A Study of Romans

 

Romans

 

 

Study

By

J.A. Smith

A Servant of the Lord

 

Romans 

 

Introduction

Introduction   1:1–1:17                                                                                                                

   Most Theological Letter

   Written AD 57

   Based very heavily on the Hebrew Scriptures (the Instructions [Law], Prophets and Writings).

      I have included many references to the Hebraic Scriptures to show Paul’s reliance on tie into the Hebraic Scriptures.

      Christ did not start a new religion (Christianity) but fulfilled the law, prophets and writings that prophesied of Him. Christ brought Judaism into greater perfection. Paul makes that clear and in Romans shows us what that means to our lives. (We see much the same in James.)

      Ties Gospel and Christ into Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament).

   Romans and James’ are similar letters and work together as are Romans and Galatians

Thesis statement of the letter is Romans 1:16 “The just shall live by faith” 

   “The just shall live by faith.” is quoting from Habakkuk 2:4 (v'tzaddik be'emunato yich'yeh, literally, "the righteous, by his faithfulness - shall live.")

   Paul emphasis sanctification, or holiness, is central to a believer

   It is also central to his letters and teachings.

   The Gospel is the power of God for the salvation of all believers. Salvation removes destructive powers and negative conditions (God's wrath, 5:9; condemnation, 8:1; power of sin, 6:6; et al.) and bestows positive blessings (righteousness, 3:22; reconciliation, 5:10; sanctification, 6:22; justification and glorification, 8:30).

   Since the gospel is powerful and effective, Paul is not ashamed of it and, therefore, as a believer, he is obligated and happy to share it with everyone.

   Salvation is for all people in all nations and times.

   From the beginning Paul makes two very important foundational points:

   Salvation is for everyone who believes and

   The just live by faith. Salvation does not come through works but rather through faith in Jesus the Christ as our Savior.

 

 

Romans

Chapter 1

The Gospel Exalted

Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, ²which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, ³concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, {Psalm 132:11  jas} ⁴who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, {Genesis 3:15  jas} ⁵through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, ⁶among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; {Psalm 68:18  jas} ⁷to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Numbers 6:23 jas)

 

In verses 1 – 4 Paul declares he is the bond servant of Christ. A bondservant on its basic level is simply following your master to complete disregard of your own will, emotions, desires. In the Jewish society, a bondservant was a person who willingly chose to be subservient to another through love. (Exodus 21:5-6) Paul is saying he is totally subservient to Christ because Christ loves him and he loves Christ. Christ can use him in any way at any time Christ so wishes. This is very similar to James who starts his letter by calling himself a slave of the Lord Jesus. Paul also states he is an apostle separated from the world to do God’s work. Paul then continues to provide a short summary proving Jesus is the Christ by His lineage, prophesy about Him, His power in God, His death and His resurrection.

 

The Gospel is the good news about the Christ, Jesus the Messiah. The Savior who was prophesied to come. In vs 5-7 Paul makes clear that the grace and apostleship comes only through Christ but also brings with it obedience. Many times we want the grace and perhaps the gift(s) but want to skip or minimize the obedience. They go together. Notice Paul states we all have received grace and apostleship, not just some but all. (apóstolos from apostéllō, "to commission, send forth"] – properly, someone sent [commissioned], focusing back on the authority [commissioning] of the sender [note the prefix, apo]; apostle.)

 

Paul is now is specific to those in Rome. He greets them, calls them beloved of God, and lets them know they are called, singled out, separated from the world, to be saints. This is not just a special few people who are saints but every believer. Paul now gives what could almost be a benediction. 0He pronounces grace and peace to the saints and makes it clear these only come from the Father and our Lord Jesus the Christ. By stating it this way Paul makes it clear the Father and the Son are two distinct personalities of the one, true God.

 

⁸First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. ⁹For God, whom I serve (Same Greek word, latreuo, used in the Septuagint, Exodus 20:5; Deut. 5:9, to describe the priestly service to God. The thought is that Gospel ministry is equal to Israel’s services to God.) in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, ¹⁰always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you. ¹¹For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; ¹²that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. ¹³I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. ¹⁴I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. ¹⁵So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Paul did not start or establish the church in Rome nor did he know the people. He starts off with a compliment to them, a compliment based on the fact they were well thought of far and wide. Paul emphasizes they are in his prayers always. As we read other letters from Paul, we see the same type of statement. Paul prayed constantly for God’s people and their spiritual/physical well-being. Verse 15 shows Paul’s willingness to go anywhere at any time to preach the Gospel.

 

¹⁶For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. {Exodus 9:16 jas} ¹⁷For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” {Hab. 2:4  jas}

From the beginning Paul makes two very important foundational points: 1) Salvation is for everyone who believes and 2) the just live by faith. Salvation does not come through works but rather through faith in Jesus the Christ as our Savior. God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith. As we believe, have faith and operate in faith in God/Christ His righteousness is revealed more and more. Justification comes only through Christ .“The just shall live by faith.” is quoting from Habakkuk 2:4 (v'tzaddik be'emunato yich'yeh, literally, "the righteous, by his faithfulness - shall live.")

 

Unbelief and Its Consequences

¹⁸For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. {Psalm 19:1-6; Jer. 10:10-13; Eze. 18:4  jas} ²⁰For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

It is important to know that God’s wrath is against ungodliness and unrighteousness. Revealed how? It cannot be the Apostolic scriptures (N.T.) since they were not yet written or, if written, widely disseminated. The answer is twofold. First verse 20 gives us one way it is revealed. Second the Hebraic scriptures also reveal it.

 

From now through the end of the chapter, and in following chapters, Paul builds on justification coming only through Christ by making clear the fallen and depraved condition of the Gentiles with the law of nature and of the Jews with the law of Moses. It is clear that neither could be justified by their obedience to their respective laws but that both stood in need Why God is wrathful against the ungodly and unrighteous is addressed and made clear.

 

The statement “who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” is very important. This indicates those who know and can see the truth but suppress it, lead people astray and away from God. This is ungodliness and unrighteousness.       God’s work and glory can be seen in His creation, therefore no one can honestly say they are ignorant of Him, especially those who suppress the truth of God. No one can say they did not know or were ignorant of the God since we can see God all around us in His creation. “they are without excuse” of the righteousness of God.

 

²¹For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. ²²Professing to be wise, they became fools, (Prov. 26:12; Is. 41:10; Jer. 10:14  jas) ²³and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. {Deut. 4:16-19 jas}

Verse 21 continues making clear why the wrath of God and also gives some definition to the terms ungodliness and unrighteousness. Knowing, willful denial of God and/or God’s existence, holiness, righteousness, justice and love. When people are in darkness they grope about blindly not knowing  where they are, where they are going or even why. The same is true for those who deny God.

 

Philosophies and thinking became without a real goal or purpose. They were always chasing thoughts that have no basis in real reality therefore no goal or purpose. Things are no different now. Paul is not just speaking of pagan idols here. Anything we place between us and God becomes our God. This includes our own intelligence or, like Eve, placing our desires and opinions above God’s desires and plan. Choosing to be in darkness people are groping about blindly for something worth having faith in. Their problem is aside from Y__H there is nothing.

 

²⁴Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. ²⁵For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Now Paul starts to list some of the results of willfully denying and turning away from God. The first result is general and can cover a vast numbers of sinful actions. Uncleanness covers anything that is not of God. It can be likened to showing up at a very formal affair covered in filth, excrement, caked in mud and dressed in rags; and thinking it is acceptable and appropriate.

 

The unrighteous desires of our hearts, what is inside us, causes us to use our bodies to dishonor God, ourselves and those around us. It is like a person with AIDS who wants desires in their heart a sexual relationship so much that they do not care what harm they cause to themselves or anyone else as long as they get what they want. Even in our culture people have been convicted of murder for doing this. How much more is God justified in His wrath when we do the same kinds of things. Denying God leads to worshipping the creation and not the creator. This is absolute foolishness. Because people deny God and refuse to worship Him they call these evil things good or at least acceptable and lead others into even greater sin. It is the same as what Satan did in the Garden with Eve.

 

²⁶For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, {Gen. 1:27; 2:18-25  jas} ²⁷and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. {Lev. 18:22-28; Gen. 19-5   jas}

 

²⁸And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge {Job 24:14-15   jas} God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, ²⁹being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, ³⁰slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, ³¹without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; ³²and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Now Paul gets more specific. This list is by no means exhaustive but does cover major categories of types of sin. Paul starts with the greatest of vile passions, men having sexual relations with men and women having sexual relations with women. Homosexuality and lesbianism were very common in the ancient world, especially with the leadership and royalty.

 

Paul seems to emphasize sins of a sexual nature. This type of sin has been a pitfall for man throughout the ages. All these sins come from and are operated by a debased mind, a mind that does not recognize or worship God. It is important to note these sins come from the mind, how a person thinks, what a person thinks, what is the priority in their thinking. A person can have their eyes cut out and their imagination can still have them lusting in their hearts.

 

Because people deny God and refuse to worship Him they call these evil things good or at least acceptable and lead others into even greater sin. It is the same as what Satan did in the Garden with Eve. Seldom will people sit still for long. They will move in some direction, either forward or some other direction. The same is true spiritually. A person will not sit long in a neutral position. {Actually, there is no “neutral” spiritual position.} The person will either move toward God or away from God.

 

Romans

Chapter 2

The Impartiality of God

Romans Chapters 2 and 3 are difficult for both Jews and Gentiles. Paul pulls no punches and make very clear that no one deserves or can earn salvation due to their works, nor can works justify anyone. This is especially tough to swallow for the Jews who felt they had a special. Exalted, place in God’s plan and here Paul tells them they are no different than any other nation as far as salvation and justification are concerned.

 

Therefore, you have no excuse, every one of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. ²And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. {Psalm 96:13  jas} ³But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? ⁴Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? ⁵But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, {2 Chr. 30:8; 1 Sam. 6:6; Is.13:6-9   jas} ⁶who will render to each person according to his deeds: ⁷to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; ⁸but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. ⁹There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, ¹⁰but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. {Ps. 62:12   jas}  ¹¹For there is no partiality with God. {Deut. 10:17; 2 Chr. 19:7   jas}

Judgement, a word that is very disturbing to many, especially when used with God. There seems to be three main camps on judging and judgement. One camp consists of those who say we should not judge since it is “unloving”. Another camp consists of those who say we must judge, but often the judgement is based on man’s rules and culture. There are also those who fall between the two camps above and think some judgement is needed but the criteria for judging varies. Finally, there is 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God

 

Paul makes it clear that many who judge others and their action/beliefs as wrong do the same things as those they are judging.  This is unrighteous, hypocritical and not pleasing to God. God does not show partiality. People “treasure up” wrath for themselves. Often when people think they are treasuring up money for their future the way they are doing it may actually be putting aside treasure of wrath in the judgement day. God uses the same criteria for all, His Word.  Accepting Christ as our Savior and what is in our hearts are what matter.

 

¹²For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; ¹³for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. ¹⁴For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, ¹⁵in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, {2 Chr. 6:30, Hosea 6:6   jas} ¹⁶on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus. {Ecc. 12:14}

Paul’s parenthetical phrase (…..the doers of the law will be justified…) could lead one to believe he is saying works (the law) are essential to salvation. He is most certainly not saying that. Paul is making the same point James makes in his letter. If a person believes something they will act on and act consistent with their belief. Paul is also addressing the Jewish belief that they are better than the Gentiles because they have the law (instructions) of God. Paul points out simply having and/or knowing the law is not enough, a person must DO the law, follow God’s instructions, put God’s instructions into practice in their lives. Note Paul uses the phrase “show the work of the law written in their hearts.” Again, belief results in actions. What is the state of a person’s heart?

 

Finally, God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus. Those who claim they believe but do not will be seen for what they truly are inside. Those who take actions not because of their belief but to be seen by others exposed for who they truly are. Those who may not be part of the “approved by men” groups but believe and act in a consistent manner will also be seen for who they truly are inside. Having and/or doing the law does not save a person, salvation comes only through Christ. NO ONE except Christ can perfectly perform the law. No one, except Christ, ever has. If a person loves God they will try to do what He has said to do. A Christian does not DO in order to gain salvation but because they are saved by grace and want to please God who they love.

 

The Jew Is Condemned by the Law

¹⁷But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God, ¹⁸and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, ¹⁹and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, ²⁰a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of^]the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, ²¹you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal? ²²You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? ²³You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? ²⁴For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written. {Eze. 36:22  jas}

Again Paul addresses the belief of the Jews that they were better than the Gentiles and, by virtue of being Jews they were not guilty of sin, after all, they had the law. Here Paul shows that although they put their faith and confidence in the law they violate that same law on a consistent basis. Their boasting was not boasting in and of God, glorifying God, but rather boasting in their vanity, their actions as regards their being chosen people. They did not boast aright. Their actions do not match their words. Because their actions do not match their words, their stated beliefs, the Gentiles not only do not believe in the one true God they blasphemy His Name and disregard Him. “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the heathen, where you went.” Ezekiel 36:22

 

²⁵For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. ²⁶So if the ^[uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? ²⁷And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? ²⁸For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. ²⁹But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. {Deut. 10:16; Jer. 4:4; 9:25-26   jas}

 

We come to a very fundamental belief of the Jews, that physical circumcision made them a special people, the chosen people on the earth. Paul’s contention is that circumcision is profitable, useful, but only if a person keeps the entire law completely and perfectly, which he has already shown the Jews do not and cannot. Finally, Paul makes it VERY clear who is a “true” Jew. The circumcision that matters is spiritual not physical. Circumcision of the heart, and mind and personality. A complete turning to God. The person who is circumcised in their heart, follows God’s law and lives consistent with God’s will, regardless if they are Jew or Gentile. God will judge those who are physically circumcised but are not circumcised in their hearts. This idea was repugnant to the Jews, especially those Jews who took pride in their circumcision and “place” in the culture.

 

Romans

Chapter 3

All the World Guilty

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? ²Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. {Psalm 78:4-7  jas}  ³What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? ⁴May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “That You may be justified in Your words, And prevail when You are judged.” (Psalm 51:4   jas)

 

⁵But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) ⁶May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world? ⁷But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?⁸And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come”? Their condemnation is just.

Paul is addressing a few concerns here: those who said that with the coming of Christ the Jews were no longer relevant Those Jews who did not believe does not have any effect on God’s love, grace, faithfulness to His Word and plan. the teaching of Gnostics and others who claimed our actions are not related to what we believe and sinning only proved Christ would always forgive anything and therefore sinning brings Glory to Christ.

 

To the Jews were given the Word of God to preserve and make known to the nations and future generations. “The Jews had the means of salvation, but they had not the monopoly of salvation.” (M. Henry) “The infidelity and obstinacy of the Jews could not invalidate and overthrow those prophecies of the Messiah which were contained in the oracles committed to them.” (M. Henry) Circumcision was given by God as a sign showing a person belonged to His chosen people. As we look at scripture we can plainly see that from the earliest time God is interested in circumcision of our hearts. Circumcision on moved from the physical to the spiritual, from circumcision of the body part to circumcision of the heart, who we are and how we think. (Deut. 10:16; 30:6; Jer. 4:4)

 

The disbelief of some, though not all, Jews did not and does not invalidate their being chosen by God to be His people to bring His word to the world, past, present and future. Now Paul moves to the idea of sin bringing glory to God. To Paul, as it should be to us, this idea is reprehensible and makes no sense. “…sin has never the less of malignity and demerit in it though God bring glory to himself out of it. It is only accidentally that sin commends God’s righteousness.” (M. Henry) Sin is sin and all sin is unacceptable and totally anathema to God. Even in the earliest years of the Christian faith non-believers spread lies and negative innuendos about Christ, His followers and the faith in general. Things have not changed.

 

⁹What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; ¹⁰as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; ¹¹There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; ¹²All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.” {Psalm 53:1-3 jas}  ¹³“Their throat is an open grave, With their tongues they keep deceiving,” {Psalm 5:9  jas}   “The poison of asps is under their lips”; ¹⁴“Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”; {Psalm 10:7 jas} ¹⁵“Their feet are swift to shed blood, ¹⁶Destruction and misery are in their paths, ¹⁷And the path of peace they have not known.” ¹⁸“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

 

¹⁹Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; ²⁰because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

 

Remember that Paul is writing to a church that is made up of predominately Gentile Christians. Paul is very clear and adamant in his statement that we are not better than the Jews. All have sinned. None are righteous. Only through Christ can we be justified, considered righteous. Following the law is not the same as faith. Any reward gained through the law is a reward based on works, acts of following the law.

 

Justification by faith is not gained by works or acts or to follow a law or laws, rather it is through belief. The law tells us what sin is but cannot keep us from sin or forgive us of our sins. The problem with all people is once we know the law, know what sin is and what is sin, we continue to sin. Because we all sin and daily break the law, it is incapable of saving us, making us part of God’s family.

 

Justification by Faith

²¹But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, ²²even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; ²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; ²⁵whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood {Lev. 17:11} through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; ²⁶for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Now Paul addresses how we are truly justified….by faith. This is not just faith in anything that comes along, regardless of how good it sounds, but faith in God’s chosen method of salvation, His Son Jesus the Christ. This faith is for all who believe, not just Jews and not just Gentiles but all, regardless of ethnicity, color, nation, former belief or former actions. Abraham exemplified the concept that obedience is more than exercising our will over our own flesh; it is faith in action.  Out of his faith flowed obedience to God.

 

God’s righteousness is separate from the law, but is witnessed by the Law and Prophets. God’s righteousness is part of His character. True righteousness cannot be separated from God. Paul again makes clear that everyone has and does sin, regardless of the law, but Paul also makes clear that our redemption is through God’s Grace by Jesus the Messiah.

 

Why the emphasis on blood and why did Christ have to shed His blood. Leviticus 17:11 gives us the answer. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul.” In salvation, God not only forgives our sins through faith in Christ, He also delivers us from the power of sin. Delivering us from the power of sin is called sanctification and the result, holiness.

 

²⁷Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. ²⁸For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. ²⁹Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? {Psalm 72:17; Is. 54:5; Zec. 2:11, 8:20-23 jas} Yes, of Gentiles also, ³⁰since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. {Jer. 16:19   jas}  ³¹Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.

Now Paul tells us there is the “law of faith.” Faith excludes boasting. Boasting is centered on self, faith is not. Boasting is founded on works a person does, faith is the opposite. We again see, and will continue to see, Paul’s emphasis that we are justified faith, not the law. The law has not, will not and cannot justify us before God. Nothing we can do, no act of our, can possible justify us before the most Holy, Righteous God, Y__H.

 

We also see that there is one God and He is God of all, Jew and Gentile. Since there is only one God, all people, Jew and Gentile, are justified the same way, through faith in Christ. Verse 31 is very important. Faith does not void the law. The idea of the law is to bring people to faith in God. The fact people missed the point of the law does not make this less so.

 

Romans

Chapter 4

Justification by Faith Evidenced in Old Testament

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? ²For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. ³For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” {Genesis 15:6; Psalm 106:31; Hebrews 11. Jas} ⁴Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.

As proof of his contention that faith is greater than the law or works, including circumcision, Paul cites two witnesses, Abraham and David. Deut. 19:15 Verse three is very important and was often forgotten by the Jews, Abraham believed and it was counted as righteousness. His BELIEF was counted as righteousness, before any action he took his belief was counted as righteousness. Paul continues this thinking below.

 

⁵But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, ⁶just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: ⁷“Blessed are those whose  lawless deeds have been forgiven, And whose sins have been covered. ⁸“Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.” {Psalm 32:1-2; Psalm 130:3-4; Micah 7:18-20  jas}

Paul’s second witness is David. Paul did not chose these two witnesses at random. Both men were considered great men of God and foundational to the Jewish religion and nation. By using these two men as witnesses to his teaching Paul is 1) verifying the correctness of his teaching and 2) pointing out the error in the thinking of the Jewish leaders that Jesus was not the Son of God, our Savior, that only the Jews can obtain salvation and that salvation comes through the law and circumcision.

 

⁹Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.”¹⁰How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; {Gen.17:4,10    jas} ¹¹and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, ¹²and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised. {Deut. 30:6  jas} 

God regarded Abraham as righteous on the basis of his faith (Ge 15:6), before he was circumcised (Ge 17:10). Abraham was justified by faith first and later received circumcision as a seal of his righteousness. He did not do any work to earn the good standing of right relationship with God. Therefore, he did not have any reason to boast. Since Abraham was justified while he was uncircumcised, this blessing of justification is available to uncircumcised Gentiles. Then Abraham was circumcised. So the blessing of justification is also available to circumcised Jews.

 

¹³For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. ¹⁴For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; ¹⁵for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation. {Gen. 12:3  jas} 

Paul now challenges another belief of then Jews, that they are heirs of God’s promises because of the law and circumcision. Paul points out that the promise was made to Abraham due to his faith, not because of the law or circumcision. This would be an affront to the Jews. Paul is saying, again, that, in God’s eyes, there is no difference between Jew and Gentile.

 

¹⁶For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,¹⁷(as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you” {Genesis 17:5 6   jas) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. ¹⁸In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”

 

¹⁹Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; ²⁰yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, ²¹and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. ²²Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness. {Genesis 15:6   jas}

This section is critical to Paul’s argument and teaching. Here Paul provides concrete examples of Abraham having faith and acting on that faith before the law or circumcision was given. Abraham was convinced, he KNEW, that God could and would do as He said. Being fully convinced Abraham lived his life in faith in God. This, not the law of circumcision, was why God accounted him righteousness.

 

²³Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, ²⁴but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, ²⁵He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. {Isa 52:13-53:12  jas}

Paul now takes us back around to verses 5, 12 & 16. Those who have faith are justified and saved through Christ and are heirs of the promise made to Abraham through faith. Believing and accepting that God raised Jesus from the dead for our justification, an act of grace on God’s part, make us one of the family of God and heirs of the promise.

 

Romans

Chapter 5

Faith Triumphs in Trouble

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ²through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and ^`we exult in hope of the glory of God. ³And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; ⁴and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; ⁵and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. {Similar to James’ comments.}

Verses 1 through 5 are very important basic Christian principles. Paul lays out a process here that God establish for us that in no way involves our works or actions. First we are justified by faith, not works. That faith is faith in Christ and His death and resurrection for our salvation. Being justified by faith, that is our faith in Christ means He justifies us by His death and resurrection. Because of Christ justifying us we have perfect peace with God. Again, this peace is because of the righteousness of Christ, we have no righteousness outside of Christ.

 

⁶For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. ⁸But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, {Lev 17:11} we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. ¹⁰For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. ¹¹And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Here we see that we were still without strength, we were/are incapable of saving ourselves. We cannot overcome Satan on our own. Adam and Eve could not and we cannot either. “..in due time” when the time was right. When the time was in accordance with God’s plan and timetable. “Christ died for the ungodly’” Christ gave His life, His blood, for all people. No one, except Christ is/was godly, righteous. Here Paul shows the great difference between God’s love and man’s love. God is love and loves His creation regardless of the creation’s deserving that love. Man needs a reason to love.

 

The insurmountable love of God is proven by His sending Jesus, who was without sin, to die and resurrect for our sins. Through Christ we move from being enemies of God to being friends of God. We go from being rebels to being reconciled. The tenses of the verbs are worth noting. The event of crucifixion is a past one, but the fact that it took place remains as a present proof of God's love for us. Reconciliation (v. 10) removes enmity. The enmity removed is both human hostility toward God and God’s hostility toward sinners. God takes and has taken the initiative in reconciliation.

 

¹²Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—¹³for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. ¹⁴Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

 

¹⁵But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. ¹⁶The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. ¹⁷For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

Now Paul juxtapositions Adam and Christ. Through Adam sin came into the world and man made himself the slave to sin. Through Christ man is freed from being a slave to sin. Paul explains how sin is not imputed when there is no law. While we think of the law as the law given to Moses there was in fact a previous commandment, law, rule given to Adam. That rule was that he was not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. When the law was given the punishment for breaking the rule was also given, death.

 

Adam was not ignorant of God’s command but chose to ignore it and do things his way with the result being sin and death entering into the world from that point on and affecting everyone that came after. What is important here is that as through one man, Adam, sin and death came into the world so through one man, Jesus the Messiah, sin and death are removed for all who believe in Him.

 

¹⁸So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. ¹⁹For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. ²⁰The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, ²¹so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Where Adam failed Jesus did not. Where, in Adam, mankind is in rebellion to God in Christ all men, all those who chose to accept His salvation, are reconciled to God. Where in Adam all men are truly guilty of true sin before God through Christ, who did not sin, all men can be justified by His blood, His death and resurrection. The law makes us aware of what sin is and what is sin. This means no one can plead ignorance but all are aware of their sin and sinful nature. Because man is incapable of overcoming sin God sent Jesus to overcome sin for us. Where sin abounds and separates us from God, God’s grace through Jesus is even greater.

 

Romans

Chapter 6

Believers Are Dead to Sin, Alive to God

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? ²May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?³Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? ⁴Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

We are dead to sin. Christ overcame sin and put it to death for all who believe in Him. In John 3:1-10 Jesus tells Nicodemus that a person must be born again. Nicodemus asked how he can get back into his mother’s womb to this. Christ answer a person must be born of the water and the spirit. That is, a person must be born physically (water) and spiritually by believing in Christ. Christ was crucified, buried and resurrected. We can never forget we cannot think of His death without His resurrection. When Christ was resurrected from death by the Father he left sin and death behind. As believers we also have, through Christ, left sin and death behind. We are new people in Christ. Our lives are new. What we were, what was, is no more. We were slaves to sin, Satan, but that passed with our turning our lives over to Christ.

 

⁵For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, ⁶knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; ⁷for he who has died is freed from sin. ⁸Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, ⁹knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. ¹⁰For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. ¹¹Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

 

¹²Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, ¹³and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁴For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Paul continues his thoughts concerning the death and resurrection of Christ and, through Him, us. Paul’s argument is very logical, on the order of if A = B and B=C then A must = C. If, when accepting Christ as our savior, we share in His death then we also share in His resurrection. Again, what we were, the old person of sin, is dead and we are new spiritual beings justified and reconciled to God through Christ. When Christ was resurrected from death by the Father he left the sin and death He suffered for us behind.  

 

As believers we also have, through Christ, left sin and death behind. We are new people in Christ. Our lives are new. What we were, what was, is no more. We were slaves to sin, Satan, but that passed with our turning our lives over to Christ. As Christ lives for God so must we.   Being dead to sin it no longer has power over us. Sin can no longer make us sin. We must realize that for us as Christians, sin is dead and we must not let it direct our thoughts and actions. We must not put ourselves in the position that we can be used unrighteously. This can often entail leaving behind people who have not accepted Christ and who would lead us into sin. We are alive to God through grace and sin no longer can make us do anything.

 

¹⁵What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! ¹⁶Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? ¹⁷But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, ¹⁸and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. ¹⁹I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

 

²⁰For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. ²¹Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. ²²But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. ²³For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Here Paul addresses a Gnostic philosophy that was starting to infiltrate the church. Our actions, whether or not we sin, does not matter since we are under grace, not the law. Paul strongly disagrees with this idea and teaching. The point is clear that our actions show who we really belong to and obey. If we claim to be Christians and allow sin to determine our actions the results will be death, physical and spiritual. Once we were dominated by and slaves to sin, Satan, but when we turned our lives over to Christ sin and death were left behind, they no longer dominate our lives. We cannot serve both God and Satan and our actions will show who we really serve. Finally, we are reminded of the results of following Satan and the results of following Christ.

 

Romans

Chapter 7

Believers United to Christ

Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives?²For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. ³So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.

 

⁴Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. ⁵For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. ⁶But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

Paul continues his discourse on being dead and resurrected with Christ. This time it would seem his explanation is aimed at Jews generally and Jewish believers in Christ specifically. There is the strong possibility his comments are directed toward the teachings of the those who said Christians must be circumcised and obey the law. Paul shows the limits of the law and how it affects a person only in life. Once a person is dead the law has no hold on them, they are beyond the law. For the Jews, and us, this is easily understood by marriage. The marriage vows are in force on as long as both parties are alive. Once one of the marriage partners is dead the law no longer applies to the other person. His example points out is a woman marries another man while her husband is alive then she is an adulteress. The same is true for the husband. If he marries while his wife is alive, he is an adulterer.

 

The point Paul is making to the Jews and others is, through Christ we are dead to our old life therefore the law of Moses is no longer in force in our lives. “Being dead in Christ, the law can no longer reach those who had been under it: we belong to the new husband, to Christ risen, in order that we should serve in newness of spirit, the goodwill of grace in our new life, and-as the apostle will afterwards explain, by the Holy Ghost-not in the bondage of the letter.” John Darby We are now born spiritually, under grace and are subject to the higher law of God’s love. The spiritual death and resurrection of believers sets them free from the law, to be married to Christ We are no longer under the law of Moses or physical circumcision.

 

⁷What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.” ⁸But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead. ⁹I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died; ¹⁰and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; ¹¹for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. ¹²So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

The law is not sin but lets us know what is sin. Not knowing what is sin is not a good thing since the results of sin are the same regardless if we know or did not know a thing or action is sin. The example of coveting is used. Coveting is sin. Once we know the commandment not to covet then sin and our own desires lead us to covet all sorts of things. It is not the law that causes us to sin but our own desires to break the law for our own sake that causes the sin. All that comes from God is Holy and good, that includes His commandments. They are for our good.

 

¹³Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.

 

The Conflict of Two Natures

¹⁴For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. ¹⁵For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. ¹⁶But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. ¹⁷So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. ¹⁸For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. ¹⁹For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. ²⁰But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

 

The law itself is not evil. Sin is the cause of the evil effects of the law. Sin in this context is not merely an evil act but the power that causes men and women to commit sin. When Paul says “…it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. ¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells…” he is acknowledging that he (and none of us) has the power to overcome the power of sin in our lives. We may sincerely want to do good and may even do good acts many times but our sinful nature rises and causes us to sin.

 

²¹I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. ²²For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, ²³but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? ²⁵Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

Paul recognizes a law in action in people. Regardless of how much we want to do good evil is still in us. In our Spirit we truly want to do God’s will but despite our best intentions see sin working against God’s will and binding us to sin. Sin is too strong for us. We have come to the discovery and to the confession that we have no power. Now the important question is asked: Who will deliver us from this body of death? Who will deliver us from sin that leads to death, physical and spiritual death? We do not say, How can I? or, How shall I? but rather, Who shall deliver me? The answer is Christ. Only Jesus the Christ can deliver us.

 

Romans

Chapter 8

Deliverance from Bondage

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. ³For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ⁵For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.⁶For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, ⁷because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, ⁸and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. {Often people quote the first part of Romans 8:1 but forget the remainder of the section.  JAS}

To condemn is “to pronounce to be utterly wrong; to utter a sentence of disapprobation against; to censure; to blame. But the word often expresses more than censure or blame, and seems to include the idea of utter rejection; as, to condemn heretical opinions; to condemn one’s conduct.” http://av1611.com If we are in Jesus we should not be walking according to fleshly desires, lusts, self-centered actions but must walk according to the Holy Spirit. Paul’s comments seem to imply there are those who do not walk according to the Holy Spirit but rather according to fleshly desires. Paul confirms this and provides more detail later in Romans. Again, Paul shows our only hope of overcoming sin lies in the person of Jesus the Christ only.

 

Jesus overcame sin so that the righteous requirement of the law, the reason and spirit behind the law, might be fulfilled in believers. Now a very important point is made, we can either set our minds on and follow the flesh OR we can set our minds on and follow the Holy Spirit. There is no gray area here. It is one or the other with the results appropriate to each. The carnal, fleshly, worldly oriented mind is the enemy of God. Sin is the enemy of God and a fleshly oriented mind is a mind focused on sin.

 

⁹However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. ¹⁰If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. ¹¹But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Now we again are shown the difference between us as believers and the world. Through Christ we are not in the flesh, our focus is not on the flesh, lusts of the flesh or desires and culture of the world. There is a caveat here, IF the Spirit of God dwells in us. (emphasis on ‘if’ mine). If a person does not have the Spirit of Christ they do not belong to Christ. Those who are after the flesh desire the things of the flesh; those after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. “It is not a question here of duty, but of the sure action of the nature according to which a person subsists; and this tendency, this affection of the nature, has its unfailing result-that of the flesh is death, that of the Spirit is life and peace.” (http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/john-darbys-synopsis-of-the-new-testament/romans)

 

Notice Paul uses Spirit of God and Spirit of Christ as the same Spirit. This show God and Christ and the Holy Spirit are one. Paul repeats and thereby strengthens his previous comments that our body of sin is dead because of sin but the Spirit is true life, eternal life. Again, we see the Spirit of God being in control, The Spirit of God raised Jesus from the dead and also dwells in His believers. We have eternal life through the Spirit of God just as Jesus was raised from the dead and has eternal live through the Spirit of God. “The Spirit of God coming into man does not cease to be God, and does not make the man cease to be man; but He produces divinely in the man, a life, a character a moral condition of being, a new man; in this sense, a new being, and in virtue of the cleansing by Christ's blood.” (john-darbys-synopsis-of-the-new-testament)

 

Sonship Through the Spirit

¹²So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— ¹³for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” ¹⁶The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Our two choices are again made very clear We can live according to our flesh, sinful nature or We can live by the Spirit. By the Spirit the deeds, sin, of the body are put to death through the death and resurrection of Christ.

Now we are called sons, not slaves or servants but sons. Being sons means we are joint heirs with Christ of eternal life and God’s grace, communication, relationship and love. In Mark 14:36 Christ calls God Abba. This means daddy, father. In Aramaic it is a term of love and trust. Crying out is a plea, much as a child makes when calling for their father in a time of stress.

 

From Suffering to Glory

¹⁸For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope ²¹that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²²For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. ²³And not only this, but also, we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. ²⁴For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? ²⁵But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

This section of Romans is very similar to parts of James’ letter. Christians suffer at the hand of the world. Suffering takes many forms from overt torture to the more subtle ostracizing of Christians. Regardless of the type of suffering it is all painful. Like James, Paul, who suffered much, declares that the suffering endured is nothing compared to the glory to come with Christ. An interesting point here is that, because of man’s sin, the entire creation suffers and is waiting for deliverance. Man’s sin affects the entire creation. We can see this all around us.

 

We who are believers in Christ also wait for our final redemption of our bodies. The time when we will leave this world of sin and be with Christ as an adopted child of God. Now Paul makes a very important point. We are saved in hope of this happening. We believe. If we could see this with physical eyes it is no longer hope. We hope for the promises of God to be fulfilled, we believe in His promises and we wait for it and hold on to that hope through all sufferings.

 

²⁶In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; ²⁷and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Even when we do not know what or how to pray the Holy Spirit helps us.

The Holy Spirit also helps us when we are weak and afraid we will fail of fall. The Holy Spirit is always there to help us. Verse 26 has been used as both a support for speaking in tongues. Perhaps Paul is referring to both speaking in tongues and groaning, non-verbalized utterings, that communicate with God directly through the Holy Spirit. Paul did speak in tongues so there is a strong possibility he is referring to both tongues and non-tongues. (1 Cor. 14:18)

 

Paul reminds the reader that despite how things may look God is in control and everything works together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to God’s purpose. Paul has two qualifiers here: 1) those who love the Lord and 2) those called according to His purpose.

 

Now we come to the word “predestined”. What this passage means has been the cause of much discussion and disagreement in the church The word predestined (prohorizō) has been misinterpreted to mean that God arbitrarily determined in advance certain individuals to be saved. This, however, is not the meaning of the word. This word occurs six times in the NT: Ac 4:28; Ro 8:29, 30; 1Co 2:7; and Eph. 1:5, 11. In all other occurrences, the context indicates clearly that it has to do with the plan, the design, the condition of some event, or salvation.

 

God is not bound by time, he can know before we do it. That does not mean God preordained what we will do or who will accept Christ but He does know. God's sovereignty consists in his freedom to lay down the condition of salvation, not in his arbitrary consignment of some to salvation, others to damnation Reading the entire passage and not focusing on the word “predestined” we see the possibility of an expansion of what is meant by predestined.

 

²⁹For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; ³⁰and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

Those who accept Christ as savior are predestined to conform to the image of Christ. Believers will look like Christ in their actions, demeanor, thinking, etc. We are in His image. Christ is the firstborn among many who believe in Him. No one comes to God through their own efforts. Everyone is called but not all accept that calling. If everyone is predestined to either be saved of condemned than grace has no place, it is only up to God’s decision on an individual basis. That would not be consistent with God being a loving God.

 

God’s Everlasting Love

³¹What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ³²He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? ³²Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; (Genesis 22:7-14) ³⁴who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. ³⁵Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

 

³⁷But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The central thought of vs. 31-39 is that since God is for us who can be against us. God has done the harder thing—giving his own Son for us; surely he will do the easier thing—give us all the blessings he has promised. He is the only one who can justify, and he has already justified us; who can bring any charge against us? The judge himself, Christ Jesus, died, was resurrected, and now is interceding for us. Surely no one will condemn us. God loves us so much. Surely nothing can separate us from the love God has for us in Christ. NOTHING can separate us from the Love of God but we can reject that love ourselves, walk away from God and His love.

 

Romans

Chapter 9

Solicitude for Israel

I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, ²that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. ³For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, ⁴who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, ⁵whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

Paul’s adamant statement that he is telling the truth and not lying because what he is about to say sounds unbelievable to the readers, born again Christians. He personally grieved, totally sorrowful that his fellow Israelites have not accepted Christ as savior. He is grieved to the point he wishes he could be condemned to eternity without Christ if it would cause the Israelites to accept Christ. THIS is what is unbelievable. Remember to the Jews were given the Word of God and the responsibility to take His Word to the world.

The Jews were given the prophesies of the Messiah but they did not recognize Him when He came to them. WE MUST TAKE CARE that we do not say the Jews were discarded by God. That they cannot be saved. Like every person, if a Jew accepts Christ as their savior they will be saved. This is what Paul desperately wants to see happen.

 

⁶But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; ⁷nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “^]through Isaac your descendants will be named.” ⁸That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. ⁹For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁰And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; ¹¹for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would ^[h]stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, ¹²it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger.” ¹³Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

First, we must deal with the phrase “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”  The word ‘hated’ did not always have the same connotation when Paul wrote Romans that it has now. In this case hated was to be in second place, not the first priority. There are other places where the word hate carriers the same meaning and connotation as it does at present.

 

Paul now takes us back to Abraham and earliest Israel. His first point is that the Jews have chosen that the word of God has not taken effect with Israel. His second point is just because a person belongs to the nation of Israel does not mean they are truly the Israel of faith. Just because a person is a descendent of Abraham does not mean they are a child of the promise. God is free to lay down the condition of heirship and thus determine what kind of people will be Abraham's heirs. The Jews are not saved because they do not comply with God's condition, therefore, they are responsible for their condition and are guilty. (Romans 9:30-33)

 

Israel’s Rejection and God’s Justice

¹⁴What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! ¹⁵For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” ¹⁶So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. ¹⁷For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed ^[k]throughout the whole earth.”¹⁸So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

God shows mercy to those who are faithful (vv. 14-15) and hardens the heart of those who oppose him. In Ex 5:1-12:51 Pharaoh first hardened his own heart. Only after that did God harden his heart (vv. 16-18).

 

¹⁹You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” ²⁰On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? ²¹Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? ²²What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? {Jer.18:5-12, 16  jas}   ²³And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, ²⁴even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.

There are those who wish Paul had not used the “clay” reference in this passage. Their contention is that people are not clay. They are looking at the passage from a position of pride in being human. God made us from the dust of the earth so the reference is valid. The potter’s right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use is an allusion to Jer. 18:5-12. The sovereignty of the potter over the clay means that the Lord is completely free to lay down the conditions under which he will bless or punish. God does not make the arbitrary decision to consign some to salvation and others to damnation just on His whim.

 

²⁵As He says also in Hosea, “I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’ And her who was not beloved, ‘beloved.’” ²⁶“And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘you are not My people,’ There they shall be called sons of the living God.”

 

²⁷Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, {Isaiah 10:22-23; Isaiah 37:32  jas} “Though the number of the sons of Israel be like the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved; ²⁸for the Lord will execute His word on the earth, thoroughly and quickly.” ²⁹And just as Isaiah foretold, “Unless the Lord of Sabaoth  had left to us a posterity, We would have become like Sodom, and would have resembled Gomorrah.”

Paul refers to the prophets Hosea and Isaiah to make two very important points. Hosea refers to the Gentiles becoming God’s people. Isaiah is referring to a remnant of Israel, God’s chosen people, being saved, becoming believers in Jesus. Israel is not discarded or condemned by God but rather many will be saved through belief in Christ.

 

³⁰What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; ³¹but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. ³²Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, ³²just as it is written, {Isaiah 8:14; 28:46  jas} “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense,
And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

The condition of Israel then is the same as it is now. Gentiles did not have the law of righteousness as did the Jews yet attained righteousness. The Jews, who had the law of righteousness did not attain righteousness. What was the difference….FAITH. The Jews were seeing only works, tradition, following a set of rules. They missed the point of the law, that it points to Christ. Since the law points to Christ, righteousness is available to everyone, Jew and Gentile, who believes in Him

 

Romans

Chapter 10

The Word of Faith Brings Salvation

Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. ²For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. ³For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. ⁴For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

⁵For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is ^[y]based on law shall live by that righteousness. ⁶But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), ⁷or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” ⁸But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, {Deut. 30:12-14 jas} ⁹that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; ¹⁰for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. ¹¹For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” ¹²For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; ¹³for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” {Psalm 145:18  jas}

Paul makes clear that the Jews could be saved and he prayed they would. He notes that they have a zeal for God but do not have knowledge. (We have knowledge but often little zeal.) The Jews were interested in obeying their set of rules and earning their way to salvation. They tried to be righteous through their own efforts and rules and ignored God’s righteousness and gift of salvation. This emphasis on their own path to salvation (which is a dead end) shows they did not understand the law or the words of God entrusted to them to take to the world.

 

Verse 5 reminds us that to be righteous according to the law the entire law must be followed perfectly. No one except Christ was able to do so. Verses 9 and 10 are foundational to the Protestants. We are saved by faith. We must believe in our hearts and confess our belief in Christ and His death/resurrection. Believing and confessing Jesus the Lord leads to salvation. Verses 11 and 13 quote Isa 28:16 and Joel 2:32 to substantiate this. Paul refers to Psalm 145:18 again make clear that the Jews could be saved.

 

Israel Rejects the Gospel

¹⁴How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

 

¹⁶However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” ¹⁷So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. ¹⁸But I say, surely, they have never heard, have they? Indeed, they have; “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” ¹⁹But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous by that which is not a nation, By a nation without understanding will I anger you.” ²⁰And Isaiah is very bold and says, “I was found by those who did not seek Me, I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” ²¹But as for Israel He says, “All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

The law was to direct people for righteousness to Christ. The Jewish people missed this idea. Unbelief is a non-submission to the righteousness of God The Jews did not believe but Paul makes the point how can they, or anyone else, believe if they have not heard about Christ and how can they hear without someone telling them and how can someone tell them unless they are sent. Paul’s statement is short but carries a lot of responsibility and meaning. The Jews had heard and therefore had no excuse. Every believer is included in his comments. Some believers are the preachers, carriers of the Gospel message, and other believers are the ones who send.

 

Paul now quotes Moses and Isaiah to emphasize that the Gentiles have listened to God while the Jews have not. In both cases, Moses and Isaiah, God is telling the Jews, His chosen people, that through their arrogance the Gentiles will believe where the Jews have not. Isaiah was even more straight forward and to the point. Not only did he say the Gentiles would accept His salvation but calls the Jews disobedient and contrary. The Jews did the opposite of what God instructed.

 

Romans

Chapter 11

Israel Is Not Cast Away

I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. ²God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? ³“Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” ⁴But what is the divine response to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” ⁵In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. ⁶But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

Paul puts to rest the notion that the Jews are totally rejected by God. The fact that Paul was a Jew proves God has not cast away His chosen people. A second example is Elijah. Despite what Elijah saw around him God was clear that He had seven thousand men who still worshipped Him and not pagan false Gods. God had a remnant who were faithful. As was the case in Elijah’s time so it was in Paul’s time and in our time. There is a remnant of God’s chosen people, the Jews, who remain faithful to Him. It is important to know the remnant is there by grace. It is not by their works but by God’s grace.

 

⁷What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; ⁸just as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, Eyes to see not and ears to hear not, Down to this very day.” ⁹And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, And a stumbling block and a retribution to them. ¹⁰“Let their eyes be darkened to see not And bend their backs forever.”

 “Some understand the elect as those arbitrarily chosen by God for salvation, the rest of the Israelites are rejected. This interpretation, however, contradicts Romans 9:1-4; 10:21; and 11:20, where Paul explicitly states their unbelief as the reason for their rejection. The correct understanding of election is this: God collectively elected Israel. This was God's act of pure grace, not because of their works. However, the majority of them became unfaithful and missed out on God's blessings. Those who remained faithful received the blessings and became the elect. The hearts of the others were hardened in the same sense that Pharaoh's heart was hardened.” (Asbury Commentary on the Bible)

 

Israel’s Rejection Not Final

¹¹I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. ¹²Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! ¹³But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, ¹⁴if somehow, I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. ¹⁵For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? ¹⁶If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.

 

¹⁷But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, ¹⁸do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.

Paul makes a difference between stumbling and falling. In fact, he asked the question “…have they stumbled so that they should fall?” He answers with an emphatic “Certainly not!” The stumbling of the Jews works to bring salvation to the Gentiles. Despite appearances their stumbling was a positive for the Gentiles and, in the long run, also for the Israelites. Paul often emphasized his ministry to the Gentiles. Here he gives us one of his motivations. He is hoping make his fellow countrymen jealous so that they might accept Jesus as the Messiah.

 

Again Paul shows the refusal of the Jews to accept the Messiah was an open door for the rest of the world to be reconciled to God through Christ. When a Jew does accept Christ as Messiah it is like a person being raised from the dead which, through Christ, they are. Paul uses a vine as an analogy. A grape vine is something everyone in that time would know. If the root is good the branches are good. If some branches are dead they are removed, broken off, and good branches grafted into the good vine root.

 

Paul is also very quick to remind the grafted in branches that they get their nourishment from the root into which they were grafted. This is another reminder that the Jews had the law and prophets. To the Jews was given the responsibility of bringing God’s words to the world. As Christians we cannot boast that we are better than the Jews or the Apostolic Scripture (N.T.) and better than the Hebrew Scriptures (O.T.). “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” 2 Timothy 3:16. (Emphasis mine.) This includes the Hebrew and Apostolic scriptures,

 

¹⁹You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” ²⁰Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; ²¹for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. ²²Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. ²³And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. ²⁴For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

Paul repeats that the Jews were broken off due to their unbelief. The Gentiles stand due to their faith. They do believe. The Gentile believers are told they are not to look down on the Jews or other believers, instead they are to fear also being cut off if they quit believing. If the Jews start to believe in Jesus as the Christ, they will also be saved. They will be grafted back into the vine.

 

²⁵For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; ²⁶and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.” ²⁷“This is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.”

 

²⁸From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; ²⁹for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. ³⁰For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, ³¹so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. ³²For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.

Being wise in our own opinion is an interesting statement. Bing wise in your opinion is thinking to highly of your own knowledge and opinions, to the point it can blind you to God’s Word and leading. Israel was wise in their own opinions and were blinded by it. We are reminded that the deliverer will come out of Zion, Israel. God promised them this would be the case. Their antipathy toward the gospel, the Good News of Jesus the Savior opens the door to the Gentiles.

 

We are reminded again that they are still the chosen people and the beloved of God. Perhaps not for their sake now but for the sake of the promises God made to their fathers. God’s gifts, callings, promises are not given for a time but for all time. Again, the Jews and the Hebrew scriptures are not to be discarded or ignored.

 

³³Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! ³⁴For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? ³⁵Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? ³⁶For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

After all of his comments Paul touches on our wanting to but inability to understand what God is doing and why. Paul has spent a great deal of time explaining what is happening with both Jews and Gentiles but there is still the mystery of why God is so loving, patient and forgiving. The answer is we just cannot know everything. God is God and we will never understand His wisdom, knowledge and actions. We are not capable intellectually, emotionally or spiritually of understanding everything. We just cannot know the mind of God. ^“then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.” Ecclesiastes 8:17 This also takes us back to verse 25 above.

 

Romans

Chapter 12

Dedicated Service

Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ²And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Verses 1& 2 are the thesis statement for the remainder of Romans. Verse 1 points out that presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God is only reasonable for us to do. What is a living sacrifice? It means while we are alive physically we are to submit ourselves fully to God’s Word, plan for us and work He has for us. Given God’s love and grace toward us and especially His sending Christ to be a sacrifice for us being a living sacrifice is reasonable, it makes sense.

 

Part of being a living sacrifice is to NOT be conformed to the world, the world system and culture of sin. Being a living sacrifice is to surrender ourselves to God, and so to lay a good foundation. We must first give our own selves unto the Lord, 2 Co. 8:5. Once we are saved we are new creatures. Our minds have left the world of sin and are renewed in Christ. Our priorities are to do God’s will in our lives. Only by putting God first can we prove to ourselves and others what is God’s good, acceptable and perfect will.

 

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts

³For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. ⁴For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, ⁵so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ⁶Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; ⁷if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Paul, like every good teacher, repeats his earlier comments but in a slightly different way. We must not think of ourselves (intellect, spiritually, etc.) more highly than we should. We are to be humble and loving. We are to prefer our brothers and sisters in the Lord before ourselves. We are to think soberly. That is, we are to recognize what God has given us as a gift from God. No two people are alike. No two people have the same gifts, talents of amount of faith. God gives to each person what He will for His purpose. This means ALL believers are to be respected and their particular gifts used.

 

Paul uses the body as an example. The many parts of the body all have different jobs and are all important. One part is no more important than another. We may think a toe is not important but lose a toe and walking properly becomes difficult. Over time the change in gait causes problems in other parts of the body, such as the back. All gifts and talents are important to the body of Christ, the Church of God.

 

Behave Like a Christian

⁹Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.¹⁰Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; ¹¹not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹²rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, ¹³contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. ¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Love truly. Do not pretend to love. Do not say you love and then hurt the people you say you love. Judas claimed to love Christ and even greeted Him with a kiss but his actions showed he did not really love the Lord. Be kindly affectionate one to another, with brotherly love, philostorgoi. This signifies not only love, but a readiness and inclination to love, the most genuine and free affection, kindness flowing out as from a spring.

 

Our love be to one another must be unforced, unconstrained and such it will be where there is a new nature and the law of love is written in the heart. Instead of contending for superiority, let us be forward to give to others the pre-eminence. Paul repeats the words of Christ to bless those who persecute us, bless them and do not curse them. Verse 16 takes us back to 11:25. Do not be wise in our own opinions. Our opinions are based on what we know and no one knows everything.

 

¹⁷Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. ¹⁸If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. ¹⁹Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰“But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

It is not our job to take revenge. To do so only continues the evil. To consider vengeful acts already shows a spirit of hate, not God’s love. To consider vengeance is to provide a door for Satan to enter our thoughts and hearts. Notice Paul says to be at peace with everyone as much as it depends on you. There are some people who do not want to live at peace with their neighbors. There is little a person can do to live peaceably with that kind of person. The Christian can always pray for them and always act in Chris’s love. We are always to act with love to everyone. What is more important, to get even for a wrong and assuage our pride or act in  love with the possibility the offending party (parties) accept Christ as savior and escape eternity in Hell, away from God.

 

Romans

Chapter 13

Be Subject to Government

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. ²Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. ³For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; ⁴for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. ⁵Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. ⁶For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. ⁷Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

Now the difficulty of living the Christian life. Being subject to governing authorities can leave us wondering. Are we to go along with their unchristian ways and possibly laws. Once again Paul tells us much the same as does James and Peter. (1 Peter 2:13-17) Paul says we must be subject to governing authority. That does not mean we must always agree with the authorities but we are always subject to them. Paul lived under a very repressive, anti-Christian government. He did not always agree with the government or do what they said. He did always respect the governing officials and took whatever punishment was given for his stand for Christ.

 

Christ is ALWAYS is our first priority and focus. German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was imprisoned by Hitler because he stood for Christ instead of going along with Hitler’s policies. He took the punishment given because of his stand for Christ. God is God of all, including governments. If a government needs to be removed God will do so. We can see this with Hitler, Hussein, etc.

 

Love Your Neighbor

⁸Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. ⁹For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18) ¹⁰Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Verse 10 is critical for Jews and Gentiles alike. For Jews it tells the purpose and reason for the law. For Gentiles it does the same and tells them why they need to implement what Paul has already said. The purpose of the law is love. Before Christ came the law served to instruct people in how to act toward other people and God. When Christ came He brought perfect love within Himself. True believers in Christ will act in love and thus are fulfilling the real purpose of the law.

 

¹¹Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. ¹²The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore, let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. ¹⁴But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

We are reminded that NOW, not later is the time to accept salvation through Christ. Paul’s comment that our salvation is nearer than when we first believed on two levels. First, the time is nearer for the world in general. Second, the time is nearer for each of us individually. It is critical we do not follow the world and Satan. We must put on light, God’s Word, as our armor.  When we are clothed in light, God’s Word, darkness cannot harm us. Light always drives away and overcomes dark. We are clothed with light when we put on, believe in, Christ. Putting on Christ means becoming more and more like Him. The more we become like Christ the more we make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its evil and unholy desires and lusts.

 

Romans

Chapter 14

Principles of Conscience

Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. ²One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. ³The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. ⁴Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

 

⁵One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. ⁶He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.

This continues Paul’s thoughts on living with other Christians in community. The church in Rome had many Jewish and Gentile believers. (Acts 28:24) Some of the Jewish believers, having been raised according to the Law, had a difficult time eating certain meats. Those who knew their Christian liberty, and made use of it often despised the weak, who did not. They should have helped them, and afforded them loving, humble and friendly instruction. We must not argue over opinions or things that are not truly important. As Christians we must deal with differences through Christ’s love. God is God of us all and we are not to judge another Christian on things that do not violate the Word.

 

⁷For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; ⁸for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. ⁹For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

¹⁰But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. ¹¹For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.” ¹²So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. ¹³Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.

Our end and aim: not self, but the Lord. We are not our own masters. We are not at our own disposal. The business of our lives is not to please ourselves, but to please God. In the end everyone will bow to Christ. There are no exceptions. That being the case why would we not show love and respect to our brothers and sisters? This does not have to do with being saved. Paul’s use of the word brother shows he is writing to Christians. It does have to do with living for Christ and answering to Christ for our actions.

 

¹⁴I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. ¹⁵For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. ¹⁶Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; ¹⁷for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

This goes back to preferring our brother or sister before ourselves. Which is more important, satisfying our belly and pride and possibly causing a brother to stumble or is it to bring our pride and belly under submission and helping our brother to grow in Christ?

 

¹⁹So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. ²⁰Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. ²¹It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. ²²The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. ²³But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

God calls us and, when we respond through Jesus we belong to God. We must earnestly go after those things and action that promote peace and help build up each other in Christ. Again, we must prefer our brother and sister before ourselves. We cannot destroy the work of God, a brother or sister, because we feel what we do is more important, our opinion is what matters. If we are not sure if something is acceptable to God, don’t do it. This means if we are not sure if eating a certain food, or taking a certain action we should not ear the food or take the action. Better to be safe than sorry. Pray about what you are not sure of and seek God’s will. Search the Scriptures to see what they say. :… whatever is not from faith is sin.”

 

Romans

Chapter 15

Self-denial on Behalf of Others

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. ²Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. ³For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” ⁴For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. ⁵Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, ⁶so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul continues his emphasis on pleasing the Lord and helping our brothers and sisters. Christ did not please Himself, how can we do any different. If our Lord came to serve us how can we have the temerity to think we are above Him and serve ourselves. “…whatever things were written before were written for our learning” is referring to the Hebraic scriptures (Old Testament). We must learn from them. It is important to remember that our comfort and hope in the Lord come from knowing and following the Scriptures. We must have the mind of Christ when dealing with others. We must operate in love and compassion putting others first and ourselves second. There is no place for ego and pride when we operate with the love of Christ.

 

⁷Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted ^[ci]us to the glory of God. ⁸For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, ⁹and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, “Therefore I will give praise to You among the Gentiles, And I will sing to Your name.” ¹⁰Again he says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” ¹¹And again, “Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, And let all the peoples praise Him.” ¹²Again Isaiah says, “There shall come the root of Jesse, And He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, In Him shall the Gentiles hope.” ¹³Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace  in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 “receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God” Christ did not refuse to receive someone because of the position in society, their wealth or lack thereof, their past or anything else. As Christ did so must we. How we dress, what we eat, or worldly standing, etc. must make no difference to receiving a brother or sister in Christ. Christ fulfilled the promise God made to Abraham and the words of the Law, Prophets and Writings. He also came for the Gentiles, so they could be saved. Paul gives a short benediction, although he is not quite done. “….you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” God send His Holy Spirit to give us hope, peace and joy. These are not dependent on what is happening around us but rather on the Holy Spirit in us. This one thing that separates us from the world.

 

¹⁴And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. ¹⁵But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, ¹⁶to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.¹⁷Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. ¹⁸For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, ¹⁹in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. ²⁰And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation; ²¹but as it is written, “They who had no news of Him shall see, And they who have not heard shall understand.”

 

²²For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you; ²³but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you ²⁴whenever I go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while— ²⁵but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. ²⁶For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. ²⁷Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things. ²⁸Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain. ²⁹I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

 

³⁰Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, ³¹that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints; ³²so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company. ³²Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

 

Paul asks for prayers for himself as he does his work for the Lord. Paul knew he needed the prayers of the saints to strengthen him in the Lord Paul now gives a second benediction and asks for God, who is peace, be with all of them. Paul is finishing a long letter that deals with how they act toward and with each other. There were things, beliefs and personalities causing, perhaps without meaning to, dissension in the Body of Christ, the church. God can and will bring peace to all involved if they will allow it.

 

Romans

Chapter 16

Greetings and Love Expressed

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; ²that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.

 

³Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, ⁴who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; ⁵also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. ⁶Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. ⁷Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. ⁸Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. ⁹Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. ¹⁰Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. ¹¹Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. ¹²Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. ¹³Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. ¹⁴Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them. ¹⁵Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. ¹⁶Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

 

¹⁷Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. ¹⁸For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. ¹⁹For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore, I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. ²⁰The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

 

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Paul gives some very practical advice. When you see a person who always seems to cause divisions, who causes or easily takes offenses, who works contrary to God’s love, stay away from them. Do not get wrapped up in or involved in their troublemaking. People who are always looking to cause trouble are not serving the Lord. Quite often they are feeding their own ego and pride or using the divisions to profit in some way. Avoiding such persons is not being unloving.

 

²¹Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. ²²I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord. ²³Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother. ²⁴[The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.]

 

²⁵Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, ²⁶but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; ²⁷to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.

Paul returns to his message throughout his letter, it is through Jesus the Messiah we are established in His Word. Paul also makes clear his message comes from the Lord, it is not his own. The prophesies and Scriptures are now made know to all nations and people. End with praising God for all things.

 

References:

http://thebondservant.org/?page_id=68

Thompson Chain Reference Bible

Asbury Bible Commentary

Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

http://crosswalk.com

http://biblehub.com/greek/652.htm

http://www.studylight.org/

http://www.biblestudytools.com/

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://www.biblegateway.com/

http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/john-darbys-synopsis-of-the-new-testament/romans

http://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/condemn.html

John Gill's Exposition of the Old and New Testaments 

https://bible.org/seriespage/6-righteousness-god

Dr. John D. Garr

 

 

 

SHEMA:

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD and thou shalt love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might; and these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart: Deut. 6:4-6