What does it mean that the gospel brings salvation to the Jew first and then the Gentile?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The gospel going “to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16) reflects God’s covenantal faithfulness to Israel and His plan to bless all nations through Abraham’s offspring. The Jewish people were chosen, not because of their greatness, but because of God’s love and promise, and they were entrusted with His Word and the promise of the Messiah. Jesus's ministry began with the Jews, and even Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, brought the gospel to Jewish synagogues first. Though the Jews hold this honored position, salvation is available equally to all through faith in Christ. In Jesus, both Jew and Gentile are united as one people of God, fellow citizens in His household.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• God chose the Jews out of the other nations when He called Abram and made a covenant with him, saying, “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing… and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:2–3). God makes it clear that this choosing was not because of anything great Abraham had done, for He later tells Israel, “It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers” (Deuteronomy 7:7–8).
• Moses tells the Israelites, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers" (Deuteronomy 7:6–8). God entrusted to the Jews the gift of God's special revelation, and within that lay the promise of the Messiah.
• The Messiah was prophesied to be born a Hebrew (Isaiah 9:6) of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), a priest of the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4), a great prophet (Deuteronomy 18:18), and a king (Isaiah 11:1–5), who suffered for our sins (Isaiah 53:1–6). This Messiah is the Savior of the world (Genesis 22:18; see John 3:16), and especially the savior of the Jews. The gospel is "to the Jew first" because they were the first to hear about Jesus's coming. Similarly, the gospel is "to the Jew first" in that the gospel is given to them "especially" because they were given the responsibility of knowing of Jesus's coming.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Paul writes in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." The Greek word translated as "first," protos, means first in both chronology and emphasis, and these concepts of "firstness" go hand-in-hand for the Jews. Paul is saying that chronologically, the Jews had the gospel first since its message was central in the Torah and the Prophets. Similarly, because the Jews were the first to hear the gospel message, even before it was fulfilled, and have long awaited Jesus's coming, the gospel message is for them especially.
• The Jews "are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever" (Romans 9:4–5).
• Because they were God's chosen people who held the promise of salvation, the gospel of Jesus's ministry went to the Jews first. Jesus came "that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47, emphasis added).
• While Jesus never rejected a Gentile who sought Him in faith during His earthly ministry, Jesus and His disciples' ministry focused on the Jews while Christ was on earth (Matthew 10:5–6).
• Even Paul, who understood his calling to minister to the Gentiles, would go first to the synagogue to preach the gospel when he entered a new city (Acts 13:46).
• The gospel is "to the Jew first," and so is God's judgment for rejecting Jesus. Because the Jewish culture is filled with pictures of the Messiah, they are held accountable for the great witness they were blessed with, and their rejection of Christ is taken more seriously. Paul writes in Romans 2:9–11, "There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality."
• The Jews have a position of great honor, and therefore, great responsibility toward the gospel. Like Christ said, "Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrust much, they will demand the more" (Luke 12:48).
• While the Jews occupy this place of "firstness," they are still equals with the Gentiles. The Jews do not have privilege in salvation or grace. They are saved the same way and to the same degree as Gentiles. God has not set aside the Jews nor neglected Gentiles. Christ has done away with these distinctions. Colossians 3:10–11 says, "put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, save, free; but Christ is all, and in all" (see also Galatians 3:28–29).
• Ephesians 2:12–21 beautifully explains how Christ united Jews and Gentiles through His death and resurrection. Once separated from God and His promises, Gentiles have now been brought near by the blood of Christ. Jesus broke down the dividing wall of hostility and created one new people, reconciling both groups to God through the cross. Now, all who believe—Jew and Gentile alike—have access to the Father through the Spirit and are fellow citizens, members of God's household, built on Christ as the cornerstone. Together, we are being joined into a holy temple in the Lord (cf. Romans 11).
• As Romans 1:16 says, the gospel is "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." The gospel is a message for all people. There is salvation only in Jesus Christ.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

God’s plan to bring salvation to the world through the Jews reminds us that He works intentionally and keeps His promises. We are invited into a story that began long before us—one that highlights God’s faithfulness to His covenant people and extends His grace to all nations through Jesus. As we consider the gospel going “to the Jew first,” we are challenged to honor the spiritual heritage of Israel while also embracing the unity we now share in Christ as one body. This truth should deepen our gratitude, fuel our commitment to share the gospel with all people, and stir a reverent awe for the God who writes history with purpose. Let us walk in humility, knowing that we are saved by grace and entrusted with the same gospel that first came through Abraham’s line.

UNDERSTAND

• God chose the Jews first to receive the gospel because of His covenant with Abraham and His faithfulness, not their merit.
• Jesus and the early church preached first to the Jews, who were responsible for knowing the Messiah.
• Salvation is offered equally to Jew and Gentile, united as one people through Christ.

REFLECT

• How does understanding God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham shape your view of God’s plan for salvation?
• How does recognizing the Jewish people’s special role in God’s story deepen your appreciation for the gospel?
• How does the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ challenge you to embrace and love others from different backgrounds?

ENGAGE

• How does the biblical emphasis on “the Jew first” reveal God’s intentionality and faithfulness in salvation history?
• What responsibilities come with being part of a unified body of believers made up of diverse backgrounds?
• How can the church today honor its spiritual heritage while actively living out the gospel’s call to unity and living on mission together?