Major Prophets Prophets According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, 77% of homosexuals say they have met sexual partners in a city park; 62% in a homosexual bar, 61% in a theater, 31% in a public restroom. Pauline Epistles Those who either practice or approve of these things are worthy of death; they are the worthy targets of the wrath of God. General Epistles d. For even their women exchanged the natural use: Paul uses homosexuality both in the female and the male expressions as an example of God giving mankind over to uncleanness and lust. a. Ungodliness: This refers to mans offenses against God. Yet every Christian should make an effort to know Romans, for this book will ground the believer in the faith. Historical Books The same attitude must govern him in his continuing experience as a child of God. (Harrison) This is an echo of Pauls message in Galatians 3:1-3. e. Christ who is over all, the eternally blessed God, Amen: This is one of Pauls clear statements that Jesus is God. Chapter 9 brings a slight shift in focus to the Book of Romans. We do not give it power, we only stop hindering the power of the gospel when we present it effectively. He perhaps thought this was a good time to write ahead to the Christians in Rome, a church he planned to visit after the trip to Jerusalem. e. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith: Pauls gospel impacts individual lives. Even if Paul only knew many of the Roman Christian by acquaintance, he knew two things about them and every true Christian. (Romans 1:2-6) Paul introduces his gospel to the Romans. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Get love for the souls of men then you will not be whining about a dead dog, or a sick cat, or about the crotchets of a family, and the little disturbances that John and Mary may make by their idle talk. iii. Historical Books It was one of those times something like what Blaise Pascal experienced. Consider the testimony of these men regarding Romans: a. Martin Luther praised Romans: It is the chief part of the New Testament and the perfect gospel the absolute epitome of the gospel., b. Luthers successor Philip Melancthon called Romans, The compendium of Christian doctrine., c. John Calvin said of the Book of Romans, When anyone understands this Epistle, he has a passage opened to him to the understanding of the whole Scripture., d. Samuel Coleridge, English poet and literary critic said Pauls letter to the Romans is The most profound work in existence., e. Frederick Godet, 19th Century Swiss theologian called the Book of Romans The cathedral of the Christian faith., f. G. Campbell Morgan said Romans was the most pessimistic page of literature upon which your eyes ever rested and at the same time, the most optimistic poem to which your ears ever listened., g. Richard Lenski wrote that the Book of Romans is beyond question the most dynamic of all New Testament letters even as it was written at the climax of Pauls apostolic career.. As was seen earlier in Romans 6, we can be legally free and still choose to live like a prisoner. i. Covetousness: This word literally describes the itch for more. The New Testament Before he was separated unto the service of his own sect; now he is separated unto the Gospel of God. (Clarke), ii. in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry. Legal marriage between same gender couples was recognized, and even some of the emperors married other men. It is our goal to make BLBi the most comprehensive course of study possible. Cookie Notice: ii. In his studies he came across Psalm 31:1: In Thy righteousness deliver me. Paul doesnt even use the normal words for men and women here; he uses the words for male and female, using categories that describe sexuality outside of human terms, because the type of sexual sin he describes is outside of human dignity. Commentary Menu More Information on Carl Westerlund Prior Section Romans Chapter 11. You shall go to Rome, Paul; but you shall go in chains. (Spurgeon). 4. Johannine Writings Its a lot harder to understand why God chose Jacob to be the heir of Gods covenant of salvation instead of Esau. Pauline Epistles For salvation: In the Roman world of Pauls day, men looked for salvation. Beyond that, the origins of the church in Rome are somewhat obscure, but Christians continually migrated to Rome from all parts of the Empire. j. When our hearts are set on a thing, and we pray for it, God may grant us the blessing; but, it may be, in a way that we never looked for. Thru the Bible Commentary, Vol. What does it say about our present position in God? Homosexuals often seem to specialize in anonymous sex with no emotional commitment. Instead, the reason for choosing was found in Him who calls. Poetical Books Some have tried to expand the scope of this chapter to include matters of faith. i. But Israel has not attained to the law of righteousness: By all appearances Israel seemed to work for the righteousness of God with everything it had, but did not find it. Paul didnt write this to a culture that agreed with him. a. What shall we say then? ii. For God is my witness is perhaps Pauls acknowledgment of how easy it is to say you will pray for someone, and then fail to do it. Now live every day consistent with that freedom.". They knew God. It was no good to them to know God, for they glorified him not as God. So my theological friend over there, who knows so much that he can split hairs over doctrines, it does not matter what you think, or what you know, unless it leads you to glorify God, and to be thankful. (Spurgeon). For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, In Isaac your seed shall be called. That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. c. I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world: Paul was thankful for the good reputation of the church in Rome. Paul says he serves as a "ministering priest" of Jesus Christ presenting the gospel as a "priestly service" so Gentile converts would be an acceptable sacrifice to God. Major Prophets God has always dealt with a remnant. i. Jesus spoke of this right of God in the parable of the landowner in Matthew 20:1-16. ii. Image in Romans 1:23 is the ancient Greek word eikon. Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, marched with the protection of their armies to enforce their will upon men. Statistics tell us that on average 43% of homosexuals say they have had 500 or more sexual partners in their lifetime, and only 1% of homosexuals say they have had four or less sexual partners in their lifetime. Johannine Writings The Gospels In that regard, Gods preference could rightly be regarded as a display of love towards Jacob and hate towards Esau. Jude 3; Galatians 1:6-9; 2:3-5). The Jews were inclined to think that God could not make them anything other than vessels of honor. i. a. Paul: The life and ministry of the Apostle Paul (also known as Saul of Tarsus) is well documented in Acts chapters 8 through 28, as well as Galatians 1 and 2, and 2 Corinthians 11 and 12. i. Romans is a book about God. No one is ever unfair for not giving mercy. Paul used all these in spreading the Gospel; so he can best repay this debt by giving Rome the good news of Jesus Christ. The Gospels The gospel had reached the Roman Christians, demonstrating that they are the called of Jesus Christ. Pentateuch Passwords should have at least 6 characters. a. Thinking God had a message to him in the words of the children, he picked up a scroll laying nearby and began to read: not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. c. His invisible attributes are clearly seen: God shows us something of His eternal power and divine nature through creation, by the things that are made. Yet he agrees with Calvins idea that the real thought here is much more like accepted and rejected more than our understanding of the terms loved and hated.. For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, We have a parallel situation with the word Christian. Not everyone who is called a Christian is truly a follower of Christ. (Smith). b. IN GENERAL SPECIFICALLY HERE. If God justifies a sinner, it does not mean that he finds reasons to prove that he was right far from it. He didnt read any further; he didnt have to. Poetical Books Luke-Acts The death of the cross was a slow death; the body, after it was nailed to the cross, gave many a throe and many a struggle: but it was a sure death, long in expiring, but expired at last; such is the mortification of sin in believers. This is something that really bothered Paul and was on his heart. Now, in Romans 9 through 11, Paul deals with the problem associated with the condition of Israel. As it is written: Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, The Theology of Work Bible Commentary is the only commentary covering what every book of the Bible says about work. Why did the unlikely Gentiles find righteousness, when the likely Jews did not? Historical Books He has given a general revelation that is obvious both in creation and within the mind and heart of man. i. Wrath is the holy revulsion of Gods being against that which is the contradiction of his holiness. (Murray), ii. i. iii. The Roman Empire brought world peace and order; they brought a common cultural, and an excellent transportation system to the world. 2.2 Romans 10: PRESENT. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens: Sometimes God will glorify Himself through showing mercy; sometimes God will glorify Himself through a mans hardness. Whisperers: Secret detractors; those who, under pretended secrecy, carry about accusations against their neighbours, whether true or false; blasting their reputation by clandestine tittle-tattle. (Clarke). Indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Pentateuch Dr. McGee prepared these Notes & Outlines for each book of the Bible to help those who wanted an even deeper and more thorough understanding of Scripture as they studied with him on the five-year journey through the whole Word of God. Therefore God also gave them up: In His righteous wrath and judgment, God gives man up to the sin our evil hearts desire, allowing us to experience the self-destructive result of sin. Envy: Is this a small sin? This great passion for souls gave Paul perspective. i. We should not think that God persuaded an unwilling, kind-hearted Pharaoh to be hard towards God and Israel. (Romans 1:24-32) The tragic result of human guilt before God. Therefore, mankind is without excuse. a. We can also be guilty of worshipping a self-made God. Grace to you and peace from God: Paul formally addresses his readers with his familiar greeting, combining the Greek greeting of grace with the Jewish greeting of peace. Will you kindly notice, that, according to my text, knowledge is of no use if it does not lead to holy practice? We have provided this method as a convenience to our users. i. 2. John 3:16, Jesus faith love), The Whole Bible General Epistles Would you prayerfully consider a gift of support today? GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point v. We know the Letter to the Romans was prized by the Christians in Rome; Clement of Romes letter in 96 A.D. shows great familiarity with Pauls letter. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. He didnt fulfill His promise for them because they missed their Messiah and now seem cursed. ( Romans 3:10-18) The Old Testament witnesses to the universal depravity and guilt of mankind. (McGee, J. Vernon. The Whole Bible This speaks of the generally self-destructive nature of sin; it often carries within itself its own penalty. c. The adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the services of God, and the promises: The pain Paul feels for his lost brethren is all the more severe when he considers how God has blessed them with all the privileges of being His own special people. ii. He saith not, from faith to works, or from works to faith; but from faith to faith, i.e. Wisdom Literature All rights reserved by the copyright holder. This grace and peace is not the kind wish of a man; they are gifts, coming from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, The older shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.. Johannine Writings These Christians had to be strong. d. Vessels of wrath prepared for destruction: Paul does not say that God has prepared them for destruction. Everything Paul touches in this letter he relates to God. Johannine Writings At one time, London AIDS clinics defined a woman as promiscuous if she had more than six partners in her lifetime. And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This means that the gospel was meant to go first to the ethnic and cultural Jew, and then to the cultural Greek. Is there unrighteousness with God? Paul says he himself is willing to be separated from Jesus if that could somehow accomplish the salvation of Israel. There is a sense in which Jesus was the Son of God in weakness before the resurrection but the Son of God in power thereafter. (Morris), c. Declared: This ancient Greek word (horizo) comes from the idea to bound, define, determine, or limit, and hence our word horizon, the line that determines the farthest visible part of the earth in reference to the heavens. (Romans 9:6-9) Has God failed with His plan regarding Israel? No wonder that they prospered so well when Paul always made mention of them in his prayers. ii. e. I may impart to you that I may be encouraged: Pauls desire to visit the church in Rome was not merely to give to them, but to receive as well, because Paul realized that in their mutual faith they had something to give to him. i. Ironically in the mystery of Gods irony when Paul did eventually get to Rome, he came as a shipwrecked prisoner. . b. It happens when men abandon the true knowledge of God, and the state of society reflects Gods judgment upon them for this. Historical Books There they shall be called sons of the living God.. Isaac stands for the children of the promise and Ishmael stands for the children of the flesh. a. The gospel is big enough and great enough for the whole world; it must go out to impact all nations. a. Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness: By all appearances the Gentiles found righteousness even though it did not seem that they really looked for it. The remnant will be saved. Minor Prophets Johannine Writings b. Sorrow and continual grief: Paul feels this because he considers a people who seem to be separated from Gods love unbelieving Israel, who rejected Gods Messiah. The word debased (or, reprobate in the KJV) originally meant that which has not stood the test. It was used of coins that were below standard and therefore rejected. The solemn assurances he gave in Romans 9:1 remind us he is being completely truthful. What does it say about Israel? You will be delivered from petty worries (I need not further describe them) if you are concerned about the souls of men Get your soul full of a great grief, and your little griefs will be driven out. (Spurgeon), b. I could wish that I myself were accursed: Paul reflects the same heart Moses had in Exodus 32:31-32: Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! The righteousness which is unto justification is one characterized by the perfection belonging to all that God is and does. ( Romans 5:12) The spread of sin throughout the human race. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Witmer, John A. The suffering of Gods people at the hands of the Assyrians and others would make them feel as if they would certainly be destroyed. Poetical Books 1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, [ a]called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a [ b]descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power according to the . Error: Passwords should have at least 6 characters, Error: Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. If God is obliged to show mercy, then it is not mercy it is obligation. For example, Ishmael was just as much a son of Abraham as Isaac was; but Ishmael was a son according to the flesh, and Isaac was a son according to the promise (At this time I will come and Sarah will have a son). Karsten and Benjamin were asleep, and God came. Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, It was a cursed death, Gal 3 13. Thank you for registering. 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