Things Christians Say
“Hi, I heard you are our speaker today.” A warm smile and an extended hand accompanied this greeting, as I stood in the parking lot of a church where I had been invited to speak. I planned to share a message about our responsibility and privilege as believers in Jesus, to share the gospel with the Jewish people.
Soon three or four men from the church were standing in a semi-circle. Wanting to make conversation, one said, “There are sure a lot of Chinese people who need the gospel, and they are probably easier to share with than the Jews.”
In the years since that short interaction, I’ve heard many sincere, committed, and loving Christians make similar remarks. Unknowingly, their message translates as, “trying to reach the Jewish people with the gospel is either futile, fruitless, or not necessary.”
A Need for Biblical Discernment Like Never Before
Today, we are witnessing the unveiled face of antisemitism, with hatred not seen so openly since the Holocaust. Now more than ever our message of the gospel, for Israel and the world-wide Jewish community, should be paramount!
Definition from a Dear Jewish Brother
For decades, the scriptural fuel that moved people to reach out to the Jewish people with the eternal gospel has been found in words of a former Pharisee. After coming to faith in Jesus the Messiah, he was radically changed from being a persecutor of the faith to a proclaimer. Saul of Tarsus, also known as the Apostle Paul, wrote this truth through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:
“For I am not ashamed of the Good News, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who trusts – to the Jew first and also to the Greek.[1] ”
This biblical proclamation, “to the Jew first and also to the Greek,”[2] is understood as being either historical or a continuing priority for the followers of Messiah Jesus.
Historical Interpretation
This view understands Paul’s statement in a chronological sense: the gospel was proclaimed in Israel to the Jewish people first and then to the Gentiles. In this view, Romans 1:16 is not intended to indicate a priority or pattern to be followed.
Priority Interpretation
This perspective believes that “to the Jew first” was not merely a chronological fact. Reaching the Jewish people first indicates a particular and continuing priority. A strong case is made for this in examining the verb tense Paul uses. If it is still true that the power of God for salvation is in the gospel, then it is still true that the gospel is to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Especially
A few years ago, a dear friend who is a Jewish follower of Jesus, taught on this verse. With one word, he brought out the essence of the call to reach out to the Jewish people with the gospel. The Greek word “proton” (translated “first”) also carries the idea of “first in priority; especially.” There is a priority in our proclamation because the gospel is especially for the Jewish people. As Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, “Salvation is from the Jews” (John 4:22).
It was the Jewish people whom God chose for His purposes. To them He gave the covenants, the promises, the Law, the Scriptures, and the Messiah.[3] Yes, for all these reasons, the gospel is especially for the Jewish people.
Judgment First Too
In the very next chapter in Romans, Paul twice uses the same phrase, “to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” This context is one of judgment that comes to those who sin with the Law, or without it. This judgment is to the Jewish people especially and also to the Greek.[4] The Jewish people have had more light as God’s people and with this comes responsibility.
Despite What Some People Say
Two quite errant “theologies” are commonly held. One teaches God is finished with the Jewish people after their national rejection of Jesus when He first came.[5] But wouldn’t that put into question God’s faithfulness? For He is faithful even when we are not.[6] The Bible also clearly teaches that God has not rejected His people.[7]
The other teaches that Jewish people do not need Jesus, because they are only obligated to the Mosaic covenant. But how would that make any sense when Jesus told Jewish disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through Me.”[8] Scripture is clear: “by the works of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight.”[9]
Both of these are in error. These beliefs seek to keep the Jewish people from the very salvation that God desires for them, and the New Covenant He promised to them.[10]
More Reasons
To have a heart like God is to have a heart for the Jewish people, and especially that they will recognize their Messiah. He (Jesus) is the only way for Israel to have eternal life with their God, for the Scriptures say: This Yeshua[11] is “the stone – rejected by you, the builders – that has become the chief cornerstone.”[12]
“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved!”[13]
Yes, Everyone Needs the Gospel
My friend who spoke about proton meaning “especially” used this example: “I really love Chinese food, and Chinese food is for everyone, but it is especially for the Chinese people.”
Likewise, the gospel is a Jewish message from a Jewish Messiah to the Jewish people. The gospel is for everyone, but it is especially for the Jewish people.
Can We Help You?
Please contact us if we can answer any question or help you with misconceptions you may have regarding God’s love and promises for His people.
Written by Jeff, Life in Messiah staff
Many Gentile believers feel less loved or second rate when they hear the gospel is especially for the Jewish people. But did you know that you, as a Gentile, were chosen before the foundation of the world? And predestined for adoption as sons and daughters through Messiah Jesus? Check out Ephesians 1.
Have you held similar misconceptions about the Jewish people? Is there someone you have withheld the gospel from with whom you should share?
For a more in-depth study on this, check out these podcasts: The Rudder of Missions and The Shocking Strategy of Paul.
Endnotes:
[1] Romans 1:16. Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.
[2] Meaning, to the Gentiles, or non-Jewish people too.
[3] Romans 9:45.
[4] Romans 2:9, 2:10.
[5] Many of the first believers were Jewish including the apostles and New Testament writers. However, as a nation, the leadership rejected Jesus as the Jewish Messiah when He came 2,000 years ago.
[6] 2 Timothy 2:13.
[7] Romans 11:1–2, 11.
[8] John 14:6.
[9] Romans 3:20; see also Romans 10:4, Galatians 3:24.
[10] Jeremiah 31:33–34; Hebrews 8:1–10:18.
[11] Jesus. Yeshua is His Hebrew name, meaning salvation.
[12] Psalm 118:22 paraphrased.
[13] Acts 4:12.