What difference does Paul show between Jews, Gentiles, and members of the Body of Christ?
Paul shows a distinction between the Jew and the Gentile, and also a distinction involving those Jews and Gentiles who were members of the Body of Christ. His letters are a progressive revelation, moving from simple beginnings to deeper spiritual truths that the carnal believer cannot comprehend.
Les explains that Paul's writings function like the Bible as a whole: they are a progressive revelation. Paul begins with simple things and later comes to deep spiritual truths the carnal believer cannot comprehend. In this section, Paul is still showing that there is a difference between the Jew and the Gentile, and those Jews and Gentiles who were members of the Body of Christ. The chapter then closes with Paul saying he pleases all in all things, not seeking his own profit but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Les notes that throughout Paul's letters, Paul could never get lost people off his mind—people for whom Christ paid their sin debt and shed His blood, and whose lives were ready to be ransomed by His resurrection.