Riding Through Romans

Give credit where credit is due department: The motivation to write this commentary (and many to follow) comes from the Through The Bible

radio ministry. There are few ministries left today that teach sound verse-by-verse doctrine. Dr. J. Vernon McGee went home to glory 12/01/88 but has left a legacy of bible study resources through his ministry which continues to feed many thousands of listeners across the world through Trans World Radio ! Please understand that although McGee was dispensational, there is little evidence that would suggest that he emphasized the distinctive ministry of grace as taught in Lighthouse Mystery Ministries. He did embrace water baptism (which we strongly reject) as well as other beliefs that we would have to "agree to disagree" on. However, his verse-by-verse, 5 year through the bible, commentary leaves much to glean from with the above considered.

This commentary will be the first of many verse-by-verse bible studies in order to provide believers with another resource for their personal study of the word of God! This study will be a "work-in-progress" so that friends can study incrementally as I am able to add on. From time to time, I will inject audio clips as another resource which will be indicated as such.

Directions: This particular page will be an all inclusive study so just click on the chapter of interest in the table below. Also, I have color-coded the overall study below as follows:

It is my hope and prayer that believers will be enlightened, encouraged and edified as they learn about the distinctive message of grace according to the revelation of the mystery which was "hid in God" but now revealed to us, through Paul, by the risen, Great God and Lord of Glories, Jesus Christ!

Who wrote Romans, and who was it to? Written by Paul “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” If this book was written to a particular audience in mind, the place for that to be noted would be at the introduction of the letter. There is no longer a national distinction for this epistle is "to all that be in Rome called to be saints".

When was Romans written? Romans was written between 55 A.D. and 60 A.D.

What is this book about? Main themes include:

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In verse 1 we read that Paul is a servant of Jesus Christ (GK – doulos) or one who gives himself to another's will whose service is used of Christ. It also means that one will be devoted to another while disregarding one’s own interest. This is interesting terminology when you think about it because in order to be where we are today, we had to "renew our mind" in regards to what God says about things! In essence, we had to "disregard our own interests" in exchange for the truth.

The bible says that Paul is called to be an apostle; a messenger, delegate or one sent forth with orders separated unto the “gospel of God”.

In verses 2 through 5, Paul testifies of the lineage of Christ as was promised before by the prophets of God. Opponents of the "grace message" and those who would refer to us as "ultra-dispensationalists" or "hyper-dispensationalists" would argue this verse as saying that

"the mystery" was spoken of by the prophets of God in the Old Testament. However, this is not what Paul was testifying to. Instead he was speaking of Jesus Christ; who was promised before by His prophets in the holy scriptures concerning His incarnation through the lineage of David who is declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead!

Notice in verse 5 how Paul includes himself with other believers as those "by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name". Paul clearly identifies the phrase "the faith" several times and makes reference to it here as specific instruction to "the nations" which points out his Gentile ministry:

The apostle clearly addresses who this letter is to, their position in Christ and the peace they have from God The Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ in the closing verses of 6 and 7!

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Verses 8 and 9 show the reader the thankfulness that we should have towards God for each other. Paul continues to thank God through Christ for their faith "that is spoken of throughout the world". This is accomplished through God as evidenced later in this chapter.
God is Paul’s witness (Gk – martus) as stated in verse 9.
    -In a legal sense
    -In a historical sense
    -In an ethical sense
    -In a testimonial sense (through His vicarious death)
And it is Paul who states that he is the servant of God, through the Holy Spirit in the gospel (good news) of His Son!

In verses 9 through 11, the apostle continues; that through the spirit, he is able to make continual mention of them in his prayers and that God would grant him a prosperous journey to the extent that he would be able to see them again.

Why????
Paul lovingly desires to see them in order to impart or give them some spiritual gift in order that they would be established! Today friends, I find it quite amazing how in many, many churches across the world pastors, priests and other leaders would rather have their followers not established in the hopes of fostering dependency on man or its building fund. Here Paul wants believers to be "sterizo"! It is where we get the English word for steroids.
sterizo - Gk. stay-rid' -zo
1) to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix
2) to strengthen, make firm
3) to render constant, confirm, one's mind

If you are a church leader today, only you and God know the truth of your motivation to serve. Is it money, prestige or power? Do you really want believers to be established or are you handing them out lethal doses of addictive law in the hopes they will return to your personal ministry? How can you renew your mind you might ask? Teach the riches of the grace of God, independent bible study and the distinctiveness of Paul's message under this glorious dispensing of God's grace! Thank God He is so forgiving!

In this particular set of passages, Paul closes this thought in verse 12 by saying that he wants to establish believers so that he himself could be comforted together with them. How? By the mutual faith of both you and me! I don't know about you friend but I have very, very few people with which I can discuss the revelation of the mystery of grace with. But when I am able to discuss this "mutual faith", I am indeed comforted. It really makes me appreciate the few people in my life that have embraced this glorious, distinctive message. I do thank God for that!

13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

It was not only Paul's desire that believers be comforted in Christ, but also that they understood his reason

for coming to them! In brotherly love, he frequently desired to come before them to share what the risen Christ had revealed to him. For various reasons not disclosed n this passage, Paul was hindered from coming to them sooner.

His desire was that his work and ministry would be evident among other Gentile believers throughout the region. Verses 14 and 15 are key in that they point out Paul's primary ministry to the Gentiles:

Paul uses the Greek word "euaggelizo" which sounds very much like the English word "evangelism". In any case and as much as Paul was able to offer he was ready and willing to preach the gospel of the grace of God.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Friends, I suspect that Paul's boldness in his statement of not being ashamed to preach the gospel had little to do with the deity and person of Jesus Christ which should have already be understood and assumed! Instead, I believe his "boldness" had more to do with the content of what he preached under "the gospel of Christ". Personally, preaching the distinct gospel of grace requires much boldness that only God can provide. Why you may ask? Because it is not a popular message. And friends, you get a double-barrel shotgun blast from unbelievers and believers alike. Grace is an offensive message to man who is always looking to offer his "fig leaves" in order to help God. The

"churched" will have only embraced the salvation part of grace while leaving God out of their walk. Instead of relying on the Holy Spirit tabernacling in us, most would rather find their strength in the tabernacling of man. This is why daily church attendance is pushed on congregations. Also, I am having a tough time believing its not about money.

The apostle continues to remind believers that not only is he not ashamed, but this wonderful gospel is the "dunamis" or dynamite of God unto salvation to everyone that believes. Notice that the condition for salvation is not: build an ark, bring an offering, get water baptized, sell your liquor store, not working on Sunday's but instead believing in the gospel of Christ (that was committed to Paul)!

This wonderful message is to the Jew first and likewise to the Gentile. In no way does this imply that we are to minister to the Jew first! Many ministries err in this belief. How can there be no national distinction under God's dispensing of grace (which is offered to all mankind) but still taught (and believed) that we are to go to the Jew first?? This reasoning flies in the face of God for we know that due to Israel's unbelief as a nation, God divorced her and set her aside for a future time as described below:

Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Romans 10:1-4 1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Romans 11:11-13 11 Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

Acts 13:46-48 46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

I have been accused of teaching anti-Semitism in Christian circles but in fact it is more anti-Semitic to teach that the Body of Christ has replaced Israel! Although no fundamental ministry, pastor or church leader would claim to be endorsing such replacement theology, that is exactly what they are doing; some intentional others by negligence. As indicated in the verses above, God is not finished with Israel and in time future, God will restore His people and their land according to His eternal promise to them! Those ministries that place the Jew first or show some special treatment to those of Jewish faith attempt to undermine what God has for believers under grace which is a component of the mystery! Please note the verse in Ephesians 2 regarding the "one new man":

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Why ministries would attempt to undo the oneness that Jew and Gentile would have in Christ is beyond my understanding friends. I believe in many cases, it is ignorance (.....as it was for me until I understood the wonderful grace of God!). And please, this does not make me some kind of infallible, super-spirit man; I simply had to come to the end of myself and truly realize Jesus Christ's greatness (as I pray that you would come to the end of yourself too....and if you have partnered with me in embracing the message of God's grace according to the revelation of the mystery committed to Paul...then I am sure you have!).

Paul emphasizes that the righteousness of God is manifested from "faith to faith". What he means here is that God revealed His requirements to man concerning how he should respond through all of God's dispensings (from faith to faith):

The just shall live by faith! My friends, how are we to respond to our "faith"? Jesus Christ is our expression of faith for we have no blood to bring, no ark to build or no testimony to bring to the table that will establish our righteousness!!

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Paul can indeed be bold in his proclamation of “the faith”. In the proceeding verses, Paul spoke of his boldness in preaching the gospel of grace to believers (or those who understood God’s past revelations or “faiths”). But starting in verse 18, Paul speaks of God’s revelation to unregenerate man. Man is quite aware of the power and potential wrath that God can bring. Man certainly understands his own depravity and wretchedness; it’s just a matter of what he wants to hold as truth; what he believes or what God believes!

The bible tells us in verses 19 through 24 that not only are the truths of God manifest (or revealed) in man, but great spiritual truths are made known outside of man in the world that he lives in as well.

“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.” –Romans 1:19

The verse above is the beginning of man’s guilt in regards to his responsibility towards God’s revelation or manifestation to him! The bible tells us that the knowledge of God is in man. Man in his rebellion against God, claims ignorance when in fact he is really subscribing to Satan’s plan of evil for this age.

Paul continues his assault on unregenerate man when he re-affirms that the “tri-unity” of God is revealed to man. In addition, the bible tells us that man:

God The Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit have been revealed to man so that he is without excuse!

One may ask; how are these things understood??? I knew a man about 15 years ago who drove an hour to work each way and was usually up by around sunrise. Each day, The Holy Spirit would convict this man

through the glory of the sun lit sky. The pinks, purples, grays and oranges each day were an overwhelming witness on the manifestation of God. My friends, that man writes to you now as God showed me my worthlessness apart from Him. He spoke to me through the quietness of His greatness. Similarly, a dear brother of mine experienced the same conviction when he and his new bride went to the Grand Canyon on their honeymoon. Years later, he reflected back on this experience as he was about to embrace the message of the grace of God. At this time, I thought; well, if I just started witnessing to him, I will know for sure whether or not he is saved. There are a couple of problems with this type of thinking:

· This fellow didn’t ask about anything else and did not ask my “spiritual” opinion up until that point....

As it turned out, I did not say a word. I just thanked God and hoped this person would be receptive if in God’s plan he asked me some more poignant questions (I spent more time trying to develop an friend then a convert). In times past, I would have yapped all over this person, probably scared him and then he would have deemed me another C2 (Crazy Christian)! It was wonderful to yield to the Spirit and allow God to do what He would have me to do there…..keep quiet. The result: another saint destined for the heavenly realm and a close brother in Christ! And by the way, this does not imply we are to not share the gospel of grace with other believers. I believe in "controlled" evangelism...so that people don't think Christians are nuts...(like I think most do....)

As a result, over the last several years, I have begun to meditate hard on doctrine concerning evangelism under this glorious dispensing of grace. I believe that God requires us to "renew our minds" concerning the traditional, fundamental approach in reaching the lost. Unfortunately today, there has been less and less emphasis on the ministry of the Holy Spirit concerning this issue.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: John 16:7,8

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

In verse 24, Paul continues to reveal the plight of man as he describes how God eventually would "give man up" to the wickedness of his own desires. Man is lustful and impure and he proves this (and has proved it throughout secular history as well....) by his profligate lifestyle!

Man would not stop here beloved, he would digress to the point of "dishonoring their own bodies between themselves". Mankind would degenerate himself to lust after what is forbidden by God! He would lust within his own "heart" which indicates a deep, mindful thought in what he or she is choosing to take part in.

In this sense as indicated in verse 25, man would now be changing the truth of God into a lie. This is done by those making normalcy and acceptance of what God forbids.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Friends, it is no coincidence here that in verses 26 and 27 Paul speaks specifically of homosexuality and lesbianism here for this is the by product of mankind's rebellion against his own body! This was the path that man took in his rebellion against God and little has changed today friends. These Gentiles (prior to God calling out Abram) did not keep hold, consider or regard the will and or knowledge of God. In turn, God gave them over to what they wanted. An excellent example of this principal was described as allowing fruit to ripen.

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

These verses deeply trouble me because this is what man is about friends. Whether or not we want to admit it, this is the best that we can offer God apart from Him. Let us thank God for the righteous standing we have in Christ Jesus!

Allowing them full reign to do as he pleases, Romans 1:29-32 describes what man is truly about; "being filled with all" GK - pleroo (play-ro'-o) or complete in:

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

Verse 32 is the most incriminating of verses because it tells us that “they” (mankind):

· Knows the judgment of God concerning these things.

· Knows that God will take punitive action on man (worthy of death).

· Knows that he shouldn’t be doing these things in the above verses but instead has pleasure in the act of doing these things as well as condoning others that do the same!

The Greek word for pleasure also describes a “joint” approval with others who think the same way of the sin mentioned in verses 29 through 31

Romans 2

Indictment against the Gentile (verses 1 through 16)

1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

To reiterate, the verses which start from Romans 1:18 through 2:16 tell us about one of two groups of people: Gentiles

Because of God's indictment against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men from verses 18 through 32 of the first chapter, these "who hold the truth in unrighteousness" are therefore inexcusable! For when they judge one another, they in turn condemn themselves because they do the very same thing! However, God's judgment is according to truth and His very righteousness condemns such things.

Let's examine the Greek in the "we are sure" of verse 2:

to see; to perceive with the eyes (i.e. to turn the eyes, the mind, the attention to anything)
to perceive by any of the senses
to perceive, notice, discern, discover
to inspect, examine, to look at, behold
- i.e. to ascertain what must be done about it
- to experience any state or condition
- to see i.e. have an interview with, to visit
of something which has definite meaning
to know how, to be skilled in
to have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to (1Th. 5:12)

3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

As Paul continues his indictment against "all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men", like a clever lawyer he asks rhetorical questions and after examination, his readers should be able to point to man's guilt and realize what he has rejected.

5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

At the close of the 1st chapter of Romans, Paul tells us historically about man's blackness of heart; of those men "who hold the truth in unrighteousness". To recap further; from verses 16 through 32, the conduct that follows lives independent from Jesus Christ are accurately and sadly described. In fact, what is described in chapter 1 concerning man really involves how he relates to others, otherwise known as his horizontal relationship plain.

But starting in verse 3, the apostle to the Gentiles reveals something even more specifically condemning....

And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? - Romans 2:3

After erroneously judging his fellow man, mankind is again guilty of the things he judges other for doing! Mankind also despises God's grace, love, long-suffering and forbearance while ignoring the fact that it is the LORD'S goodness that provokes man to change his mind (verses 3 and 4).

The result of man's rebellion due to his hard, unchanging heart and stubbornness is righteous wrath from God himself! In fact God through Jesus Christ will render (pay off, pay back) to every man according to his deeds; which boils down to two groups of people as noted in verses 7 and 8.

Notice how Paul speaks of the consequences of man's rebellion concerning his vertical relationship: Man to God But starting in verse 9, the apostle describes

the judgment of God across both groups before transitioning into the failure of the Jews. Paul speaks of tribulation and anguish upon EVERY soul who does not obey the truth mentioning the Jew first and also (likewise, even, indeed, BOTH) the Gentiles. Verse 11 confirms the point: For there is no respect of persons with God. Those that have sinned without the law (Gentiles) shall perish without it and those that have sinned in the law (Jews) will be judged by its perfection! Even though the Gentiles did not have the law given unto them on tablets of stone, they were not excused for they "showed the work" of the law written in their hearts otherwise known as their conscience to guide them. In other words, even their thoughts and reasoning were a "type of law" acting as a judge to know right from wrong and whether or not they were rebelling against God!

In verse 16, Paul tells us that God The Father will hand all things to Jesus Christ to judge the secrets of men according to "his gospel". What was Paul's gospel? It was a distinct "good news" message that he received specifically from Jesus Christ that magnifies His accomplishments at Calvary and describes the manifold wisdom of God. This glorious message is ours to cherish, share and study and opens our eyes to the great love of God as joint heirs with Jesus Christ.

17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.

Beginning in verse 17, Paul states the obvious concerning the Jew stating that they “rest in the law”, that they make their boast of God, know His will and that since they are instructed out of the law , they approve things more excellent (to prove, test or distinguish between good and evil)… (verse 18)!

Paul goes on to say in verses 19 and 20 that the Jew was confident in themselves in that they were a guide to those who were blind, those who were in darkness:

I can’t help but think of John 9 when digesting where the Apostle of Grace is going with this; let’s take a look. I know I would get along with Paul because of his dripping sarcasm alone. But friends, he had a way of bringing the truth to those estranged from God (whether either Jew or Gentile) so that the facts and examples he spoke of were enough to convict!

John 9

1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. 8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? 9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. 10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? 11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. 12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not. 13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. 14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. 17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. 18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? 20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. 22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. 24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. 25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. 26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? 27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? 28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. 29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. 30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. 31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. 33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. 34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. 39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

I think Paul could have had this specific example in mind since the entire chapter above in John was an excellent example of Israel’s self-righteousness, blindness and ultimate failure; exactly what Paul wanted to bring to light in these passages of Romans....

21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

Starting in verse 21 Paul takes the gloves off in regards to pointing to the specifics examples of self-righteousness that the Jews were guilty of:

Let’s remember that as a doctrinal book on Christian living under God’s dispensing of grace, Paul (in Romans) now begins to dive deeper in illustrating how the Jews failed to take God at His word (after showing us how the Gentiles failed in verses 1 through 16). In verses 21 through 24 Paul asks a series of deliberate questions in trying to get believers to understand that the legalistic Jews did not do something that our parents told us to do…‘practice what you preach’. Like a trial lawyer, he incriminates them by asking them:

25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? 27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?

28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

As we close Chapter 2 and starting in verse 25, Paul concludes his indictment against the Jews concerning their self-righteousness while discussing something very important to the them: circumcision. Paul testifies that circumcision is only worth something if indeed the whole "law" is kept. As illustrated in the

previous questions Paul asked (verses 21 through 24), their failure in doing deeds according to the Law of Moses was a reproach to those that watched their example. They in fact had become hypocrites. Since they did not obey God's law, they were no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile! Worse, Gentiles who obeyed God's law were considered God's people before those Jews who were circumcised but yet broke His commandments because they should have known better. This is not to imply that the Gentiles superseded Israel as a people...but Paul's point is that the Jews were no better of because their "self-righteousness" was as much sin as unrighteousness in God's eyes.

Paul reiterated that the "true" Jew was one whose heart was right with God...a "circumcision of the heart" and not of the flesh. For they were not a true Jew just because they were born of Jewish parents or because they had gone through the Jewish ceremony of circumcision. Those Jews who came to the end of themselves in the 'circumcision of the heart' found praise in God and not of men.

1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Paul asks his readers; "What is the advantage then of being a Jew???" Also, (....and based on the closing verses of chapter 2) "What is the value in the Jewish ceremony of circumcision???" How does he answer??

Much and in every way because the revelation of God was committed unto them! God's plan and purpose concerning the earth (His Kingdom Program) was made plain for all to see as shown in the Old Testament. In verse 3, Paul asks another important question concerning those that did not believe. Does this somehow make the promises of God null and void because Israel broke her promises? Absolutely not!! Many cults and "isims" fall off here and are convinced that God is finished with His chosen people but that is not they case my friends (...note: this will be covered in detail in Romans 9 through 11....RICK). The unbelief of man cannot be compared to the promises of God.

Paul exhorts: NO! Let this thinking be far from you! Let God be true, but every man...a liar! Paul quotes Psalms 51:4 in regards to God being justified when He speaks:

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Friends, God is indeed righteous and He is the very essence of it since He demonstrates that character ALWAYS. Further, He has never let man down ever nor will He in the future. In closing, the matter at hand here is God's ability to keep His promises to Israel, to the Jew. Despite their failures, God will always remain true.

5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) 6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

In verse 5 Paul asks a question on behalf of man who would attempt to take advantage of God's graciousness. The thought is that since God graciously

justifies (declares them righteous) sinners He would be unjust to condemn man at all! Paul's response in verse 6: God forbid; or of course not!, no way Jose, absolutely no! How then could God judge the world if He was unrighteous or if this was His intent? If you take man's reasoning to its insane end, you'd arrive at verses 7 and 8 which would state since the truth of God exists in great quantities through man's lies and unrighteousness (ref. verses 4 and 5), God would be glorified on this issue so that one could say "let us do evil, that good may come". In fact, Paul was indeed accused of preaching this reasoning by those that attempted to slander his ministry and name. Friends. isn't it so typical of man in trying to take advantage of God's goodness while not taking responsibility of his actions at the same time? This was what Paul was dealing with at Rome and it is no different today at all.

The apostle of the Gentiles will address a similar issue again downstream in Romans 6....

9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

Verses 9 through 14: What are you trying to say Paul, that the Jews are better than others? Paul states: No, not at all because I have already affirmed and discussed that Jews AND Gentiles are ALL subdued in sin. (see chapters 1 and 2). In fact, Psalms 14:1-3 states it best...there is none righteous, no not even one! In addition, there is no one that understands and no one that seeks after God. They've gone wrong and are unprofitable when you get right down to it!

You can almost hear Paul saying; ..." and you know, now that you mention it" let me give you some specific examples (starting in verse 13)...their talk is like dung (the apostle refers to an open grave). Friends, what is an open grave like?

39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. - John 11:39, 40

I have heard the the smell of a decaying body is probably one of the most wretched things a person could smell yet that is what God thinks of those who are not seeking Him, those who are unregenerate or unsaved because their motivations to do good, bad or otherwise are strictly self-motivated and self- gratifying no matter how noble the deed appears to be on the outside!

What is the tongue of man like? It is deceitful its like the poison that comes from a deadly snake! James, in his letter to the kingdom saints (and future tribulation saints) who were scattered abroad, gives us principles on the capabilities of the tongue for our profit:

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. - James 3:4-8

You may be asking why make the distinction to point out who James is writing to despite being able to use this scripture as an application today. Because if you read his book in its entirety, you'll soon realize that he will tie someone's "faith" to how they express themselves (conduct) for the purpose of identifying true believers in order to survive. Whereas today under this wonderful dispensing of God's grace, Paul tells us that our "expression of faith" is not based on our conduct but instead based on Jesus Christ's "expression of faith" accomplished at Calvary! We do not run for our lives today under grace as the saints during the kingdom did and will do in time future when God brings Israel back to the forefront.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. - Ephesians 6:12

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. - 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Paul continues in verses 15 through 18 to eventually get to the root of the issues with mankind:

Why??? Because there is no fear of God before their eyes. It's not because they can't see God, it's because they don't want to acknowledge Him as God nor does man want to be accountable for his actions. Let's again review what Paul said in Romans 1 friends:

Even as believers my dear friends, we still have this sin nature in us! I believe that when we are NOT thankful we are stepping toward the place of how we used to be. Now please, I'm not talking about losing your salvation or any nonsense like that...I'm talking about acting the way you used to act before you got saved. Why do that when we have the ability and power of God's Spirit to be thankful and to put our gratitude in action by loving one another?

That is why Paul continually encouraged and reminded believers of who they are in Christ! He never once questioned their salvation but instead challenged them on why they would return to ways of bondage while being heirs of all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The Apostle to the Gentiles tells his readers in verses 19 and 20 that what things the law says, it speaks to those under its precepts and by them every mouth will be stopped and all of the world will become guilty before God. Friends, if people don't know whether or not they are guilty before God in this life, they will eventually find out that they are in the next life because by the keeping of the law, no flesh will be made right (justified) in His holy sight. Why? Because of the fact that the very mention of law and its precepts, you know right from wrong for that's why its there!

Paul did not accidentally place verses 19 and 20 in this text, in this spot, because they are coming on the heals of describing what man is truly about in the previous verses. After reading what we have read so far in Romans, especially verses 5 through 20 can man truly say he can keep the commandments for his right standing with God? No way.....but there is a solution!!

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

At first glance after reading verses 21 and 22 together, it would appear that the 'righteousness of God by the faith of Christ' as Paul preached was witnessed by the law and prophets. In fact, most commentaries will imply or directly say just that. However, this type of belief attempts to undermine Paul’s distinctive ministry. As we examine the blessings of righteousness under grace today, let’s first look at some examples of Paul’s letters that tell readers how the mystery was NOT disclosed in the OT and the very fact that Paul refers to the grace of God as “the mystery” is for a reason as it testifies that it was a secret hid in God through Christ. Understanding this component of God's grace will help us understand that although "righteousness" was imputed by God to faithful men in time past, we have so much more as we are "made right" with Jesus Christ through faith in His redemptive work!

Colossians 1:25-29
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Now, back to the passage here in Romans 3:21…. What WAS witnessed by the prophets without the law was indeed the righteousness of God and a good example of this is when Paul discusses Abraham and David where God could declare a man righteous by faith alone. Back in Genesis 15, God (before the law was given to Moses) declared Abraham righteous because Abraham took God at His word concerning his ability to raise a nation through a man and women who were past child-bearing age!

2 And Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Look at what Paul says then in Romans 4:3

4;3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

David
Psalm 32:1,2

1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Here is my point, have you heard of the expression don’t confuse God’s grace in a dispensation with the dispensation of grace? In like fashion, do not confuse the righteousness of God in time past with the abundant righteousness He has provided us today though Christ in this marvelous dispensing of grace! The examples of God’s imputation of righteousness through faith alone (as shown above in the life of Abraham and David) were but a foreshadow of what was to come through Jesus Christ. Please do not follow the commentaries that say otherwise or imply that ‘its all the same righteousness’. We know this to be a false assumption because of Paul’s distinctive ministry therefore we must look at righteousness as Christ revealed it to him for our profit and edification.

In verses 23 through 26, Paul tells us that now since the righteousness of God without the law has been revealed and witnessed in time past that even the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus is made available to all that believe with no distinction or difference! Why??? FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD!

Interestingly, the proper interpretation of this verse (23) tells us that not only have we come short, but we continue to come short of the bar of God. Friends, we are missing the mark but there is hope in Christ! Being made right freely by God's grace through the redemption (deliverance) that is in Jesus Christ of whom God The Father set forth to be the atonement (AT-ONE-MENT) for sin! God The Father set forth His Son Jesus to make us "at one" with Him through the shedding of His blood beloved. God The Father sent His Son Jesus Christ to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us! We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, thus sacrificing His life for us. In fact, God was being entirely fair and just when he didn't punish those who sinned in time past (forbearance) and He is entirely fair and just in this

present dispensing of grace declaring sinners to be right in his sight (justified) because they have trusted in Christ's accomplishments at the cross!

1) relating to an appeasing or expiating, having placating or expiating force, expiatory; a means of appeasing or expiating, a propitiation

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

As we draw to a conclusion of of our commentary on chapter three, in verses 27 through 31, Paul asks a leading question in that by now after reading and studying we should know the answer! Where does boasting play a part in our salvation? It is excluded or shut out! By what "law"? Of works? No! but by the "law" of faith so that based on what we have discussed (therefore) we conclude that a man is made right with God (justification) by faith without the law of Moses. In fact, Christ is the God of not only the Jews but of the Gentiles also since He is the One which shall make the circumcision right with God BY faith and the uncircumcised THROUGH faith. Through faith in Christ under this wonderful dispensing of grace, the law is not made empty.....be it far from you to think that way. The law is made firm by grace. Why? Because the law condemns, convicts and charges those under it as it points to grace in order to be made right with God through what Jesus Christ has done for us.

1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

What an awesome set of verses in 1 through 4! From a human perspective, we know that Abraham was God's appointed forefather and ambassador for Israel. And in fact if He was made right with God through his works he could glory or boast in his own doings....but not before God friends! For what does the scripture say about Abrahams contribution towards acquiring this "righteousness"? That He believed God and God counted that unto him for righteousness!

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. - Hebrews 11:8-12

Again, in the Book of Hebrews, we read about how Abraham’s faith prompted him to take action: when he was called, he went and he sought for a city which had its foundations built upon The God of Israel. However, notice the emphasis that Paul focuses on as pertaining to the word “faith” in the Book of Romans.

In Romans, Paul illustrates the life of Abraham as it pertains to grace because the weight of his doctrine rests on belief apart from works..….“For what saith the scripture, Abraham believed God and because he (Abraham in this passage) took God at His word, God declared him righteous! Again in verses 4 and 5 Paul then follows with the example that when people “work”, their wages are not a gift at all and that these laborers in fact earn what they receive! But people who BELIEVE on Him(Christ and His accomplishments at Calvary…implied) who justifies (makes right) UNGODLY people, not because of their work are then declared “righteous” by God!

Friends, UNGODLY people have been, past tense “made right” with God as the scriptures say in Romans 5:8 which we’ll get to shortly AND in 2 Corinthians 5:18-21! Please understand that I am NOT talking about “universal salvation” (a belief that everyone is saved and will go to heaven based on Christ’s accomplishments whether a person believes or not...RICK). Please understand that the only item left on the table is to exercise our minds and simply BELIEVE. You must BELIEVE that Christ has made us right with God (apart from works), the One who “justifies” the UNGODLY.

I am not convinced that this is being taught today in churches friends as many pastors and teachers attempt to link what I call “an expression of faith” to salvation. People making comments about whether “he or she” are “bearing fruit” and determining whether or not they are saved. For if you just fruit inspect them long enough, you’ll be able to know for sure, whether or not someone has eternal life. Worse, they will refer back to the verse in 1 John 2:19 which says:

We must correct this type of thinking; that our conduct is indicative of our salvation as this thought process lies in company with a works-based salvation and is one of the deceptive means used by Satan to confuse The Body of Christ and tamper with the justification aspect of God's wonderful salvation!

While having dialog with another Christian on this very matter, they bemoaned the fact that people in his church "said one thing and did another". That if they continued in a particular sin that they were never really saved at all. I told him that if you catch me in the right moment or during a fit of road rage during my commute home, you'd think that I was the antichrist. Friends, you cannot look at this verse in 1 John and then look at a fellow believer and decide whether or not they are saved! Paul didn’t preach this and this is NOT the gospel of grace! If you are going to look at anything, look at the previous verse AND the whole book of 1 John and ask is it my doctrine for today? With that in mind, NOW let’s look at this passage again in 1 John in its entirety:

This book of the bible (1 John) is not TO The Body of Christ friends. This book is TO future Tribulation Kingdom Saints who John refers to as "little children" on hearing how the antichrist shall come and that there are many antichrists during their "last time" prior to the anticipated arrival of Jesus Christ. These saints will most assuredly identify by conduct, who is "of them" and who is not. Tell me, will we as believers under the dispensing of the grace of God have to give any thought to the antichrist? Not if you believe "the departure" occurs FIRST! The calling out of God's saints via the rapture is what we look forward to. But I can tell you this, if you believe that 1 John is your TO mail, then you

must subscribe to a post-tribulation belief that the Body of Christ will go through the tribulation. And if you believe that, then how can Paul say that we have grace and peace from God Our Father and The Lord Jesus Christ in all of his letters?

Without rightly dividing the word of truth that Paul tells Timothy to teach as a foundation, error most assuredly enters in. When error enters in, division and fragmentation follows with the resulting denominationalism now firmly in place......

In summary ...now think about this for a second….when we read Hebrews which is a book TO Israel’s Kingdom Saints and also applicable doctrine TO Israel’s future Tribulation Saints, the emphasis on Abraham in this book is that his actions demonstrate his "faith" because under Israel’s program with God they were required to react in concurrence with taking God at his word.

Many, many leaders just assume that since Paul is bringing up Abraham that its all lumped together and that "faith is faith", that the gospel is the gospel and that’s

all the same too….NOT SO! This is where “rightly dividing the word” comes into play as we MUST read scripture in the context of the surrounding verses to exegete and interpret doctrine accurately. Words like church, faith, death, gospel, salvation (which by the way doesn't always mean deliverance from the debt and penalty of sin), gentile must be interpreted by the context surrounding it in light of how God is dealing with mankind. This central component is often overlooked when studying God's word and is one of the foundational causes of why there are so many different denominations today!

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Paul reminds us of the scriptural account (in Psalms) of David's proclamation of the "blessedness of faith", the blessedness of the man of whom God declares "righteous" without works!

1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

(Returning back to Abraham's faith), is then the blessing of the imputation of righteousness (being declared right by God) for the Jews only or is it for the Gentiles as well?? At first thought many might think that it was for the Jews because of Abraham's faith...because he performed good works and received the sign of circumcision. But in verses 10 and 11 Paul tells us that God declared Abraham "righteous" while he was in UNCIRCUMCISION!

With the context being made right through faith alone, Paul conveys the two-fold plan of God concerning Abraham:

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Paul is telling us that God’s promise to give the whole world (kosmos) to Abraham and his descendants was not based on obedience to God’s law, but on the new relationship with God that comes by faith (under grace; its simply taking God at his word concerning the completeness of Christ's work at Calvary). If a person claims that God’s promise is for those who obey the law and think they are “good or righteous enough” in God’s sight, then they are saying that faith is useless and if that be the case, the promise of God is meaningless!

I think it is noteworthy to comment on the fact that Paul was inspired to use kosmos (world) which can also mean, ornament of heavens, universe, constitution, and order because this can and does imply of not only an earthly promise (as in to Israel) but a heavenly promise (to the Gentiles). Here, Abraham is the Father of Faith, the Father of Promise, each of which means something unique and wonderful to both Jew and Gentile!

What is the basis for this "new relationship" then? - I think Galatians 3:13-16 does the job in overlaying the point here: 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

To reaffirm, "the promise" that Abraham should be the heir of the world was not to him or to his offspring through the law but instead through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's work at Calvary (implied) as found in verse 14 of Galatians 3. Abraham's "seed" or offspring was none other than Jesus Christ who is the only One able to keep the promise of God. Please note, that Abraham did not know about the blessings of what the risen Lord Christ would tell Paul about concerning this dispensing of grace, for he only knew to take God at His word but in doing so was used of by the apostle to be described as The Father of Faith!

15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

How is faith made void you might ask??? The law brings judgment and punishment on those who try to obey it for the purpose of establishing their righteousness before God. The fact is the only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break (verse 15). By simply taking God at His word and understanding that it is by His grace and His promise, we have offered to us a free gift. Friends, it's ours for the taking without having to jump through hoops, perform religious rituals or adhere to Jewish customs. The "faith of Abraham" was a faith that trusted in God to do what He said He would do...that is the point! While Abraham was unable father offspring due to the "deadness" of his flesh, God was able to raise up a nation through him! I've always liked the account that J. Vernon McGee described concerning Abraham's Faith on this matter. (Please click here to listen this clip...)

The bible tells us starting in verse 16 that it is of faith...Christ's faith friends......that it might be by His grace to the end or to the establishment or completion of God's promise that to all the seed of faithful Abraham would righteousness be fulfilled. Abraham is an excellent example of someone who took God at his word without seeing the final outcome, notice:

As noted in verses 17 through 21 that despite the apparent impossibility of it all, Abraham was fully persuaded and staggered NOT at the possibility of God to do what He said He would friends! And how nicely Paul wraps this up by saying in verses 23 through 25 that it was imputed to Abraham BUT...for us also to whom it shall be imputed! The requirements for this blessing??? If we believe on Him....God The Father that raised up Jesus Our Lord from the dead...who was delivered for our offenses and raised to make us righteous!

Before we close on this chapter my good friends...let's look at some of the words used to describe the word "imputed" that I found using the awesome site www.blueletterbible.org:

to reckon, count, compute, calculate, count over

to take into account, to make an account of

metaph. to pass to one's account, to impute

a thing is reckoned as or to be something, i.e. as availing for or equivalent to something, as having the like force and weight

to number among, reckon with

to reckon or account

to reckon inward, count up or weigh the reasons, to deliberate

by reckoning up all the reasons, to gather or infer

to consider, take into account, weigh, meditate on

to suppose, deem, judge

to determine, purpose, decide

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

I have a confession to make. By what I have studied so far and whenever I read Romans 5 going forward, I feel myself levitating because I am so excited. Now, before any of you run off and say that Rick turned charismatic, I am not really floating in my chair but I feel as if I am whenever I read these verses! The word "therefore" kind of finalizes things doesn't it? It says: "Since we now know what we know about being made right by faith...let me (Paul) blow you away with some more of what the risen, glorified Christ told me."

Friends, readers, students, skeptics....whoever you are, know this: Through simply taking God The Father at his word concerning the Lord Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection through faith....we have been made completely and perfectly righteous in His eyes. This means that we have a gift decree of "right-ness" accredited to our account permanently. Moreover, it is the righteousness of Christ Himself that we have accredited to us if you didn't already think that we had a great deal!

It's because of this that we now are at peace (and have peace) with God The Father. Verse 2 tells us that we also have access by faith into this grace that comes when we are good and goes when we are bad.....WRONG...read again....access friends by faith into THIS GRACE WHEREIN WE STAND. Paul tells us here that we are affixed, firm, unmovable, safe, sound, unharmed, steadfast in mind and is the cause of why we rejoice in the certainty (hope) of the glory of God. Our new position in Christ Jesus is not a revolving door based on our conduct but an unchanging eternal fact given to us through the power of God in Christ. Knowing this is the reason that Paul can say in verses 3 through 5:

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

We can glory in tribulation because that very tribulation works in us patience which gives us experience which ultimately leads to the capstone "hope" that makes us unashamed before God because of His love that is shed abroad (poured out, shed forth, distributed largely) in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us!

These are great verses to read and embrace my friends...especially when we go through difficult times during life's journey. I don't

know about you but when I go through my own tribulations, it feels as if this is the way it will be forever. However, the good news is that when we do go through these times, we have an opportunity to work on what Paul called our "patience of hope". Let's look at some verses that speak to this "patience of hope" and how we can obtain crowns of righteousness as good stewards under this glorious dispensing of God's grace.

1 Timothy 6:11 - But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

A quick word study from our friends at blueletterbible.org reveal some interesting information concerning this word "patience". Words such as steadfast, constant and endure (patience) speak of being unwavering, committed and able to sustain a continual state of mind or position despite the external circumstances.

a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings

We also see Paul telling Timothy to follow after faith and love just before his encouragement to seek patience... As we demonstrate our perseverance through the difficult times of our lives we give testimony to the grace of God who promised NOT to remove us from these trying times but to renew our mind about them instead because we walk by faith and not by sight. Under grace we rely on the strength of God so that we can glory in tribulation because it works to develop endurance (patience) which in turn works our strength of character towards improving and cultivating our hope in God who has delivered us from the ultimate destruction of sin and death through faith in Jesus Christ!

How does this map to our "patience of hope"? Isn't it true that when things happen to us we automatically wonder what we did to God? That is why Paul spends verses 6 through 18 in telling us how although we were estranged from God dead in our sins and without strength, that at just the right time Christ died for "the ungodly" friends...not the perfect. God is NOT out to punish us, throw a bolt of lightning, flat tire or illness our way.....instead the risen Christ wanted us to know through Paul's writings (on this topic) that this life IS going to be difficult but yet, he has provided our needs to rise above these circumstances and give us an opportunity to put out faith on display!

The hope that is laid up for us in heaven (Colossians 1:5) is the foundation of embracing and understanding the patience that we'll "exercise" towards improving our comprehension of the perfection that we have in Christ Jesus Our Lord! I am afraid that many ministers make errors on this topic by teaching people that when bad things happen it is God "trying to get their attention". This is the furthest from the truth! Instead, bad things will happen because we live in a sin cursed world, we are not perfect and we make bad decisions! Thank God friends, He will use all things for His glory...let us learn to use the tribulations of life as an opportunity to develop our character in a lost and dying world.

There is so much more to say on this topic, but I'll stop here and move on because I know we will visit this topic again (our patience of hope) as we expound on Paul's other letters to the Body of Christ.

6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 7

1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. 4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. 7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. 12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Romans 8

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 9

1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. 6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. 9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. 10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. 27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: 28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. 29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. 30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Romans 10

1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. 19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. 20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

Romans 11

1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying, 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Romans 12

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 13

1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Romans 14

1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. 14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. 16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Romans 15

1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, 16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. 17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: 21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. 22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; 24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. 25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. 27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. 28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. 29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. 30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; 31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; 32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Romans 16

1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. 7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household. 11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. 12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. 13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. 15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. 16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. 22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. 23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Romans 1	Romans 2	Romans 3	Romans 4
Romans 5	Romans 6	Romans 7	Romans 8
Romans 9	Romans 10	Romans 11	Romans 12
Romans 13	Romans 14	Romans 15	Romans 16