Romans complete study notes

Romans 1:1-4

The apostle Paul wrote Romans while in Corinth (Romans 15:26) in 58 A.D. He wrote it with the intent to instruct the church in Rome on the doctrines of the faith. (Romans 1:11) Paul had been eager to visit Rome (Romans 1:15) to preach the gospel. The idea that Peter founded the church in Rome seems erroneous because Paul was a missionary to places where other Apostles had not already visited and established churches already. (Romans 15:20)

Paul introduces himself as a bondservant in the Hebrew sense. (Ebed) This is a subservient servant who willingly serves a master permanently. (Exodus 21:6) Paul also states his apostleship. (Literally one who is sent) He was directly called by Jesus Christ to preach the gospel. (Galatians 1:1) The office of apostleship was held by the 13 men who witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ, received authoritative revelation to lay the foundation for the early church, possessed the gift of healing, were able to cast out demons and perform signs and miracles to confirm their apostleship. (2 Corinthians 12:12)

Paul was set apart to proclaim the gospel of God. God’s good news (evangelion) is that God is able to deliver us from the penalty of our sin. (Romans 1:16) The distinction here is that this good news is from God.

The gospel was predicted before the New Testament by the prophets in the Scriptures (The Old Testament.  (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:25-27, Isaiah 53:1-12) Jesus never contradicted the Jewish Scriptures but always fulfilled them. (Mathew 5:17-18) On the other hand he confronted and corrected false teaching that originated from man’s tradition rather than God’s word. (Mathew: 5:21-43)

Jesus Christ is a descendant of King David in the flesh (Luke 3:23, 31) whom God made an everlasting covenant promising that David’s seed would inherit a permanent throne. (2 Samuel 7:12-13, Psalm 89:3-4) Jesus Christ’s deity is from everlasting (John 1:1, Hebrews 13:8) but He was declared the Son of God when Christ took on flesh and became a man. (John 1:14, Psalm 2:7) From Romans 1:4; we get the doctrine that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man. This doctrine is confirmed in the same verse with the fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead with power. (Confirming his divinity after his clearly human death) (Acts 13:29-33)

The Universal Sinfulness of Man

Romans 1:18-3:20

God is angry with all sinners who have not been made righteous through faith in Christ. His wrath is seen on earth temporally through judgement and eternally in the final judgement of the unrighteous. (Jeremiah 25:15-16, Romans 9:22)

Everyone is without excuse because the creation we all experience bears witness that there is a God to whom we are ultimately responsible. Suppressing our conscience or ignoring God’s existence does not simply make God go away or stop Him from being the sovereign ruler of the universe. The complexity of creation and the sustainability thereof demands a sovereign creator which makes man responsible for their ungodliness because God’s power at work in the universe is concrete proof of his existence.

When sinners refuse to acknowledge and worship God; they are forced to exchange truth for a lie. This will ultimately lead to self worship which is idolatry. Worse still; God will allow mankind’s depraved minds to follow after its own lusts and spiral further down into moral decay. (Verses 29-31) According to verse 32; mankind’s God given conscience also serves as a warning that sin will ultimately lead to judgment.

Romans 2-2:29

Religious people and moral atheists may think they are immune from God’s judgement but they actually condemn themselves whenever they judge other people’s wicked behavior because they are in fact guilty of the same thing!  God is patient towards all sinners in that He desires them to repent of their sin. Verse 5-6 guarantees that all wickedness will ultimately be paid back by God; who is just. Those who do God’s will (7, 10) will be rewarded but those who refuse to repent (8, 9) will be punished; regardless of religious background or perceived morality. We will all be judged by what knowledge about God we had. For the non religious person; they will be judged by what God revealed through creation and conscience. For those who had access to God’s moral law; they will be judged more strictly because of the greater truth they received yet rebelled against. Verse 17-29 condemns those who believe outward religiosity or law keeping will save them from judgement. In verse 29; the apostle Paul hints that justification is achieved when we are filled by the Holy Spirit

Romans 3-3:20

God will ultimately keep all the promises he has made with his covenant people Israel even if they are disobedient and rebellious. The fact that God gave Israel the Law and makes them all the guiltier for their failure to believe. Simply put; everyone is an outright evil sinner (9-18) and they will be judged without having the law or with having the law according to the revelation which they had.. Verse 20 defeats the notion that a person can achieve salvation through works of the law. Rather; the law proves we are all sinners!

Righteousness attained by faith alone in Christ alone

Romans 3:21-5:11

Romans 3:24 being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:21-31

Since keeping the law and human effort is inefficient to establish God’s righteousness; the only possible alternative becomes righteousness by faith in Christ. (Verse 21) God is the source of this righteousness and faith in Jesus Christ is the only source of God’s righteousness. The grace provided for the redemption from sin was accomplished through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and is credited to those who place their faith in the saviour (2 Corinthians 5:21) God declares those who trust in Jesus’ atonement justified because a legal exchange took place upon the cross whereby Jesus Christ exchanged his sinless account to for our sinful account. Thus; God considers our sin debt to be paid in full by the sinless blood of the saviour. (Verse 25) Jesus also paid the previous sin debt of all the Old Testament saints who had previously trusted in God’s covenant. (Verse 25)Boasting becomes absurd then since we do not contribute anything to our salvation whether we are religious or non-religious, moral or amoral. We are all saved the same way through faith in the same savior Jesus Christ. The requirements of the law are fulfilled through Christ’s righteousness and faith in Christ then allows to a believer to obey the law.

Romans 4:1-25

To prove the point that justification ( to be declared righteous by God) is accomplished by faith apart from the law Paul points out that Abraham was declared righteous as a result of having believed God; Before circumcision was given as an outward sign. (4:3, 10) David also wrote about How God is able to declare the ungodly righteous apart from any religious self accomplishment. (4:5-8) The point is further established that righteousness would be established to those who follow in Abraham’s footsteps of faith in God by trusting in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for their justification apart from keeping the law. (4:13-25)

Romans 5:1-11

Jesus Christ took the initiative to die for us sinners before we were considered good by God’s account. (Romans 5:8)Faith in Jesus Christ produced peace with God. (5:10) we become reconciled to God from our previous offences and we are no longer considered God’s enemies. (Rom 1:18) Not only do we possess reconciliation; but we are also given hope through the Holy Spirit that whatever hits us in this life will not destroy our faith. (Verse 5)

Romans 5:12-21

Sin is universal because it was inherited from Adam (the original sinner) and thus infected the entire human race. Alternatively; Jesus Christ’s righteousness is just as effective; able to make righteous all those who believe. Adam’s sin resulted in the condemnation of the entire human race. On the other hand; Jesus Christ’s obedience resulted in grace leading to eternal life for all men!

Dead to Sin…Alive in Christ

Romans 6-6:14

Romans 6:1-2

Paul asked the question as to wither a person who is “In Christ” should continue in sin and the answer is a resounding no because the believer’s sin nature is dead and thus loses its dominance in the life of a believer. Paul’s critics argued that if Christians did not have strict laws to adhere to; their freedom would lead to a wanton entrapment to sin. On the other hand; Christian freedom is not to be a cloak for sin, but rather an open door for a multitude of good works since we are freed from sin but slaves to righteousness. (Romans 6:18)

Romans 6:3-5

³ Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

By placing saving faith in Jesus Christ; (repentance, submission to Christ’s lordship, and faith in Christ’s atoning work on the cross) a disciple becomes immersed in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The grace in which we now stand (redemption through saving faith in Jesus Christ) is far more effective than law keeping as a deterrent from sin because of a new spiritual reality that is active in us by grace; namely, that we become dead to sin and alive in Christ. When Jesus Christ died for sinners; (verse 3) we died to sin permanently. (Verse 4) Verse 5 says we associate with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as a confirmation that we are to live as Christ lived and is living; that is in righteousness apart from sin.

This is commonly referred to as being born again since we “die to sin” and are “reborn to a life that pleases God”. The understanding to be grasped here is that a person without faith in Christ is dead in their sins and it is impossible for them to obey God and thus please Him whereas the truly converted has a new nature that allows Him/her to please God by their new found life in and through the person of the Holy Spirit. Baptism in Christ is to be altogether a new creation and so sin loses its appeal and righteousness becomes our new aim.

Romans 6:6-7 tells us that our sin nature has been crucified with Christ or “killed”. In other words; it has lost its power to rule over our minds and body. (A dead person has no power to do anything)  Therefore; our unregenerate (life lived apart from God) former selves have died; so we are also freed from the grip of sin that use to hold us in bondage. This point further responds why we need not sin after we become Christians and that sinful living is now a thing of the past. (Galatians 5:24)

Romans 6: 8-10 reminds us that once we have died with Christ; we will now live forever in heaven! Sin causes death (Romans 6:23) so if the power of sin is broken in our lives; so is the power of death.

Romans 6: 11-14 In light of the spiritual reality that you are free from sin and alive to God; fully present yourself to God and not to unrighteousness. This involves an understanding of our standing in Christ as it relates to freedom from sin, conviction of our will to carry out what we know to be true in our lives. If we are to live the Christian life; we must cling to reality  of this new spiritual reality that we are freed from the enslavement of sin and now under God’s control to perform what is righteous and pleasing to God; in faith, by his grace. (1 Peter 1:15-16)

Romans 7-8:6

Eternal Life for those in Christ

Romans 7: 1-12 the legal requirements of the law was fulfilled by Jesus Christ and so we are now dead to the law since we are baptised in Christ’s death and resurrection. We are not held by the law’s condemnation any longer but rather are empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the law of God. As new creations; we delight in God’s law in the inner man; whereas before the law aroused every sort of rebellion in our weak flesh. The law itself is holy but our sinful flesh (our carnal nature inherited from Adam) exploited God’s commandment’s causing us to sin even more, thus proving that God’s law is holy and we were guilty sinners; deserving of condemnation prior to being regenerated by the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion. (The new birth)

Romans 7: 13-25 as new creations in Christ; we are not in the flesh (completely controlled by our carnal nature as was the case prior to conversion) but the flesh is still in us! This reality means that we Christians struggle against the possibility to fall back into sin even after our conversion! This constant threat comes from our carnal natures that have not been redeemed. Our inner person seeks after God and is redeemed but our unredeemed carnal nature attempts to drag us back into depravity. Verse 25 promises the full redemption of the body at our resurrection. The day is coming when our bodies to will be redeemed too and will only long to do the things that glorify God!

Romans 8:1-5 these are perhaps the greatest verses about our redemption (forgiveness from sin) in the entire New Testament. Every born again believer ought to understand these verses and the implication on their new life now that they are in Christ.

Verse 1 Tells us that that the penalty for all our sin (past, present, and future) can no longer condemn us or change our standing as righteous. The thought here is that there will be no judicial sentencing on any one in Christ. (Romans 6:1-11, 1 Corinthians 15:22) The logic is that Jesus Christ paid the full penalty for our sins by dying on the cross and resurrecting so we are now permanently free from current of future judicial sentencing. Wow!

Verse 1, 2 The Spirit of God is credited for making us alive, (spiritually) enabling us to fulfill God’s law, giving us a new nature, and empowering us to overcome our unredeemed flesh. The Holy Spirit regenerated us instantly at conversion and began to sanctify us from the moment of our conversion. Wow!

Verse 3 We’ve already established that keeping the law could not redeem us from sin but rather condemned us! Jesus Christ on the other; condemned sin once and  for all by being a sin substitute for us ; rendering the law powerless to condemn us by fulfilling the requirements of law on our behalf and imparting his righteousness to us. Wow!

Verse 4 Tells us that as Christians; we can now habitually live in a way that is pleasing to God by the very real and practical help of the abiding, indwelling Holy Spirit. Wow!

Verse 5, 6 The believer’s disposition is to obey the Holy Spirit whereas the unbeliever’s disposition is to obey its carnal nature. Believers possess eternal life and permanent peace with God. Wow!

Romans 8:7-39

Verse 8-11: In these verses; life and pleasing God is equated to having life through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one responsible for sanctifying us and bearing spiritual fruit and spiritual service through us.  Our physical bodies are still unredeemed and will eventually die but the same Spirit who raised Jesus Christ from the dead now lives in us to produce the same resurrection power that was exhibited in the life of Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry and after his resurrection.

Verse 12-17 Holy Spirit living involves putting to death the deeds of our unregenerate flesh daily. The principle that dominates the adopted sons and daughters of God through the Spirit of adoption is that they are primarily led and motivated by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Their affections are for things of God and his kingdom. We are rightful children of God through our adoption in the beloved. Non believers have God as their creator but not as their father. Verse 16-17 assures us that we will indeed inherit the kingdom because of our position as sons and daughters of God; mainly; heaven itself and a glorified body to inhabit heaven.

Verse 18-22 promises the future glory that awaits believers is greater than any suffering or persecution that we will endure through this life. Creation itself is under a curse dating back to the fall of man in Genesis that characterized as ‘groaning”. In other words; creation was unwillingly subjected to futility in that it cannot accomplish the true purpose for which it was made. Creation will be remade perfectly without the curse that currently afflicts it. (2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 21:1, Isaiah 66:22)

Verse 23-26 The Holy Spirit is our guarantee, our pledge, our promise, and our title deed to the inheritance that is that the Father will give to us in the future.  Biblical hope is guaranteed because it is founded on the unchanging word of our unchanging God. (Hebrews 13:8, Isaiah 40:8) Perseverance speaks of genuine saving faith that is always persevering faith. (Romans 8:37, Romans 5:4, James 1:2)

Verse 27-30 The Holy Spirit intervenes on our behalf to keep us in the will of God. These verses are profound in that they credit all of our Christian living to the Father who orchestrated our salvation through His Son Jesus Christ and activated our salvation by the indwelling Holy Spirit. As a result of God orchestrating and allowing all events in our life; our temporal good and eternal benefits were always in God’s foreknowledge as God worked out the plan for our salvation. God’s plan for our lives is to ultimately conform us  to his Son Jesus Christ when He will glorify us.. (Acts 2:23, Romans 8:30)

Verse 31-39 The Father guarantees us salvation as part of our union with Christ by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Nothing created (seen or unseen) is mightier than the Father and able to thwart God’s plan of salvation for the Christian. For the Christian; any opposition faced in this life will only further prove that we are God’s redeemed (Verse 37) and that God is truly on our side, because we rightfully belong to the Father through our union with Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. (John 14:16, Ephesians 1:11-13, Acts 1:8)

God’s sovereign election - Romans chapter 9

Verse 1-5 If anybody should be in the kingdom; it appears Israel would be top of the list. They are Abraham’s descendants after all and God made the covenant with Abraham. (Genesis 17:7-19) They also received the Mosaic covenant, the temple priesthood, (Exodus 19:6, Exodus 20:1-17) and received the Messiah and birthed the Patriarchs. (Mathew 1:1-17)

Verse 6-13 Unfortunately for Israel; Genealogy did not ensure their salvation because the primary issue of the New Covenant was “Faith in Christ” and not observance of the law. Isaac represents s the Son of the promise which is in Archetype for Abraham’s spiritual children who would inherit the promises of God by faith. Ishmael represented the Son of a bondswoman which is an archetype of keeping the law which cannot make one righteous as we learned previously. Verse 10-13 explains that God was sovereign in electing those who would receive the promise by faith. The example of Jacob and Esau is given to demonstrate that God exercises his sovereign authority in the election of some, as well as the rejection of others; which was the case for nation of Israel.

Verse 14- 29 Because of God’s sovereign position as creator and governor of the universe and his perfect holiness; God maintains his righteousness while exercising His sovereign right to demonstrate his power through his wrath on some as well as demonstrating his glory by showing mercy on others. The issue here is that God is completely sovereign and we need not question God’s righteousness. (Isaiah 55:9) Even so; God will fulfill his promise to Israel in the salvation of the remnant. (Verse 29, Zechariah 12)

Verse 30-33 These verses explain that God himself lay a stumbling stone before Israel.  (Verse 33) Israel thought they could attain the promise through keeping the law rather than by the God prescribed method: “Faith”. On the other hand; God saves all those who believe the same gospel message that Israel rejected. (Verse 33)

Need of gospel proclamation – Romans Chapter 10

Verse 1-3 Israel is guilty of being ignorant of God’s righteousness. They sought to justify themselves by observing the law. (Thinking God less holy than He actually is and thinking themselves more holy than they actually are.)

Verse 4-13 Jesus Christ is the mediator of a better covenant than Moses. (Hebrews 8:6-13) and thus confessing (agreeing to the gospel terms of repentance / saving faith / and submission to his lordship) Jesus Christ is the only way to be made right with God. Verse 9 and 10 explains that Jesus Christ justifies repenting sinners who trust and obey in the risen savior regardless of genealogy.

Verse 14-15 stresses the importance of gospel proclamation to the lost as it is the only means that a sinner may receive salvation. (Isaiah 52:7, Acts 4:12) This is the primary work of the church today and must take prominence above all other activity. (Romans 1:16.17)

Verse 16-21 Believing / obeying the gospel message about Christ is commanded but Israel was mostly disobedient. On the other hand; every nation around the world would hear and believe the same gospel that Israel rejected. (Jeremiah 29:13, Romans 10:20) 

Romans Chapter 11

Has God abandoned the nation of Israel?

1-6 God has not abandoned his covenant people Israel. The fact that Paul is a Jewish believer confirms the fact that God has a remnant of Jewish believers. God has elected this remnant in the same way; (by grace) just as all others who would believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.

7-10 the majority of the nation of Israel however have not believed the gospel of Jesus Christ and as a result, God has given them over to a judicial hardening of the heart so that they are unable to perceive that Jesus Christ was and is their long awaited messiah. (John 12:40)

11-15 don’t miss this! Israel’s failure to believe the gospel resulted in a blessing to the gentiles. (Non-Jews) In spite of the Jews unbelief; the gospel spread to all the nations of the world causing many to come to faith! On the contrary; when the Jewish nation will universally believe in Jesus Christ as the promised messiah; the blessing on the world’s inhabitants will be that much more intensified! (Revelation 7:4, 9, Zechariah 8:23)

16 The covenant was made with the “root” which represents the Jewish patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the “branches” of the tree are therefore holy (Israel are the branches because they are the descendants of the root)

17-24 Israel were the original branches on the olive tree but were cut off due to unbelief; causing God to graft “wild olive branches” (gentiles) unto the tree. However; since the root supports the wild olive branches also, they will be cut off as well due to unbelief. This is a warning to the gentile church not to boast of its current blessing because God could easily remove them from his covenant if they to fall into unbelief. In fact; God will even more easily graft the Jewish nation back unto the root since they are the original branch when they once again begin to believe. (Zechariah 12:10)

25-27 this judicial hardening of the Jewish nation has happened “temporarily” until all the non-Jews appointed by God come to salvation. When Jesus Christ returns to save Jerusalem after the great tribulation He will nationally save the nation of Israel from their sins and fulfill his covenant which he made with their forefathers. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

28-32 Like all unbelievers; (Romans 1:18) Israel is in enmity towards God currently but God’s sovereign will always insures that His purposes are accomplished. In Israel’s case; they will one day be renewed through the covenant God made with them. (Exodus 2:24)

33-36 God is completely sovereign and majestically brilliant in his salvation plan towards Israel and the rest of the world. (John 3:16) Praise be to God!

Romans 12:1-8 Using your spiritual gifts to build God’s church

Verse 1-9 God’s purpose for his church is that they be transformed in their mind to obey God’s word and fulfill the purpose of the church by individuals using their God given spiritual gifts for the building up of the church to the fullness of maturity. (Ephesians 4:13, Hebrews 10:24, 25) At conversion; God sovereignty distributes spiritual gifts by the person of the Holy Spirit to enable believers to advance God’s kingdom on earth and serve the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, Ephesians 4:8) Christians belong to one another in that they are bound through the person of Jesus Christ to be a forever family. (Verse 5) Humility, attitude, and service are essential gauges for usefulness in God’s kingdom.

Verse 6: Prophecy refers to the oratory gift of speaking forth the word of God. This is accomplished through the proportion of faith (understanding) which the speaker possesses and must be in keeping with the teachings of the apostles. During the early days of the church; prophecy included specific predictions about the future but these may have dwindled down as a result of the completion of divine revelation. (1 Corinthians 13:8-10) Public preaching is an example of prophecy. Verse 7: Ministry carries the idea of general service that relates to all forms of practical help. Serving meals at a soup kitchen is an example of ministry. Teaching carries the idea of systamatically clarifying truth so that is can be easily understood. Pastors must be able to teach (1 timothy 3:2) but mature (non pastor) believers may also be able to teach as well. A bible study teacher who properly interprets the 66 books of the Bible and teaches them regularly is an example of the gift of teaching. Verse 8: Exhortation is encouragement in right living and broad in application. It includes walking beside others though the burdens of this life and motivating them to obey God’s word in whatever situation they may find themselves. A sensitive friend who walks along a struggling single parent and encourages them to be a godly parent is an example of exhortation. Giving with liberality implies “simply” giving of ourselves and resources for the glory of God without making it complicated or under compulsion. An office worker who regularly sacrifices his time to coach a little league team after work to help under privileged youth is an example of giving. Leading with diligence carries the idea of being in front of others; guiding and directing them in their various stations. A church elder that oversees various ministries and successfully guides them is an example of leadership.

In all the gifts listed above; love is always the excellent way to employ them within the church.

(1 Corinthians 12:31, 1 Corinthians 13:13)

Behaving like a Christian Romans 

Verse 9-13: Hypocrisy is to be avoided since it is both deceptive and destructive and does not abide in truth. Followers of Christ are to show family affection towards fellow Christians and that is how the world is to recognize Christians. (By their love) Christian living is characterized by doing our God given tasks with diligence and fervor. We need to pray at all times since trials and temptations constantly assail us. Sharing and caring for each other’s needs is also how we are to live as Christians which includes showing hospitality to one another.

Responding to our enemies

Verse 14-21: The Bible teaches that we are to do good to those who do us harm, as appose to cursing them for the evil they do to us. Christians are to be sympathetic and empathetic towards other people; being happy for people who are happy and being sad with people who are sad.  Christians are to be of one accord and not think we are better than other people. We need to associate with ordinary and everyday people without conceit or pride. The Bible (verse 17-21) does not teach that individuals seek out revenge against those who harm them. We are to attempt to live peaceably with everyone; however, we are permitted to break away from certain relationships that we deem peaceably impossible. (Verse 18) God takes primary responsibility for punishing the wicked and he promises due recompense for offenders. On the other hand; Christians are to seek the good of those who do them harm with the hope that they will come under divine conviction and repent of their wrong doing.

Submitting to government

Ch. 13 (verse 1-7) Christians are commanded to obey their government. God places government in place and power and the institution of government belongs to God. Disobeying government rightfully brings about judgment on the individual committing offences against their ruling authorities. Government exists to restrain evil and promote rule of law within society. The way to live peaceably and unafraid of your government is to do good and follow the rules. If you do evil however and break the rules; the government has the God given authority to bring down judgment upon you. Be submissive to your government to insure a clear conscience and to avoid punishment.  (Verse 6-7) Christians are to pay the appropriate taxes they owe and treat governing authorities with honour and respect.

The exception to obedience is when the government commands something in direct disobedience to the word of God. This is to be done with respect and honour and willingness to suffer the consequences for disobedience.  A good example is found in Daniel Chapter 3.

Daniel 3:14-18

¹⁴ Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? ¹⁵ Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷ If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

Verse 8-14 The new law that governs Christianity is to love one another. (Verse 8)  This includes Christians (John 13:34, 35) and also non-Christians (Mathew 5:44) Loving others encompasses the six commandments from the mosaic covenant that relate to interpersonal relationships. Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Verse 10)

Exodus 20:12-17

¹² “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

¹³ “You shall not murder.

¹⁴ “You shall not commit adultery.

¹⁵ “You shall not steal.

¹⁶ “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

¹⁷ “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Christians are to be responsive and obedient to the things of God; not indifferent or apathetical. (1 Thessalonians 5: 4-5) Daily submission to the word of God is the practical solution to right behaviour and right living. (Verse 13) “Putting on Christ” rightly describes the process known as sanctification; whereby the believer is being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

(Ephesians 4: 20-24, Galatians 5:16, 2 Corinthians 3:18)

Eating and Drinking Responsibly- Romans 14:14-23

Romans 14:14-23 Consuming food and drink in it of itself is not evil or wrong to partake in and enjoy. The problem arises when our actions cause people with a weak cognisance (spiritually immature) to stumble, be grieved, or harmed because of our partaking in a liberty unabashed and insensitively. God wants us to enjoy our liberty in Jesus Christ but if we abuse liberty; others may perceive we are evildoers and we may even become slandered. Pleasing God has far less to do with eating and drinking or not eating and not drinking but rather; doing what God’s word says and experiencing the peace of our reconciled life (peace with God through faith and repentance in the Son of God the Lord Jesus Christ) and the joy that accompanies walking daily with an awareness of God’s presence in our midst. The unregenerate people of the world have every right to scrutinize and inspect the quality of our life to see if we are sincere to what claim to be. (Free from a life of sin but free to enjoy the good things our God has created for us to enjoy with thanksgiving) Exercise your best judgement when partaking in food or drink not to cause weak brethren to stumble otherwise it is evil if done recklessly knowing it would indeed offend a weak brethren. On the other hand; don’t damage your faith by denouncing your God given liberties that you are convinced are not sinful and are for your enjoyment.

Romans Ch. 15 helping others with their burdens

1-6 Mature believers are not only to tolerate immature Christian’s burdens related to their conscience but work to help them deal with the associated struggles of having a weak conscience and underdeveloped understanding of spiritual matters. Our goal as mature believers ought to be to help strengthen weak believers by being loving and supportive of what they are going through or struggling with. Jesus Christ did not flaunt his superiority or exercise self will but was wholly submitted to the will of the Heavenly Father. (Verse 3-4) The mature may need to sacrifice freedom in order to help build up individuals or a whole congregation of believers. (Philippians 2:2-5) Verse 5 reminds us that God’s purpose for the church is that we be like minded which leads to edification (building up) and not self seeking or conceitedness which leads to disunity. The end result of being like minded is a church that is able to glorify Jesus Christ’s Father in heaven (Mathew 5:15-16)

7- 13 Receive other Christians who have different opinions about matters of conscience that don’t relate to doctrinal truth. Jesus Christ came to the Jewish culture and identified with the old covenant through physical circumcision and yet He was the saviour of not only Jews; but also Gentiles. (Non-Jews) For this reason; let there be no divisions based on cultural nuances either. After all; believers are filled by the same Holy Spirit and our hope is the same since we all trusted in the same lord and savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Paul’s Final thoughts for the Church in Rome- Romans 15:14-17  

Romans 15:14-17 Paul was fond of the Roman church because of their goodness (moral character) and knowledge (doctrinal knowledge of the Christian faith) and yet believed it was necessary to remind them on some points. (unity between mature and immature believers, unity in matters on conscience, accepting one another and bearing one another’s burdens of conscience and matters of personal freedoms, and glorifying Christ through unity. Paul’s initial gospel proclamation strategy was always to present the gospel to the Jews first yet his apostolic calling was to present the gospel to the Gentiles in order to present them as a sanctified offering before God. (Verse 16)

Verse 18-19 Paul did not boast in his accomplishments for the proclamation of the gospel but rather boasted in what God had done through him by the grace given him. (Verse 18) The signs and miracles he performed were not meant for boasting but rather to authenticate his apostleship (2 Corinthians 2:12)

Verse 20-21 Paul’s purpose was to preach the gospel to unreached areas where the gospel had not previously been proclaimed. Evangelism is the work of preaching the gospel to unsaved people. Building on that foundation is the work of the pastor / teacher who keeps teaching the established church.

Verse 22-24 Paul believed he had been supernaturally prevented from going to Rome (Acts 16:7) and that He needed to go to places that had not yet been evangelized which led him to plan a trip for Spain. He longed to visit the Roman church on his way.

Verse 25-28 Paul had previously visited Macedonia and Achaia (Acts 16:9) and now He was going to Jerusalem to minister and share a gift from the Macedonian church. Verse 27 also lays down a biblical principal that those who profit spiritually ought to contribute to the financial and physical needs of their spiritual benefactors. In this case; the Gentile believers felt indebted to their Jewish brethren in Jerusalem because it was from them that they first heard the good news preached to them. The fruit in verse 28 is the love the Macedonians are sharing with the church in Jerusalem through their financial gift.

Verse 29-33 Paul was confident in God’s plan yet asked the Roman church to pray that his enemies in Judea would not prevail against him and prevent him from finishing his mission. Many unbelieving Jews in Judea had rejected Paul’s message and were ready to attack Him should he return. Although Paul was not killed; He was arrested when He did return to Judea. (Acts 21:10, 11) Paul hoped the Jewish believers would be strengthened by the Gentile believers and He looked forward to being with the Roman church and being refreshed by them. God is the God of true peace. Amen.

Farewell to beloved Brethren – Romans Ch. 16

Verse 1-16 Phoebe which means “bright and radiant” was a trusted co-labourer for Christ who is believed to have delivered the letter of Romans to the church in Rome. Paul sends commendations with Phoebe which was common in those days since travelers often needed lodging from other Christians because the inns of the day were dangerous and seedy. Paul mentions Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:1-3) who were wealthy Jewish Christians and also tentmakers; which was also Paul’s trade. In verses 6-16; Paul also mentions the ordinary people that He loved in the Church of Rome and who served Jesus Christ in their capacity. In verse 16; Paul encourages brethren to greet each other with a holy kiss to foster good will and affection for brethren in Christ. (A greeting that was common amongst Jews of the day)

Verse 17-20 Paul warns his beloved brethren in Rome to turn away from teachers who teach a different set of doctrine than He and his fellow apostles. (Galatians 1:8, 9,) Paul warns that false teachers are in it for themselves (verse 18) and will one day be destroyed when Jesus Christ returns for judgment. (Revelation 22:20)

Verse 21-23 Timothy is mentioned at the top of this list as he is Paul’s favourite son in the faith whom He considered his kindred spirit. (1 Timothy 1:2) He also mentions those most close to Him in His ministry. (21-24)

Verse 24-27 Paul was confident that the gospel of Jesus Christ that he preached and taught was the true gospel that God had revealed during this era or epoch (the church age) for the salvation of people of all ethnicities. The Father receives all the glory since the revelation of the gospel originated from Him and his foreknowledge. (Verse 27)

Romans 1:16-17 

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel ^[a]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”