Jew and the Law
What does Paul say about the Jew and the Law?
This is a Bible Study. Have your own Bible handy to look up the references mentioned.
If you do not have a Bible, I invite you to go to BibleGateway.com or another online Bible.
17-18 “The Jew had ten advantages over the Gentiles, which are listed in these verses. The first five are what he was:
1. Bears the name of Jew; (17)
2. Rests upon the Law; (17)
3. Boasts in God; (18)
4. Knows the will of God; (18)
5. Proves the things which are more excellent, being instructed out of the Law. (18)”
(McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV: [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983]. 659)
19-20 “The last five personal privileges of the Jews are what he did:
1. Art persuaded that thou thyself art a guide of the blind; (19)
2. A light of them that are in darkness; (19)
3. A corrector of the thoughtless or immature; (20)
4. A teacher of the babes; (20)
5. Having in the law the outward form of knowledge and truth. (20)
(McGee, 659)
“The Jews to whom Paul was writing considered them to be devoid of spiritual perception. They needed guidance and instruction from the spiritually mature.” (Mounce, Robert H, The New American Commentary, Volume 27, Romans. [Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995], 99)
Do we have spiritual perception?
Do we need guidance from the spiritually mature?
Questions to the Jew
21-23 Paul is asking questions.
“Paul mentions three common sins:
1. Immorality—Sin against others
2. Sensuality—sin against self; and
3. Idolatry—sin against God”
(McGee, 659)
21. If you (Me) teach others, are you teaching yourself?
I am learning a lot by reading the commentaries, but it is hard to remember!!!
Maybe some of it will stick!
If you tell others not to steal, what do you do? Steal?
Matthew 23:3-4
22. How about adultery?
Do you tell others not to commit adultery but do it yourself?
Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
Sacrilege – violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred.
“Today there are certain Christians who handle merchandise in their business (in order to make money) that they would condemn in their church.” (McGee, 659)
23. “Do you who pride yourselves in the law habitually dishonor God by transgressing the law?” (Mounce, 100)
Bottom line: Do we practice what we preach (or say)?
24. Do you blaspheme God?
What habits do you normally say?
Oh God, My God. God’s Name in vain?
Or do you Praise God!
Baby Dedication
Many churches have Baby Dedication to the Lord.
Could this be the same as a Jew dedicated a male by circumcision?
25-29. “Circumcision was the badge of the Mosaic system—and that’s all it was…Now for them to be transgressors of the Law brought circumcision into disrepute.
Circumcision (it) began in Genesis 17:9-14. You may want to read it.
God gave it to Abraham.
That which should have been sacred, became profane.” (McGee, 659)
“This thought can be applied to our church sacraments. Water baptism is rightly a sacrament of the church, if it the outward expression of a work of God in the heart. But it is a mockery if the person who is baptized gives no evidence of salvation. This can also be said of church membership. The lives of some church members make membership a mockery.” (McGee, 659)
1 Corinthians 7:19 Galatians 6:15
A summary of what this is saying:
Just because we are baptized and / or a member of a church and do not keep (I want to say law here) or do not act like a believer in Jesus then it is to no avail.
“It is one’s actions, not one’s physical features, that count.” (Mounce, 101)
We must act like a believer is supposed to act.
“In the final analysis conduct prevails over doctrine. Faith that does not express itself in action is counterfeit.” (Mounce, 102)
In this article Scripture quotations taken from KJV.
NIV Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
Mounce, Robert H, The New American Commentary, Volume 27, Romans. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995
