Commentary On Romans Chaps. 1-8

With the New Christian in Mind.

PREFACE

Most often new converts are told that a good place to start reading the Bible is the gospel of John. I suppose the idea behind this is #1. They get acquainted with the life of the Lord Jesus. And #2. They will read many verses that speak of salvation by faith. Of course I agree wholeheartedly with this idea

But at the same time I see a tremendous value in the young Christian getting a grasp of the book of Romans for an overview of God's great plan and purpose in Creation and Redemption. Since Romans starts off from ground zero, when all men knew God, to the ultimate aim of God when all Christians become conformed to the image of God's Son, there is no other book in the Bible to compare with it or that will give the reader a greater insight into the wonder of Salvation and of the Provisions God has given for a Victorious Christian Life.

May this simple study of Romans be at least a starting point to that end.

Pastor Walt Stowe

5/29/2000

 Paul. The Man

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

Paul's story is most remarkable. He had been Christianity's chief foe and persecutor. At that time his name was Saul. Acts 8:1,2-9:1-1,2 All in the name of religion for he had been a Pharisee Phil.3:5,6. Then he was encountered by Christ on the Damascus road. Acts 9 Meeting Christ transformed his life. Now instead of being an enemy of the Lord Jesus he counted it his greatest joy to be his servant To be an apostle means to be one authorized and sent on a mission. His life from that time on was to be spent getting out the good news (gospel) about Jesus dying for man, being buried and then being raised from the dead. Alive to forgive and personally indwell each believer.

A Fulfilled Promise.

{2} (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) {3} Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; {4} And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

The Old Testament prophets had spoken of Jesus many times without calling His name. Isaiah 53 for instance. This Promised One became known as the Messiah, "the Promised One to be sent from Heaven". That's Hebrew. In the Greek it would be "the Anointed One"or "Christ". Jesus' mother Mary was of the linage of King David thus Jesus could be said to be "of the seed of David." Jewish legal documents could establish this. But to back up Jesus' claims to be the Son of God would take a sign from heaven. This was provided by His being resurrected from the dead. Coming back to life in a glorified body. The resurrection then was God's declaration to this effect Suppose He had not resurrected. History would have put Him down as a mad man for having made such claims while He lived. His resurrection confirmed beyond all honest doubt that Jesus was who He claimed to be, the Son of God. A belief in His bodily resurrection is an absolute essential to salvation. Rom.lO:9,10

Conclusion of Introduction

To Whom Written

{7} To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:

Paul is writing to Christians who live in the capitol city of Rome. Who they were, who led them to Christ, who started the church there is another story beyond the scope of this commentary. They were called saints because they were saints. All Christians are saints. The word means to be "set apart." Before you got saved you were part of a lost world on the broad road that leads to hell. When you got saved you were set apart to God and placed on the narrow road that leads to life. That is called positional sactification. It describes your position in the eyes of God. It is instant, the moment you trust Christ as Savior. But God not only wants your soul to be set apart unto Him, He also wants your daily life to be set apart unto Him. This is called progressive sanctification. It takes place as you grow in the Lord and as you dedicate more and more of your life to Him in putting sin out of your life and in putting Him in your life.

Salutation

Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

A common salutation in Paul's epistles. In every case grace comes before peace. He never says peace and grace. Man cannot have peace with God until he first receives the grace of God. "For by grace are ye saved.." Eph.2:8 Note that God and Christ share an equality in that this grace and peace is said to have come from them both.

A Cause For Thanksgiving.

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

Evidently these Christians in Rome were undergoing severe persecution because of their stand for Jesus. So much so that it was talked about in all the civilized world. Paul was filled with gratitude to God for the grace that was seen in their lives. Does the reader live a life such as would cause others to thank God on their behalf?

Paul's Great Desire

{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; {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. {11} For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; {12} That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Paul was anxious to meet them personally, he knew that God had given him tremendous gospel truths that would be helpful to them. He also had, as an apostle, the authority to bestow spiritual gifts that would help the church in Rome to be better established in the faith. He knew he could help them and also that they would be a blessing to him in return. Note that Paul simply made "mention" of them in his prayers. In other words they were on his prayer list If you do no more than mention folks in your prayers it is still a good thing.

{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.

Paul says that he had tried on different occasions to get on his way to them, Rome, but had been hindered. The word ,"let" is now archaic and means to hinder. He had a burning desire to go to them and to share the wonderful truths with them that had been given him by the Lord in special revelations. As a result he expected that there would be fruit, probably speaking of conversions. This verse indicates that the church at Rome was largely a Gentile church rather than Jewish.

Paul's Debt or Obligation.

{14} I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. {15} So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. {16} For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believetb; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Because of God's great work in his own heart and life Paul felt indebted to those who had as yet not heard the gospel. This is in the sense of feeling an obligation to others rather than as a result of their doing anything on his behalf. The Greeks would represent the higher class while the Barbarians would represent the lower class. From the uttermost to the guttermost, all need to hear the gospel. The word "gospel" means "good news" or "glad tidings". It is spelled out in 1 Cor. 15:1-4 . Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. I don't have to die for my sins, He has already died for them. That's good news. This is the news that is the power, dynamite, of God. Power=dunamous, in the Greek from which we get the word," dynamo" & "dynamite". The only thing in all the universe that is powerful enough to accomplish salvation is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. To make a hell deserving sinner fit for God's perfect, righteous, pure Heaven. Note that this salvation is to "everyone that believeth". Not to everyone who deserves it or who earns it but who simply believes it Places their heart trust in Jesus and His work at Calvary. Praise the Lord! For this reason Paul was not ashamed to tell it

What the Gospel Reveals and How it Reveals it

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

It reveals the righteousness of God. On the one hand it reveals to us that God requires a righteousness that matches His own which we could never duplicate. But it also reveals to us that God is righteous in caring, and providing for lost mankind a way to be redeemed. He provides for us as a free gift the very righteousness He requires. How does God reveal it to us? By faith. He convinces us through the Holy Spirit as we hear His Word, that this is true. This inner conviction comes inspite of our fighting against it and even against our will. The moment we yield to it in surrendering to Him based on our conviction that the gospel is true we are saved. "The just shall live by(his)faith." Hab.2:4

Mankind is without excuse!.

{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 showed it unto them. {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:

Speaking of God's wrath He has most certainly revealed himself as a God who hates sin. It is clearly seen in His expulsion of Adam & Eve from the Garden, in His bringing the flood on the world of the ungodly, His destruction of Sodam & Gomorrah. Men do have the truth but because of their wicked fallen natures they seek to supress the truth, cover the truth, and distort the truth beyond

recognition.

There are certain things that even fallen man can know about God. Though they are invisible He has made it clear to them. They themselves are walking advertisements that God is. So what are these invisible things we can clearly see? His eternal power & Godhead. His limitless power. Godhead, that is .personality. He is a personal God. These are the invisible things of God that all can clearly see. How do we see the invisible? "Being understood by the things that are made." For instance a wristwatch has been made. This thing that has been made tells me that somewhere there is or was, a watchmaker though I cannot see him in person. It tells me that he is or was, very intelligent. It tells me that he had certain resources at his disposal and certain abilities. Now if I can tell all that just by looking at a watch how much more can I see by looking at the universe by which the watch is set?

This vast creation tells me that there is a Creator somewhere. As the First Cause there was never a time when He did not exist And there can never be a time when He will not exist Galaxy upon galaxy and galaxies of galaxies, infinite

space tells me that His power is infinite. The personality of man tells me that the Creator is a personal Being. He thinks, He loves, He hates, He cares.etc. And best of all He knows about me. He would like for me to know about Him. How anybody can think that we came from dead eternal matter- you figure. Sure, the watch just happened without a watchmaker. People would think you were crazy to try to convince them of that But any port in a storm if you are trying to account for creation without a Creator. "Professing themselves to be wise they became—fools., "v.22

Mankind's Downward Course.

{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.

"They knew God.." There are at least two times in man's history when everybody knew God. The first time was in the garden of Eden and probably for sometime after that. It is obvious that Cain & Able knew God. Not necessarily in salvation as God's rejection of Cain would indicate he was not a saved man. The second time was when Noah and the others were on the ark. They all knew God. So what happened? #1. "They glorified Him not." The very fundamental purpose of their being created in the first place was not to be realized. (Isa 43:7) "Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him." Having turned their backs on the purpose of God man finds himself adrift without chart or compass.

#2." neither were thankful... " The terrible sin of ingratitude. Ingratitude springs from a heart that says, "You owe me." It takes the blessings of God for granted and always manages to find someone else to blame for any and all misfortune that comes their way though the true blame would lie at their own doorstep.

#3. Empty (vain) imaginations.^ their minds they conjured up vain thoughts about their own wisdom not realizing that it was God who gave them the power to think at all. As a result man went into spiritual darkness. This would lead to moral darkness of the worst sort. Their spiritual blindness gave rise to gross idolatry. Turning from God did not make man less religious but more religious. Everything but God now became a god.

Worshipping The Creature More Than The Creator. {24} Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of then- 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.

"God gave them up" Backed off. Quit striving with them. Gen.6:3 Allowed them to do their own thing in sexual impurity." Changed the truth of God.." not only changed God's truth but changed the truth that God is, sought to deny God altogether in favor of making gods of themselves. The root of New Age teaching. Everybody is a god. Everything is a god. Hence there is no God as what the Bible teaches. God is no longer a Person but an impersonal Force. " Worshipping the creature!"

The Root of Homosexuality.

{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 recompense of their error which was meet.

Here God farther gives them up, this time to vile affections. Affection is God given but here it is prostituted. It is affection coupled with perversity. God gives them up to it. As though he had restrained them to the point that it was a constant moral battle with God and finally God says, "All right, if you insist, just help yourself!" Homosexuality came into the picture early on. Gen. 19:5-8, Ex.22:19, Lev. 18:22,23, 20:13,15, Deut.23:17,

l Cor.6:9 It was detestable to God then and it is today. "They receive in themselves.." It is a self-destructive sin. The aids epidemic in America would be wiped out over night if the homosexuals got right with God and changed their filthy lifestyle.

Now God Gives Them Over.

{28} And even as they did not like to retain God ha 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:

A snapshot of man in his depravity. Man had become so anti-God it became a torment to him to even think about God. Thoughts of God only interfered with his wicked pleasure and tormented his conscience. Compare with Titus 3:3 "God gave them over.." to it.{32} Unenlightened man can now sin in the most perverse way and feel little conscience about it.

Man Hits Bottom

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."

Man knows that in God's judgement these sins carry the death penalty but it means nothing to man. This knowledge does not stop or even slow him down. Man is not satisfied until he makes others just like himself and revels in the wickedness of others. Hollywood & television are making millions displaying the filth & wickedness of men to other men, the demand is so great Chapter 2

The Religiously Enlightened Are Just As Accountable "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. {2} But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. {3} And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

Paul's aim is to show that no matter how religious one may be even in an enlightened way, for instance consider all the light God had given to the Jews. They had Abraham, Moses, the 10 commandments, etc. Yet they were as guilty as those who they themselves had judged and condemned. Read chapter 10:1-8, 3:1-23

God's Goodness to Them Will Turn to Wrath.

{4} Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? {5} But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; {6} Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

They despised His goodness by presuming on it and by abusing it. "Longsuffering-" to suffer patiently. They did not realize that God's longsuffering goodness was designed to bring them to a repentant attitude.. They had assumed it was because He found them acceptable on the basis of their being bom into the chosen race." I am one of God's chosen people." But God had only chosen Israel to be the vehicle through which He would reach out to the rest of the world. "Through thee and thy seed shall all the nations of the world be blessed." Gen.l2:3 He had not chosen them to salvation. They would have to be saved just like everybody else

With this attitude God's goodness became the occasion for even greater judgment and His wrath was building up like water behind a dam. Some day the dam would restrain the water no longer. Sin must and will be punished.

All Are to be Judged Impartially.

.to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: {8} But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, {9} Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; {10} But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: {11} For there is no respect of persons with God. {12

If a man seeks to live a life pleasing to God and succeeds in continual well­doing God will reward him with eternal life. If a man does evil he will pay the price. God makes no distinctions between Jew or Gentile.

Man to be Judged According to the Degree of Light He Has. 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 show the work of the law written hi 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.

There is a day coming when God will judge all mankind. All sin will be revealed whether committed in spite of the light of conscience; that is to say, sin committed in spite of an accusing conscience or sin committed in spite of God given legal enactments against it. Those who had received the law had a great deal more light than the others; they felt quite privileged because of it. And well they should have, but there was no saving power in just receiving the law. The law required that it must be kept if it is to be effectual, Rom.lO:5. And this they failed to do. Therefore those who had the law but did not keep it were just as lost as those who had not received the law. If anything, they would be more accountable because of the added light

Note that the Gentiles (that is, not-Jewish) "have not the law". God never directly gave the law to Gentiles.. The la'w was given on ml Sinai in Exodus 20. Those elements of the law that bore on morality such as stealing, killing, lying.etc are also part of the law of conscience inborn in man, placed there by the Creator when man was created. No one has to tell you it is wrong to lie or steal, you just know it. But there were parts of the law that no one could know without direct revelation, such as keeping the sabbath day holy. This particular law, was never given to the Gentiles. It was, and is, strickly Jewish.

The Law as Given to The Jew Did Not Bring Salvation or Victory Over Sin.

.{17} Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, {18} And knowest his will, and approves! the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; {19} And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, {20} An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.

The Jews felt they held such a favored position with God that anybody who would join them and do as they did would find acceptance with God; while at the same time they themselves were not accepted of God.{21} Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? {22} Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? {23} Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? Far from honoring God and being a light to others, the wickedness of the Jews became an occasion for the Gentiles to mock the God of the Jew.. {24} For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

Outward Ceremony Does Not Make The Heart Right With God. {25} For circumcision verily proflteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. {26} Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? {27} And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? {28} For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: {29} But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not hi the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."

Circumcision was a religious ritual that God had given Abraham, having to do with His promise concerning Abraham's seed. It also signified a covenant sealed with blood; this was passed on to all the males. After this, Jews are sometimes referred to as the "circumcision" and Gentiles, as the "uncircumcision". It became a symbol of their relationship with God. It, in and of itself, conferred no righteousness on the individuel nor did it establish any relationship with God. Abraham had actually already been declared righteous by God because of his faith in the promise of God. Gen.l5:6 This heart faith and trust was lacking in the Jews of Paul's day and therefore circumcision was just an empty symbol. Had the Gentiles lived lives pleasing to God (which none did.) they would have been accepted without circumcision. The great need is an inward work of God that will result in a changed life.

Chapter Three" The Advantage of the Jew over the Gentile.

v.l What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? {2} Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God."

In other words, how was the Jew any better off than the Gentiles? Paul said that they had been better off because God had revealed Himself to the Jew directly not indirectly as He did with the Gentile. The difference in degree of light and privilege was immeasurable

Man's Unbelief Does Not Change God's Truth{3} For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? (4} God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Here the idea is that some might object that since God rejected certain Jews for their unbelief, then He really did not keep His promise to them, that is to make a great nation of them. You could not count on God to be faithful to His word. Pauls says God forbid that anyone should reach such a conclusion. God has been, is now, and ever will be, true to His word. He will be justified in all He says and will overcome all objections of those who seek to judge Him.

God Will Not Excuse Man's Sin.

{5} But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) {6} God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? {7} For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? {8} And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

Since the righteousness of God shines all the brighter against the backdrop of my unrighteousness, I am in effect bringing glory to God by my sin. So why would He judge me for that sin? Or so some natural man might reason. Again Paul says, God forbid! It being understood by all that God will someday judge the whole world, how could that be true if your reasoning could be held up. The very nature of sin is such that it must be judged, regardless of any indirect glory to God in the process. There are better God-honoring ways to glorify God. Those who seek to excuse their sin in this fashion will be justly damned.

Jew and Gentile Equally Guilty

{9} What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; {10} As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: {11} There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. {12} They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. {13} Their throat is an open sepulchre; with then* tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: {14} Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: {15} Their feet are swift to shed blood: {16} Destruction and misery are in then* ways: {17} And the way of peace have they not Tcnown: {18} There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Here is a general indictment against all mankind whether they be Jew or Gentile. Includes the writer and the reader. All are infected with the disease of sin. Purpose Of The Law Was To Expose All Men As Sinful.

{19} Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. {20} Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The purpose of the law is here given. No one can rightly understand the gospel or the New Testament for that matter, who does not have a clear, scriptural understanding of what the law was meant to accomplish. Romans 3:19 & 20 along with Galatians 3. spells it out for us. Especially Gal.3:IT-26.

The law, as formally given, was not given to the Gentiles but to the Jew. It would include, first and foremost, the ten commandments, and then the writings of Moses generally, especially from Exodus through Deuteronomy. But basically the decalogue or ten commandments alone would accomplish the purpose for which the law was given. And that is that people's mouths would be shut For instance: Here is a man who is just not convinced that he is that bad a sinner if at all. Or perhaps he is not convinced that sin is that deadly. Now understand, he is infected with sin, law or no law. And sin kills, law or no law.fTbr until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned... " Rom.5:13,14.That is to say, no legal penalty was set against the one infected with sin.)

The purpose of the law then, was to make sin exceedingly sinful. To make it's penalty so overwhelmingly obvious that no one could claim ignorance as an excuse. In this sense all would have to cease pleading their innocence,shut their mouths, and be forced to plead guilty. The law acted as a fire alarm to alert the ignorant of a deadly fire. The law also acted as a schoolmaster. It taught us of our hopeless condition and cut off every avenue of escape but one. It pointed us to Christ on a cross, for there all the claims of the law were met, the dreaded penalty paid, law perfectly satisfied, forever propitiated. Here by faith the sinner is declared just, before God, by Divine decree. Gal.3:24 Having served its purpose the saved sinner is no longer under the law but under grace. "After that faith is come we are no longer under a schoolmaster" GaL3:25 "...foryou are not under law but under grace.' Rom. 6:14

God Freely Provides For Man's Need

{21} But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; In other words a  way to have the righieouness of God apart from the law. Witnessed by the law, Genesis, the first book of the law in which we are told that Abraham was justified by faith apart from the law. And the prophets, The just shall live by his faith".

{22} Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:

This righteousness is given to those whose faith is of and in , the Lord Jesus Christ To "all that believe...". A heart trust in Jesus. "With the heart man believem" 10:10

for there is no difference: {23} For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

No difference in Jew or Gentile. In Religious sinner or Irreligious sinner, they all fail to meet God's standard of righteousness. There are greater sinners and lessor sinners it is true but any sin is enough to damn a person. Cyanide will kill you. A teaspoon full or a cup full, either would cause death.

{24} Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Justified, a judicial declaration that the defendent is innocent of all charges. A legal position freely bestowed based on the fact that all charges were totally satisfied by a redemptive price paid at Calvary by Christ.

{25} Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his

blood, .-

Two things, #1. to be a propitiation. That which accomplishes total satisfaction between two otherwise hostile parties especially as in a case where one owes the other and can not or will not pay. To be propitiatied"- to be satisfied. And #2. This satisfaction can only be obtained by faith in Christ, the work He accomplished at Calvary when he shed his blood for man's sin in order to pay the debt

to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; {26} To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness:

here God declares that Christ righteousness was sufficient to deal with all the sins that had gone on before,"that are past" and also all the sins unto this present day. He took my sin, I take His righteousness.

that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

For God to be just, the law had to be honored. Sentence must be carried out But this would doom the sinner. To save the sinner He would have to justify him some way. But if the sinner's sin was ignored, it would make a shambles out of the law and God would be found to be unjust That could never happen! The answer to the dilemma is found in Christ He would take our sins upon Himself and the sentence would be carried out in Him. The law would thus be upheld, the sin would be punished. Not only so but based on the fact that the price on his sin had been paid, taken out of the way, the sinner would be pronounced justfied and , on top of that, he would also be given the righteousness of Christ Himself. Our understanding of this transaction is not necessary to our receiving it We must simply believe that what God said about it is true and that we can safely trust its sufficiency to save us. Faith Alone In Christ Plus Nothing, Minus Nothing Cf. Eph.2:8,9

{27} Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. {28} Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

There is nothing for man to boast in of himself. "Lest any man should boast.." Eph.2:9 It is strickly the mercy and grace of God motivated by His supernal love.

{29} Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: {30} Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. {31} Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law."

Since there is only one God He is of necessity the God of the Jew and the Gentile both, whether acknowledged or not Both will be saved the same way , through faith. This establishes the law in the sense that it finally reveals the purpose of the law in the first place. To act as a shool master pointing us to Christ. Gal.3:24. By bringing us to a knowledge of our sin.v20.

Chapter 4

(1) "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? "

Our father.."not in the fleshy sense but in the spiritual sense insomuch that he was the first of which it was said he was " justified by faith". What did he find as pertaining to the flesh? He found that the works of the flesh were rejected,ie the birth of Ishmael, bom of Hagar, the handmaid. He was not acceptable and not recognised as Abraham's son. cf. Gen.22:2

{2} For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. Works might justify you in the eyes of men but not in the eyes of God.

{3} For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Said in Gen.l5:6 He believed the promise of God and because of that God declared him righteous.

{4} Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. {5} But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

A salvation by works would nullify salvation by grace (unmerited, undeserved favor). If by works salvation then would simply be a matter of paying off a debt. This might glorify man but it would not glorify God.

Sin Cannot Be Charged Against A Christian

{6} Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, {7} Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. {8} Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Blessed, happy is the man. Impute- to reckon. On the one hand God reckons him righteous who puts his faith in Christ. On the other hand he refuses to reckon him with sin who puts his faith in Christ. There is that aspect of salvation where God no longer ever sees sin on the believer. It was all placed on Jesus. Isa.53:6,1 Pet.2:24 This is all legal. In other words the legal claims of the law have all been met in Christ's finished work on the cross. The Father/Son relationship that now exists between God and the believer allows for chastisement, Heb. 12:5-8, but not legal penalties. The purpose of chastisement is development of Christian character. David is quoted from Ps.32:2.

Saved Apart From Any Ritual

{9} Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon theuncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. {10} How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

We might put the question thusly, Did Abraham get this blessing because he was circumcised? Like asking if its because we were baptised that God saved us. No, Abraham had not been circumcised at the time God pronounced him righteous. And , no, we get saved before we get baptised.

Proper Place of Rituals

{11} And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: {12} And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

Circumcision served as a sign that Abraham had already been declared righteous by God because of his faith. Serving notice that the uncircumcised (Gentiles) can have this blessing as well as the c-ircumcised (Jew). Baptism is similer in that it speaks of an inward transaction that had already taken place in the heart of the believer.

Promise Given Under Faith, Not Law.

{13} For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Once again it is brought to our attention that the law accomplished nothing in producing this righteousness given to Abraham & his seed, it was given on the basis of his faith not his keeping of any law.

{14} For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

If accomplished by the law there is no need for faith. Faith and the promise are nullified. Man would get saved and keep saved by keeping the strict letter of the law. Which none could do, therefore..;

{15} Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression, the law would only serve to condemn.

A violated law stirs the anger of God. But sin being there as a condition that man is in, though just as deadly, would more excite The pity of God.

Under Faith Salvation Is Guaranteed

{16} Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

How could God save helpless man? It would have to be by grace; undeserved kindness or unmerited favor, since man was guilty and could not pay, contaminated and could not cleanse himself. But how could God bestow this grace? On what basis? Not works since there was no work that man could do and if he could do such a work he would have something about which to boast. FAITH, it would be by faith. Anyone, if they were willing, could exercise faith. Just taking God at His word.

{17} (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed,

Since man would not be justified by his works but by grace, appropriated by a God-given faith (Faith comes by hearing the word of God 10:17) then it would be absolutely certain that his salvation would be secure. Abraham, who was justified by faith, is a type and forerunner of all those who in any day and age likewise are justified by faith. 5:1

even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

This faith is not a general faith but a faith which has as its object the mighty God who gives life to the dead and by His word brought the universe into existance. Jn.l:l-5 Ps 33:6,9

Salvation Depends On God's Ability

{18} Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. {19} And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: {20} He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; {21} And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

When all was hopeless Abraham still hoped in God. The promise of God. He kept his focus on God's ability and not man's inability. He did not allow doubt to affect his walk so as to stagger under it but had complete confidence that God was able.

Abraham, Our Example

{22} And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. {23} Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

{24} But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

Because Abraham believed God, righteousness was put to his account The written record is there for you and me today as a testimonial and example and encouragement to our own faith in the promise of God

{25} Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." 

Once again in language which could not be more clear and plain we are to understand that our offences, sins of any and all kind, have been totally paid for by the Lord Jesus. The fact that God accepted what Jesus did on the cross is proved to us by his resurrection.

Chapter Five Positive Consequences of Salvation

(1)"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Peace with God is the result of such justification. The war is over. Armistice declared! Enemies no more. Reconciled. Peace with God is common to all believers without exception. The peace of God Is something else. It is a possibility held out to believers only. It is obtained by meeting the conditions laid down in Phil.4:6 & 7.

{2} By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

"We have access"., that is we have access to God, God's throne to present our prayers, etc.Cf Hebrews 4:16. How ? By faith. Faith also accesses God's grace. It becomes operational in our lives and becomes personal to each one of us, as by faith we take God at His word. Our present standing with God is in grace allowing God to freely bestow His blessing on us apart from any merit of our own. Our future hope is to see and share in, the "glory of God." Be aware that this is a certain hope and not a "hope so " hope. It is all "by Whom". By Jesus that is.

{3} And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:

We had tribulation before we were saved but certainly never gloried in them. But something has changed, we see a value in the tribulations of life. How so? Tribulation worketh patience Tribulation begins a spiritual growth process that take us to phase one; Patience. Patience and long suffering are close relatives. To suffer long. Patience is a virtue when exercised during tribulation. Learning to be patience with others, with ourselves, and mostly, patience with God.

{4} And patience, experience;

Phase two. As we learn patience we gain experience. Learning by experience is sometimes referred to as "attending the school of Hard Knocks". A tough way to learn but with some things it's the only way. and experience, hope: Phase three. This experience in turn strengthens , nourishes, sustains, and authenticates our hope. We have learned by experience that God really does keep his word and can be counted on to keep His promises..

{5} And hope maketh not ashamed;

This hope will never be a source of shame, in the sense that God failed to deliver. In the sense that we are not embarrassed to be pointed out as one who has such a hope, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto

us. When we have come to this level of spiritual growth it creates a climate most favorable to the Holy Spirit expressing Himself in our hearts. God's love finds in us a conduit, flowing in us and through us to a lost world. Note, it is just understood that a Christian has the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Our Penalty Paid By Another

{6} For when we were yet without strength, in due tune Christ died for the ungodly.

A tremendous soul-winning verse. A key verse in my own presentation of God's plan of salvation. I use Rom.3:23 to teach that we are all sinners, to teach that sin is failure to meet God's standard. I also use it to teach that sin is a violation of law and therefore has a penalty. I use Rom.5:12 to teach that sin's penalty is death, in all of it's aspects. Physical, spiritual St. eternal. Without recourse. Man is hopelessly lost Then I use this verse to teach that what man could not do for himself, God did for him. Let's look at it. Yet without strength.. Utter helplessness. As a new bom babe is helpless. Cannot clean itself, cannot feed itself. But God puts in a mother' heart to do for the babe what it cannot do for itself. In due time, God's time, when all was just right.C/zra/ died..death is the price for sin, he paid the price. But not for himself since he had no sin. So for whom did he pay it ? For the ungodly..he did for them what they could not do for themselves. He paid the price for them. Therefore they did not have to pay it, he paid it for them. Do you get it? I emphasize the word "for" because it is vital that you understand what God is saying.

A simple illustration. You have a book in your hand that must be placed on that table across the room. I say,"Can I do that for you?". Then I take the book from your hands, carry it across the room and place it on the table. Now you don't have to do it because I did it for you. In the same way I do not have to suffer going to hell for my sin because Jesus did it for me. He suffered my hell while on the cross when he was separated from his Father. His cry, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me!?" would have been my cry in hell forever and Jesus got the same answer I would have gotten, he got no answer at all. With this thought in mind you should read Isaiah 53:4 -12, Gal.3:13,1 Peter 2:24, 2 Cor. 5:21. How wonderful that God would love me enough to give His Son to die for me! Note-

*

{7} For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:

Just because a man is righteous it wouldn't make you want to die for him. Hardly!

yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

But here is a man, not only righteous but really a good guy. Well, for such a guy as that you might consider risking your life for him

{8} But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Look at the measureless love of God for you and me..."While we were, not righteous, not good, but while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.!! WOW ! Beyond belief!! No other religion in all the world has anything close to teaching such as this. No human
being could ever possibly conceive of such a thing. If God Himself had not said it and if His Holy Spirit had not convicted us of it's truth we could never have believed it. But we do, all praise & glory to Him!                     

{9} Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Now if it is true that I am justified (debt paid hi full at Calvary) I need never fear His wrath for my sins. The eternal wrath or the wrath due to fall on planet earth during the tribulation period. Rev.l4:14-20 &3:10. 1ThessJ5:9 What did it mean for God to give His Son for you?

Note...{10} For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by bis life.

Let's say you have a best friend. Your best friend gets into a life threatening situation. You have three children. It just so happens that if you would give one of your three children to take your best friends place he would be saved. Which of your three children would you be willing to give to save the life of your best friend? You look at first one and then the other. Of course you know that you would not give anyone of your children to take your best friends place. As much as you love him, with tears you watch him perish because you could not bring yourself to give even one of your precious children to perish in his place.

The marvel of it is that what we would not do for our best friend, God did for us when we were, not His best friend, but, His enemies. The above verse. "For if when we were enemies..." (Paul even placed himself as an, at one time enemy of God.) "we were reconciled to God... brought back to God. How? "by the death of His Son... " and God did not have three sons. He had only one.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son... " And if His death reconciled us. Then His life can only bring all the riches of God into our eternal lives. He ever lives to make intercession for us.Heb.7:14

{11} And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Christianity is not a cold, lifeless thing. We are not just saved, justified, reconciled. We have such a relationship now with our Creator God, Savior God, Father God, that brings joy to the believer every day of his life as he draws on the certain promises of God and as he contemplates the love of God in Christ towards himself. 1 Pet.l:18

Adam & Christ, Compared and Contrasted

{12} Wherefore, as by one man (Adam)sin entered into the world, and death by sin; (Physical, spiritual & eternal.) and so death passed upon all men, (Universal condition) for that all have sinned: (Not cursed because of Adam's sin but because of our own sin.)

{13} (For until the law sin was hi the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

The law as such was not given until God gave Moses the ten commandments in Exodus 20. Some things are morally wrong but not criminal simply because there is no law making it illegal. Therefore no sentence could be pronounced against guilty persons because there had been no law broken.

{14} Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

Inspite of the fact that sin was not legally charged against them, sinners died just as surely as if they had been executed according to law. Why was this? Because sin is not only a violation of the law but it is also a condition. It is a fatal disease. A man may get aids because of a lifestyle in a country that has no laws against such a lifestyle. He will die inspite of that Let's say the country he was in djd_have a law against it It was viewed as a capital crime. Now he is also under legal sentence of death . The law was instituted to act as a means of deterrent rather than to add more suffering. The person would die one way or the other. Perhaps the law would cause them to think twice before they committed such acts. At least they would be without excuse. Read again Rom. 3:19,20. Note that Adam was a figure or a type of one who was to come. That is to say that as Adam was the head of the human race and through him the race was plunged into sin, Jesus, the one who was to come, is the head of a new race, the bom-again ones, and through him the race is delivered from sin. Jesus is called "the last Adam". 1 Cor. 15:45

{15} But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

In other words, just as it only took the one man, Adam, to bring sin and death to many even so it took just the one God-man, Jesus, to bring justification and righteousness to many. And as the curse of sin fell on Adam's seed without their having any part in the original fall, even so the blessings of salvation comes to man without his having any part in the work that made salvation possible. It is all of the grace of God.

{16} And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. {17} For if by one man's offence death reigned by one: much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by as&-Jesus Christ) {18} Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

{19} For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one, shall many be made righteous.

Note the number of "ones" in these verses. Nine times. One man sinned one time and brought sin and defeat On the other hand the righteousness of the one God-man canceled out a multitude of sins (offences)and brought salvation and victory to many.

20} Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: {21} That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."

Again, the purpose of the law. To make sin exceedingly sinful, to notify man of his fatal condition before God. Did sin abound? Grace abounded that much and more, much more. Did sin bring death? Grace, by means of the righteousness; of Christ, brings, not only life but, eternal life. "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." 6:23

Chapter Six The Mechanics Of The Victorious Life-

The Believer isReckoned to be Dead

vl. "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? {2} God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

If great sin gave occasion for great grace maybe we ought to just keep on sinning, as some might figure and as Paul was accused of teaching. Paul's answer;"God forbid!" To continue in sin, to stay on track, to stedfastly, purposely, as a way of life maintain a sinful lifestyle would be unthinkable for a child of God. Not only is it unthinkable but it is also impossible. Though you may not know it, you are, as a believer, dead to sin.^:Therefore you cannot possibly, as a way of life, live in sin. I emphasize, "as a way of life " ; thats one thing. It's quite another thing to be overtaken by a particular sin for a certain period of time, as we shall see. Read cha.7.

{3} Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

How is it that the Christian is, "dead to sin"? "God says I am but my experience tells me that I am not. If anything, I am 'more alive to sin than ever before. Even things I never before thought of as all that bad seem now to be pretty wicked." Well first of all we are to take the Word of God over our experience, more of that later. For now, what does it mean to be dead to sin? It means to be identified with Christ his His death. You might call this "the doctrine of identification." Some call it" the deeper life". It's pretty "meaty" for a new Christian.

Verse three refers to baptism. Some will argue that this is "Spirit" baptism. They might quote 1 Cor. 12:13,"for by one Spirit are we all baptised into one body". And there are two or three other verses they might quote to go along with this one. Personally I believe to call this,"Holy Spirit baptism" misses the whole point being made by Paul. With what does water baptism have to do in it's symbolic meaning? It has to do with death, burial, & resurrection. As a dead corpse is buried so were we buried under the water. As the resurrected body rises from the grave even so we were raised out of the water. Water baptism is a picture of the death, burial, & resurrection of the Lord Jesus. After we have placed our faith and trust in Christ as Lord and Savior we identify publicly with Him in baptism. God saw us identified with Him when He died in the sense that His death was reconed our death, or looked upon as being our death. There is a sense in which God saw us instead of His Son, dying on the cross. As all mankind was in Adam, as all things living came from precedent life, as all trees were in the first tree, had that first tree died in the garden, all the other trees would have died in it also. Had Adam died before the first child was bom, all mankind would have died in him. God pictures us as having been "in Christ" Therefore when He died we died also. BUT....He also resurrected. Being in Him, when He resurrected we resurrected also. "He hath raised us up together..." Eph.2:6 This is certainly not true in our experience but it is so sure with God that He counts it as having already happened.

{4} Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:

First of all Christ's death, burial, and resurrection is referred to as a baptism. "/ have a baptism to be baptised with... "Lk.l2:50 It referred to His death and we were with Him in it, in the mind of God. Secondly, our water baptism spoke of this reality by symbolizing it, and in that sense this verse speaks of water baptism. The point Paul is making is still in response to the question in verse one of this chapter, "Shall we continue in sin...". The answer is; Dead people do not sin.

The Believer Has Resurrection Power

that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. {5} For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father. He came forth from the grave with a glorified body empowered by a new life force, as contrasted with the physical life force, meaning in particular; the blood. "The life of the flesh (physical body) is in the blood..." Lev. 17:11 Jesus blood was shed at Calvary. The new life force is of a spiritual nature. The same power that operated in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus ought to be operating in the life of the child of God. (Read Eph.l:19,20.) The point Paul is now making is that just like we died with Him, we also were raised with Him. Therefore I have a new life. I am a new creature (creation). 2 Cor.5:17 Not only do dead people not sin but the new creature is no longer under the dominating power of sin and does not have to sin. If the thing that my baptism symbolizes is true, then I should walk (live) as one who has a new life. "Planted together in the likeness of his death...' an obvious reference to water baptism, pointing to his and our death at Calvary. But baptism does not stop there, it also points to his and our resurrection at the tomb. Read Eph.l:19,20 3:20 Gal.2:20

The Old Sin Nature Has Been Put To Death

{6} Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. {7} For he that is dead is freed from sin. {8} Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: {9} Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. {10} For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

Read the above verses in the light of the foregoing comments. It Is Our Part To Reckon It So.

{11} Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord,

"reckon" count it to be so. Your experience will deny it but God's word declares it to be so. God's word always settles it. He, "calleth those things which are not as though they were." We are to forsake our thoughts. Isa.55:7-9 Growth in the Christian life is dependent on learning to think God's thoughts as we find them in the Bible.

{12} Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Sin, as a king, reigned in our lives. Had dominating power. Now that power is broken. We are free from its dominating power. Power, yes. Power to tempt. Power to deceive. Power to appeal. But not to dominate. It is a dethroned king. Don't let sin deceive you into believing it has kingly authority; it doesn't. It's a matter of reckoning.

It Is Our Part To Yield

{13} Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Negatively, we are not to use the members of this body for sinful activity. We are dead to sin. Positively, we are to use these members for Godly activity. We are alive to God. Reconing & yielding are required in order to live a life of victory & fruitfulness.

Sins Dominating Power Is Broken

{14} For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

  Sin cannot boss us around, only as we allow it The reason is, we are not under a law relationship with God but a grace relationship with God. Add this to the other truths already brought out: people who are dead to sin cannot live in it, through his resurrection we are alive unto God, sin is not imputed when there is no law-v.13. And now we live, not according to legal enactments but, according to a new relationship, with God as our Heavenly Father. We live and serve, not with the threat of legal punishment hanging over our heads but with a genuine heart desire to honor our Father and though we fail He helps us work through our failures, whether it be with chastisement or trial, always with our greater good in view. "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth..." Heb.12

The Believer Is Not To Put Himself Back Under Slavery

{15} What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. {16} Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Man is made to serve. Something wrong with the man who does not want to serve. A saved man wants to serve God. But if he is yielding his body to sin he is serving sin, not God. He thinks perhaps that sin serves him but that is satan's lie. Sin makes a servant, yea, a slave, out of it's victims. And it pays off in death. It would be the height of stupidity to commit sin just because we were not under law. Notice that sin is equated with disobedience.

{17} But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. {18} Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

From servants of sin to servants of righteousness!

The thanks goes to God who gave us " that form of doctrine". Or that which one is required to believe and accept and in this sense "obeying " it. Consider 1 Peter 2:7 where the ones who are disobedience are contrasted with those who believe. They were disobedience in the sense that they did not believe and accept. The message is,"Believe the gospel!" But I disobey the message, I refuse to believe.

{19} I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh:

Probably on the highest spiritual level Paul could have used terms other than, "servants" or slaves to describe sin's hold on the natural man but because of the fleshly nature and lack of spiritual understanding such terms were necessary.

for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. {20} For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

As lost people we yielded our members; hands, arms, feet, etc, to sin and the devil-"uncleaness and iniquity"- and this gave birth to more iniquity. So as saved people we ought to be just as careful to yield those same members to righteousness, which will give birth to holiness. As serving sin canceled out righteousness, serving righteousness will cancel out sin.

{21} What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. {22} But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

"By their fruits you shall know them", look at the fruit. The fruit of a wicked life is always death. The fruit of a righteous life tends to holiness and the life that is everlasting. Not only in yourself but in others also as the influence of such a life is not limited in it's effect.

{23} For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Everlasting life is not produced by righteous living but is evidenced by righteous living. It is a true gift of God, unearned, unmerited. Any attempt on our part to do that which would obligate God to save us would tarnish and cheapen Christ's work at Calvary. No one receives this gift apart from the Lord Jesus Christ himself. "No man cometh to the Father but by me.."

Chapter 7 The Fly in The Ointment The Flesh Is Still Alive To Sin

(1) "Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

The opening verses of chapter seven bring out the fact that, "death", as such changes our position. In the case of the law death would deliver a person from it's authority.

{2} For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

He illustrates the change brought about by death by bringing up the law governing marriage. Death of the husband would free the wife to remarry without penalty. (Paul does not mention the fact that the law provided for divorce with the freedom to remarry because it would not serve to help his illustration.. Deut. 24:1-4)

{3} So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

To be married to another man while still married to the first husband (no divorce) would be unlawful, making her an adulteress and, in our day, a bigamist Death greatly changes the equation.

{4} Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

The spiritual application to be made of all this is...Death, making such a difference in a person's standing even in the natural world, makes an even greater difference in the spiritual realm. In this case it is the death of Christ. His death is applied to us. "I am crucified with Christ.."Gal.2:20 The law saw me die at Calvary and has nothing more to do with me. I am married to another, even Christ This union will produce fruit to the glory of God.

{5} For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. {6} But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter,

"in the flesh..." Back when we were still unsaved. That union only produced death. But now we are dead to the law and the law is dead to us. Now we serve in newness of spirit meaning; we serve from our spirits, from our hearts, not as a legal requirement. We observe the spirit of the law rather than the letter. For example, the Pharisees obeyed the seventh commandment. They would not committ adultery. They kept the letter of the law. But they would look on a woman to lust after her, committing abultery with her in their hearts. This violated the spirit of the law and God would hold them guilty. The law of Christ, the law of love, goes beyond the letter of the law. Our conduct is based on our relationship to God rather than on a legal requirement.

{7} What shall we say then? is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Since the law was something to be delivered from.was it sin perhaps? In no way. The law was a spot light revealing my sin. Magnifying my sin. The lust I had lived with without feeling bad about was revealed to me as coveting and the law declared, "Thou shalt not covet!". Now I know that it was a sin.

{8} But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

"Concupiscence" word meaning all kinds of evil desire. The coming of the law simply made me want to rebel. Like an overweight person who would not admit to a food problem being told they had to go on a diet. Now they really lust after food.

{9} For I was alive without the law once:

Could have reference to that time when one has not yet reached the age of accountability but more likely speaks of the time when he was not conscience of the sin that was part of his nature....

but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. The law came pointing out his sin and pronouncing the death penalty on him. He was dead in trespasses & sins and did not know it

{10} And the commandment, which was ordained to life, (Do this and thou shalt live. Rom. 10:5) I found to be unto death. {11} For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

In the sense already mentioned.

{12} Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

The problem is not to be found in the law but in the law breaker.

{13} Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

Sin was already there working death, the law just revealed it as such. We have a way of justifying our sins but in the face of the law we see sin as the monster it is and can no longer justify it

{14} For we knowthat the law is spiritual:

Coming from a spiritual source, with the highest spiritual good desired for us. ....

but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Anti-spiritual as it were.

{15} For that which 7 do I allow not: for what I would, that do 7 not; but what I hate, that do 7. {16} If then 7 do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. {17} Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Here are two natures in the one individuel. The old nature is the "I" in italics. The new nature is the other "I". Things the new nature does no: want to do, the old nature insist on doing. Things the new nature does want to do the old nature dreads. There is a sense that it is not the new nature doing it but the old nature. The task will be; How can the new nature overcome the desires of the old nature? While this is to some extent true of the unsaved person, they do have a conscience that, until it becomes seared at some point, will convict them of wrong doing, yet the Christian is so much more so, the only way to explain the difference is because they have the two natures. The new nature expresses itself to us through our conscience.

{18} For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

My soul, my spirit has been changed but my body is the same , with the same hungers and desires it always had. The old nature operates from this base. When I will or want to do right the flesh or old nature opposes me and defeats me.

{19} For the good that I would 7 do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. {20} Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

The sin nature in other words. It "dwelleth" in me. It is right at home as a part of my old nature. It is not just a visitor dropping in but a permanent tenant It will be around until I either die or am raptured. I must learn how to deal with it

{21} I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. {22} For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: {23} But I see another law hi my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

The new creature in Christ has to do with the inward man, though not entirely. The old nature has to do with the outward man, "members", though not entirely. These two are at war. Note Gal.5:17 Paul's experience at this time, as he relates it, captive to the law of sin.

{24} O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

The cry of one who has been awakened to a better life but who does not find it in his own power to live it due to the powerful evil propensities and inclinations of the flesh and fallen nature.

{25} I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I thank God for His grace and mercy that endures toward me inspite of this situation. I thank God that, though the " answer is not in me, yet, He provides an external strength, not my own, in the Person of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only a matter of time before I learn to depend on Him to win this war also. "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." Eph.6:10

So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."

My personal desire and goal is to honor the law of God, knowing that it is good (not as a means of salvation but as an acknowledge -ment that God's ways are the best ways.) but the flesh is intent on doing evil. But I know whose side I am on, God's side.

(Romans 8) The Power To Live A Victorius Life-

The Believer Is Not"After the Flesh" But After The Spirit "

(1)There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit "

No condemnation..." Why? Because I am in Christ Jesus. "Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord will not impute sin..."4:8 Those who are in Christ Jesus do not walk after the flesh, it is not their way of life. A descriptive tern, not a condition to be met. They walk after the Spirit This they elected to do when they first yielded to the Spirit's wooing in salvation.

{2} For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death,

"the Spirit of Life" The origin of life has long baffled unbelieving scientists. All living forms derive dieir life from precedent life. But how did die first life form get it's life? From He who is life eternal. I John 1:1,2. Jesus said,"I am the way, the truth, the life..."Jn 14:6 When He came in He brought widi Him a Law of life that overrules the law of sin & death. This is factually true but not experientially true until the believer appropriates it for him or herself. Christ's coming in the person of "the Spirit of life", the Holy Spirit makes this possible.

{3} For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: {4} That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Christ in His death on the cross condemned sin in the flesh. He did this by declaring it guilty and worthy of the death sentence, whereupon He then proceeded to pay the penalty Himself. Now with sin's penalty legally paid God was free to indwell the redeemed sinner with His own Spirit and power and do in him and through him what the law itself could not do.

{5} For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit

The terms, "after the flesh", "after the Spirit" means the same as "after his kind". Genesis 1:11,12,25 A persons first birth is after his kind, of the flesh. The second birth or new birth, being born of the Spirit, is also after his kind, of the Spirit. To be saved therefore, is to be after the Spirit.As such we "mind the things of the Spirit" in the sense that we have a concern for the things of the Spirit. We are spiritually minded.

{6} For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. {7} Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. {8} So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

To be fleshy minded, preoccupied with the things of the flesh to the exclusion of the things of God, is death. Spiritual death, physical death, eternal death. By its very nature the unregenerate mind is in a state of rebellion against God. On the one hand it refuses to submit itself to the law of God and on the other hand, apart from God supernatural help, it is an impossibility for it to submit to the law of God. Therefore it is totally incapable of pleasing God even if it would.

{9} But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

When one is saved the Holy Spirit comes in the dwell. 1 Cor.6:19, from that point he is said to be "in the Spirit". From God's point of view that person is no longer in the flesh. Some teach that the Holy Spirit, by some special work, comes in to dwell after you get saved. This verse teaches us that unless you have the Holy Spirit you are not saved at all. Everyone who has accepted the Lord Jesus as their Lord and Savior has been bora of the Spirit and He indwells them. John 1:11,12.

{10} And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. {11} But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

This gets fairly deep. Others may disagree but I give my thoughts on the matter. "The body is (present tense) dead..." How can this be? Physical death is separation from the body. As of the time you got saved God sees you in Christ more so than in the body. Rather than being in the flesh you are in Christ. The body should have dropped dead if that is so. But the Holy Spirit in an instant moved in and His presence quickened or gave life to the body. Note that it says, "mortal body", not immortal body. Someday at the rapture or at the resurrection He will quicken the immortal body. The mortal body is the one we are in at the present time. If the Holy Spirit departed from the Christian's body, it would immediately drop dead So there is a very real sense in which this bodyhouse is already dead.

{12} Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the  flesh.

We owe the flesh nothing. Why would we give space or attention or privilege to that which is dead?

{13} For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

The end of a life style that is lived after the flesh, with fleshy desires given priority, ect. always results in death. Those who live such a lifestyle choose to do so. A true Christian could do so for only a time. After that he would be so miserable he would seek relief by getting right with God or he would push God to the point of taking him home through death as God took Moses home prematurely. Otherwise we deal with the deeds of the body, bad deeds, by putting them to death. By reckoning ourselves to be dead to sin. By agreeing with God that it is sinful and asking His forgiveness and power to overcome. In this way we "mortify the deeds of the body".

{14} For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

It is one thing to be pushed or herded, it is another thing to be led. The Holy Spirit does not lead unsaved people. They have no inclination to follow His leading. Only of God's people could it be said that they are led. That is one side of it The other side is that if you refuse to be led you raise a question as to the validity of your profession of faith. As the offspring follow their parents, God's sons follow Him.

{15} For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

For a child of God the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of adoption. Adopted into the family of God by a work of the Holy Spirit "Abba" is a transliteration of a word that literally means "daddy". As a fevered child may call out in its weakness, "Daddy, daddy!". The tenderest of all words to a father's heart. This intimacy is the desire of the heart of God.

{16} The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

"The Spirit itself. Why did the King James translators not translate it ,"the Spirit Himself.." instead of "itself"? Because of their faithfulness to a word for word translation. If God used the neuter gender then it would be thusly translated. Let the student determine to his own satisfaction just why God chose to use it. "Bears witness." How does the Spirit bear witness to our spirit? Probably in various ways. The understanding that slowly dawns upon the soul that we indeed have a new relationship with God, a Father/son relationship. The manner in which God deals with us in conviction and correction, as a parent deals with its child. Through the word of God itself which was inspired by the Holy Spirit, etc. These are things that assure our spirits that our salvation is real. 1 John 5:11-12

{17} And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. {18} For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

"Heirs of God..." 1st Peter 1:4 speaks of an inheritance waiting in Heaven for us. Could this mean that as heirs of God the inheritance is ours by right of Jesus death on the cross? In some way it seems to mean just that. To inherit is to gain the good, not because of earning something or deserving something but because of relationship. Remember, "If children, then heirs.." speaking of relationship. "If..we suffer with Him..." suffering must be a part of every Christian's life. How much, to what degree, for how long, we are not told. But the indication is that if you are a true Christian there will be suffering for Jesus.

Paul says that whatever suffering we are called to endure for Jesus in this life it won't be worth remembering in the next life. The glory in us, on us , around us will overshadow every heartache and trial and make them seem as nought in that glorious hour.

{19} For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. {20} For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, {21} Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. {22} For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

The word,"creature" in versesl9,20,21, and the word,"creation" in verse 22 are all interchangeable. It is as though all creation was affected by the fall of man. Certainly Genesis 3:17-19 clearly indicates a curse was put on the earth,"., cursed is the ground for thy sake..." "Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee...". It ."groans and travails in pain". Could this be in reference to the terrible natural calamities that befall the planet? Earthquakes, tidal waves, volcanoes, tomados,etc.? Planet earth will again be the paradise it once was when that great day of the Lord shall come.

{23} And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

The Holy Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, Eph.l:13,14 and in that sense is the "firstfruits". There is a certain Holy Spirit longing for the time when sin and death, and all evidences of it, are done away. We look forward to that time when we receive our glorified bodies and earth is purged and made new. Note that though we have been redeemed as far as our spirit and soul is concerned, the body is yet to be redeemed. Then and only then shall we know perfect health.

{24} For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? {25} But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

For the Christian this is not a "hope so" hope. It is a "sure" hope, based on solid fact. A confident expectancy. The hope of the worker is the paycheck at the end of the week. With such a hope before him he patiently labors on in view of that hope and joyfully anticipates the time when it will be realized in the purchasing of the desired goods. If he had any serious doubts about getting the paycheck he would likely quit that job for one with security.

The Christian is saved, not in the salvation sense but in the sense that he is constantly sustained, encourged and motivated, by the sure hope of Heaven and eternity with Jesus. "Christ in us the hope of Glory", "When Christ, who is our hope shall appear... " We look forward to the time when this body of clay will be redeemed, this is part of our hope.

{26} Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered, {27} And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

"Our infirmities", our inabilities, shortcomings.etc. especially in spiritual matters when it comes to knowing the mind of God. "For my ways are not your ways neither my thoughts your thoughts saith the Lord for as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my -ways from your ways and my thoughts from your thoughts." Isa.55:8,9 Apart from what God plainly tells us to pray about in His Word we don't have a clue. But the Holy Spirit is our helper in sincere prayer. There may be times when the prayer cannot be put into words but even then He translates the groanings into a prayer acceptable to God.

"The Spirit itself we know that the Holy Spirit is a Person but the translators were faithful to give us a word for word translation and if God wants to use the neuter gender at this point we suspect He has his reasons. The God-head; Father, Son and Holy Ghost, work together in the prayer life of the believer to bring about God's desired purposes.

{28} And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

What this verse does not say." That all things work together for good"...periodJt does not say that all things work together for "Your"good. It does say that if you truly love God your mind-set and attitude will be that God can get good out of any and all things. The particular good may not be for you or even in your lifetime. It is an attitude we all need to develope.

{29} For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. {30} Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Who are these who have been predistinated? Those whom He foreknew. "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God,. " 1 Peter 1:2 This predistinating is not unto salvation but unto conformation. Being conformed to the image of God's Son. Jesus is the pattern, the first born. To what degree ? Probably in some ways we will be exact duplicates yet never attaining to the God-status held by Jesus. Mormon doctrine goes farther and claims that all good Mormons become gods in their own right. The process of being conformed to Jesus' image begins at the point of salvation and continues as long as we live. Read 2nd Cor. 3:18

"Whom He predistinated He called"...by the Holy Spirit through His word. "Whom He called He justified"... saved, declared just before God. "Those He saved or justified He glorified."...Experimentially this 'is in our future, being glorified. In the mind of God it is a settled fact. So sure to happen He puts it in the past tense.

{31} What shall we then say to these things? How about,"Praise the Lord!" "Halleujah!" "Thank you Jesus !"

If God be for us, who can be against us? The great mighty God! Is for us! WOW! The Creator of all the universe! WOW! For us! Dare we say some other creature might be against us ? Are you serious? That is less than insignificant, it is a silly joke. If God be for us that is all that really matters.

{32} He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

If you doubt whether God is for you or not just look at Calvary. He spared not His own Son for you. Who would you give your son for? Absolutely nobody. But what you would not do for your best friend God did for you when He reckoned you His enemy. Rom. 5:10 Amazing, awesome love! Totally unknown outside of Calvary. And if God truly gave Heaven's best for us, how could He possibly be charged with withholding something less from us? In other words we can rest assured that in view of our individuel needs, according to God's plan for our lives, and considering the circumstances of each individuel life, God withholds not even one.good thing from us. One day we will understand with perfect clarity exactly how and why God worked as he did in our lives.

{33} Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Since God Himself has declared us just, who could charge us with guilt? So as to make it stick, that is.

{34} Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Since Christ died; was condemned in our place, to free us from condemnation, on what grounds could we be condemned? Rather than condemn, He interceeds on our behalf.

{35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? {36} As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. {37} Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

All the things above not only do not destroy us, they actually serve to make us "more than" what we were before these things came against us. The power of His life lived through us makes us more than conquerors. The quote is from Ps.44:22.

{38} For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, {39} Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

"I am persuaded..." a position he had not held before but after much thoughtful consideration of the facts, he has come to the present conviction. Or—the Holy Spirit personally convicted him, persuaded him, that this was true. That there is no thing or no one in the universe now or ever shall be, able to separate the child of God from the love of his Heavenly father.

This Concludes the First Half of Our Commentary on the Book of Romans.      BACK