Romans 3.1-2. S & H, Cranfield, and John Murray.
1τι ουν το περισσον του ιουδαιου η τις η ωφελεια της περιτομης 2πολυ κατα παντα τροπον πρωτον μεν [γαρ] οτι επιστευθησαν τα λογια του θεου
Romans 3.1-2: Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.
Observations.
1. Romans 3.1ff and the foregoing argument, 2.25-29, upon first view, might appear to invalidate God’s covenantal institutions under the Old Testament: "For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God." It might appear that circumcision (Genesis 17) “creates liability and disadvantage.” (Murray, 91)
2. Paul anticipates this objection.
3. He asks, in his rabbinic way, “Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?”
4. Paul allows no depreciation of the Old Testament, like the Anabaptists, the Wiedertaufer, or Re-baptizers.
5. Elsewhere, Paul will argue that human unbelief does not nullify God’s promises.
6. We find here a harsh rebuke to Anabaptists, charismatics and other enthusiasts who deny the role of infant baptism. We also find a rebuke to Reformation Churchmen, e.g. national leaders included with their national magazines, books, and magazines, who have facilitated Anabaptists by failure to call them out into the public arena for correction, discussion and--we pray--liberation from their great sin. Is.58.
7. Later, in Romans 9.4-5, Paul will extol the privileges to Israel: “They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.”
8. Paul speaks of the deposit of the “oracles of God,” the pre-eminent privilege of the Old Testament saint.
9. The Old Testament church was “entrusted” (επιστευθησαν )with these oracles. The Jewish saint was to trust, treasure, attest and declare this Word above words, this Word from another world, this Sovereign Word, to their children and to all mankind. It was not their’s to belittle, dismiss or take in light, irreverent and thoughtless ways.
10. The Old Testament is the “oracular Word of God.”
11. For Saint Paul, the “written Word of God” is God’s Speech. What "is written" is what the "Holy Ghost speaks." See Westminster Confession of Faith, 1.10, for an excellent paragraph.
12. The Word of God “written” is “fixed and in abiding” form, lest Montanists, enthusiasts, deceivers, charismatics and others distort, twist and/or deny the fixed and abiding Word.
Correlations:
1. Paul and Jesus’ views of the Old Testament from other texts.
2. Infant baptism and covenantal language in the New Testament, e.g. household baptisms and families.
3. Baptist literature.
4. John MacArthur, Alistar Begg, Mike Dever, Mark Driscoll’s statements about circumcision and baptism.
5. Mainline liberal theology.
6. Bible reading patterns in modern life.
7. Bible reading in various liturgies.
Interpretation:
Paul is expounding in 3.1-8 on the faithfulness and justice of God. In 3.1-2, the ancient church had the advantage, light, power, teachings and Gospel of the Old Testament, of which circumcision was the sign and seal.
Application:
1. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Ps.122), to wit, that Anabaptists would stand down, stop being divisive and surrender. Then and only then shall we have peace.
2. Prayer for Zion, that we may call those from the mainline to the Gospel.
3. Evaluate studies on Bible literacy, lections, and practices in liturgies, churches, and modern life. All talk no show? This applies to all denominations.
4. Encourage Catholic Christians in the Reformation Churches, especially those faithful shepherds in the war in the Church Militant. Psalm 44.1-8.
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