Romans 3:1-2 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.
The Jews have the advantage of having God’s revealed word found in the Old Testament, especially the laws that guide the people to be holy and set apart for God. This was a special privilege that came with responsibility. The Jews were to be witnesses of God’s love, compassion, forgiveness, and grace. But they became filled with pride thinking that their righteousness came by following the law code. But as Paul shows, they could not even do that. They broke the very law they set out to follow. The Old Testament is full of stories about this. The Jews of the first century may have thought they were beyond the problems of ancient Israel. But those Jews were no different in their spiritual condition. Their advantage was that they knew what they should do. The disadvantage is that they would be held accountable for the light that they had received through the law. They had a responsibility to the rest of the world as a holy nation and kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:5-6).
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