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Romans 3:3 – Ya Gotta Believe

Posted on September 12, 2017 by Will

For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?

Truth to Learn

Salvation and our relationship with God are all about faith.

Behind the Words

The word translated “not believe” is apisteō, a compound verb made up of the privative a, meaning “not” and pisteō, meaning “to believe” or “to have faith.”

The noun “unbelief” is from apistia, a noun made up of the privative a, meaning “not” or “un” and a form of pistos, meaning “faith” or “belief.”

“Faithfulness” is translated from pistis, which comes from the verb peithō meaning “to win over” or “to persuade.” In other words, it means “to be persuaded,” that is, “to believe.”

Paul is very fond of using words playfully (meaningfully, but playfully). Here he is playing on the word pistis (faith) and its verb forms pisteuō (to believe) and apisteō (to not believe). In the previous verse the passive form of pisteuō was used to indicate that God “entrusted” the Holy Writings to the Jews. And here he asks if the “unbelief” (apistia) of the Jews would cancel out the “faithfulness” (pistis) of God.

Meaning Explained

In the first chapter of this letter to the Christians in Rome, Paul clearly articulated the fact that the Gentiles are sinners and that they are guilty before God and without excuse. In the second chapter he made a very clear case against the Jews, showing that they also were guilty before God without excuse. And, even though many of the early Christians were converted Jews, Paul makes it very clear that when it comes to being righteous before God, the Jews had no advantage over the Gentiles.

In the first verse of this third chapter, Paul posed a rhetorical question and he proceeded to answer it in verse two. He now poses another rhetorical question that a Jewish Christian might ask him. Since there were so many Jews who did not believe in Jesus, the Messiah, when He came, what good did it do for the Jews to be keepers of the oracles?

Paul says, in effect, “So what if some (many) did not believe in Jesus? Does that mean that God is not faithful in saving His special people (the Jews)?” As he showed in general during the first two chapters, Paul will point out several verses from now very specifically that both Jews and Gentiles are guilty of sin. Because there is none righteous, Jew or Gentile, neither group is deserving of salvation.

Do you notice that? None of us deserves salvation. Paul will make this abundantly clear. God doesn’t judge any of us to be righteous based on our actions or our deeds, but on a single act of obedience by Jesus Christ.

Application

Sooner or later each one of us has to face the question: Are you good enough for God to let you into heaven? There are many people who, when asked this question, will say, “Of course, I’ve done the best I can. What more can God expect of anyone?” But “the best I can” isn’t good enough since God expects perfection. Since none of us is perfect, none of us deserves heaven. God has entrusted us with the Holy Bible. If we ignore it, we’re lost. If we read it and believe that Jesus died to pay for our sins, then God judges us to be perfect.

It’s all about believing (pisteuō).

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 3:2 – The Entrusted Word

Posted on September 11, 2017 by Will

Much in every way! Primarily, because the oracles of God were entrusted to them.

Truth to Learn

God entrusts His message to those He loves.

Behind the Words

“Primarily” is translated from prōton, which means “first in time, place, order, or importance.” Since Paul does not enumerate further, this could be translated as “primarily” or “chiefly.”

The Greek word translated “oracles” is logian. The root of this word is logos, which refers to “a word” or “something said.” Hence, logian refers to “an utterance or something declared by God.”

The word “entrusted” is translated from the Greek word pisteuō, which means “to have faith” or “to believe.” The word is expressed here in the passive voice, however, indicating action done to them. Therefore, this word implies that God had faith in them, or “entrusted” them.

Meaning Explained

Paul now answers his own rhetorical question regarding whether there is any superiority in being a Jew or in being circumcised. He says, “Yes, there most certainly is!” Then he goes on to explain why he believes that. He says that the primary advantage of being a Jew is the fact that the Jews have been entrusted with the oracles of God.

In other words, the primary advantage of being a Jew is the fact that they have been given the very words of God for safe keeping. By this he is referring to the Hebrew Tanakh, that is, what we call the Old Testament.

Notice Paul does not say that the Jews were the only people that God talked to. After all, there are quite a number of non-Jews (like Job, for instance) to whom God communicated directly. But the only written utterances of God (at the time that Paul was writing this epistle) were contained in the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings, as we discussed yesterday. This made them (the Jews) the keepers of God’s revelation to mankind, an honor not to be taken too lightly.

One unmistakable advantage of this is something that we have alluded to in previous verses. Most of the converts to Christianity in the early church were Jews. Because they had the sacred writings, the Holy Scriptures, at their disposal, they knew more about God and His dealings with mankind. They also knew about the Messiah who was to come and save the Jews (and Gentiles). As a result, when Paul and others preached the gospel to them, it was easier for them to understand the significance of His death on the cross.

Today we Christians have been entrusted with the sacred writings of God more completely than the Jews of Paul’s day were. Let us not lose sight of the fact that these “oracles of God” have been entrusted to our care!

Application

The next time you pick up your Bible, consider how precious a book it is. In it is the message of God’s love for you, a love so great that He sacrificed His Son so that we can know Him and have intimate fellowship with Him. Hallelujah!

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 3:1 – The Profit Statement

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Will

What superiority then has the Jew, or what is the advantage of circumcision?

Truth to Learn

Though we are special in God’s eyes, we need to be humble.

Behind the Words

The word translated “superiority” is perisos which is based on peri, meaning “around” or “above.” Perisos refers to “that which is beyond, above, over, or superior.” Hence, we have translated this “superiority.”

“Advantage” is from the Greek word ōpheleia, referring to “a profit, an increase, or an advantage.” So Paul is really asking, “What is the advantage of being circumcised?”

Meaning Explained

Paul has just finished telling the Jewish Christians in Rome that the real test of Judaism is the internal attitude, not outward physical or ancestral indicators. He will now carry on his discourse of justification by faith. First, however, he needs to answer some objections that might be made against what he has just said about Jews.

Jews have historically considered themselves superior because they were the keepers of God’s word in the Tanakh (our Old Testament), consisting of the Torah (five books of Moses), the Neviym (the prophets), and the Ketuvim (writings). They also believed themselves special because, through Abraham, their circumcision is s sign of the covenant that God has made with them. In the next verse Paul will, in fact, even affirm these facts. The Jewish people could even refer to the Scriptures to show that God also considered them special and different from all others:

Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help and He who is the sword of your excellency! Your enemies are subdued for you, and you shall walk on their high places. (Deuteronomy 33:29)

And you shall become to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:6)

As a result, the early Christians, who were predominantly converted Jews, believed themselves to be better than even their unsaved fellow countrymen. Paul is not trying to tell these Jewish Christians that their heritage and faith in God are wrong. Instead, he is telling them that their justification before God is not wrapped up in obeying a set of laws or ceremonial practices.

Based on what Paul has just said, a Jewish Christian might well reply, “But, if the Gentiles can attain righteousness apart from being a Jew and apart from circumcision, then what benefit is there in being a Jew or of being circumcised?” In anticipation of these questions, Paul here rhetorically states these very objections. In the next few verses he will answer these questions.

Application

Once again, we need to apply what Paul was saying to these Jewish Christians of the first century church to our own lives. We are no better than any unsaved person living around us today. We are sinners just like they are. We are guilty and deserve the same eternal torment as they will receive. The only difference between us and them is that the blood of Christ has been applied to our account. Our debt has been paid! Praise be to God for His mercy and grace!

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 2:29 – He’s Watching and Listening

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Will

but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, in spirit, not in letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.

Truth to Learn

True Christianity is an attitude produced by humble faith.

Behind the Words

The word translated “inwardly” is the Greek word kruptos, which means “hidden, concealed, kept in secret, or private.”

“Letter” is translated from gramma, from which we get our English word grammar. It is derived from the word graphō, which means “to write.” Gramma refers to “that which is written.” Hence, it could refer to a letter of the alphabet, a book, a note, or anything else that is written.

Meaning Explained

Paul has just told us that the true spirit of Judaism is not in outward appearance or actions. And we cannot please God by being born into the right family, by having had the correct surgery, or by obeying a set of rules. Rather, he says, it is an inward attitude. We can only please God if we have the right inward attitude.

Paul says here that the true Jew is the one who is a Jew inwardly. Remember how the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the Jews, acted? They did everything for show so that people could see how spiritual they were. There are many Christians today whose faith is just the same way. They are the ones who are always parading their Christianity around for all to see, making a show of their good works so that everyone can see what a good Christian they are. And people are probably saying of them, “Wow, he (or she) sure is a good Christian!” How sad that is.

Paul says that circumcision is of the heart, not in the flesh. It’s an inward attitude, not an outward action. It is in the spirit of the Law that we need to act, not the letter. If we exhibit our Christianity in order to impress the people around us then we will have what we are looking for, the praise of men. But Paul tells us that our goal is not to receive praise from men, but praise from God.

Praise from God will only come as a result of a heart that is submitted to Him and committed to doing His will. That may mean that in this life we never receive the recognition that we deserve. If we truly deserve the praise, then we will get it someday, not from men, but from God.

Here’s how Paul said it to the Galatians:

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow faint hearted while doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:7-9)

If we do not lose heart we may one day hear:

“Well done, you good and faithful servant!”

Application

Previously we noted that it’s easy to learn the “rules” of Christianity. It’s also easy to learn all the right things to say and do so that you appear to be a Christian. Real Christianity is walking by faith with a humble attitude. It’s living your life daily as if God was watching everything you do and hearing everything you say. You know what? He is!

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 2:28 – Not Visibly Apparent

Posted on September 6, 2017 by Will

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;

Truth to Learn

Christianity is not based on appearance or membership.

Behind the Words

The word translated “outwardly” is phaneros, which is derived from phainō, meaning “to illuminate.” Phaneros refers to, “that which is in the light” or “that which is visibly apparent.” So, a more literal translation could be,

For he is not a Jew who is one in appearance, nor is circumcision that which is visibly apparent in the flesh;

“Flesh” is translated from the Greek word sarx, which refers to “the meat of an animal.” By extension it refers to the human body or the material part of man.

Meaning Explained

In the previous few verses Paul has been pointing out that being Jewish, having the Law, and being circumcised are worthless if you don’t keep the Law. He then pointed out that the Gentiles who keep the righteousness of the Law (through faith) will, in fact, judge the Jews who are trying to be justified by keeping the Law.

Keep in mind that much of the early Christian church was composed of people who were converts from Judaism and who had been convinced, and now believed, that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the Living God. But, they were so heavily steeped in the rules and traditions of Judaism that it was hard for them to separate the legal requirements of the Jewish belief system from the basic tenet of Christianity: faith. It was equally hard for a Jewish Christian to let go of the fact that they didn’t have to be a Jew before they could become a Christian. As Paul has pointed out in the previous verses, being a direct descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob doesn’t guarantee anything with regard to salvation.

He now gets to one of his main points. Being Jewish and having been circumcised are only external and fleshly. They are things that can be proven and can be seen, but they carry no weight in God’s record book. Paul tells us that the evidence of a real Jew (a chosen one of God) is not in the appearance of fleshly external things like circumcision.

There are many people who call themselves Christians today because they belong to a particular church. They think that church membership, being baptized in the church, and having learned the basics of the doctrines of the church mean that they are Christians. There is more to Christianity than church membership, or even calling oneself a Christian. Interestingly enough, there was a national survey in the United States recently in which nearly 80% of the respondents claimed to be Christian, yet less than half of them indicated that they attend church regularly. But then, regular church attendance doesn’t make someone a Christian either.

Only those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died on the cross to pay for their sins, and that He rose from the dead are really Christians.

Application

Is your salvation based on the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross as payment for your sins? If not, then you are not really a Christian, even though you may call yourself one.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 2:27 – Judges by Faith

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Will

And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, who through letter and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law?

Truth to Learn

We will not be judge by how well we keep the Law. In fact, we who are saved by faith will judge those who try to keep the Law.

Behind the Words

The words translated “physically” are ek physeōs, which literally mean “by nature.” The point is that a man is born uncircumcised. The Jewish man is also born uncircumcised but becomes circumcised by an act of mankind.

“Fulfills” is translated from the Greek word teleō, which means “to complete or to accomplish.” To complete the Law would require fulfilling every single requirement of it.

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse may appear to be saying the same thing as yesterday’s verse, but it is actually carrying it a little bit further. Here’s what a literal translation of this verse says:

And the uncircumcision by nature, completing the law, shall judge you who with letter and circumcision (are) a transgressor of law?

Since it is marked as a question we need to modify it a bit to make sense in English. Thus:

And the uncircumcision, which is by nature fulfilling the law, shall it not judge you who with the letter (of the Law) and circumcision (in the flesh) are a transgressor of the Law?”

We Gentiles, who satisfy the righteousness of the Law through faith, will one day judge those who, though they are circumcised, try to obtain righteousness by obeying a set of rules. Paul is telling us that we who fulfill the Law by faith will judge the Jews who try to keep the Law. And, there is another passage in the New Testament that talks about us (the saved ones) judging. We will judge the world and the angels:

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? (1Corinthians 6:2, 3)

We can never be justified in God’s sight by obeying all the commandments because no one can obey them all. The point Paul is building up to (which he will get to in the next chapter) is this:

As it is written: There is none righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who is seeking after God. (Romans 3:10-11)

The Christians in Rome, like their counterparts in Galatia, thought that salvation was obtained by being circumcised and keeping the Law. Paul says that isn’t so.

Application

Are you still trying to be “good enough” for God? If so, it is a futile effort. The only way to satisfy God is by faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. And the only way to live a satisfying Christian life is by staying humbled before God. We can’t do either by works; we must do both by faith.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 2:26 – Faith, Not Surgery

Posted on September 4, 2017 by Will

Therefore, if the uncircumcision keeps the righteousness of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?

Truth to Learn

We keep the righteous requirements of the Law through faith.

Behind the Words

The word translated “righteousness” is the Greek word dikaiomata, which comes from the noun dikaioo, meaning “the product or result of being justified, or declared righteous, by God.” The word dikaiomata, therefore, refers to the righteousness declared by God.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we learned that the Christians in Rome were very proud of their Jewish heritage and the fact that they possessed the mark of a Jew in their circumcision. But Paul also told them that if they don’t keep the Law then their circumcision is meaningless. Now he points out further that the advantage of circumcision is not in the outward appearance, but by the inward faith and action.

The translation of the word dikaiomata is a key in understanding this verse. At least one translation says:

“If then the uncircumcision keeps the ordinances of the Law …”

This makes it appear that it is possible to keep the ordinances of the Law. However, as we read further in this letter we will discover that Paul tells us that no one is justified by keeping the deeds of the Law. We will also learn that the only way to fulfill the righteousness of the law is through faith:

Therefore by the works of the law not one of all flesh will be justified before Him, for through law is the full knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe; for there is no difference; (Romans 3:20-22)

This righteousness does not come from keeping the ordinances of the Law, it comes by keeping the righteous requirements of the Law and those righteous requirements are only kept as a result of faith. This is what the entire first part of Paul’s letter to the Romans is about. Paul will clearly declare this fact later in his letter, taking it all the way back to Abraham:

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. (Romans 4:13)

What Paul is saying in today’s verse is, if a Gentile keeps the righteousness of the Law by faith, then he or she becomes one of God’s children. This does not happen because he or she went through some bloody ceremonial surgery, but because he or she believed God and it was imputed to him or her as righteousness. The Jews’ confidence was in their flesh; our confidence is in our faith in the blood of Christ!

Application

Are you confident of your salvation? You should be! Is it because you regularly attend church? Is it because you have gone through the doctrinal teachings of your church and have become a full member? Is it because you obey all the rules of your church? Or are you confident in your salvation because you have submitted your will to God through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ and have committed yourself to serving God through faith?

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 2:25 – Appearance or Submission

Posted on September 1, 2017 by Will

For indeed circumcision profits you if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.

Truth to Learn

The external features of Christianity mean nothing without the complete submission of our will to Almighty God.

Behind the Words

“Circumcision” is translated from the Greek word peritomē, which is made up of peri, meaning “around” (like the word perimeter) and a form of temnō, meaning “to cut off.” Hence, it refers to cutting around the entire male foreskin to remove it.

The word “uncircumcision” is from a completely different word. It is akrobustia, which is made up of akron, meaning “the extreme” and buo, meaning “to cover.” Hence, it refers to the extreme covering, that is, the male foreskin.

Meaning Explained

Paul now seems to take a turn in his teaching. He has been talking about the Law for the past few verses, but now he starts talking about circumcision. As we have said earlier, the Jews took great pride in the fact that they were the people of God and that they possessed His very Words in their scriptures. They bragged about having the Law, and they bragged about being direct descendants of Abraham. The symbol of their heritage was indicated in their circumcision. That’s what marked them as sons of Abraham, so they took great pride in their circumcision.

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, more than twenty years after Abram (meaning exalted father) believed God and was declared righteous, God made a covenant with Him. God promised to give Abram and his descendants the entire land of Canaan as an everlasting possession, and He changed his name to Abraham (father of a multitude). As a sign of the covenant, Abraham was to circumcise himself and all of his male descendants:

This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall circumcise in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be a token of the covenant between Me and you. (Genesis 17:10, 11)

Since that time all Jews have circumcised their male children as a sign of the covenant between them and God.

Paul now cautions them, however, that circumcision means nothing if they don’t keep the Law. From other scripture we know that no one perfectly keeps the Law, so he was telling these Jewish Christians in Rome that their circumcision had no meaning to them whatsoever.

That must have been a tough pill to swallow for them, because they put great stock in their heritage. Unfortunately, that was precisely the problem. They put their confidence in their heritage instead of in their faith. Paul will deal directly with this issue later in this letter.

Application

Are you proud to be a Christian? Do you possess all the external features and characteristics of a Christian? But… are you completely submitted to His will?

Maybe it’s time for all of us to fall to our knees before God!

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 2:24 – Visible Evidence

Posted on August 31, 2017 by Will

For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you," as it is written.

Truth to Learn

The actions of some Christians bring shame to our God.

Behind the Words

The word “blasphemed” is transliterated from the Greek. That is, the Greek word is brought directly over into English. The Greek word is blasphēmeō, which is made up of a form of blax, meaning “slow” or “stupid” and phēmē, meaning “rumor” or “fame.” It refers to “abusive or reviling words, especially an attack on someone’s name or reputation.”

“Gentiles” is translated from ethnos, meaning “a race” or “a tribe.” It is used by Jews to refer to anyone who is not a Jew, implying idolatry and ignorance of God. It was used by early Christians in a similar way in reference to those who are ignorant of God.

Meaning Explained

For the past few verses Paul has been telling the Roman Christians (and us) that talking about faith and a relationship with God means nothing unless that faith is put into practice. It doesn’t matter how much we know about God and about what He expects of us if we aren’t putting it into action. Now he takes it one step further. He says that not only did the Christians in Rome dishonor God by not keeping the Law, he says that they are the reason that the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles. In this case, the term Gentiles is a reference to those who are not Christians. It’s one thing to be known as the people of God. It’s quite another thing to be known as the people of God but live such a life that God is disparaged because of you.

In this verse Paul says “as it is written” but he does not specifically mention where it is written. The implication is that he was quoting scripture but he recognized that these people knew the scriptures well enough that he didn’t have to quote it. He may have been talking about one of the following passages:

And now what have I here," says the LORD, "For My people are taken away for nothing? Those who rule over them Make them wail," says the LORD, "And My name is blasphemed continually every day. (Isaiah 52:5)

Therefore say to the house of Israel, “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profane among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am Jehovah,’ says the Lord Jehovah, ‘when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.’” (Ezekiel 36:22, 23)

Keep in mind that to those who are unsaved and know that we are Christians, we are God’s representatives. The way we behave reflects directly on our God. What they see in us may be all they know of God. What kind of a God do we portray?

Application

I’m once again reminded of a saying I heard as a young Christian, “If you were convicted for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?”

Well, would there?

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 2:23 – Walk the Walk!

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Will

You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?

Truth to Learn

Christianity is faith in action, not just good sounding words.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “boast” is kauchaomai. Some Greek Lexicons indicate that this is derived from auchen, meaning “a neck,” which boastful people hold in a proud manner. The verb kauchaomai means “to boast” used both in a good or bad sense.

“Dishonor” is from atimadzō, which is a compound word made up of the privative a, implying negation or “without” and a form of timē, which means “honor.” Hence, the verb atimadzō means “to dishonor” or “to cause a loss of dignity.”

The word “breaking” is translated from parabasis. This is another compound word which is made up of para, meaning “beside” or “beyond” and a form of bainō, meaning “to go.” Hence, parabasis literally means “to go beyond” or “to transgress.” It expresses the sense of going beyond a limit that has been established by the law. This is different from the word hamartia, typically translated “sin,” which means “to miss the mark.” The difference is that a person can sin without being under an express command or law, but he or she can only transgress (or break) a specific law or set of commands.

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is very clear and very simple. The Jewish Christians in Rome believed strongly in the Law and even boasted about having received it from God and of knowing it through God’s revelation. This was God honoring … in word! At the same time, by their disobedience of the Law they caused dishonor to God … in deed.

Even today it’s fairly easy to learn the language of the Christian faith and to talk the talk. I’m sure we have all met people who know all the right things to say at all the appropriate times. They can quote Scripture with ease and recite Biblical stories in excruciating detail. They are quick to demonstrate their knowledge with relevant facts and figures. In some cases they may even be teaching a Sunday school class, helping others learn the facts. The problem comes when these people do not demonstrate their knowledge by their actions. They don’t walk the walk. As a result, instead of being a shining example of Christianity in action, they are an embarrassment to those of us who know and love the Savior, and they dishonor the God they claim to serve.

The Apostle John, in teaching what true love is all about, warned us to love in deed, not just in word:

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. (1John 3:18)

It’s important to know what the Bible teaches, and it’s particularly refreshing when we meet someone who can make Biblical truths easily understandable. It’s even more important to be a living example of Christianity.

Application

We who have been washed clean by the blood of Christ and who have the entire Bible at our disposal, give worship, praise, and honor to God … in word!

But, do we at the same time by our sinfulness, selfishness, and lack of faith dishonor the God we love … in deed?

In God's service, for His glory,