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A Study of Romans


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Romans Chapter 1

By: Jim Crews

 

This letter was written by Paul to the Christians in Rome. Since the Holy Spirit included this letter in the revealed, written Word of God, it is applicable to all Christians throughout this final age. Paul was probably told of the church in Rome by Aquila, Priscilla, and other Jewish converts who were kicked out of Rome by Claudius.

Acts 18:2

 

This letter was written to show the Jewish converts to Christ that the sacrificial works of the Law of Moses were no longer in force, and that all Christians, Jews and Gentiles, are equal in the eyes of God. 

 

This letter was written in 58, while Paul was in Corinth. It was written after his letters to the Corinthians, Galatians, Thessalonians, Titus, and his first letter to Timothy. This was the 5th year of Nero’s rule. 

 

Romans 1:1-7

Paul introduces himself as a servant of Jesus and an apostle. He explains how the Gospel had been promised beforehand.

II Peter 1:16-21

 

He tells how Jesus is the Son of God, shown by the power of God when he rose from the dead and is now Lord. He explains his role in spreading the Gospel to bring about obedience to the faith. This shows us that faith without obedience is not saving faith. 

James 2:14-26

 

Romans 1:8-15

The faith of the church in Rome is well known throughout the world. This is probably due to the Jews being kicked out of Rome by Claudius. Paul tells them how they are always in his prayers, and how much he desires to go to Rome to encourage them and be encouraged by them. 

 

Romans 1:16-17

He tells them of the power of the Gospel message. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. The Gospel message is the message that God came to live with us in the person of the Son.

John 1:1-18

 

He was born, lived, and died as one of us, but was without sin. He lived a perfect life for us and obeyed the Law perfectly for us. His resurrection demonstrates His divinity and through His blood, our sins are washed away when we believe and obey Him. 

 

Romans 1:18-23

God’s wrath is revealed against unbelievers. It is impossible to please God without faith.

Hebrews 11:6

 

It is plain if anyone looks, that the universe was designed. It was no accident. Everything around us declares that God IS. 

Psalm 19:1

 

He has nothing good for those who refuse to believe. There is no hope of salvation for the unbeliever. They are without excuse. In their own wisdom, they were fools, as they made images and worshipped the creature instead of the Creator. They knew that there was a God, yet they didn't seek Him out. They trusted their own wisdom in these matters and became idolaters. 

 

Romans 1:24-25

God doesn't force anyone to believe in Him. If people are going to believe in lies and false teaching, He isn't going to force the truth down their throats. He will let them continue in their delusions. 

II Thessalonians 2:11-12

 

Romans 1:26-32

Without God in our lives, we are filth. All manner of sin and evil stain our souls. Homosexuality is clearly condemned here along with other sins such as envy, murder, strife, maliciousness, gossips, slanderers, haters of God, haughty, insolent, boastful, evil minded, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, and ruthless. These pretty much describe the world we can see in the news all the time. We wonder why there is so much evil in the world. God explains it to us in this passage. There is so much evil in the world because the vast majority of humanity refuses to submit to the will of God. 



 

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Romans Chapter 2

By: Jim Crews

 

Romans 2:1-3

Here Paul teaches the lesson Jesus taught about unrighteous and hypocritical judgments. Those who judge hypocritically are condemned. What is an unrighteous and hypocritical judgment? An unrighteous judgment is judging someone based on your own personal biases. A hypocritical judgment is when you pass judgment on someone while you are doing the same thing. Jesus taught us to take care of the sins in our own lives before trying to convict others of the sin in theirs.

Matthew 7:1-5

 

Romans 2:4-5

REPENT! God’s kindness is meant to lead us to repent of our sins. We shouldn't become so hardened to our sins that we won't recognize them and repent. We shouldn't sin willfully and knowingly, and then refuse to repent. There remains no sacrifice for our sins if we don't repent.

Hebrews 10:26-27

 

Romans 2:6-10

We will reap what we sow.

Galatians 6:7

 

If we live good, faithful lives, we will receive the gift of eternal life. If we lead lives of worldliness and sin, not obeying the Gospel, we will reap wrath and fury. 

 

Romans 2:12-16

We need to be doers and not hearers of the word. We deceive ourselves if we think we can please God by doing nothing. 

James 1:22

 

It didn't work under the Mosaic Law, and it won't work under the Gospel. In fact, Paul states that those Gentiles who didn't know the Law yet lived good lives as if they did know it, were better off than the Jews who had the Law, but didn't do what it said. 


 

Romans 2:17-24

The Law of Moses can't save, because one must follow it perfectly to be justified. The Jews were hypocrites. Teaching one thing and doing something else. Jesus condemned them for their hypocrisy.

Matthew Chapters 5-7

 

Their hypocritical actions caused the name of God to be blasphemed among the Gentiles, who heard their teaching but saw that their actions didn't match. We must always be careful to practice what we preach. 

 

Romans 2:25-29

Outward appearances is not what will save us. We can't go around saying we are Christians but not acting like Christians. We can't act like Christians on Sunday, and heathens the other six days. We have to BE Christians, not just say we are. Here Paul illustrates this with his writing about circumcision and uncircumcision. 




 

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Romans Chapter 3

By: Jim Crews

 

Romans 3:1-4

Since the end of chapter 2 told us that a Jew was one who was an inward follower of God, implying that Christians are now His people having replaced those who followed the Mosaic Law, Paul now asks what advantage a Jew has since the Kingdom had been taken from them. Do they have any? 

 

Yes, they do. It was through the Jews that God entrusted to the world His Word. It was through the Jews that God brought His Son into the world for all humanity. Despite the fact that most of them were unfaithful, God remained faithful and blessed all of humanity through them by the seed of Abraham. His Word and His promises remain unchanged despite the unfaithfulness of those to whom they are made. 

 

Romans 3:5-8

Our unrighteousness shows how righteous God is. God is not the one who is unrighteous for judging the faithless. They deserve their judgment for not paying heed to His Word and for not obeying His Word. 

 

Romans 3:9-20

Quoting Psalms and agreeing with them, Paul reiterates what was taught by the Psalmist when he revealed that not one single human being is righteous by themselves or of their own merit. Every single one of us has done something against God and earned the spiritual death promised Adam for his disobedience. We didn't inherit sin from Adam, we inherited the curse of spiritual death that his sin brought into the world. All of humanity is accountable to God. The works of the Law of Moses cannot save, justify, or make anyone righteous. Works of merit on our own cannot save, justify, or make anyone righteous. 

 

Romans 3:21-26

God’s righteousness has been shown apart from the Mosaic Law, though it was the Law and the Prophets who revealed it to humanity. God pardons and makes righteous those who believe and obey Him. We ALL have sinned, but when we believe and obey Him, we are justified and made righteous by His freely offered gift of Grace, the Blood of Jesus that washes away all of our sins. He justifies us, He cleanses us, He makes us righteous despite our imperfections. 

 

Romans 3:27-31

Since it is God who does all the work, we have nothing to boast about. Every human is a sinner, Christians are simply forgiven, pardoned by God from the spiritual death we have earned. The works required by the Mosaic Law could not do this. Only the Law of Faith has the power to save us when we do what He said to do.

Hebrews 5:9

John 3:36

 

This salvation is not only for the Jews, it is also for all the rest of humanity. This fact didn't destroy the Law, it fulfilled the Law.

Matthew 5:17


 

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Romans Chapter 4

By: Jim Crews

 

Romans 4:1-12

Abraham gained or earned nothing on his own. Abraham was counted as righteous by God when he believed and obeyed God. He had nothing to boast about as far as his righteousness. God did all the work. All Abraham did was what he was told to do. 

Luke 17:10

 

Many try to say this passage shows that Abraham was saved by faith only. Those who claim this either deny the rest of the Word taught in the New Testament, or don't take the time to seek it out and search the Scriptures.

Matthew 7:7-8

Acts 17:11

 

When they do, they find the rest of the story.

Hebrews 11: 8-10

James 2:21-24

 

These writers are saying the same things in different ways. I know that because if they contradict, the Bible is of no more value than any other book.

 

Paul in Romans is showing that neither works of merit on our own nor works required by the Mosaic Law can save us. Abraham wasn't justified by anything he did, he was counted righteous by God when he believed.

 

 The Hebrew writer is showing us that our faith leading to obedience to God is a requirement if we are to be saved. Abraham’s faith led to him being counted righteous by God when he did what God told him to do. Only an obedient faith can save us.

 

James is showing us that works of faith, which is a part of living faithfully unto death, are required, and that they aren't works of our own merit but are simply doing what God said to do. These works demonstrate our faith and make our faith a living faith, not a dead one. 

 

Circumcision sealed them as God’s children. God counted them as righteous when they believed and obeyed. We are sealed by the gift of the Holy Spirit when we believe and obey the commands to repent, confess, be immersed in water to wash away our sins, and live faithfully unto death. 

 

Romans 3:13-15

The obedient faith of Abraham and those of his descendants led to them being counted as righteous by God. They did nothing on their own but what God told them to do. 

 

Romans 3:16-26

Paul expounds more on the obedient faith of Abraham. When he was 100 years old and Sarah 90, Abraham had no doubts at all when God told him he was going to have a son. When God told him several years later to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham never flinched. He had the knife drawn back and was about to do it when God stopped him. Abraham’s faith was an obedient faith. This is the same type of faith still required by God. 

 

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Romans Chapter 5

By: Jim Crews


 

Romans 5:1-2

We finished up the last lesson by looking at the active, unquestioning faith of Abraham. We begin this chapter by being shown that we are justified by this same type of faith. To be justified means to be made righteous in the eyes of God, having our sins washed away and being pardoned from the sentence of spiritual death those sins brought us. By our obedient, unquestioning faith, we have gained access to the wonderful free gift of God’s grace. Paul goes on to explain how this occurs later in his letter. 

 

Romans 5:3-5

Trials, tribulations, and persecutions make our faith stronger. They produce an enduring and strong faith by building up our character which produces hope. This is like running or lifting weights to bring our bodies into fitness and get in physical shape. 

I Timothy 4:7-10

 

Studying the Word helps us avoid all of the false doctrine, myths, and outright lies of those who serve Satan. We train our minds to be strong in the Word when we study, prayerfully asking God to guide us in His Word through His Spirit. God’s love was poured onto us when we believed and obeyed Him, receiving forgiveness of our sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit when we are baptized. 

Acts 2:38

 

Romans 5:6-8

While the world was mired in sin and totally under the control of Satan, Jesus willingly died as a sacrifice for us. This shows His infinite love because 99.99% of us would not give our lives even to save a good, worthy person. He died for humanity when there was not a single person who was worthy of his sacrifice. 

 

Romans 5:9-11

We have been justified by His Blood and His sacrifice. He died for us when the world was totally compromised by evil, so how much more so will He forgive the sins of those who believe and obey Him. Why wouldn't He forgive His children when He was willing to die for those who never heard of God? He will. 

 

Our sins separated us from God.

Isaiah 59:2

 

His Blood reconciled us to God when we believed and obeyed.

 

Romans 5:12-14

One man, Adam, brought sin into the world by disobeying God. Sin quickly spread through the world, not because we inherited Adam’s sin, but because sinning was easier and more pleasurable than obedience to God. 

James 4:1-4

 

We are not burdened by Adam’s sin, we are responsible only for our own sins. The teaching of Calvinism, which says we are born already stained with sin is shown to be false in Ezekiel 18. The teaching of “original sin” is shown to be false in the same passages. 

Ezekiel 18:4

 

Romans 5:15-17

One man, Jesus, brought grace into the world by His perfect obedience to God. From the beginning, God has required perfect obedience to His commands. One sin, one misstep, brought condemnation. Following many sins, God’s grace brings justification. Jesus lived the perfect life of perfect obedience required by God for us. We don't have to obey perfectly anymore, we are simply told that after we hear, believe, and obey the Gospel, we must live faithful lives. Faithful, not perfect. We are no longer under the sentence of spiritual death for our imperfections if we have become Christians and remain faithful. 

 

 Romans 5:18-21

One sin led to condemnation. One righteous sacrifice led to salvation. By Adam’s disobedience, many were made sinners. Many chose to follow his path and take the easy way of sin and death. 

Matthew 7:13-14

 

By Jesus’ obedience, many will be made righteous. We will fail and falter and be imperfect, as we try to obey God, but we have nothing to fear if we are living faithfully. Jesus obeyed perfectly for us, all we have to do after we repent, confess, and are baptized, is to remain faithfully obedient to Him. He even shows us how to do this in the New Testament. Grace covers our sins and we are forgiven. 

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Romans Chapter 6

By: Jim Crews

 

Romans 6:1-4

In Romans 5:2, we were told that we had gained access by our faith into God’s grace. The faith being spoken of is an unquestioning, obedient faith like the faith of Abraham. Here, we are shown how our faith gives us access to God’s grace. It is through baptism, which is a burial of our dead souls into a watery grave and our resurrection from sin to a new life. This parallels Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. It is in obedience to the commands to repent, confess, and be baptized, that we are given access to God’s Grace.

Titus 3:4-7

 

Romans 6:5-10

When we rise from the watery grave of our baptism, our sins have been washed away and forgiven.

Acts 22:16

Acts 2:38

 

We are dead to sin now, and alive to God. Before this, we were dead to God and slaves to our sins. 

 

Romans 6:12-14

Since we are now dead to sin and no longer slaves to it, we should strive to stop sinning and live faithfully. Though we try our best, we will sin. When we falter, fail, and sin again, we have nothing to worry about as long as we swallow our pride, repent of that sin, and go to God in prayer asking Him to forgive us again. He will forgive us every time.

I John 1:8-10

Acts 8:22

 

This is why we are no longer slaves to sin. The only power sin has over us is the power of spiritual death. That no longer affects us if we follow God’s teaching about forgiveness and repentance. 

 

Romans 6:15-16

Since our sins are covered, do we have to even bother trying to stop sinning? Yes, we do. Grace is not a license to keep on sinning. If we keep on willfully sinning, it did us no good at all to believe and obey Him.

Hebrews 10: 26-27

 

Continuing to commit the same sins after we are baptized, willfully and premeditated, shows we have not repented. Without repentance, there is no salvation. 

Luke 13:3

II Corinthians 9:10

 

Romans 6:17-19

By obeying the Word of God, we were set free from our sins. This standard of teaching being referred to is the written, revealed Word of God as expressed by His apostles and prophets in the New Testament. It was in its complete and perfect form when Jude wrote his letter.

Jude 3

 

Romans 6:20-22

The only fruit sin produces is spiritual death. The fruit of the Spirit in our lives sets us free from slavery to sin.

Galatians 5:22-23

 

Romans 6:23

We can't earn salvation, it is given freely by God to those who believe Him and obey Him. Condemnation is earned, and those who refuse to submit to the authority of Christ have fully earned their wages. 


 

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Romans Chapter 7

By: Jim Crews

 

Romans 7:1-3

The Law is binding only while we are living. After we die, we are not bound by it. Paul uses the example of a married woman, who is released from her marriage vows upon the death of her husband. 

 

Romans 7:4-6

Like this example, they have died to the Mosaic Law when they obey the Gospel. The Mosaic Law is no longer bound upon us, instead, we worship in Spirit and in Truth.

John 4:24

 

We are no longer slaves to the sins that the Law revealed to us. 

 

Romans 7:7-12

God used the Mosaic Law to reveal to the Israelites, and all of humanity, the things He considered to be sin. No one would know what is sin had God not told us. Humanity thought they were alive, but God’s revelation of the things that are sin showed that none were alive, all were dead spiritually. 



 

Romans 7:13-20

Is it the fault of the Law, which revealed to us what things are sin, that we sin? No. It is our own fault that we sin. The Law simply showed us the things that are sinful. We then have the choice to continue sinning, or try to stop. Many, when shown that they are sinning, pay it no heed and continue on. The Law didn't cause them to sin, their own stubbornness and lusts did.

James 4:1-4

 

Some, when shown that they are sinning, desire to stop, but find that it is impossible. They become downtrodden and depressed, wondering how they can be faithful servants of God if they can't even stop sinning. They need to remember what John wrote.

I John 1: 8 - 10

 

Romans 7:21-25

The Mosaic Law has no answer to this. Under that Law, sins weren't washed away, they were pushed forward awaiting the Messiah. Joy for us!!! The Messiah has come, and with Him, a solution to the problem of sin for those who believe.

 

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Romans Chapter 8

By: Jim Crews

 

Romans 8:1-7

The solution to the problem of sin is Jesus Christ. If we are faithful and obedient to Him, our sins are washed away. We could not obey the Mosaic Law perfectly, as God requires. Jesus did that for us. We cannot live a sinless life as God requires of us. Jesus did that for us. Now it's up to us to faithfully follow Jesus, and His perfection overcomes our imperfection and our sins are washed away. 

 

If we continue to sin willfully, there is no hope for us.

Hebrews 10: 26-31

 

We must repent. This is shown here to be a complete change of mind and focus from things of the flesh to things of the Spirit. We must submit to God’s Law, the perfect Law of Liberty, the Gospel. This means we must believe, repent, confess, be baptized, and live faithfully unto death. THAT is the solution to the problem of sin. 





 

Romans 8:9-11

When we obey the Gospel, our sins are washed away in the waters of baptism, which is the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 22:16

Acts 2:38

Colossians 2: 11-13

Titus 3:4-7

 

Romans 8:12-17

When we obey the Gospel, we become heirs with Christ. The flesh no longer has a hold over us because we have put it to death. When we do sin, we will not suffer the Spiritual death we deserve as long as we faithfully follow His teaching.

Acts 8:22

I John 1: 5-10

 

If we continue to sin willfully, there no longer remains any hope for us, but as long as we are faithfully trying and striving to overcome sin, we remain alive through Christ. We owe everything to Him. 






 

Romans 8:18-25

From the beginning, man has longed to be in fellowship with God. With sin, this was impossible. Now, with the sacrifice of Christ and the washing in His Blood, this has become possible. Those who believe and obey Him have this hope of being with God, of seeing God, of living eternally with God. 

 

Romans 8:26-30

The Spirit helps those who are faithful to Christ. This is part of the gift of the Spirit we receive upon baptism. 

Acts 2:38

 

He intercedes for us. He helps us in our prayers. He providentially aids us in our daily lives.

Matthew 6: 25-34

 

Romans 8:31-39

Here we are shown God’s eternal love for us. If God is for us, no one can stand against us. He loved us so much He gave His Son as the sacrifice for our sins. 

John 3:16

 

Nothing can separate us from Him and His love for us as long as we remain faithful to His Word. 


 

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Romans Chapter 9

By: Jim Crews

 

Romans 9: 1-5

Paul certifies that he is speaking the Truth. He wishes he could be the one accursed and cut off instead of the Jews. It was through the Jews that God brought Truth and salvation to the world.

 

Romans 9:6-13

The promise of God did not fail. God kept His promise. It was through Abraham's descendants that God brought salvation to humanity. He did this through the promised children to Abraham, through Isaac. Not all of Abraham's children are children of Israel. The Israelites came through the path God had determined before creation. They came through Isaac and Jacob. 

 

Romans 9:14-18

Does God doing things the way He determined make Him unjust? Of course not. Like He told Moses, He’ll favor who He wants. He doesn't owe a single being in this universe anything. We all owe Him. Nothing we do can earn His mercy, He simply gives it to those He chooses to give it to. He has told us that His mercy goes only to those who believe and obey. He uses the unbelievers and the disobedient to serve His purposes, as He used Pharaoh to show His power. He used the Babylonians to punish and cleanse his children from their idolatry. He used the Romans to end His covenant relationship with Israel. 

 

Romans 9:19-29

Who are we to question God? We don't get to question God. God told us what to do, and if we wish eternal life, we will DO it. Does the clay question the way the potter makes it? Then we should not question our Creator. We don't know His reasons or His purposes for doing the things He does and has done. 

Isaiah 55:8-9

 

Jews and Gentiles have all now been called by hearing, believing, and obeying the Gospel. This was prophesied by the prophets. Paul quotes Hosea’s prophecy that states the Gentiles would also become His children. 

 

He then quotes Isaiah’s prophecy about the few, the remnant which would come out of Babylon to carry on His purpose of bringing salvation to all of humanity, not just to the Jews. 

 

Romans 9:30-32

The Gentiles believed God and obeyed Him. The Israelites followed the Mosaic Law trying to earn salvation by the sacrificial works of that Law,  and not by faith. This is shown by their chasing off after idols every time the opportunity arose. They believed that works of merit or works alone would save them, so they performed the sacrificial works, but worshipped the idols anyway. 

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Romans Chapter 10

By: Jim Crews

 

Romans 10:1-4

It is Paul’s desire that the Jews come to obedience to the Gospel. He is a witness to the fact that they are zealous in their beliefs, unfortunately, their beliefs no longer match God’s Word. 

 

Romans 10:5-13

Under the Mosaic Law, their righteousness was based upon how well they followed the Law. Since God requires perfect obedience to His Law, they all fell short, and tried to justify themselves by works of merit, and by focusing on the required works of the Mosaic Law, completely ignoring the fact that faith was also a requirement. The Word of God is always near us, because He wants us to know about Him, to believe in Him, and to obey Him. When we hear it, we should confess our belief in Jesus. We should proclaim our faith in all that He did for us and in all that He has taught us. If we believe Him, we will DO all that He commanded. Those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. How do we call on the name of the Lord? It not something we do by verbally speaking words. 

Matthew 7:21-23


 

Calling on the name of the Lord is an ACTION on the part of a believer.

Acts 22:16

 

Calling on the name of the Lord is doing what He said to do. Repent, confess, be baptized to wash our sins away, and live faithfully unto death. Those who do this, will live eternally.

 

Romans 10:14-20

So how are we obey, how are we to call on the name of someone we don't believe? How are we to believe someone we've never heard of? How are we to hear if someone doesn't teach us? We should all, as children of God, be teaching the Word whenever we get the opportunity. We should do this because without hearing,  believing, and obeying, people will be lost eternally. It is up to us to get the Word to the lost and dead world around us. Most will not listen or will not care one way or the other. 

Matthew 7:13-14

 

We should not let that discourage us. We should persevere, because faith comes from hearing the Word of God. The Holy Spirit doesn't reach into our hearts and force us to believe, our belief comes from having heard the Word. That is why we must continue to teach, no matter what persecutions that may bring us. 

 

Romans 10:21

God has tired of Israel’s disobedience and as we see in history, He dealt them a final blow. 

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Romans Chapter 11

By: Jim Crews

 

Romans 11:1-10

Has God rejected Israel? No. Just like He did in the time of Elijah, God accepts those who believe and obey Him. The 7000 in Israel in those days were accepted, while the rest of Israel were rejected. Christians are the remnant spoken of here. We are the ones who believe and obey God, so we are acceptable to Him while the vast majority of the population is dead spiritually. This acceptance of us by Him is because of His grace, not the works of the Mosaic Law or any other meritorious works we may do. 

 

Israel failed to obtain God’s grace because they did not serve Him faithfully, but instead they depended on the works of the Levitical sacrifices to save them. Their lack of faith was demonstrated every time they chased after idols. 

 

Romans 11:11-12

Because of the stumbling of the Israelites, salvation was brought to all of humanity. Through their struggles with law, works, and lack of faith, the Grace of God was brought to all in the form of the Son. This has made all who are obedient believers rich in the gift of His grace. 

 

Romans 11:13-16

Paul addresses himself as the apostle to the Gentiles. He hopes the Israelites will become jealous of having the Kingdom taken from them and given to all humanity. This is so that maybe they will believe and obey God so that they, too, might be taken back into the Kingdom. 

 

Romans 11:17-24

The Gentiles were grafted into the Kingdom in the place of those Jews who refused to submit to God’s Will. Those Jews were cut off. The Gentiles should not be arrogant about this. God owes no man anything. The Gentiles are a part of the Kingdom now because of God’s grace. If God cut off the Jews because of their lack of faith, why would He treat the Gentiles any differently? God is kind. God is also severe. He is kind to those who believe and obey. He is severe to those who do not. Though He is severe to unbelievers, when they change, repent, and come back to Him, He will accept them back gladly. If the Jews would only submit to His Will, God would happily take them back into His Kingdom. 






 

Romans 11:25-36

Israel has been hardened because of the acceptance of the Gentiles into the Kingdom. This will be the case until the fullness of the Gentiles had come in. At that time, the Israelites would begin to believe and obey. The Jews are enemies in regards to the Gospel, because they do not believe it or obey it. They are loved, though, because of their ancestors. Just like the Gentiles were once disobedient then heard, believed, and obeyed the Gospel, so now the Israelites are disobedient but if they hear, believe, and obey the Gospel, they will be accepted back. God’s mercy is for the disobedient, so that if they turn to Him, they can be saved. 

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Romans Chapter 12

By: Jim Crews

 

Romans 12:1-2

We therefore should present ourselves as living sacrifices to God. How do we do this?

Colossians 3:17

Matthew 6:33

 

We live our lives in faithful service to God. We strive to follow His commands. We strive to be good examples to those around us. We strive to be good disciples. What is a disciple? A learner. We seek out His Will by searching the Scriptures, we don't wait to be told by someone else what His Will is. We don't expect to find His teachings in a single passage of scripture. We are students.

 

Romans 12:3-8

Don't overinflated your importance. As Christians, we are all equal in the eyes of God. Each individual Christian is the Body of Christ, the Church of Christ. We are individuals and a collective. Individually we have responsibilities, collectively we have responsibilities. Not all of us can serve in the same way. Just like the Holy Spirit gave differing gifts, so we today have different things to offer in service to God. Some can preach and teach. Some can give money or time. Some clean the building. Some mow the lawn. Some pray. Whatever we do, it should be done as a living offering to God and should be done by His authority. 

 

Romans 12:9-13

Genuine love is described by the Holy Spirit.

I Corinthians 13:4-7

 

Our love should meet this definition. If we say we love someone but don't like them, are we meeting this definition? Is our love genuine? 

 

Abhor things that are evil. Don't participate in these things, don't long to participate in them, don't envy those who can participate in them because they are lost, dead, unbelievers anyway. Hold fast and tight to the things that are good. 

 

Love one another like you were family. Be zealous in serving God. Be joyful in your hope. Patiently accept tribulations and persecutions, don't seek vengeance. Be consistent in your prayer life. Be generous in aiding other Christians. 





 

Romans 12:14-21

Bless those who persecute you, don't curse them. Pray for them. Help them if they are in need of help. Be empathetic, rejoicing and happy with those who are happy. Mourning and understanding of those who are not happy. Be all things to all men. Live peaceably with each other. Don't be arrogant or haughty, don't think you are better than anyone, because you are not. Associate with the needy, the poor, the less fortunate, and help them. Don't think you are wiser than what you are. 

 

Don't seek vengeance. Don't get even. Don't payback those who have mistreated you by mistreating them. Vengeance belongs to God. 

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Romans Chapter 13

By: Jim Crews

 

Romans 13:1-7

We must subject ourselves to the legitimate government of whatever nation we live in. We obey the laws of the land as long as those laws don't come into conflict with God’s commands. We do this because governments get what authority they have from God, though most forget that fact. There isn't much that government can do against you if you are doing good and obeying their laws. They were authorized by God to defend His children in ways His children are not allowed, such as waging war and killing other humans to keep a safe place for God's children. If we disobey their laws, we too are subject to their punishment. Pay taxes, revenue, respect, and honor to those it is owed. However, when the state makes laws that violate God's commands, we are actually required to disobey them in favor of following God, no matter what punishment the state dishes out. 

Acts 5:29

Daniel 3:16-18






 

Romans 13:8-10

The only thing we owe each other is to love one another. Love is defined for us in I Corinthians 13. If we love one another, we have fulfilled the Law, because all of the commandments are about loving each other. You won't murder someone you love. You won't steal from someone you love. If you love your neighbor as you love yourself, you will obey the commandments without thought, because the commandments describe how to treat someone you love. This is why love fulfills the Law.

 

Romans 13:11-14

Everyday brings us a day closer to death and to salvation if we are obedient believers. Every day brings us one day closer to Judgment Day. We should keep that in mind as we go through our lives. We should cast off the works of darkness and evil, striving to get sin out of our lives. Walk in the light.

I John 1:5-7

 

Control our fleshly desires and lusts and put our focus on God and serving Him. 


 

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Romans Chapter 14

By: Jim Crews

 

Romans 14:1-12

Welcome weak brethren and don't argue over matters of opinion. Matters of opinion are things that are not addressed in the New Testament by either a direct command, an example, or logically implied by a command or example. Paul gives some examples of matters of opinion.

 

 Many want to claim that doctrinal errors fall under this. They say we can't call their use of instruments in worship sin, because it's a matter of opinion. However, instruments are forbidden by the very fact that there is no direct command, example, or the ability to logically imply them from a command or example in the New Testament. This portion of Paul's letter is talking about things such as earrings, tattoos, and celebrating holidays in a non religious manner. He is not talking about accepting false doctrine just to get along. We are told not to accept doctrinal error, but to expose it. 

Ephesians 5:11




 

In true matters of opinion, we are not to be judgmental. We are to be accepting of our differences and our diversity. We should heed what Paul said in the previous chapter and not think too highly of ourselves, not think we are better than someone else simply because they choose to do things differently than we do, as long as those things are matters of opinion and not doctrinal matters. 

 

Romans 14:13-23

Don't cause a brother to stumble because of a difference in matters of opinion. Nothing is unclean that has not been condemned by God. All food is ok for us to eat, but we should not judge or cause strife with someone who chooses to refrain from eating certain foods. What we eat or drink is not important for our salvation. If we judge unrighteously on this, it will affect our salvation. In matters of opinion, if you think something is a sin, it is a sin for you, but you don't get to force your opinion on anyone else. This does not mean we are forced to accept doctrinal error and false teaching just to get along. We are told to confront doctrinal error, seek to correct it, and if the ones in error will not repent, we are to disfellowship them. I had to practice this recently with an otherwise sound teacher who has fallen to the AD 70 heresy. He refused to listen to anything that exposed that teaching for the lie that it is, so I have had to withdraw my personal fellowship from him. We do not have to associate with false teachers who will not repent. In fact, we are told not to do this. Doing so may weaken OUR faith and lead us to the same error. 

 

Many try to use this chapter to justify their sinful practices in worship, but this chapter is only about matters of opinion. 

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Romans Chapter 15

By: Jim Crews

 

Romans 15:1-7

We who are strong in the Word should be patient and understanding of those brethren who are weaker in knowledge. We should teach them patiently and without being judgmental where their lack of understanding is concerned. This is to build them up and help them increase their knowledge and understanding so they might grow as Christians. We can see from the examples recorded for us in the Old Testament and have hope, because God always takes care of those who believe and obey Him. The Old Testament examples of this give us the hope we have that He continues to do this. Therefore, we should pray and strive to live in peace and harmony with our brethren because this glorifies God. We do not, however, have to accept false doctrine being taught. The brother must come to understand the Truth after being taught the Scriptural teachings on his error. Should he persist in his error without repenting after a good lengthy time of our trying to teach him, we are to withdraw fellowship from him. 

 

Romans 15:8-13

Christ became a servant in order to show God’s truthfulness and to fulfill the promises given to the patriarchs. This also led to the Gentiles glorifying God for the mercy He shows all of us in this age. Paul shows this through several quotes from the Old Testament. 

II Samuel 22:50

Psalm 18:49

Deuteronomy 32:43

Psalm 117:1

Isaiah 11:10

Isaiah 11:1

 

Romans 15: 14-21

Paul is satisfied with the Romans. He sees in them goodness, knowledge, and the will and ability to teach and instruct one another in God’s Word. He did write boldly on some points to bring them back into focus on things they had neglected. God made Paul the minister and apostle to the Gentiles so that they might learn how to please God by being faithful and obedient to Him. Paul is proud of his work for God. All that He taught, all that He did in his ministry, he did, in word and deed, to bring the Gentiles to obedience. His work, like all true revelation from God, was backed up with signs, wonders, and miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 His desire is to go to places that have never heard the Gospel and bring God’s Word where it is not known. 

 

Romans 15:22-28

Trying to go to places where the Gospel has never been taught is why Paul has been delayed in going to meet with the Romans. He hopes to pass through Rome and meet with them while on his way to Spain. Now, however, he is on his way to Jerusalem to deliver aid to the saints in need there. He brings aid from Macedonia and Greece for the needy saints in Jerusalem. He goes on to say that Christians should come to one another's aid in times of distress and need. He tells them when that was complete, he would be coming to Rome on his way to Spain. 

 

Romans 15:30-33

He concludes this portion of his letter by asking for their prayers and continued service to God.

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Romans Chapter 16

By: Jim Crews

 

This portion of Paul's letter contains personal greetings to people he knew. 

 

Romans 16:1-2

He mentions Phoebe, who is a faithful servant of God in Cenchrea. He asks them to help her if she should ask for it. 

 

Romans 16: 3-16

Paul sends greetings to many of those he has met. He sends greetings Priscilla and Aquila, who risked their lives for him, and he greets the congregation of the Church of Christ meeting in their house. He greets Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia Minor. He sends many other individual greetings in this section, concluding with a general greeting to each Christian, saying that all the churches of Christ send greetings to them. 







 

Romans 16: 17- 23

Paul offers some final instructions in this part of his letter. He tells us to avoid those who cause division and create obstacles by teaching false doctrine. Some of the false doctrines today are salvation by faith alone, salvation of everyone no matter what they do, the AD 70 lie, and the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit outside of the Word. We are to avoid these teachings and have no fellowship with those who teach them. 

 

 The people who teach them aren’t serving God, but instead, they are serving their own selfish desires. They are smooth talkers, flatterers, and liars. Their disobedience is well known. Paul wants the Roman brethren, and any others who read this letter, to be wise in the things that are good, and innocent to what is evil. That means spend more time focused on the good than on evil. He ends this portion with more greetings. 

 

Romans 16:25-27

The mystery of salvation, prophesied of for thousands of years, has now been revealed for all to know, for all to believe, and for all to obey. This mystery is the Gospel of Christ. There is no other way. 

John 14:6

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