Last week in our bible study of Romans there was some question about why Paul says “the Jew first” in 1:16 and 2:9. We know that God is impartial so why does Paul say to the Jew first? Even though God is impartial is there an order? Jews then Gentiles? And if so why? These were the questions that we were grappling with.
I asked Dr. Ted Martinez of Talbot School of Theology my questions. One of the classes Dr. Martinez teaches at Talbot is Romans. Dr. Martinez’s position on the matter is that Paul uses “first” in 1:16 to underscore the priority of bringing the gospel to the Jews first because they had the gospel first (Romans 1:1-4). Dr. Martinez maintains that the Jews “should have been more knowledgeable about the gospel by virtue of their knowledge of the Old Testament.” Unfortunately, most of the Jews did not realize that the gospel their prophets preached and wrote about was fulfilled in Jesus.
Dr. Martinez gave me a modern day example. He says that the priority of bringing the gospel to the Jew first is like our priority today to evangelize the Roman Catholics as opposed to Muslims, agnostics, atheists, etc. Roman Catholics have knowledge of Jesus, His divinity, His death and resurrection, etc. However, they lack knowledge that salvation comes through grace by faith in Jesus, not by works. Dr. Martinez argues that it is logical for us to bring the gospel first to them since they already have so much knowledge about Jesus.
In regards to “the Jew first” being used in 2:9 Dr. Martinez says yes it is true that God is impartial (2:11). And every person, male or female, Jew or gentile, are responsible for their own actions. The expression “the Jew first” as it pertains to this verse could be translated “especially the Jew” or “the priority given to the Jews.” The reason for this is because of the advantage s and privileges that the Jews had been give (3:1ff.; 9:3-5; 11:13-24). “They, of all people, should have known better; they of all people will therefore be judged” (Dr. M). Dr. Martinez points out that this is fair because God is fair, and with much privilege (which the Jews had) comes much responsibility “(which the Jews for the most part squandered).”
Honestly, I had never thought about the priority of evangelism before now. However, logically it does make sense that we should be evangelizing Roman Catholics because of their vast knowledge of Jesus. Unfortunately, Catholicism teaches a doctrine of “making righteous” as opposed to being “declared righteous.” To be justified as Paul teaches in Romans 3:21-5:21 is to be declared righteous and pronounced not guilty. Justification is a forensic term, a term used in a court of law. It means that once we have been justified, declared righteous and pronounced not guilty, we can never be tried again for our sins. We are free from trying to earn righteousness; as a matter of fact, there is nothing that anyone can do to earn it. We are justified by the blood of Christ; salvation is a free gift through grace by faith in Jesus.
–Suzette
