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No Difference Between Jews and Gentiles? 

 

There can be some unintended confusion that comes out of Paul's writings as he discusses the Old Testament Law of Moses in his letters (even Peter himself says the same). When this occurs, we must fall back on the writings of Moses to clarify what it is that Paul (who would not deviate from the Torah) would have meant. According to the writings of Moses, all believers who attach themselves to Israel are under one un-modifiable set of instructions. According to the Torah, there was not to be a separate set of instructions for non-Jews/Israelites. "One and the same law applies to everyone who sins unintentionally, whether he is a native-born Israelite or an alien" (Numbers 15:29).


So we need to ask “Was Paul meaning no difference (between Jews and Gentiles) as in there is to be no more distinction between Jew and Gentile?” The writings of Moses are clearly saying there is a difference. And if we look closely in all of Paul’s statements he agrees with Moses too. Paul wrote “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; (Romans 2:9) Note here that Paul is under a belief that Jews are distinct and treated in a different way than the Gentiles. All of this is more precisely defined in the Old Covenant which states “The alien (Stranger) who lives among you (the Israelite) will rise above you higher and higher, but you will sink lower and lower” (Deuteronomy 28:43).


If we read carefully, Paul and Moses are of the same opinion; Moses just seems to write it more plainly. So when it comes to obedience to the Law, there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile. They are expected to obey the Law just as the Israelite. But when it comes to receiving the blessings and the curses, there is a difference! The Jews (for the sake of the Gentiles) are first to receive both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. More grace is shown to the Gentiles so that they can witness the rewards given to the children of Israel and experience a like reward. “Glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile” (Romans 2:10).
 

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