The reason for Romans

Paul’s crucial message to the Gentiles on God’s purpose for the Jews

The Apostle Paul, in his long letter to the Roman Christians, declared: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” (Romans 1.16 & 17) Wherever he went on his great missionary journeys, his first port of call was always the synagogue, which actually followed the pattern set by his Master.

The church in Britain seems, as a whole, to have lost its sharp focus on mission. Where is the emphasis on evangelism that was once such an integral part of British evangelicalism? One thing seems clear to me: that when we take our eyes off the primacy of the gospel, we lose our focus on the place of the Jews in God’s purposes. Along with the revivals of the 18th and 19th centuries came a renewed understanding of our relationship to the Jews. After all, Jesus told the woman at the well that “salvation is from the Jews” (John 4.22).

At over 7,000 words, Paul’s epistle to the Romans was probably the longest letter ever written in the ancient world. And given that it would have been a very expensive undertaking, the message it contained must have been vitally important. He is addressing two distinct groups within the church – Jews and Gentiles. Why is this?

It seems the Roman church had been established by Jews who were present on the Day of Pentecost. But some 16-20 years later, in 49 AD, Rome’s 40,000 Jews were expelled by Emperor Claudius.That is why Paul first met Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth – “because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome” (Acts 18.2). Naturally, the Gentiles then stepped into the shoes of the absent leaders. But six years later, following the death of Claudius, Jews were invited back by the new Emperor, Nero, who rightly reckoned they were good for business. And tensions had arisen by the time Paul was writing. Some of it was over whether certain days and feasts should continue to be celebrated, but there were much greater issues at stake.

To the Jews among them, Paul emphasises that, though the law is good, it cannot save them, and that it needed to be written on their hearts (Romans 2.15 & 28). He stresses that “all have sinned”, but that we are justified by faith. He discusses our constant struggle with sin. Again, the law is good – without it we would not have known what sin was – but Jesus rescues us from this predicament. “Therefore, there is now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” (8.1)And to the Gentiles among them, Paul explains that just because we are not under law, but under grace, doesn’t mean we can continually get away with sin. “For the wages of sin is death…” (6.23)

Because I believe British Christians in particular need to hear this, I want to concentrate on what Paul reminded the Gentiles: firstly, that though he was an apostle to the Gentiles who, according to Isaiah, would put their hope in the Jewish Messiah, God had not finished with the Jews (Isaiah 11.10). True, the ‘Rock’of Christ was to prove a stumbling block (9.33). They were blinded in part so that Jesus would be crucified; otherwise we would have had no Saviour to atone for our sins. There was a sense that the Jewish religious leaders, in collusion with Rome, had done Mankind an unintended and unanticipated favourby sending Jesus to the cross.Indeed, Paul would write: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8.28)

Let’s not forget that a significant remnant – 500 who witnessed Jesus’ resurrection, 3,000 more on the Day of Pentecost and an estimated 100,000 (half the population of Jerusalem) within a generation – did receive Jesus and gave Him to the world through the likes of Paul. It was never God’s intention that the Church should cut itself off from its Hebraic root;in doing so it was no longer sharing “in the nourishing sap from the olive root” (11.17) – pretty disastrous, and effectively leaving the tree to wither and die. That’s what happened to the Church and arguably led to the ‘Dark Ages’ with little understanding of the holy Scriptures. Christianity morphed into ‘Churchianity’, some sections of which became chief persecutors of the Jewish people. Today much of the Western Church has fallen for a deceptive line where, at best, they opt for a neutral stand on the issue of Israel. But Paul urges Gentiles against arrogance, thundering: “You do not support the root, but the root supports you.” (11.18)

Not only that, but God has a wonderful future plan for His chosen people spelled out in chapters 9-11 where Paul goes to great lengths to explain how it was only the mercy of God that allowed we Gentiles to be partakers with them of the heavenly kingdom. “Because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles…to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring! I am talking to you Gentiles.” (11.11-13) And when the full number of Gentiles has come in, all Israel will be saved (11.25f). But that doesn’t excuse us from the responsibility of preaching the gospel to them (10.12-14), for all – both Jew and Gentile – must enter the Kingdom through Jesus (3.22f). Yes, there is much value to being a Jew, Paul argues, but it won’t save them. Salvation comes by faith, not works, and this even applied to Abraham, who was righteous before he was circumcised! (4.10)

Nevertheless, Paul says to Gentile believers in Rome, “You…have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience…” (11.30) Therefore (chapter 12 begins), in view of God’s mercy… the blessings of Israel have been extended to them. By no means have Gentiles replaced Jews. The blessing has been extended – in view of God’s mercy, which is why Gentiles, as Jews, should offer their “bodies as living sacrifices” and “not conform any longer to the pattern of this world…”Another great theme of Romans is suffering. Under Nero, Christians were thrown into the sports arena, covered in animal skins to be torn apart by dogs, or crucified and set on fire. Yet in the face of all this, they were being encouraged to stand up and be counted: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (8.31) Trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness,danger or sword might come the way of Believers (v35). We need the same understanding and the same mindset today.

In view of God’s plan to redeem His people whom, we are told, will accept their Messiah in great numbers before His return, we need to become part of that restoration – i.e. help it come about, by getting ourselves re-focused on the gospel, and especially on reaching the Jews! In his lengthy passage expressing his earnest prayer for Israel to be saved, Paul asks: “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?” (10.14)Paul wasn’t to know how disastrously the Church would break away from its Hebraic root, leading to umpteen centuries of spiritual darkness, and which has made it even more difficult for Jews to believe a gospel they have long associated with being treated as lambs to the slaughter whilst being expelled from their adopted countries (as were my ancestors). Jews need to know that the gospel is in truth good news! Quite apart from anything else, we owe it to them!

Towards the end of the letter, Paul says he is on his way to Jerusalem with a gift of money for the poor among the saints there. The gift came from the Gentile Christians of Macedonia and Achaia, of whom Paul says: “They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them; for if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.” (15.27) Today there are still poor people in Israel. Many Israelis make a real economic sacrifice to live there because the cost is living is high and income is relatively low. But Israelis desperately need spiritual refreshing, too, which only the gospel can provide. If you cannot preach to them, then pray for them, love them, bless them, speak up for them and seek God for better understanding of their plight. The gospel is for the Jew first.But with privilege comes responsibility. The Jew will also be first to be judged for wrongdoing (see 2.9-11). Nevertheless, God has not rejected His people; He has a great plan for them, and you can be part of that plan.

Charles Gardner’s new book, A Nation Reborn – Britain’s Role in Israel’s Restoration, is due to be published in May 2018. He explores the biblical mandate enabling Christians to see this event as a clear outworking of prophetic direction and God’s salvation purposes.

He explores:

What was Britain’s role in the rebirth? Did Britain default on its legal obligation to Israel?

How did the “movers and shakers” in these events combine in the early twentieth century to enable the establishment of the State of Israel?

What is the Bible telling us about future developments?

How can we define the political and historical legitimacy of Israel?

There is absolutely no doubt that Israel will continue to be a focus of world attention in the years ahead. The Author provides an essential perspective to help us interpret events.