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Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises <\/strong>made<\/em><\/strong><\/span> to the fathers,<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The bondage of manmade rules and tradition is hard to break.<\/p>\n \u201cHas become<\/span>\u201d is translated from the verb ginomai<\/em> <\/span>(from which we get our English word generate), meaning \u201cto begin to be, to come into existence, or to become.\u201d It is expressed here in the perfect tense which, in Greek, implies past completed action with an ongoing effect where the emphasis is on the effect.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cservant<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek word diakonos<\/em> <\/span>which means \u201cone who waits on tables\u201d or \u201cone who serves the needs of others.\u201d This word is often translated as \u201cminister.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cConfirm<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek verb bebaio\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto strengthen, make true, or fulfill.\u201d<\/p>\n In this and the following verse Paul will demonstrate to the Christians at Rome why the work of Christ is different, though equally vital, for the Jews and the Gentiles. His purpose, I believe, is to show the Gentile converts in Rome that the Jews have a good reason for wanting to continue to follow the ordinances laid out by the Mosaic Law, and at the same time to show the Jewish converts that the Gentiles have a good reason for not wanting to be bound by those same ordinances.<\/p>\n The first half of this reasoning is contained in the current verse. He says that \u201cJesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision.<\/em><\/span>\u201d As mentioned above, the verb \u201chas become<\/span>\u201d is in the perfect tense, so what Paul is saying is that Jesus Christ became and continues to be one who serves the needs of the Jews with respect to God\u2019s truth.<\/p>\n The way that Jesus has done and continues to do this is by having confirmed, or fulfilled, the promises made to the Jewish fathers. What promises, you say? The promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and others concerning the Messiah’s coming and His being the seed of the woman, and of Abraham, and of David. Jesus perfectly fulfilled all that was promised to the Jewish fathers and, therefore, confirms the truth of God\u2019s promise. In so doing, Jesus demonstrates to the Jewish converts that all that has been written in the Old Testament is truth. This gives the Jewish converts reason to believe in Christ and in all that is said of him in the Old Testament. However, it also gives them reason to want to continue conforming to the requirements of the Law.<\/p>\n Paul has taught that righteousness cannot be obtained by obedience to the Law and the Jewish members of the church at Rome were learning that they couldn\u2019t perfectly keep the requirements of the Law anyway. Nonetheless, it is difficult for anyone who has lived his or her life by a strict set of rules to suddenly stop doing those things to which they have been bound for so long.<\/p>\n Every church has rules or traditions which are not based on what the Word of God teaches. As we learn where the truth of the Bible contradicts these rules and traditions, we will want to change how we act, but it is difficult. Recognizing which of these rules and traditions are contrary to truth is the first step in being set free from them. Are you still in bondage or have you been set free in Christ?<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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