Romans 3:2

Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. MUCH EVERY WAY: CHIEFLY, BECAUSE, [ prooton (G4412) men (G3303) gar (G1063) - see Donaldson, 618 - hoti (G3754)] - rather, 'First, that.' Our version here (following Beza) departs from this the proper meaning of the word, rendering it "chiefly," no doubt, because no 'second' and 'third' advantages of the Jew follow. But there was no need. It suited the apostle's argument to dwell on this particular advantage of the Jew, and the rest could easily be imagined. That unto them were committed (or, 'they were entrusted with') the oracles of God...

2._Much in every way, etc._; that is, very much. He begins here to give the sacrament its own praise; but he concedes not, that on this account the Jews ought to have been proud; for when he teaches that they were sealed by the symbol of circumcision, by which they were counted the children of God, he does not allow that they became superior to others through any merit or worthiness of their own, but through the free mercy of God. If then regard be had to them as men, he shows that they were on a level with others; but if the favors of God be taken to the account, he admits that they possessed what made them more eminent than other men. _First indeed, because, intrusted to them, etc. _Some think there is here an unfinished period, for he sets down what he does not afterwards complete. But the word _first _seems not to me to be a note of number, but means chiefly” or especially, (88) and...

1-8 The law could not save in or from sins, yet it gave the Jews advantages for obtaining salvation. Their stated ordinances, education in the knowledge of the true God and his service, and many favours shown to the children of Abraham, all were means of grace, and doubtless were made useful to the conversion of many. But especially the Scriptures were committed to them. Enjoyment of God's word and ordinances, is the chief happiness of a people. But God's promises are made only to believers; therefore the unbelief of some, or of many professors, cannot make this faithfulness of no effect. He will fulfil his promises to his people, and bring his threatened vengeance upon unbelievers. God's judging the world, should for ever silence all doubtings and reflections upon his justice. The wickedness and obstinate unbelief of the Jews, proved man's need of the righteousness of God by faith, and...

Verse Romans 3:2. APOSTLE. _MUCH EVERY WAY_] The _Jews_, in reference to the _means_ and _motives_ of obedience, enjoy many advantages beyond the _Gentiles_; and, principally, because _to them were committed the_ _oracles of God_-that revelation of his will to Moses and the prophets, containing a treasure of excellencies, with which no other part of the world has been favoured; though they have most grievously abused these privileges....

MUCH EVERY WAY - Or, in every respect. This is the answer of the apostle to the objection in Romans 3:1. CHIEFLY - That is, this is the principal advantage, and one including all others. The main benefit of being a Jew is, to possess the sacred Scriptures and their instructions. UNTO THEM WERE COMMITTED - Or were intrusted, were confided. The word translated “were committed,” is what is commonly employed to express “faith” or “confidence,” and it implied “confidence” in them on the part of God in intrusting his oracles to them; a confidence which was not misplaced, for no people ever guarded a sacred trust or deposit with more fidelity, than the Jews did the Sacred Scriptures. THE ORACLES - The word “oracle” among the pagan meant properly

EXPOSITION ROMANS 3:1 (2) _Certain objections with regard to the Jews suggested and met. _In_ _this passage, before proceeding with his argument, the apostle meets certain objections that might be made to what has been so far said. Some difficulty in determining his exact meaning arises from the concise and pregnant form in which the objections are put and answered, and from fresh ones arising out of the answers, which have also to be met. The objections are from the Jewish standpoint, though not put into the mouth of an objecting Jew, but rather suggested as likely ones by St. Paul himself. To the original readers of the Epistle, who were familiar with the tone of Jewish thought, the sequence of the ideas would probably be more obvious than to us. Reserving special consideration of successive clauses for our exposition of each verse, we may,

MUCH EVERY WAY,.... The circumcised Jew has greatly the advantage of the uncircumcised Gentile, מכל פנים, "in all respects", על כל צד, "on every side", as the Rabbins speak; phrases to which this in the text answers: CHIEFLY; more especially, particularly, and in the first place; BECAUSE THAT UNTO THEM WERE COMMITTED THE ORACLES OF GOD; by which are meant the law of Moses, and the writings of the prophets, the institutions of the ceremonial law, and the prophecies of the Messiah and the Gospel church state; and in a word, all the books of the Old Testament, and whatsoever is contained in them; which are called so, because they are of divine inspiration, contain the mind and will of God, and are infallible and authoritative: and it was the privilege and profit of the Jews that they were intrusted with them, when other nations were not, and so had the advantage of them; they had them fo...

Romans 3:1. _What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there of circumcision?_ If, after all, both Jew and Gentiles were under sin, what advantage had the Jew by the covenant under which he lived? Or what was the benefit to him of the circumcision which was his distinctive mark? Romans 3:2. _Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God._ The Jews were God's chronicle-keepers. They had to guard the holy Books, «the oracles of God.» They had also to preserve the knowledge of the truth by those divers rites and ceremonies by which God was pleased to reveal himself of old time. Romans 3:3. For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbeli

CHAPTER 3:1-20 _ 1. Objections and Their Answers. (Romans 3:1 .)_ 2. The Whole World Under Sin. (Romans 3:9 .) Romans 3:1 A number of objections are next raised and answered. “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?” Such would be the natural question of the Jew after reading the argument that the Jew is on the same level with the Gentile. This objection is stated here for the first time. It is important, for the Jews are God's chosen people and as the Apostle states later, to them belongs “the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God and the promises” ...

JEWISH PROTESTS SILENCED. Romans 3:1. What then, it is asked, is the advantage of being a Jew, etc.? Romans 3:2. Much, Paul replies, in every way: to begin with, they were entrusted with the oracles of God (this implies a faith-relationship)a trust not voided by the infidelity of some. Some, for numbers do not count; the heritage of faith is transmitted through the remnant (see Romans 9:6, etc.).Nay (to use the language of the Pss.), God will show Himself true, though every man prove false, etc. Romans 3:5. A further protest: But if our unrighteousness serves to commend God's righteousness (as you maintain), is God, who inflic