A Study of Romans 3:1-3

by Garry D. Pifer

In a recent e-mail forum discussion on the subject of the “calendar” I’ve seen at least two comments that made specific reference to Romans 3:1-3.  One individual states that Romans 3:1-3 “is the best synopsis of the authority of orthodox Jews to meticulously keep times in accordance with the heavenly bodies and movements.”  The other man made the following comment: “There are those who claim that the Hebrew Calendar is flawed based on the Jew’s interpretation of the available, scriptural references.  Yet, when Paul answered the question ‘What advantage then hath the Jew?’ his answer was that ‘chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.’”

Both individuals are parroting the teaching we have had for years, that the Jews were given the responsibility for preserving the Old Testament Scriptures, and also the calendar.  Romans 3:1-3 does NOT say that.  As was brought out by a couple different posts the word “oracles” simply means the “words or utterances of God.”  There is no indication of the calendar here.  But, besides that, this verse is NOT saying that the Jews were responsible for the preservation of the Scriptures.  Let’s follow the rule of Bible Study--context, context, context.

The book of Romans was written by Paul to the church in Rome, made up primarily of Gentiles.  Paul mentions that he was the Apostle to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13) and often in the book refers to them as Gentiles (Rom. 1:13).    Very early in this book he begins to discuss the issue of the Jews versus Gentiles in relationship to salvation, etc.

Notice Rom. 1:16.   “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”  Salvation was offered first to the Jews but it has now been extended to the Greeks, i.e. the Gentiles.  He makes another similar statement in Romans the second chapter.  Rom. 2:10-11,   “But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:  For there is no respect of persons with God.”  He makes it plain, that God does not have special respect toward the Jews. 

Paul does address, and indict, the Jews in the following verses.  Let’s notice a few verses, beginning with verse 23 of Romans 2 and continuing through the end of the chapter.  “Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?   For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.   For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.  Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?    And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?   For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:   But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.”  Paul is clearly showing that JUST being of the circumcision and having been offered salvation FIRST didn’t count.

Now we come to chapter three of Romans.  The context continues.  Paul didn’t put a chapter break in the original letter.  He asks a rhetorical question.  “In view of what we have just been speaking about, what advantage is there,  or is there any advantage, of being a Jew?”  “And, what profit is there, or is there any, of being circumcised?”  Then in verse 2 he answers his own question.  “Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.”  What does that mean?  The word “chiefly” (4412 proton) means “first in time or place.”  So, he says “They were the first.”  And, unto them were “committed” the oracles.  What does committed mean?  Many translations render it “entrusted.”  Of the 248 times the Greek word pisteuo is used in the New Testament, it is translated 239 times as “believe.”  This will be of interest when we come to verse 3 in a moment.  And, as was stated in other posts, the word “oracles” simply means the “words or utterances of God.”

Notice a few translations, other than the King James.  Green’s Literal Translation,  “Much every way. For first, indeed, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.”  The Bible in Basic English, “Much in every way: first of all because the words of God were given to them.”  Lamsa’s Translation, “Much in every way; because the Jews were the first to believe in the words of God.”

Hopefully, we begin to see what Paul is telling them.  Yes, the Jews had an advantage in that they were the first to have God’s Word given to them, the first to believe.  He is NOT saying anything about them “preserving the Scriptures.”

Now we come to verse 3 “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?”  The word “committed” in verse 2 is pisteuo (4100), “to believe.”  The words “did not believe” in verse 3 is the corresponding negative verb, apisteo, (569) “believe not.”  The word “unbelief” is the negative noun, apistia, (570) “unbelief.”  It now becomes even clearer that the oracles “committed” to them is referring to “belief” and not to a “preservation of Scripture.” 

But, Paul doesn’t stop with verse 3.  He continues his discourse about “Jews and Gentiles.”  Let’s notice a few more verses.   Romans 3:9-10, “ What then? are we better [than they]? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Then down in verses 22 and 23, “Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” And, verse 29, “ [Is he] the God of the Jews only? [is he] not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:”

Paul continues this theme throughout the book.  Let’s jump over to chapter 10 and verses 12 and 13, “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Even before the book of Romans we see the same thing being said by Paul.  Notice Acts 13:46, “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”  God gave His Word, His Commandments, His Law to the Jews.  They were the first to be offered salvation.  Christ came “unto His own”(John 1:11) and “His own received Him not.”  What Paul is saying, plainly, is that the only advantage the Jews had over the Gentiles was that they were “first” to be given the “words of God,” to be “entrusted with God’s truth,” to be “the first to believe in the words of God.”  And, since many rejected that word, that truth, it was now being offered to the “uncircumcised,” to the Gentiles.  These verses ARE NOT “the best,” or any for that matter, “synopsis of the authority of orthodox Jews to meticulously keep times in accordance with the heavenly bodies and movements.”