Book Of Romans

Romans 1:1-6
Romans 1:1
"Paul, a servant [doulos] of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle [apostolos], separated unto the gospel of God,"
     Paul opens his letter to the Romans with his standard salutation and statement: "called to be an apostle". Paul, formerly known as Saul, is the only Bible writer who exchanged his Jewish name for a Gentile one. "Paul", PAULOS = "little", may be a reference to his small stature, see II Cor 10.1, 10. As Saul he was the persecutor of the Church. God knocked him down while he was traveling down Damascus Road, and by force, forced him into a knowledge of the truth:

Acts:9:1-9 "^[1] And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, ^[2] And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. ^[3] And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: ^[4] And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? ^[5] And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. ^[6] And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. ^[7] And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. ^[8] And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. ^[9] And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink."

Paul would later write in his epistle to the Corinthians:

I Corinthians 9:16-17 "^[16] For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! ^[17] For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me."

     It seems that sometimes we preach the free will of man to the exclusion of the Sovereign Power of God. We forget that though there is free will, there is also a plan of God that He will carry through. "God is not man that He should lie, nor can he make a mistake in his omniscience."
     Paul recognized this in his calling to preach the gospel: "either Paul would preach the gospel because he wanted to, or he would preach it against his will through the compulsion and, stewardship of God." Either way Paul would preach the Gospel, as this was his calling and place in the plan of God. "Remember Jonah, who felt that he could ignore the calling of God." God caused Him to be caught up in the belly of the whale, and through compulsion or force (whatever you desire to call it, it's still the same) Jonah still preached the Gospel of repentance to the Ninevites. The same is true of Paul. Before Paul was saved he terrorized the Church, seeking and acquiring the death of many Christians. Paul was probably the reason that Stephen was stoned:

Acts:7:58 "And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul."

     .. but if he wasn't the reason he "was looking on with approval" during that act of murder. Saul/Paul was out in the world working for Satan with all his might, and God knocked him down and blinded him. In his blindness Paul repented, and through one called Ananias God healed him. Paul was forced from serving Satan and brought into service with God. He was not brought into that service with many gentle pleadings and beggings. Paul was whipped and brought home. In the light of all this note how Paul introduced himself:

"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ"

     The Greek for "servant" here is "DOULOS", meaning "One in subjection, subservient, a slave or one under bondage." The "doulos" in Roman culture was the lowest of the low, the dog among slaves. He was the one who had been turned over to the magistrate for his crimes (bankruptcy among them), and in punishment lost everything: His home, his family, his freedom, his very being and identity.
     The "doulos" was not to speak unless spoken to and was beneath recognition. In the midst of cultured but perverted Rome (where freedom was a motto and a rule to be followed at all costs) the "doulos" had no rights. He was to fulfill every whim of his master, no matter what. This was to be applied to all facets of life, and even into death.
     The "Doulos was different from one who was the Bond Servant, as the Bond Servant had limited rights". The Bond Servant was one who was in financial crisis, who, in order to get out from under this crisis, sold himself into a state of slavery. The "Doulos was a dog" who was mercifully allowed food and clothing and even life, whereas the Bond Servant inherently possessed these things because of his former stature. Paul considered himself the "Doulos of Christ". He had been bought from Satan with a price, and only through the mercies of God was allowed life. Paul also told the Christian:

1 Corinthians 6:20 "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
1 Corinthians 7: 22-23 "^[22] For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. ^[23] Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men."

     Everybody belongs to somebody. "Either a man is a slave of God, or else a slave of Satan". If you, as the "Doulos of God", in Roman times were the servant of another, then if you valued your health you would serve that one with all your being. To run away would be to place yourself in jeopardy of death. As Christians we are but base slaves of the Creator because He bought us with His own blood. When we continue to run away from God in our Christian walk we place ourselves in the danger of the Sin unto death:

I John 5:16 "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. "

     The "doulos" concept of Christianity will set the pace for the teachings in the book of Romans. "We are either His and do not own ourselves or else we are lost and are the possessions of Satan." As the "doulos" we have a stewardship to obey. If we obey willingly then joy and rewards shall be ours. If we refuse to obey then we will obey out of compulsion even unto death.
     Paul not only recognized himself as the "Doulos of God" but also an Apostle. The word "Apostle" has both a linguistic as well as a historical meaning. The Greek for "Apostle" is "APOSTOLOS" which means, "An ambassador or messenger of God - In this capacity all Christians are 'Apostles' or messengers of the Gospel of God:"

Matthew 28:18-20 "^[18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. ^[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ^[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

     We see the universal apostleship of the Christian expressed in our Romans context :

Romans 1:5 "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:"

     We, the Church, as we have received the commission to be the messengers of Christ, are apostles of God with the little "a". Apostle is not the title of any Christian living today: I'm not Apostle Russ, nor are you addressed as an "Apostle". "We are apostles in that that is our functional duty in the Lord to be a messenger of Jesus Christ."
     The use of the word "Apostle" usually refers to the hand-picked few that were the foundation of the Church:

Matthew 10:1-6 "^[1] And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. ^[2] Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ^[3] Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; ^[4] Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. ^[5] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: ^[6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

     The original twelve were "Apostles" because they were messengers of the Gospel while at the same time were appointed to this office by Jesus Christ:

Luke 6:13 "And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;"

     There were many who were Christ's "disciples", at times up to "400 Disciples followed Christ". The Disciple is likened to a student. Out of these 400 odd followers Christ chose twelve, and these He appointed to the Apostolic Office. There are two stipulations, historically speaking, to be appointed to the Apostolic Office:

You must have seen the Christ in His fleshly or actual body, and
You must have been appointed to this office by Christ Himself.

     A Christ chosen "Apostle" was not just a messenger of the Gospel, but was a specially appointed messenger of Christ, and an Ambassador for God:

Ephesians 2:19-22 "^[19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; ^[20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; ^[21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: ^[22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

     So the Church of God was actually built upon the foundation or the ground breaking effects of those who were in the office of the Apostle. Out of the original twelve, one Apostle (Judas) fell from grace. To fill that slot the remaining Apostles decided to cast lots to decide who would replace Judas:

Acts:1:16-26 "^[16] Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. ^[17] For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. ^[18] Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. ^[19] And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. ^[20] For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take. ^[21] Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ^[22] Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. ^[23] And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. ^[24] And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, ^[25] That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. ^[26] And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."

     Sadly, as he had so many times before, Peter jumped the gun. Matthias, though elected by "popular vote", never, according to Church histories, started a Church, wrote scripture, or was even mentioned again outside of this verse. When Judas fell Christ had another "Apostle" in mind, one that would have shocked these disciples had they only knew. This "Apostle" would "revolutionize the Church of God", extending it's authority unto both the Jews and the Gentiles, whereas before only the Jewish were allowed into the Body. Through the guiding of the Spirit this replacement "Apostle" would write the majority of the Church Epistles. "This Apostle was Paul." Paul fully met the criteria of the Apostolic office, for:

On the Damascus Road Paul met Christ personally, and,
He was appointed to this office by Jesus Christ Himself.

II Timothy 1:10-11 "^[10] But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: ^[11] Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles."

     By this same Apostolic Authority Paul writes this letter to the Romans. Paul commonly introduced all his epistles by stating that He was an Apostle:

1 Corinthians 9:1-2 "^[1] Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? ^[2] If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord."

     There were those among the Corinthians who believe that Paul was an usurper, a pretender to the Apostolic office. Paul threw the arguments back into the faces of these sinners. He stated that his ministry obviously bore the fruit of the Apostolic Office, and as such was a true witness that he was indeed an Apostle. "If you're saved then your life will bear the fruit of the saved, that is, good works." If Paul was an Apostle then his life would bear the fruit of the Apostolic Office (the building up and teaching of the Church of Jesus Christ). He would be one of the foundations of the Church, a force used by God to start individual local Churches.

Romans 1:1b-2
"^[1b] ... separated [aphorizo] unto the gospel of God, ^[2] (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)"
     The Greek word used for "separated" in our text is "APHORIZO", which means "to mark off by boundaries, limit, separate, to set apart for some purpose". Paul, of course, notes what he was separated for: "unto the gospel of God".
     There are several covenants (promises) which God made with and for man in the Old Testament. These are referenced by the statement "Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriputres". These are:

"The Edenic Covenant", made between God and Adam in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1.26-2.25)
"The Noahic Covenant", witnessed by the 'Bow in the Clouds' (Genesis 8.21-9.17)
"The Abrahamic Covenant", by which the nation of Israel was established (Genesis 12.1-4; 13.14-17)
"The Mosaic Covenant", whereby the Law was given to Israel (Exodus 18.8-30.38)
"The Palestinian Covenant", whereby Israel was promised a land in which to dwell (Deuteronomy 30.1-10)
"The Davidic Covenant", whereby David was promised an eternal Kingly Line (II Sam 7.5-17), This Covenant was culminated in Jesus Christ, who is the eternal King on that Throne.

     All these Covenants were conditional to a degree, save for the Davidic Covenant which didn't rely on man at all for it's fulfillment. The Mosaic covenant was the most conditional of the Covenants. There was a final Covenant which God promised to His People, this Covenant possessing no conditionals for it's fulfillment. The covenant is expressed in:

Jeremiah 31:31-34 "^[31] Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: ^[32] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: ^[33] But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. ^[34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

     The covenant which was prophesied by Jeremiah was called the "New Covenant". It was new by the fact that it "was totally unconditional". Whereas all other covenants required a particular outward reaction from the people in reaction to a stated Law, the New Covenant promised that God would write His law into the hearts of the People. The New covenant would not be as the Old Covenant, imputing sin from people to people, but the culmination of the New Covenant would bring about a permanent forgiveness of all our iniquities. God stated, "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
     Have you ever wondered why our Bible is divided into two parts, both Old and New Testament? The word "Testament" actually means "Covenant" In the Old Testament we see the conditional Covenants that God established with man, Covenants that man by his own impurity kept breaking. In the New Testament we see the unfolding of the New Covenant. We see it's birth in the physical birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with Us (Matt 1:23-25).

Matthew 1:23-25 "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS."

     We see the establishment of the New Covenant with the crucifixion of the Lamb of God, the visible fulfillment of the Covenant in Acts 2, the extension of the Covenant unto the Gentiles through Peter and, God's promise in Jeremiah above, "will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts", fulfilled through the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the bodies of all believers. This is that "gospel of God" which Paul speaks of in Romans. It was the New Covenant or the Covenant of Grace that God promised by the prophets, "and due to the mercy of God we're privileged to be living in that beautiful era!"

Romans 1:3-4
"^[3] Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made [ginomai] of the seed of David according to the flesh; ^[4] And declared to be the Son of God with power [dunamis] according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:"
     The Greek for "was made" is "GINOMAI", which means "Caused to be, became, {second Aorist Participle} entered into a new state or condition". So our Lord entered into "a new state or condition" for us which shows us His remarkable love as He left His heavenly abode. The term "Son of God" is a title rather than a name (See Psalm 2:7).
Applications of the Text:

God keeps His Promises (fulfillment of Davidic Covenant). The Davidic Covenant was an outbranching of the Abrahamic Covenant. God kept both, He will keep His word to us.
God is not stagnant (Ginomai, above), but was willing to enter a new sphere of life for us. God will go to any length to keep His word to us.
God went from a stable, eternal state into an unknown state (humanity).
God went from comfortable to uncomfortable to save us. We who are His should be willing to go from comfortable to uncomfortable for Him.
God's action was justified and shown righteous with the dynamic power of the resurrection.

     Christ was caused to be born of the lineage of David, this being God's fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant:

II Samuel 7:16-17 "^[16] And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. ^[17] According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David."

     Note that the text from Roman's above states that Christ was "of the seed of David". Though Christ was fully God it was also necessary that He be fully man with all the emotions and weaknesses of man. Christ was perfect man and sinless, yet he could hunger, thirst, cry, feel pain, laugh, and experience pleasure. He was as we are, and yet was sinless. In Hebrews we see the reason that Christ had to be born in the flesh:

Hebrews 2:14-18 "^[14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; ^[15] And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. ^[16] For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. ^[17] Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. ^[18] For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted."

     There are those who would make out that Christ was man only and not God. Look at our Hebrews passage. Christ was not born as a normal child is born. What Child decides that it will be born? What child decides who it's mother will be? This is the true miracle of the Virgin birth. The Bible says that Jesus "took on him the seed of Abraham". It was an act of His will that He be born, and that He be born as He was. Hebrews teaches us that "in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren". It was His will that allowed Him to be clothed with flesh. "Christ took on manhood willingly", so that He might become the atonement for our sins, and the High Priest of our Faith.
     In the Old Testament Israel had to make atonement for sins of Commission, that is, sins that they were aware of doing. One sacrifice was not sufficient for all sins committed that day. If I committed two sins, then I, as an Israelite, had to make atonement for my sins by two sacrifices. But this was not even sufficient, as there were sins I could commit in ignorance, not knowing that that I had sinned. For this reason God established a Day of Atonement, a special day when all sins previously unconfessed were sacrificed for. The day of "Atonement" and the daily sacrifices were, however, no more than a "bond" toward repentance. Let me illustrate.
     If I am caught breaking a non-capital Law in our society I am taken to jail. I then have a choice of either paying a bail (a bond), or to stay in jail until my court date. The bond levied by the judge is only a temporary payment for my sin, and there will still be a day of judgment where I will have to pay my debt to society. The sacrifices that Israel offered under the Mosaic Law are just like that Bond. They only paid the judge (God the Father) until the true payment for sin could be met.

Impact of Sin

     When you slap another man, you may be brought up on charges for assault. If you attack the President of the United State your punishment will be greater (it's actually considered an act of Treason, instead of simple assault). As the position of the person you attack becomes more exalted, the severity of the crime increases.
Sin is an actual assault on the Person of the Eternal God.
     Such sins are only paid for by blood atonement. Day by day, month by month, year by year, Israel assaulted and offended God. To atone for their sins and hold off punishment they sacrificed goats, lambs, and bullocks. These animals were to atone for the sins of the people, yet the check that Israel was giving to God was only temporary Bond. As man had offended God, only by man could the atonement be made. And yet man could not be sacrificed, as any earthly human sacrifice would be as intrinsically sinful as the people he was being sacrificed for.
Who could make atonement for the atonement?
     Who could take on the sins of the sacrifice so as to make it holy and without blemish before God? No one could. Because of this flaw in mankind, year after year Israel made imperfect atonement for their sins while awaiting the arrival of the Messiah Jesus Christ. Since Christ was man, He could be the substitutionary propitiation for our sins. Since Christ was sinless, He was a pure and acceptable atonement for sin.

Hebrews 7:22-27 "^[22] By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. ^[23] And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: ^[24] But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. ^[25] Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. ^[26] For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; ^[27] Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself."

     In the context of these verses we see that Christ "because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
     As a priest after the order of Melchizedek (verse 21) he is able to offer up intercession for us. Since Christ is both the Son of God and God the Son, forever being eternal, through Him we who are saved have an eternal assurance of our salvation. Christ is the High Priest, the sacrifice, our Intercessor, and our Brother.
Through HIM we have our all in all!

Resurrection, The Proof

     From references in verse 4, we have assurance that Christ's sacrifice was acceptable to God because of His resurrection. Though I love the Catholics with all my heart, "they delude themselves when they represent and worship a Christ still on the Cross".
     When Christ was on the cross "we had no assurance of salvation". The sacrifice had not yet been accepted. That holy sacrifice at the cross shows the love wherein Christ in God had for us in atoning for our sins. "Christ through His death, not by His suffering, saved us." It was through the resurrection that God declared that He accepted that sacrifice. "It's the empty cross and empty tomb that we should remember when we think of our salvation", knowing that because Christ was not there when the tomb was inspected we know that we are saved.
     The Romans text states that Christ was declared to be the "Son of God" with "power". The Greek for power is "DUNAMIS", from which we get our English word "Dynamite". Is there any place in the city or country where you can set off a stick of dynamite without anyone knowing? You may be out of earshot of the populace, but you'll never cover up the effects of the blast. In the same way God used the resurrection to declare that Christ was indeed the acceptable sacrifice: He was Messiah, and one day the entire world will know that Christ is King of all.

What Is Our Commission?

Romans 1:5-6
"^[5] By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for [huper] obedience to the faith among all nations [ethnos], for [huper] his name: ^[6] Among whom are ye also the called [kletos] of Jesus Christ:"
     The Greek word for "nations" used here is "ETHNOS" which does basically means "nations". However, it is refering here not only to Israel, but also to all the Gentile nations as well. The Greek word interpreted here as "for" is "HUPER", which means "for the sake of, on behalf of". A beautiful word is used for "called" here which is the Greek "KLETOS". It's basic meaning is "invited, appointed ones". How beautiful it is to know we are "called" by Jesus Christ!
Applications of the Text:

We who are saved have received two things from God. These two things are indivisible: Grace and Apostleship (call to witness)
This is something that is past, already received (LAMBANO, Passive).
We received Grace and APOSTOLOS, messengership, through Jesus Christ. We are the KLETOS belonging to Jesus.
The messenger will only be as powerful as his sender. If the king of a small country sends an ambassador to another country, then the messenger will have little authority. If the messenger comes from a super-power, he will have great authority because of the sending agent.
Our sending Agent is Jesus Christ. At the point of salvation He gave us Grace and a commission. He has defeated death and hell, Satan and the fallen angels. Therefore we are victors in Christ if we are obedient to Christ.
The idea that we are defeated is a lie from the pits of Hell.
The idea that we must compromise with a defeated enemy is a lie from the pits of Hell.

     It was through Christ that we received grace ("CHARIS" i.e., Free gift) and apostleship. Note also the phrase "for obedience to the faith among all nations". The text becomes difficult to interpret at this point. The text, paraphrased from the original Greek, would probably best read, "Through whom (Christ) we receive Divine favor and Apostleship to urge among all nations the obedience which faith produces, in behalf of His (Christ's) name".
     Dr Boyce W. Blackwelder, Chairman of the Department of New Testament Studies at the School of Theology, Anderson College, Anderson Indiana feels that this is probably the best interpretive translation of this section. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you study this section to reach your own best interpretation and application.
Further Application Romans 1:5

God saves us for two specific purposes: to obey Him, and to lead others to obey Him.
God can force obedience, but He prefers to have free obedience from His Church.
Obedience demonstrates wisdom:

Matthew 7:24 "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock"

Obedience demonstrates love:

John 14:21 "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

Obedience demonstrates we think God is worthy:

Acts 5:29 "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."

Obedience proves Jesus Christ:

John 7:17 "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."

Obedience guarantees entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven:

Matthew 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

Obedience assures us that we are in the Family of God:

Matthew 12:50 "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

Obedience assures a blessing from God:

Luke 11:28 "But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it."

Obedience assures us that God is actively present in our lives:

John 14:23-24 "^[23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. ^[6] He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me."

Obedience assures us that God will be our God, and that our steps will be ordered by Him to our own good:

Jeremiah 7:23 "But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you."

Obedience assures we have a friend in Jesus:

John 15:14-17 "^[14] Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. ^[15] Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. ^[16] Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. ^[17] These things I command you, that ye love one another."

Obedience assures we will eat the good of the land:

Isaiah 1:19-20 "^[19] If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: ^[20] But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it."

Obedience is better to God than sacrifice:

1 Samuel 15:22-23 "^[22] And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. ^[23] For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king."

Go to Roman's Chapter 1:6-17           Go To the Roman's Index
Click Here!                                              Click Here!

     If you have not already done so, please consider trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. For more information on Salvation Click Here to view "How can I get to Heaven?"

Basic Training Systematic Theology Statement of Faith Our Mission Link To Us Heaven?

Send E-mail to Russ:
webslave for Christ
( Click Here )
with questions or comments about this web site and it's content.
Last modified: 4/10/2007