Romans 3:1-2 NKJV
What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of
circumcision? - 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them
were committed the oracles of God.
The nation of Israel was entrusted by God to make
and maintain a written record of His speaking to them. Deut 4.7-8; Neh 9.13-14;
Psa 147.19.
The entrustment had its beginning when the Nation
volunteered to obey the voice of God. Exo 19.5,8.
But the voice of God frightened the Nation, Exo
20.18-19. So mediators were appointed. Beginning with Moses - Exo 20.22, followed
by Joshua, judges, prophets, writers, - 2Pet 1.21, the Baptist - Matt 11.7,9,
Jesus - Deut 18.15, the apostles, etc. - Eph 4.11-12.
We do not often think of the New Testament
writers as prophets under the law of Moses, but they obviously were such. Deut
13.1-3, 1John 4.1.
We do not often think of copyists and editors of
scripture as being included in the teaching of plenary verbal inspiration of
the scriptures, but, while there was valid testimony under the law of Moses
this would seem to be so. The entrustment of the speech of God was to the
Nation, not just the original writers. Rom 3,1-2. Special spiritual gifts and
offices akin to those of the first century assemblies were involved. 1Cor 12.4-5,7,
Eph 4.11-12.
The end of valid testimony under the law of Moses
came when the faithful remnant had all either died - Rev 6.9,11, or been
baptized - Acts 2.38.
This end may have come as early as 70 AD with the
destruction of the Temple or perhaps a century or two later as First Century Judaism
was replaced by the rather different modern beliefs and practices.
The destruction of the Temple is key. After all
the Nation had been reached by the Gospel, and all had either accepted or
rejected it, there was no need for the Temple. Rejection of the New Covenant
was also rejection of the Old Covenant. Heb 10.26-27. Christians worshipped at
a different altar, outside the camp. Heb 13.10,13.
After the end of valid testimony under the Law,
the integrity of scripture was maintained by Providence, unaided by special
spiritual gifts and offices. The differing textual histories of the Hebrew and
Greek scriptures tend to reflect this.
It is a bit humbling to give the Old Covenant
credit for the inspiration of the New Testament. But a woman of Canaan chose
much greater humiliation. Matt 15.27-28.
The special inspiration of copyists and editors
prior to 70 AD is a teaching with rather obvious practical advantages in
apologetics and polemics.
I2C 131217c Rom 3v1to2 Trusted with His sayings /
I2C / 131217 1622 / Romans 3:1-2 Trusted with His sayings
