the heart of man, with what we are really like, and what we actually do with our lives. We need to look at our own hearts. If you are feeling self-confident, sure of your own self-righteousness, then the thing to do is to take a long hard look at yourself. Don’t look at other people, don’t compare yourself to others, just look at your heart and the attitudes within. Then if we have any honesty at all we will acknowledge our need of a saviour, our need of forgiveness, and our need of transformation. It is only the Holy Spirit that can bring about the inward change that is needed.
The closing sentence is crucial as well. Who are we trying to please? Whose opinion, whose judgement, do we value above all? Is it the judgement of men, or of God? The Pharisees were concerned with outward appearance, with receiving praise and recognition from men. It is God’s praise that really counts.
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