Romans 3:1-4 NKJV – 1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what [is] the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”
V1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what [is] the profit of circumcision?
If just being a Jew and in God’s covenant has no value, then what is good about them? Many things are Paul will explain.
V2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.
The Scriptures are their greatest blessing. As far as we know, only Luke is a non-Jewish writer. Why did they receive the oracles of God? Because of faithful Abraham primarily.
Why Is Israel a Special Nation?
Abraham
- Purpose for a country and people group
- To learn about the one, true God
- To be a witness and give testimony of God’s character, law, standards, way of life to all the world
- To be the nation through which Messiah would come
- To learn why God blesses or curses (Deuteronomy 28)
- To learn how we got here and where we are going
- To learn why I am here, who I am, what my purpose is
- To learn good from evil
- To learn fellowship with God
- To learn about sin, guilt, and salvation
- To learn what good government, society, and religion is
Genesis 18:18
Genesis 22:18
Genesis 26:4
Psalms 72:17
Malachi 3:12
Galatians 3:8
Isaiah 12:4
V3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?
Note the word some. Many Jews did in Old Testament times as well as in New Testament times. God’s promise is good. They are conditional promises as the Mosaic Law and unconditional promises God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 15 especially Genesis 15:18-21). God’s promises to Israel’s existence are unconditional.
Has God forsaken Israel?
What do supersessionism and replacement theology teach?
From Got Questions: “Replacement theology (also known as supersessionism and fulfillment theology) essentially teaches that the church has replaced Israel in God’s plan. Adherents of replacement theology believe the Jews are no longer God’s chosen people, and God does not have specific future plans for the nation of Israel.”
(https://www.gotquestions.org/replacement-theology.html).
Deuteronomy 4:31 (AKJV) (For the LORD your God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake you, neither destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which he swore to them.
Either God is telling the truth or lying. He states plainly that “He will not forget the covenant with your faith which He swore to them.”
What could be more plain? See Jeremiah 31:35-37, Jeremiah 33:20-22, and Isaiah 54:9-10.
V4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”
God’s decisions, plans, actions, words, promises, etc. are always true. He is the God of truth (Psalm 31:5, Psalm 86:15, and Psalm 119:160). When tested by situation or time, God’s words are true. All prophecy is true. Any charge that God is a liar will always fail.
We learn:
- The important blessings on everyone because of Israel.
- God will never forsake Israel.
Questions:
- What is your view of Israel?
- Will you forsake Israel?