Question:
If Israel symbolizes the church, or if “church” refers to Israel, then why did Paul distinguish between Jews, Gentiles, and the church?
Answer:
This is one of those “hard” questions. However, anyone familiar with Paul’s epistles will find it easier to answer. The text in question is, “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God” (1 Corinthians 10:32). When Paul refers to “Jews,” he means the unbelieving Jews. He clarifies this further by stating, “They are not all Israel, which are of Israel” (Romans 9:6). He makes a clear distinction between unbelieving Jews and true Jews. According to Paul, a true Jew is not merely one who is Jewish outwardly; rather, a true Jew is someone who is Jewish inwardly. Circumcision, he explains, is that of the heart, in the spirit, not based on the law (Romans 2:28-29).
In 1 Corinthians 10:32, the “Jews” referred to are the unbelieving Jews. We should not give them, or the Greeks (or Gentiles), who are also unbelievers, any occasion to stumble. We can apply this more personally: we should not give anyone in the church of God—comprised of believers from both Jews and Gentiles—any reason to stumble. Once they accept the Lord Jesus Christ, all of these believers become the true Israel of God. As the apostle states, “If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29). Paul also emphasizes in Ephesians chapter 2 that those who believe in Christ “are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”
Thus, they all belong to the true Israel of God.
