ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper Romans

Introduction: This epistle of Romans Is Paul’s longest and most theological and influential letter. Maybe it is the reason why it is placed first among the other ______NT books. He wrote this book in connection with his apostolic mission to the Gentiles. It is believed that the church in Rome was not founded by the apostle Peter or any of the other apostles, but by converts of Paul from Macedonia and Asia, as well as some Jews and others who were converted on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:10)

He assured these believers that often he wanted to visit them but was often hindered. (Romans 15:35- 36). He also wanted them to know it was still his intention to visit them as soon as the opportunity arise. Ro. 15:23-32.

This epistle was written toward the end of his ______missionary journey. (Ro. 15:25-26; Acts: 20:2-3; 1Cor. 16:5-6) He was staying at Gaius home while he was in Corinth. (Ro. 16:23; 1Cor. 1:14) when he wrote this epistle, using his Scribe Tertius. (Ro.16:22) His plans were to return to Jerusalem at Pentecost, (Acts 20:16) and to deliver personally the gift he received from the Gentile churches for the unfortunate believers in Jerusalem. (Rom. 15:25-27)

Purpose. Paul purpose for writing this letter was two-fold. (1) Because the Roman believers had received distorted ______about the apostle’s message and theology. (Ro.3:8; 6:1-2:15) he felt it was necessary to put in writing the gospel that he had been preaching for such a long time. (2) He wanted to correct certain problems that occurred within the church because of the wrong attitudes of the Jews toward the Gentiles. (Romans 11:11-36).

Theme. The theme of this epistle is that in Christ Jesus, a ______from God is being revealed as his answer to his wrath against sin. He placed emphasis that there is a universal problem of sin, not only among the Gentiles, but also among the Jews, and that both had a need for Righteousness that comes from God. (Rom. 1:18-3:20)

He also declared that having a transformed life in Christ results in the application of righteousness and love in all areas of a person’s behavior, whether social, civil or moral (Rom. 12-14) He concluded this letter with an explanation of his personal plans, (Rom. 15) along with a list of personal greetings, with a final admonition and doxology. (Rom. 16)

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Chapter 1

1:1. Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God--- Paul identify himself as a “servant” (doulas), which really is a “______”, one who is being owned by another. He is seen wearing this title in Galatians 1:10, Titus 1:1. Revealing the OT picture as one who in love binds himself to his master for life. (Exo. 21:2-6)

Next, we see him identifying himself as an “apostle”, one who has being sent with delegated authority. (Matt.10:1-2) a position to which he was “called “to serve. This calling was directly from God (Acts 9:15) And acknowledge by men. (Gal.2:7-9)

Set Apart: this called by God to be an apostle required him to be set apart for the purpose that God called him. (Acts 13:2) God set him ______for a specific purpose of preaching the gospel especial to the Gentiles. This did not keep him from his profession as a Tent maker, but he used his gift to assist him in advancing the gospel of the kingdom.

1:2. The gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. He did not quote where any prophet mentioned that this gospel was promised, but Phillip mentioned in his conversation with the Ethiopian Eunuch Isa. 53:7-8; Acts 8:30-35.

1:3-4. Regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, [4] and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

This gospel was about Christ’s deity is a person and descendant of ______. Christ was genuine human and His tie was with David and Is resurrection from the dead proved that He was the son of God and it also validated His claims that He was who he claimed to be. (Matt.16:21)

1:5-7. Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name's sake. [6] And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. [7] To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace and Apostleship: - The influence and the essential qualifications which such an office requires only comes from the ______, without the Grace, favor, and help of God, he could not have fulfilled his assignment as an apostle: he had an extraordinary conversion, and an extraordinary call to preach the Gospel.

Obedience to the faith - That by this office, which he received from God, and the power by which it is accompanied, He proclaimed the faith, the Gospel of Jesus; and show all nations the necessity of believing in it, in order to experience salvation. - An apostle is divinely commissioned and empowered to preach this gospel. - The necessity of faith in the name of Jesus, as the only Savior of the world. - Obedience, as a necessary ingredient to experience genuine faith. - The invitation to experience salvation is now available to all in Rome.

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1:8-15. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you [10] in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong--- [12] that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. [13] I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. [14] I am obligated both to Greeks and non- Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. [15] That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

Paul rejoice because of the good ______these believers had throughout the Roman Empire, this motivated him to make specific petitions of their behalf. He also desires to visit these brethren.

This seem to be the way the apostle greets the brethren from time to time. Colossians 1:9-10. For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, [10] so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Philippians 1:3-6. I thank my God every time I remember you. [4] In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy [5] because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, [6] being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

As a result of his apostleship to the ______, he felt obligated to the entire human race to preach the good news to everyone. (14-15). The word translated non-Greeks literally means “barbarians” all other people who are not Greeks are considered as such. (Col.3:11)

Because the Jews were considered as God’s chosen people, (11:1) they were the custodians of of God’s revelation, (3:2) it is from them that Jesus came (9:2) they have a preference of privilege expressed historically in a chronological priority.

Romans 9:4-5 NIV The people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. [5] Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

Whenever he visited a city, he would seek out the Jews first, (Acts 13:5,14; 14:1;17:2,10,17; 18:4) three times he responded to their rejection of the message of the gospel by turning to the Gentiles. (Acts 13:46; 18:6; 28:25-28)

1:17. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed---a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

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Mankind has two major problems. (1) Man believes he is ______enough and that he can do good enough to be acceptable by God. (2) Men also believes he is a righteous being, and that he could live righteously to be accepted by God. There is a major problem with the way man thinks, because man is not perfect, only God is perfect and only He is perfectly righteous, and therefore, he cannot permit unrighteous and imperfect man into His kingdom in man’s present condition. The only way for man to live with God, he must be made perfectly righteous.

The scriptures teach that Jesus became sin for us so that we can become the righteousness of God. (2Cor. 5:21). This is being done through the gospel.

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Chapter 2

Romans 2:1-4. You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. [2] Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. [3] So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? [4] Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Here we see the apostle addressing the Jews concerning the sinful practices of the Gentiles, he showed them that they were no different, because all people practice a sinful lifestyle. The Jews believe that because they were Gods chosen people, they were better than the Gentiles and they behaved that way.

Paul reminded them that they were in no condition to pass judgement on anyone, because they were just as guilty as the Gentiles.

This is a practice that is common in our society today. People are quick to pass judgement on others, while they are guilty of committing some other offense. Jesus said “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? [42] How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Luke 6:41-42

The only reason why many today is no longer practicing a lifestyle of depravity, is due to the God’s kindness and His mercy that lead us to repent.

Paul reminded the saints in Ephesus, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, [2] in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. [3] All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. [4] But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, [5] made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions---it is by grace you have been saved”. Ephesians 2:1-5 NIV

2:5-11. But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. [6] God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” [7] To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. [8] But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. [9] There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; [10] but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. [11] For God does not show favoritism.

Stubbornness: means dogged determination not to change one’s attitude or position on something.

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Un-Repentant: - Showing no regret for wrongdoings. (2Cor.7:10)

One of the assignments of the Holy Spirit is to convict man of sin, righteousness, and Judgement. (John 16:7-10) The help of the Holy Spirit, people will remain in their ignorance, and they will believe they are in good standing with God.

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? [10] “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9-10.

Seeing that the only one who can circumcise the heart of man is God and this process take place when we repent of our sins. Once this is done, we have a responsibility to protect the heart from the influences of sin. The writer to preverbs encouraged us to “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”. Proverbs 4:23

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. Hebrews 3:12.

There are some people who do things out of ignorance, but simply because one doesn’t realize what they are doing can be harmful, is no guarantee that they will escape the consequences of their action. Sin hardens the heart of man thereby making it difficult for man to repent, therefore, it is God’s mercy that allows man to find salvation.

The apostle is showing the difference between those who persist in doing what is good from those who continue to live in evil.

He reminded man that trouble and distress await those who are bent on doing evil. “There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; 12 those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; 13 those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among mankind”. (Proverbs 30:11-14)

2:11-16. All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Here the apostle is showing the difference between the Gentiles and the Israelites. As the ones God selected above all the families on earth to be his people. The Israelites were the ones God entrusted his

6 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper laws to, the Gentiles were not given the laws, and had no knowledge of the laws. He said “the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen. Romans 9:4-5

He told them it is not those who were given the laws who are being declared righteous before God, but those who commit to obey them were declared righteous. Therefore, for those Gentiles who never had the laws given to them, were by the very nature itself told them when somethings are wrong, and they abstain from certain practices.

The expression simply means by the light of the conscience and reason, and whatever other helps they may have without revelation. It denotes simply, in that state which is without the revealed will of God.

Many of those things Paul is referring to might be done by pagans such as, respect to parents. truth, justice, honesty, chastity. The Gentiles did many of those things, it showed that they had a law among themselves.

In our society, there are those who do not attend any church, some do not even read the Bible, but the behave more like those who are called believers, some of those behaviors were instilled in them by their parents, or by some person of integrity. God is who place in man a conscience which let the man know when something is wrong, even though some may try to silence the conscience.

Conscience: - that process of thought which distinguishes what it considers morally good or bad, commending the good, condemning the bad, and so prompting to do the former, and avoid the latter; Romans 2:15 (bearing witness with God's law); (Vines)

The inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action: (Webster)

2:16. This will take place on the day when God judges people's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

There are Jews and Gentiles alike who do not believe they will be judge by the Judge of the whole earth, but the scripture teaches “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”, Heb.9:27

So, we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. [10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10.

Paul is reminding them that on that “Day”, God will not just judges men actions, but He will judge the secrets of men’s heart. We must remember that although we may think God does not know what we think, remember the words of the Psalmist

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. [2] You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. [3] You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. [4] Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. Psalm 139:1-4

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2:17-24. Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; [18] if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; [19] if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, [20] an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth--- [21] you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? [22] You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? [23] You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? Self-righteousness was prevalent among the Jews, just as it is among some who are within the church. They are quick to judge others, while condemning themselves. Jesus gave an example of a self-righteous person.

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: [10] “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people---robbers, evildoers, adulterers---or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' [13] “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' [14] “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14 NIV

The apostle rebukes them for their arrogance, for they relied on the fact that they were the ones laws were given to. They believed they had special privileges with God, so they can boast about their position in God, they believed because of their status, they thought one thing, but did another. In today’s language, we called such people “hypocrites”.

When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so, he went in and reclined at the table. [38] But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. [39] Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. [40] You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? [41] But now as for what is inside you---be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. [42] “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. [43] “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces. Luke 11:37-43 NIV

2:24 As it is written: “God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

Paul refers to the words of the prophet Isiah, “And now what do I have here?” declares the Lord. “For my people have been taken away for nothing, and those who rule them mock, ” declares the Lord. “And all day long my name is constantly blasphemed. Isaiah 52:5 NIV

Blasphemed:- to rail at or revile, “reviling, calumniating, railing Matthew 27:39; Mark 15:29; Luke 22:65 (b) those who speak contemptuously of God or of sacred things Romans 2:24; 1 Timothy 1:20; 6:1; Revelation 13:6; 16:9,11,21; "slanderously reported," Romans 3:8; "be evil spoken of," Romans 14:16; 1 Corinthians 10:30; 2 Peter 2:2; "being defamed," 1 Corinthians 4:13 .

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We must watch our lives and doctrine closely, for two reasons. First, that we do not “defamed God’s Name, and second “some body is watching us to see the way we live our lives. We are responsible for the way others see God. Let us not be guilty of blaspheming the Name of our God.

2:25-27.

Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. [26] So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? [27] The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

For those who have been circumcised, he warns them not to boast in their circumcision, because physical circumcision only has value if they were willing to walk in obedience to the law. Physical circumcision places emphasis on the works of the flesh, while God is looking for obedience to His command more than anything.

David said, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18. God is more concern about the condition of the heart. What mankind need is a heart transplant, or spiritual circumcision.

2:28-29. A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. [29] No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person's praise is not from other people, but from God.

A person who is born within a Jewish family may naturally become a Jew, however, spiritually speaking, this person will not be considered a Jew. For one to become a real Jew, he must experience spiritual circumcision, which can only be done by God, because this process is being done within the heart.

Circumcision: - Cutting around. This practiced, was appointed by God to be the special badge of his chosen people, an abiding sign of their consecration to him. It was established as a national ordinance (Gen. 17:10, 11). The Jews prided themselves in the possession of this covenant distinction (Judg. 14:3; 15:18; 1 Sam. 14:6; 17:26

The heart of mankind is what need to be circumcised because of all the Filth that is in it. Jeremiah said “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9-10.

The apostle encourages those Jews who wanted to boast that they were special, there boasting was not good, unless what they were boasting about, was a job done by God himself, and not the work of a man.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--- not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.

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Chapter 3

Romans 3:1-8 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? [2] Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God. [3] What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God's faithfulness? [4] Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.” [5] But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? [7] Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” [8] Why not say---as some slanderously claim that we say---“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!

The debate is if there is no difference by being a Jew, then why circumcision? The Jews are a ver privileged people, for they were the only people on earth God chose to be entrusted with His word. It is not because God shows favoritism, but because of the promise he made to Abraham. (Gen. 12-15).

See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. [6] Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” [7] What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? [8] And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? Deuteronomy 4:5-8 NIV

I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. [3] For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, [4] the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. [5] Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen. Romans 9:2-5.

What an honor is it to be entrusted with the very words of the creator. Today there are people who are careless with the eternal word, even some comedians make fun of the word of God The world has lost its respect for the word, because some believers have not reverence the word.

The Psalmist declared in psalms “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. Psalm 138:2.KJV.

His argument is “what if some were unfaithful” do their unfaithfulness void out God’s promise. Not at all, because God’s love is unconditional. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8. God did not wait until we got our selves together, before he decided to love us, but he decided to show us his love while we were still in sin.

There are some who believe that because God is slow in judging man for their sinful behavior, that he approves what they are doing, but they failed to realized that the goodness of God leads to repentance.

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Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Eccl. 8:11 KJV

Ultimately, God will inflict his wrath on all who are contentious - who obstinately dispute against the truth, and choose to obey unrighteousness - who act under the influence of sin, the devil, and not under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

3:9-18. No one is righteous. What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. [10] As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; [11] there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. [12] All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” [13] “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” [14] “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” [15] “Their feet are swift to shed blood; [16] ruin and misery mark their ways, [17] and the way of peace they do not know.” [18] “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

There is none righteous - Every soul of man, is considered in his natural and practical state unrighteousness, and is in need of receiving the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no righteous principle in man and because of that, no righteous act can be expected from them. The prophet Isaiah declared All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. Isa.64:6.

They are all gone out of the way - Mankind have either abandoned or corrupted the worship of God: the Jews, in forsaking the law and the prophets, and the Gentiles, in acting contrary to the law which God had written on their hearts.

They are together become unprofitable - They are useless, good for nothing. The apostle views of all mankind as slain and thrown together, to putrefy in heaps. This is what is termed the corruption of human nature; they are infected and infectious.

There is none that does good - There is none that does good: the first may refer to the want of a righteous principle; the second, to the necessary consequence of the absence of such a principle. If there be no righteousness within, there can be no acts of goodness.

Their throat is an open sepulcher - By their malicious and wicked words they bury the reputation of all men. This verse addresses their habit of lying, defamation, slandering, etc., by which they wounded, blasted, and poisoned the reputation of others.

Their feet are swift to shed blood - They make use of every means in their power to destroy the reputation and lives of the innocent.

Destruction and misery are in their ways - destruction is their work, and Misery to themselves and to the objects of their malice is the consequence of their impious and murderous conduct.

The way of peace have they not known - They neither have peace in themselves, nor do they suffer others to live in quiet.

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There is no fear of God before their eyes - This completes their bad character; they are downright atheists. They do not fear God's judgments, although his eye is upon them in their evil ways.

Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies. [4] Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears, [5] that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be. Psalm 58:3-5

3:19-20. Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. [20] Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

The law has reference to the Jewish writings in general, or the rule of moral conduct which God had given to both Jews and Gentiles: to the Jews, he gave them the law in their own Scriptures; and to the Gentiles, He wrote the law in their hearts by the Holy Spirit.

According to the law, [this rule of moral conduct,] whether given in a written revelation, as what was given to the Jews, or by the secret inspiration of the Holy Spirit, as in certain cases to the Gentiles, every mouth must be stopped, and the whole world, (both Jews and Gentiles) stand convicted before God: for all mankind have sinned against this law.

So the law was our guardian (School Master) until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. Galatians 3:24-25

Therefore, by the works of the law - No flesh will be justified by the works of the law; no one can be accepted in the sight of God based upon works. The law brings to light the very knowledge of sin: It also shows how men have deviated from God’s righteous demands; and sentences them to death because they have broken the law.

3:21 But now the righteousness of God - God's method of saving sinners is now shown, by the Gospel, to be through his own mere mercy, by Christ Jesus; without the law - without any right or claim which might result from obedience to the law; and is evidently that which was intended by God from the beginning; for it is witnessed by the law and the prophets - the rites and ceremonies of the one, and the preachings and predictions of the others, all bearing testimony to the great design of God, and to the absolute necessity there was for the sacrifice and salvation which God has provided.

3:21-26 NIV But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. [22] This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [25] God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood---to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--- [26] he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

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There are those people who never had the knowledge of the law and the prophets, however, the creator has imprinted upon the hearts of his creation the law of His righteousness causing man to know there is a higher law than the law man has implemented.

The righteousness of man does not qualify him to be accepted by God. All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. Isa. 64:6

The only righteousness that will be accepted by God is that which is by faith through our Lord Jesus Christ. For the Jews who believe that because they were the ones who were given the laws, their self righteousness will be accepted, the apostle made it clear to them that they are just as guilty as the Gentiles.

We see Jesus condemning those who claim to be self righteous. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. [28] In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Matthew 23:27-28

3:23. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

He showed them that their boasting about righteousness was not good, because every one has already beEN declared guilty of sinning against God, and therefore it means that every equality can be justify not by keeping the law, but by having faith in the redemption that came through Jesus Christ.

3:25. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood---to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--- [26] he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

No one was qualify to pay for their own sin, therefore, God because of his great love for mankind.

The writer to the Hebrews said, “Therefor, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; [6] with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. [7] Then I said, 'Here I am---it is written about me in the scroll---I have come to do your will, my God.' ” [8] First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”---though they were offered in accordance with the law. [9] Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. [10] And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Heb.10:5-10

3:27-30. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. [28] For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. [29] Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, [30] since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.

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No one can really boast about their righteousness, even for some who believe they are good, because they do not steal, commit adultery, lie, or disrespect their parents, like the young man who went to see Jesus and asked “What good thing must he do to inherit eternal life”, Jesus said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” [18] “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “ 'You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, [19] honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.' ” [20] “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Matt.19;17-20.

Paul said to the saints in Corinth, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast. [10] For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. Eph. 2:8-10

He is reminding them that the God they serve is not only for the Jews, but He is the God of all people. There is no other God beside Him, all other gods are just idols, none can be compared to him, and when he decide to judge man, he shows no favoritism.

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. [10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2Cor. 5:9-10.

3:31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

Salvation in Christ does not mean that the law has no value, in fact, justification by faith upholds the law according to its right purpose and function. By reconciling to God the believer now has the capability of honoring and obeying God’s moral law. (Romans 8:2-4)

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Chapter 4

4:1-3. What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? [2] If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about---but not before God. [3] What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Salvation is being obtain through faith in Christ, and not by works, such as keeping the law. Paul by passes Moses and turn to Abraham as a true example of faith. Abraham believing God was credited to him as righteousness.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.

Paul made it clear to those of us who believe our works can allow us to earn salvation, because someone has taught that to us, or perhaps some denomination teach if one is not involved in some kind of religious activity, they will not earn salvation.

The young fellow who questioned Jesus about obtaining eternal life was told to keep the law. He responded in the positive. However, he realized there had to something more than just keeping the law. When Jesus told him what he needed to do, he was disappointed.

Jesus also gave an example of the fellow who went to pray at the temple, who boast about his own self righteousness, but God refuse to pay attention to him.

The Flesh: This has reference to the sign in Abraham's flesh, his circumcision; on which the Jews would found their rights to certain blessings. whereas they hold their prerogative above the rest of mankind from Abraham, who they recognized as their father; and they have a right to the blessings of God's kingdom, in virtue of the promise God made to him.

The Jews concluded that Abraham was justified by works, or by his obedience to this law of circumcision; and, consequently, he has a reason for boasting, to exult in something which he has done to entitle him to these blessings.

On earth, perhaps Abraham could boast, but the Apostle reminded them, he is not able to boast before God. Abraham might boast in being called from heathenish nation of darkness and brought into marvelous light, and to enjoy the blessings which God had granted to him; yet his boasting was not before God as a reason why those privileges should be granted.

Abraham belief in God allowed him the privilege of being considered or counted as righteousness.

Jesus was once asked by some of his followers,,“What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:28-29.

The writer to the Hebrews said Hebrews “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”. Hebrews 11:6.

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Belief in God:- means to believe in God is to possess confidence in Him. To believe in God includes an acknowledgement of His existence, of course, but true belief in God is more than that. Theism is a great place to start, but it’s not the goal of the journey.

4:4-5. Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. [5] However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. if Abraham had been justified by works, the blessings he received would have been given to him as an obligation for his works, and consequently his believing would have had no part in his justification, and his faith would have been useless.

When Abraham was called, he was a heathen, he was not a believer. His belief in God is what allowed him to be justify before God. Because all men are considered sinners, none can be justified by their works;

The plan and rule according to which God purposes to save men, and as his condition is ungodly, therefore, the mode of his justification is by faith in the goodness and mercy of God; and this is precisely the condition of Jews and Gentiles at present.

4:6-8. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: [7] “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

The Psalmist explain this best in Psalm 32:1-2. This provides us with the true notion of the way of Justification; by faith and not on the merit of works.

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven - That is, the man is truly happy whose iniquities (whose transgressions of the law are forgiven); for by these he was exposed to the most grievous punishment.

Whose sins, (his innumerable deviations from the strict rule of truth and righteousness), are covered - entirely removed out of sight, and thrown into oblivion.

He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. Psalm 103:10.

That man is truly happy who God does not hold his sin against him; they are happy because they are redeemed from the curse of the law and the consequence of their ungodly life, by having their sins freely forgiven, through the mercy of God. (Gal.3:13)

4:9. Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness.

If this pardon, granted in this way, be essential to happiness as David claims, then is it the privilege of the Jews exclusively? His argument was that this cannot be, it is by the mercy of God, through faith. Therefore, those who have been circumcised cannot even claim it.

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If God only offered it to the circumcision, it would not be because of their obedience, for they also have sinned, but because of his mercies, then this blessedness is being offered to the Gentiles who believe in the Lord Jesus. For Abraham this blessedness came before he was circumcised not after.

4:11-12. And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. [12] And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Abraham obedience to the law of circumcision was the reason of his justification, that he not only received this justification before he was circumcised, but he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the pardon which he had before actually received.

The covenant being made with Abraham while he was a Gentile, therefore, he became the representative of the Gentiles, and the Gentiles primarily were included in that covenant, and the Jews were brought in only consequentially; but salvation, implying justification by faith, originally belonged to the Gentiles; and, when the Gospel came, they laid hold on this as their original right, having been granted to them by the free mercy of God in their father and representative, Abraham. So that the Jews, to be saved, must come under that Abrahamic covenant, in which the Gentiles are included. (Adam Clarke Notes)

4:13-15. It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. [14] For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, [15] because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world - This promise intimated that he should be the medium through whom the mercy of God should be communicated to the world, to both Jews and Gentiles; and the manner in which he was justified, be the rule and manner according to which all men should expect this blessing. Abraham is here represented as having all the world given to him as his inheritance; because in him all nations of the earth are blessed: this must therefore relate to their being all interested in the Abrahamic covenant; and every person, now that the covenant is fully explained, has the privilege of claiming justification through faith, by the blood of the Lamb, in virtue of this original grant. [Adam Clarke Comm.]

This promise intimated that Abraham should be the conduit through whom the mercy of God should be communicated to the world, both to the Jews and Gentiles; and the manner in which he was justified, be the rule and manner according to which all men should expect this blessing.

The entire world given to him as his inheritance; because in him all nations of the earth are blessed. This must therefore relate to all who are interested in the Abrahamic covenant; and now that the covenant is fully explained, has the privilege of claiming justification through faith, by the blood of the Lamb, by virtue of this original grant.

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If the Jews were the only ones to become heirs of the promise made to Abraham, and that on the ground of prior obedience to the law, then faith is made void - is entirely useless; and the promise, which was made to faith, is made of none effect.

No law makes provision for the exercise of mercy, for it brings wrath, it brings punishment, for the disobedient. The law necessarily subjects the transgressor to punishment; for where no law is (where no rule of duty is enacted and acknowledged), there is no transgression; and where there is no transgression there can be no punishment, for there is no law to enforce it.

4:16-17 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring---not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. [17] As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed---the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

The promise is based upon God’s mercy, not on obedience to a law, but on the infinite goodness of God: and therefore the promise is sure to all, both Jews and Gentiles alike, who upon believing in Christ Jesus, have the right to all the blessings contained in the Abrahamic covenant.

If the promise to Abraham and his seed be of faith on their part, then it is of grace on the part of God. And it is of faith, that it might be by grace: grace, being the mere good will of God, is free and open to all whom he chooses to make the objects of it: “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. [5] No longer will you be called Abram ; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. [6] I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. Genesis17:4-6.

The word of God is the most solid foundation one can trust and depend on; for him being the almighty, eternal, and unchangeable, he can even raise the dead to life, and call those things which be not as though they were. Because he is the Creator, he can gave life when there is no hope. Ps 119:89; Isa. 55:10-11; Matt.24:35; Heb. 2:1-4.

The Almighty God questioned the prophet Ezekiel; “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know. ” [4] Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! [5] This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. [6] I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord. ' ” [7] So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. [8] I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. [9] Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.' ” [10] So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet---a vast army. Ezekiel 37:3-10.

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4:18-19 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead---since he was about a hundred years old---and that Sarah's womb was also dead.

Hope: -( elpis — el-pece) favorable and confident expectation" It has to do with the unseen and the future, Romans 8:24,2

Faith means ·being sure [the assurance; or the tangible reality; or the sure foundation] of the things we hope for and ·knowing that something is real even if we do not see it [the conviction/assurance/evidence about things not seen]. Heb.11:1. (Exp.Bible Trans)

The faith of Abraham demonstrated the power and never-failing faithfulness of God; for though, in the ordinary course of things, he had not the best foundation of hope, yet he believed that he could be the father of many nations, according to the promise God made to him, that his posterity should be like the stars of heaven, and like the dust of the earth.

God cannot lie; if Abraham can believe. It is true that, according to the course of nature, he and Sarah are so old that they cannot have children; but God is almighty, and can do whatsoever he will, and will fulfill his promise.

The writer to the Hebrews said “Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. [18] God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. Hebrews 6:17-18.

This was certainly a wonderful degree of faith; as the promise stated that it was in his posterity (Future Generations) that all the nations of the earth were to be blessed; that he had, as yet, no child by Sarah; that he was 100 years old; that Sarah was 90; and that, added to the utter improbability of her bearing at that age, she had ever been barren before.

4:20-21. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, [21] being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

The heart of Abraham was full of confidence, that the truth of God bound him to fulfill his promise and his power enabled him to do it.

So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, [9] where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. [10] That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.' [11] So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.' ” [12] See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. [13] But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:7-13.

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4:22-25. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” [23] The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, [24] but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness---for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. [25] He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Abraham's faith in the promise of the coming Savior, was reckoned to him for justification: for it is not said that any righteousness, either his own, or that of another, was imputed or reckoned to him for justification; but his faith in God.

His faith was fully persuaded of the intentions of God's goodness; and this, which, in effect, laid hold on Jesus Christ, was the means of his justification; being reckoned unto him in the place of personal righteousness, because it laid hold on the merit of Him who died to make an atonement for our offenses, and rose again for our justification.

One commentator comment That he was delivered for our offenses, and raised again that he might see to the application of his sufferings to our justification, and that he might plead them for our justifying.” Jesus is before the throne of God pleading for us, no doubt on the grounds of his death and resurrection. “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Edwards Comm.)

Jesus was delivered up to death as a sacrifice for our sins; for in what other way, or for what other purpose could He, who is innocence itself, be delivered for our offenses? And was raised again for our justification - He was raised that we might have the fullest assurance that the death of Christ had accomplished the end for which it took place and brought our reconciliation to God, and gave us the title to that eternal life, into which he has entered, and taken with him our human nature, as the first- fruits of the resurrection of mankind.

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Chapter 5

Introduction In the former chapter, the apostle, having proved that the believing Gentiles are justified in the same way with Abraham, and are, in fact, his seed, included with him in the promise and covenant;

As the Jews built all their glorying upon the Abrahamic covenant, to produce some of the chief privileges and blessings in which the Christian Gentile can glory, in consequence of his justification by faith. And he produces three particulars which, above all others, were adapted to this purpose.

1. The hope of eternal life, in which the law, wherein the Jew gloried was defective. 5:2 2. The persecutions and sufferings to which Christians were exposed, Romans 5:3-4 3. The Jews were greatly prejudiced against the Christian profession: but he shows that these had a happy tendency to establish the heart in the hope of the Gospel.

5:1-2. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

Justified:- [dikaioo] to deem to be right," "to show to be right or righteous;"

Grace:- The bestower, the friendly disposition from which the kindly act proceeds, graciousness, loving- kindness, goodwill generally, e.g., Acts 7:10; especially with reference to the Divine favor or "grace," e.g., Acts 14:26;, as in the case of God's redemptive mercy, and the pleasure or joy He designs for the recipient;

The receiver, a sense of the favor bestowed, a feeling of gratitude, e.g., Romans 6:17 ("thanks"); in this respect it sometimes signifies "to be thankful," e.g., Luke 17:9 ("doth he thank the servant?" lit., "hath he thanks to"); 1 Timothy 1:12;

The power and equipment for ministry, e.g., Romans 1:5; 12:6; 15:15; 1 Corinthians 3:10; Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 3:2,7 .

Benefits; 5:1-3 We have been justified. We have peace with God We have gained access into this grace We boast in the hope of the glory of God We glory in our sufferings

Paul made it clear that our justification is by faith, and that the Gentiles have an equal title with the Jews to this gift of salvation. He now proceeds to show the effects produced in the hearts of the believing Gentiles. As being justified – we have all our sins pardoned by faith, because all men are sinners, no one have any works of righteousness that they can plead with.

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Justification allows us to have equal benefits as the Jews, not only do we have peace with God, but also additional benefits, such as Grace; Hope; assurance; sufferings; experience the love of God; the Holy Spirit; Salvation from the wrath of God; reconciliation to God; Joy in God. (1:1-11)

As sinners, we were in a state of enmity with God, which was sufficiently proved by our rebellion against his supreme authority, and our transgression against his laws; but now, being reconciled, we have peace with God.

We received justification because of Gods love, not because of works. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [14] For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, Ephesians 2:12-14 NIV

5:3-5 Not only so, but we also glory (high renown;magnificence or great beauty) in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Suffering:- (pathema) Afflictions. thlibo — thlee'-bo ) "to suffer affliction, to be troubled," has reference to sufferings due to the pressure of circumstances, or the antagonism of persons, 1 Thessalonians 3:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:6,7; "straitened," in Matthew 7:14 (RV); "throng," Mark 3:9; "afflicted," 2 Corinthians 1:6; 7:5 (RV); 1 Timothy 5:10; Hebrews 11:37; "pressed," 2 Corinthians 4:8 . Both the verb and the noun (see B, No. 4), when used of the present experience of believers, refer almost invariably to that which comes upon them from without. See NARROW , PRESS , STRAITENED , THRONG , TRIBULATION , TROUBLE.

Perseverance:- Persistency in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success; the quality of continuing to try to achieve a particular aim in spite of difficulties. (Ox. Duct) they showed great perseverance in the face of difficulty.

Character:- The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. / all the qualities and features that makes a person, or groups of people and places different from others. / strong personal qualities such as the ability to deal with difficult or dangerous situations. (Ox. Dict)

Hope:- (Elpis) "favorable and confident expectation". It has to do with the unseen and the future, Romans 8:24,25 . "Hope" describes (a) the happy anticipation of good (the most frequent significance), e.g., Titus 1:2; 1 Peter 1:21; (b) the ground upon which "hope" is based, Acts 16:19; Colossians 1:27 , "Christ in you the hope of glory;" (c) the object upon which the "hope" is fixed, e.g., 1 Timothy 1:1 .

I once heard the statement, Charisma without character always leads to chaos. God wants to get the impurities out of our lives. These impurities will hinder us from becoming mature.

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James said we face trials of various kinds.James said we face trials of various kinds. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, [3] because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. [4] Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4.

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. [7] These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith---of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire---may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1Peter 1:6-7

This tells us in order for us to have the kind of HOPE the apostle is speaking about, we must be willing to face the trials that life brings our way. The psalmist declares that although the righteous man may have many trials, the Lord delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1Cor.10:13

The trials are called “the test of faith”. Faith has to be tested, if it is not tested, how shall we know we have living faith. James said “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. [18] But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. James 2: 17-18.

Character is what produces HOPE. This is the reason why some commit Suicide, because they loose hope. When hope is gone, people are likely to do some unbelievable things. They are searching for something they can hold on to, and everything they tried, they find it does not bring the satisfaction they expected.

The psalmist declared for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:9

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)--- [12] remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:11-13.

5:6-8. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Sinners:- hamartolos — ham-ar-to-los' ) "one who misses the mark" it is the most usual term to describe the fallen condition of men; it is applicable to all men, Romans 5:8,19 . In the Synoptic Gospels the word is used not infrequently, by the Pharisees, of publicans (tax collectors) and women of ill repute, e.g., "a woman which was in the city, a sinner," Luke 7:37; "a man that is a sinner," Luke 19:7 . In Galatians 2:15 , in the clause "not sinners of the Gentiles," the Apostle is taking the Judaizers on their own ground, ironically reminding them of their

23 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper claim to moral superiority over Gentiles; he proceeds to show that the Jews are equally sinners with Gentiles.

What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. [2] The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. [3] So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. [4] But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. [6] Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba , Father.” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Gal.4:1-7

God do not see time as we mortals understand time, because God is omniscient, for he knows all things, Past, present, and future, and he functions only in eternity. One day with God is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. 2Peter 3:8-9.

Chicago Mass Choir

You can't hurry God (No no), You Just have to wait Trust and give Him time, No matter how long it takes

He's a God you can't hurry, You don't have to worry He may not come when you want Him, But He's right on time Right on time

You can't hurry God (No no), You Just have to wait Trust and give Him time, No matter how long it takes

Job was sick so long, Until the flesh fell from his bones His wife, cattle and children, Everything he had was gone He said you put these afflictions upon me, Why don't you come on and see about me

He may not come when you want Him, Be He's right on time Right on time

God has a set time by which he functions, and it does not matter how hard we may pray, he only moves at that time. He knows if he should move before, we may be in trouble, therefore, he put certain laws in place to help men realize that He is still the omnipotent God.

This is also seen when Jesus got word that Lazarus his friend was ill. When he heard this,Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.” [5] Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. [6] So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, [7] and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” [15] and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” John 11:4-7.

God saw generations after generation of those he loved leaving this world with no chance of experiencing eternal life with him, he decided it was time to take action. God said “I looked for someone

24 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. [31] So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord. ” Ezekiel. 22:30-31.

God found you, he found me, and he asked the question, who shall I send, and we answered the call, here I am send me. This was not because we were better than any member of our family, or because we were considered righteous in God sight, but because of his mercy, he saved us.

God wanted to show us the width, the length, the hight, and dept of his love for us, he also knew it was impossible for us to save ourselves, The apostle prayer for the saints in Ephesus. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death---even death on a cross! Phil.2:5-8.

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death---that is, the devil--- [15] and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Hebrews 2:14-15.

5:9-11. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! [10] For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! [11] Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

The blood of Jesus was required for our justification, nothing else would be acceptable by God for justification to be made possible.

But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. [12] He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. [13] The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. Hebrews 9:11-13.

Those animals that died, their blood was only used as a covering for the sins of man, but the sin remained. It is the reason why every year, those sacrifices had to be made, because it was impossible for the blood of these animals to really cleanse us.

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The old hymn said Jesus Paid it all. Jesus paid it all, All to him I owe Sin has left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow He washed it white as snow

I hear the savior say, Thy strength indeed is small Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in me thine all in all

For nothing good have I whereby thy grace to claim I'll wash my garments white in the blood, Of calvary's humble lamb

We shall be saved by his life - For, as he died for our sins, so he rose again for our justification; and his resurrection to life, is the grand proof that he has accomplished whatever he had purposed in reference to the salvation of man.

This may be also understood of his life of intercession: for it is written. He ever Liveth to make Intercession for us, Hebrews 7:25. Through this life of intercession at the right hand of God we are spared and blessed.

And it will not be amiss to consider that, as our salvation implies the renovation of our nature, and our being restored to the image of God: we shall be saved In his life; it is pretty generally agreed, that the life of God in the soul of man is essential to salvation.

5:12-14 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned--- [13] To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone's account where there is no law. [14] Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

The apostle has just re-emphasized how sin entered into this world. Because of man’s disobedience to God’s command, sin was born. Today man continue to feed the sin nature making it stronger and stronger, making it more difficult for man to turn to God for forgiveness.

Sin gained access into the human race by Adam’s sin, thereby causing our natural sinful behavior to permeate the world, which result in all humans to be born into a lifestyle with strong impulse toward sin. Although Adam’s disobedience resulted in sin entering the world, every one is still responsible for repenting for their own sin in order to receive salvation.

The apostle James said “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; [14] but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. [15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:13-15.

As long as sin exist, death must follow, both natural and spiritual. Adam sin brought condemnation on all man, simply because we all came from Adam. The psalmist declared “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me”. Psalm 51:5. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is

26 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Romans 6:23. The verdict has already been set, and therefore, we are all guilty and are sentence to death, because of one man’s sin.

As death reigned from Adam to Moses, so also did sin. Now, as there was no written law from Adam to that given to Moses, the death that prevailed could not be the breach of that law; for sin, so as to be punished with temporal death, is not imputed where there is no law, which shows the penalty of sin to be death. Therefore, men are not subjected to death for their own personal transgressions, but for the sin of Adam; as, through his transgression, all come into the world with the seeds of death and corruption in their own nature,

Death reigned over mankind during the period between Adam and Moses; therefore men did not die for their own transgressions, but in consequence of Adam's one transgression.

Through Adam, sin became diffused through the world, so that all people comes into this world with sinful propensities: for by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men.

Through Christ, righteousness becomes diffused through the earth; so that every man is made partaker of a principle of grace and truth; for he is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John 1:9.

5:15-17 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. [17] For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

For if, through the offense of one, many be dead - the many that the apostle is speaking of means all mankind needs no proof to any but that person who finds himself qualified to deny that all men are mortal. And if the many, that is, all mankind, have died through the offense of one; certainly, the gift by grace, which the many, by Christ Jesus, must have reference to every human being.

Christ died for every man; salvation is free for all; saving grace is tendered to every soul; and a measure of the Divine light is actually communicated to every heart, John 1:9. And, as the grace is offered, so it may be received; and hence the apostle says, Romans 5:17; :

They which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by Christ Jesus: and by receiving is undoubtedly meant not only the act of receiving, but retaining and improving the grace which they receive; and, as all may receive, so All may improve and retain the grace they do receive; and, consequently, All may be eternally saved. But of multitudes Christ still may say, They Will not come unto me, that they might have life.

5:18-19 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. [19] For just as through the disobedience of the one man

27 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

As by one sin all men came into condemnation; so also by one righteous act all men came unto justification of life: Through the disobedience of Adam, a sentence of condemnation to death, without any promise or hope of a resurrection, passed upon all men; so, by the obedience of Christ unto death, this one grand righteous act, the sentence was so far reversed, that death shall not finally triumph, for all shall again be restored to life.

5:20-21. The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, [21] so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Whether in the world, or in the heart of the individual, being discovered by this most pure and righteous law, grace did much more abound: not only pardon for all that is past is offered by the Gospel, so that all the transgressions for which the soul is condemned to death by the law, are freely and fully forgiven; but also the Holy Spirit, in the abundance of his gifts and graces, is communicated, so as to prepare the receiver for an exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Thus the grace of the Gospel not only redeems from death, and restores to life, but brings the soul into such a relationship with God, and into such a participation of eternal glory, as we have no authority to believe ever would have been the portion even of Adam himself, had he even eternally retained his innocence. Thus, where sin abounded, grace doth much more abound.

We must remember our salvation comes as a gift of God’s grace, and not by our works, and it can only be access through faith.

Faith in Jesus Christ is the only condition God requires for one to receive this gift of salvation. Faith is not only a profession about Christ, but also an activity that comes form the heart of the person who seek to follow Christ. (Romans 10:9-10)

If you ·declare [confess] with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. 10 [For] We believe with our hearts, and so we ·are made right with God [are justified; receive. (Exp. Version)

Faith means ·being sure [the assurance; or the tangible reality; or the sure foundation] of the things we hope for and ·knowing that something is real even if we do not see it [the conviction/assurance/evidence about things not seen]. (Exp. Version)

Faith involves true Repentance Faith includes Obedience Faith includes hearth felt devotion and attachment to Christ Jesus that expresses itself in trust, love, gratitude, and loyalty.

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Chapter 6

6:1-4. What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? [2] By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? [3] Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

These were the words and thoughts of a many Gentile believers, who - having as yet received but little instruction on the believers’ way of life, for many had just experienced salvation and was brought out of his heathenistic lifestyle to believe in Christ Jesus, from the manner in which God had magnified his mercy, in blotting out his sin on his simply believing on Christ, that, supposing he even gave way to the evil propensities of his own heart, his transgressions could do him no hurt now that he was in the favor of God, and we need not wonder that a Gentile, just emerging from the deepest darkness, might entertain such thoughts as these;

It is believed among some that because our sins are already being paid for, we can go on living in the old way in which we once lived, because grace will always be available for us. We must understand that apostle is not speaking about those of us that may fall into some sin.

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 john 2:1-2

Advocate / Comforter:- called to one's side," i.e., to one's aid is primarily a verbal adjective, and suggests the capability or adaptability for giving aid. It was used in a court of justice to denote a legal assistant, counsel for the defense, an advocate; then, generally, one who pleads another's cause, an intercessor, advocate, as in 1 John 2:1 , it signifies a "succorer, comforter." Christ was this to His disciples, by the implication of His word "another (allos, "another of the same sort," not heteros, "different") Comforter," when speaking of the Holy Spirit, John 14:16 . In John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7 He calls Him "the Comforter." "Comforter" or "Consoler".

He is referring to those who continue to live in their sinful lifestyle. Those who believe that because their sin are already being atoned for, they are free to live as they want, but the scripture teaches, As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:1-4.

GRACE:- [Charis] (on the part of the bestower) the friendly disposition from which the kindly act proceeds, graciousness, loving-kindness, goodwill generally. (on the part of the receiver) A sense of favor being bestowed, a feeling of gratitude. To be thankful.

Water baptism is symbolic of what Jesus did for us, that when we received water baptism, we are identifying ourselves with Jesus death, his burial and his resurrection. Therefore, we must recognize that

29 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper we are no longer slaves to sin, and that sin has no dominion over us. Although, the conflict wages between the flesh and the spirit, we can choose to live victorious. (Gal. 5:17)

6:5-7 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Just as the celebration of the Lord’s supper help us remember what our Lord did for us, water baptism serves as a reminder to us that we are now united with Christ, therefore we should live like him.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1John 4:16-18.

We must realize that just as when one dies, they are free from then cares of this world, so are we free from the very influence of sin. The enemy may tempt us by using our past weaknesses to entice us, but greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; [14] but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. [15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full- grown, gives birth to death. James 1:13-15.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1Cor. 10:13

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1John 4:4.

6:8-10 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

Believe:- [Pisteuo] to place confidence in; to trust; reliance upon, not mere credence.

Know:- [Ginosko] to be taking in knowledge; to understand completely;

These two words are very key to understand what the apostle is talking about. To believe is not just head knowledge, it is the kind that affect our lifestyle, the very way we conduct our affairs. The scripture said if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. (2Cor:5:17) the very knowledge of what Christ did for us will affect every area of our lives.

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6:11-14 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Count yourselves: - to consider yourselves.

Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.” “Stephen Covey” “7 Habits of highly effective people”

Paul made it clear, that although we continue to struggle with temptation and sin: “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it” Romans 7:19-20.

We need to consider ourselves to be dead to sin, which means we no longer are being controlled by our sinful nature. The scripture teaches that “though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.” Before Christ, we are “slaves” to sin. Now we have a new Master. Sin continues to exist, but we are no longer dominated by it.

Forgetfulness seem to become a part of our lifestyle, and our enemy take advantage of this weakness in us, therefore, we must be intentional about committing to memory those things that are priority, such as recognizing who we are in Christ. Once we forget who we are, which is our identity, then we are subject to become victims of the sinful nature.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1John 1:7. The apostle is giving us the secret of how to stay free from becoming a victims of the sinful nature, and it is by becoming accountable.

We must remind ourselves, “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will”. Romans 12:1-2.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies. 1 Cor.6:19-20.

Honor:- [teemay] a valuing; a price paid of received; the preciousness of Christ unto believers. 1Peter 2:7. The price that was paid for our freedom was so expensive, that it cost God everything. No one else could have paid that price. To purchase man back from the Devil, was only possible by God himself.

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Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[k] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:14-18.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.

Because of the high price that was paid for our freedom, we are commanded to surrender every part of our bodies to God, and resist the temptation of allowing sin to become our master as it once was.

6:15-18 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Out of ignorance, some have allowed themselves to become slaves to sin, and many times, this slave master, will drive them to behave worse than before, as the scripture said “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” Matthew 12:43-45.

The scripture said “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings”. 1Peter 5:8-9.

6:19-23. I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[b] Christ Jesus our Lord.

The apostle wanted to be sure they understood what he wanted them to learn about the dangers of yielding to sin. Due to our human limitations, he had to used an example they could understand. Jesus did the same to help us understand kingdom principles. He would used terms such as “the kingdom of heaven is like”. He wanted us to have an understanding of how the subjects of the kingdom should live.

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He has showing them the contrast between living as slaves to sin that leads to death, whereas, being slaves of God leads to holiness and results in having life eternal.

Many of us still have memories of the pain and suffering that being a slave to sin brought us. Some have scars to show that being a slave to sin is very expensive, some have mortgage their future because of sin.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. Eph. 2:1-3.

For the wages of sin - The word translated here “wages” denotes what is purchased to be eaten with bread, as fish, flesh, vegetables, and thence, it means the pay of the Roman soldier, because formerly it was the custom to pay the soldier in these things. It means hence, what a man earns or deserves; what is his proper pay, or what he merits. As applied to sin, it means that death is what sin deserves; what will be its proper reward. Death is thus called the wages of sin.

The wages of sin, because, like the pay of the soldier, it is just what was threatened, Ezekiel 18:4, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” God will not inflict anything more than was threatened, and therefore it is just.

Is death - This stands opposed here to eternal life, and proves that one is just as enduring as the other.

The gift of God - Not the wages of man; not what is due to him; but the mere gift and mercy of God. The apostle is careful to distinguish, and to specify that this is not what man deserves, but what is gratuitously conferred on him.

Eternal life - The same words which in Romans 6:22 are rendered “everlasting life.” The phrase is opposed to death; and proves incontestably that that means eternal death.

33 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper

Chapter 7

7:1-3. Do you not know, brothers and sisters---for I am speaking to those who know the law---that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? [2] For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. [3] So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.

There were some who profess they were teachers of the law, but the apostle address them earlier in another chapter. Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. Romans 3:19-20.

They believed that by keeping the law, they can become right in God’s sight. So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? Gal.3:5.

There are those who still believe in keeping the law with the hopes, God will justify them by their works. They refuse to believe one can only be justify by faith and not by works. The scripture said “But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. [15] Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. [16] But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. [17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever- increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2Cor.3:14-18.

Paul was intentional about them getting them to understand what he was communicating, so he used an example of from their daily lifestyle . He said the law of marriage will hold a person in bondage as long as they are alive, that law never brought about freedom for the person, he had to use an example of a marriage for them to understand how the law works.

The law was given in connection with the covenant that God made with his people, and it set forth the covenant stipulations they were expected to obey in loyalty to the God to whom they belonged.Exo.24:1-8. The law also revealed God’s will for his people’s behavior. Exo.19:4-6.

The connection between the law and us has been dissolved. He does not say that we are dead to it, or released from it as a rule of duty, or as a matter of obligation to obey it; for there neither is, nor can be, any such release, but we are dead to it as a way of justification and sanctification. In the great matter of acceptance with God, we have ceased to rely on the Law, having become dead to it, and having embraced another plan.

By the body of Christ - That is, by his body crucified; or in other words, by his death; compare Ephesians 2:15, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity,” etc. that is, by his death. Colossians 1:22, “in the body of his flesh through death,” etc. Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24, “who bare our sins in his own body on the tree.” The sense, is, therefore, that by the death of Christ as an atoning sacrifice; by his suffering for us

34 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper what would be sufficient to meet the demands of the Law; by his taking our place, he has released us from the Law as a way of justification; freed us from its penalty; and saved us from its curse. Being released, we are at liberty to be united to the law of him who has bought us with his blood.

Should be married to another - That if you are united to another, then you’ve come under his law. As a woman that is freed from the law of her husband by his death, when married again comes under the authority of another, so we who are made free from the Law and its curse by the death of Christ, are brought under the new law of fidelity and obedience to him with whom we are now united.

The law is powerless to bring salvation to anyone, not even the one who keeps the law, or even the person who is born again.(7;23-25). Sinners are condemned by the law; the law keeper is unable live up to it; the person with the new nature finds their obedience sabotaged by the effects of the old nature. The apostle is assuring them that salvation cannot be found by obeying the law, only Jesus can really free mankind.

7:4-6. So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. [5] For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. [6] But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

The law he was referring to is the “law of marriage”. A person who is married, is bound by the law of marriage which says while a person is married, they cannot go and get marry to another, to do so is a violation of the law of marriage.

Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” [4] “Haven't you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' [5] and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ? [6] So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” [7] “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” [8] Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. [9] I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” [10] The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” Matthew 19:3-10.

Those who violate this law is called an adulterer or adulteress, and according to the law of marriage, this person is likely to be punish by the court of law. The punishment is capital punishment. (Lev.20:10; Deut.22:22.

The law of marriage brings a sense of security and stability to the marriage, and it prevents one spouse from abusing another, thereby causing the children to grow up in an unstable environment.

We no longer look toward the OT law for salvation ands acceptance from God. [Gal.3:23-25; 4:4-5]

For, when we were in the flesh - When we were without the Gospel, in our carnal and unregenerated state, though believing in the law of Moses, and performing the rites and offices of our religion.

35 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper

The motions of sins, which were by the law - The passions of sins, the evil propensities to sins; to every particular sin there is a propensity: one propensity does not excite to all kinds of sinful acts; the Passions or propensities of Sins; sins being not more various than their propensities in the unregenerate heart, which excite to them. These propensities, constitute the fallen nature; they are the disease of the heart, the pollution and corruption of the soul.

Because the law requires obedience, therefore propensity to sin causes us to transgress. The law is equally against the very evil passions and actions, and both exert themselves against it. So, these motions which were by the law, became roused into the most powerful activity by the prohibitions of the law. They were comparatively dormant till the law said, thou shalt Not do this, thou shalt Do that; then the rebellious principle in the evil propensity became roused, and acts of transgression and omissions of duty were the immediate consequences.

His use of this analogy brought an understanding to his audience of what he shared concerning this new commitment to another master. Once they were under the slave master of sin, its works is what they had to do, just like many of us, we all can testify of how brutal this slave master was to us.

We were slaves and thought we were free, simply because most of our society are control by this slave master, and they don’t know they are slaves. While serving this master, they were not free to unite to another, but just like when one spouse dies, the other spouse is free to unite to another.

Christ death was the price paid to free all mankind from this slave master. He was the only one who was qualified to free us, because all of us were his slaves, until Jesus, who was not born from a man, paid the ultimate price.

The last verse of the old hymn said, “So men today have found the Savior able, They could not conquer passion, lust and sin; Their broken hearts had left them sad and lonely, Then Jesus came and dwelt, Himself, within. When Jesus comes, the tempter's power is broken; When Jesus comes, the tears are wiped away, He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory, For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.

Water baptism is what identify us with Jesus death and burial. This is what enabled us to break free from the slave master of sin. We must remember when Christ died, we died with him and was buried with him, and when he raise from the dead, we also rose with him, and today we are seated with him in heavenly places.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions---it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7.

36 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper

He now encourages believers to recognized they are dead to the old way of life, and because every they now belong to the new way, he encouraged them to serve in the new way.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24.

Not in the old way of the written code- The rites, ceremonies, and sacrifices are now done away; and the newness of the spirit, the true intent and meaning of all are now fully disclosed; so that we are removed from an imperfect state into a state of perfection and excellence. Mankind sought justification and sanctification, pardon and holiness, by the law, but the law could not give provide man with them:

7:7-8. What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” [8] But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.

The Jews would ask, “Are we then to suppose that the holy Law of God is not only insufficient to sanctify us, but that it is the mere occasion of increased sin? Is its tendency to produce sinful passions, and to make people worse than they were before?” The apostle replies with great wisdom, by showing that the evil was not in the Law, but in man; that though these effects often followed, yet that the Law itself was good and pure.

His argument is “the Law is sin? Or do I affirm that the law is evil. He strongly repel the charge; He still maintain that the law had an effect in exciting sins, and so he perceived that the Law itself was good;” Romans 7:8-12. At the same time, therefore, the Law must be admitted to be the occasion of exciting sinful behavior, by crossing the inclinations of the mind, yet the fault was not to be traced to the Law, but to the sinful nature of the man.

7:8-12. But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. [9] Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. [10] I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. [11] For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. [12] So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. There is a personification in the text: sin is, represented here as a murderer, watching for life, and snatching at every means and embracing every opportunity to carry out its purpose into full effect. The sinner has a murderer, sin, within him; this murderer purpose is to destroy life in every circumstances; the law is what condemns the object of his cruelty to death, he takes occasion from this to work in the soul all manner of evil and irregular desires and appetites of every kind, and thereby increasing the evil, and exposes the soul to more condemnation; and so it is represented as being slain, Romans 7:11.

7:13.

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Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. it is not the law that is the cause of your death, but sin; it was sin which subjected us to death by the law, justly threatening sin with death: which law was given that sin might appear - might be set forth in its own; when we saw it subjected us to death by a law perfectly holy, just, and good; that sin, by the law, might be clearly seen for what it really is: an Exceeding Great and deadly evil. The law, therefore, is the grand instrument in the hands of a shepherd, to alarm and awaken sinners; and he may safely show that every sinner is under the law, and consequently under the curse, who has not fled for refuge to the hope held out by the Gospel: for, in this sense also, Jesus Christ is the End of the Law for justification to them that believe. [Clarke Comm.]

7:14-20 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do---this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

Under the influence of sinful propensities, carnal inclinations and desires. This represents the strong desire to sin; and even the power of corrupt propensity under the restraining influence of the gospel.

That the prevailing desire; the habitual fixed inclination of the mind of the believer, is to do what is right. The evil course is hated, the right course is loved. This is what distinguishes a holy person from the unholy.

The evil which is being done is disapproved; it is a source of grief; and the habitual desire of the mind is to avoid it, and to be pure.

The inclination and desire of the heart and mind of the believer is to serve God. They have a fixed abhorrence of sin; and yet they are conscious of imperfection, and error, and sin, that is the source of uneasiness and trouble.

The strength of natural passion may in an unguarded moment overcome them. The power of long habits of previous thoughts may annoy them. An unbeliever, before his conversion, mind was filled with skepticism, and cavils, and blasphemy, will find the effect of his former habits of thinking lingering in his mind, and tormenting his peace for many years.

These thoughts will come with the speed of lightning. It comes with every kind of vice and every evil imagination. It is one of the effects of the sinful nature. “The very passage of an impure thought through the mind leaves pollution behind it,” and where sin has been long indulged, it leaves it with a desolating effect on the soul long after conversion, and produces that state of conflict with which every believer is quite is familiar with.

38 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:16-17.

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person---such a person is an idolater---has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. Ephesians 5:3-7.

7:21-25. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

He states that he was in such a condition, that when his will and reason are strongly bent on being obedient to the law of God, and in opposition to the very principle of sin, evil is present with me, meaning evil is always present, it is constantly before him, as the will to do good is constantly at hand, Romans 7:18, so the principle of rebellion entices me to sin, is equally present;

The word “law” here is used in a large sense, to denote all the communications which God had made to control man. The sense is, that the apostle was pleased with the whole law. He is seen here giving God thanks to God for effecting a deliverance to which he himself was incompetent. What conscience could not do, what the Law could not do, what human strength was unable to do, has been accomplished by the power of the gospel.

With the mind - With the understanding, the conscience, the purposes, or intentions of the soul. This is a characteristic of the renewed nature.

We see that the power of the gospel is what can overcome sin. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Ps.119:11

We should be forever grateful and thankful, that what could not be accomplished by the Law, can now be effected by the power of the gospel; and that God has devised a plan that gives complete deliverance, and gives us everlasting triumph.

39 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper

Chapter 8

8:1-2. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, [2] because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

The law only has the power to condemn us. There is no mercy when it comes to the law. James said it best. judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13.

Paul contrast two laws: 1. The law of the Spirit of life refers to the regulating and activating power of the Holy Spirit operating in the life of the believer.

Jesus said “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged” (John 16:7-10) NKJV

Believers now have another power operating in them, this power allows them to live victorious and overcome the power of sin or the sinful nature.

2. The law of sin and death refers to that which controls the power of sin, which holds people in bondage of sin, although they may want to get free, they are unable without additional help.

It is what the apostle describe in the earlier chapter. “I do not understand myself. I want to do what is right but I do not do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. 16 When I do the thing I do not want to do, it shows me that the Law is right and good. 17 So I am not doing it. Sin living in me is doing it. 18 I know there is nothing good in me, that is, in my flesh. For I want to do good but I do not. 19 I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I am always doing the sinful things I do not want to do. 20 If I am always doing the very thing I do not want to do, it means I am no longer the one who does it. It is sin that lives in me. 21 This has become my way of life: When I want to do what is right, I always do what is wrong”. (Romans 7:15-21) NLT

For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. [6] But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. Romans 7:5-6

The Law itself is not sinful as the apostle mentioned (Romans 7:7). However, the Law defined sin and stirred up our natural rebellion against God’s law, resulting in sin and death.

The phrase “the Spirit of life” has reference to the Holy Spirit producing life; giving peace, joy, and salvation; in opposition to the law spoken of in John 16:7-14. The Holy Spirit is being sent by Christ; his influence is a part of the believers experience; and his power accomplishes what the Law could not do.

40 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper

No Condemnation:- this does not apply to those who believes by trying to obey the law, they can obtain justification, but only to those who accept by faith the finish work of Calvary and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord by faith.

The Eternal life; the freedom from the power of sin; the freedom from condemnation can only be attain in Christ Jesus, and not by works of righteousness. Victory over sin and being in right fellowship with God is impossible without the help of Holy Spirit. (John 16:8-11)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--- not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

8:3-4. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

The law could not pardon; the law could not sanctify; the law could not dispense with its own requisitions; it is the rule of righteousness, and therefore must condemn unrighteousness.

God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh - Did that which the law could not do; i.e. purchased pardon for the sinner, and brought every believer into the favor of God. That the guilt might be pardoned through the merit of that sacrifice; and that we might be enabled, by the power of his own grace and Spirit, to walk in newness of life.

The Holy Spirit working in the lives of believers allows them to live a life of righteousness, which is the fulfillment of the moral law. [2:13; 3:31; 6:15]

Righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us - That the guilt might be pardoned through the merit of that sacrifice; and that we might be enabled, by the power of his own grace and Spirit, to walk in newness of life; loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves: and thereby the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us, through Christ, which is in opposition to the weakness of the law through the flesh.

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' [31] The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31.

8:5-8. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. [6] The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. [7] The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. [8] Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

There are two classes of people.

41 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper

1. Those who are controlled by the sinful nature. 2. Those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit.

The ones who are governed by the sinful nature, are the ones who are being influence of the sinful nature. The cravings of the self-life are obvious: Sexual immorality, lustful thoughts, pornography, chasing after things instead of God, manipulating others, hatred of those who get in your way, senseless arguments, resentment when others are favored, temper tantrums, angry quarrels, only thinking of yourself, being in love with your own opinions, being envious of the blessings of others, murder, uncontrolled addictions,[j] wild parties, and all other similar behavior. (Gal.5:19-21) (Passion Trans)

The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God. Because it is carnal, and it relishes earthly and sinful things, and lives in opposition to the pure and holy law of God: therefore, it is enmity against God; it is irreconcilable and implacable hatred.

Hostile:- having an intimidating, antagonistic, or offensive nature.

8:9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

Realm of the Flesh:- this has reference to those who allows themselves to be controlled by the sinful nature. They may be saved but cannot live victoriously, because of the control of the sinful nature.

Those who have believed in Christ Jesus as the sin offering and has condemned sin in the flesh; and, having been justified by faith and made partakers of the Holy Spirit, are being enabled to walk in the newness of this life.

The Holy Spirit now who is now living in us, allows us to live different from the way we once lived, and its powerful operations in our lives, are the proofs of its indwelling, although we live in a world that is hostile to God, we now can still live victoriously.

It is the primary reason why deliverance is necessary for those who come to Christ. I.e, Lazarus, after Christ arose him form the dead, he told the disciples to lose him and set him free. He had life return to his body, but he was still bound. He commanded his disciples to loose him.

Being saved is only one process to freedom, it is just getting the foot into the door, we are saved but we are also being saved as we continue this pilgrimage.

The sinful nature usually has a stronghold on people’s lives, and it requires the help of God to get us free from them.

Realm of the Spirit:- This has reference to those who desires and are submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Their desire is to live a life that please God. They seek after the things the Spirit desires.

But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness,

42 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites. Galatians 5:22-24. [Amp]

He recommends as believers, we should desire to be lead by the Spirit in order not to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. He is correcting their ignorance by informing them that anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ are not part of God’s family.

Jesus said, “You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:41-44.

8:10-11 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. [11] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

As disciples of Christ, we need to recognized our position in Christ. Although we may struggle at times against the deeds of the sinful nature, we now have the Spirit of life abiding in us, therefore, sin no longer shall be our master.

If Christ dwell in your hearts, the body is dead because of sin. The members of our bodies are no longer to perform the work of sin, than the body of a dead man does the functions of natural life.

8:12-13. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation---but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. [13] For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

As suffering was a great stumbling block to the Jews, and might very much discourage the Gentiles, Paul encourages them to the best advantage. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18. He also used several arguments to fortify their minds under all trials:

We put to death the misdeeds:- He emphasizes the necessity for continual warfare against all that has the tendency to hinder God’s work especially in our lives. (6:11-19). Sin is always attempting to regain control over us, even as God spoke to Cain. “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? [7] If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it. ” (Genesis 4:6-7)

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This battle we are engaged in against Satan and his forces, is also against the passions and desires of the sinful nature.(James 4:1; 1Peter 2:11). We must decide who we will surrender to, either to the desire of the sinful nature, or the desire of divine Holy Spirit.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal.2:20

The result of failing to put to death the misdeeds of the body will eventually end in spiritual death. (6:13)

8:14-17 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. [15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. [17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

No one can come to the father without the help of the Holy Spirit. (John 14:6) one cannot even acknowledge Jesus as Lord without the Help of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 16:17)

To be lead by the Spirit means to allow the Holy Spirit to control and influence all that you do, so that you are attempting to putt to death the sinful deeds of the flesh. It also means you are growing in holiness and righteousness.

Some may believe this means speaking in tongues, but I would contend it carries a bigger meaning than speaking in tongues. The one who lives a spirit controlled life, is the person who allows the Holy Spirit to be dominant and also evident in their daily lives. Peter said “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. [14] As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. [15] But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; [16] for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16

8:18-21 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. [19] For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. [20] For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

The sufferings believers are experiencing is not designed to destroy us, but to get all the impurities our of us. God uses suffering as the place to train us and prepare us for what he has in mind for us to do. (2Cor.4:17)

If the glory that is to be revealed, be the enjoyment of being in the very presence God himself, then the sufferings of this life, which, when compared with eternity, are but as for a moment, are not worthy to be put in comparison with this glory which shall be revealed in us

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… And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:2-5

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4.

8:22-25 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

The apostle shows that the whole creation is in a suffering state, into which it has been brought by the disobedience of one man, Adam; therefore, it was made subject to vanity - pain, sickness, and death; not willingly, for mankind had no part in that transgression which "brought death into the world;"

The apostle shows that all of creation is in a suffering state, into which it has been brought by the disobedience of one man, Adam; therefore, it was made subject to vanity - pain, sickness, and death; not willingly, for mankind had no part in that transgression which "brought death into the world;" As men, we may not be able to identify with women who have given birth to children, but the apostle is using an example of what it means to “groan in child birth”, to help us understand his reason. As I stood beside my wife during delivery of our children, I can assure you it was not a pleasant site. The pain seem to be unbearable from what I saw, it it appear as it it was life and death.

For the scripture to compare kind of groaning that creation and the children of God are going through to a woman in child birth, the only word that comes to my mind is the word “Agony”

Agony:- Extreme and generally prolong pain. Intense physical or mental suffering. The struggle preceding natural death.

When the news of the baby is here is being announced, there is joy and excitement that fills the atmosphere, so it is for us, we wait in eager expectation for our redemption. Whatever, we are currently struggling with cannot be compared with the glory which will be revealed.

8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. [27] And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.

How thankful we are to have two intercessors praying for us. 1. The Holy Spirit: [8:26] 2. Jesus Christ: [Hebrews 7:25. 1John 2:1; 7:34)

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Our lord taught the disciples many subjects on prayer, and yet, when it comes to praying the God kind of prayers, no one can do it better than the Holy Spirit, for he knows the very mind of God. Prayer is the way we communicate with our God, which involve talking and listening.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

Jesus assured us that we will receive whatever we asked the father in His name, however, that must be in accordance with the will of God. (1John 5:14-15). This is where we need the help of the Holy Spirit, for he knows the very mind of God.

8:28-30. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

The persons in whose behalf all things work for good are those who love God, and, consequently, who live in the spirit of obedience. It is not said that all things shall work for good, but that they work now in the behalf of him who love God. All these things that are working together; while they are working, God's providence is working, his Spirit is working, and they are working together with him.

When we recognize who we are and our position in Christ, it really does not matter what situation we are in, because we know how the end will turn out.

This passage encourages us to endure the sufferings and not give up, because God will bring something good our of our afflictions, trials, persecutions and suffering. The good that God is working is really conforming us to the very image of Christ, and thereby bringing about our glorification.

This promise is only for those who love God and have submitted to him through faith in Christ. (Isa. 56:4-7; 1Cor.2:9).

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: [2] “Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message.” [3] So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. [4] But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Jeremiah 18:1-4.

There are some situations we find our selves in that is not in accordance with the will and purpose of God. Yes we prayed “Kingdom of God come, will of God be done”. However, because the will of God is done in two areas. 1. Perfect will of God:- this is what he has plan for our lives. 2. Permissive will of God. This is what he allows.

His love for his creation always move him to come to our rescue when ever we cry out to him for help, even when we are responsible for the crisis we find our selves in.

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Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, [11] because they rebelled against God's commands and despised the plans of the Most High. [12] So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. [13] Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. [14] He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. [15] Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, [16] for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron. [Psalm 107:10-16]

God will use any situation as a teachable moment so we can learn his lesson. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. [21] Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” [Isa.30:20:21]

8:31-34. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all---how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died---more than that, who was raised to life---is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

If God be for us, who can be against us? He who is infinitely wise has undertaken the cause to direct us: He who is infinitely powerful has undertaken the cause to protect us: He who is infinitely good has undertaken the cause to save us. What cunning, strength, or malice, can prevail against his wisdom, power, and goodness? None. Therefore, for those who loved God, they are safe; and they shall not sustain any essential damage by the persecutions of ungodly men.

The knowledge of the previous verses give us the boldness and courage to persevere against any enemy that comes against us. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. [4] The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (2 Cor.10:3-4)

The enemy may come in various forms as Paul describes him. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph.6:12)

The child of God who lives by the Spirit of God can now face the enemy head on, because he knows he is not alone in this battle. When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. [3] Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. (Psalm 27:2-3)

For if God told Abraham, who is the father of the faithful, and representative of us all, and with whom the covenant was made, that, because he had not withheld from him his only son Isaac, but delivered him up to that death which he thought his God had required, in blessing, he would bless him; and in multiplying, he would multiply him; that his seed should possess the gate of his enemies; and that in it all the nations of the earth should be blessed, Genesis 22:16-19;

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How will He not give us all that was spiritually intended by these promises he made, whose only begotten Son was not sacrificed for our sins; in order to purchase every blessing that the soul of man can need and that the hand of God can dispense.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Eph.1:3

God’s love will always move him to fight on our behalf, not giving the enemy an opportunity to enslave us as he once did.

While Moses lead the people from Egypt, he was faced by Pharaoh’s army. Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. [14] The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14.

Our greatest challenge is when we are waiting on a promise to be fulfilled by God, and time seem to be on a stand still. We must be careful not to abort God’s plan. Let us remember our position, that we are seated in heavenly places in Christ. That is the place of authority.

8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There is nothing anyone in God’s creation can possible do to cause God top take back his love from them.

The apostle is referring to the persecutions and tribulations to which believers were exposed because of their commitment to Christ, and to the gracious provision God had made for their support and salvation.

Tribulation? - grievous affliction, or distress of any kind; to compress, oppress, straiten, etc.; any thing by which a man is rendered miserable.

Distress? - a word of nearly the same import with the former, but more intense in its signification. It signifies straitness, being hemmed in on every side, without the possibility of getting out or escaping; strait or narrow, and a place.

Persecution? - from to pursue, press upon, prosecute, signifies such pursuing as an enemy uses in order to overtake the object of his malice, that he may destroy him.

Famine? - to fail; the total want of bread, and all the necessaries of life.

Nakedness? - being absolutely without clothing; forcibly expressed by the derivation of the word having one's limbs only, being totally unclothed.

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Peril? - A state of extreme and continued danger, perplexing and distressing with grievous forebodings and alarms; it excites anguish; because much evil is felt, and much more feared.

Sword? - slaughter; the total destruction of life, and especially beheading, and such like, done by the order of the civil magistrate; for the word is used in this epistle, Romans 13:4, to signify

Notwithstanding through out our severe pressures and trials, In the very midst of them; while we are enduring them we are also able to triumph in them. The victory is ours, that means, they do not have the power to subdue us; to alienate our love and confidence; to produce apostasy.

We are the victors, not they. Our faith is not destroyed; our love is not diminished; our hope is not blasted. But it is not a simple victory; it is not mere life, and continuance of what we had before; it is more than simple triumph; it strengthens our faith, increases our strength, expands our love for the Lord. Love of God by Fredrick M Lehman

The love of God is greater far Than tongue or pen can ever tell; It goes beyond the highest star, And reaches to the lowest hell; The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled, And pardoned from his sin. Refrain: Oh, love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure— The saints’ and angels’ song. When hoary time shall pass away, And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall, When men who here refuse to pray, On rocks and hills and mountains call, God’s love so sure, shall still endure, All measureless and strong; Redeeming grace to Adam’s race— The saints’ and angels’ song. Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made, Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry; Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky.

The parable Jesus gave about the wayward son in Luke 15, really speaks about the love of God toward a wayward world. When it comes to love, no one can love like God.

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Chapter 9

I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race,

Paul had such deep conviction about the well being of these Roman believers that he was willing to swear by the Lord God himself. He is really taking a risk by doing something the scriptures encourages not to do.

But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:34-37.

The grief Paul had for these brethren was like that of Jesus who "had compassion on the multitude "(Matthew 9:6), or like that of Moses who said, "Blot me out of thy book, I pray thee" (Exodus 32:32); and yet it was not possible for Paul to do the thing which he mentioned, nor should his statement here be viewed as a true expression of what he actually desired.

This is also seen when Jesus made his way to Jerusalem. “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it [42] and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace---but now it is hidden from your eyes” Luke 19:41-42

Moses truly felt such a desire and expressed it to God in prayer is a scripturally authenticated fact; and we may credit Paul with exactly the same emotion here. How great is such love!

These two words, "heaviness" and "sorrow", the one signifies grief, which had brought on heaviness on his spirits; and the other such pain as a woman in travail feels: and the trouble of his mind expressed by both, is described by its quantity, "great", it was not a little, but much; by its quality it was internal, it was in his "heart", it did not lie merely in outward show, in a few words or tears, but was in his heart, (Gill.Comm)

9:4-5. The people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praise.

People of Israel: - Exodus 19:5-6 NIV Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, [6] you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Adaption of sonship: - Exodus 4:22. Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. Hosea 11:1

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The Divine Glory: - Exodus 24:15-18 NIV When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, [16] and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud. [17] To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. [18] Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

The covenants: - Galatians 3:17 NIV What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise.

The receiving of the Law: - Deuteronomy 4:5-6 NIV See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. [6] Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”

The temple worship: - Hebrews 9:1-5 NIV Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. [2] A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. [3] Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, [4] which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. [5] Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. The Promises: - Galatians 3:16 NIV The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.

The Patriarchs: -Acts 7:30-34 NIV “After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. [31] When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say: [32] 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. [33] “Then the Lord said to him, 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. [34] I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.'

The human ancestry of the Messiah: -

Matthew's genealogy is in three sections (1:2-6a; 1:6b-11; 1:12-16). The third section (1:12-16) continues the story from exile to Jesus. Many of the names are unknown; the continuation of the story after Babylon attests God's faithfulness to God's promises and purposes in the midst of imperial power and human faithlessness. Jesus is identified in 1:16 as Mary's son, not Joseph's.

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9:6-9 It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are, they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring. For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

Here the apostle addresses Israel’s past election, their present rejection of the gospel and future Salvation. He attempts to answer the questions theses saints were asking. How could God’s promise to Abraham and the Israelites remain valid, while this nation did not want anything to do with the gospel.

Jesus said “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” Matthew 24:35. We can be assured that the word of God could never fail, Moses said this about God’s word. “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” Numbers 23:19.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, [11] so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11

Those who are the descendants of the patriarch Jacob, whose name was Israel; or who are of the Israelites nation, of the stock of Israel, belonging to that people; they are not all "the Israel", by way of emphasis, as in Psalm 25:22, or the "Israel of God", Galatians 6:16,

The Israel whom God the Father has chosen for a peculiar people; which Christ has redeemed from all their iniquities; which the Spirit of God calls with an holy calling, by special grace, to special privileges; the seed of Israel who are justified in Christ, whose iniquities are so pardoned and done away, that when they are sought for they shall not be found, and who are saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: or in other words, though they are "Israel after the flesh", 1 Corinthians 10:18, yet not after the Spirit; though they are by nation Israelites, they are not Israelites "indeed", as Nathanael was, John 1:47;

They are Jews outwardly, not inwardly; they have not all principles of grace, uprightness, and sincerity in them: now to these spiritual Israelites, or seed of Abraham, were the word of God, the promises of God concerning spiritual and eternal things made, and upon these they had their effect; and therefore it could not be said that the word of God had taken none effect; though the whole body of Israel after the flesh were cut off and rejected.

9:9-15. For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” Not only that, but Rebekah's children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. [11] Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad---in order that God's purpose in election might stand: [12] not by works but by him who calls---she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” [13] Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” [14] What then shall we say? Is

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God unjust? Not at all! [15] For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

Although the promise was made to Abraham, (Gen.18:10-14), it was not about Ishmael, whose mother was Hagar, (the bond woman). Even though Ishmael was his first son, this promise was not regarding him, but to his first child he had with Sarah.

Appointed Time: - Sarah, though she was 90 years old, shall have a son; which shows that it was only by the sovereign will and act of God alone, that this was possible. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” [19] Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead---since he was about a hundred years old---and that Sarah's womb was also dead. [20] Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, [21] being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. Romans 4:18-21

Ishmael was rejected, not by the sovereign will of God, but because he was the son of the handmaid, or bond-woman, and therefore unworthy to be the peculiar seed; but observe, this was not the only limitation of the seed of Abraham with regard to inheriting the promise, for when Rebecca was with child by that one person of Abraham's issue to whom the promise was made, namely, our father Isaac, she went to inquire of the Lord, Genesis 25:22, Genesis 25:23; : And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of People shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one People shall be stronger than the other People; and the elder shall serve the younger. That is, the posterity of the younger shall be a nation much more prosperous and happier than the posterity of the elder.

9:16-18 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy. [17] For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” [18] Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

This does not mean that one will be able to gain eternal life against their own will. It is true that people by nature have no desire to live holy lives, or do not necessarily choose eternal life. But the effect of the influences of the Holy Spirit on the heart is what make it possible for one to receive eternal life.

Human desire or effort:

This denotes “strenuous, intense effort,” as when a man is anxious to obtain an object or hastens from danger. The meaning is not that the sinner does not make an effort to be saved; nor that all who become Christians do not “in fact” strive to enter into the kingdom, or earnestly desire salvation, for the Scriptures teach the contrary; Luke 16:16; Luke 13:24. There is no effort more intense and persevering, no struggle more arduous or agonizing, than when a sinner seeks eternal life. Nor does it mean that they who strive in a proper way, and with proper effort, shall not obtain eternal life; A. It is not normal for the natural man to seek salvation without the help of the Holy Spirit. B. He receives pardon from his sins, not on his own merits, but by the mercies of God.

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For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9. Therefore, it does not depend on one’s desire, nor on the one that runs, but on the mercies of God.

9:19-24. One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” [20] But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?’” [21] Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? [22] What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath---prepared for destruction? [23] What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory--- [24] even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?

If the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory, that is, if God's faithfulness is glorified by my wickedness, why yet am I also judged as a sinner? Why am I condemned for that which brings so much glory to him? The question here is: If God's glory be so highly promoted and manifested by our obstinacy, and he suffers us to proceed in our hardness and infidelity, why does he find fault with us, or punish us for that which is according to his good pleasure? (Adam Clarke Comm)

Shall the thing that is formed, when it has corrupted itself, pretend to correct the wise one who made it, and say, why did you make me this way? Why did you constitute me in this manner? You have done me wrong in giving me my being under such conditions.

Then the word of the Lord came to me. [6] He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. [7] If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, [8] and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. [9] And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, [10] and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it. [11] “Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, 'This is what the Lord says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.' [12] But they will reply, 'It's no use. We will continue with our own plans; we will all follow the stubbornness of our evil hearts. ‘” Jer.18:5-12.

9:25-29. As he says in Hosea: “I will call them 'my people' who are not my people; and I will call her 'my loved one' who is not my loved one,” [26] and, “In the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called 'children of the living God.' ” [27] Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. [28] For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality.” [29] It is just as Isaiah said previously: “Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.”

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Although these Jewish brethren were dependents of Abraham, their unbelief disqualify them from the group God called “my people”. The people God adopt as sons and daughters are not those who were born of natural decent, but only those who have been born again.

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. [12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--- [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:11-13.

This new group of people may not have been born of Abraham linage. They are coming from a group that were not part of Jewish culture.

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)--- [12] remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:11-12.

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out. 29People will come from east and west and north and south and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. 30And indeed, some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.” … Luke 13:28-30.

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, [15] by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, [16] and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. [17] He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. [18] For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. [19] Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, [20] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. [21] In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. [22] And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:14-22 NIV

9:30-33. What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; [31] but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. [32] Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. [33] As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

These brethren refuse to believe the righteousness God require cannot be obtain by doing works, it is the primary reason why jesus had such difficulty trying to educate them, on what the law was designed to do, it was unable because of our sinful nature. It really does not matter how hard one tries to obey the law; he will fail all the time.

Our good works will always be rejected by the righteous God. The prophet Isaiah said All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a

55 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. [7] No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to our sins. [8] Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay; you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. [9] Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look on us, we pray, for we are all your people. Isaiah 64:6-9.

The righteousness God required, could only be achieve through Jesus Christ, and not by keeping the law, as the scripture said For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so, he condemned sin in the flesh, [4] in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:3-4.

Accepting Christ as savior, is only only our ticket to heaven, but he is the only one who is able to meet God’s requirement, so when we stand before him, we can say with confidence, Christ alone is the cornerstone for every part of our salvation.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.

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Chapter 10

10:1-4. Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. [2] For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. [3] Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. [4] Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

Paul seem to continue his discussion with these Jewish brethren concerning their ability to obtain the righteousness God requires on their own ability. That very same desire to try to obtain God’s righteousness using man’s ability is still in mankind today. Man continue to establish rules and regulations with the hopes of gaining God’s favor and blessings. Our inability to please God pushes us further and further away from him. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

Jesus address this issue in one of his teachings to his Jewish brethren. He said “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “ 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules. ' ” Matt.15:7-9

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. Col.2:8-12. having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 2 Timothy 3:5.

The zeal these brethren had for God was based upon what they were either taught, or based upon their own interpretation of the scriptures. Their knowledge of who God is and what He requires, was based upon what they heard about him. Their understanding of who was the God of Abraham, was not based upon their relationship with him, but what they were taught perhaps in school or by their parents, but they truly did not truly know him.

Paul entire purpose of life was for his fellow Jews to inherit salvation. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. [16] But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 2Corinthians 3:14-16.

The God of this world has blinded their minds, making it difficult for them to believe and have the veil removed. The only one with authority to remove this veil was the Lord Jesus Christ. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18.

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He reasoned with them, that they no longer were obligated to the law, if they were in Christ. Once they received Christ as their Lord and Savior, the law was automatically being fulfilled, and they were free from that obligation. Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.(10:4)

Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. [22] But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Gal.3:21-22

If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood---and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood---why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? Hebrews 7:11

10:5-7. Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” [6] But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' ” (that is, to bring Christ down) [7] “or 'Who will descend into the deep?' ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

In Paul’s letter to the saints in Galatia. He wrote, For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Galatians 3:10-14

These words seem to be spoken in answer to an objection which might be made by a Jew: "Did not Moses give us a law, the observance of which should secure our salvation?" He made reference to Leviticus 18:4-5. You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. [5] Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord.

The law had promises of life to those who would obey its precepts: but who can plead for their life on this ground; when they rejected the fact that Christ is the end of the law.( (Rom.10:4) No one was able to obtain the righteousness God requires by observing the law, and so, as to merit salvation by performance was not possible, because our righteousness is considered as filth before the Holy God. Isa.64:6.

Paul revealed to them that the fact they were observing the law, the were all under a curse. For the scripture said, For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” Gal.3:10-12.

Therefore by the works of the law, no flesh can be justified, because all are in a state of condemnation for transgressions already committed against the law.

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The only one who was able to keep the law free is Jesus, the Christ, and by his death he was able to free not only the Jews, but everyone who accepted then free gift of salvation.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” [14] He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Gal.3:13-14.

10:8-13. But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: [9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. [11] As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” [12] For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile---the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, [13] for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Paul is affirming what Moses said to the people as he brought them out from Egypt. He said, Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” [13] Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” [14] No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. Deut. 30:11-14.

What the Jewish people sought after so desperately to achieve, now became possible for all people, They had zeal but they lack the knowledge as to how to acquire their goal. That goal could only be achieve with the help of the Holy Spirit.

They did not need to work with such passion trying to please God, all they needed was to exercise faith in the one God sent, but unbelief kept them in ignorance, and prevented them from seeing the one sent from God to help them.

Adam Clarke said “The way of salvation is now both plain and easy. The law is magnified and made honorable by the death of Christ; and the doctrine of faith in his death and resurrection is fully proclaimed, and amply proved to be effectual to the purpose for which it was revealed. By the preaching of the Gospel the doctrine of salvation is nigh thee, and the saving influence is at hand: it is in thy mouth, easy to be understood, easy to be professed: and in thy heart, if thou art upright before God, sincerely desiring to be saved on his own terms, not striving to establish thy own method of justification by the law, which must for ever be ineffectual, but submitting to the method of justification which God has devised”.

Unbelief is one of the most deadliest sins. Jesus said all other sins can be forgiven, but the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” Mark 3:28-29

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Blasphemy:- defined as “defiant irreverence” this can be applied to sins as cursing God or willfully degrading things relating to God. The word "blasphemy" is practically confined to speech defamatory of the Divine Majesty.

The scriptures warned us concerning the dangers of falling into this state of mind. See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:12-13.

John the Baptist at one time almost fell for this trap when he sent some of his followers to affirm that Jesus was who he claimed to be. When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Matthew 11:2-3.

Jesus replied “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Matthew 11:4-6.

His contention was “the word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim”.

The word is Jesus Christ. What they were trying so desperately to achieve was right within their grasp. The salvation they sought was with them and yet they could not see him. For them to accept him, he had to follow their interpretation of the law, even though the law pointed to him. When these Jewish brethren taught, their listeners were convinced they truly Abraham’s children, but Jesus rebuked the religious leaders because they were responsible for leading the people wrong.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are. Matthew 23:13-15. [V.14, As translated from the Aramaic and the Hebrew Matthew. The most reliable Greek manuscripts do not include this verse, and it is omitted by modern translations].

Isiah wrote, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. Isaiah 29:13.

10:14-15. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? [15] And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

The bondage these people experienced could have been because no one share the truth with them, or perhaps their lack of understanding kept them from the truth. Whatever the reasons were, now their excuses were invalid.

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In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. [31] For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31.

God’s will is for none to perish, yet he cannot force anyone to be saved. He has presented to man two roads, one that leads to life, while the other leads to death. The Lord said to Moses “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live [20] and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Deuteronomy 30:19-20.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9.

Someone prayed for us so that we can experience eternal life, God is expecting us to do the same for others. The sound of heaven to earth is still the same as spoken to the prophet, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? ” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isa,6:8. Also the word spoken by the prophet Ezekiel, “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. Ezekiel.22:30

This is not the only time God has called out to man, and we know he is still calling for man to come and experience salvation. God’s love for his creation would not allow him to be silent. To this very day, he is still asking, whom shall I send, who will go for me? Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.

The prophet Isaiah was able to respond to the call of God, only when the king died. There are times when He will removed from us whatever is preventing us from hearing his voice. In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Isa. 6:1.

There are times when that which are so dear to us, is the very thing that is preventing us from hearing him, therefore, because his purpose must be fulfilled, God will do whatever need to done to get us to fulfill our purpose. If we are having delaying and keep putting it off, he may just take the necessary action, and when he does, it is very painful.

The writer to the Hebrews encouraged us to throw off everything and the sin that hinders us. (Heb.12:1) Perhaps the king was the crutch the prophet Isaiah had, and even though it was not evil, but it stood in the way of him hearing from God, therefore, only when the king died, the prophet was able to see the Lord.

God is patient with us, and he is still waiting for us to answer his call, because he does not want our love ones to perish. When he saved you, you may have thought it was just too take you to heaven. Yes that is also true, but he wants you to be the one who will bring the message of hope to your family and love ones. Don’t just rely on the preacher to do your job. God saved you, so you can reach your love ones.

Remember what the scripture said “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone

61 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 10:14-15

10:16-18 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. [18] But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

I know that you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. [38] I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father. ” “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham's children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. John 8:37-39.

Although the Israelites were all considered “Abraham’s descendants”, some did not believe like Abraham, their hearts were hardened toward the gospel. This is one definition of a stronghold in a person’s life. They hear the good news, they know it is good news, but they have difficulty in believing or exercising faith in the good news.

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” [19] Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead---since he was about a hundred years old---and that Sarah's womb was also dead. [20] Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, [21] being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. [22] This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” [23] The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, [24] but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness---for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. [25] He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Romans 4:18-25.

Jesus told to the Jewish people, if they were Abraham’s children as they claimed to be, they would not seek to kill him, but they would do what Abraham did. They could not hear Jesus because all they saw, was Jesus was not conforming to the things they were taught.

The very thing they were searching so desperately for was right before them, but they could not see it. There is no difference between these brethren and people of today. People are searching desperately to find their creator, when the creator has made it so easy to find him. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities---his eternal power and divine nature---have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20

10:19-21. Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, “I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.” [20] And Isaiah boldly says, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.” [21] But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

Their rejection of the gospel made it possible for others to reap the benefits that belonged to them. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not

62 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. [6] This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.. Eph.3:4-6

As the Gentile nations who did not know God, began to accept the good news, and turn away from their worthless beliefs, and enjoy the benefits of salvation. It is Paul hopes that this will provoke them to God and be saved. Their unbelief really grieved the heart of God, as seen when Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, he was so burdened by their blindness, he could not help but weep.

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it [42] and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace---but now it is hidden from your eyes. Luke 19:41-42

The apostle was deeply concern about the spiritual condition of his fellow men. This can be seen as he began this chapter. He tried desperately to show them what they were doing was wrong, but their failure to understand really affected him. Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. [2] For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. [3] Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness..” Romans 10:1-3

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Chapter 11

11:1-6. I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah---how he appealed to God against Israel: [3] “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me” ? [4] And what was God's answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” [5] So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. [6] And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

Although their unbelief, made it difficult for the Lord to save them: God still did not wipe them completely off, he still had hopes for the Jews. For the scripture clearly said this concerning the Israelites, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” (9:21) God kept on reaching out to them with the hopes that some will turn to him and be saved.

The Apostle Paul used himself as an example of one who received God’s mercies. He reminded them of his ancestors; he also was one of Abraham’s descendent; he points all the way back to one of Jacob’s son, “Benjamin”. He assured them he was not an out cast, he was a red blood Jew, even though his name was changed to a gentile name “Paul”, but his birth name was “Saul”

His comparisons of what happened to Elijah and what is happening to him should push them to accept the message, but as it was in Elijah’s days, so it will be, only a remnant will be saved, simply because they could not understand the message of grace, which differs from the message of works.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.

11:7-10 What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, [8] as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” [9] And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. [10] May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.”

Spirit of stupor:- Hardening involves spiritual “stupor”—deep sleep. The phrase “spirit of stupor” alludes to Isaiah 29:10. The Hebrew word in the quotation for stupor means numbness resulting from a sting. The Greek carries the idea of cause—“a spirit which causes numbness.” Stupor is a deadness toward God’s grace.

The Lord has brought over you a deep sleep: He has sealed your eyes (the prophets); he has covered your heads (the seers). [11] For you this whole vision is nothing but words sealed in a scroll. And if you give the scroll to someone who can read, and say, “Read this, please,” they will answer, “I can't; it is sealed.” [12] Or if you give the scroll to someone who cannot read, and say, “Read this, please,” they will answer, “I don't know how to read.” Isaiah 29:10-12.

Esau was an example of such person, therefore we are encouraged to, Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. [15] See to it that no one falls

64 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. [16] See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. [17] Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done. Hebrews 12:14- 17.

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, [5] who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age [6] and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Hebrews 6:4-6 NIV

11:11-16. Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. [12] But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring! [13] I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry [14] in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. [15] For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? [16] If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

The Israelites falling made it possible for the Gentiles to receive salvation. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. [12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--- John1:11-12.

However, they did not fall like Easu, for as long as the hand of God was outstretched toward them, there was hope for those who would return to Him. Therefore as Gentiles, there was nothing we could boast about, thinking we were better than them. For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance, be but life from the dead?

11:17-21 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, [18] do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. [19] You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” [20] Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. [21] For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

When we consider what God did so that we who were called uncircumcised by others, can now experience the blessing of enjoying the privileges the Jews have, our hearts are filled with gratitude and thanksgiving for his mercies, keeping in mind what the scriptures said, For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy. Romans 9:15-16.

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)--- [12] remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the

65 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:11-13.

Their failure to believe in the one who they sought after so desperately opened the way for a people who did not seek after him, found him. Therefore, Gentiles should not boast as though they are in a better condition than the Jews, but we should keep them in our prayers that the veil that has kept them blinded could be removed, so they can be brought back in.

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, [15] by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, [16] and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. [17] He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. [18] For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:14-18 NIV

11:22-24. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. [23] And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. [24] After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

Consider: think carefully about something before making a decision. To those who believe they can boast about their salvation, he gives a stern warning, reminding them that they are the branch and not the root, meaning they were not the original ones God selected among all the nations of the earth to be his conduit of blessings. He uses the analogy of horticulturists, who deal plants.

A grafted plant is not the same as the plant that came from the root, even when tasting the fruit from the grafted plant, it may not have the same taste, as the original fruit. If God who is responsible for the root and the branches decides some of the branches are unproductive, and therefore cut them off, he also has the power to graft them in again and make them look like they were never cut off.

Should the children of Abraham agree to turn from the law that they so passionately hold onto, and turn to the one who Moses wrote about, they would be quickly accepted and receive what they sought after so desperately.

11:25-27 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way[e] all Israel will be saved. As it is written “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob 27 And this is[f] my covenant with them when I take away their sins.

Mystery: - something that is difficult or impossible to understand or even explain; concealed, hidden or unknown.

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I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col.1:25-27.

Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from[f] faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. Romans 16:25-27

This season of unbelief that the Jews are experiencing is designed to give Gentiles an opportunity to experience salvation. God has a set time for everything, for there will be a time when that opportunity will be taken away.

When Jesus was asked what will be the sign of his coming, in his answer to this question, he referred to Noah, But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Matt 24:36-39.

The writer to Hebrews said So, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, (Heb.3:7)

Full number of Gentiles have come in. This has reference to a multitude of Gentiles who will receive salvation, and no one knows what that multitude consists of.

The scripture teaches After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Revelation. 7:9-10.

When the number God has in mind have fulfilled, he will then shut the door, and no one else would be allowed to enter. The apostle John wrote Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Rev.3:19-20.

Paul is assuring them, that it was still the will of God to save the Jews. He never intended to destroy them but was forced to discipline them from time to time because of their rebellion, with the hopes that they will turn back to him. He reminded them of the prophesy from Jeremiah. “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, “declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:33-34

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11:28-32 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate. 1 Cor.1:18-19.

Enemies due to their rejection of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but beloved by God because of election on account of their father Abraham and the covenant he made with him. Of all the nations on earth, they were the ones God chose for his own inheritance. (Romans 9:4-5)

Their disobedience is what created the opportunity for us to receive God’s mercy. Can you imagine what would have happened to the rest of the world if their hearts were not hardened for a brief season: no one would be saved.

We praise God for his mercies upon us by granting us the blessing of sharing in the inheritance of the Jews. Since God has concluded all as sinners, all men now have the wonderful privilege of experiencing his forgiveness.

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:11-13.

11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and[i] knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them? 36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Doxology: - this is a short hymn of praise to God in various forms of christian worship, often added to the end of canticles, psalms and hymns.

As the apostle reaches the end of addressing this challenge the Jews had in recognizing Christ for who he was, he wraps it up with a short hymn of praise. As he reminisces of the kindness and sternness of God, he just could not help but acknowledge the dept of the wisdom and knowledge of almighty God, and how unsearchable are his judgements.

When realizing we get what we don’t deserve, our hearts cannot help but being grateful to God, therefore, there is nothing in this life that can be compared with the love God has for his creation. One scripture said Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. (Psalm 68:19).KJV

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Chapter 12

Romans 12:1-2. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God---this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is---his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The apostle, having finished the argument of this Epistle, proceeds now to close it with instructions on practical application, showing its bearing on the duties of the Christian life, and the practical influence of a follower of Christ in this world.

The fact that he used the word “therefore”, means what he is about to say, connects to what he just said to them. In fact the whole argument of the first eleven chapters is suited to show the obligation on us to devote ourselves to God. After having fully established the doctrines of the church, he concludes that we should live our lives surrendered to God.

We see him encouraging them, using a strong word “Urge”, is rendered “to stirred up." (2) "to persuade," is rendered "urged," ("persuaded").

That they offer / present (KJV) - The requires some form of action, the action of bringing and presenting an animal or some other form of sacrifice before an altar. It implies that an action that was free and voluntary.

Considering how merciful this God is. it should not be difficult for anyone to do this act. This reminds us of the woman with the Alabaster box, who anointed Jesus feet with such expensive perfume. She did not consider the cost, in comparing with her receiving forgiveness for her sins. (Luke 7:36-50) Considering his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5.

The prophet Micah asked the question, With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? [7] Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? Micah 6:6-7

Paul is seen here encouraging the Gentile believers, that because God has been merciful to them by allowing them to experience his mercies. Giving themselves fully to his service should be should a pleasure for them to do.

There are some who believe they can live as they want, because God understands that they are only human, and because he looks at the motive of the heart, they can do what they want with their bodies. The scriptures teaches “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! [16] Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” [17] But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. [18] Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. [19] Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have

69 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper received from God? You are not your own; [20] you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1Cor.6:15-20

The only sin one can commit against their body is sexual sins. The evil one knows this is the sin that contaminate the souls of a person, because it is not only flesh coming together, but spirit coming together with spirit.

Society have caused us lost sight of the valuable the human body, and because of ignorance some have become abusive to their own bodies. We abuse it with prostitution, drugs, alcohol, lack of rest, and exercise, poor diet, and the list goes on and on.

It is no wonder our Lord had to address the old law that said, love one another as you self, Lev. 19:18. He change it by giving the a new command, to love one another as I have loved you. John 13:35. Since Christ purchase mankind, it means we are all his, and we are all under new management, save and unsaved. Everyone belongs to him, body, soul and spirit, and one day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the farther. (Phil. 2:9-11)

For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. [8] If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. [9] For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. (Romans 14:7-9)

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. [18] They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. [19] Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. Eph.4:17-19

Do not be conform to the pattern of this world:

Conform:- behave according to socially acceptable conventions or standards; means to put on the form, fashion, or appearance of another. It may refer to anything pertaining to the habit, manner, dress, style of living, etc.

We are being warned not to conform to the pattern of this world. He is not speaking about God’s creation, he is speaking about the systems of this world. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. [16] For everything in the world---the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life---comes not from the Father but from the world. [17] The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17 NIV

Jesus said “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. [19] If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. John 15:18-19.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. [2] This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. [3] In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, [4] for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the

70 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper world, even our faith. [5] Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:1-5 NIV

Paul said to the church in Corinth, Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” [18] And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2Cor.6:17-18.

I realized we are surrounded by sin, we live in the middle of sin. The prophet Isaiah said it best, “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Isa.6:5. I would always refer to the example I once heard, although the fish lives in the salty environment all their lives, when it is caught, it in not salted, we still need to put some salt on it for it to have a pleasant taste.

This is what our God requires of us. Although we live in a sin filled world, God expects us to live holy lives. It is the reason why he gave us the Holy Spirit to help us. For us to be clean, it means repentance should become a common practice for the believer. (2Cor.7:10)

Paul assured them, if they want to learn what is God’s will for their lives, It would require a total makeover, which is a renewed mindset. It is what he made reference to when he said, behold, if any man be in Christ he is a new creation, the old is gone and behold the new has come. (2Cor.5:17). It is impossible for one to truly know what the will of God is for their lives without total surrendering to God. The reason for that is because of our adversaries, the flesh, the world and the devil who want to keep us in bondage.

For our minds to be renewed, it is the work of the Holy Spirit. We cannot do this on our own, suing our own will. It does not matter how strong we think we are, we will always fail. The apostle Paul said in an earlier chapter, I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. [16] And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. [17] As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. [18] For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. [19] For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do---this I keep on doing. [20] Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. Romans 7:15-20.

He concluded by saying, What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? [25] Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:24-25

12:3-8 NIV For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. [4] For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, [5] so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. [6] We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; [7] if it is serving,

71 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; [8] if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Pride is one weapon the evil one uses to bring the downfall of anyone, for he knew what it did to him, when he made war in heaven against God,’ angels. The prophet Ezekiel use the example of the king of Tyre to describe what happened to the evil one.

“Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “ 'You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. [13] You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. [14] You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. [15] You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. [16] Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. [17] Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. [18] By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching. [19] All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more. ' ” Ezekiel 28:12-19

The scriptures record how he deceived our fore-parents in the garden of Eden, and he is still using the same method on men today, telling men we shall become like gods, and to this day, men keep falling for his tricks. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Gen 3:5.

That form of deception is still among us even within the church. People get a title and they believe they know more than the one God call them to lead, so they to treat people as though they are better than them. The scripture teaches The greatest among you will be your servant. [12] For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12. We are all servants of the living God.

He reminded them that even If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, [18] do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. Romans 11:17-18.

For just as each member of the body depends on the other, so we should see our selves. The song says,I need you you need me, we are part of God’s body” no one person is the body, each of us are members of the one body. Once we recognized how connected we are, we will begin to treat others with love and respect.

Here at DLCI, one of our pastors, who is gifted in helping others discover their God-given gifts so they can use it not only within the local church, but also to help serving others within the community. For too often people are sitting one their gifts, praying that God will show them what he wants them to do. Most of the times, they would have some idea of what their gifts are, and what they need Is for

72 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper someone to help them see it. I would encouraged you to check with the office to find out when will be our next training, so you can attend.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; [7] if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; [8] if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

There are some who are. having difficulty in discovering their gifts. This could be because their hearts are divided, or because they a double-minded, and have not fully surrendered their lives to God. The scripture said a double-minded person is unstable in all their ways. (James 1:8) Also there are some who are introverts, and they will not move unless somebody asked them to get involve. Well if that is what we must do, then we will come to you, and not force you but encourage you. Paul said the body has many members, and each member has its own unique function.

You have heard me say from time to time, if one part of the body is not working, it affects the entire body, and I believe our father who purchase us and called us his temple, is able to put us back together, even though sin has done a job on us, but the potter wants to put us back together again, so we can use the gifts he gave us to advance his kingdom.

As we look at the entrainment industry, and see how gifted men and women are using their gifts in promoting the kingdom of darkness, it saddens my heart, because the evil one has no friends, it does not matter what promise he made to them, he is still a liar, and he came to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10). For example, looks what he did to Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and so many gifted individuals. They are no longer with us, because they believe the lie the evil one told them.

He tried it with our Lord Jesus and was unsuccessful in his attempt. The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. [6] And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. [7] If you worship me, it will all be yours.” [8] Jesus answered, “It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.' ” (Luke 4:5-8).

These gifts and talents God gave us are for the purpose of helping each other, training each other, following the great command, to love the Lord with all our hearts, all our moshed all our strength and to love our neighbor as our selves. (Matthew 22:37)

The scripture teaches, Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. [9] Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1Peter 4:8-11

Romans 12:9-21 NIV Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. [10] Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. [11] Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. [12] Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. [13] Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. [14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do

73 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper not curse. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. [16] Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. [17] Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. [18] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. [19] Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. [20] On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

As the brethren now have an opportunity to experience the beautiful mercies of God, he encourages them to have a different mindset in how they should behave among each other, and toward God.

This would include a new kind of learning for them, for they cannot behave as they did in the past. That, however, is not the way of life you learned [21] when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. [22] You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Eph. 4:20-24.

Love must be sincere.—- Without hypocrisy. Let it be sincere and unfeigned. Hate what is evil —- means to hate; to turn from; to avoid. The word “evil” here has reference to malice, or unkindness, rather than to evil in general. Cling to what is good — denotes the act of gluing, or uniting firmly by glue. Be devoted to one another in love.— denotes tender affection, such as what subsists between parents and children.

Honor one another above yourselves — means going before, leading, setting an example. Thus, in showing mutual respect and honor, they were to strive to excel; not to see which could obtain most honor, but which could confer most, or manifest most respect; Never be lacking in zeal — refers to those who are slow, idle, destitute of promptness of mind and activity; Keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. This word is usually applied to water, or to metals so heated as to bubble, or boil. It hence is used to denote ardor, intensity, or as we express it, a glow, meaning intense zeal, Acts 18:25.

Be joyful in hope —That is, in the hope of eternal life and glory which the gospel produces; see the notes at Romans 5:2-3.

Patient in affliction — In affliction patiently enduring all that maybe appointed.

Faithful in prayer — In order to fulfill the duties of the Christian life, and especially to be joyful in hope, and to be sustained in the midst of afflictions, it is necessary to cherish a spirit of prayer, and to live near to God.

Share with the Lord's people who are in need.—

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Practice hospitality. — This expression means that they should readily and cheerfully entertain strangers.

Bless those who persecute you;— The word used here denotes having things in “common” means that they should be communicative, or should regard their property as so far common as to supply the needs of others.

Bless and do not curse.— Bless only; or continue to bless, however long or aggravated may be the injury. Do not be provoked to anger, or to cursing, by any injury, persecution, or reviling.

Rejoice with those who rejoice.— This command is due to the command to recognized that the church is one body. (12:4-5) with one interest; and therefore that there should be common sympathy in its joys and sorrows.

Mourn with those who mourn. ——

Live in harmony with one another.— the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions having a pleasing effect.

Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.—- The connection shows that the apostle had in view those things which pertained to worldly offices and honors; wealth, and state, and grandeur

Do not be conceited.— excessively proud of one self, vain

Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It Is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to Drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This new kind of learning will force us to behave quite differently. For. while the flesh want to behave one way, the spirit want to behave another way, therefore, Paul must take the time to explain how this new way of living function

Let the inner movement of your heart always be to love one another, and never play the role of an actor wearing a mask. Despise evil and embrace everything that is good and virtuous.

10 Be devoted to tenderly loving your fellow believers as members of one family. Try to outdo yourselves in respect and honor of one another.

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11 Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord, keeping your passion toward him boiling hot! Radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and let him fill you with excitement as you serve him.

12 Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble,[e]but commune with God at all times.

13 Take a constant interest in the needs of God’s beloved people and respond by helping them. And eagerly welcome people as guests into your home.

14 Speak blessing, not cursing, over those who reject and persecute you.

15 Celebrate with those who celebrate, and weep with those who grieve. 16 Live happily together in a spirit of harmony, and be as mindful of another’s worth as you are your own. Don’t live with a lofty mind-set, thinking you are too important to serve others, but be willing to do menial tasks and identify with those who are humble minded.[f]Don’t be smug or even think for a moment that you know it all.

17 Never hold a grudge or try to get even, but plan your life around the noblest way to benefit others. 18 Do your best to live as everybody’s friend.[g]

19 Beloved, don’t be obsessed with taking revenge, but leave that to God’s righteous justice.[h] For the Scriptures say: “If you don’t take justice in your own hands, I will release justice for you,” says the Lord.[i And: If your enemy is hungry, buy him lunch! Win him over with kindness.[j] For your surprising generosity will awaken his conscience, and God will reward you with favor.[k] 21 Never let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21.TPT.)

These instructions are all self explanatory. I used the Passion translation to help us understand the apostle instructions to these new believers, which are also relevant for the church today, not only for new believers, but also for some of us who have being saved for some time.

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Chapter 13

Romans 13:1-2. Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. [2] Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Authority- (exousia) the power or right to give orders, or make decisions, and enforce obedience.

Authority was established since in the very beginning when God created man. He did not permit man to live and do whatever he wants. God set authority in place to help maintain order in the land.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. [28] God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground. ” [29] Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. [30] And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground--- everything that has the breath of life in it---I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. Gen.1:27- 30.

This same pattern is being enforced today, and it begins at the home. Every child that enters this world will first have the experience of understanding authority. It does not matter if the child is a strong-willed child, he must learn submission to the authority of the parents. The parents have the responsibility to bend the will of the child to learn he or she is not free to do whatever they want.

That child must grow up into a world where authority exists. If that child failed to learn how to submit to authority, the consequence could be great, as we will see later in this discussion. Sometimes as parents, we spoil the child by failing to discipline the child when their disobedience caused them to challenge the authority of the parents. Solomon said “Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death. Proverbs 19:18.

Our world is suffering because of a lack of respect for authority. There is a spirit of lawlessness and disrespect in the atmosphere, and it is prevalent in every area of society, from the streets to the government. This is a clear picture of what is taking place in the home, because it all begins at the home. (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12)

Authority is in place to maintain order in the land, whether we like with the ones who have being given the position to enforce authority or not, we are required to submit to authority.

Submit: - accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority or will of another person. It means to give in; yield; give way; back down; cave in; bow; capitulate; relent; defer; agree. primarily a military term, "to rank under" (hupo, "under," tasso, "to arrange"), denotes (a) "to put in subjection, to subject," Romans 8:20 ( (b), "be in subjection" (AV, "be under obedience");

Power: the ability to do something or act in a particular way, especially as a faculty or quality.

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This word is applicable to every area of life. Although, some may believe that now they are saved, they are not required to let this word be part of their lifestyle, but if we claimed to love God, we will be willing to walk in obedience. (Hebrews 13:17; Eph. 5:21; 1 Peter 3:1-6)

We can see this word does not only apply to the public, but right in the home. Children need to see how it is done, before they can do it, and their first opportunity of seeing authority is in the home. Again, we must understand that all authority is set in place by God. We may choose those who are in place to enforce that authority in public, but in the home, we do not have that option.

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.1Peter 2:16-17

13:3-5 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. [4] For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. [5] Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

The only time when fear takes over the heart of a person when it comes to dealing with authority, is when the person does wrong. This is also seen in the beginning when men rebelled against God’s authority. (Genesis 3:1-14)

God who has the ultimate authority, had to discipline the man and the woman he made. He loved them, but he did not allow his love to blur his ability to take action. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11.

His discipline was to teach them to respect authority, for there are consequences for rebelling against authority. Paul said, Rulers do not bear the sword for no reason”. For us who are spiritual leaders, the sword is God’s Holy Word. There are times when the word will cut and heal at the same time. (Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

There are many examples in the scriptures of those who failed to submit to godly authority, and we saw how God dealt with them. (1Corinthians 10:1-13). The scripture warned us to learn from those who failed to submit, so that we won’t suffer the same fate as they did.

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1Peter 2:13-17

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13:6-7 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. [7] Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

One of the responsibilities we have as citizens of this country is paying taxes. Many do not like this responsibility, but it does not matter if we like it or not. If one decides he will not fulfill this requirement, the ruler will enforce his authority, making the individual pay a fine or put into prison.

While our Lord was on this earth, although he had been given all authority in heaven and on earth, we saw him submitting to the law of the land. He paid taxes. (Mark 12::17). Jesus also had to learn submission by the things he suffered. (Hebrews. 5:8).

The. United States Government refuse to trust people that they will be faithful when it comes to paying their income taxes, therefore, they decided to take their tax before you even get your paycheck. They get their tax first, and they also set a date for all citizens to file their income tax. Again, failing to do so may cost the person.

Paul said to these brethren, give to everyone what you owe them. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. [13] Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 1Thess.5:12-13.

13:8-10 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. [9] The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [10] Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.

Once Jesus was being questioned by one of the leaders of his day, as to which is the greatest commandment. He responded, “The most important one is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark.12:29-31.

Jesus spent much of his time teaching people about God’s love for mankind. Everything he did and say, was to demonstrate God love for humanity, and to help us understand just how love really works. It is easy to talk love, but as we look at the apostle’s letter to the church in Corinth, To love is one command given by our lord before he left this world. He said “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35. This is what makes the difference between Christianity and the other religions.

The scriptures said This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. [17] If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? [18] Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1John 3:16-18.

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Paul said “Let the inner movement of your heart always be to love one another, and never play the role of an actor wearing a mask. Despise evil and embrace everything that is good and virtuous”. Romans 12:9. TPT.

Love is large and incredibly patient.[f] Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous[g] when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. 5 Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated[h] or quick to take offense.[i] 6 Love joyfully celebrates honesty[j] and finds no delight in what is wrong.[k] 7 Love is a safe place of shelter,[l] for it never stops believing the best for others.[m] Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. 8 Love never stops loving. 1Cor.13:4-8a. TPT

Here in Destiny, it is a common practice once per year, to have our church be involved in random acts of kindness It is when the members are encouraged to make an extra effort to bless members of our community, by doing some act of kindness for them. This pandemic is allowing believers to demonstrate love in such a way that has never being done before.

Paul said we need to owe no man anything but Love. The world now gets the chance to see what true love really is, which is far different from what the world called love.

The gospel song written by Caleb Culver says,

Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me You have been so, so good to me Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me You have been so so kind to me Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the 99 And I couldn't earn it I don't deserve it, still You give yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me You have been so, so good to me When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me You have been so, so kind to me

Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord. Psalm 107:43.

When we consider what God did to show his love for us, how can we not help but follow his example. For not even our parents would have done what he did. Jesus said “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other”. John 15:12-17.

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13:11-14 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. [12] The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. [13] Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. [14] Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

He warns them about the way they are living. He seems to be warning them about the lateness of the hour. They cannot afford to live carelessly. They need to pay attention as to the time they were living in.

The scripture. Said the sons of Issachar understood the times. (1 Chronicle.12:32). He wanted them to be alert, and not fall asleep. One of the names the world gave to the church in this day, it. is called the sleeping giant. The church at large seems to have lost touch with their community, they are more concern about their own well-being, and not that of the kingdom.

Perhaps the Holy Spirit had shown the apostle what is happening today with the church. The spirit of competition is prevalent among the churches. Instead of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, they have developed their own gospel, causing the world to loose hope in the church.

A Gallup Poll showed that Confidence in organized religion topped confidence in all other institutions from 1973 to 1985, and, even after falling amid televangelist scandals in the 1980s, it registered at the majority level consistently until 2001.

After the Boston Globe's 2002 expose revealed Catholic church leaders were aware of and did not take strong action to stop serial sex abuse by priests, confidence in organized religion dropped sharply to 45%. It recovered slightly in the years after the scandal broke, hovering around the 50% mark. Between 2010 and 2017, it regularly registered in the 40s. Since then, in 2018 and 2019, Americans' confidence in religion has been below the 40% mark.

The church seems to be losing its effectiveness in the world, and the closer we are to the coming of Christ, it appears as it is moving farther away form its purpose. Should the church loss its purpose, there is no hope for this world.

Here we have the apostle encouraging the saints to wake up from their slumber. It means the church is asleep, and it. has been asleep for such a long time. The Lord speaking to the church. In Sardis said, Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. [3] Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Rev.3:2-3.

Social media have caused the church to become more visible to the world, causing every dark secret of the church to be exposed. This is not the day when leaders can do wrong and hope no one will know. The Lord has called everyone of his followers to walk in holiness.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. [4] For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love. Ephesians 1:3-4.

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Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

Peter also is seen encouraging the saints Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1Peter 2:1-3

Carousing: - consuming plentiful alcohol and enjoy oneself with others in a noisy, lively way.

Drunkenness: -state of being intoxicated; tipsiness; overindulgence.

Sexual Immorality: - the word most often translated “sexual immorality” is porneia. This word is also translated as “whoredom,” “fornication,” and “idolatry.” It means “a surrendering of sexual purity,” and it is primarily used of premarital sexual relations. From this Greek word we get the English word pornography, stemming from the concept of “selling off.” Sexual immorality is the “selling off” of sexual purity and involves any type of sexual expression outside the boundaries of a biblically defined marriage relationship (Matthew 19:4–5).

Debauchery: - excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures.

Dissension: - disagreement that leads to dissensions; difference of opinion.

Jealousy: - Jealousy is a feeling or state of resentment, bitterness, or hostility toward someone because they have something that you don’t. Jealousy usually occurs as a result of someone owning something you want but can’t have or having achieved success that you want to achieve but have not been able to.

Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14.

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Chapter 14

14:1-4 NIV Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. [2] One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. [3] The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. [4] Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Disputable: debatable, open to debate, open to discussion, arguable, contestable, moot, open to question, questionable, doubtful, dubious; controversial, contentious, disputed, contended, unconfirmed, unsettled, unsound.

As he concluded the last chapter with these words. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. [13] Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. [14] Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:12-14.

He began to deal with matters concerning diet. Perhaps there were some Jews among them who was Judgmental on others, because they did not approve what some were eating. In the early days of the church, there were some who came from Jerusalem and began teaching some things that were contrary to the scriptures.

They taught unless these gentile believers follow the customs of Moses and were circumcised, they could not be saved. This teaching caused the apostle to seek the counsel of the apostles and elders of the church. The elders responded by advising them, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: [29] You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things”. Acts 15:28-29

There will always be those among us who feel they have the right to condemn others, by judging them as to what they can do or what they can wear, or even eat. May times, because these brethren have been in church a long time, they believe they have the right to do so. Some people have left the local church because of the behavior of some of the saints. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus taught “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2.

We must be careful how we treat people, especially those who may not be as strong in the faith as we are. Some may still be struggling with some habits, and it may take a while for them to get totally free, but we must be patient and help them, until they get the victory. Christ was very patient with us, and we must be patient in our dealing with others. We must never forget the great commission from the Lord, it is to go and make disciples of all nations. Matt.28:19.

The process of making disciples is one the requires genuine Love, which the apostle is encouraging the saints to practice. He said “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

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It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. [8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away”. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

Since love is the mark of any follower of Christ, then it becomes easy for a follower of Christ to accept those who are weak in the faith, without debating or arguing with them. Although the scripture teaches, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, the old is gone and the new has come. 2Cor.5:17. For some this “NEW” may require a lot of teaching and learning, just as it was when we turn our lives over to the Lord.

Some have struggled for a while, before they were able to overcome some of their insecurities, but because of the Love God has for us, He always send people in our lives to help us, and that is what he is doing by sending you and I to help those who are weak. In one of the earlier chapters, he is seen encouraging the believers to do the same. We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. Romans 15:1-2.

Strong does not necessarily means physical strength, but spiritual, or spiritually mature. His warning is that we should not allow ourselves to get carried away by matters that are there to caused confusion. Observe his closing words in the last chapter were, “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh”. Romans 13:14.

There are some people who take pleasure in glorying in the flesh. The boast in their achievements for three purpose of looking down on others, for the purpose of exalting themselves. These are all part of the works of the flesh.

Paul address this problem with the church in Philippi. “For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh--- [4] though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: [5] circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; [6] as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. [7] But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith”. Philippians 3:3-9

He wants every one to be fully persuaded in their own minds regarding their faith in the Lord. He said One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. [3] The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.

The scripture said, “I have the right to do anything,” you say---but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”---but I will not be mastered by anything. [13] You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 1Cor.6:12-13.

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The things that some consider as of major importance regarding one’s Christian walk, he labeled them as “Disputable matters”. They had nothing to do with helping the believer in their daily walk, but encourages debates and sometimes would even lead to relationships being broken. Some may even get into heated arguments that get physical, which would lead to all sorts of problems.

Paul also address this same concern with the saints in Collosae, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: Col.2:16-20.

The attitude of the believer should be one of love and not one of pride. In the previous chapter, the apostle said “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you” Romans 12:3.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Phil 2:3-4.

14:7-10 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. [8] If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. [9] For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. [10] You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister ? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.

There are times when we forget that we should not just be concern about our own, because each of us must be concern as to how we affect the lives of others, by the we we talk and behave. This is especially true for us as believers, because people no longer read the Bible, but they quickly read our lives.

Sometimes their coming to the Lord has a lot to do with how we live this Christian life. Sometimes, our children rebel against God, because of our hypocritical behavior. They see and hear how we speak about others who may not be as righteous as we are, and when they are among their friends, they talk about what they hear us say. How we use our tongues to cut down each other, instead of trying to find ways to build up the weak. We forget there were times when we also struggled and someone help us get the victory.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, [2] in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. [3] All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. [4] But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, [5] made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions---it is by grace you have been saved. [6] And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, [7] in order that in the coming ages he

85 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:1-7

Therefore, we are encouraged to “Be very careful, then, how you live---not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is”. Ephesians 5:15-17.

We must remember what the will of God is for man. His will is that all flesh be saved, although we know what the scriptures said, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. [9] The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.2Peter 3:8-9.

As we mature in Christ, it changes the way we behave toward one another. instead of being judge mental toward others, we find ourselves being compassionate toward them, and pray for God to give them the strength to help them.

The kingdom of God becomes a priority to us. The words of the old hymn said “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace” by Nathan Nockles.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. [5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; [7] rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death---even death on a cross! Philippians 2:3-8 NIV

14:11-13 It is written: “ 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.' ” [12] So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. [13] Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

We must be careful by the way we live, so that by the way we conduct our lives, we have not become a stumbling block to anyone, especially to our families, because they know us more than we may think. Remember, the words of the poem written by Edgar Guest. “I rather see a sermon”

The scriptures said, “Be very careful, then, how you live---not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. [18] Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, [19] speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, [20] always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:15-20.

It is selfish to think we can live as we want, without considering how it will affect others. Jesus said “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Neither do people light a lamp and

86 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? [4] How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? [5] You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Matthew 7:3-5 NIV

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear, Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear; And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds, For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done; I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run. And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true, But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do; For I might misunderstand you and the high advise you give, But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind. When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be. And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.

One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold; One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told. Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear, For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear. Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say, I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.

14:14-18 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. [15] If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. [16] Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. [17] For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, [18] because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

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The apostle continues to encouraged them to let people be fully persuaded when it come to the diet, because if one considers certain foods are not beneficial to them, that is to that person only, it is not to everyone. We must consider that there are differences in our cultures. Some foods are considered delicacies in certain cultures. When that person comes to Christ, his diet does not change unless the Holy Spirit brings a conviction upon that person.

There are times when our physician may encourage us to stay away from certain foods, and that is because of health concerns, and will be beneficial to us for our well-being. God did not call us to police others by what they chose to eat. To one person, certain types of foods my not be appreciated, but that does not give us the right to judge them or their families or even their culture.

We must endeavor not to put a stumbling block before anyone, whatever you may have thought about certain foods, the Scriptures said we should keep to yourself, and let the Spirit of God do the rest.

14:19-23 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. [20] Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. [21] It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. [22] So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. [23] But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

As he is about to close this chapter, he encourages them to “Make Every Effort” to live in peace and to “mutual edification”

Living in peace with people is not an easy thing to do. This command to live in peace is always easier said then done, because there are some who can be very difficult. It does not matter, how much effort you make, they seem to get pleasure in making live miserable for others. This can also be very challenging for some relationships.

The scriptures discourages entering a covenant relationship with an unbeliever. Two cannot walk together unless they agree. (Amos 3:3). Agreement is not possible when peace and edification is not the goal. The health and well-being of the relationship must be a priority in any relationship, and especially among the saints. Food should not be so powerful that it causes one the cause the world of God to be destroyed. The scripture said “I have the right to do anything,” you say---but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”---but I will not be mastered by anything. [13] You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. [14] By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 1 Corinthians 6:12-14 NIV

The psalmist said we need to seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14b) This tells us in order for us to have peace, we must pursue it desperately. It is no wonder the apostle said “make every effort”. Peace does not come because we want it, we must make a desperate effort to acquire it, and after we get it, we must also be intention about keeping it.

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The Scriptures said “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: [17] haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, [18] a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, [19] a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community”. Proverbs 6:16-19.

Later we will see him continue in his warning regarding those who are a treat to maintaining peace. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. [18] For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.e you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. [18] For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Romans 16:17-18.

Mutual Edification:- The word used for “edification” in the New Testament is oikodomé, which translates literally as “the building of a house.”

The dictionary definition of edify is “to instruct and improve, especially in moral and religious knowledge.” According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, the word indicates the promotion of “spiritual growth and development of character of believers, by teaching or by example, suggesting such spiritual progress as the result of patient labor.”

His caution is that believers should do whatever they need to do to protect themselves from being accused of destroying God’s work by eating certain foods. It should not be that our attitude is we don’t care what people think, but we must be concern about how our behavior may affect ours.

The scripture said Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. [5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; [7] rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death---even death on a cross! Philippians 2:3-8 NIV

When our Lord prayed on the mount of olives, he cried out to God, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39. Jesus was not concern about his own comfort, he was more concern about doing the work of his father, and that was to seek and to save the lost.

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Chapter 15

Romans 15:1-3 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. [3] For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

The apostle seem to continue his discussion that as believers, we should always be concern about the well-being of others. As the previous chapter closes, it is clear the emphases was on the way we treat others, especially toward those who are not so strong.

It is evident that his message to them was the what Jesus taught the disciples. A new command i give you. Love one another as i have loved you. So you must love one another. By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35. Love is what make the difference between a follower of Christ, and all other religions, because it always has a concern about the wellbeing of others.

As leaders, it is always our desire to see every believer come to maturity. There is no joy in keeping people in an immature condition. Paul also realized there is a strong possibility this may not happen, for there will be some who will take little longer in developing their ability to mature. Therefore, patience are required from those who are mature as we help the weak.

Helping the weak requires not only patience, but as it is in the natural, so. it is in the spiritual. Some children develop faster than others, yet as parents, we cannot neglect the responsibility of providing the slower ones with the help they would need.

“Bearing the failings of the weak” is not only he responsibility of the pastor and leaders of the local church, but it is the responsibility of every believer that is mature. Paul is convince that among believers, so are more mature than they think. He said, I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. Romans 15:14.

Christ placed within the church these offices to help equip the people, bringing them from infancy to maturity. The office of the Apostle, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors and Teachers. (Ephesians 4:11-14). His purpose is to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. [14] Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Ephesians 4:12-14.

In almost all his letters, he is seen encouraging the saints in the very same manner. His letter to the saints in Philippi said the same thing. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Phil.2:3-4

15:4. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

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As we read or study the holy scriptures, we should seek the Lord for the understanding. There maybe something in the text he want to say to you as a person, or for your family. Therefore, it is not to be rush through. The scriptures are the sacred writings, and it should be treated as such.

Paul encouragement to Timothy said, “... continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, [15] and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:14-16.

The rich purpose of reading the Bible is for “endurance”, because as we continue this Christian journey, there will be circumstances we will face that we will some form of encouragement, and when we cannot find anyone who can encourage us, we are confident we will find a word that will do that. For we know that some of the believers who have gone on, have face some difficulties, and we can learn from their experience.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

15:7-9 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.”

The insecurities that we see in the world exists also within the church. Our society are dealing with racism and discrimination, and the church has to deal with these also. As we look at the early church in the acts of the apostles. This was one of the challenges the apostles had to deal with. The way in which these apostles dealt with such problem, gives us some insight as to how we should approach these issues.

The golden rule should be one of the principles as believers we should embraced. So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12. We should always consider how we would like to be treated, in our dealing with others.

Our behavior toward how we treat others will either be instrumental in pointing men to God, or pushing them away from God, and especially those in our own households. The words of the psalmist said, I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. [2] He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. [3] He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Psalm 40:1-3

15:10-13. Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.” [11] And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.” [12] And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up,

91 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” [13] May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Here we see the apostle quoting what the prophets have written years ago concerning the praises God will receive from the Gentiles for his compassion in allowing the Gentiles to share in the blessings he promise the the ancestors of Abraham, specially his mercies toward them.

Our hearts should always be filled with praises to God for his mercies toward us, for there are family members we have that are still in darkness, and are not making any attempt to turn to the light, but today many of us are enjoying the blessing of no longer being slaves to the god of this world, we are experiencing the blessing of Abraham, for the scriptures said, Jesus became a curse for us so that the blessings of Abraham can come upon us who believe. Gal.3:13-14.

“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” [9] Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. [10] Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! [11] And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. [12] And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. Romans 4:7-12.

15:14-16 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. [15] Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me [16] to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Here again we see the apostle reminding them of his priestly responsibilities in proclaiming the gospel especially to the Gentiles. This assignment was not given to him by some. Institution, but it was the primary reason why the Lord saved him.

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. [16] I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Acts 9:15-16.

As Paul stood before the king Agrippa, he share with him, We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' [15] “Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' “ 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. [16] 'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. [17] I will rescue you from your own people and

92 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them [18] to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' Acts 26:14-18.

15:17-22. Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. [18] I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done--- [19] by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. [20] It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. [21] Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.” [22] This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.

Paul was such an extra-ordinary apostle, and an uneasy leader, one that as a follower of Christ, one could emulate. His passion for the lost drove him to see the lost come to christ. He refused to even his culture prevent him from fulfilling his call.

He was determine not to be like any other preacher. He wanted to see signs and miracles accompany his ministry of the word. Today we have many who are preachers in our city that have been educated by some seminary, and they settled to be a follower of others, who have settled just to be a preacher.

He was determine not to be one of them, but to be one God can depend on to bring salvation to people where the gospel did not reach. Paul was quite acquainted those who oppose the message of the gospel, not only from men, but from the devil himself. Each time he attempted to visit these brethren, he was oppose by the enemy using various ones or situations to prevent him.

The evil one will do anything to hinder people from coming to God. He want to keep people in blindness, as seen in the scriptures with this fellow named simon.

Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, [10] and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” [11] They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. Acts 8:9-11

This is the reason why preachers need much prayer, because the enemy of the cross will do everything In his power to bring distraction to people, in order to keep from coming to Christ. Paul requested prayer from the saints in Ephesus. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:19-20.

15:23-25 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, [24] I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. [25] Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord's people there.

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The church in Rome was not found by Paul. By the time he arrived there, the church was already establish. His visit to Rome was not so pleasant.

The scriptures record that Paul was in Rome twice, both times as a prisoner, during his thirty-five year public ministry. His appearance in the city of Rome occurs during his fourth and his fifth missionary journeys. His heart desire was to visit them for. The purpose of strengthening them.

They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, [22] strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. [23] Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Acts 14:21-23. Paul's first visit to Rome is initiated when he is arrested at Jerusalem's temple in late spring of 58 A.D. His arrest occurs when several Jews, who hated him and the gospel message, falsely accused him of defiling the temple and teaching others to disobey God. Acts 21:27–28. During this period of time, he wrote four of his fourteen epistles, Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians and Philemon.

The second time he was imprisoned in Rome was n 67AD. Tradition states that it was there he was martyred through being beheaded, sometime during the year AD 68.

His desire is that while on his way to Jerusalem, he will have the opportunity to visit them and collect an offering to help the Jewish brethren who were living in an unfortunate condition in Jerusalem.

15:26-29 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord's people in Jerusalem. [27] They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. [28] So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. [29] I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

His sharing with. these brethren concerning the contribution he received from the saints in Macedonia and Achaea was a means of encouragement for these brethren to be moved with the same compassion to help the unfortunate among the Jews.

As he shared with them, they were moved to give and their giving was of such that they were very happy to help. Considering the blessings they were experiencing was a direct result of having the gospel brought to them also.

The psalmist asked the question, “with what shall we repay the Lord for all his benefits toward me, i will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord, I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people”. Psalm 116:12-14.

Giving to God or supporting the work of advancing the kingdom of God should not be a burden to anyone who has experience God’s forgiveness. The woman with the alabaster box of perfume demonstrate this. (Luke 7:37-50)

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Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven---as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7:47.

15:30-33 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. [31] Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord's people there, [32] so that I may come to you with joy, by God's will, and in your company be refreshed. [33] The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

He solicits their prayer covering. Not that he was afraid, but he was quite aware of what the evil one can do. He was not under estimating his ability to hurt him, or hinder him from doing what God called him to do.

This is why it is so Important for every pastor to have intercessors covering them and their family in prayer. I personally do not take that for granted. If the intercessors were not keeping me in prayer,, i can assure you, it was not possible for me to fulfill my assignment.

Jesus also knew the importance of having a prayer covering. The scriptures said, He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. [38] Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” [39] Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” [40] Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn't you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. [41] “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:37-41.

Prayer covering provide us with the strength to face any difficulty or challenges the enemy brings our way. It really does not matter how strong we are spiritually, without that covering, we are wide open to the attacks of the enemy.

This is the primary reason why psalm 91 is. Such a powerful psalm. The secret of the blessings lies in verse one. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high, shall abide under the shadow of the almighty”.

The secret is staying in the. secret place, not visiting sporadically, but making it the place of our abode. Paul knew once he has that he would be fine, and the contribution he was taking along with him would be safe. The scripture said we should not be ignorant of the devise of Satan, for. He strikes when we least expect him. No wonder he is known as a roaring lion, always looking for someone to devour. James said to resist him and he will flee from us. James 4:7.

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Chapter 16

Romans 16:1-2 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. [2] I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

As the apostle is bringing this letter to a conclusion, he is seen commending those who were co-laborers with him in ministry. We should never forget to give honor to whom honor is due. (Rom.13:7). I have seen the Lord has caused some ministry to grow, and as it grew, the leaders forgot the ones whom the Lord sent to help in the process of growth.

People who made much sacrifice, financially, prayer, time, sometime, even at the expense of their own family, and in return they get treated as nothing, but the apostle Paul took the time to acknowledge his team. As leaders we must learn from this example, seeing that Paul was the one the Lord used to bring the gospel to the Gentiles.

The names of those mentioned are mostly Greek, which indicates these individuals came to Rome, or perhaps were there due to conducting some kind of business. Some may asked why “Peter’s” name was not mentioned. Perhaps at that time the apostle had not connected with him.

The mention of Phoebe at the very beginning indicate that she was the bearer of this letter, along with others. She was not just a member of the church, but a very active sister that he called her a “deacon”. This word carries the true meaning of a “servant” or “minister”. Churches today address women deacons as deaconess, but this is not scripture. There are also churches that forbids women to preach, they believe this is the responsibility of men and not women.

Some have forgotten the Lord is the head of the church, and he uses anyone he sees that is available to carry his message. Phoebe was one of those outstanding women in the scriptures who was not only recognized by the apostle, but the hand of God was upon her. Paul could not help but acknowledge her for who she was and what she did for the advancement of the gospel.

The fact that the Apostle had to asked the saints “to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people” tells us women in ministry were not well received by the saints. They had reservations when it comes to accepting women as servants of the Lord. They were seen as mothers and home makers doing meager assignments in the church and nothing more.

The apostle elevated her to a place in ministry that perhaps some did not agree with, but they could not argue with him, for he told them, she was such great help in his ministry that had she not been there, much of his word may have been hindered. He also encouraged them to give her any help she may need. In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. [9] They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. [10] They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. [11] In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. [12] A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. [13] Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

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16:3-5. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. [4] They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. [5] Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

This second group he commended was not given the same title like Phoebe. He called them his “co- workers in the work of the Lord”. This is a higher commendation than that of the previous person. Today, we would called these people his associates. They had the heart of this leader. They understood what he was trying to do, they ate with him. He would address them as his Timothy’s.

Our Lord Jesus was a true example of what this apostle was doing. He selected twelve men to follow him. He tried to reproduce himself in these men. Only three of them really understood what he was trying to do. The others were still looking for him to do something different.

Remember at one time, after his resurrection, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”Acts 1:6. They were having difficulty in believing him, because what Jesus did and said was foreign to them. They never saw or heard the things he said.

Jesu had to questioned them once as to who do they say he was, he was testing them to see if they really knew him. He knew he only had a little over three years to finish the work his father sent him to do. He had limited time to reproduce himself in them.

Paul said these people we his “co-laborers”. These people were willing to risk their very lives for him, because they believed in the vision the apostle had received from the Lord. In my former church, i had seen many who appeared to have believed in the vision of the house, but upon careful observation, i realized they had other motives.

The scriptures said For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. [18] Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.” Luke 8:17.

Paul also considered his spiritual son the same way. I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. [20] I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. [21] For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. [22] But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. Phil. 2:19-22.

As mentioned before, during the days of the early church, there were no large gatherings in one place like we have today. There are some ministries that meet in buildings that seats over 20,000 people, but this was not the case in Paul’s day. Believers met in small gatherings in various homes, what we consider as house churches.

Epenetus could either be a child of Aquila and Priscilla, and most likely was converted at one of the apostle’s meetings. Since he was the first convert, perhaps he received salvation before his parents. Whatever the case was, they made an impact upon the apostle’s life.

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16:6. Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. The name Mary was a common name in these days, therefore, there is no certainty as to which of the Mary the apostle was referring to, but she was commended for the work she did for the people of God.

As the apostle address the Thessalonians brethren, We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:3.

Dorcas was rewarded for the hard work she did for God’s people. In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. [37] About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. [38] Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” [39] Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. [40] Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. [41] He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. [42] This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Acts 9:36-42.

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. [11] We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. [12] We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 6:10-12.

16:7. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

History believes these brethren were relatives of the apostle, for he use the kinsmen, which is mostly used for relatives, and because Paul was frequently in and out of prisons, they most likely accompanied him at various times. Although their names were not mentioned among the list of the apostles, Paul did not say they were apostles, but he said they were “outstanding” among them. They were much better than the usual or the norm. He also acknowledge the duration of their faith in Christ. These brethren had what I would call “scars” to show of their walk of faith in Christ.

For Paul to commend them as such, they had to experienced some of what the apostle described as being “hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; [9] persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. [10] We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body”. 2Cor.4:8-10.

Maybe not all of what the apostle went through, this man and his wife experienced, but they stood very loyal by his side as he went through his trials,, and he commended them for that.

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16:8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. The scripture said a brother is born for adversity, but a friend loves at all times. Prov.17:17. You really know your friend when you are facing some challenge. As Job went through his trial, and some men came to visit him, he said, “my intercessor is my friend” Job 16:20.

This fellow perhaps was one Paul could depend on, he stood by Paul through his trails, and he recognized his friendship.

As king David was about to die, he gave a charge to his son Solomon to show kindness to someone who helped him while he was facing some trouble. He told. Solomon to ‘show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom. 1 Kings 2:7 NIV [2Samuel 15] [Absalom conspiracy against king David]

We should always remember those who showed kindness to us, and even though we may never be able to pay them back, but a time may come when the opportunity will come for us to show kindness to their children or their children children. The scriptures said, “… when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matt.6:3-4

Jesus also said , So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12 NIV.

16:9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

He commended Urbanus for his partnership with him in ministry, but he did not called him his friend like he did about Stachys. We have no knowledge about him, but. Paul acknowledge his dedication to. The work of the Lord, but perhaps his relationship with him was strictly on a business level. He was a faithful worker.

There are some who are extroverts, while others are introverts. Urbanus perhaps was not the people person type, never-the-less, he was very active in the work of the kingdom of God.

16:10. Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.

The apostle commended this fellow “Apelles” for his sincerity and depth of his faith. Some bible scholars believe that “Apelles” was Apollos: whoever he was, he had given every demonstration of being a genuine believer.

Paul. Did not commend Aristobulus like he did with the rest, but be commended his household. Perhaps Aristobulus allowed his home to be used as a church when the saints gathered. We have no knowledge, but one thing we do know is that God will reward him for what he did.

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God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10 NIV

16:11. Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

Not much has been said about Herodion, some believe he was also a kinsmen of the apostle, perhaps one of Paul’s traveling companions.

Again we see the apostle commending the believers who were in the household of Narcissus. As seen before with Aristobulus, his house was also used for the saints to gather in worship. He encouraged the saints by letting them used his house, therefore, God will reward him for his act of kindness.

16:12. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.

For the apostle to acknowledge these three women, it means that their work was very noticeable, not only by him, but by the elders of the church. No pastor can do the work of ministry all by themselves, they will need others to assist them.

Jesus, although he had all authority, selected twelve men to assist him. Moses was counseled by his father-in-law to get some help or he will destroy himself and the people he was called to serve.

Some denominations won’t allow women to teach or preach, they believe this is. The responsibility of the men, but the scriptures said, “.., I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. [29] Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. Joel 2:28-29.

The ministry of Jesus was greatly supported by women also. After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, [2] and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; [3] Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. Luke 8::1-3.

Women serving in ministry are so valuable today more so than it has ever been. Thank God for the men, but women have a significant part they function in in order for the delivery of the message of hope for this world. Thank God for women in ministry..

16:13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.

Rufus was a man of great excellence in his walk as a believer, he was a choice man, as some would say, and his mother demonstrated that level of excellence in whatever she did, or however she lived. What a great influence this mother and son had upon the apostle.

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Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13

16:14-16 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them. [15] Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord's people who are with them. [16] Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.

This last group of people, the apostle made no special acknowledgement for them, not because. They did meager duties, because he took the time to mention them means he recognized the work they did, as they assisted him in whatever way they saw a need, they. Jump right in. And met that need

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1Peter 4:10-11

16:17-19 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. [18] For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. [19] Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

This warning could not have come a better time, as the apostle is about to bring this letter to a close, he remembers some. of the battles he fought, and especially from people in the church. Perhaps it is the reason why. He warned the elders of the church to Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. [29] I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. [30] Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:28–30.

The evil one will do anything to distort the word of God, for he wants no one to experience salvation. His desire is to keep men in ignorance, so they will not understand. the truth and be save, and if they are saved, he does not want them to have a victorious christian life.

Therefore, he sends among the believers his messengers, to distort the truth, so that men would believe the lie. Many of these people will sound so genuine that without the Holy Spirit gift of discernment, even genuine believers could be deceived.

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. [2] People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, [4] treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--- [5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. [6] They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, [7] always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. [8] Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who,

101 ROMANS Bible Study – Destiny Life Center International – Apostle Roland Cooper as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. [9] But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. 2Timothy 3:1-9

His caution is for us to keep away from them, do get into debate or arguments with them.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, [7] rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. [8] See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:6-8

Their reputation preceded them, the entire Christian community heard about the faith these brethren had in the Lord and the love they had for his people. When people hear your name, it should be that they could only have positive things to say about the way you live among them. We see him encouraging them to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

In one of the previous chapters, he encouraged them to, make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. Romans 14:19..

16:20. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

He is seen reminding them that the God who they are serving, will certainly use them to destroy the works of the devil, although it may appear that the devil is winning, but that is only for a moment, because even as Jesus defeated him at the resurrection, and he said all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him, and one day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Phil 2:10-11.

Because one day with the Lord is like a thousand years, no one knows how soon is soon, what we do know is God never make a promise that he cannot fulfill. Num.23:19; Isa.55:10-11. Satan may be having a field day at the moment, but it will all come to an end soon. It really does not matter if we are alive to see it happen, but it is sure to happen. The prophet Isaiah prophesies his doom already. How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! 13 You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.[b] 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” 15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit. 16 Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, 17 the man who made the world a wilderness, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?”

16:21. Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.

Apparently, the apostle forgot to acknowledge the brethren, and just as pastors need help especially when he begins to mention names, it is very easy to forget some very important people. Perhaps Tertius, whom I called “Paul’s scribe” was the one that reminded him of these brethren.

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Of all the apostles’ disciples, Timothy held a special place in his heart. This is what he had to say about Timothy. I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. Phil.2:19-24

He would never forget Timothy, but at that moment, it perhaps slips his mind to acknowledge him. Here he did not call him his son, but his co-worker sends them his greetings along with these other brethren.

16:22. I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.

Although Paul was the author of the letter, Tertius was the scribe or amanuensis who did the actual writing. His name means “third” in Latin and was a common name for slaves in Paul’s day. This fact alone does not tell us anything about his social status since during those days, some slaves were trained as scribes. For Paul to select him as his scribe, means this fellow was well educated.

He is seen here added his greetings to the saints in Rome,. Who perhaps were familiar with who he was.

16:23. Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city's director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.

The apostle could not forget “Gaius”. This brother was one who was willing to lay down his life for the kingdom of God. When the gospel was being brought to the people of Ephesus, and salvation came to many. The ones responsible for keeping the people in bondage, started a riot by accusing Paul of interfering with their income. Acts 19.

Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. Acts 19:29.

Not only was this fellow willing to risk his very life for the kingdom, but he was one whom God used with the gift of hospitality. The scripture said, Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. [9] Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1Peter 4:8-11

His gift was very noticeable by the apostle, and also the local church. People just enjoyed being in his presence, the atmosphere of his home made it so welcoming that these who would visit him did not want to leave.

There was another brother who had this same gift as Gaius. His name was Corneilus and because of the spirit of hospitality that was on him, Salvation came to his house in such a powerful way.

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One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” [4] Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Acts 10:3-4.

The scripture also said, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. [11] We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. [12] We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised”. Hebrews 6:10-12.

Erastus, who is the city's director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.

Erastus was most likely one of Paul’s co-worker, he was a civil servant in the city of Corinth, and a brother in Christ. Erastus must have been a very influential man. His responsibilities was the upkeep of civic buildings and city streets and the collection of public revenue; in some cases, he even may have acted as a lawyer of sorts in public disputes (Paul D. Gardner, New International Encyclopedia of Bible Characters). Erastus may have overseen the maintenance of Roman infrastructure, such as aqueducts and sewers.

This fellow was well known in that city due to the responsibility he had, and although he was very influential, when he heard the gospel, he received it with joy, and serve the Lord with gladness in his heart.

Quartus: He was born in the city of Athens, and was one of its wealthy and learned nobles. He believed in the Lord Christ and served him. It is believed he was one of the seventy disciples i the upper room on the day of Pentecost. He preached the gospel wherever he went, even in the city of Magnis and many people were converted and baptized and were the scriptures. He then returned to Athens with the gospel, but they stoned him and tortured him severely. Finally they cast him into the fire; thus, he received the crown of martyrdom.

He was also commended for his faith in the Lord Jesus, and although his name may not be written in the roll call of faith, yet he his work spoke volume of him.

16:24 KJV The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

The NIV did not include this verse, but for the purpose of this study, i had to use the KJV, which included it.

This verse, is not present in the earliest manuscripts, and many modern scholars believe that it was actually added in by later scribes. Therefore, modern translators are not trying to remove anything, they are simply translating from an ancient Greek text that does not contain the verse. On the very bottom of the chapter, this verse will be found inserted in order not to confuse the reader.

The evidence as to why it is removed.

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• Verse 24 is a repetition of words from verse 20 • By far the earliest manuscripts unanimously lack what we today call verse 24 • The earliest manuscripts that do contain the verse lack those words in verse 20. The scribes thus appear to have written the words of verse 20 in the wrong place, creating verse 24 • Scribes obviously do write words in the wrong place sometimes, because a number of manuscripts moved verse 24 to another place in the chapter. • There is no clear reason why, had the verse been original, all the early scribes would have deleted it nor why many later scribes would have moved it

16:25-27. Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, [26] but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith--- [27] to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. “Now to Him”: the “Him” the apostle is referring to is not some other god the hands of men made. In the apostle’s conversation with some leaders, he told them, “Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone---an image made by human design and skill. Acts 17:29.

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. [25] And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. Acts 17:24-25.

This God is called “omnipotent”, which means he is the all powerful being. The prophet Isaiah asked the question, “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. [26] Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:25-26.

This God is able to “establish you” means to strengthen and confirmed you, using the gospel Paul preached.

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles--- [2] Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, [3] that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. [4] In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, [5] which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. [6] This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 3:1-6.

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse! [9] As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse! Galatians 1:8-9

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