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A Study In Romans
When studying scripture, we want to be able to relate what it is we are studying with the lessons that we see reoccurring in the rest of the Bible. The book of Romans is a very important book, when we think of why it is that we need a savior, and more importantly, what it is that we should be focusing on when we seek to improve our walks with God. This book shows us the consequences for turning away from God, and then shows us how we are to truly act, and that not one of us has lived without sinning against God. It shows us that we were born into death, and that we will undoubtedly do those things we do not want to do, and that we will not do the things we want to do, that our flesh has corrupted us. But, then we see through Paul's teachings in this book that there is hope, for there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
This book allows us to see the need for a savior, and it a great tool in showing us how to live the Christian walk. I will break this book down, Chapter by chapter, divided into clusters of verses within the chapters. I will also show the harmony that Romans has with other scriptures, and show the context of the Old Testament scriptures that Paul refers to in his writing. And so, we begin with the first chapter, verses 18-23.
Romans 1:18-23
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 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: 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. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
No man is excused from sin, for every man knew God as God knows every man. When man refuses to honor God, he remains infantile and foolish in his ways while thinking that he is not wrong. They begin to worship the creature instead of the creator, (Romans 1:24-25). When one turns away from God, and this can also happen in the case of someone who has previously accepted God, and turns toward sin, his mind becomes darkened or clouded. He doesn’t recognize what he is doing as being wrong. He loses conscience and becomes a fool. David is a perfect example, as he allowed his lust for a woman to cause him to commit adultery and then murder.
Romans 1:28-32
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; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment 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.
When a man does not see fit to acknowledge God, even though he has known him and has had knowledge of good and evil, God gives him up to a debased mind, or drives the man mad and wicked. He becomes filled with insolence, hate, anger, and malice, and he practices ungodly things while boasting and advising others to do the same. We see in the outcome of David’s affair with Bath-Sheba how true this is. In 2Samuel 11, we see how David commits adultery, and then how he tries to cover it up, and when he cannot, orders that Uriah be killed in the front lines of battle. When Nathan comes to him, he tells a story, and this story shows what David has done, and David, not even aware that he had done anything wrong, states that the offender should be put to death. 2Samuel 12:1-7: And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, "There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him." And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, "As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity." And Nathan said to David, "Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;" As we see, David had no knowledge of what he had done wrong, so far as to even condemn himself without knowing it. Therefore, we see the results of straying away from God and his word.
Romans 2:1-3
1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
No man, righteous or wicked, has excuse for sin, or to judge others for their sins, for we are all under God’s judgment. The sins that we judge others for, are the same sins that we ourselves have committed at one time. It is easy to look at the sins of a drug addict, or prostitute, or thief and think down on them, but we forget that we ourselves came from that kind of life, and committed the same sins, or even worse. God knows all, and in the end we shall not escape his judgment, which will be just as harsh as the judgment we place on others- Matthew 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Romans 2:4-11
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
God’s kindness and blessings in our lives are what lead us to repent for our sins. We see the love of God and seek to please God in return by turning from our sins. However, with a hard heart, one stores up wrath and judgment for himself. Every person will be judged according to his deeds, and those who have stored up that wrath and fury will have more to make up for in the thousand year trial period.
For those who seek Him and immortality through patiently doing good, they will earn a crown of life in heaven. If one is self-seeking and denies and disobeys the truth, he will suffer wrath and fury in this life, and then have a much harder time recovering from his iniquity and learning how to live righteously in the kingdom. God shows us no partiality, for all will be judged the same, as all will reach the same point of perfection as Adam at the end of their trials, and those who then choose to fall back into sin will die, while those who reject Satan will live.
Romans 2:12-16
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Man will be judged in accordance to his heart. If he is outside the law, he still knows right from wrong, and will be judged for the things he did that he knew were wrong. Those under the law will perish by it, for none is capable of follow it. (Romans 3:23) In fact, the law was designed with the very PURPOSE of increased trespass! This was to show us that no man was capable of following the law, and that undoubtedly, we need a savior- Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Romans 2:17-24
17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. 21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
When we begin to preach out against sin, we must also eliminate our own sin. If you boast in how great it is not to sin, and then sin yourself, you are a hypocrite, and are dishonoring the name of God. Therefore, we must be careful that when we teach others, that we also teach ourselves, and repent of our own acts and strive to do them no more. The law only leads us to death, and if we boast of it, we are boasting of death, for we are unable to achieve life through it. Therefore we should provoke other to righteousness, after first examining our own selves and our own righteousness. - Matthew 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. Also consider Luke 6:41-42.
Romans 2:25-29
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. 26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? 27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? 28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Circumcision was a ritual of purity, cleanliness and obedience for the Jews. What Paul is saying here, however, is that even if you circumcise yourself in accordance with the law, you reverse the circumcision through sin, because you have not followed the complete law. However, if someone keeps the law, and is not circumcised, his faithfulness shows him to be pure and circumcised. The outward is not as important as the inward, is what Paul is conveying to us here. True circumcision comes from the heart. One who is truly pure will not receive the greatest praise from men, but in fact, he may be persecuted. However, he who is pure and circumcised in the heart will receive the praise of God, which is far more valuable, and should be all that a man should seek.
This concludes the first two chapters. This study is still undergoing completion, as I am still writing the code for this page. However, I did want to provide you with what I can thus far, for all scripture is edifying and useful. I will most likely be finishing about 3-5 chapters a week on this study, until the enrire book has been covered. Thanks for your patience, and may God continue to add His blessing.
Brother John
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