Romans 3:1-4 Questions About Jewish Specialness

“What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew…”? Rom. 3:1

The first 8 verses of Romans 3 begin with 8 questions from an imaginary disputant. The 8 questions can be divided into 2 groups. One group of questions (the first 3 questions) challenges Paul’s teaching by suggesting that Paul’s teaching diminishes the special privilege of being a Jew. The second group of questions (the last 5 questions) deal with erroneous extrapolations from Paul’s teaching.

Let’s talk about the first group of questions. “What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew?” This question is asked because Paul has just systematically in Romans 1 and 2 shown how Gentiles and Jews are both equally guilty and equally worthy of condemnation. Jews had always been the chosen people of God but if they are as guilty as Gentiles before God and if they are equally worthy of condemnation then the logical conclusion is that any advantage in being a Jew must not exist. Paul answers this logic by stating there is much advantage “in every way” In being a Jew. To prove his point, Paul says that Jews have been entrusted “with the very words of God.” A Gentile cannot make this boast. In the first century, only the Jews possessed the written word of God. Later in Romans, Paul expounds further on the advantages of being a Jew.

If righteousness comes from God by faith and some Jews do not have faith, then some Jews will be condemned. So, are the promises of God regarding Jews, only good to the Jews who have been made right with God through faith? Paul says that God is faithful to his promises concerning the Jews regardless of their faith.

A Gentile lady in the gospels (Matt 15) needing the supernatural help of the Messiah was forced to consider the specialness of the Jews. Jesus told her “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” The children were the Jews and the Gentiles were the dogs. She understood this. That is why she responded “Yes Lord…but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” The Jews are special but thank God, the blessings for them spill over to us Gentiles!