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Romans 10:8 – Proclaiming the Word of Faith

Posted on October 3, 2010 by Will

Romans 10:8 – Proclaiming the Word of Faith

But what does it say? “the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach):

Truth to Learn

The gospel proclamation centers on faith, not works.

Behind the Words

“Word” is translated from the Greek word rhēma, which refers to “an utterance.” By implication it refers to a topic of discussion. In this case it is the topic of righteousness which is the result of faith.

The verb translated “preach” is kērussō, meaning “to proclaim or herald as a public crier would do.” It refers to loudly or forcefully proclaiming a truth. In this case it is the truth that righteousness comes by faith.

Meaning Explained

In the previous two verses Paul told us, by slightly modifying a quotation from Deuteronomy 30, that the righteousness of faith is not a difficult thing. What he said, in effect, was that it is not like ascending into heaven to bring Christ and His righteousness down or like descending into the deep (the abyss) to bring Christ up from the dead. After all, these things are impossible for anyone except God Himself. But the righteousness of faith is not impossible. It is, in fact, very possible and very near at hand. It was, in fact, a topic of conversation among the Jews.

He says so as he continues with his quotation from Deuteronomy 30:14, the end of which says:

But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

The meaning is that the doctrine was already so familiar, and so well understood, that it was actually in their mouth, that is, their language, their common conversation. Paul is saying that the righteousness of faith, which comes by the Word of Faith (the gospel), is something that the Jews had been talking about and learning about ever since Moses delivered the Law. In fact, this righteousness of faith has been spoken of among the Jews ever since Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness. This righteousness is in believing in the Messiah. The problem with most of the Jews, however, is that they were so hung-up on obeying the Law that they totally missed the Messiah. They were trying to obtain the righteousness of works instead of the righteousness of faith.

The Word of Faith which Paul is proclaiming is that the Messiah (the Christ) has come and has paid the price of salvation by fulfilling the Law and then offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He is the Paschal Lamb that the Jews commemorated every year. This Paschal Lamb is the Jewish Messiah; He is the Christ, the anointed Son of God. All we have to do is to believe this gospel (good news) and openly declare that we believe. That’s how we obtain this righteousness of faith, and in the next verse Paul will state this very plainly and succinctly.

Application

Do you talk about the topic of salvation through belief in the Gospel? Do you openly proclaim this truth? Or do you proclaim that righteousness comes by obedience to rules and ordinances of the church? The difference is between preaching faith, producing life and preaching obedience, producing death.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Romans 2:21 – Preaching by Example

Posted on October 1, 2009 by admin

Romans 2:21

You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?

Truth to Learn

Obeying God’s Word is more important than teaching it.

Behind the Words

The word translated “teach” is didaskō, which is a prolonged form of a primary verb daō, meaning “to know” or “to teach.” Didaskō specifically means “to teach or instruct by word of mouth.”

“Preach” is translated from the Greek word kērussō, meaning “to herald, announce, or proclaim publicly.” It is especially applied to “preaching, publishing, or proclaiming a religious truth or doctrine.”

The word “steal” is translated from kleptō, meaning “to steal.” It is the root of our English word kleptomaniac, which refers to someone who has an overwhelming compulsion to steal.

Meaning Explained

As we said yesterday, this is the verse where Paul starts his toe stompin’. Previously, he has been showing the Jewish Christians in Rome how privileged they were to have had the sacred Scriptures and how proud they were because of it. Now he points out that having and teaching the Law are not the same thing as obeying the Law.

He starts off with, “you who teach another, don’t you teach yourself?” The implication is very clear. They were in need of the teaching just as much as those to whom they were giving the teaching. Likewise, he says, “You who are preaching not to steal, do you steal?” Again, the obvious answer is that they were guilty of doing the thing they were preaching against.

When we were looking at verse thirteen of this chapter of Romans, we noted the similarity between what Paul was saying and what James said in his letter:

But become doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (James 1:22)

But now let me take a little bit of liberty with verse thirteen and express it as Paul might have after having given today’s verse,

For it is not the teachers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.

It’s bad enough that these Jewish converts to Christianity were more focused on listening to the reading of God’s word than on doing it. It is even worse that they were teaching others the truths of God’s word without practicing them themselves.

Christians have been entrusted with the sacred Word of God. By God’s grace our eyes have been opened and we know that the Bible is truth. Our commission is to share this truth with the world around us. But, we must be careful that we don’t simply preach and teach the truth without living it as well.

Application

Let’s continue to proclaim God’s gospel message to the entire world, but let’s also commit to redoubling our efforts to being totally obedient to God’s Word. May our obedience to God’s Word be our witness to the rest of the world!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Romans 1:15 – Listening and Ready

Posted on July 30, 2009 by admin

Romans 1:15

So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

Truth to Learn

Paul was ready to risk his life to obey God’s call in his life.

Behind the Words

The expression “I am ready” is translated from prothumos, which is a compound word made up of pro, meaning “before or forward” and thumos, which refers to “a temperament, passion, or mindset.” This word means “predisposed, willing, or ready” to do what is expected.

“Preach the gospel” is from the Greek word euangelidzō. This is another compound word which is made up of eu, meaning “good or well” and angellō, meaning “to announce, proclaim, or tell.” Hence, euangelidzō refers to “proclaiming or telling the good news” that Christ has paid our sin debt for us by His death on the cross.

Meaning Explained

Paul continues on with the idea that was started in the previous verse. He is compelled to preach the Gospel to the Greeks and the barbarians, and now he is saying that he is also ready to preach the good news to the people in Rome. Paul was completely submitted to God and committed to whatever God wanted him to do! Keep in mind that this was written during the reign of Nero who hated Christians. Yet Paul was willing to risk his life to proclaim the gospel message.

In yesterday’s verse I asked you if you knew what God has called you to do and whether or not you feel compelled to do it. I’m sure that some of you responded with the question, “How do I know what God has called me to do?” That’s a question that many Christians wrestle with today.

The only way to know what God has called you to do (or what God is calling you to do) is to be in constant communication with Him. Now, I can already hear some of you saying, “But I pray to Him constantly!” and I’m sure some of you do. But you will notice that I said “communicate with” not “talk to.” Communication requires a two way conversation. Sometimes we Christians get so busy talking to God that He can’t get a word in edgewise and even if He did, we wouldn’t hear it because we are so busy talking.

“OK,” you say, “what do I need to do to hear God’s message for me?” The first thing you need to do is to be quiet. Then you need to listen. Note that “listen” is an active verb not a passive verb. Listening is something that we do intentionally and it takes effort. We need to listen to God speaking to us when we hear a sermon. We need to listen to God when we read and study our Bible. We need to listen to God when we are praying. Sometimes, the best way to listen to God is to get away from all the distractions of life and just listen. It could be in a quiet, out of the way place outside somewhere, or it could be while you are sitting in the bathtub or standing in the shower preparing for the day ahead.

Application

Remember the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)? Martha was so busy she didn’t have time to listen to the Lord. Mary, on the other hand, sat at His feet and listened.

Are you busy, or are you listening?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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