Romans 3:1 – The prerogative of the Jew  

What then, is the prerogative of the Jew, or what the benefit of circumcision? Much in every manner. For first, indeed, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

In the previous chapter, Paul had argued that people outside of Israel may not be circumcised but who naturally do what the law commands. And he also argued that it is not about the circumcision of the flesh but the circumcision of the heart. The question this involuntarily raises is that of verse 1, “What then is the prerogative of the Jew or what is the benefit of circumcision?”

Later in this letter Paul will elaborate on this question and mention eight blessings (: 4,5) that are given to the Israelites from God. Wherein the apostle makes it clear that those privileges include the past, present, and future. The ecclesiastical doctrine whereby the privileges of the Jew belong to the past and would be definitively taken over by “the church” is completely foreign to Paul. Even now that GOD is turning to the nations at the present time, it does not mean in the least that He would therefore have fallen out of the plans that He had for His people. That is impossible. GOD keeps his word … always!

Delen: