Romans 3:1-2 What advantage then has the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?… I. ITS POSSESSION IS AN IMMENSE "ADVANTAGE" TO ANY PEOPLE. What distinguishes it from all other books, and gives it transcendent worth, is that it contains the "oracles of God." 1. They are infinitely valuable in themselves. They are infallible truth. The "oracles" of the heathen world were gross deceptions, that of Apollo at Delphi was a notorious imposture. They give — (1) A true revelation of God to man. (2) A true revelation of man to himself. Who can estimate the transcendent worth of such revelations? 2. They are infinitely valuable in their influence. (1) Intellectually. They quicken reason and set the wheels of thought ageing. (2) Socially. They unseal the fountains of social sympathy, and bless the people with philanthropic societies and institutions. (3) Politically. They break down tyrannies, promote wholesome laws, and foster fair dealing, peace, and liberty. (4) Spiritually. Their great work is to generate, develope, and perfect the highest spiritual life. II. THERE ARE THOSE WHO LACK TRUE FAITH IN IT. "What if some did not believe?" Though the Jews, as a people, had the "oracles," there were multitudes amongst them who were destitute of faith. Their conduct during their pilgrimage, their whole history in Canaan, and the rejection of the true Messiah, all proved they had little or no faith in the "oracles" they possessed. How few, today, who possess the Bible have any true faith in the Divine "oracles." To such the Bible — 1. Is of no real spiritual "advantage." It can convey no real benefit to the soul, only so far as its truths are believed and realised. Unless it is believed it has no more power to help the soul, the man, than the genial sunbeam or the fertilising shower to help the tree that is rotten at its roots. 2. It ultimately becomes a curse. It heightens responsibility and augments guilt. "If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not known sin." III. THE LACK OF FAITH IS IT NEITHER AFFECTS ITS REALITY NOR LESSENS ITS IMPORTANCE (ver. 3). Man's lack of faith will neither affect nor nullify the faithfulness of God. Facts are independent of denials or affirmations. What if some say there is no God? Their denial does not destroy the fact, He still exists. What if some say there is no hell; hell still burns on. Though all Europe denied that the earth moved, it still pursued its course circling round the sun. But though our states of mind, whether credulous or incredulous, in no way affect those facts, they vitally affect our own character and destiny. What if we do not believe? It matters nothing to the universe or to God, but it matters much, nay everything to us. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?WEB: Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision? |
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