“29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.”
Paul refers to the Jews as those who are circumcised and the Gentiles as those who are uncircumcised, but why does he make the distinction in language between the two about how they are justified in their faith. To the Jews he says they are justified by their faith, and to the Gentiles he says they are justified through their faith. What’s the difference, and why is it important? Is Paul making some sort of distinction between how Jews and Gentiles are saved?
In a message speaking of the unity believers have in Christ, Paul in chapter 15 says the following:
“For I say that Christ became a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises to the fathers, and so that Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and I will sing praise to your name. Again it says, Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people! And again, Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples praise him! And again, Isaiah says, The root of Jesse will appear, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; the Gentiles will hope in him.” — Romans 15:8-12
One difference outlined in Romans 15 between the salvation of Jewish and Gentile believers is what God reveals about Himself to us through that process. To the Jewish believers, God displays His steadfast faithfulness and loyalty to His promises and His people by fulfilling what He has promised. God promised centuries earlier that one would come and crush the head of the deceitful serpent. (See Genesis 3:14-15) God promised Abraham that He would save many people from many nations by his descendants. God has and does remain true to these promises. To the Gentile believers, He reveals His mercy. Gentiles may not expect that they would have a part in God’s redemptive plan because they are not God’s chosen people. However, in many instances, especially seen in the ministry of Jesus, some Gentiles display greater faith than the Jews. Not only that, but by God’s great mercy, He has made a way for the Gentiles to be saved as well! It is through this faith that God saves them.
One thing, however, remains certain: that all people, no matter ethnic or cultural background, are saved the same way: by grace through faith. Several of Paul’s other writings confirm this.
Speaking to both Jews and Gentiles, Paul tells the Galatians:
“…for through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus.” — Galatians 3:26
And in Romans 10, Paul says:
“…since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” — Romans 10:12-13
It is through faith that all, including Abraham, the father of the Jewish covenant, are saved.
“Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and proclaimed the gospel ahead of time to Abraham, saying, All the nations will be blessed through you. Consequently, those who have faith are blessed with Abraham, who had faith.” — Galatians 3:8-9
So it is clear then that there is only one way to salvation, and that is through faith in Jesus Christ. It is interesting, though, how God has used both the Jews and the Gentiles to display His grace and mercy in different ways. Each shows us a unique view of God’s character, and each shows us His deservedness of praise and worship, for He is worthy.
I read this through twice and some parts more because there is a lot in those 2 words in the verses… by and through. It is easy to read through verses quickly and not dive deeply into what Paul was writing to the Romans. Thank you for the time and prayer you have spent in helping those who are reading your devotionals daily to understand God’s grace and mercy.
Mary