“Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles?”
The full verse · Romans 3:29 · KJV
Is he the of the ? is he of the ? , of the :
Asked by
Paul: the apostle to the Gentiles, explaining that justification by faith is open to all (Romans 1:1; 3:28)
Asked to
Romans: the believers in Rome, called to be saints (Romans 1:7), to whom Paul explains that God justifies Jew and Gentile by faith (Romans 3:28-30)
The Scene
Paul has just concluded that "a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Romans 3:28).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionIf justification came through keeping the Law of Moses, it would belong mainly to the Jews, who had the Law. Paul's question shows why that cannot be. Barnes says, "The Jews supposed that he was the God of their nation only, that they only were to be admitted to his favor." The first question asks whether God belongs to one nation; the second expects the answer yes, He is God of the Gentiles too. Because all have sinned alike, Barnes says, "God could show favors to all, and all might be admitted on the same terms."
The Response
What Scripture recordsPaul answers right away: "Yes, of the Gentiles also" (Romans 3:29). He gives the reason in Romans 3:30: "Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith." There is one God, so there is one way of being made right with Him, for Jew and Gentile alike.
Historical Context
The world behind the words"The circumcision" and "uncircumcision" in Romans 3:30 stand for Jews and Gentiles, as the parallel with "the Jews" and "the Gentiles" in Romans 3:29 shows. Paul had already said that true circumcision is "of the heart" (Romans 2:29). Many Jews of Paul's day thought of God as theirs alone, as Barnes notes. Paul's "one God" argument means that the same God rules over both peoples and justifies both the same way.
Gill affirms that "God is the God both of Jews and Gentiles" through the covenant of grace.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThis question reveals God's heart for all peoples. He is not a tribal God. Matthew Henry writes that "it is one God of grace that justifies the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith." The oneness of God means the gospel is for everyone.
The same chapter has already said there is "no difference" in sin, for "all have sinned" (Romans 3:22-23). Here Paul shows there is no difference in grace either. The ground is level for everyone. Paul will show in Romans 4 that even Abraham was counted righteous by faith before he was circumcised (Romans 4:9-11).
Look Closer
What does Paul use to prove God is God of the Gentiles too?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord, You are God of every nation; who have I quietly treated as outside the reach of Your grace?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- What lines do people draw today about who belongs to God and who does not?
- Tell about someone from a very different background whose faith in Christ has encouraged you.
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
God is not the God of one group, one culture, or one kind of person. Because there is one God, there is one gospel for all. No one is too different, too far, or too unlike you to be justified by faith.
This also means you cannot claim God as yours in a way that shuts others out. Whatever your background, you come to Him the same way everyone else does: by faith. Scripture's own application: Galatians 3:28
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“Where is boasting then? By what law? Of works?”
“What then? Are we better than they?”
“Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also?”
“What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there of circumcision?”