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Verses 21-27 criticize hypocrisy. It is much easier to tell other people how to behave than to behave properly ourselves. It is easier to say the right words rather than to allow those words to take root in our lives. Starting at verse 25, Paul starts talking about circumcision. It is a sign of God’s special covenant with his people. Submitting to this rite was required of all Jewish males. Paul states that a Jew who was circumcised meant nothing if the individual person did not obey God’s laws. The Gentiles would receive God’s approval if they obeyed the law. Paul states that a real Jew is someone whose heart is right with God.

Romans 2:21-27
21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[a]
25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the[b] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.