Romans

1

Paul is separated to the gospel of God. Christ is prophesied in the scriptures; he is of the seed of David (low Christology) yet also the Son of God (high Christology). Paul desires to come to Rome. The gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. The just (those declared righteous) shall live by faith. The unrighteous (those who give in to lust, envy, malice, and vile passions such as homosexuality) must face the wrath of God.


2

Those who judge others are themselves condemned. The moralist presumes upon the goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering of God, and eschews humble repentance. God will judge the moralist because their works also fall short of God’s perfect standard. God is impartial, judging those who have heard the law, and those who have not. Gentiles may by nature act according to the law, being a law unto themselves. Jews boast of the law, but the law condemns them. Circumcision of the heart, in the Spirit, is more important than circumcision in the flesh.


3

The Jews have advantages – the oracles of God were committed to them. The fact that some Jews did not believe does not mean that God’s faithfulness has no effect. Man’s unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God – does this mean we can be sinful, so good may come? Certainly not! The Old Testament witnesses to the universal depravity and guilt of mankind – citations from Psalms are made. The law cannot save us from our sin and the penalty it deserves. An alternative was for God to reveal his righteousness has been made through Jesus Christ. Sinners (everyone) are justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. The death of Jesus satisfies the righteous judgment of God. A man (Jewish or gentile) is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Does this mean the law is irrelevant?


4

Abraham was not justified by works, but declared righteous through faith. Works involves earning merit, whereas grace is a freely received gift. Paul quotes Psalm 32, about sins covered, and not imputed. Abraham was counted righteous before he was circumcised; he was not counted righteous because he was circumcised. (Law – here the law of circumcision – is a sign of righteousness, not a cause of it.) God’s promise to Abraham was based on the principle of faith, not law or works. Our inability to keep the law, however, means that it becomes a vehicle of God’s wrath towards us. (Faith is related to grace in the same way works is related to law. Grace and law are the principles, and faith and works are the means by which we pursue those principles for our relationship with God.) If we believe that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, faith shall be imputed to us in the same way that it was to Abraham.


5

We access grace through faith. We glory in tribulations, which inspire hope. Christ died for the ungodly; we are saved from wrath through him, and reconciled to God. Death reigned from Adam to Moses, although sin was not imputed in the absence of the law. God’s grace through Christ is greater than Adam’s offence. By one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. The law makes man’s sin clearer and greater by clearly contrasting it with God’s holy standard. The law makes sin abound, but God’s grace abounds still more.


6

Shall we therefore continue in sin, that grace may abound? Certainly not! Baptism brings about our death to sin – we too experience a kind of resurrection. We are dead to sin, but alive to God in Jesus Christ. We are slaves not of sin, but of righteousness. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.


7

The law has authority only over the living – eg a wife is not bound to her husband by law if he dies. In the same way, when our sin dies, we are no longer bound to the law that condemns us. We should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. The law is not sin – on the contrary, it is holy – but it does reveal and define sin. The law shows us our guilt and it excites our rebellion, bringing forth more sin and death. The spiritual law cannot help a carnal man. The good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practise. Sin controls our actions in despite of our wills. It is only by looking outside ourselves, to Christ, that we can escape sin’s controlling influence.


8

Those who walk according to the Spirit rather than according to the flesh are not condemned. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Our debt is the Spirit, not to the law. Living in the Spirit means living as a child of God, becoming adopted, and being joint heirs with Christ. Present sufferings are as nothing compared to future glories. Creation, which sin has also corrupted, will likewise be renewed. We who have the firstfruits of the Spirit inwardly groan but also anticipate our redemption. When we are weak, and do not know exactly how we should pray, God Himself (through the Holy Spirit) helps by making intercession for us. God foreknows, predestines, calls, justifies and glorifies. If God is with us, who can be against us? Noone can bring a charge against God’s elect.


9

God expresses sorrow at the obstinacy of the Jews. We are not chosen on the basis of works – God chose Jacob over Esau before either of them were born. The Pharaoh’s heart was hardened by God. God deals with individuals in either mercy or judgment, and no one has the right to find fault with his proceedings. The prophet Hosea (in Hosea 2:23 and 1:10) declares God’s right to choose, calling those who previously were not called His people. Isaiah (in Isaiah 10:23 and 1:9) declares God’s right to choose a remnant among Israel for salvation. Israel is cast off from God’s goodness and righteousness because it does not seek it by faith.


10

Israel seeks to establish its own righteousness rather than submit to the righteousness of God. Whoever, Jew or gentile alike, calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. It is necessary to preach the gospel. Isaiah foretold Israel’s rejection of the gospel in Isaiah 53:10. Isaiah: ‘I was found by those who did not seek Me’ (Isaiah 65:1). God stretches out his hand to a disobedient Israel.


11

Has God cast away Israel? Certainly not! There is a faithful remnant, as there was in the time of Elijah. God chooses a remnant according to grace. God had a specific purpose to fulfill in allowing Israel to stumble – so that salvation would come to the Gentiles. Israel is the root of a tree, whose branches can be removed or grafted on. God’s plan for Israel includes their eventual restoration. God’s love and calling for Israel still endures. The Gentile Christians came from disobedience; yet God showed them mercy, in part through the disobedience of Israel.


12

Bodies are a living sacrifice to God. You will be transformed by your renewal in the Spirit. Be humble. As a body has many members, so the church has diverse gifts of the Spirit, such a prophesying, ministering, teaching. Treat each other with kindness and toleration. Bless those who persecute you. Do not seek revenge.


13

Governments derive their authority from God, and must therefore be obeyed. Christians should do good and be good citizens, paying taxes. Love your neighbour. Let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.


14

Receive those who are weak in faith – spiritual maturity is not a requirement for fellowship. Judging our brother is inappropriate because we are not their masters. Noone has the right to judge someone for particular practices or observances, because they are done from conscience. Judging our brother is inappropriate because we will all face judgment before Jesus. Paul is convinced that no food is of itself unclean, but has no quarrels with anyone who thinks differently. Quarrels over food are destructive and unprofitable.


15

We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak. May the Romans be filled with love for others and joy and peace by the Holy Spirit. Paul glories in the work God has done through him. Paul desires to come to Rome. His immediate plans are to go to Jerusalem, however, and he asks the Romans to pray for the success of his visit there.


16

Paul commends Phoebe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea. Greetings are sent to Priscilla and Aquila. Greetings to several ones, who are instructed to greet each other with a holy kiss. Beware of deceivers. Concluding praise of God, who has revealed what had been kept a mystery.