Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. JEW. What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there of circumcision?] As if he had said: You lately allowed, (chap. ii. 25,) that circumcision verily profited; but if circumcision, or our being in covenant with God, raises us no higher in the Divine favour than the Gentiles; if the virtuous among them are as acceptable as any of us; nay, and condemn our nation too, as no longer deserving the Divine regards; pray tell me, wherein lies the superior honour of the Jew; and what benefit can arise to him from his circumcision, and being vested in the privileges of God's peculiar people?
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - The law could not save in or from sins, yet it gave the Jews advantage for obtaining salvation. Their stated ordinances, education in the knowledge of the true God and his service, and many favours shown to the children of Abraham, all were means of grace, and doubtless wer made useful to the conversion of many. But especially the Scripture were committed to them. Enjoyment of God's word and ordinances, is the chief happiness of a people. But God's promises are made only to believers; therefore the unbelief of some, or of many professors cannot make this faithfulness of no effect. He will fulfil his promise to his people, and bring his threatened vengeance upon unbelievers God's judging the world, should for ever silence all doubtings an reflections upon his justice. The wickedness and obstinate unbelief of the Jews, proved man's need of the righteousness of God by faith, an also his justice in punishing for sin. Let us do evil, that good ma come, is oftener in the heart than in the mouth of sinners; for fe thus justify themselves in their wicked ways. The believer knows tha duty belongs to him, and events to God; and that he must not commit an sin, or speak one falsehood, upon the hope, or even assurance, that God may thereby glorify himself. If any speak and act thus, their condemnation is just.
Greek Textus Receptus
τι 5101 I-NSN ουν 3767 CONJ το 3588 T-NSN περισσον 4053 A-NSN του 3588 T-GSM ιουδαιου 2453 A-GSM η 2228 PRT τις 5101 I-NSF η 3588 T-NSF ωφελεια 5622 N-NSF της 3588 T-GSF περιτομης 4061 N-GSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
1. Advantage (perisson). Lit., surplus. Hence prerogative or pre-eminence.Profit (wfeleia). Compare profiteth, ii. 25.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
3:1 {What advantage qen hath the Jew?} (ti oun to perisson tou Ioudaiou?). Literally, "What qen is the overplus of the Jew?" What does the Jew have over and above the Gentile? It is a pertinent question after the stinging indictment of the Jew in chapter 2. {The profit} (he wfelia). The help. Old word, only here in N.T. See #Mr 8:36 for "phelei, the verb to profit.
