I n today’s verse, Paul begins with a question: “Is God the God of Jews only?” This is asking, “Is God saving only Jews?” He asks a second question: “Is he not also of the Gentiles?” He gives the answer – “Yes, of the Gentiles also”, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through the same faith [v. 30]. Abraham was justified by faith; he received the righteousness of God and the covenant promises by faith before the rite of circumcision was imposed on him, and before the law was given to Israel. Romans 4:3 says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Today, the same principle applies to everyone, Jews and Gentiles. They can receive God’s righteousness if they “believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification” [Romans 4:24b-25]. He is the God of Jews as well as Gentiles because all must come to Him by faith. God created all the nations of this world – “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth” [Acts 17:26a]. He is the God of all mankind. He will justify everyone through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. He will redeem people for Himself out of every nation. God is to be known by all, so let us declare His glory among the nations, His marvellous work among the people, “For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods” [Psalm 96:4]. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. – Romans 1:16-17
LESSON
Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also.
THOUGHT
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