Book of Romans.

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true_believer

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Sep 24, 2020
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#1

Nehemiah6

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Jul 18, 2017
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#2
Any other resources or ideas on how to grow spiritually from Romans are appreciated.
The study of Romans is essential for all Christians since it provides us with the underlying truths of the Gospel. It also provides practical teaching.
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
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#3

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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#4
Throw out your commentaries...
That sounds rather drastic. There are some excellent commentaries on Romans, but Christians need to use commentaries with discernment. One needs to know the essential theology of the commentator to begin with. Since Romans DOES NOT teach Replacement Theology, and many commentators hold to that view, one needs to be very careful and discerning.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
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#5
When I am looking in my documents for a Scripture panel url,
I notice many more from Romans than probably any other book :)






















:D
 
B

Blackpowderduelist

Guest
#6
B

Blackpowderduelist

Guest
#7
I watch theologians on youtube quite a bit.
 
Jun 11, 2020
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#8
With more spare time during this challenging year, it has given many of us extra time to engage in more Bible reading.
I've been delving into the Book of Romans repeatedly.
Any other resources or ideas on how to grow spiritually from Romans are appreciated.

https://medium.com/transformed-faith/the-book-of-romans-3885a4a0a127
The Book of Romans was written by Paul because at Rome, before he ever got there, a Church was formed. But, because the Church is made of ex-Jews and ex-Gentiles (Eph.2:15)❃, the ex-Jews were refusing to meet with the ex-Gentiles based on the Law. So Paul is provoked to lay down the judicial grounds of salvation for BOTH to see.

Chapters 1 - 3 show that the Nations will be judged because they refused to acknowledge God in two proofs. (i) His creation, and (ii) their consciences. The Jew will be judged by Law. BOTH are concluded as condemned

Chapter 4 establishes that it does not help to claim righteousness by Law, and that God equally blesses men with righteousness that is given by faith, just as Abraham did not have Law but is counted righteous

Chapter 5 deals with other problems that both Gentile and Jew face. We can have righteousness imputed, but still be enemies of God. So we need peace and reconciliation. Then, we need to be justified positionally as well as dispositionally

Chapter 6 gives the solution how God can deal with, and even live in a man with a corrupted flesh - by applying Christ's death and resurrection to him by the sign of Baptism

Chapter 7 is pointed at the Jew who might claim his righteousness by the Law. He concludes that even if one has Law, he cnanot keep it because another law, which is stronger, dwells in the flesh

Chapter 8 is the solution to Chapter 7 - the Law of Christ's divine life exercising authority from the human spirit to over come the Law of sin and death in the flesh.

Chapter 9 - 11 answer a logical question that must arise from Chapters 1 to 8. If all men are condemned and counted as sinners, and the solution is Romans Chapter 8, what will become of Israel? They are concluded under sin, they failed to keep the Law, they refused and murdered their Messiah and refuse to believe the disciples of Jesus. The problem for God is even bigger. His honor hangs on the answer. God gave Abraham a Covenant by oath that Israel would gain the Land of Canaan for "an everlasting possession". But He also gave a Covenant of Law some 430 years later that would cause Israel to be kicked out of that Land. This had happened. So if the Israelite is concluded under sin, cannot establish his righteousness by Law, does not take the offer of Jesus until the times of the Gentiles are full, WHAT HOPE IS THERE FOR ISRAEL AND WHAT ABOUT THE COVENANT OF PROMISES AND THE PROMISES OF ALL THE PROPHETS?

It is no small dilemma. On what basis will God fulfill the Covenant of Promise while the Covenant of Law, PLUS Israel's refusal and murder of their Messiah, will drive them out of the Land? The answer is that God has established a judicial ground to show mercy to Israel. A Tree in Parable is a king and his Kingdom (see Judges 9, Daniel 4 and Ezekiel 31). The Olive Tree depicts Christ's coming Kingdom ON EARTH in which the Church rule, and Israel is restored to their Land and hosts Emmanuel among them.

Chapters 12 - 16, like most of Paul's letters, show how we must APPLY the doctrinal build-up of the first Chapters. They address the practical fulfilling of an established doctrine.

I would advise you to ignore anyone who tells you to discard commentaries. The Lord has given teachers as a gift to the Church. Use them. There are also false teachers. But you have two advantages against them. (i) You need to hear all opinions to be educated. The good must be set alongside the bad for you to choose. I know this takes time, but you must settle things in your mind. One-sided teaching is just brainwashing. (ii) The Lord is deeply interested that you "come to the knowledge of the faith". He might allow you to be wrong for some time, but if you approach His Word humbly, with prayer and honestly (not adding or subtracting), you will be blessed with the truth in the end. Remember, He has all authority in heaven and on earth. He has the power to give you the truth despite false teachers. Just honor His Word by being accurate, and admitting that you don't understand something if you don't.

❃ I use the term "ex-" because at the moment of faith and confession by mouth, the believer becomes a New Creature (2nd Cor.5:17). His past is wiped out and all things are new - including his ethnicity (Gal.3:28; Col.3:11)
 

true_believer

Well-known member
Sep 24, 2020
940
360
63
#9
The Book of Romans was written by Paul because at Rome, before he ever got there, a Church was formed. But, because the Church is made of ex-Jews and ex-Gentiles (Eph.2:15)❃, the ex-Jews were refusing to meet with the ex-Gentiles based on the Law. So Paul is provoked to lay down the judicial grounds of salvation for BOTH to see.

Chapters 1 - 3 show that the Nations will be judged because they refused to acknowledge God in two proofs. (i) His creation, and (ii) their consciences. The Jew will be judged by Law. BOTH are concluded as condemned

Chapter 4 establishes that it does not help to claim righteousness by Law, and that God equally blesses men with righteousness that is given by faith, just as Abraham did not have Law but is counted righteous

Chapter 5 deals with other problems that both Gentile and Jew face. We can have righteousness imputed, but still be enemies of God. So we need peace and reconciliation. Then, we need to be justified positionally as well as dispositionally

Chapter 6 gives the solution how God can deal with, and even live in a man with a corrupted flesh - by applying Christ's death and resurrection to him by the sign of Baptism

Chapter 7 is pointed at the Jew who might claim his righteousness by the Law. He concludes that even if one has Law, he cnanot keep it because another law, which is stronger, dwells in the flesh

Chapter 8 is the solution to Chapter 7 - the Law of Christ's divine life exercising authority from the human spirit to over come the Law of sin and death in the flesh.

Chapter 9 - 11 answer a logical question that must arise from Chapters 1 to 8. If all men are condemned and counted as sinners, and the solution is Romans Chapter 8, what will become of Israel? They are concluded under sin, they failed to keep the Law, they refused and murdered their Messiah and refuse to believe the disciples of Jesus. The problem for God is even bigger. His honor hangs on the answer. God gave Abraham a Covenant by oath that Israel would gain the Land of Canaan for "an everlasting possession". But He also gave a Covenant of Law some 430 years later that would cause Israel to be kicked out of that Land. This had happened. So if the Israelite is concluded under sin, cannot establish his righteousness by Law, does not take the offer of Jesus until the times of the Gentiles are full, WHAT HOPE IS THERE FOR ISRAEL AND WHAT ABOUT THE COVENANT OF PROMISES AND THE PROMISES OF ALL THE PROPHETS?

It is no small dilemma. On what basis will God fulfill the Covenant of Promise while the Covenant of Law, PLUS Israel's refusal and murder of their Messiah, will drive them out of the Land? The answer is that God has established a judicial ground to show mercy to Israel. A Tree in Parable is a king and his Kingdom (see Judges 9, Daniel 4 and Ezekiel 31). The Olive Tree depicts Christ's coming Kingdom ON EARTH in which the Church rule, and Israel is restored to their Land and hosts Emmanuel among them.

Chapters 12 - 16, like most of Paul's letters, show how we must APPLY the doctrinal build-up of the first Chapters. They address the practical fulfilling of an established doctrine.

I would advise you to ignore anyone who tells you to discard commentaries. The Lord has given teachers as a gift to the Church. Use them. There are also false teachers. But you have two advantages against them. (i) You need to hear all opinions to be educated. The good must be set alongside the bad for you to choose. I know this takes time, but you must settle things in your mind. One-sided teaching is just brainwashing. (ii) The Lord is deeply interested that you "come to the knowledge of the faith". He might allow you to be wrong for some time, but if you approach His Word humbly, with prayer and honestly (not adding or subtracting), you will be blessed with the truth in the end. Remember, He has all authority in heaven and on earth. He has the power to give you the truth despite false teachers. Just honor His Word by being accurate, and admitting that you don't understand something if you don't.

❃ I use the term "ex-" because at the moment of faith and confession by mouth, the believer becomes a New Creature (2nd Cor.5:17). His past is wiped out and all things are new - including his ethnicity (Gal.3:28; Col.3:11)
This is a wonderful overview! Thank you.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,256
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#10
Chapters 1 - 3 show that the Nations will be judged because they refused to acknowledge God in two proofs. (i) His creation, and (ii) their consciences. The Jew will be judged by Law. BOTH are concluded as condemned.
Aren't all not covered by grace through faith in the shed righteous blood of Christ judged and condemned by the law?
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,256
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#11





I missed these the first time :giggle: There are others, too! :D
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#12
For years I spent my study time in the new testament, and the book of Romans seemed the fulfillment of the four gospels. The old testament was a puzzle to me, even the Psalms. When the Lord told Joshua to get rid of the Canaanites, I gave the whole testament up as a lost cause.

Then I found someone who could explain that testament, so I finally could understand such as that God wanting evil in the world destroyed, not people. This person explained the new testament as the fulfillment of the old testament.

All my study of the new testament, and of especially Romans, was made so much clearer to me when I understood what Romans fulfilled.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#14
With more spare time during this challenging year, it has given many of us extra time to engage in more Bible reading.
I've been delving into the Book of Romans repeatedly.
Any other resources or ideas on how to grow spiritually from Romans are appreciated.

https://medium.com/transformed-faith/the-book-of-romans-3885a4a0a127
Very wise use of your time. I salute you. I have found that the best way to learn is to write it down and make notes just like you were were going to teach it in adult Sunday School. Don't even have to save them. Just the writing down of it forces your brain to organize and learn. It helps things stick, even for those who have trouble memorizing. Be VERY careful of other resources. Let the Spirit guide you...

John
16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.
16:15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.
 
Jun 11, 2020
1,370
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#16
Aren't all not covered by grace through faith in the shed righteous blood of Christ judged and condemned by the law?
Let's examine Romans 2:11-16.

11 "For there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness
, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."


The Law was only given to Israel. It is designed, in its entirety (ca 613 laws) to qualify Israel to have a holy God dwelling with them. It has four main pillars
  1. to make Israel ritually clean to host Jehovah in their midst
  2. to show God's righteousness and justice
  3. to give man his due
  4. to give the earth its due
Point number 1 contains ordinances like what to eat and what to wear and how to be clean for the service of God in His House - the Tabernacle or Temple. Point number two includes what we would call moral law. No blasphemy against God, nor hurting your neighbor. Point number 3 protects men and punishes evildoers who would hurt society regulates the Sabbath for rest and the Jubilee to return the Israelite to his rightful possessions after 50 years, etc. Point number 4 regulates the Land's Sabbaths etc. The Jew had everything written on Tables of Stone. Not so the Gentiles.

The Gentiles have no such requirements because God does not live among them. But the Gentile has two sources that regulate "things contained in the Law". Note the language in verse 14. "Things CONTAINED in the Law". That is, not ALL of the Law, but SOME things that make up some laws. How does he know these things? by (i) his conscience, and (ii) he has eaten from the Tree of KNOWLEDGE of Good and Evil. Why does the killer come at night? He knows instinctively that it is a sin. Why do the couple who commit adultery sneak to a motel? Because they instinctively know that adultery is evil. Now, the Gentile is not bothered by his conscience for eating bacon, or shrimps. But he is bothered when drives away from a hit and run. He is not bothered with wearing wool and linen in one garment, but he is bothered when he plans to abduct someone's child. He is not bothered by ALL the Law - just some things that God made formal for the Israelite. His conscience and his intimate knowledge of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil make his "law" (verse 15).

It is on this he will be judged. And it is not restricted to the Gentiles. Let us examine two scriptures written to believers - born again Christians. In 1st Timothy 4:1;

1 "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving"


Here, God shows that the forbidding of marriage (which is consummated and energized by sex), and the forbidding of foods is a "doctrine of demons". And men who teach these things (the Roman Catholic Church is the chief culprit) know they are wrong and so must "sear" or cauterize their consciences. But Paul, also under inspiration, says that if you go with a newly born Christian whose conscience tells him that eating food offered to idols is wrong - it IS wrong for him, but not for you (1st Cor.8:4-7). The coscience is a part of the human spirit, and so BOTH the Gentile and the Christian are subject to it (Rom.13:5).

So to answer your question directly, the Gentiles are not under the Law. But parts of the Law address their consciences like murder, theft and adultery. And God will judge them on this prompts of conscience.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,256
29,538
113
#17
Let's examine Romans 2:11-16.

11 "For there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law:
and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things
contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing
witness
, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."
That says the law is in written in their hearts, though...
 
Jun 11, 2020
1,370
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#18
That says the law is in written in their hearts, though...
I think that an example is the best answer here. The Law regulates the "Day of Atonement" in Leviticus Chapter 16:1-28. In verse 16 it reads ;

16 "And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness."

It is at once clear that this Law could not apply to an Eskimo in Greenland, or even an Egyptian on the other side of the Red Sea. The both have no approved Tabernacle. Neither do they have an High Priest of the family of Aaron of Levi. The "atonement" is "because of the uncleanness of the children of ISRAEL", not the Canaanite, or the sons of Gog. Even if some Eskimos and sons of Gog sneaked into the camp of Israelites, atonement is decreed by God to be ONLY for Israel. Added to this, the ordinances of the Law form the CONDITIONS of a COVENANT. And this Covenant of Law is also ONLY made with the sons of Israel.

If you and I went down to the local Hummer dealership and I made a contract to buy one, you could do what you like but the contract would not include you. You might be my friend, you might scream and shout, you may take it to the Supreme Court, but the panel of Judges would all say the same thing: "The Contract is NOT made with you". But you would be glad, when, a year later I defaulted on my payments and went to jail because that was the penalty of the Contract. You would not go to jail because the Contract does not include you.

So, that is why the wording is;

14 "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another"
(Romans 2:14-15)
  • The Gentiles do NOT have the Law (twice in verse 14)
  • The Gentiles do things contained in the Law
  • This is because the "work" of the Law is written on their hearts. What "work", may we ask? The answer is, "Work" that provokes the conscience, and which needs excusing.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,703
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#20
There is much in the Book of Romans that is a direct help to the Church today. Not just for the Jews. Every time I read Romans, I learn anew the vast depths of teaching found within it's verses.