The Book of Romans

[SpiritPsalmist]

So, the last we read, Paul is clarifying that the teachings of God are not useless, and in fact he himself and all the others disciples establish the law. You may read it for yourselves here in the interlinear. Be sure to click on those words that are in blue and the words that you see underlined here so that you may see for yourselves what is actually written. Don't just take my word for it or anyone else's, I/they could be wrong. Always check it out for yourself in the Bible or Bible helps such as the Interlinear and/or Strongs Greek and Hebrew. And while commentators may be helpful, don't just believe them either, they may be wrong too. "Be diligent to show yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth", 2 Timothy 2:15.

Moving forward:
Romans 4:1-12New King James Version (NKJV)

Abraham Justified by Faith

Take a look for yourself at the sub-title in the New King James Version here, (click on the word here and it will take you directly to the scripture on Biblegateway.com) don't just rely on me having copied and pasted correctly. "Abraham Justified By Faith". Now haven't we been taught by Bible teachers that people in the OT times were saved by keeping the law and the commandments and people in the NT times are saved by grace through faith? Yes, I've heard it many times. Doesn't it make you wonder why "Abraham Justified By Faith" is written in bold yet is taught that he wasn't?





4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?[a] 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[b] 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.



So Paul says, "what about Abraham, how did he come to faith? If he did it by works he would have something to brag about. But not before God. Then Paul says, "but what does the scriptures say?" He went straight to the scriptures and by doing so, he was telling others to go by the scriptures too. Paul answered his own question. He quoted Gen 15:6, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness". Belief and faith are the same thing. Faith can only come as the result of the interaction of the Spirit of God with the spirit of man. Read Gen 15:1-18. Abraham had faith. If you doubt that read Heb 11:8 (paraphrased) "by faith Abraham obeyed". That faith was accounted to him as righteousness. In other words, grace through faith. See Eph 2:8-9.



Verse 4) Paul says, those who do works in order to be saved, their wages for those works are counted as a debt and not grace. We are saved by grace through faith, not works so that there will be no one who can boast that they are there on their own efforts.



David Celebrates the Same Truth

5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”[c]


Now we have Paul bringing another OT saint into the picture. Then Paul quotes from Ps 32:1. It's pretty clear that God was forgiving sin by grace through faith long before the NT.


Abraham Justified Before Circumcision

9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.


So now Paul asks, "how do the Gentiles fit in"? Generally it is thought that anyone who is not a Jew is a Gentile. The word Gentile (Goy) in Hebrew means "nations" or "other nations" that aren't Hebrew or Jewish.



Paul then begins to address the tradition of circumcision. He asks, (paraphrased) "does God and man entering into a relationship by grace through faith extend to those circumcised or those uncircumcised"? At the end of verse 10 Paul says that Abraham received grace before he was circumcised. Why? So that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised. It does not matter if one is a circumcised Jew or an uncircumcised Gentile. If we accept by faith through grace the finished work of redemption by Jesus we are invited into a relationship with God....a God/man relationship.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Romans 4:13-25 New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
Inheritance Through Faith.

Verse 4:13 It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith.

God did not make His promise to Abraham and his descendants through Abraham keeping God's law. God's promise was made according to Abraham's faith. It was Abraham's faith that Abraham was called righteous. Grace through faith.
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Genesis 12:7;
Genesis 18:18;
Genesis 22:17–18
Galatians 3:16–18
Galatians 3:29

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Verse 4:14 For if those who adhere to the law are the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.

If being an heir of salvation is through keeping the law, then faith is of no value, and God's promise of salvation through grace is void. Since we cannot keep the law to the requirements of God, we would be doomed.
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Galatians 2:18

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Verse 4:15 For the law produces wrath;(C) but where there is no law, neither is there violation.

If God's law was connected to our salvation, there would be nothing but wrath, however, God has not made His promise to us through the law. Therefore, it's impossible to break a law and lose our salvation when there is no law in place that connects us to our salvation.
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Romans 3:20
Romans 5:13
Romans 7:8
Galatians 3:19​

Verse 4:16-17 For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us, (Galatians 3:7-9) 17 as it is written, “I have made you father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist (Genesis, 17:5, Hebrews 11:19, Isaiah 48:13)

God wanted to gift us with His salvation and that is why it depends on faith and not ones ability or non ability to keep law.
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Verse 4:18 He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “Thus shall your descendants be.”

Abraham never saw his faith take form, but he believed God, hoping against hope.
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Genesis 15:5
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Verse 4:19-21 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body as [already] dead (for he was almost a hundred years old) and the dead womb of Sarah. 20 He did not doubt God’s promise in unbelief; rather, he was empowered by faith and gave glory to God and was fully convinced that what he had promised he was also able to do. (Genesis 17:17, Hebrews 11:11) 21 and was fully convinced that what he had promised he was also able to do (Genesis 18:14, Luke 1:37)

Even though Abraham's body and his wife, and his friends told him it was impossible for him to be a father, he did not doubt God's promise. He was empowered by faith and he gave glory to God. He knew that God who made things out of nothing would perform His promise.
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Verse 4:22-25 But it was not for him alone that it was written that “it was credited to him”; (Genesis 15:6) 24 it was also for us, to whom it will be credited, who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, (Romans 10:9, 1 Peter 1:21) 25 who was handed over for our transgressions and was raised for our justification. (Isaiah 53:4-5, 1 Corinthians 15:17, 1 Peter 1:3,)

The promise of God was not just for Abraham, it was for us too. Faith will be credited as righteousness to those who believe in the one who raised Jesus from the dead, who was wounded for our transgressions and was raised for our justification.
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[SpiritPsalmist]

Romans 5:1-11 New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Verses 1-3 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access [by faith] to this grace in wich we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.

The verb 'to justify' is from the Latin, 'just + faoere (to make)' which is the translation of the Greek 'dikaio'. The Hebrew 'tsedek' means the same. We are justified, declared righteous by faith, but our actions, not our beliefs, confirm the fact. ~One New Man Bible~
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Because we are justified by faith, we have peace with God. Our relationship with God will always be grace through faith. Not any kind of good works whether it be from doing it because scripture says to or out of our just wanting to. As long as we have faith we are at peace with God. Guard your faith. Don't allow anything to steal it away. It will make a difference in your relationship with God. Through Jesus we have gained access (through faith) to this grace in which we stand. We boast not in and of ourselves, but in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God. We have only just begun and it's an ongoing process.



Verse 3-5 3 Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, 4 and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.


Not only may we boast about experiencing and enjoying Gods glory but we can boast of our afflictions. Afflictions?

Affliction:
1. a state of pain, distress, or grief; misery: They sympathized with us in our affliction.

2. a cause of mental or bodily pain, as sickness, loss, calamity, or persecution.
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LOL Many times we hear people preach "just give your life to Jesus and you'll have no more trouble". Not so! They may be different troubles than you had before giving your life to the Lord, but there will still be some troubles. When we give our lives to God He takes us the way we are but He has no intention of leaving us that way. He sets out to make us compatible to live with Him in His house. Our flesh bucking against those changes are trouble.



Our afflictions produce endurance.

Endurance: the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina
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Endurance leads to proven character.

Character: The aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing. Moral or ethical quality. Qualities of honesty, courage, or the like. Integrity. Good repute.
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Proven character leads to hope.

Hope: The feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.



Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.
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....and hope does not disappoint. Why? Because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.



In what way has the Holy Spirit been given to us?

1 Cor 3:16 You should know that you yourselves are God’s temple. God’s Spirit lives in you.

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The Holy Spirit lives in us.
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Verse 6 For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly.


We are helpless and hopeless without the finished work of Messiah. His death, burial, and resurrection was an appointment that He kept for us.


Verse 7-8 Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.


It's difficult for someone to die for a good person, however God proved His love for us by dying for us while there was no good found in us at all.

Romans 3:10 as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;


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Verse 9 How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath.


The word "atone" appears over and over in Torah. It means to cover. The blood of the animal sacrifices "atoned" or covered sins until Messiah Yeshua came and shed his blood and washes away confessed sins and brings us forgiveness.



Verse 10-11 Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.


We are reconciled and have received reconciliation.

Simply it means that those who believe by faith are restored to the original condition of fellowship that Adam & Eve enjoyed in the Garden of Eden. ~Monty Brooks~
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kkk-JaTcF7M

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

I have chosen the Living Bible here because I believe it very clearly and simply states what is being said by Paul.


Romans 5:12-14 Living Bible (TLB)

12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. His sin spread death throughout all the world, so everything began to grow old and die,[a] for all sinned. 13 We know that it was Adam’s sin that caused this[b] because although, of course, people were sinning from the time of Adam until Moses, God did not in those days judge them guilty of death for breaking his laws—because he had not yet given his laws to them nor told them what he wanted them to do. 14 So when their bodies died it was not for their own sins[c] since they themselves had never disobeyed God’s special law against eating the forbidden fruit, as Adam had.

What a contrast between Adam and Christ who was yet to come! 15 And what a difference between man’s sin and God’s forgiveness!

For this one man, Adam, brought death to many through his sin. But this one man, Jesus Christ, brought forgiveness to many through God’s mercy. 16 Adam’s one sin brought the penalty of death to many, while Christ freely takes away many sins and gives glorious life instead. 17 The sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to be king over all, but all who will take God’s gift of forgiveness and acquittal are kings of life[d] because of this one man, Jesus Christ. 18 Yes, Adam’s sin brought punishment to all, but Christ’s righteousness makes men right with God, so that they can live. 19 Adam caused many to be sinners because he disobeyed God, and Christ caused many to be made acceptable to God because he obeyed.

20 The Ten Commandments were given so that all could see the extent of their failure to obey God’s laws. But the more we see our sinfulness, the more we see God’s abounding grace forgiving us. 21 Before, sin ruled over all men and brought them to death, but now God’s kindness rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

There was only one thing that God had instructed man to not do. That was to not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The process of being drawn to do evil is important to understand. Look at what James 1:13-15 says, "13 And remember, when someone wants to do wrong it is never God who is tempting him, for God never wants to do wrong and never tempts anyone else to do it. 14 Temptation is the pull of man’s own evil thoughts and wishes. 15 These evil thoughts lead to evil actions and afterwards to the death penalty from God". Now look at Genesis 3. Enter the serpent. he says to Eve “Really?” he asked. “None of the fruit in the garden? God says you mustn’t eat any of it?” Notice he twist just a tiny bit what God had actually said. God did not say they could not eat any of the fruit in the whole garden, only the fruit from that one tree could they not eat (Gen 2:16). Notice in 3:2-3 Eve understood exactly what God had said and she corrected the serpent. In verse 4 the serpent calls God a liar "you will not die". Then in verse 5 the serpent gives his rationale as to what Gods intent really is..."for God knows" (the assumption being since God knows it it must be true) "5 God knows very well that the instant you eat it you will become like him". What he's basically said is "you don't need God to tell you what to do, you can figure it out for yourself". Now let's look again at James 1 "Temptation is the pull of man’s own evil thoughts and wishes". Gen 3:6 seems to suggest that she rationalized the the serpent must be right. The serpent told Eve what she wanted to hear. Even though she had yet to sin (disobedience) she had the capacity to. The idea was already in her mind of "how can I get around what God has said and still get all that I want"? What did James say? "These evil thoughts lead to evil actions" Sin. The Greek word means to "miss the mark". What was the mark? To submit to God and do what you're told. Eve's rationalization was not the issue here. There was never a question if it was good for food, or a delight to the eyes, or desirable to make one wise. The issue was "don't eat it!"

There were two reasons Adam & Eve ate from the tree: because they could (they had the power and right to choose) and because they wanted to. Here is the root of all sin that is in all mankind throughout time: "I can and I want to". Without God man's definition of what is good and what is evil will get man in trouble every time. This capacity is alive and well within all of us. In the book of Romans the writer explains how we can be delivered from the consequences of our bad choices and returned to a relationship with the God of creation (see Romans 5:18-21)

So we see that through the disobedience of one we were condemned but through the obedience of One (Jesus) we are set free from that condemnation. Jesus while on this earth had to submit and obey (Hebrews 5:8) To me that sounds a bit strange. But what was that he said in the garden? "Yet not as I will but as You will" (Matt 26:39) Notice Jesus expressed a strong desire to not have to go through this. His personal desire was not a problem but submitting was. Yeshua's legacy to us is having a God/man relationship and eternal life with Him if we choose. __________________

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Romans 5:15-21New International Version (NIV)

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man,(A) how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,(B) overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death(C) reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life(D) through the one man, Jesus Christ!
18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people,(E) so also one righteous act resulted in justification(F) and life(G) for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man(H) the many were made sinners,(I) so also through the obedience(J) of the one man the many will be made righteous.
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.(K) But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,(L) 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death,(M) so also grace(N) might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life(O) through Jesus Christ our Lord.


Verse 15
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man,(A) how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,(B) overflow to the many!


The gift of grace through faith was not like the trespass. We all were condemned to die according the the trespass of one man, Adam. We were condemned according to one man's sin. God's grace however, and the gift that was given by one man, Jesus Christ, overflows to many.


Verse 16
16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification (the act of God whereby humankind is made or accounted just, or free from guilt or penalty of sin).


The result of one man's sin was condemnation to all. We were not condemned for our sin we were condemned because of his (Adam's) sin. But the gift of God came in behind everyone's trespasses (not just Adam's) and brought justification to all who accept it.


Verse 17

17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death(C) reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life(D) through the one man, Jesus Christ!


Due to the sin of one man, death reigned and took over the lives of everyone born after how much more will life reign over the lives of those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness? All through the one man, Jesus Christ.


Verse 18

18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people,(E) so also one righteous act resulted in justification(F) and life(G) for all people.


Just as one trespass (Adam's) resulted in the whole world being condemned , so also one righteous act of Jesus resulted in the whole world being justified and life (not death) for all people


Verse 19
19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man(H) the many were made sinners,(I) so also through the obedience(J) of the one man the many will be made righteous.


By the disobedience of one all were made sinners, by the obedience of one, many will be made righteous.


Verse 20
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.(K) But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,(L)



Before the law was written down, no one knew what God expected of them. It was not needed until the one man sinned. Years went by and sin was rampant, therefore, God had Moses write down what HIS expectations were. God's expectations (the way He made us to be) were always there, but the separation between God and man grew wider as time went on and man lost all knowledge of what was God's plan for them to live. They lived as their flesh dictated for them.



The law was brought in so that people could have the knowledge of what God expected to be done or not done. The knowledge of how far from God's ways they had strayed increased because of the law showing them. They now knew how far they had gone from what God expected. Due to God writing down His expectations, the knowledge of how we were to live increased. It shows us where we're missing the mark. When we accept God's grace and what Jesus did in his life and his death for us on the cross, the knowledge of HIS grace towards us increases and surpasses even more than the knowledge of our sins.



Verse 21

21 so that, just as sin reigned in death,(M) so also grace(N) might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life(O) through Jesus Christ our Lord.


This is so that just as sin reigned over us with death, grace might reign through HIS righteousness in order to bring eternal life to all who would would believe on Him for their salvation. Through the righteousness of Jesus there is grace.




* Note: When checking the scripture links make sure to scroll the whole page...some have references to more than one scripture.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Romans 6:1-12Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

Dead to Sin but Alive in Christ

6 So do you think we should continue sinning so that God will give us more and more grace? 2 Of course not! Our old sinful life ended. It’s dead. So how can we continue living in sin? 3 Did you forget that all of us became part of Christ Jesus when we were baptized? In our baptism we shared in his death. 4 So when we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and took part in his death. And just as Christ was raised from death by the wonderful power of the Father, so we can now live a new life.


5 Christ died, and we have been joined with him by dying too. So we will also be joined with him by rising from death as he did. 6 We know that our old life was put to death on the cross with Christ. This happened so that our sinful selves would have no power over us. Then we would not be slaves to sin. 7 Anyone who has died is made free from sin’s control.


8 If we died with Christ, we know that we will also live with him. 9 Christ was raised from death. And we know that he cannot die again. Death has no power over him now. 10 Yes, when Christ died, he died to defeat the power of sin one time—enough for all time. He now has a new life, and his new life is with God. 11 In the same way, you should see yourselves as being dead to the power of sin and alive for God through Christ Jesus.


12 But don’t let sin control your life here on earth. You must not be ruled by the things your sinful self makes you want to do. 13 Don’t offer the parts of your body to serve sin. Don’t use your bodies to do evil, but offer yourselves to God, as people who have died and now live. Offer the parts of your body to God to be used for doing good. 14 Sin will not be your master, because you are not under law. You now live under God’s grace.



Verses 1-4 So Paul asks, "so you think that it's ok to continue sinning so that God's grace can be shown?" He answers with "of course not". Our old sinful life is ended, dead. So how is it that we can continue living in sin? Then he ads, "did you forget that when you were baptized you became part of Jesus?" Being baptized (immersion:entering into water and going under the water) is important. As shown earlier it is one of the basics of our faith foundation. It's the testimony of our being buried with Him and being raised from the dead. When we are placed under the water, in reality we are about one breath away from death. That portrays our being dead with Him. When we are raised up out of the water we can breathe again and that portrays our being raised to new life with Him. Sin has lost it's power over us. We are no longer bound to do it's bidding. We are overcomers.



Verses 5-7 Christ died, we died with Him. He rose from death, we raise from death (sin). Our old way of living was put to death on the cross with Christ. This happened so that our flesh would have no power over us. So that we would no longer be slaves to sin. Anyone who has died is made free from sin's control. I read it put this way, say there is a funeral of a young man who died way before his time. The casket is open for viewing. Then a young woman, scantily clad, maybe even naked approaches the casket and climbs in, getting on top of the young man and kissing and caressing him. What does the young man in the casket do? Nothing! Why? He's dead. He has passed into another dimension and is totally unaffected by anything that's taking place in this dimension. That is the point Paul was making in verse 6. It's not to be so heavenly minded that you're no earthly good but to be so heavenly minded that you are not affected by what is going on around you so as to fall into the sins that are going on around you.



Verses 8-11 Jesus died and was raised. We have died with Him and have been raised with Him. Death has no power over Him, death has no power over us. We are no longer under it's control. Remember that verse "I am free from the law of sin and death" (coming up in Romans 8:2)? In the way we are raised from the dead with Jesus we should consider ourselves dead to the power of sin and alive for God through Jesus. Verse 11 the KJV uses the word "reckon" According to the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance the word is translated from #3049, Logizomai, meaning "to take inventory, estimate, conclude" What it's suggesting is that, in our context here, considering one's being dead to sin is of a serious nature and I need to consider all the issues of who I am before God and who He is and what He accomplished in His death, burial, and resurrection and how that all applies to me personally. It's not a quick, emotional decision motivated by guilt and fear and seasoned with music. When I have thought through the whole process or who I am before God and what He accomplished for me I need to say it out loud (Romans 10:9, however each person, mute, deaf, etc., would declare it for all in their presence to hear/see/understand) that Jesus is Lord and I believe in my heart that Jesus was raised from the dead and I am saved. I have entered into a God/man relationship. I don't understand all the dynamics of the spoken word, I believe there are many, but the bottom line is I need to state out loud, in the hearing of others, the finished work of Jesus Christ.



Verse 12 The key word here is "let". We have a choice. We still have to deal with the habitual characteristic of sin. That is where submission and obedience come in. First we are to admit that we were powerless over our sin. Second, that "we can do all things through Him who gives us strength" (Phil 4:13). Third, make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God. Confession and submission. I have to be willing to put myself in submission to the authority of God if I am to reap the benefits of having power over sin.

Verse 13 and 14 Stop presenting our body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness. Instead present yourself to God.



I like the song I added yesterday in my Hanukkah thread...I think it would go well here. It's about dedicating our lives to Him. I hope it blesses you and encourages you to do whatever you need to do to keep your relationship with Him where it needs to be.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Romans 6:15-23 New King James Version (NKJV)From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.


To one or the other we ARE slaves. Grace is not a license to sin and do whatever we please. Grace does however, give us the option to stand against sin.

Many Christians have been taught today that because they are filled with the Holy Spirit they will just automatically do all that is pleasing to God. That is not what the Bible teaches though. We can quench the Holy Spirit and we can resist Him. Verse 16 says we have to obey one or the other. Either we submit and obey the law of sin and death, or we submit to God and obey to the law of righteousness. There is no middle ground. Verse 18 says when we are freed from sin, we become slaves to righteousness. Verse 19, so in the same way that we've presented our bodies as slaves of uncleanness which led to lawlessness which led to more lawlessness, we are now to present ourselves as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

We WERE slaves of sin but now we're freed from being a slave to sin. We are free to do what God has said. We are no longer bound to working in the opposite direction of Him. We are free to live righteously. We have no excuse for continuing to live in slavery to lawlessness. We are weak, but HE is strong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

To my readers,

Sorry for the delay here. I took a bad fall last week and I'm still a bit out of sorts. I'll be adding to this again soon.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Recapping what we've learned so far from The Book of Romans

Just as in The Book of Hebrews study we see clarification of exactly who Yeshua is. All prophesy's from the Old Covenant scriptures regarding Messiah, were fulfilled by Yeshua.

Paul explains to his Roman readers why a savior is needed. He desires to bring them the good news of salvation. The good news is that God, in HIS righteousness, is giving us salvation.

Change in way we live and act is required. We are to not be hearers only but we are to be doers of the word...of course the word "word" that Paul was referring to is the Old Covenant (under the human administration) scriptures. The "word" did not change, the administration did. All contracts work that way. The original contract does not change but when a new person takes control it has to be signed by the new administration, making it "new". Nothing God promised regarding blessing and curses has changed. All God's promises in Him are yes and amen. Best could not be made better? But the Administrator was made better (from human to heavenly).

We took note that Paul constantly quotes from the Old Covenant bringing them into play with the New Covenant. Nowhere does Paul say the Old Covenant scriptures are dead...except when one lifts them out of their context. We must read the whole of scripture to get the correct understanding of what is being said. We must also understand as much to our ability what the hearer/reader who was receiving the teaching as Paul taught it understood. If we are not reading the scripture and understanding it in the context which Paul wrote it then we are misunderstanding it...a lot.

We are saved by grace through faith. Abraham was saved by grace through faith and so are we. Works (as set forth by God) are an extension of our faith and without them our faith is proven to be dead.

Bye for now

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Romans 7:1-6 One New Man Bible

1. Or are you ignorant, brothers, the fact is I am speaking for those who know Torah* (Teaching), that the Torah (Teaching) rules the man for as long a time as he would live? 2. For the married woman is bound to the living husband by Torah (Teaching): but if the husband would die, she is released from her husband by the Torah (Teaching). 3. Consequently then while the husband is living will she not be called an adulteress if she would become a wife to another husband: but if her husband would die, she is set free by the Torah (Teaching), she is not an adulteress when she becomes a wife to another husband. 4. So then, my brothers, you also died to legalism through the body of the Messiah, now you belong to another, to the One Who has been raised from the dead, so that we would bear fruit for God. 5. For when we were in the flesh, the passions of the sins, those through legalism, were working in our members so that we would bear fruit in death: 6. but now we have been released from legalism, since we died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of spirit and not in oldness of letter.

Paul continues from the previous chapter. He is still talking about having power over the law of sin in our lives. He's not talking about doing away with Torah. He begins this section using an illustration of a man and woman who are married. I don't believe he's giving a teaching on marriage and divorce, just using it as an illustration. He's trying to make a point. That, being that the law has ruling over the living, not the dead.

Jumping just a bit ahead, in Romans 8:2 clarifies which part of the law we are dead to....that is the "law of sin and death". Sin and death are only part of the law, not the whole of it. We are not free to commit adultery, we are not free to disrespect our parents, we are not free to worship other gods, etc.. By identifying in the death of our Messiah Yeshua by faith, that has freed us from the law of sin and death, to live an abundant life in His fellowship. Paul has not changed the subject at the beginning of chapter 7. He is still talking about being dead unto the power of sin and being alive unto God.

What is the Law of Sin and Death?

The law of sin and death is the habitual tendency to sin which works in the members before the sinner is converted and joined to Yeshua. It is the carnal or fleshly nature from which man is freed and to which he dies when connected to Yeshua. It is the law of sin. Sin is the transgression of the law. Sin is what men who come to Christ die to. This is what Paul means when he says the words, "If her husband be dead, she is freed from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man." Rom. 7:3. Whom does Paul mean by the words, "the husband be dead"? What is "dead"? To what is the woman dead? Paul answers, "How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" He calls this first husband "our old man." Rom. 6:6. He says, "Our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be de[bless and do not curse]stroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." He says again, "He that is dead is freed from sin." Rom. 6:7. When this "old man" is dead, the woman is free. Rom. 7:3. Free from what? Paul answers as above, "Free from sin." In Romans 6, note the words "dead to sin" (Verse 2) and "free from sin." Verse 22. In Romans 8:2, we read, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." ​

* Torah, meaning teaching, refers to the first five books of the Bible, but can also refer to the whole Bible.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

The Problem of Indwelling Sin
Romans 7:7 - 7:25 (One New Man Bible)

7:7. Then what will we say? Is the Torah (Teaching) sin? God forbid! But I did not know sin except through Torah (Teaching): for I would not have known coveting except the Torah (Teaching was saying, "You will not covet." (Exodus 20:14) 8. But sin, because it took the opportunity through the commandment, was producing every desire in me: so without Torah (Teaching) sin is dead. 9. And once I was living without Torah (Teaching), but, after the commandment came, sin became alive, 10. and the commandment which was found in me for the bringing of life, this resulted in death and I died: 11. for after sin took an opportunity through the commandment, sin deceived me and it killed me through this commandment. 12. So indeed the Torah (Teaching) is holy and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

7:13. Therefore did the good Torah (Teaching) become death in me? God forbid! but sin, so that sin would appear, through the good Torah (Teaching) in me, when sin produced death in me, that sin would become sinful beyond measure through the commandment. 14. For we know that the Torah (Teaching) is spiritual, but I myself am fleshly, since I have been sold as a slave under sin. 15. For I am producing what I do not know: for I do not want this that I am doing, but I hate this, which I am doing: 16. But if I do not want this that I do, I agree with the Torah (Teaching) because it is good. 17. But now I no longer am producing this myself but the sin swelling in me produces it. 18. For I know that no good is dwelling in me, that is, in my flesh:for desire to do good is present in me, but to produce good is not: 19. for I do not do the good that I want to do, but I do this evil that I do not want to do. 20. But if I myself do this that I do not want, I am no longer producing this, but the sin dwelling in me is producing it.* 21. So I find the Torah (Teaching), in my wanting to do good things, that evil is present in me: 22. for I rejoice together in the Torah (Teaching) of God with respect to the inner man, 23. but I see another law in my members warring against the Torah (Teaching) of my mind and taking me captive in the law of sin, the one which is in my members. 24. Wretched man that I am: who will rescue me from this body of death? 25. But thanks to God He will through Y'shua Messiah or Lord. So then this - on the one hand in my mind I am serving the Torah (Teaching) of God, but on the other hand in the flesh I serve the law of sin.

So Paul begins by asking (paraphrased) "are the instructions God set up for us to have a fruitful and abundant life sinful"? He responds with "God forbid"....meaning absolutely not. How could a Holy God give instructions that are sinful? It's impossible. Paul says he would not have known coveting if the Torah had not been there to show him. That does not mean that he would not have coveted, it means he would not have known that what he was doing was was coveting if the teaching had not shown it to him.

Sin was alive and well in him and through the teaching (which is good), took the opportunity to bring in more sin. Without the instructions showing us where we are missing it, we become dead in our spirits to God's instructions and just sin, sin, sin, and we have no clue as to what it is that we are doing that is causing such havoc in our lives. Remember Adam & Eve in the garden? God had given the instructions "do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil". The serpent said to Eve, "did God really say"? The serpent deceived her by using the instruction given by God. He caused her to question what she had been told. She was deceived. Then, she ate from the tree then called her husband over and he joined her in the act against God's instruction. God's instruction to them at that point became death to them...just as God had said. (Gen 3:1-19)

So we have the instructions from God (the Scriptures) and sin takes opportunity in us to use those instructions to bring us down to sins level. The instructions show us what we should be doing, yet the sin working in our members are attacking. We want to do right (we should anyway) but the sin in our members is causing us to do what we don't want to do. There is war going on between our mind (where we know what is right) and our flesh (our body desires: putting others down, lying, stealing, etc.). So Paul says "Wretched man that I am. Who will rescue me from this body that is bringing me death by it's disobedience to God's instructions"? Then he proclaims, really I can almost hear him shouting it in jubilation, the answer to his question, "thanks be to God, HE WILL!" Through Yeshua the Messiah, HE WILL deliver me.

* (v 20) To keep verses 13-20 in perspective, see 1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1, and Phil. 3:17 where Paul says to imitate him. The sins he refers to here are those inadvertent things that we all do and say - or should do or say, but fail to. None of us is perfect, so we too need the attitude Paul has here, to recognize that although none of us is perfect, we should still be good examples to others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXDE69dUt2I

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Life in the Spirit
Romans 8:1-17 (One New Man Bible)

8:1. There is therefore now no condemnation for those in Messiah Y'shua: (Isaiah 50:9) 2. for the Torah (Teaching) of the spirit of life in Messiah Y'shua set you free from the law of sin and death. 3. For what was impossible for the law by which it was weak because of the resistance of the flesh, God, when He sent His own Son in a likeness of sinful flesh and, concerning sin, God was condemning sin in the flesh, 4. so that the requirement of the Torah (Teaching) could be fulfilled in us, by those who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5. For those who are flesh are thinking the things of the flesh, but those according to the Spirit are thinking the things of the Spirit. 6. For the mind-set, thoughts and purposes, of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace: 7. because the mind-set of the flesh is enmity to God, for it is not subject to the Torah (Teachings) of God, nor is it really able to submit to God: 8. and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God. 9. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if someone does nto have the Spirit of Messiah, this one is not His. 10. And if Messiah is in you, on the one hand your body is dead because of sin, but on the other hand the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11. And if the Spirit of the One Who raised Y'shua from the dead dwells in you, the One Who raised Messiah from the dead will also make alive your mortal bodies through His Spirit because He abides within you.

8:12. So then, brothers, we are obligated not to live according to the flesh, 13. for if you would live according to the flesh, you are going to die; but if you are dead to the deeds of the body, you will live by the Spirit. 14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the children of God. 15. For you did not take a spirit of bondage again in fear, but to Whom you took a spirit of adoption as children we cry, "Av, Father." 16. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. 17. And if children, then we are heirs: indeed heirs of God, and fellow-heirs of Messiah, provided that we suffer together to the end so that we would also be glorified together.

Those who have put their faith and trust in Yeshua for their salvation are not judged as guilty. I am not judged guilty because in Yeshua the teaching of the spirit of life made me free from the law of sin and death. Our fleshly desires overpowered the power of God's teachings, therefore God performed a more powerful act. He sent His own Son to earth with the same human life that others use for sin. He sent His Son to be an offering to pay for sin. He did this so that we could be right as the teachings say we must be. We are free to not live following our sinful selves, but to follow the Spirit.

Those who live following their sinful selves think only about things their sinful selves want. Those who live following the Spirit are thinking about the things that the Spirit wants. If a person's thinking is controlled by his sinful self then there is death. If his thinking is controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace. This is true because if a person is controlled by his sinful self then he is against God. He refuses to obey God's teachings and in fact is not even able to because those people who are ruled by their sinful selves cannot please God.

Paul continues with telling us we must not be ruled by our sinful selves. We must not live the way our sinful selves want. If we use our lives to do the wrong things then we will spiritually die. But if we use the Spirit's help to stop doing the wrong things we do with our body, then we will have true life.

The true children of God are those who let God's Spirit lead them. The Spirit that we received is not a spirit that makes us slaves again to fear. The Spirit we have makes us children of God...and it's because of that Spirit that we call Him Daddy. The Spirit joins with our spirit to say that we are God's children. If we are God's children then we will receive the blessings God has for us. We will receive them together with Christ. However, we must suffer as Yeshua suffered, and then we will have glory as Christ has glory.

I think that the suffering we must suffer is the buffeting * (see 1 Cor 9:23-27) against our fleshly desires and not giving in to them. Yeshua showed us how to do it. We are able to follow His example in overcoming the flesh. We have the power we just have to use it. Yes it's difficult but He that is in us is greater and He's made us overcomer's. It won't just fall in our lap though, we must push through.

* Buffeting is not beating or mutilating one's self. It is practicing discipline. In the case of this scripture it's disciplining one's self to live as God has instructed instead of as the flesh desires in order to overcome and be more like Yeshua.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP-JdZs4V54

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

The Glory That is to Be
Romans 8:18-30 (One New Man Bible)

8:18. For I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not comparable to the glory about to be revealed in us. 19. For the eager and persistent expectation of all creation awaits diligently and patently the revelation of the children of God, which is on Judgment Day. 20. Because creation was subjected to frustration, not voluntarily, but because of the One Who made creation subject, upon hope. 21. thus the glory of the children of God. 22. For we know that all creation groans together and travails together until now: 23. and not only that, but also those of us who have the first Fruits of the Spirit, then we are sighing in ourselves diligently and patently awaiting adoption, the redemption of our body. 24. Because we have been delivered by hope: but hope being seen is not hope: for who hopes for what he sees? 25. But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly await through perseverance.

8:26. And likewise also the Spirit helps together with us in our weakness: for we do not know what we should pray according to what is needed, but the Spirit Himself intercedes in unutterable groanings: 27. and the One Who searches our hearts knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because He intercedes with God on behalf of the saints. 28. And we know that, for those who love God, He works all things for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. 29. Because whom He knew beforehand, He appointed ahead of time, because they have the same form of the likeness of His Son, for He was Firstborn among many brothers: (Matt. 12:50; 13:55, Mark 6:3.) 30. and whom He appointed beforehand, He also called: and whom He called, He also made righteous: and these whom He made righteous, He also glorified.

All the sufferings we are currently experiencing are nothing compared to what is to come. All of creation is anticipating the day that God reveals all who are truly His children. All of creation is right now groaning and travailing like a pregnant woman about to give birth. There is expectation of a glorious event...the redemption of our body from it's sinful confines. What a wonderful day that will be.

Besides all this going on the Spirit is with us to help us where we are weak. We don't know how to pray in accordance with what we need so the Spirit Himself intercedes. The One Who searches our hearts (Yeshua, our great High Priest Who never sleeps or slumbers) knows and understands what the Sprit is praying for and He (Yeshua) intercedes with God the Father, on behalf of the saints (those who are trusting and relying on Him for their salvation).

For those who love Him (John 14:15) all the things that go on in our life are worked together for good*. His purpose for our lives that He had from the beginning is kept in tact. He is conforming us into the likeness of His Son.

Those He's appointed, He's called. Those He's called, He's made righteous. Those He's made righteous, He also glorified.


* Not everything that happens to us is good nor is it necessarily from God, however, those who love Him, and put their faith and trust in Him, He will work it out to be a good thing. We can do stupid things and make bad decisions and have to reap the repercussions of our actions, however, when we turn away from our wrong actions and put our faith and trust in Him, He will work out the bad (like a potter fixing a broken pot) to make it a good thing for us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40lCmHvmcCY

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

God's Love
Romans 8:31-39 (One New Man Bible)

8:31. Then what will we say pertaining to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32. He in fact did not spare His own Son but gave Him over on behalf of us all, then how will He not freely give us all things with Him? 33. Who will accuse against the chosen people of God? God is the righteous One: 34. who is the one who condemns? Certainly not Messiah Y'shua the One Who died, but rather, has risen, and Who is on the right hand of God, and Who is interceding on our behalf. 35. What will separate us from the love of the Messiah? Affliction or distress or persecution or famine or destitution or peril or death by sword? 36. Just as it has been written that

"Because of You we are put to death the whole day, we were counted as sheep for the slaughter." (Ps 44:22)
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37. But in all these things we would have a glorious victory through the One Who loved us. 38. for I have been persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor rulers nor present circumstances nor things coming nor powers 39. nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Messiah Y'shua our Lord.

If God is for us, who can be against us? No one with any authority or importance. With Yeshua we are given all that we need to overcome. Our adversary condemns but our Messiah does not. The enemy is not the one in authority....he's a liar and a thief. Nothing can separate us from God's love

Absolutely nothing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G22K3eHJWO4

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

God's Election of Israel
Romans 9:1-18 (One New Man Bible)

9:1. I am telling the truth in Messiah, I am not lying, while my conscience is bearing witness with me by means of the Holy Spirit, 2. because grief is great for me and pain is unceasing in my heart. 3. For I could wish to be accursed to God myself, separated from the Messiah on behalf of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4. who are Israelis, of whom are the adoption and the glory and the covenants* and the giving of the Torah (Teaching) and the worship and the promises, 5. of whom are the Fathers* and out of whom is the Messiah according to the flesh, the One Who is the only God over everyone, blessed forever, amen.

9:6. But by no means has the Word of God fallen powerless. for not all those from Israel are Israel*: 7. because neither are all children the seed of Abraham, but, "In Isaac will your seed be called." (Gen. 21:12) 8. That is, these children of God are not the children of the flesh, but the children of the promise are looked upon as seed.* 9. For this is the word of promise, "According to this time I shall come and there will be a son for Sarah." (Gen. 18:10, 14) 10. And not only that, but also Rebecca, who had twins from one conception, by Isaac our father. 11. For although they were not yet born and had not done anything good or evil, so that the plan would remain according to the chosen purpose of God, 12. not because of works, but the calling, it was said to her that "The older will serve the younger." (Gen. 25:23) 13. just as it has been written. "I love Jacob, but I hated Esau*." (Mal. 1:2-3)

9:14. Then what will we say? Is there injustice by God? May it not be! 15. For He said to Moses, "I shall be merciful to whomever I would be merciful and I shall have compassion on whomever I would have compassion." (Exod. 33:19) 16. So then not for desire and not for effort, but by the mercy of God. 17. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh that "I raised you for this reason, so that I could show My power in you and so My name could be proclaimed in all the earth." (Exod. 9:16) 18. So then He is merciful on whom He wishes, and He hardens whom He wishes.

Paul is expressing great grief for his fellow Israelis who have not yet come to trust in Yeshua as Messiah. They are the chosen people. They were given the Torah and the worship and all the promises that were given to the Patriachs and from them comes the Messiah.

He makes it clear though that even though many Jews in the flesh have yet to believe, the Word of God that has been given thorough him (Paul) has not fallen powerless. Not all of Abrahams children are his true descendents. He quotes from Genesis showing that the promise was made to Abraham having a child with Sarah. The promise was to come through Isaac. The children of the promise are the ones that believe the promise of salvation made to Abraham and they are counted as Abrahams descendents. That would be you and me and anyone else who puts their trust and faith in Yeshua as their Messiah and great High Priest.

* (v.4) Note that Paul uses the plural, covenants, implying that each covenant builds on the previous covenants, but does not replace them.

* (v.5) Patriachs

* (v.6) Not every Israeli is a committed servant of God.

* (v.8) This word for seed is singular, yet refers to many people. This is common in Hebrew, called the collective singular. See Gal. 3:16, Gal 3:29.

* (v.13) This means that Jacob was loved more than Esau, that this is not literal hatred.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awFNBfmBaho

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

God's Wrath and Mercy
Romans 9:19--9:29 (One New Man Bible)

9:19. Therefore you will say to me, "Then why does He still blame us? For who resisted His will?" 20. O Man, indeed who are you, who answers back to God? That which is molded will not say to the mold, "Why did you make me like this?" 21. Or does the potter not have authority over the clay to make from his lump, a vessel on the one hand into honor, or on the other hand into dishonor? 22. And if God, wanting to show anger and to make known His power, bore, with much patience, vessels of wrath which were prepared for destruction, 23. so then would He make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared before hand for glory? 24. And whom He called, not only us from the Jewish people but also those from the heathens, 25. as also He says in Hosea,

"I shall call those not My people, My people and she who has not been loved, My beloved:" (Hosea 2:21).
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26. "And it will be in the place of which He spoke to the, 'You who are not My people, there they will be called children of the Living God.'" (Hosea 1:9)
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27. And Isaiah cries out on behalf of Israel, "Though to her the number of the children of Israel is as the sands of the sea, only the remnant will be saved: 28. for when He brings the expedited prophecy to pass the Lord will do what has been decreed upon the earth." (Isaiah 10:22-23) 29. And just as Isaiah spoke beforehand,

"If the Lord of Hosts had not left a seed in us, we would have become os Sodom and we would be like Gomorrah." (Isaiah 1:9)
​

From the last study page we read that God says to Pharaoh that "I raised you for this reason," (all the plagues of Egypt) "so that I could show My power in you and so My name could be proclaimed in all the earth." (Ex 9:16)

Paul continues, "so you will say to me 'then why does God blame us if we're only doing what He made us to do"? Then Paul answers that thought with "who are you that you should answer back to God? Will the pot talk to its maker and say "why did you make me this way?" Does not the maker have the authority to make it any way he pleases?

I've mulled over this for awhile, it sounds so harsh. What I've concluded is that God does not so much make the vessel to bad or evil, but because of His foreknowledge He uses them according to what they are or will be become due to their choices. Verse 22 would suggest His patience is waiting on them for any repentance or change of heart. Verses 24-26 shows that God is expanding His called ones to include the Gentiles. According to the prophesy in Hosea, that's exactly how it was supposed to turn out.

Verse 27, only a remnant (Jews and Gentiles) will be saved. Only a part of the whole. Remember what Yeshua said in Matthew 7:21-27?

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Israel and the Gospel
Romans 9:30-10:4 (One New Man Bible)

9:30. Then what will we say? That heathens, those who did not pursue righteousness, did obtain righteousness, but righteousness by means of faith, 31. but Israel, pursuing a Torah (Teaching) that teaches righteousness,* did not attain it in Torah (Teaching). 32. Why? Because it was not from faith but as from works: they stumbled on the stumbling stone, 33. just as it has been written,

"Behold I place in Zion (Isaiah 28:16*) a stumbling stone and a rock causing stumbling, (Isaiah 8:14) and the one who believes upon Him will not be put to shame." (Isaiah 28:16; 54:4)
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10:1. Brothers, indeed the desire of my heart and my prayer to God concerning Israel is on behalf of their salvation. 2. For I am bearing witness to them because they have zeal for God, but not from real knowledge: 3. for since they do not know the righteousness of God but are seeking to make their own righteousness stand, they have not submitted to the righteousness of God: 4. because the purpose of Torah (Teaching) is Messiah in order to provide righteousness for everyone who believes.

The heathens, (Gentiles) those who did not pursue righteousness obtain salvation through faith. Israel who has been (at that point in time) pursuing righteousness by keeping Torah did not obtain it through their pursuit because they did not do it in faith. It was done as from works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone...Yeshua.

Paul has a burden for his Israelite brethren. It is the desire of his heart and his prayer that his Jewish brothers come to know salvation. They have zeal for God but it's not from having real knowledge of the righteousness of God. He states the purpose of Torah was the Messiah. This was in order that Messiah could provide righteousness for everyone who believes. Torah = Messiah = Faith = Righteousness.

There are many Jewish people who do believe in Yeshua as Messiah and there are still those who don't. There are many Gentiles (non Jews) do believe in Yeshua as Messiah and there are still those who don't. The blood of Yeshua covers us all....those who put their faith and trust in Him for their salvation and are seeking righteousness through faith.

* (v. 31) We are not saved because we do good works, but we do good works because we have been transformed.

Righteousness. We are made by faith and grace, but righteousness is action. The word righteousness is the noun form of the Hebrew root Ts-d-k. Ts-d-k and the Greek verb Dikaio both mean to do right, to be just. They are verbs that require action by the subject of the verb. When we are made righteous by our faith our behavior has to change. If it does not, see what John says: 1 John 2:3. And by this we know that we have known Him, if we keep His commandments. 4. The one who says "I have known Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him: 5. but whoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God would have been completed in him, because we know that we are in Him. 6. The one who says he remains in Him is obligated to walk the same walk just as that One walked.

This change in behavior comes from above, as evidenced by Paul's reference to "the gift of righteousness" in Rom 5:17 and 6:18. There is a lot each one can do to be a better person, but we can do so much more when faith and commitment to God bring us the gift of righteousness.

Righteousness and Holiness are the foundation of relationships for all of humanity. Each of us has a relationship with God, with other people, even with animals. We are to do right, to be just in every endeavor, and we are to keep ourselves pure. That is our minimum standard. Our heavenly Father said For I AM the Lord Who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You will therefore be holy, for I AM holy! (Lev. 11:45) Although none of us will be perfected while in this earthly body, each of us must strive to do right and to keep pure. God knows none of us is perfect, but He also knows our hearts and sees our faith and the blood of the Lamb. So long aw we acknowledge Him, do right, and keep ourselves pure, we know that we have eternal life. This righteousness is our minimum standard. To go beyond that minimum is a great blessing that our Heavenly Father rewards. Going beyond righteousness is called Ts'dakah in Hebrew translated "Acts of Loving Kindness".
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* (v33) The Greek says "put to shame," but the Hebrew says: "Let the one who believes not expect it soon." In the 12th century Rabbi Ibn Ezra wrote, "He (the believer) will remain steadfast in his faith however long realization may be delayed."

Each of us must understand that when the LORD has given us a vision for ministry, that the timing is His, not ours, and we need to hold strong in faith while He brings all things in His timing. If we get ahead of His timing the ministry becomes our ministry, not His. That ministry may have financial success but will not have spiritual success. When He gives any of us the vision for a ministry there may be years of preparation before we are to begin.
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[SpiritPsalmist]

Salvation for All
Romans 10:5-21 (One New Man Bible)

10:5. For Moses wrote of the righteousness that is from the Torah (Teaching) that "The man who does these things will live by them." (Lev. 18:5) 6.But righteousness is from faith, consequently he said, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will go up to heaven?'" This is to bring Messiah down to earth: 7. or, "Who will descend into the abyss?" This is to lead Messiah up from the dead. (Deut. 9:4, 30:12-14) 8. But what does it say?

"The word is near you in your mouth and in your heart," (Deut. 9:4)
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this is the word of faith which we are proclaiming openly. 9. Because if you* would confess with your mouth the Lord Y'shua and you would believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved:* 10. for he believes for himself in his heart into righteousness, and confesses for himself with his mouth into salvation.* 11. For the Scripture says, "No one who believes in Him will be put to shame." (Isaiah 28:16) 12. For there is no distinction between either Jewish or Greek, for the same One is Lord of all, and He is rich, abundantly blessing all those who call upon Him: 13. for everyone who will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. (Joel 2: 32)

10:14. Then how will they call upon Whom they did not believe? And how could they believe what they did not hear? And how could they hear without preaching? 15. and how could they preach unless they would send preachers? Just as it has been written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News* of the good things." (Isaiah 52:7, Nahum 1:15) 6. But they did not all obey the one preaching the Good News. For Isaiah said, "Lord, who believed our report?" (Isaiah 53:1) 17. So then faith is from hearing, and hearing through the message from Messiah. 18. But I say, Did they not hear? Absolutely not,

"Their voice went out into all the earth and their words into the ends of the inhabited world." (Ps 19:4)
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19. But I say, did Israel not understand? Moses first said,

"I shall provoke you all to jealousy by those not a nation, by a foolish nation I shall make you angry." (Deut. 32:21)
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20. And Isaiah is very bold and says,

"I was found among those who were not seeking Me, I became visible to those who were not looking for Me." (Isa. 65:1)
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21. But to Israel he said, "I held out My hands the whole day to a disobedient and obstinate people." (Isa. 65:2)

Paul says that Moses wrote of the righteousness that Torah teaches and that the man who does them will have life from them. However, righteousness gained is achieved through faith. By faith, we believe and then our actions follow suit by walking in obedience to God and His word.

If we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart in Yeshua we are saved. We don't just "repeat" a prayer after someone. We must believe it in our heart and confess with our mouth our belief in Him and what He has done. There is no favoritism to Jew or Greek, salvation is available to all who call on His name.

How will anyone come to this saving faith? Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Those who don't believe come by hearing and the way they hear is by those who do believe telling them. How beautiful are the feet of those who tell the Good News.

Paul is concerned for His Jewish brethren. He tells of how not "all" heard and obeyed but that God was not intending to leave them. So, God will use those who are not of Israel to bring them to jealousy. How? I believe it's by the promises originally made to only Israel being extended to those who are not of Israel. Those willing to walk in His ways will reap the promises meant for Israel causing those who have yet to believe to be jealous and realize that Yeshua is the Messiah they have been waiting for, and they too will believe in their hearts and confess with their mouths that He is Lord.

* (v. 9) This 'you' is singular.

* (v. 9) The Jewish understanding of belief requires a change in behavior. If I say I love you, but do not give aid when needed, I lied when I said that I loved you. See Matt. 7:21, 1 John. 2:4.

* (v.10) The word translated salvation could also be translated deliverance.

* (v.11) Isaiah 28:16 is quoted in Romans 9:33; 10:11, and 1 Peter 2:6. The last sentence of verse 16 is often translated similarly to the Greek rendering, "and the one who believes upon Him wil not be put to shame." The NIV has .."the one who trusts will never be dismayed." The Hebrew is stronger and deeper than that..."the one who believes will not make hast." The word translated 'one who believes' or 'one who trusts' is ma'amin, which has a root meaning that speaks of both training and loyalty or faithfulness. There is a difference between just believing and being loyal through hard times. James 2:19 says, You believe that God is One, you do well: the demons also believe and shudder: The demons know God and His power, but are not obedient and faithful to Him.

* (v.15) Good News: Ancient Hebrew word Meaningshttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nahum+1:15&version=NASB

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

The Remnant of Israel
Romans 11:1-10

11:1. Therefore I ask, did not God reject His people? May it not be! For also I myself am an Israeli, from the seed of Abraham, tribe of Benjamin. 2. God did not reject His people whom He knew beforehand. Or do you not know with Elijah what the Scripture says, as he intercedes with God with reference to Israel? 3. Lord, "They killed Your prophets, they tore down Your altars, and only I was left and they are seeking my life." (1 Kings 19:10-14) 4. But what does the divine statement say to him? "I reserved seven thousand men for Myself, who did not bend a knee to Baal." (1 Kings 19:18) 5. then, just as also in the present time, a remnant* has come into being according to the election of grace: 6. and if by grace, it is no longer by means of works, because , if it were, grace would no longer be grace. 7. Then what? What Israel is seeking, this it did not obtain, but the election did obtain: and the rest grew callous, 8. just as it has been written,

"God gave them a spirit of stupor, their eyes to not see and their ears to not hear, until this very day." (Deut. 29:3-10*, Isaiah 6:10)
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9. And David said,

"Their table* must become a snare" and a trap "and into a stumbling-block and for repayment to them, 10. their eyes must darken so they could not see (Ps. 69:24) and their back must now always bend.*"

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Here we see it stated again, not ALL Israel has turned away. There is a remnant that has not allowed themselves to be drawn away. They are in position by grace. If it were by works it would not be grace. There is a great many who have been in a stupor but soon God will open their eyes...all according to what has been written.

* (v. 5) This remnant is referred to as the Humble in Isaiah 61:1.

Humble when used collectively, refers to a group, The Hebrew Scriptures frequently use Humble to indicate the faithful minority remaining Godly through all their trials, not giving in to the temptations of the world. This remnant is referred to in 1 Kings 19:18 when God spoke of the 7,000 who had not bowed a knee to Baal. There are about two dozen verses referring to the remnant, but they are hidden in most English translations because the Hebrew word, Anav, is translated by different English words, such as poor, meek, or lowly, in addition to humble.

In past years humble and meek may have been synonyms, but in modern English humble denotes a lack of pride but not a lick of confidence, while meek speaks of low self-esteem and lacking confidence.
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* (v. 8) This is v.4 in many Christian English Bibles, from the Latin.

* (v. 9) The Hebrew is plural, tables, an imprecatory prayer, a curse speaking of the dining tables of those who persecuted David in Ps. 69:23.

* (v.10) The Greek literally says, "You must now always bend their back." a strong request for God to punish them.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

The Salvation of the Heathen
Romans 11:11-24 (One New Man Bible)

11:11. Therefore I say, did they stumble so they would fall forever? God forbid! But by their transgression the salvation for the heathens is to provoke them to jealousy. (Deut. 32:21) 12. And if their transgression is riches for the world and their loss riches for heathens, how much more will their fulfillment be riches.

11:13. But I am speaking to you heathens: then as long as I am indeed and apostle for heathens, I honor my ministry, 14. if somehow I could provoke my flesh to jealousy and I could rescue some of them. 15. For if their rejection of Him means reconciliation of the world, what is their acceptance by God if not life out of death? 16. And if the First Fruits* is holy, the whole batch* is also: and if the root is holy, the branches are also.

11:17. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you*, since you are a wild olive, were yourself grafted into them, then you would be a participant for yourself of the richness* of the root of the olive tree. 18. Stop boasting of the branches: but, if you do boast, you do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19. Therefore you will say, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." 20. Just so: they were broken off by unbelief, but you have stood by faith. Do not be proud, but you must continually fear for yourself: 21. for if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He in any way spare you. 22. You must now see the goodness and severity of God: on the one hand severity upon those who fell, but on the other hand goodness of God upon you, if you would remain in the goodness, otherwise you would be cut off. 23. And even these, if they would not remain in unbelief, they will be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24. For if you were cut off from the naturally wild olive tree and contrary to nature you were grafted into the cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted into their own cultivated olive tree.*

Are the Jews cut off from God forever? Absolutely not. Because of their transgression we have been given salvation. Plus, it is the Lord extending salvation to the Gentile (heathen) that will cause Israel to become jealous. Their transgression brought the riches of salvation to the world. Their temporary loss is riches for the world. How much more will be their (the Jews) fulfillment be in salvation riches.

Paul specifically speaks to the heathens (Gentiles). He's tells them there is still much promise for the Jews. And us.

The Gentile should not be proud of all their blessings and boast of how holy and blessed they are and how foolish Israel is because if the natural branches were broken off in order to graft in the heathen that believed, they can certainly be removed again. We (the Gentile) does not support the root, the root supports us. When those who are in unbelief return to belief they will be grafted back in.



* (v.16) First Fruits. This refers to the first portion of dough that was used for the Bread of the Presence in the Sanctuary.

* (v.16) Batch = Body

* (v.17) Every "you" in this paragraph, verses 17-24, is singular, so each one of us is individually grafted into the cultivated, Jewish olive tree. See Isa. 44:5.

* (v.17) This literally means to grow fat, rich in your relationship with the Lord.

* (v.24) This is the same olive tree into which Christians have been grafted, making One New Man, Eph 2:15.