Paul’s principle for his ministry

As we have already confirmed, from the very beginning of his first missionary journey, Paul adopted the principle of “to the Jews first, and also to the Gentiles.” This principle is extremely important, so let us review the reasons why Paul adopted it. (1) First, there is a practical reason to consider. After returning from the Babylonian exile, Jewish communities were established in various places. In every Jewish community, a synagogue was built wherever there were ten or more adult men. Paul was well aware of this, so when he went to a new city, he would look for a synagogue, visit it, and speak to both Jews and God-fearing Gentiles. The synagogue became the infrastructure for evangelism that God had prepared. If the synagogue had not existed, Paul’s evangelism would likely not have borne fruit so quickly. (2) Next, we consider the theological reason. God first called the Jews and made His covenants with them. From the Abrahamic Covenant, the Sinai Covenant, the Land Covenant, the Davidic Covenant, and to the New Covenant, all of these covenants were made by God with the Jews. We Gentiles were “strangers to the covenants of promise.” Therefore, the order of preaching the gospel is first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles (ref. Acts 13:46). Paul understood this well (ref. Rom. 1:16). (3) The third reason to consider is the sentimental reason. (a) Paul was deeply grieved for his fellow Jews perishing. He even said, “For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my countrymen, my kinsmen according to the flesh…” (ref. Rom. 9:1-5). (b) However, Paul was also convinced that preaching the gospel to the Gentiles would ultimately lead to the salvation of the Jews. When the full number of Gentiles is saved, the church will be raptured, and the Great Tribulation will come upon the earth. While the Great Tribulation will be a period of suffering for the Jews, at the end of it, they will discover that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of Israel. The national salvation of the Jews is the condition for the Messiah’s return (ref. Matt. 23:39). The reason Paul could dedicate himself to Gentile evangelism, even while feeling sorrow in his heart, was because he had an eschatological understanding of God’s plan. We, too, need a correct understanding of the end times. Those who have hope for the future can overcome the present suffering.