Yes — the Jews had great advantage in every way, chiefly because unto them were committed the oracles of God.
Romans 3:2 answers Paul's own question: "Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God." Les Feldick explains that the oracles mean the Word of God, and that every word of Scripture came through the nation of Israel. The Jews also had the priesthood, the temple, and the covenant promises, but the Word of God was the chief advantage.
Romans 3:1-2 — Paul directly asks the question and gives the answer: the Jew's chief advantage was being entrusted with the oracles of God.
Romans 3:1 asks, "What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?" Verse 2 answers: "Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God." Scripture clearly states that the Jewish people held a privileged position—they were the recipients of divine revelation. The verse does not say the advantage made them perfect or without sin; it says they had been entrusted with the very words of God.
Les Feldick teaches that the Jewish advantage was enormous and comprehensive. He lists the covenant promises, the temple, the priesthood, the prophets, the Psalms, the civil law, and the whole system of law—all of which were going for Israel. Yet, as Paul writes, the chief advantage was that unto them were committed the oracles of God, which Les explains as the Word of God. Les emphasizes that "every word in this book comes through the nation of Israel." The Jews were not just one nation among many; they were the custodians of Scripture. This made their unbelief especially serious. Les points out that Israel could have known who Jesus was from the Old Testament, but they did not bother to search the Scriptures. When the wise men asked about the King of the Jews, the priests had to search the Old Testament and found that He was to be born in Bethlehem. They had the advantage of the Word, yet they were wrapped in unbelief.
In Romans 3:2 the phrase is "the oracles of God." Les Feldick explains this as the Word of God. He says, "Every word in this book comes through the nation of Israel." So the Jewish advantage was not merely ritual or ceremonial; they were the custodians of divine revelation.
Les Feldick lists several advantages Israel possessed: God gave them the priesthood, the worship, the civil law, and the whole system of law. They also had the covenant promises, the temple, the prophets, and the Psalms. Yet Les points out that Paul says "chiefly"—the most important advantage was that they had the Word of God.
Israel could have known who Jesus was because the Old Testament told them. But Les says they were wrapped in unbelief and did not bother to study. When Herod and the wise men asked where the King of the Jews was born, the priests had to search the Scriptures and discover that it was Bethlehem. They had the Word, but they did not act on it.
Why Israel Was Blinded — Romans 11 Explained Verse by Verse
Now how can God do this? Well He's Sovereign, and He can do anything He wants. Let's go back to Romans chapter 1, and it's been a long time since we've been back there, so it's a good time to review. Let's go back to Romans chapter 1, and I think it takes us all the way back to the Tower of Babel when all this junk really began, and all of the roots of the Oriental religions and idolatry and pagan…
The Oracles of God
Les directly reads Romans 3:1-2 and shows that the Jewish advantage was that God had committed the oracles—the Word of God—to them.
Every Advantage
Les lists the priesthood, worship, civil law, and law system as advantages, but stresses that chiefly they had the Word of God.
The Chief Advantage
Les details covenant status, temple, priesthood, and blessings, then says chiefly they had the Word of God.
The Most Important Thing
Les repeats that Jews had covenant promises, Old Testament, prophets, Psalms, temple, and priesthood, but the most important was the oracles of God.
Wrapped in Unbelief
Les says the Jews had unique opportunity with the Scriptures but were wrapped in unbelief and could not comprehend.
What Triggers the Rapture? Romans 11:25 Explained Verse by Verse
They were looking for a king who would come in with pomp and power and circumstance, probably at least symbolically riding on a great white Arabian steed. But instead their king came riding on a lowly donkey, and they missed it. This our king? No way! Well they were ignorant of who he really was. And so Paul says, Israel did not obtain that which they were looking for.
Could Have Known
Les points out that Israel could have known who Jesus was from the Old Testament, but they didn't study; even the priests had to search to find Bethlehem.
Romans 3:1-2: What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
This is the passage that both asks and answers the question about the Jewish advantage.
The Bible says "Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God." The Jews' greatest advantage was being entrusted with the Word of God.
Les Feldick explains that the oracles of God means the Word of God. He says every word in this book comes through the nation of Israel.
Les Feldick says Israel could have known who Jesus was from the Old Testament, but they were wrapped in unbelief and did not bother to study. Even when the wise men asked, the priests had to search the Scriptures to find that He was to be born in Bethlehem.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Was Blinded — Romans 11 Explained Verse by Verse