October 11, 2021 — Romans 2:17–3:8

“…a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart—it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God. Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much, in every way. For in the first place the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Although everyone is a liar, let God be proved true, as it is written, “So that you may be justified in your words, and prevail in your judging.”

But if our injustice serves to confirm the justice of God, what should we say? That God is unjust to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world? But if through my falsehood God’s truthfulness abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not say (as some people slander us by saying that we say), “Let us do evil so that good may come”? Their condemnation is deserved!” Romans 2:29, 3:1-8

Romans 2:29a: “real circumcision is a matter of the heart – it is spiritual and not literal.” The emperor Claudius had expelled Jews from Rome in 49 CE (AD) due to the preaching of Christ among Jewish synagogues. It resulted in disturbances from the Jews against the Roman government. While the Jews were out, the churches in Rome became increasingly Gentile. When the Jews began to return in 54 CE, there would have been increasing tensions between the Gentiles and the Jews in Rome. Therefore, Paul is writing (in response to the obvious tension that existed) to first claim that both the Jew and the Gentile are “guilty” and unable to receive salvation apart from the grace of G-d through Jesus Christ. It is against this backdrop that Paul has said things like “in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself” (2:1) and “There will be anguish and distress for everyone who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek.” 

All of these words will lead Paul to his great statement in 3:23-24: “since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

The one thing that makes us all the same — that makes us all equal in the eyes of G-d is our need for the Grace that comes through the cross of Jesus Christ.

Let Us Pray,

Lord Jesus, since we have all sinned and fallen short of G-d’s glory, give us the love and the trust to live faithfully in the knowledge that Jesus redeems us all. Amen.

Pastor Dave