To the Jew First or to the Jew at Last: Romans 1:16c and Jewish Missional Priority in Dialogue with Jews for Jesus

A critical evaluation of the 'missional priority' intepretation of Paul's description of the gospel as being 'to the Jew'.

Many missions to the Jewish people, such as Jews for Jesus, use Romans 1:16 as a proof text to encourage the evangelisation of the Jewish people as a priority: 'to the Jew first, and then to the Greek' (Jewish Missional Priority). Is this interpretation of the text legitimate? After considering when this priority first appeared, the author exposes and evaluates the arguments commonly used to promote it. His thorough exegesis of Romans 1:16-17 ultimately resolves the question. He takes the opportunity to explore some possible eschatological implications developed from Romans 9-11 and the parables of Jesus. Will the first also be the last?

Antoine Fritz (MTh, PhD) has been Office Manager of the Paris branch of Jews for Jesus and is currently International Trainer at Training Leaders International, Minneapolis, Minnesota.