Romans
Romans 1
June 12, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 1
Romans 1 1. Those who are truly “set apart for the gospel of God” as imitators of “Paul” the “apostle” possess a message that teaches both Jews and Gentiles receive salvation through: 1.1. faith/vows of allegiance or loyalty (to King Jesus) (14-17 “from faith [for the “Jew”] to [Gk., eis = An indication of scope, 1Th 2:16] faith [for the “Greek” or the “barbarians”]) = Everyone now gains their right standing w/God (i.e., the “power of salvation” or “the righteousness of God”) the same way – thru belief/faith. This was a major change in respect to both who and how salvation was gained. In the past, it was to the Jew (exclusively) and according to the “works of the law” (i.e. circumcision - the sign given to Abraham and passed on thru Moses as necessary for entrance into covenant w/God and receiving forgiveness/cleansing thru its corollaries – separation and sacrifice; Rom 2:25-29, 3:1, 3:23-21, 4:1-12; See also Eph 2:11-22; 1Co 7:19; Gal 2:1-16, 5:2, 6:15; Gen 17:9-14). Paul’s emphasis on this aspect of salvation is in defense of what was decided at Jerusalem council (Act 15:1-11). 1.1.1. Faith as a vow of allegiance or loyalty to King Jesus: In the 1st century, the word [Gk., pistis] faith was not only used to communicate belief or trust, but also allegiance or loyalty. For example in Josephus: “The inhabitants of this city determined to continue in their allegiance [pistis] to the Romans.” (The Life, 104). According to David M. Hay, 62% of the time pistis in Josephus refers to allegiance or a vow of loyalty (“Pistis as a ‘Ground for Faith’ in Hellenized Judaism and Paul”). 1.1.2. The strong connection between allegiance/loyalty and faith in the first century mind is the reason pistis in the NT is often translated as “faithfulness,” a synonym for allegiance or loyalty (e.g., Rom 3:3; Gal 5:22). 1.1.3. Key passages dealing with salvation where pistis clearly refers to allegiance or loyalty (versus belief or trust): 1) (Mat 8:9-10) = The centurion expresses allegiance/loyalty to Jesus in the same way his soldiers show allegiance/loyalty to him. Jesus views this as the ideal form of saving pistis [faith] in Himself. 2) (Act 26:18) = Paul defines pistis [faith] as turning “from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God” – i.e., as a change in one’s allegiance. Hence the reason faith always includes repentance (v19-20, “repent” = turning from sin and Satan). We turn from our former allegiances (“repent” [Grk., metanoia] = to turn) so that we can “turn to God” (give our allegiance to Him). 1.1.4. Allegiance or loyalty as the correct understanding of pistis [faith] – especially when in reference to Jesus, is also supported by the biblical concept of love for God/Jesus. It is allegiance or loyalty that is the primary focus (Joh 14:15). 1.1.5. At the very least then, what must be included in our understanding of pistis [faith] is that it communicates more than simple belief or trust. It communicates also our intention of allegiance or loyalty. And this faith-sworn allegiance/loyalty is viewed by God as a sacred pledge/binding vow (1Pe 3:21 “appeal” [Gk., heperowteyma] = Sacred pledge/binding vow). 1.2. faithfulness/faithful obedience (5)= Paul’s mission as an apostle (the reason he was “granted apostleship”) was to see that those coming into the NC by “faith”(a sacred vow of loyalty to King Jesus) were now following that up w/the corresponding obedience so that God’s name would not be blasphemed by the world (“to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among the nations”)(Rom 2:23-24 = Blasphemy of God is the result of disobedience by His people). That Paul is indeed calling for obedience as an additional condition of salvation (versus calling for people to obey by believing – e.g., Luther/Evangelicals) is confirmed by: 1.2.1. who it includes – i.e., those who already possessed faith or were already believers - the Christians at Rome (6-13 “including you who are [already] called to belong to Jesus Christ…to all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace…your faith is proclaimed in all the world…I long to see you that…we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith both yours and mine…I do not want you to be unaware brothers”). Why include those who have already put faith in Christ if this is what is meant by “to bring about the obedience of faith?” 1.2.2. its agreement w/the ministry of the resurrected Jesus (Mat 28:18-20 = Teach [or “bring about…obedience” in] those who possess “faith” [i.e. those you are “baptizing”]) and the messianic prophecies of the OT (1-4; Isa 2:1-5 w/Joh 3:16-21 and Mat 5:17-20; also 1Jo 1:4//Isa 11:1-5 and Mal 4:1-6 w/Luk 3:1-22, 16:15-17//Isa 42:1-7, 21 w/Luk 4:18//Isa 56:1-8 w/Deu 4:13 w/Mat 21:13//Isa 66:18-21 w/Eze 44:23-24 w/Mat 16:17-19 and Joh 20:21-23 also Eph 4:11). 1.2.3. its OT precedent (Gen 22:1-18 = Abe’s faith needed to be followed up by/completed by obedience – see Jam 2:21-24 = James confirms this to be the proper understanding of Gen 22). 2. Ending up under the delusion of Martin Luther or his false gospel of faith alone is what happens when: 2.1. you determine the thesis (of the book of Romans) based on your own agenda (or personal problems) versus its book-ends (Rom 1:17 – “no more works only faith” [against Rome] versus Rom 1:5 and 16:26 - “what I am going to tell you [obedience needs to follow faith], what I told you [obedience needs to follow faith]”//focus of the chapters proves this true also: faith = ch 1 [mentioned], 3-5 [total = 3 1/4 chs]; faithful obedience = ch 1 [most], 2, 6-16 [total = 12 3/4 chs]). *How Luther felt at the end of his life about the gospel he had invented: “since the downfall of Popery and the cessations of excommunications and spiritual penalties, the people have learned to despise the word of God. They no longer care for the churches; they have ceased to fear and honor God…After throwing off the yoke of the Pope, everyone wishes to live as he pleases. [They say] ‘we will spend the day like Lutherans. Drunkenness has come upon us like a deluge.’ If God had not closed my eyes, and if I had foreseen these scandals, I would never have begun to teach [my] gospel.” 2.2. you ignore the historical or Jewish context of its communication and replace – or read into it, your own (Joh 4:22 w/Zec 8:23; e.g., 1] THE CHANGE ARGUMENT: either you have changed your god or God has changed [Deu 29:18-19 w/Deu 13:1-11 and Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8]; 2] “works of the law” = Me trying to work my way to heaven versus the Jewish understanding of the clean laws/those laws related to “vertical justice”). 2.3. you fail to understand the violation of justice this position creates (e.g., the CONFLATION ARGUMENT: 1] two forms of justice in the OT: vertical [passover/propitiatory sacrifice] and horizontal [penalty/punishment], 2] horizontal must be completed for God to accept our vertical offering [Lev 6:1-7; Mat 5:21-24], 3] Jesus is only identified as fulfilling vertical justice [Joh 1:29 w/Rom 3:23-25 = propitiatory substitute NOT penal substitute], 4] Penal substitution is illegal [Eze 18:1-20; Lev 27:29; Num 35:33-34], 5] Horizontal justice remains our responsibility if we are to get to heaven [1Jo 3:7-10; Luk 19:1-10; 2Co 5:9-10]). 3. Jesus is both fully man and fully God (3-4). 4. The way we as Christians can “impart…some spiritual gift to strengthen” our brothers and sisters or be “mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” or “reap a (spiritual) harvest among them is by seeing that each of us are adding the necessary obedience God requires to our faith (5 w/11-13; 1Jo 5:1-3 = Obedience to God’s commands is how we love and strengthen one another; [2Jo 1:4-6; 3Jo 1:4] = John was encouraged by their obedience). 5. Why we should all be eager to “preach the gospel” (of allegiance-faith and faithful obedience) - versus being “ashamed of the gospel” (15-16a) is b/c: 5.1. through such faith all people can now receive God’s righteousness (or a right standing with God) (Again, God’s salvation is no longer exclusive to the Jews or requiring a person become a Jew thru circumcision) (16-17). 5.2. through such obedience all people can avoid God’s angry “wrath”, against all forms of disobedience (18-20 = suppression of obvious truth, 21 = Disrespect and ungratefulness toward God, 22-23, 25 = Idolatry and narcissism) which includes the curses of sexual perversion (24, 26-27 “dishonoring their bodies” and “dishonorable passions” – i.e., homosexuality), mental illness (28 “debased mind”), anarchy (29-31) and the death penalty (32 “those who practice such things deserve to die”). 6. A society (therefore) filled with homosexuality, mental illness, anarchy and a rescinding of the death penalty is what happens when the obedience portion of the gospel is made nice but not necessary (32). 7. Stupid is a moral choice before it becomes a mental condition (21-22). 8. That something is “eternal” (i.e. There is an Unmoved/Prime Mover), and that this something is someone or “divine” (i.e. It is an eternal Person versus and eternal force) is “plain” to everyone (God has “shown it to them”) since it is “clearly perceived in “the creation of the world” or “in the things that have been made” (i.e. The universe points to intelligent/deliberate design versus accidental evolution) which means all atheists, agnostics and idolators are idiots “without an excuse” (19-20).
Romans 2
June 19, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 2
(Romans 15:4) “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction.” = What timeless instruction (truths/principles) is established by what is written? Romans 2 1. It is not just those who know God’s righteous decrees - yet approve of sin (1:32) who are “without excuse” (1:20) and unable to “escape the judgment of God”, but also those who are hypocrites (i.e., people who “practice the very same things” they condemn in others) (1-3; Paul’s specific audience = Jews, those in covenant/right standing w/God – [17-25 “you”]). 2. Interpreting God’s “kindness and forbearance and patience” toward you when you are in sin as the sign you don’t need to repent – or that you have somehow escaped His wrath and judgment, is the false presumption of a very “hard and impenitent heart” that is “storing up (or accumulating additional) wrath for [itself] on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment is revealed” (4-5). 3. Paul did NOT preach the faith-alone gospel (i.e., that only faith was needed for justification/salvation [Luther’s premise from 1:17]; THE CULPABILITY ARGUMENT: 1] our morality [not Christ’s or the Spirit’s] will determine where we spend eternity – i.e., God’s grace in Christ does not negate human responsibility [6-11] = Notice, no one is excluded – including Christians, “God shows no partiality” [to “the Jew first”– Heb 10:30; Gal 6:7-8 = We sow to the Spirit not the Spirit sows for us]; 2] morality that we are responsible for and determines our eternal state is by definition another condition of justification/salvation [6 “render to each one” = Pays the party responsible for the work - Mat 20:8; “according to his works” = The payment is commensurate to the work/crime - 12-13; Deu 19:21 - e.g., natural theology: Newton’s third law]; 3] culpability confirms capability [Deu 30:11-14]; 4] if God’s grace thru the work of Christ has removed His people’s responsibility to morality then God has morally compromised Himself since His justice or standard of righteousness has changed [Psa 62:11-12; Pro 24:12; Jer 17:10, 32:17-19; Deu 24:16 w/e.g., proxy test takers = the immoral act of cheating]. All performance substitution [negative – Passive Obedience of Christ/positive – Active Obedience of Christ) is sin [Eze 33:1-20]). 4. God has not called us to the good life (in the present), but to the good fight that leads to the eternally good life (in the future) (7; 2Ti 4:7 = Those who replace living for the good life in the present w/living for the good fight, will weather every storm and come out on top w/the eternally good life in the future. The motto of the true Christian is therefore, “good fight, good life” and NOT the motto of humanism [“good life, go die” - 1Co 15:32-33]. What they don’t realize [8]). 5. According to Paul, the “gospel of God” (1:1) views repentance as: 1) obedience to “the law” (1-5 w/6-13; Luk 3:1-14, 18 = Notice, John’s message is considered “the good news” - i.e., the gospel), 2) the thing that gives “value”/legitimacy to the sign, of who is - or remains, in covenant relationship with God (13-29; 26a - “If a man who is uncircumcised [but] keeps the precepts of the law” = God-fearer; those Gentiles who followed Judaism but were not circumcised [e.g., Act 10:2; See also Act 13:16, 26]; 26b – “will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?” = Will it not make him eligible to receive circumcision? Evidence suggests this as the point of transition from God-fearer to proselyte, the demonstration of obedience to the Law. IOW: his probation is now over and he is welcome to enter into covenant relationship w/God; See also Rom 3:1 = The “value” the Jew’s circumcision [or the covenant sign bringing justification] was determined by what he did w/what he had been “entrusted” [“the oracles of God” = His Law]; In re: to our covenant signs, baptism and the LT – See 1Co 10:1-12). *Theses verses establish THE REPENTANCE ARGUMENT: you cannot have repentance (the pre-req to faith/belief/God honoring the cov. sign/salvation!) w/o commitment to obeying the Law (Mar 1:5; e.g., Luk 19:1-10). 6. Paul had a bipartite understanding of the Law (25-26 = Circumcision was a part of the Law. The only way v26 makes sense is if Paul viewed circumcision as a subset within the Law. Otherwise, how can the “uncircumcised man be said to be keeping the “precepts of the Law”? Consider 1Co 7:19; *This bi-partite understanding is key to deciphering the upcoming terms “under the law” and works of the law”). 7. The “Law” is “a light to those in darkness” and “the embodiment of knowledge and truth”. Who would therefore be so stupid as to want to get rid of it? (20; See Deu 4:6-8; Neh 9:13). 8. Robbing temples may have been an ancient Jewish idiom referring to masturbation or sexual immorality in general based on: 1) the immediate context (22 = Sexual in nature), 2) no Jew would go near the temple of a false religion or take its idols (22b “you who abhor idols”), 3) our bodies are considered temples (1Co 6:15-20). 9. How do you honor God without obedience to the Law if it is only through obedience to the Law that we do that? (23) 10. What causes the world to mock Christianity is not their faith, but their dishonoring of God thru disobedience to His Law (23-24; Contra Deu 4:6-8).
Romans 3
June 26, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 3
(Romans 15:4) “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction.” = What timeless instruction (truths/principles) is established by what is written? *Special note regarding the two forms of justice/justification necessary for gaining and maintaining a saving covenant relationship with God: 1) positional (vertical) = Right standing w/God gained thru the clean laws and covenant signs (OC: sacrifice, circumcision, ceremonial separation//NC: faith-expressing baptism in Christ [our sacrifice, circumcision and ceremonial separation]); 2) practical/penal (horizontal) = Faithfulness to the moral commands (including penalties) and covenant signs as maintenance (OC: sacrifice and ceremonial separation//NC: LT).
Romans 4
July 10, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 4
(Romans 15:4) “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction.” = What timeless instruction (truths/principles) is established by what is written? LEGEND: 1) Christianity is Judaism 2.0 (a marriage-covenant relationship of gain and maintain) NOT Roman Catholicism 2.0 ( a merit-based system of earn or burn) (Eze 16:59; Gal 5:6 w/21; Phi 2:12; 2Pe 1:5-11), 2) We gain positional/vertical justification (i.e., enter into a restful state/right standing/saving covenant with God) only through observance of God’s clean or sabbatical laws; those laws whose function is to cleanse/remove the stain/curse of our sin before God): [2.1.] OC = “the works of the law” (atoning sacrifice, a covenant sign [circumcision], atoning holidays [Passover-Pentecost, Yom Kippur], and spiritual separation [unclean foods and people], [2.2.] NC = Faith in Jesus Christ as our once-for-all atoning sacrifice which upholds the other clean/sabbatical laws through its new application/expression of: baptism (covenant sign – Col 2:11-12), the Lord’s Table (atoning holidays – Joh 13:1-8), separation from false Christians, the apostate, and rebellious pagans (spiritual separation – 1Co 5:9-13; 2Co 6:14-7:1; 2Jo 1:9-11). 3) We maintain positional/vertical justification/our restful state/righteous standing with God/salvation through faithful/continued observance of the clean laws plus faithful obedience to the moral commands (practical/horizontal justification – Jam 2:24); those laws which accomplish love/being righteous toward God and others – including repentance which means confessing and turning from sin as well as paying the necessary penalties when I sin - Mat 22:36-40; Rom 13:8-10; Gal 5:6 w/13-14; As it re: to repentance – Luk 3:1-18; Luk 19:1-10; Lev 6:1-7 w/Mat 5:23-24; Act 20:21 w/26:20 = We must now maintain [keep] the repentance promised when we gained salvation). 4) Faith in Jesus Christ for positional justification is only accepted by God in baptism which regenerates us and communicates our vow of loyalty to repent and faithfully follow all of God’s laws (Joh 3:1-5; Mar 16:15-16 w/Mar 1:15; Tit 3:5; 1Pe 3:21). 5) Besides the children of those already possessing salvation, the only persons welcomed to gain a saving covenant relationship w/God (i.e., positional justification) are those already practicing His moral commands or those promising to repent/turn from their sins and obey (Gen 6:9 w/18; Neh 9:8; Act 10:34-35; Rom 2:26).
Romans 5
August 7, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 5
(Romans 15:4) “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction.” = What timeless instruction (truths/principles) is established by what is written? LEGEND: 1) Christianity is Judaism 2.0 (a marriage-covenant relationship of gain and maintain) NOT Roman Catholicism 2.0 ( a merit-based system of earn or burn) (Eze 16:59; Gal 5:6 w/21; Phi 2:12; 2Pe 1:5-11), 2) We gain positional/vertical justification (i.e., enter into a restful state/right standing/saving covenant with God) only through observance of God’s clean or sabbatical laws; those laws whose function is to cleanse/remove the stain/curse of our sin before God): [2.1.] OC = “the works of the law” (atoning sacrifice, a covenant sign [circumcision], atoning holidays [Passover-Pentecost, Yom Kippur], and spiritual separation [unclean foods and people], [2.2.] NC = Faith in Jesus Christ as our once-for-all atoning sacrifice which upholds the other clean/sabbatical laws through its new application/expression of: baptism (covenant sign – Col 2:11-12), the Lord’s Table (atoning holidays – Joh 13:1-8), separation from false Christians, the apostate, and rebellious pagans (spiritual separation – 1Co 5:9-13; 2Co 6:14-7:1; 2Jo 1:9-11). 3) We maintain positional/vertical justification/our restful state/righteous standing with God/salvation through faithful/continued observance of the clean laws plus faithful obedience to the moral commands (practical/horizontal justification – Jam 2:24); those laws which accomplish love/being righteous toward God and others – including repentance which means confessing and turning from sin as well as paying the necessary penalties when I sin - Mat 22:36-40; Rom 13:8-10; Gal 5:6 w/13-14; As it re: to repentance – Luk 3:1-18; Luk 19:1-10; Lev 6:1-7 w/Mat 5:23-24; Act 20:21 w/26:20 = We must now maintain [keep] the repentance promised when we gained salvation). 4) Faith in Jesus Christ for positional justification is only accepted by God in baptism which regenerates us and communicates our vow of loyalty to repent and faithfully follow all of God’s laws (Joh 3:1-5; Mar 16:15-16 w/Mar 1:15; Tit 3:5; 1Pe 3:21). 5) Besides the children of those already possessing salvation, the only persons welcomed to gain a saving covenant relationship w/God (i.e., positional justification) are those already practicing His moral commands or those promising to repent/turn from their sins and obey (Gen 6:9 w/18; Neh 9:8; Act 10:34-35; Rom 2:26).
Romans 6
August 14, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 6
(Romans 15:4) “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction.” = What timeless instruction (truths/principles) is established by what is written? LEGEND: 1) Christianity is Judaism 2.0 (a marriage-covenant relationship of gain and maintain) NOT Roman Catholicism 2.0 ( a merit-based system of earn or burn) (Eze 16:59; Gal 5:6 w/21; Phi 2:12; 2Pe 1:5-11), 2) We gain positional/vertical justification (i.e., enter into a restful state/right standing/saving covenant with God) only through observance of God’s clean or sabbatical laws; those laws whose function is to cleanse/remove the stain/curse of our sin before God): [2.1.] OC = “the works of the law” (atoning sacrifice, a covenant sign [circumcision], atoning holidays [Passover-Pentecost, Yom Kippur], and spiritual separation [unclean foods and people], [2.2.] NC = Faith in Jesus Christ as our once-for-all atoning sacrifice which upholds the other clean/sabbatical laws through its new application/expression of: baptism (covenant sign – Col 2:11-12), the Lord’s Table (atoning holidays – Joh 13:1-8), separation from false Christians, the apostate, and rebellious pagans (spiritual separation – 1Co 5:9-13; 2Co 6:14-7:1; 2Jo 1:9-11). 3) We maintain positional/vertical justification/our restful state/righteous standing with God/salvation through faithful/continued observance of the clean laws plus faithful obedience to the moral commands (practical/horizontal justification – Jam 2:24); those laws which accomplish love/being righteous toward God and others – including repentance which means confessing and turning from sin as well as paying the necessary penalties when I sin - Mat 22:36-40; Rom 13:8-10; Gal 5:6 w/13-14; As it re: to repentance – Luk 3:1-18; Luk 19:1-10; Lev 6:1-7 w/Mat 5:23-24; Act 20:21 w/26:20 = We must now maintain [keep] the repentance promised when we gained salvation). 4) Faith in Jesus Christ for positional justification is only accepted by God in baptism which regenerates us and communicates our vow of loyalty to repent and faithfully follow all of God’s laws (Joh 3:1-5; Mar 16:15-16 w/Mar 1:15; Tit 3:5; 1Pe 3:21). 5) Besides the children of those already possessing salvation, the only persons welcomed to gain a saving covenant relationship w/God (i.e., positional justification) are those already practicing His moral commands or those promising to repent/turn from their sins and obey (Gen 6:9 w/18; Neh 9:8; Act 10:34-35; Rom 2:26).
Romans 8
August 28, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 8
(Romans 15:4) “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction.” = What timeless instruction is established by what is written? LEGEND: 1) Christianity is Judaism 2.0 (a marriage-covenant relationship of gain and maintain) NOT Roman Catholicism 2.0 ( a merit-based system of earn or burn) (Eze 16:59; Gal 5:6 w/21; Phi 2:12; 2Pe 1:5-11), 2) We gain positional/vertical justification (i.e., enter into a restful state/right standing/saving covenant with God) only through observance of God’s clean or sabbatical laws; those laws whose function is to cleanse/remove the stain/curse of our sin before God): [2.1.] OC = “the works of the law” (atoning sacrifice, a covenant sign [circumcision], atoning holidays [Passover-Pentecost, Yom Kippur], and spiritual separation [unclean foods and people], [2.2.] NC = Faith in Jesus Christ as our once-for-all atoning sacrifice which upholds the other clean/sabbatical laws through its new application/expression of: baptism (covenant sign – Col 2:11-12), the Lord’s Table (atoning holidays – Joh 13:1-8), separation from false Christians, the apostate, and rebellious pagans (spiritual separation – 1Co 5:9-13; 2Co 6:14-7:1; 2Jo 1:9-11), 3) We maintain the grace of continuing to receive positional/vertical justification/propitiation/forgiveness and our restful state/righteous standing/salvation/relationship with God through faithful obedience to His moral commands (practical/horizontal justification – Jam 2:14-26; Rom 6:1-23; Jud 1:21); those laws which accomplish love/being righteous toward God and others – including repentance which means confessing and turning from sin as well as paying the necessary penalties when I sin - Mat 22:36-40; Rom 13:8-10; Gal 5:6 w/13-14; As it re: to repentance – Luk 3:1-18; Luk 19:1-10; Lev 6:1-7 w/Mat 5:23-24; Act 20:21 w/26:20 = We must now maintain [keep] the repentance promised when we gained salvation), 4) Faith in Jesus Christ for positional justification is only accepted by God in baptism which regenerates us and communicates our vow of loyalty to repent and faithfully follow all of God’s laws (Joh 3:1-5; Mar 16:15-16 w/Mar 1:15; Tit 3:5; 1Pe 3:21), 5) Besides the children of those already possessing salvation, the only persons welcomed to gain a saving covenant relationship w/God (i.e., positional justification) are those already practicing His moral commands or those promising to repent/turn from their sins and obey (Gen 6:9 w/18; Neh 9:8; Act 10:34-35; Rom 2:26).
Romans 7
August 21, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 7
(Romans 15:4) “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction.” = What timeless instruction is established by what is written? LEGEND: 1) Christianity is Judaism 2.0 (a marriage-covenant relationship of gain and maintain) NOT Roman Catholicism 2.0 ( a merit-based system of earn or burn) (Eze 16:59; Gal 5:6 w/21; Phi 2:12; 2Pe 1:5-11), 2) We gain positional/vertical justification (i.e., enter into a restful state/right standing/saving covenant with God) only through observance of God’s clean or sabbatical laws; those laws whose function is to cleanse/remove the stain/curse of our sin before God): [2.1.] OC = “the works of the law” (atoning sacrifice, a covenant sign [circumcision], atoning holidays [Passover-Pentecost, Yom Kippur], and spiritual separation [unclean foods and people], [2.2.] NC = Faith in Jesus Christ as our once-for-all atoning sacrifice which upholds the other clean/sabbatical laws through its new application/expression of: baptism (covenant sign – Col 2:11-12), the Lord’s Table (atoning holidays – Joh 13:1-8), separation from false Christians, the apostate, and rebellious pagans (spiritual separation – 1Co 5:9-13; 2Co 6:14-7:1; 2Jo 1:9-11), 3) We maintain the grace of continuing to receive positional/vertical justification/propitiation/forgiveness and our restful state/righteous standing/salvation/relationship with God through faithful obedience to His moral commands (practical/horizontal justification – Jam 2:14-26; Rom 6:1-23; Jud 1:21); those laws which accomplish love/being righteous toward God and others – including repentance which means confessing and turning from sin as well as paying the necessary penalties when I sin - Mat 22:36-40; Rom 13:8-10; Gal 5:6 w/13-14; As it re: to repentance – Luk 3:1-18; Luk 19:1-10; Lev 6:1-7 w/Mat 5:23-24; Act 20:21 w/26:20 = We must now maintain [keep] the repentance promised when we gained salvation), 4) Faith in Jesus Christ for positional justification is only accepted by God in baptism which regenerates us and communicates our vow of loyalty to repent and faithfully follow all of God’s laws (Joh 3:1-5; Mar 16:15-16 w/Mar 1:15; Tit 3:5; 1Pe 3:21), 5) Besides the children of those already possessing salvation, the only persons welcomed to gain a saving covenant relationship w/God (i.e., positional justification) are those already practicing His moral commands or those promising to repent/turn from their sins and obey (Gen 6:9 w/18; Neh 9:8; Act 10:34-35; Rom 2:26).
Romans 9
October 16, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 9
Paul’s closing words/final principle in Romans 8: nothing outside the Christ’s covenant people can separate them from His covenant love. The question this prompts for the Jew: Why then have the majority of Christ’s original covenant people – most specifically those Jews living in the first century, been rejected or separated from Christ’s covenant love?1 Paul’s answer not only establishes proper thinking on the subject but also a possible strategy for dealing w/those already offended by our beliefs: 1. Strong affirmation of shared truths is the divine strategy and starting place for correcting those whose ignorance or misunderstanding have caused them to be strongly offended by your beliefs/words (1-5; e.g., interacting w/Evangelicals). 2. When covenant people go to hell it is not because: 2.1. God doesn’t care/Jesus didn’t die for them (1-5; v3 = If Limited Atonement is true then the Holy Spirit/Paul qualifies as a better savior than Jesus; Act 20:28) 2.2. God’s Word failed to change them into obedient people (6) “But it is not as though the Word of God has failed” = God’s Word has not failed to change people in the direction of obedience, rather those people failed to obey the changes required by God’s Word; “not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel” = Not all Jews (those whose genealogy can be traced back to Abraham) will be heirs to the promises. And that again because of their volitional choice to reject God’s new requirements for justification/salvation (faith vs. works of the law).2 3. [Genealogy is not enough]: Being born into the family of God is not enough to qualify as heirs (you must also qualify for His promises) (7-8). 4. [God is sovereign in His requirements for receiving mercy]: God alone is the One Who decides - and can change, what will be the requirements for receiving His mercy (justification/salvation) and becoming heirs to the promises: 4.1. in re: to Isaac (versus) Ishmael = God decided to change the requirement of: you must be the firstborn to be the heir”, to: you must be the firstborn natural son (or son of the promise) (9) 4.2. in re: to Jacob versus Esau = God decided to change the heirship from the firstborn natural son to his brother (10,12-13) (11) = The reason God “calls” (or makes the decision to put) Jacob before Esau, to change the birthright from the older to the younger before they were born (or “had done [anything] good or bad” or before Esau did it himself by selling his birthright to Jacob), was to reinforce the fact that He still reserves the right to decide or change the requirements of birthright - or who becomes the heir of His promises- which when in respect to spiritual things, refers to salvation. Put another way, God did it “in order that His purpose of election (His plan for receiving birthright/mercy/salvation) would not be bound to what people decide or are committed to (“not because of works”) but (once more) His decision (“Him who calls”). As it re: to “works” being what we are committed to (See 16 “exertion”) = Literally, “running” (YLT = “So, then -- not of him who is willing, nor of him who is running, but of God who is doing [mercy]”; “running” is a metaphor for commitment/devotion - e.g., 1Co 9:26). 1 That Jesus was the God of the Old Covenant and through whom the Jews had experienced His covenant blessings and curses is proven by several passages in both the Old and New Testament (e.g., Jud 1:5; Mal 3:1). 2 What follows is the support for these two truths: 1) genealogy is not enough, 2) God is sovereign in His requirements for receiving mercy, 3) God’s mercy is not available to those who hate Him. What then Paul is communicating in v11 and 16: God is completely sovereign in His decision as to the requirements of His mercy/salvation. His decision is not swayed or influenced by our wills, what we desire, what we are committed to or where our devotion lies (e.g., the first century Jews’ devotion to genealogy and “works of the law”; e.g., The modern gospel of sincerity = God will save all who are sincere in their desire/beliefs and devotion). 5. [God’s mercy is not available to those who hate Him]. 5.1. in re: to Esau (14) = Though God’s hatred toward Esau (and choice to give the heirship to Jacob) was not based on anything he had done (11 “works”), it was due to what He saw in Esau’s heart while still in his mother’s womb (Gen 25:23 “two nations” = One for God the other against Him. IOW: God saw that Esau hated him; Isa 48:8) 5.2. in re: to Moses and the Israelites (15 w/Exo 33:19) = His abundant goodness makes Him merciful. His Name is essentially “God of Mercy”. For this reason, the Jews called God’s mercy His “right hand” – or “most dominant trait.”3 Notice however, His Name as the “God of Mercy” is still tied to righteousness (Exo 34:5-7 w/Exo 20:5-6) = God’s mercy is only available to those who love Him (i.e., our love is the pre-requisite). Those who hate Him (i.e., who refuse to submit to His ways/requirements) will eventually be hardened. 5.3. in re: to Pharaoh (16-18 w/Exo 9:13-16) = As part of His abundant goodness, God showed Pharoah the damage He could do in the hopes that he would submit and be able to receive His mercy (“But for this purpose I raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth” = I showed you my power to give you a chance at mercy so that my name [“God of mercy” – Exo 20/33/34] might be proclaimed through you as one who received it). Pharaoh’s hardening came after many attempts by God and Moses. IOW: God only hardens those who continue to reject His goodness by refusing to submit to what He is requiring of them at that time - which in respect to Pharaoh was letting Israel go, in relation to the first century Jews, it was leaving behind the old requirements for justification and embracing the new. 6. We must (therefore) be careful to never question or be critical of what God chooses to require of us since the problem is with us not Him (His is abundantly good and righteous in all He does!): 6.1. (19-20) = The excuses of the rebellious: It’s not my fault, this is how I was born (“Why does He still find fault?”)? I am not resisting him, why does He hate me (“who can resist His will?”)? How dare we blame God for what is our fault and the result of our faulty choices (Ecc 7:29; Pro 19:3). 6.2. (21 w/Jer 18:1-12) = Whenever God acts in wrath or destruction toward nations or people, it is only because they refused to turn from their sin or stubborn rebellion and submit to Him. IOW: The potter’s right or choice as to how to use the clay (for honorable or dishonorable purposes) is based on its pliability to His will (Eze 18:23, 32, 33:11). 7. God’s goodness and righteousness includes showing great patience toward those who are rebelling against His requirements: 7.1. in the hope that they will eventually submit and become His beloved people/heirs to His promises (22-26; 2Pe 3:9) 7.2. but will eventually wear out leading to swift judgment (27-29). 8. The reason then for God/Christ’s separation from many first century Jews is because they refused to pursue justification/mercy according to God’s new requirement which is faith in Christ not the old way of the works of the law (30-33 ) = Notice what makes the difference between the “Gentiles” (those receiving “righteousness”[mercy/salvation]) and “Israel” (those failing to receive “righteousness” [mercy/salvation]) is not God’s choice of them (the view of Calvinism) but which people chose to submit to God’s changed requirements for receiving mercy (“Good-bye Calvinism!”). 3 Aspects of Rabbinic Theology: Major Concepts of the Talmud (Solomon Schechter, p. 322-23
Romans 10
October 23, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 10
1. The Apostle Paul’s God wants all people (or at least, all the Jews) to be saved, whereas the Calvinists’ God does not. (1) “my heart’s desire…is that they may be saved” = Paul is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. His desire is therefore also that of God. He desires even the rebellious (those on their way to hell) to turn and be saved. Such desire is in direct violation of Calvinism’s doctrines of Unconditional Election and Limited Atonement which teach that before creating anything, God chose those Christ would die for and be saved as well as those Christ would not die for and be damned. Put another way, Calvinism falsely teaches that it was never God or Christ’s desire to save those who end up going to hell. 2. Hell will have its share of people who were zealous for God. (2) = Those Paul speaks of as possessing “zeal (as in zeal for God) but not according to knowledge” were Jews who had rejected Jesus (i.e., Jews on their way to hell). Jesus speaks of similar people in (Joh 16:2-3) = Notice once again, the problem is zeal without knowledge (“they have not known the Father”). PNTM = Zeal does not make you real (as in a real Christian). Lots of people have zeal for God who – because of what they believe, are still on their way to Hell (i.e., they believe a false gospel). 3. Being unteachable makes you unsavable. (3) “the righteousness of God” = Jesus (His redemption/propitiation – See 3:21-25); “For being ignorant of (SB: refusing to recognize [ἀγνοέω; 1Co 14:38]; vv17-21) the righteousness of God (Jesus – His redemption/propitiation – See 3:21-25), and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God’s righteousness (again, Jesus)” = The Jews refused Jesus (or faith in Jesus) as God’s new way of gaining justification/salvation, choosing instead to stick with the old way of circumcision, etc. (the works of the law). IOW: They were unteachable which means - as long as they remained in that state - they were also unsavable. PNTM = Getting saved requires you possess a teachable heart to God’s truth even when that truth goes against – or is different – from what you have heard in the past (Evangelicals = 1st century Jews). 4. The new way of gaining justification/salvation through faith in Jesus means that the old way of gaining such righteousness (i.e., the works of the law) has ended. 4.1. The old way of gaining salvation (the OC “law for righteousness”) has ended/been replaced by the new way of faith in Christ (4). 4.2. Under the old/OC way (“the righteousness that is based on the law”), a person had to do “the commandments” (i.e., perform the works of the law/the clean laws/circumcision etc.) in order to gain justification/salvation (5). 4.3. Under the new/NC way (“the righteousness based on faith”), God requires that we believe in the miraculous message about Jesus without being eyewitnesses to His heavenly exaltation/existence or His resurrection from the dead (6) = Do not require being an eyewitness to Christ’s heavenly existence/exaltation to believe; (7) = Do not also require to be an eyewitness of His resurrection in order to believe; (8) = God’s revelation of these miraculous things establishes your obligation to believe (w/o the need to be an eyewitness). You are instead to put faith in what God says. Hence (9) = Gaining salvation now comes by putting faith in God’s message about Jesus (i.e., that He has been exalted as “Lord” in heaven and that “God raised Him from the dead”). 5. Paul practiced “Principled Hermeneutics” (The universal, timeless principle established by God’s OT instruction retains its authority under the NC). 5.1. (6-8) = Paul is quoting Deu 30:11-14 according to its established principle: we can know and do what God requires without being eyewitnesses to God’s heavenly glory or His miraculous deeds, NOT its original instruction: the second generation of Israel knew and could do the OC commands -including the works of the law - without like their parents - seeing God in His Shekinah/heavenly (“heaven”) glory or experiencing God’s miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea (“beyond the sea”) (Deu 30:11-14). 5.2. CONSIDER AGAIN how Paul applies this to Jesus: 1) he makes it about Christ’s shekinah/heavenly glory or exaltation to heaven (“bring Christ down”), 2) he makes it about His miraculous deed or resurrection from the dead (“bring Christ up from the dead”). 5.3. HOW WE KNOW PAUL IS APPLYING The PRINCIPLE VERSUS THE ORIGINAL: 1) he makes it about Christ rather than God’s commands (Deu 30:11 vs. Rom 10:6-7), 2) he changes the question “Who will go over the sea?” (Deu 30:13) to “Who will descend into the abyss?”. Neither of those changes wb permissible if Paul were adhering to the original instruction (since they violate what its original meaning), 3) the original instruction was in reference to obeying God’s commands whereas Paul is using it now to refer to faith. B/C Evangelicals do not recognize the enduring authority of God’s established OT principles, they admit confusion over this text (e.g., Doug Moo). 5.3. Other examples of Paul practicing “Principled Hermeneutics” (and by it confirming the enduring authority of God’s established OT principles) (1Co 5:1-5, 9:7-11, 10:1-14). Paul explicitly confirms this as the NT hermeneutic in (Rom 15:4). This is also what Jesus is referring to in (Mat 5:17-18) as demonstrated by His institution of faith as the new application to fulfilling God’s clean law/propitiatory requirements. IOW: the way we fulfill every jot/tittle includes fulfilling the clean laws thru its new application of faith). 6. To gain salvation (both now and in the future) a person must not only believe in Jesus as their Savior, but also commit their loyalty to Him as “Lord” (King/Master) (9-13) = Notice that to be saved, Paul requires both belief in Jesus’ role as Savior (“believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead”) and confession/calling upon Him in His role as Lord (King/Master) (“confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord…everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”). What’s the difference between the two acts? Belief in His role as Savior means you place your trust in His person and work as the means to gaining a right relationship w/God (as the way to be “justified” before God – v10). Confession/calling upon Jesus as Lord however, refers to loyalty – or the commitment we make to submit to His commands. And once again, both are necessary to gain salvation. IOW: you can’t simply believe in Jesus (or what He did on the cross for sin) and get to heaven. We must also commit to obeying Him as our King/Master (Confession as loyalty/commitment to obey His commands - Mat 10:26-33; 2Ti 2:11-12; See also 1Pe 3:21 “appeal to God” = Take a vow of loyalty). 7. Getting people saved requires: 7.1. we preach the right gospel message (one that requires more than simple belief to be saved – i.e. submission to Jesus as Lord is also necessary) (14) = Notice again, both calling on/confessing and belief are mentioned – i.e., LBS) 7.2. we are ready/equipped to share and defend the gospel (15) “beautiful are the feet” = Ready/equipped are the feet (Isa 52:7; Eph 6:15 “put on the readiness given [or required] by the gospel”) 7.3. we don’t make excuses for - or waste our time w/people whose rejection is clearly moral not intellectual (16-21).
Romans 11
October 30, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 11
What about the Jews? (Part 3): God’s behavior toward people (including His covenant people – Jew/Gentile) 1. God already knows and leads to the truth people whose biggest problem is intellectual not moral. 1.1. The perfect example is the Apostle Paul (1, 1Ti 1:12-14 = Paul was ignorant yet faithful and so received God’s grace) 1.2. This included a few other first century Jews who were likewise faithful during Israel’s apostasy against Jesus (5-6) “a remnant chosen by grace” = A small number of Jews chosen to hear and receive God’s favor of gaining salvation by faith in Christ versus through the OC way (e.g., circumcision, animal sacrifice, adherence to separation and sabbaths – i.e. “on the basis of works”) (e.g., Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Joseph and Mary, the other Apostles and all the Jews of the Jerusalem church who became Christians) 1.3. This was also true during Israel’s apostasy in the days of Elijah (2-4; 1Ki 19:14-18) 1.4. This has always been true (e.g., Neh 9:8; Act 10:34-35 “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality” = Peter realized that people - not God- has always been the answer to the question, “what determines who gets saved?”). 2. God also knows and will give over to spiritual darkness those in the covenant community (e.g., the church) whose biggest problem is not intellectual but moral. 2.1. (7-10) = The covenant community (“Israel”) whose purpose of existence was to serve God and get to heaven failed through their disobedience and apostasy (“failed to obtain what it was seeking” – i.e., salvation). Only the few (during that first century) who were faithful were spared and received it (“the elect obtained it”). Those in the covenant community whose problem was not intellectual, but moral, God pushed further in the direction of their desired darkness and sin (i.e., He gave them what they were truly “seeking”). He “hardened” them with a “spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see [“eyes…darkened so that they cannot see”] and ears that would not hear” (no longer any ability to see the truth or escape the sin they chose to follow), “their table [has become] a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution (what they feed on wb poison to their souls – convincing and driving them further in the direction of damnation – Psa 69:21 w/22) …bend[ing] their backs forever” (Psa 69:23, “mak[ing] their loins tremble continually”) = B/C of their moral stubbornness God will not only cause them to go mad but become cowards controlled by fear (including the fear of missing out in this life) (Deu 28:28, 65-67; Rom 1:28; Eph 4:17-19; 2Pe 2:20) IOW: The day of grace for that covenant person is gone. 2.2. that God promises to also harden the Christian (remove His saving grace) if our problem continues to be moral is confirmed by Paul’s warning in (22). 3. Israel’s (the Jews) “fall” from grace was not total nor final (5w/11a): 3.1. their former apostasy (1st cent. rejection of Christ) does not affect future generations (23-24, 30-32; “consigned” = Handed over to the consequences of their sin – See Rom 1:24, 26, 28; Re: apostasy and future generations still possessing opportunity - Hos 14:1-7; prophecy regarding the restoration of apostate Israel in Jesus’ day – Jer 50:17-20 w/Eze 34:1-16, 23-24. Hence Jesus’ mission - Mat 15:24. PNTM = The children of apostate parents are not automatically apostate. No one loses their opportunity for salvation b/c of the actions of their parents – Eze 18:20). 3.2. God is planning a revival among the Jews that will start when the Gentiles have apostasized (i.e., when they have closed themselves off to being saved) (25-29; “mystery” = God will accomplish such a revival w/o violating the free-wills of the Jews [Hence Paul’s concluding response – 33-36!]; WHEN THIS REVIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE: v25 - “[when] the fullness of the Gentiles have come in” = Nor more/few Gentiles are able to be saved due to the successful propagation of false gospel preaching [Mat 24:11-14 w/Luk 21:24 = Fullness of the Gentiles wb associated w/false prophets preaching a false gospel of lawlessness/loyalty grown cold that wb popular at the end of time1]; HOW THIS REVIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE [v26a - “And in this way all Israel will be saved” = Revival/the majority of Jews - versus a remnant – v5]: v26b - “The Deliverer will…banish ungodliness [false religion/false JUDAISM – i.e. JUDAISM 1.0.] from Jacob” = The Jews will embrace Judaism 2.0. [the version containing Jesus and its NC application of the Law]. Notice the mention of it being associated w/a “covenant” [v27]. The banishing of ungodliness/the taking away of Israel’s apostasy will happen as a result of God successfully establishing His new “covenant” version of Judaism w/them – NOT SOME COMPLETELY NEW RELIGION [i.e. Evangelical Christianity – Roman Catholicism 2.0.]; “As it regards the gospel, they [those 1st cent. Jews rejecting Christ] are enemies for your sake. But as it regards election [God’s salvific plans], they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” = God’s promise to Abe/Isaac/Jacob to always have their offspring/the Jews in His salvific plan wb fulfilled - See Gen 17:7 [“everlasting covenant” = Covenant until the end of human history/world]; also Deu 7:6-8, 10:14-15; Jer 31:6-20, 35-37, 33:25-26; Hos 11:8-11; Zec 10:6-8; My theory on how God does it = Satan’s big coming out party and revelation regarding Jesus – Rev 20:7-8 w/Isa 27:1-9). 3.3. their acceptance of Jesus will usher in His return and the Reboot (11-15 “life from the dead” = Return of Christ/Reboot – Joh 5:28-29; 1Co 15:52 w/Mat 24:29-31). 4. What God’s relationship to the Jewish people should teach us about our religion/salvation: 4.1. we do not possess a new religion. Rather God has “grafted” us into the existing Jewish religion (Judaism 2.0) (16-18; Joh 4:22) 4.2. our salvation/relationship w/God is conditioned upon faithfulness. If we do not maintain what we have gained God will cut us off/not spare us (i.e., eternally damn us) in the same way He has many of His former people (19-22; 1Co 10:1-14; Consider how Paul’s words in Romans 11 affect our translation of Rom 8:31-39 = Jesus’ love is not unconditional). 1 Several Jewish apocalyptic sources seem to speak to this (e.g., 4 Ezra 4:35-37; Apoc. Bar. 23:4, 30:2, 75:6; Apoc. Abr. 29:17).
Romans 16
December 18, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 16
1. Recommendation from reliable sources is necessary for those Christians attempting to transfer their church membership or raise support as missionaries. 2. Christian Unity/Fellowship requires more than Christian profession given Satan’s strategy of seeding churches with false brethren and teachers in order to divide/destroy God’s kingdom and people. 3. False brethren and teachers are defined. 4. Receiving the Father’s peace and the Son’s favor includes rescuing us from Satan’s powerful worldly forces. 5. Women play a crucial role in advancing God’s kingdom and church. 6. The only gospel that will give us the strength (or perseverance) to get to heaven is the one that agrees with the OT prophetic message of a coming King whose salvation would be granted to all those nations (or peoples) willing to give faithful obedience to Him and His Law. 7. Like Enoch, some verses “walked with God, and were no more”(Gen 5:24).
Romans 14
December 4, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 14
How Shall We Then Live? Part 3 (In re: to new world problems[1]): 1. Our choices of abstinence or indulgence with regard to new world problems must: 1.1. not stop us from welcoming - or cause us to despise - those who choices are different (1-3, 21 “wine”) = Who is Paul referring to as the weaker brother (the one not eating meat or drinking wine)? There are two possibilities: 1) Jews living in Rome who were not were willing to obtain meat or wine previously offered to pagan idols or not prepared according to kosher laws (e.g., Exo 23:19; Lev 7:26-27; Pro 12:10). The problem was that the pagan temples and markets were the primary source of meat and wine in the city of Rome[2]. For these newly converted Jews, a diet of vegetables and water became (in their mind) their only acceptable option. And/Or 2) Gentile converts whose former association with meat or wine offered to pagan idols was still too fresh in their minds to partake without violating their conscience (See 1Co 8:7). Similar concerns were present in the Roman church with respect to days of fasting (5-6) “One person esteems one day as better…another esteems all days alike”= Some Jewish Christians were still convinced that daily fasting was the honorable practice -excluding Sabbaths or Sacred holidays (the “better” day). Others saw fasting as no longer required of specific days, but rather something done only on special occasions (e.g., special pleading before God – Jug 20:25-28 [victory in battle]; 1Sa 7:3-6 [repentance/forgiveness]; 2Sa 12:15-16 [mercy to the sick]; Ezra 8:21-23 [safety from danger])[3]. Included in our eternal assessment will be how we treated those who differed with respect to these kinds of new world problems (10-12 the “judgment seat of God” = The final judgment determining where we send eternity). Knowing this, should cause us to steer clear of ever being negative of someone for their choices/decisions in the area of new world problems when those choices/decisions are based on biblical conviction and God-honoring intentions. 1.2. be based on biblical conviction and God-honoring intention (5) “fully convinced [convicted] in his own mind [thinking supported by Scripture]” = IOW: He must possess biblical conviction. Hence why Paul says what he does at the end of the chapter (23) “But whoever doubts [possesses no biblical grounds for his indulgence] is condemned [in sin] if he eats because the eating is not from faith [the Christian Faith]. For whatever does not proceed from faith [the Christian Faith] is sin” = If our practice cannot be supported from the pages of Scripture (the book defining the Christian Faith) then we are acting in rebellion to God (regardless of what we think or how we view our actions). Biblical conviction therefore represents the first prerequisite for determining our choices (abstinence or indulgence) with respect to new world problems. The second is our intention (6-9) = Making choices based on what pleases self or others is no longer an option. Such decisions must now be made based on what we believe is honoring to God – including in the areas fasting or eating and drinking (See also 1Co 10:31). The reason behind this prescription? The Christian’s life now belongs to Christ (v8 “we are the Lord’s”). He has become our new “master” (v4), the One Who gained such authority/ownership by His death and resurrection (again v9; See Mat 28:18; 1Co 15:27; 2Co 5:17; Consider also 1Co 6:19-20). There are two questions (then) that should be utilized in making our choice with respect to new world problems: 1) Do I believe I can support my abstinence or indulgence from Scripture? 2) Is my intention to honor/please God in abstaining or indulging? Examples of new problems relevant to us where these questions need to be applied: drinking alcohol outside of sacred times, fasting during the week, movies, tv shows, video games involving witchcraft. 1.3. not become an area of proselytization in respect to those holding a different position (yet doing so with the right conviction and intention) (1 “welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions” w/4) = God supports his current (biblically based) conviction. Conversion to a different position is not necessary. 1.4. never cause another Christian to stumble (13-15) IOW: though what you choose to indulge in may be okay (not sin before God), if others in the Body of Christ view it as sin (to them it is still “unclean”) and see you doing it, they could become “grieved” (i.e., disenchanted in living the Christian life) – or worse, encouraged to do what for them would be sin since they do not possess the biblical conviction or God-honoring intentions to support such indulgence with respect to themselves (“it is unclean to anyone who thinks it is unclean”; See again v23b). Becoming a “stumbling block or hindrance” in this way puts us in danger of being guilty of several serious sins: 1) We are guilty of not “walking in love” toward our covenant brothers/sisters (15; Failing to walk in love toward our cov bros/sis is a sign that we are not a child of God – 1Jo 3:10), 2) We cause a covenant bro/sis to apostasize (15 “destroy” [ἀπόλλυμι]) = Every time this Greek word is used in the NT, it refers to something that is – or in danger of being - completely and permanently lost (Mat 12:14; Jam 4:12; Jud 1:5). Given the context in which Paul uses this word (“destroy the one for whom Christ died”), the thing in jeopardy is the person’s salvation. Our indulgence becomes for the weak Christian (those lacking the proper biblical understanding or conviction), the vice leading to their destruction (e.g., alcohol leading them back to their former alcoholism – i.e., unrepentant drunkenness/addiction), or the violation of conscience leading them to look for answers outside the Christian Faith (e.g., Christians are hypocrites because they preach against witchcraft, yet indulge in movies, tv and games which include it. Christianity therefore must not be true[4]). Both Paul and Jesus strongly warn against becoming a stumbling block of this magnitude (one leading to the apostasy of others) (1Co 3:16-17, 8:8-10 w/10:27-29; Mat 18:5-10). 1.5. also (therefore) be decided based on our ability to practice it while still preserving the conscience and spiritual prosperity of others in the church (16-22) = A sign of poor thinking – and very likely also, a selfish heart, is to believe that the only criteria for determining what I (as a Christian) can practice is whether or not that thing is considered lawful before God. Lawfulness is merely the first criteria; the second is whether it is helpful or harmful to me or those God has placed in my sphere of influence. As such, our primary goal should never be to seek and protect all those lawful indulgences that God has provided to the Christian, but rather seek to protect those in the Body of Christ who might be unnecessarily harmed by our practice. It is this kind of Christian that is “acceptable to God and approved by men (1Co 10:23-24, 31-33).” Our mindset therefore toward those indulgences which are justified – though questionable, should be, “If I cannot practice it safely (v22), without others accusing me of “evil” (v16) or causing another to “stumble” (v20), then I will (happily) forgo its practice (v21; 1Co 8:13).” The additional question (then) we must consider when making our choice: Can I practice it without being accused or guilty of association with evil by others? (Association w/evil = Sin/Damnation; 1Co 10:14-22; 2Co 6:14-7:1; Hence Rom 14:21 and 1Co 8:13). (Important Takeaways Not To Miss): 2. Diversity of practice with respect to new world problems (where there exists biblical conviction, God-honoring intentions and no cause for stumbling among others) should be supported in the church (1, 13, 19). 3. God honors those who abstain because they do not possess the biblical conviction and God-honoring intention to indulge (2-4 w/14) “I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus” = I possess Biblically based conviction. “but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it is unclean” = They do not possess the biblical conviction to indulge. 4. God condemns those who indulge without possessing the biblical conviction and God-honoring intention to do so (23 “if he eats” = Indulgence – not abstinence, is the issue). [1] Practices, places or things that may be permissible under the New Covenant that did not exist in the past or were not permitted under the Old Covenant. [2] The kosher slaughtering of animals (OC requirement) has had a long history of being illegal in many parts of the secular world - e.g., “The Driving Force Behind The Ban On Kosher Slaughtering” by Melanie Phillips (http://jns.org); “The Prohibition of Ritual Slaughtering and Freedom of Religion of Minorities by Pablo Lerner (Cambridge University Press); “The Day Kosher Slaughter Was Saved” by Baruch Sterman (http://commentary.org). [3] See “On Esteeming One Day Better Than Another” by R. Dederen (Andrews University Seminary Studies vol. 9, pp. 16-35) [4] In 2007, the Barna Group did an extensive research project in which they asked non-Christian people why they rejected Christianity. 85 percent said it was due to the hypocrisy they had witnessed among their ranks.
Romans 13
November 20, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 13
How Shall We Then Live? Part 2 (in re: to the govt) 1. God commands every human being to respectfully obey the government (and their deputized agents) in the place where they reside or currently exist[1] (1a “in subjection” = In respectful obedience [same word as Luk 2:51]): 1.1. Earthly govts have been established by God (1b) “instituted” = Appointed [same word as Act 22:10] (Dan 2:21, 4:17, 20). This includes: 1) His earthly sacred govt of the church – Joh 18:36w/Luk 22:29 w/Heb 12:28 [w/23 = the church]w/Mat 16:16-19 w/Joh 20:21-23; See also Act 23:1-5), 2) the evil secular govts of the world (e.g., Babylon – Dan 2:37-38, 4:27, Egypt – Exo 9:16, Rome – Joh 19:11; Hence – 1Pe 2:13-17). Examples of deputized agents: 1) secular (president, police, court judges), 2) sacred (pastors – Tit 2:15).[2] 1.2. Rebelling against earthly govts (or their deputized agents) means resisting God and incurring His judgment through them (2) “judgment” = God has authorized and empowered the secular and sacred governments to carry our His wrath against those who are disobedient to their authority and laws (3-5) “bear the sword…an avenger” = Earthly govts are the instrument through which God secures justice or vengeance (Rom 12:19). This is true for the church as well (e.g., 1Co 6:1-6 [Mat 18:15-20 w/Deu 17:6-13]; Heb 10:26-30). “for the sake of conscience” = Disobedience to God’s governing authorities brings also the consequence of a guilty conscience – which when operating properly, indicates corruption in the soul – an ailment that must be remedied otherwise it will lead to more serious sin (e.g., 1Ti 1:19). 1.3. Our respectful submission/obedience to them includes paying taxes as well as any other fees or payments they may require to support them and their work (6-7) “revenues” = Additional fees and payments serving as a revenue source for the govt (e.g., permits, licenses, customs/duties, tolls – Mat 9:9 “toll booth”). “honor” = Most likely a reference to financial honor (See Rom 12:10; 1Ti 5:17). God also sees as acceptable, governments demanding their citizens to financially support those employed by them/their deputized agents (e.g., ancient tax collectors [head and land taxes]: – Zacchaeus, Luk 19:1-10 [chief tax guy in the region of Jericho. A portion of what they collected went to their support]). 1.4. The only exception is when the governing authorities demand something that is sinful (Act 5:29). (in re: to the Law) 2. Christianity is all about love because: 2.1. it is all about fulfilling the Law (8) “the law” = The entirety of God’s OT laws. See verse 9, “the commandments, ‘You shall not…” = The Ten Commandments. If you have the Ten Commandments then you also have the rest of the commandments since they represent what each of the ten looks like in specific cases (they are the case laws). Hence (Deu 5:31). PNTM: 1) Paul is concerned w/Christians obeying God’s Law (which means Rom 10:4 cannot mean Christians are off the hook w/regard to obedience to the Law). 2) Obeying God’s law is how we love one another (9) = Paul sees obeying God’s Law as synonymous with loving others. This is also how we love our enemies - Mat 5:44 = Not they must become our friends or we must have affections for them but we must treat them righteously/according to God’s Law - e.g., Rom 12:20). 2.2. You can’t love people without adherence to God’s laws (10) = As a logical syllogism: Premise 1) True love does no harm to others. Premise 2) The Law was established to keep us from doing harm to our neighbors. Conclusion: Love requires the Law (or the Law represents the rules for love – 1Ti 1:5-8). Consider (then) churches/Christians who reject adherence to God’s Law. They are churches refusing to love others (love w/o the Law is a non sequitur). 3. The other reason Christians need to be concerned about obeying to God’s Law is because our obedience after becoming a Christian now weighs heavily in our final assessment before God (11-12) “Besides this” = Besides obedience to the Law being necessary to loving others, it is also necessary to our salvation. The Law - or our obedience to it represents the deeds/criteria used by God on Judgment Day to determine whether or not we were faithful to the covenant (whether or not we were faithful to our vow of faithfulness [“faith”] - Rev 20:11-15 “what they had done” = Were they obedient/disobedient to God’s Law?). “the hour has come for you to wake from sleep…The night is far gone; the day is at hand” = There is no more time to waste not taking our sin seriously (being asleep in spiritual darkness – making our “10”s into “2”s; 1Pe 4:3). “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” = Idiomatic way of saying, “the certainty of our salvation is being determined more now (in our day-to-day Christian lives), than when we got baptized (first believed and were justified). “cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” = Our faith alone will not be enough to save us. We must also be characterized by taking action (“cast off…put on” = Aorist [continued action]) in respect to what is sinful (“works of darkness”) and what is righteous (“armor of light”). 4. Two major keys to obeying God’s Law are: 4.1. the avoidance of all those things/activities that impair our thinking, inflame our feelings or corrupt our wills (13) “Let us walk properly as in the daytime” = Let us live lives characterized by obedience to God’s Law which oncludes the avoidance of the three things/activities established in Paul’s three couplets: 1) impaired thinking: “orgies” = Most likely not a reference not to sexual parties but popular Roman (or pagan) religious services often conducted at night and involving the use of alcohol to produce estatic forms of worship similar to modern day Pentecostal services (trance like chanting, unintelligible speech, chaotic bodily movement and occasional vomiting).[3] Hence Paul’s coupling of this word (“orgies”) with “drunkenness.” Access to the spiritual realm was believed to be achieved through impairment of one’s mind (Pro 23:33; Pro 31:4-7). Examples of other things to avoid that impair thinking: Dependency on opioids, marijuana, lack of sleep. All have been shown to not only impair thinking, but possibly lead to long-term thinking problems (shrinking of the brain, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease). How impaired thinking leads to sin/disobedience: you won’t obey what you don’t understand or think incorrectly about (Isa 5:13; Jer 4:22; Mat 13:15 “dull” = impaired; Eph 4:17-18). 2) inflamed feelings: “not in sexual immorality” = Avoidance of all things related to or encouraging this capital crime. IOW: avoiding those things that inflame our feelings – most especially those things which are sexual in nature (e.g., entertaining sexual thoughts, viewing or listening to sexually- stimulating media: movies, music etc). Inflammation w/respect to our feelings is most common among those who obey their feelings – i.e., those not avoiding “sensuality” (2Pe 2:18 [NAS] “by fleshly desires, by sensuality” [apposition]; Gal 5:19. = Sensuality is a sin). Sociological studies show that sensuality (life det’d by our feelings) or the constant inflammation of our feelings – even when not specifically related to sexual things – more than often leads in the direction of sexual acts (e.g., gluttony stimulates sexual drive)[4]. This is true even among the animal kingdom – creatures who live completely based on their feelings (e.g., food supply determines sexual activity/birth rates). Hence the reason Peter compares such people (those living according to their feelings) to animals (2Pe 2:10 w/12). How then to avoid inflaming our feelings and the sexual immorality/disobedience that follows: Practice self-control/stop saying “yes” to your flesh in the little things (Act 24:25; Luk 16:10). Also, get rid of your addictions (anything that you will sin to keep is an addiction – e.g., drugs, alcohol, food, video games). By nature, all addictions inflame the feelings/identify us as people enslaved to our feelings. 3) corrupted wills: “quarreling and jealousy” = According to James, jealousy is a main cause of quarreling/sinful fighting (Jam 4:1 w/3:16; See Mat 27:18). The spark however, setting this doomed sequence of disobedient behavior in motion is a corrupted will: the fulfillment of your will (or way) is more important that God’s will or way. Your main mission/motive in life is self not God (Jam 4:2-3). Adopting this as our life’s mission/motive is diametrically opposed to God’s prescribed purpose and laws: everything for the advancement of His glory and kingdom (Rom 11:36). Corrupted wills also happen to those Christians whose loyalties/mission is divided (“one foot in the world, one in the church”). Only those putting God first in their mission and motives are His friends (Jam 4:4 w/8 “Draw near to God” = Make Him your main mission/motive in living). Notice putting God first (versus possessing selfish or corrupted wills) requires the removal of two things: 1) the removal of sinful habits/deeds (“cleanse your hands you sinners = Hands a metaphor for deeds), 2) the removal of doubt w/respect to God and His Word (“purify your hearts, you double-minded” = Hearts are a metaphor for our wills, double-minded a reference to doubts – See Jam 1:8). In summary, you will possess a corrupted will (one not fully committed to God) as long as you hold on to sinful habits and doubts. Example of a sinful habit to avoid that is associated w/both doubt and disobedience: You do not schedule counseling/call pastor to resolve your doubts, to help you find the answers in God’s Word. Removing doubts is a part of renewing our minds (Rom 12:2; Eph 4:23). 4.2. the replication of the person of Jesus in the person of us (14) “put on” [ἐνδύω = to clothe or completely cover – Mat 22:11; Mar 1:6; Luk 24:49] = To replicate – or produce a close copy – captures this idea when the garment/clothing is the person of Jesus. The fact that we (or our person) are wrapped in His person however means that this replicate will carry the unique aspect of seeing not simply a living example of Christ, but what His person looks like when embodied and expressed in the unique person that God has made each of us. It means not the loss of our identity, but seeing to it that our identity is shaped exclusively by Jesus. Hence the reason the followers of Jesus are called “Christians” (Literally, “little christs”). This then is the other necessary key to obeying God’s Law – or conquering what stands in its way – the “flesh” or the gratification of our “desires.” Our job is to be the full-time understudies of Jesus (in theater, an understudy is someone who studies every aspect of another actor so as to function as their replacement). A great place to start in our endeavor to become Jesus’ replicate/understudy: In all things, WWJD? [1] By government is meant: any entity demonstrating sovereignty or the infrastructure and ability to consistently enforce its laws in the face of local or foreign opposition. This definition of government represents a “biblical hybrid” of modern understandings or criteria of govt recognition (e.g., Montevideo Convention, Declarative Theory of Statehood). The most significant difference between modern views and the biblical record would be the fact that God sees (and has appointed) as legitimate even those governments whose current occupation and control of a particular territory is not approved of by its population or former occupying government (e.g., Israel under Babylon or Rome). [2] In respect to the pastor’s authority, disciple of the Apostle John, friend of Jesus’ mother Mary and early church father Ignatius writes, "It is fitting that you should run together in accordance with the will of the bishop (anointed pastor) who by God's appointment rules over you…He that refuses to assemble with the church [for the judgment of the bishop] has condemned himself. Let us be careful then not to set ourselves in opposition to the bishop, in order that we may be subject to God…Beloved, be careful to be subject to the bishop and the presbyters [other elders]. For he that is subject to these is subject to Christ, who has appointed them; but he that is disobedient to them is disobedient to Christ Jesus. He that does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. For he that does not yield to his superiors is self-confident, quarrelsome and proud. God resists the proud. And the proud have greatly transgressed. The Lord says to the priests, 'He that hears you, hears Me; and he that hears Me, hears the Father that sent Me. He who despises you, despises Me; and he that despises Me, despises Him who sent Me…We ought to receive everyone whom the Master of the house sends to be over His household as we would do Him who sent him. It is manifest therefore, that we should look upon the bishop even as we look upon the Lord Himself…It is becoming therefore, that you also should be obedient to your bishop, and contradict him in nothing; for it is a fearful thing to contradict any such person. For no one does [by such conduct] deceive him that is visible, but does in reality seek to mock Him who is invisible. And every such act has respect not to man, but God." [3] For example see “Why Roman Orgies Weren’t Really A Thing” by Spencer McDaniel (http://talesoftimesforgotten.com) [4] For example, “Female sexual behavior is inhibited by short-and long-term food restriction” (Gill, C.J. and Rissman, E.F.; Physiology and Behavior)