1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. (Romans 3:1-2 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
The sense is this: But you of the Jews will object and say, “If outward circumcision avails nothing, but the inward circumcision is all in all; and if the uncircumcised person, keeping the law, is to be reckoned as circumcised, what advantage then hath the Jew above the Gentile, or what profit is there of the circumcision above uncircumcision? He answers it, Ro 3:2 saying, The advantage is much every way; but chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God: That is, the holy scriptures contained in the Old Testament, that sacraments and seals of the covenant, the prophecies and promises of the Messiah, and the whole revelation of the word and will of God, were then found with them, and in their hands only.
Hence learn, 1. Great is that people’s privilege and mercy, who enjoy the word of God, the audible word in the holy scriptures, the visible word in the holy sacraments. This enlightens the eyes, rejoices the heart, and quickens the soul. This is compared to gold for profit, to honey for sweetness, to milk for nourishing, and to food for strengthening.
Oh, how many souls are blessing God eternally for the benefit and blessing of divine revelation!
The Jews had this special favour, to them were committed the Oracles of God; that is, the writings of Moses and the prophets.
But we Christians have a privilege beyond them, the doctrine of Jesus delivered to us by evangelists and apostles; not like the killing letter of the law, but a gospel, bringing life and immortality to light.
Observe, 2. The title which St. Paul gives to the holy scriptures; he calls them the oracles of God. St. Stephen calls them, the lively oracles, Ac 7:38 partly because delivered by a lively voice from God, partly because they should be to us as oracles; that is, consulted upon all occasions, for resolving all doubts, determining all controversies. Had the church of Rome consulted these oracles more and councils &c. less, she had kept the doctrine of faith much freer from corruption than she has done.
Observe lastly, That the original word, here rendered oracles, is the same which profane wretches made use of for the dark and doubtful oracles of the devil: Nevertheless, the Holy Ghost does not disdain, nor decline, to make use of this word, as he also does several others, though abused to heathenish superstition; which may serve to rectify their mistake, who scruple to make use of words, much more of some things which have been abused to superstition. Verily, there may be superstition in avoiding superstition; and though we cannot be too circumspect in our words and actions, yet we may be too nice and precise in both.
Yet note, That though the same word, logos, signifies God’s oracles and Satan’s, these oracles were not delivered in the same manner: Satan delivered his oracles ambiguously and doubtfully, keeping his dark and blind followers ignorant as much as possible; what he said might bear several interpretations, so that whatever the event or issue prove to be, he, the father of lies, might have the reputation of speaking the truth: But God’s oracles are plain and clear, free from ambiguity and darkness; the scriptures are not dark, though some places are difficult, and that proceeds from the sublimity of the matter, not from the intention of the writer.