But the most likely and natural antecedent for the pronouns “our” (3:5), “we” (3:5), and “my” (3:7) is the Jews of 3:1-4. It was indeed evident, that it was a foolish glorying in which the Jews on this account indulged; yet still a doubt remained as to the design of circumcision; for the Lord would not have appointed it had not some benefit been intended. What does the Jew have over and above the Gentile? 3. Romans 7:1-25 Chapter VIII. ; = “What good does his circumcision do him?” goes with . As … Chapter 11. Commentary on Romans by John Calvin, 1509-1564. Let God be proven true, and all mankind shown up as liars, just as it is written: “so that you will be justified in your words and will prevail when you are judged.” 3:5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Had the church of Rome consulted these oracles more, and councils, &c. less, she had kept the doctrine of faith much freer from corruption than she has done. While he was not a friend of the church, neither was he an atheist. First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God. Home » Bible Commentaries » Comments on Romans. But especially the Scriptures were … He next explained that salvation involves more than a right standing before God, which justification affords. A. We can imagine them asking: “If our advantages will be no help at Judgment, and Gentiles can also be accepted, what good is all this?”. Mark Dunagan Commentary on the Bible. Do the Jews have any advantage? The expression might also include the Law of Moses which would place Paul in agreement with the Jew who says that in the law “we have the essential features of knowledge and truth” (2:20). 3:2 Actually, there are many advantages. benefit: -advantage, profit. 1. Read Romans 3 commentary using Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). W… We most certainly should be, and indeed we will be. List one advantage that the Jews had over the Gentiles (Romans 3:2). Therefore, we regard 3:1-8 as dealing with Jews. Paul’s conclusions in chapter 2are contrary to what the Jews believed. This would amuse, and at the same time instruct him, and possibly cool his resentment; especially as the Apostle's answer to the first question is much in his favour. Chapter 1. This is undoubtedly due to his treatment of the Law and the feeling that if one does away with the Law—like Paul had supposedly done—then sin will run rampant. If, on the contrary, the Jews, on account of their superior privileges, will be held more culpable before the tribunal of Divine justice, as the Apostle had just shown, it appears obviously improper to allege that God has favored them more than the Gentiles. The second a confirmation of his doctrine from the testimony of scripture; and a formal drawing out and declaration of his conclusions that by the works of the law no flesh living can be justified before god, Romans 3:9-20. If the preceding doctrine be true, it may be asked, What advantage hath the Jew over the Gentile; and what profit is there in circumcision, if it does not save from sin? This means that God is in no way unrighteous (ἄδικος, adikos) when he inflicts wrath (ἐπιφέρων τὴν ὀργήν, epipherōn tēn orgēn). having therefore started the question in the first verse, opens at once in the second, to give answer. Please leave your own comment so that we can all learn from one another. Observe, 2. For otherwise how could God judge the world? Chapter 12. What then is the advantage of the Jew? Only here and Jude 1:16. I. It therefore must follow, that the Jews have no peculiar privileges whatever. Much every way; first of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. Even though the Jews had the Word of God, some of them didn’t actually believe God. God will, however, discipline us for our sin in the here and now, and we will lose reward at the final judgment (1 Cor 11:30; cf. Romans 12:1-21 Chapter XIII. 4 Not at all! What advantage then hath the Jew? Romans 9:4-23; where we have the same questions more distinctly put, answered, and largely discussed; only we may observe, that here they relate solely to the rejection of the Jews, but there they take in also the calling of the Gentiles. τ. λόγια τ. θεοῦ] that they (the Jews) were entrusted with the utterances of God, namely, in the holy Scriptures given to them, devoutly to preserve these λόγια as a Divine treasure, and to maintain them for all ages of God’s people as their and their children’s (comp Acts 2:39) possession. Romans 2:1-2 Commentary. It also entails the idea of leaders carrying out church discipline in a loving and impartial way. iv. It is ironic that his final tribute was a scriptural anthem. Great is that people's privilege and mercy, who enjoy the word of God, the audible word in the holy scriptures, the visible word in the holy sacraments. The point Paul is making, then, is that man’s sin only serves, by way of sharp contrast, to demonstrate the blinding holiness of God. Chapter 8. 1.Advantage—The question arrays the claim of Christianity against the proud superiority of Judaism. All, with one voice, bearing testimony to one and the same fundamental truth; behold your God will come and save you! We are not to think for one minute that even though our sin demonstrates the infinite righteousness of our perfect God that we are therefore excused in some way from judgment or have thus been given license to sin. Submitted by admin on Sun, 2009-03-01 17:54. or what is the benefit of Judaism?' Romans Greeting. What, &c. = What then is the advantage of the Jew, or what is the, &c. profit. But circumcision as a rite was so important in the estimation of the Jews, and is made so prominent by the apostle in the preceding context, that it is better to consider the second question as referring to the rite itself. The Grand Truth, however, is that Scripture and God have the last word. And the great drift from the whole is, to prove the absolute need of Christ; and the compleatness in Christ, in a way of a full, free, and finished justification. And, if presumptuous men will dare to impeach, either the Lord's word, or his wisdom, in any of his dispensations; he will be found justified and holy in all. Paul reserves strong language for those who follow this train of reasoning. Lest certain people conclude incorrectly, however, Paul turns his attention to this urgent question in 3:1-8. This point is taken up at Romans 3:2— ὠφέλεια τῆς περιτομῆς, the profit of circumcision) See on this subject ch. Romans 3:1-8 contributes to our understanding of sin (hamartiology) and how God will deal with it. b. III. Rom 1:18-20). The first eight verses of Romans 3 can be interpreted as an "imaginary dialogue" that the apostle holds with his Jewish detractors. ROMANS 3:1-20. An elegant prolepsis or anticipation of what might be objected against the apostle’s assertion in the foregoing words. God Righteousness Enhanced by Sin (3:5-8). Here the point is not simply that God’s righteousness is demonstrated by my unrighteousness, but rather that my lying or falsehood enhances (ἐπερίσσευσεν, eperisseusen; lit. His word must stand. He has shown that the mere possession of the law does not exempt the Jew from judgment, but that God requires its fulfilment; he has shown that circumcision in the flesh, seal though it be of the covenant and pledge of its promises, is only of value if it represent inward heart circumcision; he has, it may be … In Psalm 51 David humbly cries out to God for forgiveness because of his sin with Bathsheba. The Search OF the Savior: Why Jesus Came, Part 1 (Luke 19:1-10), Bible Storying Series - Teaching The Story Of God Chronologically, Bible Teaching Ideas: The Ten Commandments And Ten Fingers, Romans: The Gospel of God's Righteousness. Why am I still judged as a sinner when my lie enhances the glory of God (3:7)? 1.Though Paul has clearly proved that bare circumcision brought nothing to the Jews, yet since he could not deny but that there was some difference between the Gentiles and the Jews, which by that symbol was sealed to them by the Lord, and since it was inconsistent to make a distinction, of which God was the author, void and of no moment, it remained for him to remove also this objection. what is the use of it, or for what end was it instituted, seeing the uncircumcised are brought in and accepted, as being circumcised notwithstanding, and clean in heart? The answer to those interesting questions, which the Apostle immediately follows up, in a most ample and satisfactory manner, gives occasion to set forth, in yet stronger features of character, the object he had all along in view, of the utterly lost and helpless estate of every man before God, in anything of his own. shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? II. Romans 1:16-17 Reasons for not being ashamed of the Gospel. In the LXX the word occurs mainly as the equivalent of , which in various passages (e.g., Psalms 119:38) has the sense of “promise”; in ordinary Greek it means “oracle,” the Divine word given at a shrine, and usually referring to the future; hence it would be natural in using it to think of the prophetic rather than the statutory element in the O.T., and this is what is required here. πρῶτον] first of all, firstly, it is a prerogative of the Jew, or advantage of circumcision, that etc. As if he had said, If your statement be correct, that the Jew is as far from salvation by the law, as the Gentile is by nature; to what purpose was it to be born of the natural stock of Abraham, or what use was it for all his children to be circumcised? List one advantage that the Jews had over the Gentiles (Romans 3:2). Some, however, argue that the Jews are in view only through verse 4a. 3:3 What then? That by this general expression ( χρησμοὺς αὐτοίς ἄνωθεν κατηνεχθέντας, Chrysostom), which always receives its more precise definition from the context (Acts 7:38; Hebrews 5:12; 1 Peter 4:11; compare the passages from the Septuagint in Schleusner, Thes. See what over 145,000 … Again, quoting Gould, “Educated men demanded” he be laid there. He also points out that God remains faithful to the Jewish people in spite of their sin. τὰ λόγια τ. θεοῦ] eloquia Dei. This was in effect to say, that the Jews were as unworthy to be continued in the church, as the Gentiles to be taken into it; and consequently, that in order to their enjoying the privileges of the church, under the Messiah, they stood in need of a fresh display of grace; which if they rejected, God would cast them out of the vineyard. Think of all the privileges granted by God to that nation--privileges in which other nations had no part.". The apostle moved on from questions about why people need salvation ( Romans 1:18 to Romans 3:20), what God has done to provide it, and how we can appropriate it ( Romans 3:21 to Romans 5:21). Cite Share Print BLB Searches. But, rather to our surprise, he replies: "Much every way". Of course it is an advantage to belong to the Jewish nation. (4) God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. or what profit is there of circumcision? With such as call in question those fundamental truths of our holy faith, I cannot suppose it will be interesting. Compare αἱ ἐπαγγελίαι, Romans 9:4. OR Select a range of biblical books. 4. "What value was there in circumcision" … Romans 3:31 yet without annulling the obligations of the law. The point of v. 4 is that David admits he is a sinner against God and therefore God is proved right when he speaks and justified when he judges. Nonetheless, there were certain Jews who had accused Paul of actually teaching this doctrine. What advantage does the Jew have or what is the value of circumcision (3:1)? This will be demonstrated in the final judgment. (2) Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 2. The title which St. Paul gives to the holy scriptures; he calls them the oracles of God. The Argument. περισσόν] advantage, profit, pre-eminence,—see reff. We might have expected Paul to answer this supposed question quite categorically: "None at all!" The Reader may, if he please, accept the foregoing paragraph as if written within a parenthesis. 1. As in our purposes, so in our desires, we must remember to say, If the Lord will, James 4:15. He has shewn that the Jews were rather more wicked than the Gentiles, and stood condemned by such of them as sincerelydid their duty through the secret influences of divine grace; that a possession of the law, circumcision, and an outward profession of relation to God, gave them no character, and signified nothing, as to their acceptance with him. Answer: This chapter may be divided into three parts. 1 What advantage then hath the Jew? It was common for letters to begin with the name of the person writing the letter and the 3:1-2 In 2:1-29 Paul criticizes the Jew for his misunderstanding of circumcision and for his arrogant hypocrisy. But shall David's sin, in the case of Bathsheba, do away this promise? 1.] What advantage then hath the Jew? 1; Plut. 6, 30), in whatever light the matter may be considered. And the instance of David is as gracious as it is striking, by way of confirmation. Romans 9:1-33 Chapter X. Romans 10:1-21 Chapter XI. The unbelief of the Jews does not nullify God’s faithfulness, but rather God will be justified in his words and prevail when he judges, just as it says in Psalm 116:11 (3:3-4). Just as little is there meant: all making known of God in the history of salvation” (Hofmann), which is too general, and is extended by Hofmann even to the New Testament revelations. He, therefore, in the next verse makes generous concession. Paul refers here to the righteousness of God (θεου~ δικαιωσύνην, theou dikaiōsunēn). St. Stephen calls them, the lively oracles, Acts 7:38 partly because delivered by a lively voice from God, partly because they should be to us as oracles; that is, consulted with upon all occasions, for resolving all doubts, determining all controversies. (4) God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (3) For what if some did not believe? … Will their unfaithfulness nullify God's faithfulness? It was a great thing to be a Jew in those old times. PREVIOUS CHAPTER - NEXT CHAPTER - HELP - FB - TWITTER - GR VIDEOS - GR FORUMS - GR YOUTUBE . The fact that God does not automatically bless circumcision does not mean that there is no value in being a Jew for the Jews have indeed been blessed, having receiving the very oracles of God (3:1-2). What advantage then hath the Jew? People's Bible Notes for Romans 3:1. The first objection to Paul's reasoning here presented is, that according to his doctrine the Jew has no advantage over the Gentile, Romans 3:1. Or what is the profit of circumcision?’. Paul extends the meaning of oracles here in two ways—in content and audience: The content of the message includes the entire Law. Greg lives in Calgary Alberta, Canada with his wife and 4 kids. 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