COMMENT:
According to Rom 1:16, “to the Jew first…”, would it be right to reach the Jewish community before going to Gentiles, or is this a misunderstanding of what this verse teaches? Jesus also promoted the Jerusalem-Judea-Samaria order of the Great Commission. But if it doesn’t apply to the Gospel of Grace, what did Paul mean in Rom. 1:16?
ANSWER:
For sound interpretation we must always note when and to whom the Scripture was written. Romans was written during the Acts period. In Acts, Paul went to Jews first. When they rejected his message, he turned to Gentiles. This occurred three times (Acts 13, 18, 28). Acts closes with the rejection of Paul’s message by the Jews in Rome. Imprisoned in Rome, note Paul’s words in Ephesians 3:1: "For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles." The Lord had told Paul the Jews would not believe him (Acts 22.18). From this point onward, we see Paul focusing on Gentiles, not Jews first.
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