Romans 1:18-32 is Paul’s exposition of the state of the Gentiles apart from the saving grace of the gospel.
Romans 2:1-3:8 is Paul addressing those who are only outwardly Jew. Meaning those who believe salvation comes from circumcision or following other Jewish customs (as though genetics and rituals are enough to save them from God’s wrath).
Some may hear Paul’s words and assume he means that circumcision is worthless. Paul uses Chapter 3 to explain the purpose circumcision and the Jews in general (God’s chosen people), serve.
The primary advantage the Jews had over the Gentiles was that they had received the oracles of God (oracles of God = words of God). There was a divine promise extended to the Jews and by faith, they were to await its fulfillment. God initially granted the promise of the gospel and of son-ship to the Jews. The Jews were the only recipients of the promise when it was given. Circumcision was to be a reminder of God’s promise and a sign to show that you were among those who had received the promise.
Yes, the Jews had the advantage of being the initial recipients of God’s promises. To say otherwise would suggest that the covenant God made with Abraham had no value. To go a step further, it would suggest that God is a liar. If He had made a covenant with them based on circumcision, how could He now extend the same covenant to the Gentiles, the uncircumcised, without violating His own covenant or rendering His covenant with the circumcised Jews invalid and useless?
After all, Genesis 17:14 says, “Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
Let’s look back at what we’ve read.
We know the Jews were chosen by God to communicate the word of God both verbally and symbolically. It is important to note that the advantage of the Jew created a responsibility. They were to use the Law, the words given to them by God, to pursue righteousness. The Law in and of itself did not have the power to bring about a right-standing with God, but it was purposed to serve as a guide for how righteous living should look. We know from reading Romans Chapter 2 (or just about anywhere in the Old Testament) that thought the Jews prided themselves as the possessors of the Law, they weren’t even that great sticking to it.
The first three chapters of Romans give us a detailed look at the sinful nature of every human being. Paul makes it clear that sinfulness and depravity are universal. Both Jew and Gentile are guilty before the Lord.
Despite having the advantage of divine revelation, the Jews had not obtained a righteousness through the Law. The Law itself was good, but it was misused by its recipients. Neither outward circumcision nor simple possession of the Law could make the Jews right with God.
All that to say, yes, the Jews had a great advantage and the circumcision had great value, but if neither qualifier could release the grip of sin or save the soul from death, there is still great need to hear and respond in faith to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Jew, as much as the Gentile, should be delighted and humbled by the message of Romans 1:17, “But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested.” The existence of a righteousness apart from the Law, the law which mankind couldn’t keep, is surely good news.
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