Message: There is an advantage in being in Jew (necessary to state this after chapter 2)
Time: Paul probably wrote Romans between A.D. 57-58 while he was at Corinth in the home of his friend and convert Gaius. He planned to go first to Jerusalem to deliver a gift of money from the Gentile churches to the poor in Jerusalem. Then he hoped to visit Rome on his way to Spain. His hopes were later realized, but not as he had expected. When he finally arrived in Rome in early A.D. 60, he was a prisoner under house arrest (Acts 28:11-31).
What the Lord is Saying:
Background
In chapter 2, the Jew was basically told, "you think that because of a Jew you have a free pass to God because of the Law that you know and circumcision that you have performed, but these things are really meaningless because God's standard and thereby His acceptance is based upon complete obedience or doing the Law. And so whether Jew or Gentile, justification is through being a doer of the Law. This could be the Law of Moses if you have received it or it could be the law that God has given every person, namely the conscience. We should not be so focused on what God has given, but more focused on what we have done with what we have."
Transition
So, at the conclusion of chapter 2, the Jew probably felt beat up. Verse 1 of chapter 3 is a beautiful and apt next statement from Paul, "Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?" It is a great statement because the Jew has just been told, in a way, that circumcision is of no value. However, it has value just not value by itself. The purpose of chapter 2 is to show that God's judgment is impartial and no one, not even a Jew, can claim that they have a special privilege in and of themselves to escape God's judgment. But, the Jew still has a special distinction under the eyes of God and this is what Paul wants to make sure the Jew understands, so there is no misunderstanding.
Diatribe Speaking
The first 8 chapters of Romans 3 is Paul utilizing diatribe speaking where he is, in a way, speaking to an imaginary objector. He is carrying on a conversation with an imaginary, questioning person.
First two questions
Because chapter 2 showed us that there is no special privilege that the Jew has in having the Law or being circumcised, then what advantage is there in being a Jew. This is Paul's first question. A non-Jew church attender might ask the same question. What is so great about being in a church, getting baptized, church membership, or being raised by a Christian family? If we know that these things don't save us, then what is the advantage of being associated with them or in them?
Paul's second question then is what is the benefit of circumcision. In being circumcised the Jew was being obedience to God's commands. So, they had followed through on obedience. But, what Paul is telling the Jew is that circumcision can't save them. Romans 1:17 told the Jew and all of mankind that it is accepting God's righteousness through Jesus Christ and His Gospel that makes us right with God. He just mentioned in Romans 2:29 that circumcision is inward. It comes about not by the might of man, but by the Spirit. We don't say, "Hey, look what I did" but instead all of our praise is toward God and what He did for us.
Responsibility vs Special Privilege
In verse 2, Paul states, that the Jew being a Jew is great. He reminds his Jewish reader that there is greatness in being a Jew. And this is first denoted in the fact that they were responsible for the securing of the oracles of God. They had a responsibility to hold onto the commandments of God. They were to preserve these commandments. The Jew is special to God and so the Jew must live a special life.
Both the Jew and the Christian have a responsibility from God to live there lives in a separate and distinct manner, but it needs to be clear, that this holy life that is lived doesn't then save that individual or allow that individual to be exempt from God's judgment. We still must be changed from the inside/out. While we are accountable to standards, we are more accountable to the standard maker.
God entrusted the Jew with the commandments of God. I am always amazed at how much the word revival is through around the church today and I continue to wonder if when church people say they are praying for revival they are primarily targeting the world and its drifting away from God and the clear abandonment of the Word of God in society. It is true this nation began as a Christian nation and our forefathers were from Christian backgrounds and wrote into the constitution things that are consistent with God's word. But, for me, the revival that needs to occur first and foremost is in the lives of those attending church. It needs to occur for those that are already calling themselves Christians. They show their affiliation to the church and yet they are living their lives in a contrary manner. I am living my life in a contrary manner at times.
The Word of God must be paramount in my life. More so as a man, the leader of my home, I need to hold to the truth's of God's Word.
One of the things that I'm hearing about more and more as I converse with people online through the ministry, Global Media Outreach, is how many women are in marriages where the man has not been obedient to God's command to "love their wives." And the ramifications that then occur because of the man not being obedient to this.
I see it in my life continually. When I am obedient to God's Word, good things happen. And yet, that obedience is not what has saved me.
These verses amaze me because at first glance they don't seem real compelling, but in light of what Paul has already stated they are huge. And they have major ramifications.
Promise: The Jews is very special to God and the Jew needs to understand the special responsibility they have before God for there are great benefits of following through on these responsibilities.
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