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Romans 15:27 – Christian Pay-back

Posted on February 1, 2019 by Will

For it pleased them, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.

Truth to Learn

We should be a blessing to those who have blessed us.

Behind the Words

The word translated “material” is the Greek word sarkikos, which means “that which pertains to flesh and blood.” It refers to material things like food, clothing, and money.

Meaning Explained

Paul starts off this verse with “For it pleased them.” The first thing we need to ask is, “It pleased whom?” Does Paul mean that it pleased the ones receiving the gifts or that it pleased the ones giving the gifts? The basic rule of grammar is that if there is a pronoun (them) that could apply to more than one subject, it generally refers to the subject most immediately preceding the pronoun (the saints in Jerusalem). Notice we said “generally” because there are exceptions of which this is one. By looking at the second half of this verse we see that Paul is saying that those of Macedonia and Achaia are debtors to the poor saints in Jerusalem. By context “them” and “they,” therefore, are referring to the same group of people, those of Macedonia and Achaia.

Paul is telling the Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome, and us, that the Gentile Christians in Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to give the gifts of money to the poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. And to Paul it is obvious why they should be pleased to give these gifts, because they (the Gentile Christians) are indebted to the Jewish Christians.

The next question that we have to ask ourselves then is, “Why were the Gentile Christians indebted to the Jewish Christians?” Remember what Paul said back in the third chapter of Romans?

What superiority then has the Jew, or what is the advantage of circumcision? Much in every way! Primarily, because the oracles of God were entrusted to them. (Romans 3:1-2)

The Jews were the ones to whom God gave the oracles. The Greek word logia, which is translated “oracles” means “utterances.” In other words, the Jews are the ones who originally received the words of revelation concerning who God is and what He expects from man.

Were it not for the early converts to Christianity, who were Jews, being scattered from Jerusalem, the Gentiles would not have received the message of salvation through faith. And consider this: if Saul (Paul) and others like him had not persecuted the early converts to Christianity, they likely would not have been dispersed after the martyrdom of Stephen. Now we can understand better why Paul felt compelled to spread the gospel after his own conversion since he was one of their fiercest persecutors before he himself got saved.

If the Gentile converts have received spiritual gifts and blessings from the converted Jews, it is only right that they share in their material things with the Jewish converts.

Application

Think for a moment about the people who have provided you with the greatest spiritual blessings in your life. Take a moment to think about who they are and how they have blessed you. You, indeed, are indebted to them! Have you returned the favor by blessing them or other Christians in need?

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 7:14 – Flesh Versus Spirit

Posted on February 23, 2018 by Will

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, having been sold by sin.

Truth to Learn

There is a constant battle between our flesh and our spirit.

Behind the Words

The word translated “spiritual” is the Greek word pneumatikos, which means “that which pertains to the nature of spirits and the spirit world.”

“Fleshly” is translated from the Greek word sarkikos, which means, “that which pertains to our body, our human flesh.”

The word translated “sold” is pipraskō. It is based on the verb peraō, meaning “to traffic” or “to travel, especially overseas.” It is a reference to those who travel overseas to obtain merchandise which is then sold for profit. Hence, pipraskō refers to something that is sold.

Meaning Explained

The remainder of the chapter, starting with this verse, has been the subject of much debate for at least the past several centuries. The discussion is over whether this description of Paul’s is in reference to a time before his conversion or subsequent to his conversion. I believe that there is sufficient evidence to understand that Paul is making statements about his condition after conversion. First of all, it is the most obvious explanation of what Paul is teaching. Secondly, Paul has already shown that the Law doesn’t produce righteousness; rather, it makes sin more sinful and the sinner guilty. He doesn’t have to prove that again. Thirdly, the expressions that are used are not those that an unrepentant sinner would use. Instead, they express the same frustration that all Christians feel regarding their continued propensity to sin. And fourthly, there is a change made here from past tense to present tense, so Paul is expressing what is currently happening in his life as a born-again Christian who is still struggling with his sin nature.

He starts off this section restating what he already said in verse twelve; the Law is spiritual. That is, the Law is a spiritual entity, it was developed in the realm of spirituality and it was developed to show mankind what spirituality looks like. It is holy, that is, without sin itself, and it is basically good.

Mankind, of whom Paul uses himself as a representative, is not inherently spiritual. Rather, we are fleshly according to Paul. The sentence structure is one that contrasts spirituality (that which pertains to and is controlled by the spirit world) with fleshiness or carnality (that which pertains to and is controlled by the non spiritual part of man, called the flesh).

It is this dichotomy and conflict between the realms of spirituality and carnality that Paul will spend the remainder of this chapter on. Though we were created with both a body and a spirit, it is the sin nature (which is part of our body) that controls much of what we do, rather than our spirit.

Application

If you have ever been frustrated by the fact that you sin at times and in a manner in which you don’t want to, stay with us because we are going to find out that Paul had this same battle. The Apostle Paul, one of the foundation stones of the Church of Jesus Christ and one of the greatest spiritual leaders of the early church, battled with his sin nature. And so do we!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 3:4 – Only One Master

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Will

For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?

Truth to Learn

When preference leads to arguments, we leave the realm of the Spirit and enter the realm of the flesh.

Behind the Words

“Says” is translated from the Greek verb legō, which literally means “to lay forth.” Figuratively, it means “to relate in words” or “to say something.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood indicating possibility or probability. So, it could be translated as “one might say.”

The word translated “carnal” is sarkikos, which we have seen several times in the past few verses. It refers to someone who lives and acts like an unsaved person, following the thoughts and emotions of the human nature rather than the Spirit of God. The best Greek texts use the word anthropos rather than sarkikos. If this is the correct reading, then Paul is saying, “are you not men?” In other words, Paul is saying, “are you not acting like natural, unsaved men?”

“Another” is from the Greek word heteros, which means “another of a different kind.” By using this word instead of allos (another of the same kind), Paul is emphasizing the difference in the way these people think about their preachers.

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse sounds very much like the comment Paul made when he started out this section of teaching:

Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." (1 Corinthians 1:12)

As we have already learned, the Church in Corinth was divided by contentious factions, different groups of people claiming different leaders as the people who they were following. In 1 Corinthians 1:12 four different leaders were identified, but in today’s verse only Paul and Apollos are mentioned. The reason for this is likely the fact that Paul and Apollos were the first two leaders of the Church in Corinth.

Paul, along with Sylvanus and Timothy, started the church in Corinth. After they moved on to Ephesus, Apollos was sent to Corinth where he took over the leadership responsibility of the church there. Paul, by his own admission, was not a great preacher (see 1 Corinthians 2:1-5). Apollos, on the other hand, is referred to in Acts 18:24 as an eloquent preacher. This could easily explain why some people preferred one over the other: Paul, with his simple, straight forward style and Apollos, with his more intellectual and stirring presentation.

There is nothing inherently wrong with preferring one style of preaching over another. However, when we let that preference develop into arguments of who is better or who is the real leader, we leave the realm of the Spirit and enter the realm of carnality. As Paul will point out in the upcoming verses, both of these men were nothing more than God’s servants doing the will of their master.

Application

Doesn’t it seem silly that people should argue over which servant is the best leader? By definition, a servant is a follower, not the master. There can only be one master: God!

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 15:27 – Christian Pay-back

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Will

Romans 15:27 – Christian Pay-back

It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.

Truth to Learn

We should be a blessing to those who have blessed us.

Behind the Words

The word translated “material” is the Greek word sarkikos, which means “that which pertains to flesh and blood.” It refers to material things like food, clothing, and money.

Meaning Explained

Paul starts off this verse with “It pleased them indeed.” The first thing we need to ask is, “It pleased whom?” Does Paul mean that it pleased the ones receiving the gifts or that it pleased the ones giving the gifts? The basic rule of grammar is that if there is a pronoun (them) that could apply to more than one subject, it generally refers to the subject most immediately preceding the pronoun (the saints in Jerusalem). Notice we said “generally” because there are exceptions of which this is one. By looking at the second half of this verse we see that Paul is saying that those of Macedonia and Achaia are debtors to the poor saints in Jerusalem. By context “them” and “they,” therefore, are referring to the same group of people, those of Macedonia and Achaia.

The next question that we have to ask ourselves then is, “Why were the Gentile Christians indebted to the Jewish Christians?” Remember what Paul said back in the third chapter of Romans?

What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. (Romans 3:1-2)

If the Gentile converts have received spiritual gifts and blessings from the converted Jews, it is only right that they share in their material things with the Jewish converts.

Application

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

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Romans 7:14 – Flesh Versus Spirit

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Will

Romans 7:14

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Truth to Learn

There is a constant battle between our flesh and our spirit.

Behind the Words

The word translated “spiritual” is the Greek word pneumatikos, which means “that which pertains to the nature of spirits and the spirit world.”

“Carnal” is translated from the Greek word sarkikos, which means, “that which pertains to our body, our human flesh.”

Meaning Explained

Mankind, of whom Paul uses himself as a representative, is not inherently spiritual. Rather, we are carnal according to Paul. The sentence structure is one that contrasts spirituality (that which pertains to and is controlled by the spirit world) with fleshiness or carnality (that which pertains to and is controlled by the non spiritual part of man, called the flesh).

Application

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

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