For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you," as it is written.
Truth to Learn
The actions of some Christians bring shame to our God.
Behind the Words
The word “blasphemed” is transliterated from the Greek. That is, the Greek word is brought directly over into English. The Greek word is blasphēmeō, which is made up of a form of blax, meaning “slow” or “stupid” and phēmē, meaning “rumor” or “fame.” It refers to “abusive or reviling words, especially an attack on someone’s name or reputation.”
“Gentiles” is translated from ethnos, meaning “a race” or “a tribe.” It is used by Jews to refer to anyone who is not a Jew, implying idolatry and ignorance of God. It was used by early Christians in a similar way in reference to those who are ignorant of God.
Meaning Explained
For the past few verses Paul has been telling the Roman Christians (and us) that talking about faith and a relationship with God means nothing unless that faith is put into practice. It doesn’t matter how much we know about God and about what He expects of us if we aren’t putting it into action. Now he takes it one step further. He says that not only did the Christians in Rome dishonor God by not keeping the Law, he says that they are the reason that the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles. In this case, the term Gentiles is a reference to those who are not Christians. It’s one thing to be known as the people of God. It’s quite another thing to be known as the people of God but live such a life that God is disparaged because of you.
In this verse Paul says “as it is written” but he does not specifically mention where it is written. The implication is that he was quoting scripture but he recognized that these people knew the scriptures well enough that he didn’t have to quote it. He may have been talking about one of the following passages:
And now what have I here," says the LORD, "For My people are taken away for nothing? Those who rule over them Make them wail," says the LORD, "And My name is blasphemed continually every day. (Isaiah 52:5)
Therefore say to the house of Israel, “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profane among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am Jehovah,’ says the Lord Jehovah, ‘when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.’” (Ezekiel 36:22, 23)
Keep in mind that to those who are unsaved and know that we are Christians, we are God’s representatives. The way we behave reflects directly on our God. What they see in us may be all they know of God. What kind of a God do we portray?
Application
I’m once again reminded of a saying I heard as a young Christian, “If you were convicted for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?”
Well, would there?
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved
(618) 614-3070