Romans 1:18-23

Romans 1: 18-23 – Text will be King James for this online study. Class versions will be ESV/HCSB.

Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 

Rom 1:19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 

Rom 1:20  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: 

Rom 1:21  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. 

Rom 1:22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 

Rom 1:23  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. 

Main Point: Mankind has known about God by the things He has created, but idolatry has been mankind’s preference over the obvious power of Jehovah. This is not an excuse for ignoring Jehovah God. (We can assume due to the idolatry inference that he is addressing Gentiles). Why would he say this?

10. Write down all the things the wrath of God is revealed again and explain what those things are.  Ungodliness, unrighteousness, which ultimately suppress the truth. In this context it will be ignoring the deity of Jehovah and replacing Him with all manner of manmade gods.

11. How has God been made plain to the world? Explain how these things are clearly seen. The basic understanding of a created world demands a creator. This verse clearly pierces the heart of current “science” whose basic objective is to remove the instinctual seeking of God by removing the perceived possibility of any god. When one frees the mind of talking heads and simply, honestly looks at creation….God is the only honest answer (truth). The complexities of life are only now becoming apparent and most science against God is crumbling under its own weight of failures.

12. What are the two sins that lead to the immorality of the Gentiles? What lessons do we learn from this? They knew God, but did not glorify Him, or thank Him. First one must consider these truths….about who God is and what he has done….His power and fully encompassing wisdom. And, how He has supplied us with all we need. The scriptures are full of examples of strong characters who give themselves credit when it is God who has performed great deeds through them. It is easy to move from the paradigm of humility. This is why God asks us to remind ourselves of Him….through prayer…worship…Lord’s Supper

13. What will happen to us when we commit these sins? Claiming to be wise, we become fools. It’s interesting how many in our culture point a finger at Christians as fools…scoffing, mocking and ridiculing. Then turn and bow to the new gods of today. Seeking confirmation of their biases based in failing sciences and mock intellect. We should not however become angry when these people come after us with their spite. Spite and insult is the mark of someone whose conscience is haunting them. They are to be pitied, and helped if they are willing. They live in perpetual fear.

14. Explain verse 23. What is Paul describing the Gentiles doing? Paul is describing what many humans do to get God out of their hearts/minds. They take a wonderful, perfect God, fully worthy of glory….fully worthy of worship…and turn Him into something carnal. This is done for a multitude of reasons, but it starts with a selfish heart. Self serving. Self aggrandizing. Self motivated. Remove God from the equation, and do whatever you want. Many people see freedom as being “free from a deity” whose only purpose is to control and punish. These actions can be motivated by a view of religions’ over-zealous need to control peoples’ lives. The gospel will set us free. What is ignored is that one God is being replace by another god. Either way, we serve something…it is inescapable.

Additional:

18) UNGODLINESS: G766 - From G765; impiety, that is, (by implication) wickedness:

      UNRIGHTEOUSNESS: G93 - ad-ee-kee'-ah From G94; (legal) injustice (properly the quality, by implication the act); moral wrongfulness (of charater, life or act): - iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong.

      TRUTH G225- al-ay'-thi-a From G227; truth: - true, (G227 – not concealing)

21) HONOR (glorify) G1392: dox-ad'-zo From G1391; to render (or esteem) glorious

      THANKFUL _G2168_ yoo-khar-is-teh'-o From G2170; to be grateful, that is, (actually) to express gratitude (towards); specifically to say grace at a meal:

Romans 1:8-17

Romans 1: 8-17 – Text will be King James for this online study. Class versions will be ESV/HCSB.

Rom 1:8  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 

Rom 1:9  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 

Rom 1:10  Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 

Rom 1:11  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 

Rom 1:12  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 

Rom 1:13  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 

Rom 1:14  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 

Rom 1:15  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 

Rom 1:16  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.
Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 

Main Point: Paul longs to visit them for mutual benefit. He has planned on it. He is ready to preach to them.

2. Why is Paul thanking God?The faith of the Roman church precedes Paul’s visit. He does not need to go there to know it exists. This reveals the importance of a “tight” network of congregations. Everywhere Paul went and he spoke with someone who knew this congregation, he heard good things. He says “throughout the world”…a little hyperbole for “his world”, which was fairly extensive.

3. What is Paul praying for?This appears to be both an emotional and a pragmatic want. The latter to 1) share in their faith (give/take) - 2) Confirm their direction is solid (established/strengthened). This may indicate that perhaps Paul may have been hearing some things he feels need to be addressed or, perhaps he just knows that opposition is everywhere.

4. Explain Paul’s obligation (vs. 14). What lessons do we learn from this?Paul throws a net over his audience.He explains his position as one who owes a debt…to anyone, regardless of societal status! (This statement is categorically leaving out the Hebrews. Why?)Most specifically, Paul was addressing Greek/Roman thought. Everything outside of the Roman sphere (language etc) was considered barbarian. After all, Rome was the center of the civilized world. It was rich, and full of culture, knowledge, schools. Market places were full of people who did nothing more than “argue” philosophy etc. Paul tells them, this is for you. On the flip side, if you happened to be a poor servant with a “Barbarian” background, he is addressing you too! By stating this, Paul is demolishing any class predisposition that may have existed within the church….before he even starts to say anything!
5. Why is Paul not ashamed of the gospel?Short answer, it is the power of God that results in salvation. The bigger question is why did Paul feel the need to say this? And why did he feel the need to point to the fact that it is by God?
6. Who is the gospel for?Everyone!

7. Explain verse 17. Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4. How does the quotation of Habakkuk go toward Paul’s point in verse 17?The Habakkuk context is God explaining to Habakkuk that he rejects arrogance and accepts the humble who exhibit faith. These are the acceptable children to God. The then-current context is the gospel what Paul is speaking of. IT is where the righteousness of God is found….a righteousness that affords salvation. Again, why would Paul open with this?

8. What is the righteousness of God?The Gospel….the offering of His Son.
9. What does it mean that the “the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith?There may be many possible answers for this. I feel bound to the context. The context starts with 14) Paul wishes to preach the gospel to Rome: Gentiles, Greeks, Barbarians, wise, unwise. Each soul’s journey will look a little different than the next. The destination is the same, but each walk will look different….faith to faith.

Additional:

9) ceasing G89- Adverb from G88; uninterruptedly, that is, without omission

11) long -  G1971 - From G1909 and ποθέωpotheō (to yearn); to dote upon
      spiritual – G4152 - From G4151; non-carnal, that is, (humanly) ethereal
       gift – G5486 From G5483; a (divine) gratuity, that is, deliverance (from danger or passion); (specifically) a (spiritual) endowment, that is, (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty: - (free) gift.
established – G4741 From a presumed derivative of G2476 (like G4731); to set fast, that is, (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (figuratively) to confirm: - fix, (e-) stablish, stedfastly set, strengthen.

14) debtor – G3781 From G3784; an ower, that is, a person indebted;

16) salvation- G4991 Feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly abstract) noun; rescue or safety

17) righteousness – G1343 From G1342; equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification

Romans 1:1-7

Romans 1:1-7 – Text will be King James for this online study. Class versions will be ESV/HCSB.

Rom 1:1  Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 

Rom 1:2  (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 

Rom 1:3  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 

Rom 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 

Rom 1:5  By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 

Rom 1:6  Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 

Rom 1:7  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Main Point: Paul builds an authoritative opening. He also builds a triangulated structure with the Godhead at the top, the apostles as the sent (set apart) and the Romans as the beneficiaries.

1.       Notice that the author section is six verses long. Answer the following questions concerning this extended author section:

a.    When was the gospel promised? 2) Beforehand- 4279 Middle voice from G4253 and G1861; to promise of old:

b.      Who was the gospel promised through? God’s prophets. David, Daniel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Hosea, Ezra, Micah, Zecheriah, Haggai, Joel and more!

c.       What is the gospel concerning? 3) His Son. A physical descendant of David. Also elevated spiritually.

d.      How was Jesus declared to be the son of God? 4) With power. According to the SPIRIT OF HOLINESS, b y (his) resurrection from the dead!

e.      What have we received through Jesus? Grace (favor). This apostleship was unique to 13 individuals and nobody else. The purpose of apostleship does extend to those who are called for this service. The intent of apostleship does extend to allChristians.

f.        Why have we received these things through Jesus? To bring about  THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH for the sake of His Name among all the nations. This was the charge to the original thirteen men. Over time the word has spread worldwide in the generic sense, but there are still locations where people have never heard the word. There are places in our communities that are void of God’s influence. The charge to the apostles is the charge to every Christian in that sense.

Additional: Note the powerful word usage here: References to God/Jesus some sixteen times when you include personal pronouns. Paul goes directly to the POWER of God: The ancient prophesies AND the fulfillment of those prophesies BOTH in the physical AND spiritual realm. Jesus conquered Death! (this could only be accomplished by God…..and he indicates in verse one, this is the One who SET ME APART.

Promise: This word translated as “promise” simply means to announce or assert. God does not need to promise in the English sense which includes the idea of a vow. His word is that reliable.

4) Declared:  3724: From G3725; to mark out or bound (“horizon”), that is, (figuratively) to appoint, decree, specify – Paul again invokes the authority of God…He is the one making this declaration. The latter part of verse 4 supports that idea, explaining the resurrection (literally standing up again from the dead) as a FORCE (power) that embodies (the spirit) a sacred action….only doable by God.

5) Paul again iterates his unique position with God/Jesus. This verse also opens the dialog for later dissertation concerning Gentiles. Either way he manages to circle all things back to God, regardless who receives he message. (obedience-attentive listening – as a subordinate)

Grace: in both instances here: 5485 From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying) – 5463 means “to be full of cheer or happy” ….consider how this saves us…

Introduction

Cursory Reading Notes

LET'S READ!

It's a good idea before any study to read through the material as light reading....then perhaps again with notes. This post will include my "first-thoughts" with this type of cursory reading.

It's always interesting to see what happens to these thoughts after some deep-dive study!

Chapter One: Authority from God. Paul chosen, his readers are chosen. Paul has heard of their faith and wants to visit them to help them....but has not had the opportunity yet. God loves the faithful. Those who are outside of knowing him (faith) have turned to immoral living and God has given up on them. They know better, but ignore God.
Chapter Two: God doesn't have favorites, so if you act like the heathen, your judgement will be just as severe. Gentiles who practice righteousness are more righteous before God than the one under the law who is disobedient....and brings shame on the name of the Lord.
Chapter Three: God's righteousness exposes evil, but that should not be an incentive to practice evil. There is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile, both are capable of terrible sin. Obedience to a system of law is not what make us righteous. Our faith (in Jesus) will be counted as righteous without regard to law/sin. All of us have fallen short.
Chapter Four: Abraham was found faithful and righteous before his circumcision and thus shows that all humans have this gift from God (to be found righteous via faith). The faith of Abraham and the positive relationship with God that this faith produces is extended to all (who will practice it). Both Jew and Greek (Gentile)
Chapter Five: This gift is found in Jesus Christ. He is the catalyst for the mercy/grace extended to us by God. Jesus died for us even when we were enemies and lost...in Him we have our hope. God's gift of life (through Jesus) is far superior to Adam's sin and subsequent reign of sin/death over man.
Chapter Six: we are dead to sin...stop sinning! When we died with Christ in baptism, we died to the slavery of sin. 
Chapter Seven: We are dead to the law and sin. The paradigm of law/sin is destined to confuse the one who is seeking to please God. While the law is good, it reminds us of sin.
Chapter Eight: Jesus has given us the Spirit to live spiritually, apart from law and sin. Through the spirit we can defeat sin. Through Jesus and the Spirit, nothing can separate us from God.
Chapter Nine: Paul admits sorrow over his people's rejection of Jesus. He then goes on to describe how God chooses those He favors based on their faith.....which includes Gentiles.
Chapter Ten: Paul re-iterates his desire to see Israel accept the covenant of Jesus. He goes on to re-iterate how God will accept those who have faith and are not physically Hebrew. "All who call out to the Lord will be saved."
Chapter Eleven: Gentile, do not be proud of your salvation. The Jew lost the Lord and you can too! You were grafted in place of the Jew who rejects the Christ, but God will graft them back in when their jealousy drives them to a faithful position before God. You do not support them, they support you!
Chapter Twelve: Each of us have value and a purpose given by God. Do not think too highly of yourselves. Be at peace with one another.
Chapter Thirteen: Be respectful to the government, pay taxes. Love each other....love your neighbor, do not practice debauchery. Draw Jesus near to you to avoid sin.
Chapter Fourteen: Let each of us work out our salvation. Do not judge another person's faith (over incidental idiosyncrasies). Respect others when it comes to practicing liberties. Live with a clear conscience.
Chapter Fifteen: Accept one another. The stronger are to be patient with the weak (in faith). Jesus is the perfect example of servitude. Gentiles are included in His plan. Paul has been blessed by God to preach to the Gentiles (establishing new congregations). Paul wants to go to Rome after delivering the gift to the saints in Jerusalem.
Chapter Sixteen: Be sure to greet specific (named) Christian friends. Stay away from trouble makers!