A Sacred Trust
S.R. Aldridge Romans 3:1, 2 What advantage then has the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?… Questions break the even flow of a course of argumentation, and, by diversifying the stream, quicken the sluggish interest of the spectators. The catechetical method is characteristic of the Apostle Paul in his most vehement moods. I. EXPLAIN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE QUERY IN THE TEXT. It might seem strange for any to question the unexampled privileges enjoyed by the Jews, but the apostle has been laying the axe to the root of some barren trees of Jewish pretensions. He ruthlessly exposed the pleas of those who tried to shelter their non-compliance with God's statutes behind the fact that they belonged to an elect race, as if to be an Israelite were in itself a guarantee of salvation. He showed that only the doers (cf the Law are justified by the Law; that the initial rite of circumcision could only profit if it were followed up by inward consecration and outward obedience. The apostle affirmed that even the heathen world had its law of conduct, according to which it would be judged. Every man who worked evil would be visited with retribution - "wrath and anguish," on the Jew first, and also on the Greek. The rabbis would not be absolved on the ground of their status and functions; let them instruct themselves, and abstain from every violation of the Law. These were plain statements; there was no mincing of the matter, and to many readers, accustomed with self-gratulation to pride themselves on their descent from Abraham, these remarks would prove highly offensive. And further they would be led to inquire, with complaining indignation, "Well, then, what has been the good to us of our Jewish religion? If our condition of national priority is not to ensure the ultimate favour of God, where is our boasted advantage over the Gentile, who may equally obtain the rewards of the judgment-day?" The objector asks not only what his ordinary profit has been, but what has been the surplus, the excess of privilege, above other nations. Observe how easily the hearer of the gospel may adopt the same line of questioning. Indeed, this is assigned by many as a reason for not preaching the gospel to the heathen, inasmuch as they shall be judged according to the degree of light they possess, and greater light may increase their condemnation. II. THE EMPHATIC REPLY. The Jew had reason for devout gratitude in every respect, answers the apostle; and primarily, that to him it had been given to receive direct, unmistakable communications from Heaven. The Jewish nation were permitted to hear voices from the shrine, and the record of these Divine instructions was committed to their care as a valuable treasure. There was the Law from Mount Sinai - a political, priestly, ethical, sanitary code; there were prophecy and history, and the strains of men who swept the harp of religious feeling with divinely guided fingers. Consider the high honour implied in such custodianship. The isolation of the land of Palestine bespoke a Divine library, whose contents were to be guarded against contaminating, destructive touch. It is by their possession of the Scriptures that the Jews have won their place in the estimation of the world. Not by their deeds or character, but by their writings. Nor is it that they have displayed a special genius for literature; there is the mark of the inspiration of God. The prophets were conscious that this was and would be the glory of the nation, "Out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem." Neither Greece, nor Rome, nor Babylon has embalmed like Israel the story of its rise, its progress, and its fall. Today the Jews are silent witnesses to the truth of Scripture - an unwilling comment on the threats and predictions of their own Bible. This librarianship was a real help towards righteousness and the obtaining of the blessing of God. Men will dare anything for the attainment of mere empty honour, titles of distinction, or posthumous fame. But it was surely no slight advantage to have in these oracles such a revelation of the nature of God. The existence of one God was plainly taught. And from the conception of him as almighty there was an advance to the conception of an ever-living, holy, all-pervading Spirit. Then he was revealed as sympathizing with the woes of his creatures, and the "Angel of his face" was predicted as making his soul an offering for the sin of man. It was no small advantage to have the searching requirements of morality so vividly enforced, and attested with such august sanctions. The sincere reader could say, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet," etc. They were "lively oracles," as contrasted with the dim, uncertain, impotent instructions of the unillumined world. They imparted hope, intimated the mercy of God, and the possibility of pardon through sacrifice. They taught a future life, so that Martha could say to our Lord, "I know that my brother shall rise again." The very fact that these oracles were committed to writing was no little aid towards their intelligibleness and influence. Heathendom questioned in its childhood, and still doubted in its old age. Spiritual truth may be said to have been unknown except to Israel. Into what lofty regions of spiritual vision could the psalmists and prophets soar, on wings of knowledge and faith nourished by the writings they possessed! III. AN APPEAL TO MODERN READERS. Analogous reasoning may be applied to our condition. The cheap multiplication of copies of the Scriptures, and the many seasons and media of exposition available, vastly augment our advantages. Besides, we have the light which the New Testament throws upon the attributes and fulfilled purposes of God. Our function, like that of Israel, is twofold - to learn and to teach. 1. Let us utilize the written Word for our own behoof. Picture the folly of a sailor not consulting his chart, or the traveller failing to guide his steps by his manual. Too many a sexton cares for the material fabric, and overlooks the doctrines and worship to which the temple is subservient. Without disparaging other literature, how dark were the world of letters if this sun were blotted out! The following verse (ver. 3) speaks of the chief hindrance to profiting by the oracles, viz. a want of faith. Faith is the practical employment of gospel truth; not the comprehending of all its connections and relationships, or the sounding of its fathomless depths with our tiny plummet, but the utilization of its plain declarations and directions. The road to the cross no wayfarer can mistake. 2. We too have the Bible as a sacred charge for the benefit of our fellows. Israel was to serve all generations and all races of mankind, and the Church of Christ exists for no exclusive selfish ends, but for the enlightenment of every home and land. The very position of Great Britain in the carrying-trade of the globe marks our glory and responsibility. To have a deposit entrusted to our care involves vigilance lest it suffer damage. A mutilated library condemns its guardians, and closed doors mean the flight of the glory of the Lord from the sanctuary. - S.R.A. Parallel Verses KJV: What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? WEB: Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision?