Category: Understanding Romans
(Romans 3:1-8, Summary)
The Jews believed that simply having circumcision and the Law placed them in a position of blessing. They were well acquainted with the content of the Old Covenant; however, they did not keep its terms. By failing to obey the Law, the Jews had no more hope of blessing than did the Gentiles because the true Jew in God’s sight was one who fulfilled the Law with pure motives. God is pleased with the person who has a circumcised heart by the Holy Spirit.
The Jews had an advantage over the Gentiles in that they knew what God required of men, but they were not faithful in keeping His statutes. God proved faithful in keeping His promise to recompense Israel for her wickedness. God’s judgment upon Israel revealed His glory, but that does not make her sin good. Sin is always evil, and anyone who uses God’s glory as an excuse for sin will be condemned.
(Romans 2:17-3:8, Extended Paraphrase)
But if you are called a Jew, and you put your trust in the Law, and you boast in having a relationship with God, and you are convinced that you know His will, and you are able to test whether actions differ from God's requirements, and you are convinced that you yourself are a guide to those who are blind and able to enlighten the path of those who dwell in darkness and an instructor of those who are foolish and a teacher of those who are like children, because you have the Law—the embodiment of knowledge and truth. You who teach another, do you forget to teach yourself? You who preach that no one should steal, do you steal? You who say that no one should commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who think that idols are detestable, do you rob temples? Actually, you dishonor God by breaking the Law, you, the one who boasts in the Law. Even the Scriptures affirm this by stating, "The name of God is treated impiously among the Gentiles because of you." You boast in being a Jew and having the sign of circumcision, but you do not seem to realize that circumcision only benefits you if you keep the Law. But if you disobey the Law you are no better than a Gentile, and you may as well be uncircumcised. Furthermore, if an uncircumcised Gentile keeps the Law, he will be regarded as though he is circumcised. And the Gentile who keeps the Law will add to your shame because you have the writings and the sign of the covenant and yet you disobey God. You need to understand that true Jewish-ness in God's sight is not gained by having a surgical procedure performed on your body. Rather, true Jewish-ness is a matter of spiritual heart surgery, and the physician is the Holy Spirit, not the Law, and it brings praise from God, not men.
If this is true, then it must mean that being a physical Jew has no significance and circumcision is worthless, right? Actually, being a physical Jew has tremendous significance. First, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. However, some of the Jews did not believe the oracles and they did not keep the covenant. But their unfaithfulness will not keep God from being faithful to His promise to punish those who broke the covenant, will it? Absolutely not! Every man may be a liar, but God will always be true, as the Scripture declares, "That You may be justified in your words, and conquer when you are judged." But if our sin brings about God's justice, what will we say to that? God is not unjust for pouring out wrath, is He? (This is the way humans think.) Absolutely not! If that were true, then how could God judge the world? But if my lie brings glory to God and manifests His truthfulness, then why am I still being judged as a sinner? Isn't it good to do things which bring glory to God? And why not say (as people falsely accuse us of teaching), "Let's all sin so that God can be glorified."? Those who think that way will get what they deserve—condemnation.