Paul uses the word “law” in various senses through the letter. He can refer to the Law of Moses, of Sin and of the Spirit. Here, he seems to use it in the sense of a general principle. He comes as close as he can get without us becoming over anachronistic to introducing “Murphy’s Law!”… Continue reading Romans 7:21-25
Tag: Romans
Romans 7:13-20
So did something good, as in the law, bring death? You can see Paul continually teasing out the apologetic dilemma here. If The Law leads to sin and so to death as wages, and if the alternative is justification through faith, a free gift then does that mean that we might as well continuing to… Continue reading Romans 7:13-20
Wages
I once preached at a church known locally as “The wages church”. The reason was that the church had posted on a banner outside Romans 6:23, Unfortunately, from the top deck of the bus, you could only see the first part of the verse emphasising that “the wages of sin is death”, you missed out… Continue reading Wages
Romans 6:20-23
We always belong to someone or something meaning that we are always free from someone or something. If we are slaves to sin, we are free from righteousness. That’s not as good as it might sound to some. It’s not that we are free from legal obligations, it is that we are free from being… Continue reading Romans 6:20-23
Romans 6:15-19
This next section repeats the “what then…by no means” pattern. Again, Paul asks if it is okay to sin, this time because we are under grace. Does this different constitution give us freedom to do what we want. The answer is an emphatic “no”. (v15). Why? Because our obedience confirms our ownership. We tend to… Continue reading Romans 6:15-19
Good constitutions and bad rulers
Most countries have some form of a constitution. The UK is unusual in that unlike most countries its constitution is unwritten, however, it still has one. Many countries have constitutions intended to encourage liberal democracy and the rule of law. However, that doesn’t always work out. Sometimes the people find themselves governed by brutal dictators… Continue reading Good constitutions and bad rulers
Romans 6:12-14
Because we have left our old life behind, we should not “let sin reign” or have control over our mortal bodies. The word for mortal is θνητός meaning liable to death. Our bodies therefore are still subject to death even though death does not rule and have power over the whole of our lives (v12). … Continue reading Romans 6:12-14
Romans 6:1-4
Paul’s interim conclusion has been that the Law has increased sin, increased the trespass or transgression. He has also said that this is good because where sin increases, so does grace. Does this mean that we have an excuse, a justification even for continuing to sin? Does what we do matter if we are forgiven… Continue reading Romans 6:1-4
Patterns in Romans 5
In Romans 5, we see a few intentional patterns at worth through repeated phrases. First there is the idea of “much more.” If we were “redeemed by his blood”, then “much more” will we be saved…from wrath” (v9). If enemies were “reconciled by his death” then “much more will we be saved by his life”. … Continue reading Patterns in Romans 5
What is Paul’s main argument in Romans 1-5?
We tend to preach through books of the Bible like Romans taking short passages at a time. That’s understandable and necessary because there is much deep and rich material to cover. However, it is also helpful from time to time to take a step back and look at the whole big picture to see the… Continue reading What is Paul’s main argument in Romans 1-5?
