Romans 1

Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [by God] to be an apostle,[a chosen one, a sent one, one with a message], separated unto the gospel of God [as Paul’s principal aim or goal in life].

Rom 1:2 (Which he [God] had promised afore [prophesied, foretold] by his prophets [God and authority in Judaism; Jews believe in one God, who created the world and who is revealed through the Torah and Tanakh. These are the main sources of wisdom to help them to improve their relationship with God and to live good lives.]

The Ten Commandments

The covenant at Sinai

The Torah teaches Jews about the covenant God made with all Jewish people at Mount Sinai. God gave Moses a set of ten laws that they should follow in order to please him. God told Moses that if these rules were not followed, God would punish people who disobeyed them. Today these laws are known as the Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments are found in the book of Exodus. They are:

  1. Do not have any other gods.
  2. Do not make or worship idols.
  3. Do not disrespect or misuse God’s name.
  4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
  5. Honour your mother and father.
  6. Do not commit murder.
  7. Do not commit adultery.
  8. Do not steal.
  9. Do not tell lies
  10. Do not be envious of others.

Exodus 20:1–15

The Ten Commandments were given to Moses by God for all Jewish people, and all who would join the Jewish faith by becoming proselytes, to follow. They form part of the covenant made at Mount Sinai.

Moses

Jewish people believe that Moses was the most important prophet as he was chosen by God to pass on these laws to all of the Jewish people. It is believed by some that God gave the laws to Moses verbally before they were inscribed on stone. However the Torah says that the tablets were written “by the finger of God.” (Exodus 31:18).

Importance of the Ten Commandments today

The Ten Commandments still hold great significance for Jewish people today for many reasons:

  • They are a guide for Jewish living today.
  • Following the Ten Commandments is part of the covenant made at Mount Sinai, which applies to all Jews.
  • God will judge Jews and Gentiles alike on how well they have observed these commandments.
  • Following the commandments helps Jews to become better people today.
  • The commandments help Jews to treat other people with respect.
  • The commandments guide Jews to love and worship God effectively.

Question

  • Explain why it is important for Jews to follow the Ten Commandments?
  • Firstly, Jews believe that they entered into a covenant with God (the covenant at Mount Sinai) in which they promised to follow these laws in order to live as God wants them to.
  • Secondly, Jews believe that God is a judge and that he will base his judgement on how well they have observed these commandments.]

in the holy scriptures [the Torah and Tanakh])],

Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh [Matthew 1:1-25];

Rom 1:4 declared to be the Son of God with power [Acts 10:38; Romans 9:22] , according to the spirit of holiness [Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 1 Peter 1:13-25 calls all people of faith to live a life of holiness. Literally, holy living means that the Christian lives a life that is set apart, reserved to give glory to God. It is a life of discipline, focus, and attention to matters of righteous living.], by the resurrection from the dead: [The resurrection showed that Jesus was the Son of God. The resurrection provides hope of a future resurrection and eternal life are well grounded. The crucifixion is when sin was overcome. It all follows step by step, one step at a time, one after another, each step as important as the next, line upon line, precept upon precept (Isaiah 28:9-13). Betrayal, Judgement, Crucifixion then Shedding of Blood and Cleansing of Sin, Death by Crucifixion, Grave and Burial, Resurrection, Instructions to Disciples, Ascension.]

Rom 1:5 By whom we have received grace [So, what is the Grace of God? Modern theologians say that it is unmerited and undeserved favour. However, the Encyclopaedia Britannica of 1771 says that Grace is “the work of the Spirit, renewing the soul after the image of God, and continually guiding and strengthening the believer to obey His will, to resist and mortify sin, and to overcome it.” Quite different to the modern definitions. And here is another (source unknown), “the empowering presence of God.” As with the first description of unmerited and undeserved favour above, this description, while true, is only part of the story. Grace is the empowering presence of God giving the greatest treasure to the least deserving.

Ephesians 2:5 by Grace we are saved through faith.

Ephesians 2:7 so that He might show in the ages to come the immeasurable wealth of His Grace, by means of His goodness to us through Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8 by Grace are you saved through faith … it is The gift of God

Ephesians 3:8 on me … was this grace bestowed to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Ephesians 4:7 but to each of us Grace is granted and measured by the gift of Christ.

Romans 3:24,25 being Justified freely by His Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a reconciling sacrifice through faith in His blood.

Romans 5:15-18 justification, overflowing of Grace, gift of righteousness through Jesus Christ, and through one righteous act is justification and life.

1 Timothy 1:14 and the Grace of our Lord was present in greater abundance with faith and love that rest in Christ Jesus.

Titus 2:11-14 saving Grace … renounce godlessness and worldly passion. Live godly lives with expectation of that glorious hope, ...glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:16 let us come boldly to the throne of Grace with assurance, so that we may receive mercy and find Grace to help in time of need.

Our Bibles tell us that Grace relates to the following. Please look up your concordances or Bible software:

Justification and Life

Salvation through Faith

Sanctification and Holiness

Goodness through Jesus Christ

Unsearchable riches of Christ

The gift of Christ

Redemption

Reconciliation through faith in Jesus' Blood

Righteousness

Spiritual Abundance

Faith and Love

Glorious Hope … Glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ

Assurance

Receive Mercy.

And more.

The following description may not apply to the many references of grace written in Paul the Apostle’s books and letters. They are general references regarding displays of kindness, benevolence, goodness, encouragement, self-control and giving. The following is not! So, what does all this lead to?

The Grace of God when applied to Election, Salvation and Sanctification is the divine regenerating and inspiring influence of the Holy Spirit in Faith, (Absolute Trust and Obedience), which leads to God taking away our hardened hearts, confession of our sins, repentance, faith in cleansing of our sins by Jesus’ Blood, regeneration, reconciliation with God, and full salvation and sanctification, till we pass into glory. Grace is God giving the greatest treasure to the least deserving—which is every one of us. It is given because of God’s unmerited favour.],

and apostleship, for obedience to the faith [Why is obedience important in faith? By obeying in all things, even the mundane, you are showing God that you are willing, ready, and able to obey whatever HE asks of YOU. Obedience to God is not only a way to worship him, but a way to get closer to him, prepare for whatever he leads you to, and grow as a genuine Christian person. Why is obedience so powerful? In everyday situations, people obey orders because they want to get rewards, because they want to avoid the negative consequences of disobeying, and because they believe an authority is legitimate. In more extreme situations, people obey even when they are required to violate their own values or commit crimes. But Obedience to God shows our respect toward Him, our Belief and Faith in Him, our reliance on Him, our utmost terror of being without Him, our concern of being without His leading, guidance, and benevolent control. THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM (Job 28:28). THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE (Psalm 111:10). FEARING OUR BENEVOLENT GOD LEADS TO OBEYING HIM IMPLICITLY, WITHOUT QUESTION, LEAVING ALL THE RESULTS TO HIM (Proverbs 8:13). When we seek to put our own control ahead of God’s instructions, we are seeking to take control from God, and I can assure you from the Holy Bible, and from experience, that this is when things start to go wrong! And what is Faith? How do you define faith in Jesus? To have faith in Jesus Christ means to have such Absolute Trust in Almighty God and Obedience towards Him resulting in our determined desire to do His revealed Will in ALL things and that we obey Him in whatever He commands. As we place our faith in Jesus Christ, becoming His obedient disciples, our Heavenly Father will forgive our sins and prepare us to return to Him. WITHOUT FAITH, ABSOLUTE TRUST AND OBEDIENCE, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM!

for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder [10 Things Christ Promises to Reward …Prayer and Fasting (Matthew 6:6, 17-18). ...Compassion for the vulnerable (Matthew 25:37-40). ...Bearing insults and being excluded for the name of Christ (Luke 6:22-23). ...Love for your enemies (Luke 6:35). ...Generous giving (Luke 6:38). ...Hospitality that cannot be repaid (Luke 14:12-14). ...Endurance through pressures in ministry (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). ...Quality work for your employer (Colossians 3:23-24). …Faithfulness through trials (1 Peter 1:6-7). …Faithfulness to the Truth (2 John 1:7-8).] …

of them that diligently [Diligence is, essentially, applied strengths, or “strengths in action”, and in English it has always meant “careful and hard-working”.]

seek >HIM. (Hebrews 11:6) among all nations, [no exceptions, no one is exempt] for His [glorious] name

Rom 1:6 Among whom are ye also the called [chosen, elect] of Jesus Christ

1:7 To all [Christians] that be in Rome, beloved [a beloved friend, object etc is one that you love very much] of God, called to be saints [a saint is a “HOLY ONE,” someone who is SET APART for God's special purposes. As a result, every> truly Born-Again follower of Jesus Christ is a saint.] Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord [What Does It Mean to Say That Jesus Christ is Lord? For Jesus to be Lord of your life means that He is the ruler, the boss, the master of your whole life. He cannot be Lord of a part — He must be given control of the entire life - the whole life;Dr. Roger D. Willmore, Pastor First Baptist Church, Boaz, Alabama writes There is coming a day when every person who has ever lived will bow and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. But for the Christian that great confession should be an everyday reality. A Christian should live moment by moment in faithful submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

While attempting to know more about the lordship of Christ and at the same time yield more fully to His lordship, I discovered that I, in presenting this glorious subject to others, made an appeal to people that was incorrect and potentially misleading. There was a time when I would conclude my sermon by making an appeal to my hearers to make Jesus Lord of their life. The Lord knew the intent of my heart, but I am not as sure that the same was true of those who heard my appeal. We do not make Jesus Lord — He is Lord! Now, when I preach on the lordship of Christ, my appeal to those in the audience is not to make Jesus Lord; I now appeal to them to surrender their lives to the sovereign rule and ownership of the Lord Jesus Christ. ©1992-2022 Dr. Roger D. Willmore] Jesus Christ [Iesous Christos, Yeshua ha Mashiach, Jesus the Messiah].

Longing to Go to Rome

Rom 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.[the then known Roman world, i.e., from roughly Mesopotamia in the East to Portugal in the West, from Britain in the North to approximately Upper Egypt in the South.]

Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel [good news; strong telling] of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always [can mean 'on every occasion', or 'forever' ] in my prayers;

Rom 1:10 Making request [to ask for, especially politely or formally], if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous [to be successful] journey by the will of God [God's will is the first cause of everything that exists] to come unto you.

Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart [to pass on, transmit or communicate information or understanding about a topic to another person or group] unto you some spiritual gift [the word of knowledge, increased faith, the gifts of healing, the gift of miracles, prophecy, the discernment of spirits, diverse kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues, wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord, Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher] to the end ye may be established [officially recognised or generally approved of];

Rom 1:12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Rom 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

Rom 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

Rom 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

God's Wrath on Unrighteousness

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.

Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.