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Romans 15:8
ESV For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God 's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,
NIV For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed
NASB For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision in behalf of the truth of God, to confirm the promises given to the fathers,
CSB For I say that Christ became a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises to the fathers,
NLT Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors.
KJV Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
NKJV Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers,

What does Romans 15:8 mean?

Paul is addressing Christ's unique relationship with the Jews and the Gentiles. First, Christ, during His time on earth and continuing even now, became a servant to the circumcised. Israel's identity was closely associated with circumcision. Christ, then, became in His earthly life and ministry a servant to the Jewish people.

Jesus said something similar in Matthew 15:24, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Paul echoes this idea about Jesus' purpose in Galatians 4:4–5, "God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law."

It's not that Jesus' work on earth did not also benefit non-Jewish people, as the following verse will state clearly. It's that in Jesus, God was keeping all His promises to Abraham and the patriarchs. In sending Jesus as the Messiah, God was proven to be a keeper of His promises to Israel.
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