What Advantage to being a Jew or Circumcised? Romans 3:1

Paul the apostle told the Jews in Rome, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:”, and he added, “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter”. In chapter three and verse one of Romans, Paul asked, “what advantage is there to being a Jew... or what profit is circumcision?” where we read:

What advantage then has the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

The verse begins, “What advantage then has the Jew?” Paul began with the word, “what advantage” or “where is the exceeding measure, rank or need” “then” or “therefore, accordingly, consequently or these things being so” “has the Jew” which refers to “has the person who belongs to the Jewish nation as respects to birth, origin and religion”. Paul asked where the “exceeding rank” or position was for the person who is a “Jew”.

The verse goes on to say, “or what profit is there of circumcision?” Paul continued with the words, “or what profit” which means “what usefulness or advantage” “is there of circumcision” which means “the Jews' the act or rite of the cutting away of the foreskin which represents the extinction of passions and the removal of spiritual impurity”. Paul questioned the “usefulness” of the rite and ritual of “circumcision”.

When we consider these words of Paul, he questioned the “extra value” of “being a Jew” or having the rite of “circumcision”. Because “Jewish” people had the “advantage” of the “law of God” and being the “chosen” nation, Paul wondered if they thought themselves “better” or “more advantaged” than the rest of the world. Although Paul knew there was no “higher rank”or “profit” just because they had “status” and the rite of “circumcision”, he was willing to have them consider it even though Jesus who is the only person who fulfilled the “law of God” and was truly “circumcised” in His “heart and spirit”. Jesus opened the door for a person to “believe and trust” in Him for “salvation”, and now regardless of whether they are “Jew” or “Gentile”, “circumcision” or “uncircumcision”, everyone has access to a relationship with God.

Next time Paul answers his question to the people in Rome, “Much every way: … unto them were committed the oracles of God.”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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