'A guide for the blind': Israel's calling and the hearer of 2:19–20

Says The hearer of 2:17 is κατηχούμενος ἐκ τοῦ νόμου (katēchoumenos ek tou nomou, "instructed by the law," 2:18) and is convinced that he is "a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants," because he has "in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth" (2:19–20).

Wisdom speaks of Israel, "by whom the uncorrupt light of the law was to be given unto the world" (Wis 18:4, Brenton); Sirach and Baruch identify wisdom with the law (Sir 24:23; Bar 4:1–4). Later, 2 Baruch prays, "Thy law is with us" (48:22–24). The Sibyl calls Israel "to all mortals the guide of life" (Sib. Or. 3.194–195; cf. 1 En. 105:1). Philo says the nation holds priesthood and prophecy for all humanity and prays for "the whole universal race of mankind" (Abr. 98; Mos. 1.149). Josephus calls the Jews "the teachers of other men" (C. Ap. 2.291–295). The merchant Ananias taught King Izates to worship God (Ant. 20.34–48). Jesus calls Pharisees "blind guides" who cross land and sea "to win a single convert" (Matt 15:14; 23:15).

Implies Paul does not deny the calling; he turns it on a hearer who fails it: "you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself?" (2:21). So God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles (2:24).

Uncertain Whether the titles echo Isaiah's servant, synagogue teaching of proselytes or a common Diaspora self-description cannot be shown. For Isa 42:6–7 and 49:6 see the Hebrew note.