The Circumcision Advantage

 What a title right? I'm thinking of Romans 3:1 where Paul asks, "What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?" 

This was always an avoided subject in Sunday school, especially in a mixed class. We didn't use the "C" word. Too wierd. 

Paul is bringing up this topic for good reasons. He wants to show that the Jews definitely have had a great advantage during their history. In the next verse he tells one of them when he says, ... "First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God."

The first jew talked to God in person. God chose Abram to be the father of many nations and to bring the blessing of the Messiah to the world. The Old Testament is the story of the Jewish nation. God dealt with the Jews throughout the ages of the time before Christ. They were the chosen. But in all that blessing they ended up crucifying the Messiah. 

With all of their advantages the Jews came short of the ideal. And Paul ends chapter three with a well known text about how all have sinned and come short of God's glory. So, the circumcision advantage was nullified and the replacement advantage came to those who placed their trust in Christ's cross work. Paul said it this way, Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.