Invitation to Study Romans

[rjones]

In the summer of 386, a young man wept in the backyard of a friend. He knew that his life of sin and rebellion against God was killing him, leaving him empty; but he just couldn’t find the strength to make a final, real decision for Jesus Christ. As he sat, he heard some children playing a game and they called out to each other these words: “Take up and read! Take up and read!” Thinking God had a message to him through the words of the children, he picked up a scroll laying nearby opened it and began to read: not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires (Rom. 13:13b-14). He didn’t read any further; he didn’t have to. Through the power of God’s word, Augustine had the faith to entrust his whole life to Jesus Christ at that moment.

In August of 1513, a monk lectured on the book of Psalms in a seminary, but his inner life was nothing but turmoil. In his studies, he came across Ps. 31:1: In Thy righteousness deliver me. The passage confused him; how could God’s righteousness do anything but condemn him to Hell as a righteous punishment for his sins? Luther kept thinking about Rom. 1:17, which says that in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “He who through faith is righteous shall live” (Hab. 2:4) . The monk went on to say: “Night and day I pondered until . . . I grasped the truth that the righteousness of God is that righteousness whereby, through grace and sheer mercy, he justifies us by faith. Therefore I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise . . . This passage of Paul became to me a gateway into heaven.” Martin Luther was born again, and the reformation began in his heart.

In May of 1738, a failed minister and missionary went unwillingly to a small Bible study where someone read aloud from Martin Luther’s commentary on Romans. As the failed missionary said later: “while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for my salvation, and an assurance was given me that he had taken my sins away, even mine.” John Wesley was saved that night in London.

Consider the testimony of these men regarding Romans:

Martin Luther praised the Book of Romans: “It is the chief part of the New Testament and the perfect gospel . . . the absolute epitome of the gospel.”

Philip Melancthon called Romans, “The compendium of Christian doctrine.”

John Calvin said of Romans, “When any one understands this Epistle, he has a passage opened to him to the understanding of the whole Scripture.”

Samuel Coleridge, English poet and literary critic said Paul’s letter to the Romans is “The most profound work in existence.”

Frederick Godet, 19th Century Swiss theologian called the Book of Romans “The cathedral of the Christian faith.”

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.”

Richard Lenski wrote Romans is “Beyond question the most dynamic of all New Testament letters even as it was written at the climax of Paul’s apostolic career.”

We should also remember the Apostle Peter’s words about Paul’s letters:

"Also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles . . . in which are some things hard to understand" (2 Peter 3:15-16).

The Book of Romans has life changing truth but it must be approached with effort and determination to understand what the Holy Spirit said through the Apostle Paul.

For those who are interested in joining this in depth study, please join in.

May the Holy Spirit lead us to all truth.

Dear Heavenly Father, I humbly ask for Your blessing over this study. Please send Your Holy Spirit to abide in this study. I pray that this will edify, teach and draw us closer to You. May You be glorified! In Jesus name, AMEN.

 

[Richie]

Dear Brother Rjones,

I will join you in this study. We will study this book bit by bit, context by context and learn many things. Right now I'm busy with Labs and also there are tense moments at home. Please see the prayer request I asked for in the prayer request forum. We will start from chapter 1.

Please give me some time to prepare the notes and then post it.

God bless you.

 

[pebosworth]

Oh I love the book of Romans. Have studied it over and over again and every time I learn new things. I will definitely be studying it again soon. Thanx for the post. It was a nice one.

 

[rjones]

Romans 1:1

Paul: also known as Saul of Tarsus.

It is almost universally agreed that Paul wrote Romans from the city of Corinth as he wintered there on his third missionary journey as described in Acts 20:2-3. This is based on Romans 16:1 and 16:23 along with 1 Corinthians 1:14. A variety of commentators pick the date of writing anywhere from 53 to 58 a.d.

By the time Paul wrote Romans, he had been a Christian preacher for some 20 years. In Corinth, on his way to Jerusalem, he had three months without any pressing duties. He perhaps thought this was a good time to write ahead to Rome, a church he planned to visit after Jerusalem.

As Paul endeavored to go to Rome, the Holy Spirit warned him about the peril awaiting him in Jerusalem (Acts 21:10-14). What if he were unable to make it to Rome? Then he must write them a letter so comprehensive that the Christians in Rome had the gospel Paul preached, even if Paul himself were not able to visit them.

Because of all this, Romans is different than other letters Paul wrote to New Testament churches. Other New Testament letters focus more on the church and its challenges and problems. The letter to the Romans focuses more on God and His great plan of redemption.

A bondservant . . . an apostle: Paul’s self-identification is important. He is first a servant of Jesus Christ, and second called to be an apostle.

There were several Greek words used to designate a slave, but the idea behind the word for servant (doulos) is “complete and utter devotion, not the abjectness which was the normal condition of the slave.” (Morris)

Separated to the gospel of God: The idea of being an apostle is that you are a special ambassador or messenger. Paul’s message is the gospel (good news) of God. It is the gospel of God in the sense that it belongs to God in heaven. This isn’t a gospel Paul made up; he simply is a messenger of God’s gospel. “Some think he alludes to the name of Pharisee, which is from separating: when he was a Pharisee, he was separated to the law of God; and now, being a Christian, he was separated to the gospel of God.” (Poole)

Other New Testament letters focus more on the church and its challenges and problems; Romans focuses more on God. The word “God” occurs 153 times in the book of Romans; an average of once every 46 words - this is more frequently than in any other New Testament book. In comparison, note the frequency of other words used in Romans: law (72), Christ (65), sin (48), Lord (43), and faith (40). Romans deals with many different themes, but as much as a book can be, it is a book about God.

 

[jiggyfly]

A bondservant . . . an apostle: Paul’s self-identification is important. He is first a servant of Jesus Christ, and second called to be an apostle.

There were several Greek words used to designate a slave, but the idea behind the word for servant (doulos) is “complete and utter devotion, not the abjectness which was the normal condition of the slave.

”

Nice post rjones, something that might add to this study is a little info on what it is to be a bondservant.

 

[Richie]

In the summer of 386, a young man wept in the backyard of a friend. He knew that his life of sin and rebellion against God was killing him, leaving him empty; but he just couldn’t find the strength to make a final, real decision for Jesus Christ. As he sat, he heard some children playing a game and they called out to each other these words: “Take up and read! Take up and read!” Thinking God had a message to him through the words of the children, he picked up a scroll laying nearby opened it and began to read: not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires (Rom. 13:13b-14). He didn’t read any further; he didn’t have to. Through the power of God’s word, Augustine had the faith to entrust his whole life to Jesus Christ at that moment.

In August of 1513, a monk lectured on the book of Psalms in a seminary, but his inner life was nothing but turmoil. In his studies, he came across Ps. 31:1: In Thy righteousness deliver me. The passage confused him; how could God’s righteousness do anything but condemn him to Hell as a righteous punishment for his sins? Luther kept thinking about Rom. 1:17, which says that in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “He who through faith is righteous shall live” (Hab. 2:4) . The monk went on to say: “Night and day I pondered until . . . I grasped the truth that the righteousness of God is that righteousness whereby, through grace and sheer mercy, he justifies us by faith. Therefore I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise . . . This passage of Paul became to me a gateway into heaven.” Martin Luther was born again, and the reformation began in his heart.

In May of 1738, a failed minister and missionary went unwillingly to a small Bible study where someone read aloud from Martin Luther’s commentary on Romans. As the failed missionary said later: “while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for my salvation, and an assurance was given me that he had taken my sins away, even mine.” John Wesley was saved that night in London.

Consider the testimony of these men regarding Romans:

Martin Luther praised the Book of Romans: “It is the chief part of the New Testament and the perfect gospel . . . the absolute epitome of the gospel.”

Philip Melancthon called Romans, “The compendium of Christian doctrine.”

John Calvin said of Romans, “When any one understands this Epistle, he has a passage opened to him to the understanding of the whole Scripture.”

Samuel Coleridge, English poet and literary critic said Paul’s letter to the Romans is “The most profound work in existence.”

Frederick Godet, 19th Century Swiss theologian called the Book of Romans “The cathedral of the Christian faith.”

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.”

Richard Lenski wrote Romans is “Beyond question the most dynamic of all New Testament letters even as it was written at the climax of Paul’s apostolic career.”

We should also remember the Apostle Peter’s words about Paul’s letters:

"Also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles . . . in which are some things hard to understand" (2 Peter 3:15-16).

The Book of Romans has life changing truth but it must be approached with effort and determination to understand what the Holy Spirit said through the Apostle Paul.

For those who are interested in joining this in depth study, please join in.

May the Holy Spirit lead us to all truth.

Dear Heavenly Father, I humbly ask for Your blessing over this study. Please send Your Holy Spirit to abide in this study. I pray that this will edify, teach and draw us closer to You. May You be glorified! In Jesus name, AMEN.

Romans 1:1

Paul: also known as Saul of Tarsus.

It is almost universally agreed that Paul wrote Romans from the city of Corinth as he wintered there on his third missionary journey as described in Acts 20:2-3. This is based on Romans 16:1 and 16:23 along with 1 Corinthians 1:14. A variety of commentators pick the date of writing anywhere from 53 to 58 a.d.

By the time Paul wrote Romans, he had been a Christian preacher for some 20 years. In Corinth, on his way to Jerusalem, he had three months without any pressing duties. He perhaps thought this was a good time to write ahead to Rome, a church he planned to visit after Jerusalem.

As Paul endeavored to go to Rome, the Holy Spirit warned him about the peril awaiting him in Jerusalem (Acts 21:10-14). What if he were unable to make it to Rome? Then he must write them a letter so comprehensive that the Christians in Rome had the gospel Paul preached, even if Paul himself were not able to visit them.

Because of all this, Romans is different than other letters Paul wrote to New Testament churches. Other New Testament letters focus more on the church and its challenges and problems. The letter to the Romans focuses more on God and His great plan of redemption.

A bondservant . . . an apostle: Paul’s self-identification is important. He is first a servant of Jesus Christ, and second called to be an apostle.

There were several Greek words used to designate a slave, but the idea behind the word for servant (doulos) is “complete and utter devotion, not the abjectness which was the normal condition of the slave.” (Morris)

Separated to the gospel of God: The idea of being an apostle is that you are a special ambassador or messenger. Paul’s message is the gospel (good news) of God. It is the gospel of God in the sense that it belongs to God in heaven. This isn’t a gospel Paul made up; he simply is a messenger of God’s gospel. “Some think he alludes to the name of Pharisee, which is from separating: when he was a Pharisee, he was separated to the law of God; and now, being a Christian, he was separated to the gospel of God.” (Poole)

Other New Testament letters focus more on the church and its challenges and problems; Romans focuses more on God. The word “God” occurs 153 times in the book of Romans; an average of once every 46 words - this is more frequently than in any other New Testament book. In comparison, note the frequency of other words used in Romans: law (72), Christ (65), sin (48), Lord (43), and faith (40). Romans deals with many different themes, but as much as a book can be, it is a book about God.

Dear Brother Rjones,

I have enjoyed your posts a lot. I have learnt a lot of things from your posts. Yes indeed, the book of Romans is different when compared to the other letters in the New Testament.

Just as you mentioned, "Other New Testament letters focus more on the church and its challenges and problems. The letter to the Romans focuses more on God and His great plan of redemption. Most importantly the book of Romans focuses on God's amazing grace.

Romans 1:1: This letter is from Paul, Jesus Christ’s slave, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.

Just look at the way Paul the apostle humbles himself and glorifies God in his words. This is the way we should be. Now I want to focus on something which brings the difference between some of the preachers today and Paul the apostle.

Some days back, my father was given a small card in his office, a preacher was inviting him to come to his church. When my father seen the card, he showed us what was written at the bottom:

Pastor's name (I don't remember)
Gospel magician and Christian evangelist.
(made us very angry when we seen it:angry

Just, look at this! All of us at home we were very angry when we seen this and we said to ourselves, "What do these people think of themselves? Look at the way they dishonor God.".

The reason why I brought this point out is so that we don't get carried away subconsciously and that we will be able to be humble like Paul the Apostle and honor God in our words.

Romans 1:2-3:

Verse 2: This Good News was promised long ago by God through his prophets in the holy Scriptures.

Verse 3: It is the Good News about his Son, Jesus, who came as a man, born into King David’s royal family line.

We know this fact very well. The good news is the Gospel of our precious Lord. But unfortunately Satan's messengers are coming out and using the bible to misguide people. Today, I'm very happy for the way God is using many people around the world to get the gospel out, but another Gospel (and a dangerous Gospel) is being preached in some parts of the world. We know it very well what it is (It is the Davinci Code). Some churches have abandoned the cross and they deny salvation through the blood of Jesus.

Now let us go to:

Romans 1:4: And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit.

We all know this very well. But I want to focus on one point. Some Christians say that Good Friday is a sad day because our Lord died on that day. When ever I get a chance, immediately I tell them, "Is Jesus dead today? Didn't He not rise from the dead? Then why do you call it a sad day? He said, "It is finished.". Now why do we have to say that it is a sad day?" Then I conclude saying, "It is day day we have to rejoice, because Satan was crushed and defeated miserably."

Why all this is happening to some Christians in the world today is very simple:

"They don't rely on God's grace, and some of them have no idea of what God has for us.".

Romans 1:5-7:

Verse 5: Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

Verse 6: You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ,

Verse 7: dear friends in Rome. God loves you dearly, and he has called you to be his very own people.
May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What a privilege God has given us? We as gentiles are called to bring glory to God. We are called to be His own (We know it very well).

This is what I wanted to share with you.

God bless you.

 

[rjones]

Romans 1:7-15 Paul's desire to go to Rome


To all who are in Rome: Paul had never been to Rome, and did not found the Roman church. This makes the Book of Romans different because most of Paul’s letters were to churches he founded. It seems the church in Rome began somewhat spontaneously as Christians came to the great city of the Empire and settled there. Acts 2:10 describes how there were people from Rome among the Jews present at the Day of Pentecost, so when they returned home that was a start. Beyond that, the origins of the church in Rome are somewhat obscure, but Christians continually migrated to Rome from all parts of the empire. Paul knew many of the Christians in Rome by name because he mentions them in Romans 16. Even if Paul only knew many of the Roman Christian by acquaintance, he knew two things about them and every true Christian. He knew they were beloved of God and that they were saints.

Called to be saints: “You notice that the words ‘to be’ are put in by the translators; but though they are supplied, they are not really necessary to the sense. These believers in Rome were ‘called saints.’ They were not called because they were saints; but they became saints through that calling.” (Spurgeon)

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. 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.

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. Because of its location, this church had a special visibility and opportunity to glorify Jesus throughout the empire.

For God is my witness is perhaps Paul’s acknowledgment of how easy it is to say you will pray for someone, and then fail to do it. He wanted them to know that he was really praying.

Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers: Paul wanted the Roman Christians to know he was praying for them, and praying for an opportunity to visit them (I may find a way in the will of God to come to you).

I may impart to you . . . that I may be encouraged: Paul’s desire to visit the church in Rome is not merely to give to them, but to receive as well, because Paul realized that in their mutual faith, they have something to give to him.

I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now): For a long time, Paul wanted to visit Rome and was only hindered by external circumstances. Perhaps some enemies of Paul implied he was afraid to go to Rome and preach the gospel in the “major leagues,” in the Empire’s leading city.

I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise: Paul recognized he had something of a debt to Rome. The Roman Empire brought world peace and order, they brought a common culture, and an excellent transportation system to the world. Paul used all these in spreading the gospel, so he can best repay this debt by giving Rome the good news of Jesus Christ.

I am ready: Spurgeon wonders if Paul didn’t use the words “I am ready” as his motto. Almost the first words out of his mouth when he was saved were, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” (Acts 9:6)

Paul was ready to preach and to serve (Rom. 1:15)

Paul was ready to suffer (Acts 21:13)

Paul was ready to do unpleasant work (2 Cor. 10:6)

Paul was ready to die (2 Tim. 4:6)

I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also: This is a bold way of talking. “Talk of your brave men, your great men, O world! Where in all history can you find one like Paul? Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, marched with the protection of their armies to enforce their will upon men. Paul was eager to march with Christ alone to the center of this world’s greatness entrenched under Satan with the word of the cross, which he himself says is to the Jews, and offence; and to Gentiles, foolishness.” (Newell)

“I do not suppose that Paul guessed that he would be sent there at the government expense, but he was. The Roman Empire had to find a ship for him, and a fit escort for him, too; and he entered the city as an ambassador in bonds. 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. You shall go to Rome, Paul; but you shall go in chains.” (Spurgeon)

 

[Richie]

Romans 1:7-15 Paul's desire to go to Rome


To all who are in Rome: Paul had never been to Rome, and did not found the Roman church. This makes the Book of Romans different because most of Paul’s letters were to churches he founded. It seems the church in Rome began somewhat spontaneously as Christians came to the great city of the Empire and settled there. Acts 2:10 describes how there were people from Rome among the Jews present at the Day of Pentecost, so when they returned home that was a start. Beyond that, the origins of the church in Rome are somewhat obscure, but Christians continually migrated to Rome from all parts of the empire. Paul knew many of the Christians in Rome by name because he mentions them in Romans 16. Even if Paul only knew many of the Roman Christian by acquaintance, he knew two things about them and every true Christian. He knew they were beloved of God and that they were saints.

Called to be saints: “You notice that the words ‘to be’ are put in by the translators; but though they are supplied, they are not really necessary to the sense. These believers in Rome were ‘called saints.’ They were not called because they were saints; but they became saints through that calling.” (Spurgeon)

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. 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.

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. Because of its location, this church had a special visibility and opportunity to glorify Jesus throughout the empire.

For God is my witness is perhaps Paul’s acknowledgment of how easy it is to say you will pray for someone, and then fail to do it. He wanted them to know that he was really praying.

Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers: Paul wanted the Roman Christians to know he was praying for them, and praying for an opportunity to visit them (I may find a way in the will of God to come to you).

I may impart to you . . . that I may be encouraged: Paul’s desire to visit the church in Rome is not merely to give to them, but to receive as well, because Paul realized that in their mutual faith, they have something to give to him.

I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now): For a long time, Paul wanted to visit Rome and was only hindered by external circumstances. Perhaps some enemies of Paul implied he was afraid to go to Rome and preach the gospel in the “major leagues,” in the Empire’s leading city.

I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise: Paul recognized he had something of a debt to Rome. The Roman Empire brought world peace and order, they brought a common culture, and an excellent transportation system to the world. Paul used all these in spreading the gospel, so he can best repay this debt by giving Rome the good news of Jesus Christ.

I am ready: Spurgeon wonders if Paul didn’t use the words “I am ready” as his motto. Almost the first words out of his mouth when he was saved were, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” (Acts 9:6)

Paul was ready to preach and to serve (Rom. 1:15)

Paul was ready to suffer (Acts 21:13)

Paul was ready to do unpleasant work (2 Cor. 10:6)

Paul was ready to die (2 Tim. 4:6)

I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also: This is a bold way of talking. “Talk of your brave men, your great men, O world! Where in all history can you find one like Paul? Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, marched with the protection of their armies to enforce their will upon men. Paul was eager to march with Christ alone to the center of this world’s greatness entrenched under Satan with the word of the cross, which he himself says is to the Jews, and offence; and to Gentiles, foolishness.” (Newell)

“I do not suppose that Paul guessed that he would be sent there at the government expense, but he was. The Roman Empire had to find a ship for him, and a fit escort for him, too; and he entered the city as an ambassador in bonds. 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. You shall go to Rome, Paul; but you shall go in chains.” (Spurgeon)

Dear Brother Rjones,

I'm amazed at your reply. I understand that you have taken a lot of patience and spent time to prepare and post all that you have posted. To tell the truth, I wanted to reply yesterday, but quite frankly I got distracted. I thought, well right now I have some time, since I never visited the Talk Jesus arcade, I decided to visit it. Please don't mind if I'm offending you or making you feel hurt. I'm very very sorry.

I'm very very sorry to have wasted time yesterday.:embarasse I will make sure that I won't repeat this again.

Coming to your post, to tell the truth, all that I learnt about this part (Romans 1:7-15) was from your post. I wasn't able to get much notes regarding these verses (although I'm ready for the next set of verses [Romans 1:16-32] because I have some notes with me). Thank you so much for your post. At the same time, I apologize for the delay I have caused.

For God is my witness, is perhaps Paul’s acknowledgment of how easy it is to say you will pray for someone, and then fail to do it.

As far as this fact is concerned, brother Chad mentioned the very same word about prayer in this thread:

http://www.talkjesus.com/prayer-request/4013-you-really-praying.html

It is easy to say that you will pray for some one and you don't really pray for them.

Shall we go to the next part.

Before we go ahead, could you please tell me the meaning of "Spurgeon".

God bless you.

 

[rjones]

Dear Brother Richie,
No need to apologise. Take as much time as needed. We are not on any time limits here, praise God. Below you will see who Spurgeon is.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, commonly C.H. Spurgeon, (June 19, 1834 – January 31, 1892) was a British Reformed Baptist preacher who remains highly influential amongst Christians of different denominations, among whom he is still known as the "Prince of Preachers." He also founded the charity organization now known as Spurgeon's, that works worldwide with families and children, as well as a famous theological college which after his death was called after him: Spurgeon's College. His sermons were translated into many languages in his lifetime.

I will await your post. God Bless.

 

[sonnyd]

Wonderful study is starting and I am enjoying reading your replies. I have not comments but would like to receive e-mails when new replies are posted. A Brother in Christ, sonnyd
My our Lord bless

 

[Laudite]

In the Name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost- May He guide us to a more perfect understanding of Him and give us thereby inner sustenance. Amen.

I'll pick up at 1:16

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Paul is not ashamed of his faith in God among the world (he is, after all, writing to worldly Rome. Christ's gospel was first given to the Jew, but it applies to the whole world. This is a call to evangelism, as well as a reminder of our equality in Christ (this becomes important later, as the Jew/Greek split in the church is a source of conflict.)

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

First, the source of faith we give to others is our faith. Second, Just life comes only from faith in Christ. (this is a common theme in Romans)

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Note the particularly Jewish view that God is not entirely knowable, but that men forsake even that part which they can comprehend.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

These verses seem just as important today, when men mistake science as their own masterful knowledge, rather than understanding of God. Down this path lies corruption of good and pure things (more on this in chapter two)

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

These lines are very important to many Christian understandings of modern problems. We worship the creature more than the creator when we create idols out of worldly things. We might worship success or popularity or many things that God provides, but replace Him with His gifts. The best example is the alchoholic who grows dependent in his life on the bottle, replacing (in a way) God with Alchohol. Most christian help programs seek to reveal the false nature of the idol and teach reliance on God, not the bottle. Most sucessful AA members will tell you that they are sober not because of their own strength, but because God gives them the strength to live that they sought from alchohol. Many things in life are the same way, even if less obviously destructive.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

So great was their intoxication with the impure that they no longer recognized the nature of their drives, but replaced sex with women with sex with men. I am told that with sufficient intoxication of whatever sort this can happen. Consider the extent of this, that sex becomes sex for the sake of sex, disconnected from what is desirable, but bound only to what is pleasurable.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Seems pretty straightforward to me.


Thank you, brother Jones (I hope I didn't mess that up) for sharing your wisdom. May we all learn to better walk God's path through faith.

 

[rjones]

Great post Brother Laudite

 

[sonnyd]

These lines are very important to many Christian understandings of modern problems. We worship the creature more than the creator when we create idols out of worldly things. We might worship success or popularity or many things that God provides, but replace Him with His gifts. The best example is the alchoholic who grows dependent in his life on the bottle, replacing (in a way) God with Alchohol. Most christian help programs seek to reveal the false nature of the idol and teach reliance on God, not the bottle. Most sucessful AA members will tell you that they are sober not because of their own strength, but because God gives them the strength to live that they sought from alchohol. Many things in life are the same way, even if less obviously destructive.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

So great was their intoxication with the impure that they no longer recognized the nature of their drives, but replaced sex with women with sex with men. I am told that with sufficient intoxication of whatever sort this can happen. Consider the extent of this, that sex becomes sex for the sake of sex, disconnected from what is desirable, but bound only to what is pleasurable.




Thank you, brother Jones (I hope I didn't mess that up) for sharing your wisdom. May we all learn to better walk God's path through faith.

A great Post especially the above portion of the post. Pleasure of any kind when placed before our service to God leads to a form on idolitary.
I am enjoying this study on Romans. I hope to receive much insight from God servants on this book. God bless Sonny.

 

[rjones]

(Rom. 16-17) Paul introduces the theme of his letter: the righteousness of God, as revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am not ashamed of the gospel reveals Paul’s heart. In a sophisticated city like Rome, some might be embarrassed by a gospel centered on a crucified Jewish savior, embraced by the lowest classes of people - but Paul is not ashamed.

For it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes: This is why Paul is not ashamed of a gospel centered on a crucified savior. He knows that the gospel (the good news of Jesus Christ) has inherent power. We do not give it power, we only stop hindering the power of the gospel when we present it effectively.

In particular, Rome thought it knew all about power: “Power is the one thing that Rome boasted of the most. Greece might have its philosophy, but Rome had its power.” (Wiersbe). Despite all their power, the Romans - like all men - were powerless to make themselves righteous before God. The ancient philosopher Seneca called Rome “a cesspool of iniquity” and the ancient writer Juvenal called it a “filthy sewer into which the dregs of the empire flood.”

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed: Simply, the gospel reveals the righteousness of God. This revelation of God’s righteousness comes to those with faith, fulfilling Habakkuk 2:4: The just - that is, the justified ones - shall live by faith.

It is essential to understand exactly what the righteousness of God revealed by the gospel is. It is not speaking of the holy righteousness of God that condemns the guilty sinner, but of the God-kind of righteousness that is given to the sinner who puts their trust in Jesus Christ.

William Barclay explains the meaning of this ancient Greek word dikaioo, which means I justify, and is the root of dikaioun (righteousness): “All verbs in Greek which end in oo . . . always mean to treat, or account or reckon a person as something. If God justifies a sinner, it does not mean that he finds reasons to prove that he was right - far from it. It does not even mean, at this point, that he makes the sinner a good man. It means that God treats the sinner as if he had not been a sinner at all.”

From faith to faith: The idea behind this phrase is probably “by faith from beginning to end.” The NIV translates the phrase from faith to faith as by faith from first to last.

(Rom. 1:18a) The greatest peril facing the human race: the wrath of God.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven: The idea is simple but sobering - God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against the human race, and the human race deserves the wrath of God.

We sometimes object to the idea of the wrath of God because we equate it with human anger, which is motivated by selfish personal reasons or by a desire for revenge. We must not forget that the wrath of God is completely righteous in character.

(Rom.18b-23) Why the human race is guilty before God: demonstrations of our ungodliness and unrighteousness.

Ungodliness refers to man’s offenses against God; unrighteousness to the sins of man against man.

Who suppress the truth in unrighteousness: Mankind does in fact suppress the truth of God. Every truth revealed to man by God has been fought against, disregarded, and deliberately obscured.

His invisible attributes are clearly seen: God has shown us something of His eternal power and divine nature through creation, by the things that are made. He has given a general revelation that is obvious both in creation and within the mind and heart of man.

The universal character of this revelation and the clarity of it leave man without excuse for rejecting it. “Men cannot charge God with hiding himself from them and thus excuse their irreligion and their immorality.” (Lenski)

Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God: The problem is not that man did not know God, but that he did know Him - yet we refused to glorify Him as God. Therefore, mankind is without excuse. We didn’t glorify God; we transformed our conception of Him into forms and images more comfortable to our corrupt and darkened hearts.

“Will you kindly notice, that, according to my text, knowledge is of no use if it does not lead to holy practice? “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)

Nor were thankful: Man’s simple ingratitude against God is shocking. “I cannot say anything much worse of a man than that he is not thankful to those who have been his benefactors; and when you say that he is not thankful to God, you have said about the worst thing you can say of him.” (Spurgeon)

Professing to be wise, they became fools: Our rejection of God’s general revelation has not made us smarter or better. Instead, it makes mankind futile in their thoughts, and makes our foolish hearts darkened - and we become fools.

(Rom. 24-32) The tragic result of human guilt before 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. This phrase is so important Paul repeats it three times in this passage.

Hosea 4:17 expresses the judgmental aspects of God “giving us up,” leaving us to our own sin: Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone.

Who exchanged the truth of God for the lie: In every rebellion and disobedience against God we exchange the truth of God for the lie of our own choosing, and set the creature before the Creator.

Paul uses the definite article; it is not a lie, but the lie. The lie is essentially idolatry - which puts us in the place of God; it is the lie you will be like God. (Genesis 3:5)

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions: Paul wrote this letter from the city of Corinth, where every sort of sexual immorality and ritualistic prostitution was practiced freely. The terminology of Rom. 1:24 refers to this combination of sexual immorality and idolatrous worship.

This begins a passage where Paul describes the sin and corruption of the pagan world with an amazing directness - so direct that Spurgeon thought this passage unfit for public reading. “This first chapter of the Epistle to the Romans is a dreadful portion of the Word of God. I should hardly like to read it all through aloud; it is not intended to be so used. Read it at home, and be startled at the awful vices of the Gentile world.” (Spurgeon)

Paul uses homosexuality - both female and male - as an example of God giving them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. Some say that the Bible nowhere condemns lesbian homosexuality, but the likewise of Rom. 1:27 makes it clear that the sin of homosexuality condemned in Rom. 1:27 is connected to the sin of women mentioned in Rom. 1:26.

Paul doesn’t 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. Paul categorizes the whole section under the idea of vile passions - unhealthy, unholy. Nevertheless, Paul lived in a culture that openly approved of homosexuality. Paul didn’t write this to a culture that agreed with him. He wrote to a culture where homosexuality was accepted as a part of life for both men and women. For some 200 years, men who openly practiced homosexuality, often with young boys, ruled the Roman Empire.

At times, the Roman Empire specifically taxed approved homosexual prostitution and gave boy prostitutes a legal holiday. Legal marriage between same gender couples was recognized, and even some of the emperors married other men. At the very time Paul was writing, Nero was emperor. He took a boy named Sporus and had him castrated, then married him (with a full ceremony), brought him to the palace with a great procession, and made the boy his “wife.” Later, Nero lived with another man, and Nero was the “wife.”

Homosexual practice truly is an abomination in our present culture. Statistics tell us that on average 43% of homosexuals say that 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.

According the Unites 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. Only 28% of homosexuals said that they had known their partners for at least a week before participating in homosexual sex.

Homosexuals often seem to specialize in anonymous sex with no emotional commitment. At one time, London AIDS clinics defined a woman as promiscuous if she had more than six partners in her lifetime. They gave up trying to apply a workable definition to male homosexuals when it became clear that they saw almost no homosexual men who had less than six sexual partners a year.

Receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due: Paul speaks of a penalty for homosexual conduct; Homosexuality has within itself a penalty. This speaks of the self-destructive nature of sin; it often carries within itself it’s own penalty. Sometimes it is the penalty of disease, which is the consequence of violating nature’s order. Sometimes it is the penalty of rebellion, resulting in spiritual emptiness and all it’s ramifications. The term “gay” is wishful thinking; it sends a message that there is something essentially happy and carefree about the homosexual lifestyle - which there is not.

As further judgment, God gives man over to a debased mind, so that things that are disgraceful and sickening are readily accepted and approved. The word debased (or, reprobate in the KJV) meant originally ‘that which has not stood the test’. It was used of coins that were substandard and therefore rejected. The idea is that since man did not “approve” to know God, men came to have an “unapproved” mind.
Our rebellion against God is not only displayed in our actions, but in our thinking. We are genuinely “spiritually insane” in our rebellion against God.

The list in Rom. 1:29-31 gives concrete examples of the kind of things which are not fitting. Notice how “socially acceptable” sins (such as covetousness, envy and pride) are included right along with “socially unacceptable” sins (such as murder and being unloving).

Covetousness is literally the itch for more.

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)

Is envy a small sin? Envy put Jesus on the cross. Pilate knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. (Mt. 27:18)

Proud: “They who are continually exalting themselves and depressing others; magnifying themselves at the expense of their neighbors; and wishing all men to receive their sayings as oracles.” (Clarke)

Those who either practice or approve of these things are worthy of death: they are the objects of the wrath of God.

Where does all this violence, immorality, cruelty and degradation come from? Men have abandoned the true knowledge of God, and the state of society is a reflection of God’s judgment upon them for this.

 

[Richie]

In the Name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost- May He guide us to a more perfect understanding of Him and give us thereby inner sustenance. Amen.

I'll pick up at 1:16

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Paul is not ashamed of his faith in God among the world (he is, after all, writing to worldly Rome. Christ's gospel was first given to the Jew, but it applies to the whole world. This is a call to evangelism, as well as a reminder of our equality in Christ (this becomes important later, as the Jew/Greek split in the church is a source of conflict.)

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

First, the source of faith we give to others is our faith. Second, Just life comes only from faith in Christ. (this is a common theme in Romans)

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Note the particularly Jewish view that God is not entirely knowable, but that men forsake even that part which they can comprehend.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

These verses seem just as important today, when men mistake science as their own masterful knowledge, rather than understanding of God. Down this path lies corruption of good and pure things (more on this in chapter two)

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

These lines are very important to many Christian understandings of modern problems. We worship the creature more than the creator when we create idols out of worldly things. We might worship success or popularity or many things that God provides, but replace Him with His gifts. The best example is the alchoholic who grows dependent in his life on the bottle, replacing (in a way) God with Alchohol. Most christian help programs seek to reveal the false nature of the idol and teach reliance on God, not the bottle. Most sucessful AA members will tell you that they are sober not because of their own strength, but because God gives them the strength to live that they sought from alchohol. Many things in life are the same way, even if less obviously destructive.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

So great was their intoxication with the impure that they no longer recognized the nature of their drives, but replaced sex with women with sex with men. I am told that with sufficient intoxication of whatever sort this can happen. Consider the extent of this, that sex becomes sex for the sake of sex, disconnected from what is desirable, but bound only to what is pleasurable.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Seems pretty straightforward to me.


Thank you, brother Jones (I hope I didn't mess that up) for sharing your wisdom. May we all learn to better walk God's path through faith.

Great post Brother Laudite. Thank you so much for your post.

Dear Brother Richie,
No need to apologise. Take as much time as needed. We are not on any time limits here, praise God. Below you will see who Spurgeon is.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, commonly C.H. Spurgeon, (June 19, 1834 – January 31, 1892) was a British Reformed Baptist preacher who remains highly influential amongst Christians of different denominations, among whom he is still known as the "Prince of Preachers." He also founded the charity organization now known as Spurgeon's, that works worldwide with families and children, as well as a famous theological college which after his death was called after him: Spurgeon's College. His sermons were translated into many languages in his lifetime.

I will await your post. God Bless.

Dear Brother rjones,

Thank you so much for your reply. Here is what I learnt:

What I perceive is that Romans 1:16-17 should be included in the previous context (Romans 1:8-15). Now the context on our focus is on Romans 1:18-32.

Let us look at:

Romans 1:16:For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes Jews first and also Gentiles.

Here Paul the apostle acknowledges his faith and trust in God and the willingness to obey and do God's will. Now look at this:

Romans 1:16: .............Jews first and also Gentiles.

What does this mean?

This means that he is acknowledging the believers of God's holy nation first and then the gentiles, but he didn't mention Gentiles first and the Jews. Even we have to do the same thing as well, because Israel is His nation. I hope, I get more input from you regarding this portion.

Romans 1:17: This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

In the King James version it is mentioned, "The just shall live by faith.". Now let us relate this to Romans 3:22 to get the real meaning behind it.

Romans 3:22:We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.

We shall see more about this when we come to Romans 3.

Now let us go to the actual context.

Romans 1:18: But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves.

It is very much clear and straight forward to us. We need to acknowledge the fact that we are all sinners.

Romans 1:19: For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts.

Now let us focus on the word, 'instinctively'. When we are born and grow up, we gain some of the qualities of our parents. Similarly, the word instinctively is used to prove that we are God's children.

Even though the gentiles didn't have the law of Moses, they knew what was right and wrong because God put that knowledge into their hearts. Now we will come shortly as to why the gentiles rejected God.

Romans 1:20: From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see His invisible qualities His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.

All the things that we see around are nothing but to prove that it is God's creation. That is why Paul the Apostle mentions the fact that they have absolutely no excuse for not Knowing God.

Romans 1:21: Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused.

Now I'm come to the real point I want to focus on the gentiles. They knew God, but why did they create idols. The reason is clearly given in the verse above.

Romans 1:21:.........they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused.

Now when was the earliest form of idolatry ever recorded.

Not India or China or Japan or Rome, but it is recorded during the time of Abraham. Abraham worshiped idols before God called him.

Every one on earth knew God Almighty, even though they were scattered all around the world with different languages and races. But they willfully rejected God and created idols. I will come to this point soon (Romans 1:23).

From this verse, one thing we need to know is that, we feel like sinning when we don't have the thought to glorify God (Please refer Romans 1:24 as well).

Romans 1:22: Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.

They rejected the wisdom of God and called themselves wise. When they rejected the living God, in what way will they acknowledge His wisdom and His ways?

Romans 1:23: And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people, or birds and animals and snakes.

It is obvious indeed from this verse. I would like to share with you something which happened in reality in one village in our state (Andhra Pradesh).

Some people were worshiping snakes. So when they went next to the snake hole, they brought milk and they were performing their rituals and worshiping the snake. When the snake came out of the hole, all of them ran away. My father seen this when he went on duty (He works in Railways). He was laughing when he seen it. He said to his colleagues, "Now is it clear to you about what many of you worship? Why don't you the true living God instead of animals?"

Romans 1:24: So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.

I happened to mention this point earlier, "We feel like sinning when we don't have the thought of Glorifying God."

Romans 1:25: Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they worshiped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever. Amen.

This is the main reason why Paul the Apostle mentioned this:

Romans 1:20: ................So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.

Romans 1:26-27:

Verse 26: That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other.

Verse 27: And the men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved.

Again we have come back to the same point I mentioned for Romans 1:24. In fact these two verses give a clear proof for it.

Romans 1:28: When they refused to acknowledge God, He abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done.

This is the ultimate result of rejecting God. Automatically sin enters our lives when we reject Him.

Romans 1:29-32:

Verse 29: Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.

Verse 30: They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They are forever inventing new ways of sinning and are disobedient to their parents.

Verse 31: They refuse to understand, break their promises, and are heartless and unforgiving.

Verse 32: They are fully aware of God’s death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway. And, worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

Now from children of God, they turned out to become like animals. This is the world today. Just look at the number of people, who reject God from their lives and ultimately behave like animals. They are living based on their instinct. Sometimes, even animals are better. That is the way, people behave today.

I hope you understand what I posted.

God bless you.

 

[Richie]

(Rom. 16-17) Paul introduces the theme of his letter: the righteousness of God, as revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am not ashamed of the gospel reveals Paul’s heart. In a sophisticated city like Rome, some might be embarrassed by a gospel centered on a crucified Jewish savior, embraced by the lowest classes of people - but Paul is not ashamed.

For it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes: This is why Paul is not ashamed of a gospel centered on a crucified savior. He knows that the gospel (the good news of Jesus Christ) has inherent power. We do not give it power, we only stop hindering the power of the gospel when we present it effectively.

In particular, Rome thought it knew all about power: “Power is the one thing that Rome boasted of the most. Greece might have its philosophy, but Rome had its power.” (Wiersbe). Despite all their power, the Romans - like all men - were powerless to make themselves righteous before God. The ancient philosopher Seneca called Rome “a cesspool of iniquity” and the ancient writer Juvenal called it a “filthy sewer into which the dregs of the empire flood.”

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed: Simply, the gospel reveals the righteousness of God. This revelation of God’s righteousness comes to those with faith, fulfilling Habakkuk 2:4: The just - that is, the justified ones - shall live by faith.

It is essential to understand exactly what the righteousness of God revealed by the gospel is. It is not speaking of the holy righteousness of God that condemns the guilty sinner, but of the God-kind of righteousness that is given to the sinner who puts their trust in Jesus Christ.

William Barclay explains the meaning of this ancient Greek word dikaioo, which means I justify, and is the root of dikaioun (righteousness): “All verbs in Greek which end in oo . . . always mean to treat, or account or reckon a person as something. If God justifies a sinner, it does not mean that he finds reasons to prove that he was right - far from it. It does not even mean, at this point, that he makes the sinner a good man. It means that God treats the sinner as if he had not been a sinner at all.”

From faith to faith: The idea behind this phrase is probably “by faith from beginning to end.” The NIV translates the phrase from faith to faith as by faith from first to last.

(Rom. 1:18a) The greatest peril facing the human race: the wrath of God.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven: The idea is simple but sobering - God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against the human race, and the human race deserves the wrath of God.

We sometimes object to the idea of the wrath of God because we equate it with human anger, which is motivated by selfish personal reasons or by a desire for revenge. We must not forget that the wrath of God is completely righteous in character.

(Rom.18b-23) Why the human race is guilty before God: demonstrations of our ungodliness and unrighteousness.

Ungodliness refers to man’s offenses against God; unrighteousness to the sins of man against man.

Who suppress the truth in unrighteousness: Mankind does in fact suppress the truth of God. Every truth revealed to man by God has been fought against, disregarded, and deliberately obscured.

His invisible attributes are clearly seen: God has shown us something of His eternal power and divine nature through creation, by the things that are made. He has given a general revelation that is obvious both in creation and within the mind and heart of man.

The universal character of this revelation and the clarity of it leave man without excuse for rejecting it. “Men cannot charge God with hiding himself from them and thus excuse their irreligion and their immorality.” (Lenski)

Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God: The problem is not that man did not know God, but that he did know Him - yet we refused to glorify Him as God. Therefore, mankind is without excuse. We didn’t glorify God; we transformed our conception of Him into forms and images more comfortable to our corrupt and darkened hearts.

“Will you kindly notice, that, according to my text, knowledge is of no use if it does not lead to holy practice? “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)

Nor were thankful: Man’s simple ingratitude against God is shocking. “I cannot say anything much worse of a man than that he is not thankful to those who have been his benefactors; and when you say that he is not thankful to God, you have said about the worst thing you can say of him.” (Spurgeon)

Professing to be wise, they became fools: Our rejection of God’s general revelation has not made us smarter or better. Instead, it makes mankind futile in their thoughts, and makes our foolish hearts darkened - and we become fools.

(Rom. 24-32) The tragic result of human guilt before 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. This phrase is so important Paul repeats it three times in this passage.

Hosea 4:17 expresses the judgmental aspects of God “giving us up,” leaving us to our own sin: Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone.

Who exchanged the truth of God for the lie: In every rebellion and disobedience against God we exchange the truth of God for the lie of our own choosing, and set the creature before the Creator.

Paul uses the definite article; it is not a lie, but the lie. The lie is essentially idolatry - which puts us in the place of God; it is the lie you will be like God. (Genesis 3:5)

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions: Paul wrote this letter from the city of Corinth, where every sort of sexual immorality and ritualistic prostitution was practiced freely. The terminology of Rom. 1:24 refers to this combination of sexual immorality and idolatrous worship.

This begins a passage where Paul describes the sin and corruption of the pagan world with an amazing directness - so direct that Spurgeon thought this passage unfit for public reading. “This first chapter of the Epistle to the Romans is a dreadful portion of the Word of God. I should hardly like to read it all through aloud; it is not intended to be so used. Read it at home, and be startled at the awful vices of the Gentile world.” (Spurgeon)

Paul uses homosexuality - both female and male - as an example of God giving them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. Some say that the Bible nowhere condemns lesbian homosexuality, but the likewise of Rom. 1:27 makes it clear that the sin of homosexuality condemned in Rom. 1:27 is connected to the sin of women mentioned in Rom. 1:26.

Paul doesn’t 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. Paul categorizes the whole section under the idea of vile passions - unhealthy, unholy. Nevertheless, Paul lived in a culture that openly approved of homosexuality. Paul didn’t write this to a culture that agreed with him. He wrote to a culture where homosexuality was accepted as a part of life for both men and women. For some 200 years, men who openly practiced homosexuality, often with young boys, ruled the Roman Empire.

At times, the Roman Empire specifically taxed approved homosexual prostitution and gave boy prostitutes a legal holiday. Legal marriage between same gender couples was recognized, and even some of the emperors married other men. At the very time Paul was writing, Nero was emperor. He took a boy named Sporus and had him castrated, then married him (with a full ceremony), brought him to the palace with a great procession, and made the boy his “wife.” Later, Nero lived with another man, and Nero was the “wife.”

Homosexual practice truly is an abomination in our present culture. Statistics tell us that on average 43% of homosexuals say that 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.

According the Unites 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. Only 28% of homosexuals said that they had known their partners for at least a week before participating in homosexual sex.

Homosexuals often seem to specialize in anonymous sex with no emotional commitment. At one time, London AIDS clinics defined a woman as promiscuous if she had more than six partners in her lifetime. They gave up trying to apply a workable definition to male homosexuals when it became clear that they saw almost no homosexual men who had less than six sexual partners a year.

Receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due: Paul speaks of a penalty for homosexual conduct; Homosexuality has within itself a penalty. This speaks of the self-destructive nature of sin; it often carries within itself it’s own penalty. Sometimes it is the penalty of disease, which is the consequence of violating nature’s order. Sometimes it is the penalty of rebellion, resulting in spiritual emptiness and all it’s ramifications. The term “gay” is wishful thinking; it sends a message that there is something essentially happy and carefree about the homosexual lifestyle - which there is not.

As further judgment, God gives man over to a debased mind, so that things that are disgraceful and sickening are readily accepted and approved. The word debased (or, reprobate in the KJV) meant originally ‘that which has not stood the test’. It was used of coins that were substandard and therefore rejected. The idea is that since man did not “approve” to know God, men came to have an “unapproved” mind.
Our rebellion against God is not only displayed in our actions, but in our thinking. We are genuinely “spiritually insane” in our rebellion against God.

The list in Rom. 1:29-31 gives concrete examples of the kind of things which are not fitting. Notice how “socially acceptable” sins (such as covetousness, envy and pride) are included right along with “socially unacceptable” sins (such as murder and being unloving).

Covetousness is literally the itch for more.

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)

Is envy a small sin? Envy put Jesus on the cross. Pilate knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. (Mt. 27:18)

Proud: “They who are continually exalting themselves and depressing others; magnifying themselves at the expense of their neighbors; and wishing all men to receive their sayings as oracles.” (Clarke)

Those who either practice or approve of these things are worthy of death: they are the objects of the wrath of God.

Where does all this violence, immorality, cruelty and degradation come from? Men have abandoned the true knowledge of God, and the state of society is a reflection of God’s judgment upon them for this.

Dear Brother Rjones,

Thank you for your post. I haven't read it yet, because now I'm going to college. The time is 7:30 A.M right now here in India. I will read your post tonight and reply.

God bless you.

 

[Paradox]

Hi! Bro. rjones,

I want to join and I have an insight I want to share in the book of Romans
particularly on Chapter 7.

If you allow me to jump on the 7th chapter I will post here about the
Apostle Paul experience in his struggling with sin.

 

[Richie]

Hi! Bro. rjones,

I want to join and I have an insight I want to share in the book of Romans
particularly on Chapter 7.

If you allow me to jump on the 7th chapter I will post here about the
Apostle Paul experience in his struggling with sin.

Dear Brother,

I am very glad that you are joining us in this study. Since you are a new member here, I would like to encourage you to read each and every chapter in this book, because you can learn lots of things from this book.

As far as chapter 7 is concerned, I just don't know what every one has to say, whether to jump to chapter 7 or not, but this is all I have to say to you:

I think it is better that we go in an order, because if we jump to chapter 7 all of a sudden, then we will be perhaps missing the sequence of what Paul the Apostle is talking about. I'm very sorry if I am offending you, but it depends on what all the other members have to say about jumping all of a sudden to chapter 7.

Please do have patience, because it is not just only chapter 7 that deals with matters like sin, grace, etc. In fact the entire book describes God's wonderful grace and mercy and humbles us to worship him in spirit and in truth. We will definitely go to chapter 7 and deal with it.

Right now we have completed chapter 1. Please see the posts, I hope it will be a blessing to you. Some part of chapter 1 talks about sin in human life. Please see this entire thread.

I would like to hear from you. Please don't get offended and discouraged by what I said. I appreciate the interest you have, to participate in this study. We will definitely give you a chance to post on chapter 7, but please have some patience.

God bless you.

 

[Paradox]

Ok, I will just follow the thread.

For the moment I will my mouth until the discussion arrives on that part.

Right now I actually adding to my personal files some parts of the thread.

Thanks and Praise the Lord.

 

[Richie]

Ok, I will just follow the thread.

For the moment I will my mouth until the discussion arrives on that part.

Right now I actually adding to my personal files some parts of the thread.

Thanks and Praise the Lord.

Alright brother, but I just want to encourage you to join us in studying each and every chapter in this book.

God bless you.