Connecting the Remnant

In the opening chapters of his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul offers one of the clearest explanations of the Gospel and what it means to be part of God’s people. A key focus of these chapters is the relationship between Jews and Gentiles, addressing misconceptions and emphasizing that, despite their differences in heritage and the Law, both are equal before God because of sin and the offer of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

By walking through Romans 1-3, we can better understand Paul’s teaching on human sin, the universal need for salvation, and how God offers grace to all people—Jew and Gentile alike.

Paul begins his letter by addressing the Gentiles, those who did not have the Law of Moses. In Romans 1:18-32, he explains that, although they did not receive God's law directly, they still had access to natural revelation—the knowledge of God revealed through creation.

"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)

The Gentiles had no excuse for their sinful behavior because God’s existence and nature are evident through the natural world. Yet, instead of seeking God, many turned to idolatry and immoral living. As a result, God "gave them up" to their sinful desires, allowing their rejection of Him to lead to moral degradation.

     After addressing the Gentiles, Paul turns his attention to the Jews, who may have felt superior because they had received the Law and were God’s chosen people. However, Paul makes it clear that no one is righteous, even those who have the Law.

In Romans 2:1-16, Paul argues that God’s judgment is based on truth and justice, not on whether someone is Jewish or Gentile. Both groups are judged according to their deeds, and simply possessing the Law does not make someone righteous.

Paul introduces the idea that God judges not only by outward actions but by the heart. He also makes a key point that will develop throughout his argument: God shows no favoritism (Romans 2:11). Whether Jew or Gentile, everyone will be judged based on their response to what they know, whether through the Law (for Jews) or their conscience (for Gentiles).

In Romans 2:17-29, Paul directly addresses those who call themselves Jews and rely on the Law. He challenges them not to find their security in their ethnic identity or in the external markers of the covenant, such as circumcision.

"A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code." (Romans 2:28-29)

Paul emphasizes that being a true member of God’s people is not about outward signs like circumcision, but about an inward transformation of the heart. This applies equally to Jews and Gentiles who believe in Christ. Paul introduces the idea that true righteousness comes from an inward, spiritual circumcision—something that only God can do by His Spirit. 

In Romans 3, Paul draws the two threads together: both Jews and Gentiles are under the power of sin. He asks, "What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew?" (Romans 3:1), acknowledging that the Jews had the advantage of receiving God’s Word first. Yet, this does not exempt them from sin’s reach.

Paul systematically proves that no one is righteous through a series of Old Testament quotations (Romans 3:9-18), pointing out that both Jews and Gentiles are equally sinful:

"There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away..." (Romans 3:10-12

This passage highlights the universal problem of sin: everyone, regardless of background, is guilty before God. Sin affects all people equally, and no one can achieve righteousness on their own.

Having established that all are under sin, Paul turns to the good news: God’s righteousness is revealed, not through keeping the Law, but through faith in Jesus Christ.

"But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:21-24)

Paul emphasizes that God’s righteousness—His just and holy character—is revealed apart from the Law. Both Jews and Gentiles are offered salvation through faith in Christ. Just as both are equally sinful, both are equally offered God’s grace.

Faith in Jesus levels the playing field: no one can boast in their heritage, works, or knowledge of the Law. Instead, salvation is a free gift, available to all who believe, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.

In Romans 3:25-26, Paul explains how God dealt with sin through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus:

"God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."

Through Jesus' death on the cross, God remains just (because sin is punished) and becomes the justifier of those who have faith (because Christ takes the punishment on their behalf). This means that both Jews and Gentiles are offered the same opportunity for forgiveness and justification, and it is not based on their heritage or works but solely on faith in Jesus.

Paul concludes by introducing the "law of faith," which excludes any boasting:

"Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law." (Romans 3:27-28)

In this new way of faith, there is no room for boasting about being a Jew or following the Law. Justification—being declared righteous before God—is available to both Jews and Gentiles based on faith alone. Paul emphasizes that God is not just the God of Jews but also the God of Gentiles, and both are justified in the same way: by faith in Christ (Romans 3:29-30).

Paul’s teaching in Romans 1-3 confronts common misconceptions about the relationship between Jews and Gentiles and how they stand before God. He addresses the notion that Jewish heritage or following the Law makes one superior or more righteous. Instead, Paul makes it clear that:

• All have sinned, whether Jew or Gentile.
• The Law reveals sin, but cannot make anyone righteous.
• Faith in Jesus is the only way to be justified before God.
• Both Jews and Gentiles are equally offered the grace of God through faith in Christ.
• Accepting Jesus Christ does not mean you become an ethnic Jew, which has no bearing on your salvation, but a true Jew in the sense that you become a true member of God's people.

In essence, Paul’s message is that everyone is on equal footing before God—equally sinful and equally in need of salvation. This unites all believers, regardless of their background, into one family in Christ.

The message of Romans 1-3 is clear: both Jews and Gentiles are under sin and cannot rely on their heritage, works, or knowledge of the Law for salvation. God’s righteousness is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ, and all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile, are justified freely by His grace.

This truth should unite us as believers. There is no distinction in God’s eyes—all are equal in their need for grace, and all are equally offered salvation through Christ. Let this understanding clear up any misconceptions and lead us to greater unity and humility as we live out our faith together.