Romans 3:1-2 - The Advantage of the Jews

Paul starts to wrap up the premise: We are all broken people, sinners in need of salvation. We cannot do anything to save ourselves, our sin stands in the way. Sin cannot be overcome by our actions.

The chapter can be divided into four paragraphs, with some sub-divisions:

3:1-8 - Our unbelief does not change God’s purposes.
   3:1-2 - Advantages of being a Jew
   3:3-8 - Unrighteousness Demonstrates Our Need
3:9-20 - No Fear of God
   3:9-18 - No one is innocent
   3:19-20 - Bound by the Law
3:21-25 - Righteousness is:
3:26-31 - Justified by Faith.

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1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?
2 Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

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Advantages

V. 1 - “Then what advantage has the Jew?” - We just finished a section in which Gentiles were found to be depraved because of their disobedience. The Jews claimed to acceptable because they were Jews, and circumcision proved it. Paul says, “So what? You may have the Law and circumcision, but if you don’t obey, it is as if the Law and circumcision does not exist.”

The question immediately arises, “Why bother?” If the Jews are as guilty as Gentiles, are there any positive aspects of being a Jew?

V. 2 - “Great in every respect.” - He was proud to be a Jew, a Hebrew among Hebrews. (See: Phil. 3:4-6) Yet he knows they have failed in honoring God. So, what is the advantage of being a Jew? This is not a rhetorical question.

“They were entrusted with the oracles of God.” - Gentiles had to deduce about God from what they see around them, in the universe, in nature, in the miracle of life. The Jews did not have to guess about God. They did not have to ponder, “Is this the right way, or is that?” They did not have to come to a philosophical understanding of what was expected. We think of ‘oracles’ in terms of ‘fortune telling’, a medium who gives enigmatic answers to questions, sometimes using crystal balls, or reading palms. ‘Oracle’ can also include authoritative or wise statements or predictions. An ‘oracle’ can also be a command from God, or a revelation from God. Jews did not have to wonder. It was made fairly clear. “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Deut. 5:7)

Moses implores the nation in his last speech: "Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other. ‘So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may live long on the land which the LORD your God is giving you for all time.’" (Deut. 4:39-40)

God gives them a choice: life or death - "See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it. "But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess it. ‘I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.’" (Deut. 30:15-20)

Later, God speaks to the Northern Kingdom through His prophets. What does God expect? See: “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic. 6:8)

And the Lord offers this lament through the prophet Zechariah, “But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.” (Zech 7:11-12)
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