Anyways, here is my take on chapter 2. I'm kinda a big picture person, so let me know if I'm missing out on something or if I'm misunderstanding something!
All the judgement stuff...between what I've read and what Jorge has put up here, my understanding is that we are going to make judgements, or draw conclusions, about people based on their actions. We have to remember, though, that whatever standard we hold others to, however harshly we judge them, we will also be judged. And it is not for us to condemn others because of their actions, only God can do that.
Our actions are very important. They give the world an insight into our hearts. We can't teach one thing and do another, or judge people for something while we ourselves are doing it. In verses 25 and following, Paul says that a Jew is not necessarily just someone who is circumsized, but those who are a Jew inwardly in their hearts. I think he is trying to tell people that you don't have to be a Jew to inherit Heaven, anyone can who follows God's laws and does His will and does so because that is what God wants, not to impress men.
My question for this chapter: He always says, "to the Jew first and also to the Greek" then later he says that you are not necessarily a "Jew" because the world views you as one. Is there a connection between these two things? Is he being literal with the "Jew first and also to the Greek" or is he being figurative? Don't know if my question makes any sense.
I look forward to seeing your takes on chapter 2. Amy, are you still unable to get on the blog?
2 comments:
Jennifer, I think you got it. The whole judgment thing is not easy to grasp but your comments show great understanding. We always have to remember that condemning is "sending someone to hell". Judging someone is just saying "that is right or wrong according to God's word."
The Jews were always promised to have God's blessings. We learn that God knew ahead of time that the Jews would scold the ultimate blessing, Jesus. Knowing this, he made it possible for Gentiles to be coheirs. But God always remembering his promises would continue to have preaching for the Jews. The 12 Apostles mostly tended to the church in Judea. Paul, Silas, Luke, Phillip & John Mark were everywhere else. If you recall, whenever Paul arrives at a new town, what place does he find first? The synogogue. What did he do there? He taught Jews about how Christ was the Messiah and how they should accept him. Once they were taught (accepting or rejecting his teaching), he went to teach the non-Jews, Greeks, and Gentiles. In doing so, he went first to the Jews, then to the Greeks/Gentiles. I see this as God showing how much he still wanted his originally chosen people to become part of his newly chosen people. The expression was actually real and not so much figurative. The part about being a true Jew was separate from this idea.
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