demonstrates – Ministry of Grace Church

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Truth to Learn

Christ died for sinners. That means you and me!

Behind the Words

The word translated, “demonstrates” is from the Greek word sunistēmi, which is a compound word made up of sun, meaning “together” or “with” and histēmi, meaning “to set or place something.” Therefore, in its root meaning, sunistēmi means “to place things together.” But figuratively it means “to set something before someone.” That is to say, “to declare, show, or to make known and conspicuous.” Hence, we see the translation here being “demonstrates.”

There are two different words translated “love” in the New Testament. The first is phileō and the other is agapaō. The verb phileō is based on the word philos, meaning “a friend or someone you are endeared to.” Therefore, phileō refers to a feeling of endearment as you would feel toward a special friend. Agapaō, the word used in the current verse, refers to an act of the will in which one places the welfare of another of greater importance than one’s one welfare. It is a self-sacrificing love like God showed to us.

The words “we were still sinners” are translated from the Greek expression eti hamartōlōn ontōn hēmōn, which literally translates to, “we still being sinners.” The verb tense indicates that it is present continuous action. It is not something that ceased happening in the past.

Meaning Explained

In the last verse Paul said that it is unlikely that anyone would be willing to die for a person who is outwardly religious. But, he said that it is possible that someone would be willing to die for someone else who in not only outwardly religious but kind, benevolent, and generous. However, he implied that it is highly unlikely that anyone would be willing to die for unrighteous and undeserving sinners like you and me. Now he tells us how God’s love operates.

God, with His agape love, is willing to sacrifice for us. No one else would be willing to die for sinners like you and me. But God demonstrates how marvelous his self-sacrificing love for us is; even though we are still sinners, Christ died for us! He didn’t wait for us to become righteous by ourselves because we are without the ability to do so! And though we may have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, we are still sinners. However because of our faith, as we saw in the previous chapter, God has declared us righteous. We didn’t actually stop being sinners when we got saved, but God stopped seeing us as sinners. He now sees us having the righteousness of Jesus Christ because the death of His Son paid the penalty for our sins, and He credited righteousness to us in His record book.

The Apostle John puts the capstone on this and offers up a challenge to us:

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:11)

Application

Thank you God, for loving a sinner like me and for giving the precious life of your only begotten Son to pay for my sinfulness! Because I am so undeserving, I am eternally grateful!

In God's service, for His glory,

But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)

Truth to Learn

God is righteous and must judge unrighteousness.

Behind the Words

The word translated “demonstrates” is sunistēmi, a compound word made up of sun, meaning “together” and histēmi, meaning “to stand.” Hence, it literally means “to stand together.” Usually, when this word is used with inanimate things it means “to prove, or establish.” When used of a person, however, this word means “to introduce or to present to one's acquaintance for favorable notice.” Therefore, in this context it means “to establish or to demonstrate.”

“Inflicts” is from the Greek word epipherō, which is made up of epi, meaning “upon” or “over” and pherō, which means “to bring” or “to carry.” Therefore, epipherō literally means “to bring against.”

The word “wrath” is translated from orgē, which is based on a word that means “excitement of the mind” or “violent passion.” Orgē is nearly always translated as “wrath.” It is a word that shows the action which results from anger. In God’s case it is always righteous anger and, therefore, righteous wrath.

Meaning Explained

This can be very confusing so follow me carefully. Paul has just stated two rhetorical questions that would be objections by Jews to his current discourse. The Jewish Christians in Rome would be following his logic to this point. They might well concede that some (even many) Jews had not believed. They would also concede that God was true to his promises and His character, thereby judging sin. As a result of this, the character of God, as a just being, would shine out illustriously.

A careful follower of this reasoning might then argue that Paul was saying that God is glorified by man’s sin. In anticipation of this argument, Paul asks another rhetorical question which we could paraphrase as:

But if our unrighteousness shows the worthiness of God’s righteousness, what can we say against Him? Is God unrighteous who brings forth His wrath against unrighteousness?

Obviously, we can’t condemn God for displaying His righteous wrath against sin. That is the very character of God. He is holy and just. He abhors sin and must judge it because He is a righteous God (He always does what is right).

But Paul is not through with his reasoning against the pride of the Jewish Christians in Rome. In the following verses he will continue his stern discourse.

These past few verses and the ones to follow comprise a difficult passage of scripture to understand. However, if we hang in there I’m sure we will all get a much better understanding of what Paul is teaching us.

Application

When we realize that we are sinners and that God is a righteous God who must judge sin, we recognize that we are deserving of God’s judgment and wrath. But because of the shed blood of Christ, when we confess our sin God cleanses us of all unrighteousness (see 1John 1:9). Praise God!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: demonstrates

Romans 5:8 – Death for Sinners

Romans 3:5 – Righteous Wrath