Jew – Ministry of Grace Church

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Romans 10:12 – Everyone’s the Same

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Will

Romans 10:12 – Everyone’s the Same

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.

Truth to Learn

God doesn’t care who your ancestors are. He will respond to your call for salvation.

Behind the Words

“Distinction” is translated from the Greek word diastolē, which is the noun form of the verb diastellō, made up of dia, indicating a transition and stellō, meaning “to send.” Hence it means “to send (or cause) a change,” that is, “to make things different. The noun form, diastolē, refers to this change, difference, or distinction.

The words “is rich” are from the Greek verb plouteō, which is based on the noun ploutos, referring to “riches or wealth either in money or possessions.”

“Call upon” is translated from epikaleō, which is made up of epi, meaning “over or upon” and kaleō, meaning “to call.” Therefore, epikaleō means “to call upon or request aid from someone else.”

Meaning Explained

Before we get into this verse let me point out that when Paul refers to Greeks in these verses, he is using the name as a metonym, which is using a name of one object or concept for that of another. He doesn’t really mean the Greek people; he means all non-Jews or all Gentiles. Since the common language of the entire Roman Empire was Greek, it became a common expression among the Jews to refer to all Gentiles as Greeks.

In the previous verse Paul said that everyone believing on Jesus will not be put to shame. Clearly he was implying that this applies to both the Jews and the Gentiles. Throughout the first four chapters of this letter, Paul set out to show that there is no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles in God’s eyes. Notice particularly what he said in Romans 3:28-30:

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

In the current verse Paul makes it abundantly clear that God treats all mankind the same whether they are Jewish or not. As you read through the book of Acts, you will see the difficulty that even the Apostles had in believing that God accepts the Gentiles without having to satisfy the Law. In fact, it comes to a head in Acts chapter 15 where Paul and Barnabas go to Jerusalem from Antioch to get this matter settled. If the Apostles had such a difficulty with this concept, it is understandable that Paul would make such a big deal of it for the Jewish Christians in Rome.

In the current verse Paul states that the same Lord who is over us all is rich in his giving to all of us who call on Him, whether we are Jew or Gentile. God will freely bestow His riches of grace and mercy upon all who submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ and call upon Him for salvation.

Application

It doesn’t matter what your ethnic background is, what family you’re part or, or who your ancestors are. If you confess Christ as your Lord and Savior, God will grant you the riches of His righteousness. That’s His promise!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Romans 3:1 – The Profit Statement

Posted on October 14, 2009 by admin

Romans 3:1

What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?

Truth to Learn

Though we are special in God’s eyes, we need to be humble.

Behind the Words

The word translated “advantage” is perisos which is based on peri, meaning “around” or “above.” Perisos refers to “that which is beyond, above, over, or superior.” I think a better translation of this word, in this case, would be “superiority.”

“Profit” is from the Greek word ōpheleia, referring to “a profit, an increase, or an advantage.” So Paul is really asking, “What is the advantage of being circumcised?”

Meaning Explained

Paul has just finished telling the Jewish Christians in Rome that the real test of Judaism is the internal attitude, not outward physical or ancestral indicators. He will now carry on his discourse of justification by faith. First, however, he needs to answer some objections that might be made against what he has just said about Jews.

Jews have historically considered themselves superior because they were the keepers of God’s word in the Tanakh (our Old Testament), consisting of the Torah (five books of Moses), the Neviym (the prophets), and the Ketuvim (writings). They also believed themselves special because, through Abraham, their circumcision is s sign of the covenant that God has made with them. In the next verse Paul will, in fact, even affirm these facts. The Jewish people could even refer to the Scriptures to show that God also considered them special and different from all others:

Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, And you shall tread down their high places. (Deuteronomy 33:29)

And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:6)

As a result, the early Christians, who were predominantly converted Jews, believed themselves to be better than even their unsaved fellow countrymen. Paul is not trying to tell these Jewish Christians that their heritage and faith in God are wrong. Instead, he is telling them that their justification before God is not wrapped up in obeying a set of laws or ceremonial practices.

Based on what Paul has just said, a Jewish Christian might well reply, “But, if the Gentiles can attain righteousness apart from being a Jew and apart from circumcision, then what benefit is there in being a Jew or of being circumcised?” In anticipation of these questions, Paul here rhetorically states these very objections. In the next few verses he will answer these questions.

Application

Once again, we need to apply what Paul was saying to these Jewish Christians of the first century church to our own lives. We are no better than any unsaved person living around us today. We are sinners just like they are. We are guilty and deserve the same eternal torment as they will receive. The only difference between us and them is that the blood of Christ has been applied to our account. Our debt has been paid! Praise be to God for His mercy and grace!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Romans 2:28 – Not Visibly Apparent

Posted on October 12, 2009 by admin

Romans 2:28

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;

Truth to Learn

Christianity is not based on appearance or membership.

Behind the Words

The word translated “outwardly” is phaneros, which is derived from phainō, meaning “to illuminate.” Phaneros refers to, “that which is in the light” or “that which is visibly apparent.” So, a more literal translation could be,

For he is not a Jew who is one in appearance, nor is circumcision that which is visibly apparent in the flesh;

“Flesh” is translated from the Greek word sarx, which refers to “the meat of an animal.” By extension it refers to the human body or the material part of man.

Meaning Explained

In the previous few verses Paul has been pointing out that being Jewish, having the Law, and being circumcised are worthless if you don’t keep the Law. He then pointed out that the Gentiles who keep the righteousness of the Law (through faith) will, in fact, judge the Jews who are trying to be justified by keeping the Law.

Keep in mind that much of the early Christian church was composed of people who were converts from Judaism and who had been convinced, and now believed, that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the Living God. They were so heavily steeped in the rules and traditions of Judaism that it was hard for them to separate the legal requirements of the Jewish belief system from the basic tenet of Christianity: faith. It was equally hard for a Jewish Christian to let go of the fact that they didn’t have to be a Jew before they could become a Christian. As Paul has pointed out in the previous verses, being a direct descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob doesn’t guarantee anything with regard to salvation.

He now gets to one of his main points. Being Jewish and having been circumcised are only external and fleshly. They are things that can be proven and can be seen, but they carry no weight in God’s record book. Paul tells us that the evidence of a real Jew (a chosen one of God) is not in the appearance of fleshly external things like circumcision.

There are many people who call themselves Christians today because they belong to a particular church. They think that church membership, being baptized in the church, and having learned the basics of the doctrines of the church mean that they are Christians. There is more to Christianity than church membership, or even calling oneself a Christian. Interestingly enough, there was a national survey in the United States recently in which nearly 80% of the respondents claimed to be Christian, yet less than half of them indicated that they attend church regularly. But then, regular church attendance doesn’t make someone a Christian either.

Only those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died on the cross to pay for their sins, and that He rose from the dead are really Christians.

Application

Is your salvation based on the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross as payment for your sins? If not, then you are not really a Christian, even though you may call yourself one.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Romans 2:17 – No Place for Pride

Posted on September 27, 2009 by admin

Romans 2:17

Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God,

Truth to Learn

Relying on heritage and obedience to the Law is futile.

Behind the Words

“Indeed” is translated from the two Greek words ei de. Some translations use the English word “behold” as if this was the Greek word ide, but there is no evidence for this in the most reliable manuscripts. The Greek words ei de literally mean “and if,” indicating a conjunction with the previous thoughts and implying a first class conditional clause which means the statements are assumed to be true.

The words “you are called” are translated from a single Greek word, eponomadzō. This is made up of epi, meaning “upon” and onomadzō, meaning “to name.” So, it literally means “to name upon.” It refers to the name upon which other names are added, like a surname that an entire family shares. The word is expressed here in the passive voice indicating that it is a name that others call them.

“Rest upon” is a translation of the word epanapauō, which is made up of epi, meaning “upon” and a form of anapauomai, meaning “to give rest.” Paul indicates that Jews have a blind, mechanical reliance on the Law to produce righteousness.

Meaning Explained

The early Christian believers in Rome, to whom this letter was written, took pride in being descended from Abraham. Many of them believed, similar to the Galatian Christians, that one had to be a Jew and obey the Law before one could become a Christian. Paul has spent the last 5 verses explaining why obeying the Law of Moses does not lead one to righteousness. He now will show these Roman Christians why being a Jew may, in fact, be a hindrance to becoming a Christian.

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul made a very bold statement regarding righteousness:

We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. (Galatians 2:15, 16)

This justification (righteousness) does not come from resting on the Law, it comes by faith. Notice what he says in today’s verse, “you are called a Jew, and rest on the Law, and make your boast in God.” Do you see the condemnation of pride implied in this verse? In the coming verses Paul will deal directly with that pride and will show how it is not external appearances which are important to God, but internal attitudes.

Application

As we have said before, there is no place for pride in a Christian. Pride focuses on self instead of on God. Pride is, in a sense, the very definition of sin. God wants us humbled before Him, relying on Him. Pride does not humble, it lifts self up. Pride does not rely on God, it relies on self. We have a big God, one who will judge the whole world. Let us humble ourselves before the Judge and plead for His mercy through the blood of Jesus Christ. Pride can’t do that. Can you?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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