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In his letter to the Romans, how does Paul justify that the Jewish people should accept Christ?
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21 Replies
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We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That’s why we all need Jesus.
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All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That means Jew, Gentile, slave or free. We all have sinned and have need of a Savior to justify us before our Holy and righteous God.
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The Jewish people treated the law as a means of works rather than a relationship through faith. It is now their choice to accept Christ and his free gift.
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Paul argues that, although Jews have the moral law of God in written form, they do not consistently or perfectly live up to it (Rom 2:1-11), and circumcision does not save them (Rom 2:25-27). They also stand guilty before God and need a Saviour.
He argues that even their forefather Abraham was justified by faith, not works (Rom chapter 4). So why would they be exempt from this condition to be saved by faith?
Furthermore, the Jews, like all men, are descended from the first Adam, so that sin and death reign in them too (Romans chapter 5). The Jews need a Saviour too in the person of the last Adam.
The law that the Jews possess only makes sin more evident, therefore more attractive (Rom 7:7-12) to them. The law meant to bring life actually brought death! Therefore the Jews need to be saved.
Finally, Paul argues that God has not put the Jews aside when He offers salvation to the Gentiles in this new covenant (Rom chapters 9-11). God’s intention is that a remnant of Israel will be saved in the end times. This is also why Jews should come to accept Christ in fulfilment of God’s promises to Israel.
#Romans
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Jews are obedient to the Law and Paul gives them the undanding that Jesus is God and master. He also discusses how our obedience to Him comes above obedience to other human authorities.