Jun 9 2015

Grafted – Romans 11-12

Paul follows up in chapter 11 with an assurance to the Jews that just because the Gentiles are welcomed into the kingdom, that does not mean that God has rejected them. He said that the Jews failed to obtain what they were seeking, but that trespass has meant salvation for the Gentiles.

He compares the inclusion of the Gentiles to a branch being grafted to the tree. The foreign body now becomes a part of the whole; and all of the branches share in the nourishment of the root. But he tells them that they should not be arrogant toward the other branches because it is not they who support the root, but rather the root supports them. He says in verse 25 that “a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved…” He then quotes Isaiah 59:20:

The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob; and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.

In chapter 12, he tells them all to present their bodies as “a living sacrifice” — to be transformed from the world by the renewing of their minds. he also lists some of the qualities that they, as Christians, need to exhibit. Among the many he speaks of are these:

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

Romans 10, Romans 11, Romans 12, Romans 13, Romans 14

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Jun 7 2015

No Distinction – Romans 10

Paul continues his letter to the Romans in chapter 10 still addressing the fact that the church there is struggling with its mixture of Jews and Gentiles. It is a laborious task that he undertakes because the Jews especially have had a vested interest in being the children of the promise for thousands of years. Now Paul tells them that the children of Abraham’s flesh are not the only children of the promise.

English: Romans 10 (1) of The Holy Bible, King James version, 1772. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

He says in verses 12-13, he says that all who “call upon the name” of the Lord will be saved. He says that there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. And then he quotes a couple of scriptures to show the Jews that none of this should be a surprise.

From Deuteronomy 32:21: I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.

And from Isaiah 65:1: I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

Romans 10, Romans 11, Romans 12, Romans 13, Romans 14

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Jun 5 2015

Children of the Promise – Romans 9

In Romans 10, Paul tells them that not all who are children of Abraham actually descended from Abraham, as did the Jews. In verse 8, he says that it is not children of the flesh (Abrahams’s flesh) that are children of God, but rather children of the promise that are counted as offspring. And in verse 25, he reminds them of Hosea’s words:

Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’
And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called m‘sons of the living God.’

English: Romans 10 (1) of The Holy Bible, King James version, 1772. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So how does Paul say that Gentiles, who previously did not seek righteousness now attained it? And why Israel “who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law?” His answer in verses 32-33 is that it is:

Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

Romans 5, Romans 6, Romans 7, Romans 8, Romans 9

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Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Nov 15 2012

Romans 2 – God’s Judgment and the Law

Colosseum, Rome, Italy.
Many gladiators and wild beasts were killed here to entertain the Roman people. Tradition says that this was the site where many Christians were martyred, especially under the Emperor Nero.

In this chapter, Paul addresses the Jews of the church at Rome, as their self-righteousness threatens the unity of the church – just as it did in Galatia and elsewhere. But here again, the applications to all people are clear. He again states that the Gentiles are without excuse, for just as the evidence for God abounds, he also says “the law is written on their hearts.” So even though they did not have prophets who wrote the law as the Jews knew it, the Gentiles knew enough “to do what the law requires” (verses 14-15).

But the Jews, who had the law and were circumcised, were warned that they who pass judgment on others are not without sin themselves. So they should not boast and be judgmental because if they know the law and additionally are circumcised, but still live in sin they are just as guilty – for God shows no partiality. They are not favored of God for their knowledge of the law or for their circumcision. Though it is still admirable that they keep the law of circumcision, it is no longer required anyway, and it is of no value to them in their sin.

Paul is not speaking of baptism here, nor is he comparing it to circumcision. But as Christians today we would do well to remember this passage when it comes to others. Being “raised in the church,” knowing and even reading their Bible, and even having been baptized are all of no value if we live in sin anyway. In that case, we will be just as lost as those who never obeyed the gospel. As it was true then of being a Jew and being circumcised, it is living a life that is consistent with faith in (and commitment to) the Lord that has value.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog. All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility. When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com. For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.