Romans (06): Entrusted - The Israelite Mission

Romans 3: An Exposition (06) - Entrusted: The Israelite Mission
All Saints * Dr. Gregg Strawbridge * July 20, 2008

At the end of chapter 2, Paul declares the “real” Jew is one who is circumcised of heart, just as Jeremiah, following Deuteronomy (28-30) had said. By emphasizing this he draws a two-edged sword. Jews in flesh-circumcision only are fakes; and since what matters is a circumcised heart, then Gentiles who possess a cleansed heart may also be declared “justified.” Therefore, the first question a Jew would ask is exactly what 3:1 asks: “Why Jews or circumcision then?” How does this fit into God’s plan. That is exactly what is asked in 3:1. Then Paul explains the mission and failure of Israel and the status of “condemned” which Jew and Gentile deserve.

1) Israel was ________________________________ to Embody the Word of God
Therefore what advantage has the Jew, or what is the value of the Circumcision? 2 Actually, there are many advantages. First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. (Rom 3:1-2)
2) Israel’s __________________________ did not Refute the Faithfulness of God
What then? If some refused to believe, does their unbelief refute the faithfulness of God? 4 Absolutely not! Let God be proven true, and every person be shown to be a liar, just as it is written: “So that you will be shown to be in the right in your words and will be vindicated when you are judged.” 5 But if our unrighteousness provides proof of the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking with human logic here) - 6 Absolutely not! For otherwise how could God judge the world? 7 For if by my lie the truth of God enhances his glory, why am I still actually being judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, “Let us do evil so that the Good may come of it”?–as some who slander us allege that we say. (Their judgment is well-deserved.) (Rom 3:3-8)
3) Israel and the World are ___________________________________ before God
What then? Are we better off? Certainly not, for we have already charged that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin, 10 just as it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one,
11 there is no one who has insight, there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away, together they have become worthless; there is no one who shows kindness, not even one.”
13 “Their throats are open graves, they deceive with their tongues, the poison of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood, 16 ruin and misery are in
their paths,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
19 Now we know that whatever the Torah says, it says to those who are in Torah, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world may be exposed to the judgment of God. (Rom 3:3-8)