"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Ro 1:16).
I suppose that after my last two blog posts (be sure to check the name at the end of each blog article as there are four contributors to this blog), objections will arise and passages of Scripture will have to be dealt with, that seem to contradict my position on the the nation of Israel and the Church. Thus, I see it's fitting to address some passages for clarity and to be fair to my dispensational brethren and learning Christians. Back in my dispensational days I used all the proof-texts (not always a negative term) to defend the "two people" of God view- the nation of Israel and the Church. Shortly after I left Bible college I began to study outside of the dispensational camp and soon realized that what I was taught at Bible college (staunchly dispensational) wasn't accurate, nor correct, concerning Covenant Theology. Yet, it was because covenant theologians exegetically and systematically dealt with my proof-texts that I abandoned my dispensational roots, seeing it no longer fit with the whole of Scripture. But boy, it was sure difficult taking off my dispensational glasses!
The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to all who believe and to the Jew first; then the Greek. What in the blazes? Was Paul dispensational? Did he maintain that the Jews are God's chosen people while the Church is a "parenthetical" plan in God's redemptive purpose for man? Well, some think that Romans 1:16 points in that direction. Without my dispensational lenses I just don't see it. In fact the same Paul that wrote Romans 1:16 also wrote (being inspired by the Holy Spirit mind you), "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise"(Ga 3:28–29). And also, "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'” (Ro 10:12–13 see also Ph. 3:3, Eph. 3:6, col. 3:11). Immediately the dispensationalist will object, "but this is concerning the "dispensation" of the church!" The problem with that is in the Galatian (Gal. 3:28-29) passage Paul is applying the removal of the Jew/Gentile distinction to the Abrahamic Covenant, which is allegedly, to be primarily with the nation of Israel! My friends, Paul was not schizophrenic.
Now back to Romans 1:16. What does the Apostle mean by "to the Jew first?" Well, I believe the Jewish people played a vital and important role (of course the Lord is not done with them as I believe there will be a large conversion of them according to Romans 11.) in God's plan for the world. It is said of them: "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 "(Ro 3:1–2); "They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen" (Ro 9:4–5 Don't forget 9:6-8 and Ro. 2:28-29 when reading this passge). So one should naturally understand that if the living God called national Israel to Himself; established covenants and promises with them and through them-for all people, then He would offer the Messiah to them first. This was the way Christ and Paul ministered. They went to the Jews and when continually rejected by them and their leaders, they turned to the Gentiles (Matt. 21:43, Acts 18:5-6).
The "Jew first" should not be understood to mean that ethnic Israel ( even with faith in Christ) has prominence over the Church nor that the Church is a "parenthetical" plan. The "Jew first" is so that those that are ethnic Israelites and are the called and chosen and to whom the promises and covenants were given, become members of the Church, through repentance and faith in the Messiah- Jesus Christ and enjoy the blessings of those promises. The reality is that the only way any Jewish person will participate in the promises and blessings of the covenants is through membership in the body of Christ. And once a member of the Church, we are one and the same- in Christ. That much is clear.
John Peter Lange summarizes it best in his commentary on Romans( Commentary on the Holy Scriptures): "To the Jew first. This priority is economical, as it rests upon the Old Testament revelation of God, and the faith of Abraham (chap. 4:9); and as such it is: 1. The genetic priority. “Salvation is of the Jews” [John 4:22]. 2. The historical priority (Chrysostom, and others). 3. A legal priority (as to form) of the nearest claim to the gospel in accordance with the direction given to the apostles, Acts 1:8 (Calov, De Wette, Tholuck). But notwithstanding all this, the Jew had no real right to the gospel, since salvation, 1. is not a product of Judaism, but of free grace; 2. faith is older than Judaism (chap. 4); 3. faith itself is the reality and substance of which Judaism was only the symbol."
And Everett Harrison follows right behind: "Salvation is a broad concept. It includes the forgiveness of sins, but involves much more, because its basic meaning is soundness or wholeness. It promises the restoration of all that sin has marred or destroyed. It is the general term that unites in itself the particular aspects of truth suggested by justification, reconciliation, sanctification, and redemption. But its efficacy depends on man’s willingness to receive the message. 'Everyone who believes' will benefit equally. This sweeping declaration ties in with the previous statement (concerning Greeks and non-Greeks) and now includes both the Jew and the Gentile. The Jew receives 'first' consideration. This does not mean that every Jew must be evangelized before the gospel can be presented to Gentiles. But it does mean that God, after having dealt in a special way with the Jew in OT days and having followed this by sending his Son to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, could not pass by this people. To them was given the first opportunity to receive the Lord Jesus, both during his ministry (John 1:11) and in the Christian era (Acts 1:8; 3:26). Paul himself followed this pattern (Acts 13:45, 46; 28:25, 28). It is a case of historical priority, not essential priority, for the Jew who is first to hear the gospel is also the first to be judged for his sins (2:9)" (Expositor's Bible Commentary: Romans).
The "Jew first?" Yes, but once converted there is no Jew/Gentile distinction. All that are in Christ are the "Israel of God!" Soli Deo Gloria!
For His Glory,
Fernando
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