The Law brings wrath rather than righteousness. So, God’s righteousness has to be received through faith, this means that it becomes about God’s grace, it is a free gift not earned. This means the promise is for all of Abraham’s descendants not just law observers. Given the link to circumcision, the implication here is not… Continue reading Romans 4:16-25
Tag: Romans
Romans 4:13-15
God had made a promise to Abraham back in Genesis 12:1-3, the promise was the basis for the covenant and was repeated at various times. Note that whilst in Genesis 12, 15 etc was on the promise of land, Paul extends this inheritance to speak of the whole world, not just Canaan. Paul insists that… Continue reading Romans 4:13-15
Romans 4:9-12
If blessing is about forgiveness, then is this restricted to the circumcised, to the Jews? There is an argument for this. First, God had promised blessing to Abraham and then to his descendants. So it could be argued that David is giving us more information about what that blessing is. It is to be forgiven… Continue reading Romans 4:9-12
Romans 4:1-8
Paul is continuing to think through whether or not the Jews through their ethnic identity, having the Law and circumcision had an advantage. So, he goes back to Abraham, the one through whom the promise to Israel was made. It was the covenant with him that they considered themselves to be heirs of. So, what… Continue reading Romans 4:1-8
Romans 3:27-31
One of Paul’s aims in his argument is to exclude human boasting. Our only boast is the Gospel, he has previously expressed this point in the under-stated form, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel.”[1] Boasting is excluded by a form of Law. Paul distinguishes between a Law of Works, what you do or a… Continue reading Romans 3:27-31
Romans 3:21-26
“But now”, these emphatic words suggest a turning point. If the Law is limited then something big, something different needs to happen. Paul says that this “but now” something different is God’s righteousness which has been revealed to us in another place than the Law. A few options for what is meant by God’s righteousness… Continue reading Romans 3:21-26
Romans 3:9-20
Paul has argued that there are real benefits and privileges to being Jewish and the heritage that brings. However, does that actually benefit the Jews? Paul says “no” because Jews and Greeks, in other words, the representative Gentiles, alike sin (v9). He then cites a number of Scripture passages, primarily from the Psalms to demonstrate… Continue reading Romans 3:9-20
Romans 3:1-8
Paul continues his argument concerning circumcision and Jewishness. It’s important to see this as a central theme to the letter so that chapters 9-11 are not a mere parenthesis between the doctrine and the practice, a little detour but are central to the conclusion of his argument. Paul has said that it is circumcision of… Continue reading Romans 3:1-8
Was Phoebe a leader and teacher in the church? Responding to Preston Sprinkle part 3
In his look at Romans 16, Preston Sprinkle spend a bit of time looking at Phoebe. He observes: “Two facts about Phoebe immediately jump out. First, Paul calls her a “deacon [or servant, diakonon] of the church in Cenchreae.” Second, she was a “benefactor [prostatis] of many people, including” Paul. A third significant point isn’t… Continue reading Was Phoebe a leader and teacher in the church? Responding to Preston Sprinkle part 3
Romans 2:25-29
Paul now argues that law keeping and law breaking are central to your status as Jews (circumcised) or Gentiles (uncircumcised). He states that circumcision is of value for those who observe the Law. However, Circumcision without law-keeping is useless, you are considered uncircumcised (v25). In the same way, those who are uncircumcised but keep the… Continue reading Romans 2:25-29
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