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Romans 2:18 – Biblical Indoctrination

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Will

and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,

Truth to Learn

Every Christian needs to study the Bible to learn its truths.

Behind the Words

“Will” is translated from thelēma, which denotes “that which has been determined.” The word “His” is not in the Greek text, although it can properly be inferred since “that which has been determined” certainly refers to what God has determined.

The word translated “approve” is the Greek word dokimadzō, which means “to test something with the intent of finding good.” It is the word used with regard to a precious metal like gold when it is tested in fire to determine its value. In this sense it could be translated as “determine.”

“Things that are excellent” is translated from the Greek word diapheronta, which means “those things which are different.” Since the intent of the verb dokimadzō is to find goodness or excellence, it is clear that Paul means that those who have been instructed from the Law are able to discern the things which are good or excellent as opposed to those which are not.

The word translated “instructed” is katēcheō (from which we get our English word catechism). It refers to “formalized instruction in religious doctrine” or indoctrination.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul began a message condemning pride. The early Christians, who were primarily converted Jews, were still hung-up by pride, believing that they were the chosen people of God. He has just said that the Jews “rest in the Law, and boast in God.” He now implies that the Jews know the will of God. By this, what he means is that they have the ability to know what God has determined through the Jewish scriptures (the Old Testament).

As we just saw in Behind the Words, Paul is saying that the Jews (because they have the Old Testament) have been able to test or to distinguish those things which are different. That is, they are able to discern which things are good or spiritual from those things which are evil or carnal. Why are they able to make this distinction? It is because they have been instructed from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. They have had the Holy Scriptures to teach them doctrinal truths.

This verse and those that follow are ones that we as Christians need to give special heed to. Just as the Jews became arrogant because they had the Holy Scriptures, the Law and the Prophets, we need to be careful that we don’t get just as arrogant because we have an even more complete form of God’s word in the Bible. Remember what Paul said back in verse 13? “It’s not the hearers of the Law who will be justified, but the doers of the Law.” But in order to be a doer of what is taught in the Bible, you first have to know what the Bible teaches, don’t you? That means reading and studying. We need to be instructed in the doctrinal truths from the Scriptures!

Application

There are many Christians who claim that they don’t like doctrine and they don’t like studying the Bible. However, if we haven’t learned the doctrinal truths of the Bible, we won’t know God very well, and we won’t understand His will for us.

How much do you study God’s Word?

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 1:32 – Rejection Fellowship

Posted on July 28, 2017 by Will

who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only do them but also approve of those who practice them.

Truth to Learn

Those who reject God are comfortable with others who feel the same way.

Behind the Words

“Knowing” is translated from the Greek word epiginōskō. It is made up of epi, meaning “upon or over” and ginoskō, meaning “knowledge.” Hence it is more than mere knowledge about something, it is knowing upon something. In other words, recognizing or realizing the truth about something.

The words, “righteous judgment” are a translation of dikaiōma, which roughly means, “a righteousness proclamation.”

The word translated “practicing” is a form of prassō, meaning “to perform an action continually, repeatedly, or habitually.”

The words “approve of” are from the Greek word suneudokeō, a compound word made up of sun, meaning “together,” eu, meaning “good” or “well” and dokeō, meaning “to think.” So we see that suneudokeō means, “to jointly think well with others “or “to take pleasure along with others.”

Meaning Explained

Paul now gives a final word of condemnation concerning those who deny God. He says that those who reject Him are not only filled with all kinds of sinfulness, but they also know better. Paul says they know the righteous judgment of God. That is, they recognize, or realize, that God has already proclaimed something to be true.

And that something is explained in the next phrase, “that those practicing such things are worthy of death. “ These God haters know that those who do the things they are doing (not just occasionally, but repeatedly) are guilty of sins that are worthy of death in God’s mind.

But Paul doesn’t stop there. He says that these people not only do these things themselves, but they take pleasure in others who do the same. So what Paul is telling us is, not only do these people realize what God thinks of the things they are doing habitually (that such sins are worthy of death), but they feel gratified with others who practice such things as well. In other words, they feel camaraderie with other sinners who are doing the same things.

The interesting thing is that when these people are in the presence of someone living a life submitted to God, they don’t feel camaraderie, they feel conviction! They don’t want the light of God shining on their darkness. This is precisely what our Lord said regarding those who reject Him:

This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their works were evil. (John 3:19)

When we witness (either by word or by deed) to those who are sold out to sin, it convicts them and they don’t like it (or us).

Application

Now let me ask you a question, “When you are in the presence of people whom you know are living in defiance of God, do they welcome you, or do they want you to leave?”

Think about it!

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 2:18 – Biblical Indoctrination

Posted on September 28, 2009 by admin

Romans 2:18

and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,

Truth to Learn

Every Christian needs to study the Bible to learn its truths.

Behind the Words

The word translated “instructed” is katēcheō (from which we get our English word catechism). It refers to “formalized instruction in religious doctrine” or indoctrination.

Meaning Explained

As we just saw in Behind the Words, Paul is saying that the Jews (because they have the Old Testament) have been able to test or to distinguish those things which are different. That is, they are able to discern which things are good or spiritual from those things which are evil or carnal. Why are they able to make this distinction? Because they have been instructed from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. They have had the Holy Scriptures to teach them doctrinal truths.

Application

How much do you study God’s Word?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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