The Gospel's Equal Application to Jew and Gentile

1. Introduction • The situation • End of Paul’s 3rd missionary journey, ~ 57 AD -- Romans 15:22-29 • To the church at Rome -- founded by Jews, but now mostly Gentile • Issues of relations between Jews and Gentiles -- Romans 14:1-13; 15:7-9; 16:17-18 -- “accept one another…” • Theme: the Gospel, and it’s equal application to Jew and Gentile • Outline: • Opening and Theme Statement [1:1-15] • Doctrine [1:16 – 11:36] • Faithfulness of God [1:16 – 4:25] • God’s People in Christ [5:1 – 8:39] • God’s Promises [9:1 – 11:36] • Christian Conduct: God’s Calling [12:1-15:13] • Closing [15:14 – 16:27] • References: • Douglas Moo, “Epistle to the Romans” • N. T. Wright, “Letter to the Romans”

2. Hermeneutics • Historical and Cultural Situation • Concerns and purpose of the author • Issues and needs of original recipients • Background and environment of author and recipients • Language • Word meanings and grammar • Style and conventions • Context and Coherence • Sentenceand paragraph • Quotes and allusions • Book and author’s body of work • All scripture • The Spiral: • Sequence of Meaning and Application: • For original recipients • For all people and all time • For us, today Specific Exegesis “The Faith”

3. Opening Verses (Rom 1:1-2) • Paul: • Bond-servant of Christ • Apostle (sent on a mission) • Set apart for the Gospel (good news) Luke 4:18-19 -- The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Romans 15:15-16 -- …because of the grace God gave meto be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God… • According to Scripture – the new message fulfills the old Matthew 5:17-20 -- Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

4. Gospel of the Son of God(Romans 1:3-4) • Descendant of David, according to the flesh • In solidarity with mankind, He shared our corruptible flesh (John 1:14) • In the lineage of David, He is the Messiah • Son of God, according to the Spirit • Appointed (horizo) Son of God ‘You are My Son; today I have begotten You.’ – Psalm 2:7 [Installation of David as king, applied to Christ in Acts 13:33; Hebr 5:5-10] • Conveys full power and authority as Son of God. He is exalted and reigns: ‘For this reason also, God highly exalted Him,….’ – Phil 2:9 • Because of the Resurrection of the Dead • He was exalted/glorified because we shall be resurrected • Based on the bond of unity between Christ and His people • A unity established by the Spirit, in eternity, transcending time • So His exaltation is because of our resurrection; similarly, His resurrection is because of our justification (Rom 4:25)

5. The Opening, continued(Romans 1:5-15) • Rom 1:5-7 • Paul’s mission is to bring “obedience of faith” – i.e. faith and continuing faithfulness • Among all Gentiles – therefore his special obligation to the Romans • For the name of Jesus -- to exalt and glorify Him • To the beloved, called, as saints -- special status of these Gentile Christians • Rom 1:8-15 • He prays for them unceasingly, i.e. frequently and regularly • He wants to visit them • To impart some spiritual gift – for their edification • To obtain fruit among them • He is obliged to them, and eager • See also Rom 15:22-25 ‘…whenever I go to Spain – for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while ….’ – Rom 15:24

6. Revelation of Righteousness(Romans 1:16-17) • Why Paul is obliged to preach the gospel: • He is not ashamed of the gospel “we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness” - 1 Cor 1:23 • Because it has the power of salvation • To believers: Jew and Greek “but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” – 1 Cor 1:24 • Because it reveals God’s righteousness • From faith to faith • From His faithfulness into our faithfulness • As shown in Habakkuk 2:4 “But the righteous shall live by faith.” apokalupto dikaiosyne – covenant-faithfulness Pistis - faithfulness

7. Revelation of Righteousness(Habakkuk 2:4) Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faithfulness. • The “proud one” is mentioned in Habakkuk 1:11 “But they will be held guilty, they whose strength is their god.” • The “righteous” refers to those who belong to God, as His covenant-people • The Chaldeans (proud ones) shall be judged, by God’s wrath; but God’s own people (the righteous) shall be saved (delivered) from this judgment, by their faithfulness. Pride is opposed to faithfulness Be saved, from the judgment (wrath of God) Correction to handout: “In the Habakkuk passage, the context is the announcement of judgment against Judah and the Chaldeans.”

8. Revelation of Wrath(Romans 1:18-23) • For God to be truly righteous, He must execute judgment against all unrighteousness • His wrath is a necessary expression of His love • His wrath is justified as being against willful sinners: those who should know better • The creation reveals God’s true attributes “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge.” – Psalm 19:1-2 • They willfully exchanged His glory for the images of idolatry “They made a calf in Horeb And worshiped a molten image. Thus they exchanged their glory For the image of an ox that eats grass.” – Psalm 106:19-20

9. God Handed them over…(Romans 1:24-32) • To impure lusts • Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie (idolatry) • To degrading (homosexual) passions • Because they exchanged natural sexuality for the unnatural • It is an abomination – Leviticus 18:22 • To a depraved mind • Because they refused to acknowledge God “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’.” – Psalm 14:1 • Not only practicing all kinds of evil, but encouraging others to do the same Worthless, for moral discernment: “The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so…” – Rom 8:6

10. Without Partiality(Romans 2:1-11) • Diatribe against the self-righteous (particularly, the Jews) • If they judge, they condemn themselves, for they too are guilty • Don’t misinterpret God’s patience as hesitant uncertainty “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, But everyone to come to repentance.” -- 2 Peter 3:9 “It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.” – Hab 2:3 • Parallelism of verses 7-8 with verses 9-10 7. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life 8. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10. But glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. • God shows no partiality (first for the Jew, then for the Gentile)

11. Chiasm (Rom 2:7-10) 7a who…seek glory… 7b …eternal life 8a …self-seeking 8b … wrath and anger 9a … trouble and distress 9b … do evil 10a … glory, honor,… 10b ..who does good Who seek glory … eternal life … self-seeking … wrath and anger …trouble and distress… do evil … glory, honor … who does good

12. First for the Jew… • Special mission and special responsibility “And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers.” – Acts 3:25 “When God raised up His Servant, He sent Him first to you to bless you, …” –Acts 3:26 “Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.” –Acts 13:46 “You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” - Amos 3:2

13. Possession of the Law (Romans 2:12-16) • Confers no special claim to salvation • Salvation not from possessing the Law , but by obeying it • Gentiles have the law “written in their hearts” • Translation of verse 14: According to NIV: “…when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law…” Preferred alternative: “…when Gentiles, who do not by nature have the law, do the things required by the law…” • In other places (e.g. Rom 2:27; 11:24) “by nature” refers to Gentile heritage and ancestry. • In Rom 8:7, Paul says that “the mind set on the flesh…does not subject itself to the law of God”. To live “according to the flesh” is equivalent to living “by nature”. Therefore no one ever does “by nature” what is required by the law. • The Gentiles spoken of here (vs 14-16) are Christians; to have the requirements of the Law written in their hearts: • Fulfills the prophecy of the new covenant – “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it” – Jere 31:33 • Is the work of the Spirit -- Ezek 36:26-27; Rom 8:1-17; 2 Cor 3:2-8

14. The Special Calling of the Jews(Romans 2:17-29) • A legitimate cause for “boasting” “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises loving-kindness, justice and righteousness on earth…” -- Jeremiah 9:23-24 • But they failed in their mission “What right have you to tell of My statutes and to take My covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you.” – Psalm 50:16-17 “I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst.” -- Ezekiel 36:23 “Alas, you who are longing for the day of the Lord, for what purpose will the day of the Lord be to you? It will be darkness and not light…” – Amos 5:18 • Physical circumcision is of no value • Intended as a mark of holiness – separation for God • Meaningful only if the holiness is a reality in the heart “Circumcise yourselves to the Lord and remove the foreskins of your heart…” -- Jeremiah 4:4 • Who is a Jew? • One who is a Jew inwardly; with a circumcised heart • By the Spirit, not the letter • Praise not from men, but from God

15. All Are Guilty(Romans 3:1-20) • The “advantage” of the Jew • Entrusted with the oracles of God – a message to the nations • Consequence of their unbelief • God is still faithful – His plan and promise will still be fulfilled • God can still use the unrighteous to accomplish His purpose • Nevertheless, His unrighteous instruments must be judged “The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” -- Matt 26:24 • Jews are no better than the Gentiles; all are under sin • Enslaved, and in bondage, to sin • Supported by Psalm and Isaiah quotes, bracketed by: “There is none righteous, not even one” -- Psalm 14:1 “There is no fear of God before their eyes” -- Psalm 36:1 • The Law condemns those who are under it (the Jews) • Every mouth is closed (i.e. nothing to say in one’s defense) • None are justified by works of law (law has no power for salvation) • Law yields the knowledge of sin (enslavement of sinfulness)

16. Justification by Faith- I (Romans 3:21-26) • Righteousness of God is now manifested • Apart from the Law • But witnessed by the Law and Prophets • Through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ • Not “righteousness from God through faith in Jesus Christ” [NIV] • But “righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ” • For those who believe (i.e. “from faithfulness to faithfulness” – Rom 1:17) • Through redemption in Christ • Paying a price (ransom) to deliver from bondage (under sin) • Paid by both Father and Son, to the Father, initiated by the Father’s love • A propitiation (hilasterion) • General meaning: appeasement by substitutionary sacrifice • Old Testament meaning: mercy seat (cover) on the ark of the covenant • Place of atonement – i.e. reconciliation, by blood sacrifice • In His blood – “without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” – Hebr 9:22 “Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried…He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed….The Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him….My Servant will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities.” -- Isaiah 53:4-6, 10-11

17. Justification by Faith - II(Romans 3:27-31) • Boasting is excluded • Since justification is by faith, not works of law • To be further developed in Romans 4:1-8 • Same plan for both Jews and Gentiles (i.e. faith apart from Law) • There is one God, of both Jews and Gentiles • This does not nullify the Law, but establishes the Law • As witnessed by the Law and Prophets (Rom 3:21) “The Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.” -- Deuteronomy 30:6 “My Servant will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities.” -- Isaiah 53:11 “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people…. ‘they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them’, declares the Lord, ‘for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.’” -- Jeremiah 31:33-34 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.” -- Matthew 5:17

18. How was Abraham Justified? (Romans 4:1) • The Importance of Abraham • It was to Abraham, and his descendants, that the promises were made • If we are to be heirs of the promises, we must then know how to be his true “descendants” • Translation of verse 1 • Literal: “What therefore shall we say to have found Abraham the forefather of us according to flesh.” • NIV: “What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter?” • Preferred: “What shall we say then? Have we found Abraham, our forefather, [to be justified] according to the flesh?” • The question is posed, in order to argue against it. • Meaning of “according to the flesh” • Merely human – i.e. of human will, methods and effort, versus “according to the Spirit” • Example of Ishmael, in Galatians 4:29: “He who was born according to the flesh [Ishmael] persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit [Isaac].” • Illustrates difference between justification by law or by faith – “…a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus” – Gal 2:16 • Therefore the parallel: “according to flesh vs. Spirit” “works of law vs. faith”

19. Works versus Faith (Romans 4:2-5) • Verse 2 parallels verse 1: vs. 1 -- “…Abraham, our forefather, [was justified] according to the flesh…” vs. 2 -- “For if Abraham was justified by works…” • Works would be a basis for boasting, which is unacceptable • All good things we receive from God, our Creator, are gifts, by grace • Therefore justification must be a free gift, and therefore cannot be earned by works • Scriptural basis: “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” – Gen 15:6 • Abraham placed his trust in God. • This trust was credited for him into righteousness -- i.e. a right-standing relationship with God. • Such trust is essential to genuine relationship. • He was thus reconciled to God, to be able to relate to Him as a child • Such faith is not a “work”; it is humble acceptance of the relational gift • Analogous to an orphan agreeing to an adoption; or a woman accepting a marriage proposal • A voluntary act of submissive trust, in accepting a gift of relationship • It is a humble act, with no basis for boasting

20. Blessing of Forgiveness (Romans 4:6-8) • David says the same thing, regarding forgiveness of sin: “Blessed are they whose offenses have been forgiven and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” -- Psalm 32:1-2 • The phrase “never count against” in verse 8 uses the same accounting term (logizomai) as is used in verse 6: “credits righteousness…” • The “not-crediting” of sin (i.e. forgiveness) is thus the flip-side of “crediting” righteousness. • Forgiveness is the necessary complement of justification • Removing the status of “sinner” and establishing the status of “righteous” • The status of forgiven/righteous is necessary for relationship with God, which in turn is necessary for life and salvation • Forgiveness as well as justification are gifts, by God’s grace. Neither can be earned by works.

21. Circumcision(Romans 4:9-12) • Abraham’s Circumcision • He was justified by faith prior to circumcision • Circumcision was only a sign and a seal of righteousness • He is therefore father of those who have faith, whether circumcised or not • Comparison of Circumcision to Baptism: “In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” -- Col 2:11-12 • Some therefore claim that baptism, also, is only a sign and a seal • However, baptism is compared here to the “circumcision of the hearth”, not to physical circumcision • Circumcision of the heart is commended, necessary and effectual: “No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God”. – Rom 2:9 “ The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.” -- Deut. 30:6

22. Covenant of Faith, not Law(Romans 4:13-16) • Law was not the basis for the promise to Abraham “It was not through law….but through the righteousness that comes by faith” – Rom 4:13 • Equivalent to “…God credits righteousness apart from works” – Rom 4:6 • Promise to be “heir of the world”: “… you will be the father of a multitude of nations…” -- Gen 17:4 “…your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed…” -- Gen 22:17-18 • God could not add the Law as further conditions • Adding new conditions would break the original promise • The Law brings wrath • Gives knowledge of sin “…through the law we become conscious of sin”. – Rom 3:20 • Increases transgression “The law was added so that the trespass might increase.”. – Rom 5:20 • Consequence of promise being faith-based versus law-based • By grace (free gift) • Available to all peoples (not just the Jews)

23. The Faith of Abraham(Romans 4:17-25) • Content of Abraham’s faith • God gives life to the dead • God calls things that are not, as though they were • Hope against hope • Hope only in God, as there was no hope from this world • Sarah was past the age of bearing children • Abraham did not waver • Lifetime of persevering faithfulness, demonstrated by obedience “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went…”. – Hebr 11:8 “By faith Abraham…offered Isaac…” -- Hebr 11:17 • Applies to our faith in Christ, which is also credited into righteousness: • He was delivered over because of our transgressions • He was raised because of our justification

24. Peace with God(Romans 5:1-2) • Peace has the same meaning as “Shalom” of the Old Testament -- well-being and blessing, as in the Aaronic blessing: “The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace” -- Numbers 6:24-26 • As announced at Jesus’ birth: “Peace on Earth to men on whom His favor rests…” -- Luke 2:14 • As promised by Jesus: “…in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” -- John 16:33 • Three Phases: • Objective relational status -- justification • Subjective experience -- sanctification • Completed realization -- final fulfilled hope

25. Basis for Hope(Romans 5:3-5) • Subjective, Internal Evidence: • Assurance of personal hope comes from proven character • Tribulation Perseverance Proven character Hope “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons….It produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” -- Hebrews 12:7, 11 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its perfect results…”—  James 1:2-4 “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren…”- 1 John 3:14 • Objective, External Evidence: • Assurance of what God has done and shall do, revealed in the Gospel • To know the love of God, through the Holy Spirit • Alternative “evidences” that are not a sure basis: • Accomplishments: “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” -- Matt 7:22-23 • Gifts: “If I have the gift of prophesy and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” -- 1 Cor 13:2 • Dreams, visions, dramatic experiences: “Let no one keep defrauding you… taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind…” - Colossians 2:18

26. God’s Loveand Reconciliation (Romans 5:6-11) • God’s love is unconditional • Demonstrated, in Christ, while we were sinners – totally unworthy • Therefore His continued love for us does not depend upon our “deserving it” • We can have full assurance in the continuing faithfulness of His love, unto the end – to be further developed in Rom 8:31-39 • Therefore the hope will not disappoint: “having been justified…we shall be saved” • Reconciliation (equivalent to ‘making peace’) “… God, who reconciled ustoHimself…” -- 2 Cor 5:18 “…and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross…” – Col 1:20 • Symmetrical structure of Rom 5:1-11 Rom 5:1-2 -- have peace, and exult … Rom 5:3-4 -- Proven character gives present subjective assurance of personal hope Rom 5:5-9 -- God’s demonstrated love proves, objectively, the hope will be fulfilled Rom 5:10-11 -- have been reconciled, and exult in God.

27. Original Sin (Romans 5:12-14) • Through one man, Adam, sin entered into the world • Serpent’s temptation: “you will be like God, knowing good and evil” – Gen 3:5 • Likely involves self-consciousness: a God-like knowledge of good and evil Self-consciousness self-condemnation self-destruction (death instinct) • Self-defensive reaction: deception, denial, redirection of hate towards others “Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. …Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.” -- Gen 4:5, 8 • Resulting in death (spiritual), for all: guilt of self-condemnation alienates us from God: “I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” – Gen 3:10 • For all sinned -- transmitted culturally (not genetically) to all humankind • Death reigned, even when there was no Law • Self-consciousness acquired by all, but not as a transgression against a command • However, ensuing redirected violence to others is a willful sin that all are guilty of. Therefore death reigns. • Adam was a “type” of Him who was to come

28. The Second Adam(Romans 5:15-19) • Parallels and differences between the type and anti-type: • Son of Man • Adam, representing all mankind, was given dominion: “…let them rule…over all the earth” – Gen 1:26 • Adam then handed it over to Satan and to Sin, which reigns over all who are in Adam • Jesus, as Son of Man, defeated sin and death, recovered dominion, and we now reign in Him (Rom 5:17) By transgression of one (Adam), many died Judgment resulting in condemnation Therefore death reigned Through Adam’s disobedience, many were made sinners By grace of one (Jesus), the gift abounds to the many Free gift resulting in justification Therefore we will reign (in life) Through Jesus’ obedience, many are made righteous Jesus, as Son of Man, is the representative and head of all who belong to Him, in the new creation. Adam was the representative and head of all mankind in the original creation.

29. Transgression Increased, but Grace Abounds (Romans 5:20-21) • The Law caused the original transgression to increase “…through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.” – Rom 7:13 • But grace abounds, to match the increase; so grace overcomes sin • Transfer of power: Sin reigned in death. Gracereigns … into eternal life. • Grace delivers us from fear of death: “…that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.” -- Hebrews 2:14-15 • It is the fear that leads to denial, deception, and hence bondage • Victory of the resurrection releases us from the fear, and therefore from the bondage

30. Dead to Sin, Alive to God (Romans 6:1-7) • Is unbounded grace a license to sin? • NO! • We have died to sin, so how can we still live in it? • The meaning of baptism • Baptism is into Christ, and into His death, buried with Him “ For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” –Gal 3:27 • As He was raised from the dead, we too are to walk in newness of life • United (intertwined) with Him: • In likeness of His death • In likeness of His resurrection • The old self (of Adam) was crucified with Him No longer slaves of sin Freed from sin Old self crucified Body of sin made powerless

31. Regarding Baptism • Dramatic prayer • A “deep” form of prayer, in that it involves the entire self, body/mind/spirit • Like prayer, it is effectual when offered sincerely, with faith • Like prayer, it is ineffectual when not offered sincerely, with faith • It is not a “work”, any more than prayer is a “work” • Humble response to God’s grace • Not an attempt to earn favor • As a single pre-defined ordinance, it is a basis for unity among Christians: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all…” -- Ephesians 4:3-4

32. Our Exodus Christian exodus from Sin • Bondage of slavery to Sin • Sacrifice of Christ (our Passover) • Christian faith identifies and defines God’s people • By baptism, we escaped from the realm of Sin • Delivered to a new realm (grace), led by the Holy Spirit • Journeying to our promised land (the new creation) Israel’s exodus from Egypt • Bondage of slavery to Egypt • Sacrifice of the Passover lamb • The blood on the doorway identified and defined God’s people • By crossing the Red Sea, they escaped from the realm of Egypt • Delivered to a new realm (in the wilderness), led by God’s presence • Journeying to the promised land (Canaan)

33. Let Sin No Longer Reign(Romans 6:8-23) • Finality of our death with Christ • Christ’s resurrection is a final victory over death – once for all • Therefore consider yourselves dead to sin • Our present Christian life is to God, in Christ “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” – Gal 2:20 • Since we are now free to choose, choose to serve righteousness, not sin • Use your “members” as instruments / weapons for righteousness, not sin • You are a servant of whomever you choose to obey: righteousness or sin • Consequences of the choice: • Serving sin leads to more lawlessness and death • Serving righteousness leads to sanctification and life • Serving sin is slavery (based on deception); serving righteousness is freedom (based on truth) “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free….Everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.” -- John 8:31,32, 34

34. Law and Grace(Romans 7:1-6) • Why we are no longer under the Law • Referring back to previous statement that we are not under law: “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!” -- Romans 6:14-15 • Not under the Law, because we have died to the Law • Analogous to the the law of marriage, which has no jurisdiction after the death of one of the partners. When one dies, the survivor is free to re-marry • Similarly, we have died, and are no longer under the Law, but under grace: System of Law bound to Sin Died to the Law set free from Sin Under grace bound to God “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” -- Galatians 2:19-20 • Contrast between Law and Grace: • Law -- Serving in oldness of the letter; bearing fruit for death -- Romans 7 • Grace -- Serving in the newness of the Spirit; bearing fruit for God – Romans 8

35. Is the Law Sin?(Romans 7:7-13) • “I would not have known sin, except through the Law”. • The Law brings sin to life, as sin uses the Law to bring death • We therefore experience sin more intensely because of Law • But the Law in itself is holy and good; its intention is life • It is Sin that brings death, by deceitfully using the Law • Through the Law, Sin reveals its real nature • Through the Law, Sin becomes utterly sinful - and ultimately self-destructs “Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. But the scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” -- Galatians 3:21-22 • God does not directly punish sinners with death, nor does He defeat Sin by simply curtailing it: • He hands sinners over to Sin, to be judged and punished by Sin • Sin is allowed to fully express itself • Sin is finally destroyed when it was laid upon Christ, on the cross

36. Bondage and Conflict(Romans 7:14-25) • The person under the Law, in Adam, according to the flesh: • Disconnect between intentions and actions, because of bondage to Sin • Doing what I don’t want to do • Not doing what I do want to do • “I” agree with the Law, confessing that it is good • “Sin”, dwelling inside, is the source of disobedience • Knowledge and Repentance are not enough • Conflict between two Laws: • Law of God, in the inner man – Law as intended, from God • Serving with my mind • Law of Sin, in my members -- The Law subjected to and used by Sin • Serving with my flesh • Who will set me free? • See Romans 8

37. Living by the Spirit(Romans 8:1-8) • Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus • The answer to 7:24 – “who will set me free from the body of this death?” • “In Christ” --- clothed in Him, and under His reign • The condemnation had been from Sin, and from Satan; not from God • Because we are set free from sin and death: Law of Spirit of life, in Christ Jesus -- [Law in service of the Spirit] Sets us free from Law of sin and of death -- [Law in the service of Sin] • Law was weak, through the flesh • But God condemned Sin, in the body of Jesus Christ • Law is fulfilled, in us: • Impossible for those according to the flesh (mind set on the flesh) • Now realized for those according to the Spirit (mind set on the Spirit)

38. Obligated and Adopted(Romans 8:9-17) • Parallelism in verse 9: In the Spirit (not in the flesh) if the Spirit dwells in you If not have the Spirit of Christ then does not belong to Him • “In the Spirit” (submission) depends upon “Indwelling Spirit” (His power) • If Christ is in us, our spirit is alive “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…” - Gal 2:20 • If the Spirit is in us, He will give life to our bodies (resurrection) • Therefore, we are obligated to the One who gives life, not to the one who brings death • We (who are led by the Spirit) are adopted children of God • Testimony of the Spirit • Cry out “Abba! Father!” -- special intimacy, without fear • Therefore heirs -- if we suffer with Him (compare Rom 5:3-5) “Let go and let God” “ Let God, but hold on”

39. Sufferings and Groanings(Romans 8:18-25) • Sufferings not worthy to be compared to future glory • Cosmic scope – all of creation suffers with us, in futility “Then to Adam he said….. ‘cursed is the ground because of you’.” – Genesis 3:17 • But in the resurrection, all of creation shall be set free, along with us, transformed into a glorious new creation “I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing and her people for gladness.” -- Isaiah 65:17 “According to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” -- 2 Peter 3:13 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away…” -- Revelation 21:1 “Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse…” -- Revelation 22:1-3a • All creation “groans”, in eager expectation; and we also groan • Like the travails of childbirth -- “You will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy. Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.” – John 16:20b-21 • Having the firstfruits of the Spirit, we groan, in hope

40. Prayer, and God’s Eternal Purpose(Romans 8:26-30) • Our inner goanings are lifted up to God in prayer • Our weakness: we don’t know exactly what to pray for (i.e. what complies with God’s will) • Our help: the Holy Spirit intercedes; He understands, and translates our prayers into effectual, specific prayer, according to God’s will • God’s eternal purpose – causing all things to work together for good • From the foundation of the world: • He foreknew us • He predestined us • He called us • He justified us • He glorified us • All these elements of salvation are in Christ, available for anyone who chooses to be in Christ “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ … In Him we have redemption…” – Ephesians 1:3, 5

41. No One Can Prevail Against Us (Romans 8:31-39) • God, Who did not spare His Son, will surely give us all that we need • No one can bring a charge against us • Because He justified us • No one can condemn us • Because our sins were already condemned, in Christ, on the cross • Tribulations cannot separate us from His love “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out…. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.” -- John 6:37, 39 “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 • No power or principality can take us away from Him “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” -- John 10:27-29 “Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.” -- 1 Corinthians 15:24-25

42. Israel’s Fate Fulfills God’s Word(Romans 9:1-18) • Grief over the lost • Paul’s profound sorrow over his kinsmen – such that he was willing to be a substitute for their judgment • More grievous because of their special calling “He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.” – John 1:11 • Israel’s failure is not a failure of God’s word • They are not all Israel who are descended from Israel • Example of Isaac and Ishmael • Example of Jacob and Esau • God’s promise is only for a portion of Abraham’s descendants • Selected according to God’s purpose, not according to human merit • There is no injustice in God’s elections • Example from Moses: “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” • The “hardening” of Pharaoh: “I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you.” • These choices depend not upon the men, but upon God

43. Sovereignty of God(Romans 9:19-29) • If it is by God’s choice, how can anyone be held responsible? • Who are we to “answer back”? “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?” -- Job 40:2 • The potter and the clay • The potter has the right to mold the clay for his own purpose • Vessels of wrath, prepared for destruction – to reveal His power • Vessels of mercy, prepared for glory – to reveal His glory • God is just in His choices • Justice condemns all to destruction • Mercy transcends justice • God’s chosen includes Gentiles “I will call those who were not my people, ‘My people’, and her who was not beloved, ‘beloved’”. • God’s chosen includes only a remnant of Israel “Though the number of the sons of Israel be like the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved”.

44. Righteousness of Faith(Romans 9:30 - 10:8) • Contrasting Israel and the Gentiles: • Gentiles did not pursue righteousness, but attained it -- by faith • Israel pursued righteousness, but did not attain it -- by works, not faith • Jesus Christ as the Stone • A stumbling stone for those who were pursuing works-of-Law • The cornerstone for those who responded by faith • Israel had a zeal, but without knowledge • Devotion according to the letter of the Law, but not the spirit of the Law • Paul’s former life: “…as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ….that I may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ…” -- Philippians 3:6, 7, 9 • Righteousness by faith • Does not say: “Who will ascend into heaven?” ( to bring Christ down) • Does not say: “Who will descend into the abyss?” (to bring Christ up) • It says: “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”

45. The Gospel(Romans 10:9 -21) • Confess and believe, to be saved • Believe, in your heart, “Jesus is risen”, resulting in righteousness -- faith • Confess, with the mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, resulting in salvation -- faithfulness • For whoever calls on His name -- Jew or Greek • God’s plan and method by which we receive His salvation: • The sending of preachers • Preaching the gospel • Hearing the gospel • Believing in Christ • Calling on His name • The word has gone forth to all: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” • The nations have responded: “I was found by those who did not seek Me, I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” • But as for Israel: “All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

46. God Has Not Rejected His People (Romans 11:1 -24) • He has not rejected Israel (according to the flesh) • Paul himself is an example • Example from the time of Elijah – preserving a remnant (7,000) • Similarly in the present time, a remnant is preserved – by grace • Two groups: • The remnant, chosen by grace, who obtained what they sought • The others, who were hardened, and did not obtain what they sought • Supporting quotes from Isaiah 29:10 and Psalm 69:22-23 • They (the hardened) stumbled, but not “in order to fall” • So that salvation could come to the Gentiles • And subsequently that Israelites might become “jealous”, and accept the gospel • They are still holy to Him, because their origin, Abraham, was holy: “If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.” • Gentiles: “do not be arrogant” because branches were broken off and they were grafted in • The Gentiles stand only by faith, and could also be broken off for unbelief • The Israelites could be grafted back in, if they discontinue their unbelief

47. All Israel Shall Be Saved (Romans 11:25-36) • The mystery of the partial hardening • The hardening of Israel was a consequence of God delaying judgment • The result: opportunity for more to repent, especially the Gentiles • So that “All Israel” shall be saved -- i.e. the complete number, or fullness, of the true Israel -- all who are destined to become God’s people • Gifts and calling of God are irrevocable • The offer from God, the availability of His grace, never fails. He is true to His promise. He has not rejected anyone. • But the realization of salvation for any individual still depends upon that individual accepting the offer, by faith, and continuing in faith • All (Jew and Gentile) have been shut up in disobedience (convicted of sin); and He extends the offer of mercy to all (Jew and Gentile) • In spite of all the things that are perplexing, all that is beyond our understanding, God is faithful in fulfilling His promises, effectual in accomplishing His plans “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!”

48. A Living Sacrifice(Romans 12:1-5) • Present your bodies a living sacrifice • Acceptable, or pleasing to God • Your reasonable service of worship • Do not be conformed to this world (pressed into its mold) • But be transformed • By renewing of your mind • To approve God’s will • Regard yourself according to sound judgment • Not more highly than you should • According to the “measuring rod” of faith • We are members of a body • Differing functions • Members that belong to one another • One body in Christ

49. Using Our Gifts(Romans 12:6-8) • We have gifts that differ, according to grace • Prophecy – according to the measuring rod of faith • Service (Deacons) – in serving (humbly, for others) • Teaching – in teaching (passing on what has been revealed, for others) • Exhorting – in exhortation (urging, persuading, encouraging; in preaching and counseling) • Giving – with generosity (according to full measure of your ability) • Leading (Elders/Pastors) – with diligence (full attention and seriousness) • Mercy – with cheerfulness (that it will have it’s intended spiritual effect) • For any gift or calling: • Do it for the right purpose • Do it with all your might

50. Love One Another(Romans 12:9-13) • Love without hypocrisy -- the perfect will of God (Romans 12:2) • This section will explain what genuine love is • Parallels the exposition in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 • Attributes of genuine love: • Abhors evil, clings to what is good; compare 1 Corinthians 13:6 -- “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.” • Devotion of brotherly love / friendship • Giving preference of honor to others; respecting their integrity • Be diligent and fervent • Perseverance, sustained by hope and by prayer • Practical service, according to needs; compare James 2:15-16 – “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?”