Monday: Romans 7 Friday: Romans 13-14 (continued) AITH ULLY IT F F F 7:1-6 Note: Paul has now given two reasons why work through these verses is that Paul does not say much Christians want to give up sin. The first is because in to the weak Christian. The strong must always defer to My Spiritual Fitness Goals for this week: Baptism we have died with Christ and have risen with the weak. The very nature of things says it cannot be the him. The second is that we have been freed from slavery other way around. Weekly Spiritual to sin that leads to death and have become slaves to 14:23 “Everything that does not come from faith is sin.” God, which leads to holiness and eternal life. Now Paul The word faith here probably does not refer to saving will give us a third way of looking at a Christian and sin. faith in Christ. In this context it refers to whether a 7:6 “The new way of the Spirit”—Note 2:29. There Paul person has faith (knowledge) that what he or she is doing Fitness Plan Introduction to the Book of Romans had hinted at how a true “Jewish” person lives, one who is right in God’s eyes. Purpose: Paul’s joy over the faith of the Romans was a is circumcised in the heart. Here Paul explains fully what major factor in penning a letter to them, but the letter serving in the new way of the Spirit means.

also had a very practical purpose. Paul was looking to the 7:7-25 Note: The sinful nature tries another approach. Saturday: Romans 15-16 Romans for help and support in connection with the “Paul,” the sinful nature says, “I thought the law was mission work he was contemplating for Spain and the 15:13 “Hope”—The word here does not contain an given so people could keep it and find life. If what you West. Paul is very open in asking for their aid. His hope element of doubt, as it does in this sentence: I hope it say is true, then the law must be bad, because it provides may well have been that Rome would become his base doesn’t rain tomorrow. A Christian’s hope is a certainty. the impetus for sin. And we know that cannot be the of operation to the West as Syrian Antioch had been in The only reason we call it hope is because we don’t yet case. So, Paul, you must be mistaken.” In verses 7-13, the East have the fulfillment. Paul answers that objection.

Ch. 15:14-22 Note: At this point Paul begins to bring his Content: Unlike most of the correspondence we have letter to a close. Paul had not met the Roman Christians. from the apostle Paul’s pen, his letter to the Romans Tuesday: Romans 8 He wants to explain why he wrote this letter. does not seem to have been written to solve any particular problem in the congregation or to settle a 8:1-8 Note: Christians are not condemned; they are in 15:26 “Macedonia and Achaia”—This is shorthand for theological debate. The letter is calm and dispassionate. Christ Jesus, who is God’s answer to sin and death. In the the churches Paul started in Philippi, Thessalonica, and In some respects it resembles an essay, setting forth a first half of Romans chapter 8, Paul speaks much as he Corinth. When Paul wrote this letter, he and a group of broad, systematic treatment of God’s plan of salvation. did in Romans chapter 6, where he spoke about our representatives from these churches were ready to Dominant throughout is the concept of righteousness. being raised with Christ and made slaves of God. If that is deliver the offering. Natural man’s lack of righteousness is offset by the our status, we cannot but live in step with the Holy Spirit.

righteousness that comes from God, the righteousness 8:3 “He condemned sin in sinful man.” This phrase 16:1 “Phoebe”—Recall that Paul wrote this letter from earned by Christ and received by the sinner through carries a double meaning. It can refer to Jesus, who as a Corinth. Cenchrea, Phoebe’s hometown, was a port city faith. Having received Christ’s righteousness through human being took on himself our sins and so became a for Corinth. She may have delivered the letter. faith, the justified sinner is now moved to live a life of sinful man. It can also refer to us sinners. Jesus 16:3 “Priscilla and Aquila”—This husband and wife team Week 87 - Romans 7-16 righteousness that conforms in ever greater degree to condemned sin in himself by suffering and dying for our played a vital role in Paul’s work. We saw them first in God’s will. sin, and at the same time, he condemned sin in us. Corinth when Paul started the church there on his 8:9-17 Note: There are only two stances a person can second missionary journey. They went with him to Outline: take regarding Christ. Either believe in him or reject him. Ephesus and assisted him in the work there on his third Theme: Righteousness from God Those who reject him have rejected his Holy Spirit. Those journey. Sometime during Paul’s third journey, they had 1. Introduction (1:1-15) who believe in him have God’s Spirit living in them. If we returned to their hometown, Rome, and were serving 2. Theme: righteousness from God (1:16-17) have Christ’s Spirit in us, we will live according to it. The the church there. 3. The unrighteousness of all people (1:18-3:20) faith that gives us life cannot be separated from the life 4. Righteousness credited: justification (3:21-5:20) we live by faith. 5. Righteousness in Christian living: Sanctification (6:1- 8:39) 8:17 “If indeed we share in his sufferings”—If we live 6. God’s righteousness in dealing with Israel (9:1- with Christ, we will also live for him. Paul will begin to 11:36) speak about suffering, so here he introduces that theme. 7. Righteousness practiced (12-15:13) If we suffer with Christ, we will share in his glory. 8. Righteousness shared: nurture and outreach (15:14- 33) 8:18-27 Note: This section talks about the suffering that 9. Conclusion (16) Christians go through as they await Christ’s second Tuesday: Romans 8 (continued) Wednesday: Romans 9-11 (continued) Wednesday: Romans 9-11 (continued) Wednesday: Romans 9-11 (continued) coming. But it also speaks about how the Holy Spirit no inclination to seek him and find him plays heavily into called to faith everyone whom God chose to come to promises to the patriarchs still stand. Although Israel as a helps us pray for help. what we learn in verses 10-14. The “total depravity” of faith. Those who rejected it, like Pharaoh, were used by nation and its laws no longer play a role in God’s plan of every human being means that all deserve God’s God to display his patience and power to those who salvation, God’s heart still yearns for the Israelites’ 8:20,21 “Subjected to frustration . . . bondage to judgment, and if God saves any one of us, he is good and would believe. That’s Paul’s argument in chapter 9. In salvation. decay”—Creation wants to praise and glorify God, but gracious beyond what we could expect. Esau had every chapter 10, Paul made it clear that God was serious many things keep it from doing so. Disease, destructive chance to come to faith and be saved, but he rejected about leading the Israelites to know him. For hundreds of forces of nature, and pollution all frustrate creation from God’s invitations and sold his birthright. This is normal years he called to them, imploring them to trust in him. Thursday: Romans 12 living as God intended and from praising God for the human activity, deserving God’s anger and judgment. But Israel refused. Now in chapter 11, Paul arrives at his Ch. 12 Note: In chapter 12, Paul begins to address our many blessings he has poured out on it. conclusion. In this section, verses 1-10, Paul makes two God, however, loved Jacob in Christ and called him to lives in Christ. The foundation of God’s grace in Christ has 8:22 “Groaning as in the pains of childbirth”—This faith. Esau only received what he deserved. Jacob points: (1) God always has his elect who will be saved. (2) been laid. phrase not only expresses the pain felt by the creation. It received what he did not deserve. In this context God is Just as he did with Pharaoh, so he does to those who also pictures the creation about ready to give birth to a not unjust. He would be unjust if there were some good harden their hearts against him—he hardens them in 12:1 “Living sacrifices”—This is in contrast to the new and perfect creation, brought forth by God. This will in Esau that he discounted, but there was none. turn. sacrifices under the Old Testament law that ended up dead on the altar. Christians sacrifice too, but they freely happen when God destroys this present creation. 11:11 “Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery?” 9:22 “The objects of his wrath—prepared for sacrifice their lives to God. 8:23 “Firstfruits of the Spirit”—The Spirit is the first destruction”—The Bible never says that God prepared The NIV translation leads us to a different conclusion blessing we experience as God’s people. In other places, some people for destruction. That is what they are when than the Greek. The Jews did fall beyond recovery, for 12:2 “Be transformed. . . . Then you will be able.” The Paul calls it a down payment guaranteeing that we will they are born. They are objects of his wrath and God hardened their hearts. The Greek simply says, “Did key to knowing and doing our Lord’s will is to be receive the rest of our inheritance. prepared for destruction because their sinful nature does they stumble so that they might fall?” The point is this: transformed in our minds. This happens when we go nothing but resist and rebel against God. God did not want the Jews to fall. They were hardened from being under the law of sin and death to being 8:28-39 Note: In this section, Paul closes with final 9:23 “The objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in because they rejected God. God used this as an joined with the law of the Spirit of life. The Spirit teaches words of triumph and joy. No suffering can prove that advance for glory”—God in his grace chose some people opportunity to give the gospel to the Gentiles. Also, he us to love. The Spirit guides us, enabling us to do what God does not love us. Nothing in all creation can to come to faith. He prepared them for glory. They are used their hardening to give the gospel back to the elect pleases God and to make choices according to his will. separate us from God’s love. objects of his mercy. The Bible does not reveal how these among Israel who would hear it by way of the Gentiles. 12:6 “Prophesying”—Prophecy is the gift of two statements can stand side by side. Man has the 8:37 “More than conquerors”—Not only are we not 11:16 “If the root is holy, so are the branches.” The root communicating God’s Word. In Paul’s time, those with power to reject God, yet only by God’s grace does a defeated by the sufferings that come our way, but they is Abraham, a man of faith. He was also the father of the the gift of prophecy often received revelations directly person come to faith. Why doesn’t everyone reject God? bring us blessings. Jewish people. If he is holy, so are they. That is, God has from the Lord and shared them with the church. When Why doesn’t God bring everyone to faith? We don’t a special place in his heart for them and wants nothing we think of prophesying today, we think of preaching know. All we can do is talk about God’s gracious mercy more than that they come to faith. and teaching God’s Word. Wednesday: Romans 9-11 on some and the wrath and destruction that others bring on themselves, as Paul does in this chapter. 11:25 “A hardening in part”—Some, but not all, of the 12:20 “Heap burning coals on his head.” “Burning coals” Ch. 9 Note: Paul returns to the issue he began speaking Jewish people are hardened. describes the feeling a person has when he or she has about in chapter 3:1-8: What about the Jews? If Paul was 10:21 “All day long I have held out my hands to a treated another person badly and that person does only 11:26 “So”—Paul does not say “then” all Jews by birth right, namely, that a Gentile could enjoy true disobedient and obstinate people.” At this point it would good in return. The person feels bad and may repent. In will be saved. The “so” means “in this way,” namely, circumcision of the heart, then what about the Jews who be good to stop and retrace Paul’s steps so far. Paul has this way Christians overcome evil with good. through the process God has established of hardening had outward circumcision but no faith? Had God failed? been telling us that God’s Word has not failed regarding part of Israel so that the gospel could go through the In chapter 3, Paul quickly put down Jewish arguments the Jews, because God’s elect, whom he has chosen from Gentiles back to the Jews. against his teaching and simply affirmed that God was all eternity, have been brought to faith. God has mercy Friday: Romans 13-14 faithful. However, Paul concluded chapter 8 by saying on whom he wants to have mercy. Many, however, like 11:26 “All Israel”—Some commentators interpret this to that God elected us to come to faith and nothing can 13:1 “Which God has established”—Note that Paul twice Pharaoh, have resisted God. They could have believed, refer to spiritual Israel. However, after Paul is finished undermine that election. Nothing can separate us from makes the point about the relationship between God and but they stubbornly chose to reject God, and so God quoting an Old Testament prophecy, he says “As far as God’s love. So again, what about the Jews? Weren’t they the governing authorities, once from the negative side used them for another purpose, namely, to show his the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your God’s chosen people? Is their lack of faith proof that they (“no authority except that which God has established”) power through them to others who would come to account” (verse 28). The word they clearly refers to the have experienced what Paul said was impossible and and again from the positive side (“the authorities that believe in him. But did God want the Jews not to Jews. It refers back to the people spoken about in the have been cut off from God’s grace? In the next three exist have been established by God”). Paul wants to believe? Or did he keep the gospel from them in order to prophecy, which refers back to the “all Israel” of verse chapters, Paul will deal with this question, and in the make this point as strongly as possible. The governments make them objects of wrath, whom he would use as he 26. “All Israel,” therefore, refers to the elect among the process, he will unfold a marvelous plan of salvation that that exist have been established by God, even the evil used Pharaoh? No, the Jews themselves rejected the Jews who are going to be saved. ones. reaches Jews and Gentiles alike. gospel and lost Christ’s righteousness.

9:13,14 “Esau I hated. . . . Is God unjust?” The teaching 11:28 “On account of the patriarchs”—God has not 14:13-23 Note: In these verses, Paul speaks especially to Ch. 11 Note: It is important to review Paul’s line of that all people are completely set against God and have taken away his love from the people of Israel. His the strong Christian. In fact, one thing we notice as we thought. First, Paul said that God’s Word did not fail. It