BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

How can Jews and Gentiles, historically divided groups, find unity? We see Jesus’ church trying to figure this out in today’s reading. It’s not easy.

Some Jesus followers from Jewish backgrounds believe Gentiles must honor the Torah’s circumcision laws in order to belong to God. They believe in Jesus, but to them, people avoiding circumcision is like being an ungodly Christian. Gentile believers, on the other hand, saw those laws as unnecessary chains.

Paul, like a chainbreaker, says unnecessary things should never become obstacles to unity. While circumcision might be good in certain contexts, it’s not necessary. You’re Jewish and committed to loving others by honoring your religious tradition in love? That’s good. You’re gentile and committed to Jesus’ way but uninterested in Jewish circumcision law? That’s also good. Both Jew and Gentile can freely honor God in different ways.

To find peace, Paul and his companions ask the apostles to settle the matter. Peter’s big dream about God’s impartial love (Acts 10:9-16) opened a new way for Gentiles. Now Peter reminds everyone that God’s Spirit fell upon Jew and Gentile alike. Relaxing circumcision regulations is not compromising God’s will—it is God’s will.

So what about sinfulness? To be “unified,” are we supposed to minimize evil and just be nice? That’s not it, Paul would say. A Jesus community does not base unity on religious traditions. We base our unity on each member’s choice to flee from evil by following Jesus.

A Jerusalem council forms to work out a few Jesus-based ethics intended for the whole community. Those belonging to the way reject idolatry, sexual immorality, and the consumption of blood.

Then Timothy gets circumcised, which seems odd. Notice how Timothy agrees, not because he feels obligated or thinks it will make him righteous, but because he loves the Jewish community. He intends to go on proclaiming Jesus in Jewish synagogues. Paul and Timothy want to remove any obstacles to the salvation of others.

With these matters settled, Paul and Timothy head to Philippi. There, they continue spreading the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles alike. God is gathering a united people, binding them together to serve King Jesus.

Reflection Questions

• Where do you see the Gospel and the church’s new way of life disrupting both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultural expectations in today’s reading?
• Meditate on Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. How might Paul’s insistence on removing barriers to the Gospel help you understand his decision to have Timothy circumcised, despite Paul’s own opposition to requiring Gentiles to be circumcised?