This post was delayed because I was traveling and had no computer access.
The major doctrinal elements are all too obvious in Romans. Let’s not get bogged down chasing too many details and enjoy the broad sweep of what Paul teaches here.
After his introductory stuff, Paul jumps right in with the teaching that humanity at large has no excuse for not knowing God. It should be obvious he refers to the fundamental purpose of revelation: We are supposed to get to know God personally. All humans are equipped for this, so much so that there was actually no real need for a written record of Scripture. That’s just extra mercy; everyone could have found God without it.
They knew Him but refused to give Him the praise due. Their minds got lost in their own selfish desires and their hearts became darkened — they were committed to darkness. They became so lost from the truth that they worshiped just about anything and everything except God. The Lord honored their choice and turned them over to Satan to rule them through their fleshly natures. The human race has been self-destructive ever since.
Continuing into the next chapter, Paul shows us that our fleshly nature is inherently hypocritical. We see certain sins in others because those are our sins. Those who pursue peace with God will find a rich harvest. Everyone else will find the Devil’s harvest. Knowing the Scriptures won’t save you. It requires you obey them. Paul cites the example of Gentiles having never heard or seen the Word, and somehow managing to hear the divine call so that they find peace with God. Meanwhile, a great many in Israel knew the Word and did not find peace with God.
The Scripture is not the key, but a heart that answers the divine call. Thus, the false witness of Jews who rejected the call in their hearts resulted in diminishing God’s reputation. Circumcision was just a ritual. Too many people had unclean souls and their circumcision meant nothing, especially compared to uncircumcised Gentiles who reached out to the God of Israel without even knowing His name. Paul establishes the principle that circumcision means nothing by itself.
A real Jew is someone whose heart has been purified by submission to God as Master. Those Israelis who ignored the opportunity to become friends with God aren’t real Jews.
Continuing into the third chapter, Paul notes that God still used the Hebrew people, despite themselves. God’s plan required entrusting His Word to someone, and Israel was chosen for that task. Their lack of faith did not frustrate His revelation. Once declared, accountability to His revelation was established.
Despite the arrogance of Jews, they are no better off than Gentiles. We are all born with a sin nature that makes us hostile to God’s ways. Paul quotes several prophecies that declare it all too clearly. The law code simply clarified for Israel their need for redemption. There is nothing redemptive in the Law itself. It certainly didn’t do Jews any good.
However, God has offered a final clarification of who He is and what He demands in the coming of His own Son. He is the New Covenant, open to all humanity. All the rituals have been fulfilled in His sacrifice. And the kind of faith commitment that He now requires wipes away the imaginary privilege of Jews, who honestly believe they have God over a barrel. It’s not that faith voids the law code, but rather it validates the law. The law was the manifestation of that old covenant. The purpose of that Covenant was to identify Jesus as the Messiah.
Thus far, it’s all quite pertinent to our focus on the continuity between the Old and New Covenants.
