These are important verses for us to be familiar with, for they teach us concerning how we should live according to the truth we preach.  Romans 2:21-24 says, “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”

There are those who teach properly, but do not live accordingly.  The Lord Jesus, Himself, addressed this issue concerning the scribes and Pharisees.  He said in Matthew 23:3, “All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for THEY SAY, AND DO NOT.”  The things these men taught were from the scriptures, but they, themselves, did not follow the very truths they taught.  Note how the Lord instructed His followers to follow the truth, but not to follow the hypocritical teachers and their examples.  This is a good lesson for us.  We cannot reject the truth just because the teacher is not living according to the truth he preaches.  It is a shame, to be sure, to say one thing and do another, but the truth stands on its own and should be obeyed regardless of how we receive it. 

The Lord spoke further about this issue in Matthew 5:19, “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever SHALL DO AND TEACH them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”  How important it is that we both DO and TEACH the truth of God’s Word.  We dishonor the Lord and cause Him to be spoken evil of when we do not practice the truths we teach. 

As Luke began his Book of Acts, he wrote of the Lord Jesus, “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began BOTH TO DO AND TEACH.”  (Acts 1:1).  Our dear savior was perfect in His actions and His teachings.  He taught the truth.  He lived the truth.  Does the Lord expect any less of us?  Indeed not.  It is shameful to be a spokesman for the truth that we are not living. 

Although these words are primarily written to the Jews (verse 17), the lesson is surely for us today.  May we bow our hearts before the Lord and obey His Word, then we will be able to teach His Word in power and in example so that those we speak to might not be dissuaded by our improper behavior. (CC)  (625.4)