[“We who are Jews by birth] … know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.”
Summary: The Jews that Paul refers to are not a homogeneous group. They are, for the most part, people who have stumbled over the “stumbling stone (Romans 9:32).
As Paul continues recounting his conversation with Peter in front of the circumcision group, he says, “We who are Jews by birth … know that a person is not justified by the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.”
Who is he talking about?
Isn’t it the Jews who rejected Jesus? Didn’t the Jews join in with Saul (aka Paul) in chasing down Christians and throwing them in prison? Aren’t Jews the ones who are demanding that Gentiles be circumcised?
When Paul writes, “We who are Jews … know that a person is justified … by faith in Christ,” who is he talking about?
When John the Baptist came on the scene, the Jews were challenged to repent (Matthew 3:1-2). Some did and some did not.
Then Jesus came on the scene. The Jews were again challenged, this time to believe that God’s Messiah had come (Matthew 16:13-20, Matthew 22:41-45). Again, some believed and some didn’t.
When they crucified Jesus, he lay in the tomb Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday morning. Then he rose from the dead, burst out of the tomb, and resumed living among men for a time before ascending into heaven. Once again, Jews were challenged by this. Should they believe that Jesus was alive or not?
Then came Pentecost (Acts 2). Again, the Jews were challenged! What was this noise? Who were these people called disciples of Jesus? Why were they speaking in foreign languages? At this time, many believed and still, many did not.
Sometime later, Peter received a vision that instructed him about food. Under the old covenant Moses had given the people, Jews were not allowed to eat certain foods. In this vision, God instructed Peter that he was permitted to eat whatever he wanted (Acts 10: 9-16). The Jews who rejected Jesus would have nothing to do with this vision, but the Jews who believed in Jesus were mostly convinced that God had changed the rules. Were they all convinced? Given their history, it seems unlikely.
In all these things, the Jews were challenged to recognize God for who he was and accept his new covenant in the blood of Jesus. Each test pointed to Jesus as the only way to restore our relationship with God. Some accepted this, and some didn’t.
When Paul says, “We who are Jews by birth … know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ,” he is talking about Jews who believe in Jesus. Period. When other Jews come with demands that parts of the old covenant have to be honored, Paul recognizes that somewhere along the line, they didn’t believe in Jesus. They still believe that there is something we can do as humans to earn our salvation and prove our worth to God.
When Paul writes, “We who are Jews by birth …” he is referring to a relatively small group of people. As we continue with this passage, it helps to understand that God’s people were divided, much like they are today.
Application: Keep your eyes on Jesus. He is all that matters.
Food for Thought: How does “works of the law” differ from “faith in Jesus?”
*Yes, there were exceptions like Nicodemus.
How does “works of the law” differ from “faith in Jesus?”
One leads towards salvation.
Amen, B, Amen!
Works of law is a bit like following a checklist, or a contract, or a formula. If we do “all these things” then we will be “guaranteed” an outcome. Our salvation then isn’t a gift, but a perceived right. We lose sight that there is no possible way to be in God’s presence because there is no possible way we could ever undo what we have already done. Also, our obedience to God becomes “business” and not “personal.” We lose sight of the love God has for us, and the ability to love God as He loves us.
Faith in Jesus starts with understanding the love God has for us. We understand that we cannot possible atone for our sin, and the God made a way for us to still be in His presence through Christ. We then have the ability to feel God’s love and to love God. Then “all the things” that are of the law become a part of our lives, and we do them out of love for God and Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Chris,
Interesting analysis!
I especially like the comparison between “business” and “personal.” It reminds me of the “Lego Movie” where “Lord Business” is the bad guy and the ordinary people, Emmet and his friends, are the good guys.
Like all good stories, the movie was resolved when love transcends our human (or Lego) differences.
Works of the law are something I do for my salvation (and fail), faith in Jesus is what He did for my salvation (and succeeded). It is not what I do, but what has been done.
Succinctly put!
Thank you, Rich! 🙂
02-15-2024, How does “works of the law” differ from “faith in Jesus?”
Great Stuff!
Works lead to self righteousness of people living according to standards they have determined to be acceptable by God. The righteousness of God, Jesus Christ, is seen by others as believers live according to His will for our lives.
Galatians 3:11, Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”
Romans 3:21-22, But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Thank you, Ron!
“Self righteousness” is not the same as “righteousness,” is it? 🙂