Who Is Justification For?

The simple answer is that justification is for both Jews and Gentiles. Paul demonstrates the plan God has for justifying both the Jewish believers and the Gentile believers. Israel was God’s chosen people; their commission from God was to establish a Godly nation to be the light to stand out and call the rest of the world to Him.[1] In light of this it is interesting to note that the Jews were supposed to be the light to the rest of the world. They were to draw all men to reconciliation with our creator. It would appear that the Jewish nation decided to hoard this saving grace. This would have lead the entire state of Israel into the new age of salvation and into a full justification.[2] However, God in his infinite wisdom has set aside a remnant of Jewish believers who will always represent the truly repented Israel until the end of the age when all of Israel will submit to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to God’s original plan. This remnant also represents the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. One major problem that should be addressed in regards to the Jewish nation is that even though they are the chosen people to represent God, most of them rejected the Gospel message. This is demonstrated in the scripture found in Romans 9:30-32 where is says, “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Why? Because they did not pursue righteousness by faith, they tried to pursue it though was by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone."[3] I would highlight that it was due to the fact that Israel rejected the gospel. Instead of pursuing righteousness by grace, they pursued righteousness through the Mosaic Law. This was a contributing factor inhibiting total submission to God’s will.
[1] (Karris 2005, 71,72)
[2] (Locke 1824, 331)
[3] (NASB Study Bible 1999)