What are the advantages of being a Jew mentioned in Romans 3?
Romans 3 says the Jew’s advantage is much in every way. Israel had the temple, priesthood, sacrifices, the prescribed approach to Jehovah, the deeded land, and God’s miracles. Their chief blessing was the Word of God and their covenant position, a place of privilege Gentiles did not then enjoy.
Les explains that Romans 3:1 asks what advantage the Jew had and what profit there was in circumcision—what benefit it was to belong to Israel. The answer in verse 2 is “much, every way.” Les lists their privileges: they had the temple, the priesthood, the sacrifices, the prescribed approach to Jehovah, and the geographical area of land God had deeded to Abraham 2,000 years before. They also had the miracles of the Red Sea, the manna, and the tables of stone, as God constantly worked in Israel with miracles. Les says they feasted at the Lord’s table because of their covenant position; Gentiles were not feasting there when God was dealing with Israel. He notes that today Gentiles are in that place of privilege, but back then it was only the Jew. Their chief blessing was that they had the Word of God.
Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
More Questions
What advantage did the Jew have according to Romans 3:1-2?
In Romans 3:1-2 Paul answers that the advantage of the Jew and the profit of circumcision is 'much, every way' — that is, the benefit of being a member of the nation of Israel is great in every respect.