Romans Chapter 3 - All Are Consigned to SinPart A - Jewish Sin (i)

Overview

I have broken this section down into 3 parts as follows:

A) Jewish Sin

B) My Sin

C) Universal Sin

Beginning with the first part, the Jews are seen as likely to ask a number of questions in seeking to understand their situation under the gospel. Behind all of them lies the natural, fallen tendecy of all men towards self-justification. So, it's worth a warning to (we) Gentile saints who may be tempted to regard these specious arguments of the Jews with some disdain. That would be a grave mistake. We can easily fall prey similar thoughts.


A) Jewish Sin:
i) So What's the Advantage of Being a Jew?

Romans 3:1-4 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, "That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”

The Jew might argue by asking that, if only faith is needed, and not the law or circumcision – things actually given by God Himself – then what’s the advantage in being a Jew at all? “Aren’t we supposed to be special? Didn’t God Himself make us special when He chose us? Don’t His dealings with us in history prove that we are specially regarded by Him?”

Well, as we shall see, you are only “special” if you exhibit the obedience of faith. Remember the inseparability of faith and obedience? If you truly believe God you will obey Him. But did the Jews do so? Though they were, above all things, entrusted with the very Words of God they turned them into a carnal, outward set of rules, rather than receiving them as spiritual and inward principles governing a personal relationship with Him. They rejected God’s written Word long before they rejected His Living Word. With great blessing comes great responsibility – and failure in that responsibility brings proportionate judgment.