ROMANS NOTES
[ Children, a general reminder, these are the notes from my lifetime Bible marginal collectings. They are not intended to be read as a story, but are a help for the serious student who wants to come to know better what God has said. Every person has to dig deeper into the Scriptures for him/herself. The pastors and Bible translators generally do a good job, but they are still one more layer of human interpretation between us and the Word of God. (A parenthetic caution - departing very far from the historic interpretation of any scripture is very, very risky.) We refer to the Greek roots often, not because the Common (KOINE) Greek is more precise, but because it is a "dead" dialect and doesn't wriggle around so much, and of course, because the very best and earliest recorded New Testament documents were recorded in it. These notes, thus, are best read with a Greek interlinear text open and with a pencil in hand, or next best, with a King James Version AND your favorite version also open and with a pencil in hand.. There is no ONE BEST version or translation of Scripture, except, perhaps that one made in your heart because that one causes you to know the God who created and loves you and me. Knowing about God and knowing what He has said is a good first step in coming to know Him, which step cannot be skipped if we are to come to love Him. Read my essay on the definition of LOVE every once in a while.
Some may ask, "Can't we just love God and forget about all this study?" Those who ask, underestimate the standards of The Holy God; perhaps more seriously, they also underestimate the depth of their own sinfulness; some seem to think God grades on the curve. Three BIG mistakes I wish to help you to avoid. dad]
ps, when you see ( ) it means that I highlighted that verse in my Bible; MH stands for Matthew Henry's Commentary.
Romans the 1047th chapter in the Bible.
Paul did not start this church group, and we do not know who did. This epistle was written during his 3mo. stay at Corinth on his 3rd missionary journey @ A.D.58 (see 16:22).
Paul's epistles: group #1) near the end of his 2nd missy. journey in 52 or 53A.D. = 1 & 2 Thess; Group #2) Doctrinal Epistles @ 57, 58 = Gal, Cor, Rom; Group #3) Imprisonment @ 62, 63A.D. = Eph, Phil, Col, Philemon; group #4) The Pastoral Epistles @ 66 - 68A.D.= 1Tim, Titus, 2Tim. (Hebrews - may not be by Paul - directly.)
The theme of the book = 1:17 Christ Our Righteousness (Go to Cor 1&2 for Christ Our Sanctification, to Gal for Christ Our Liberator 5:1)
A simple chapter outline would be:
Jew - - 2,3,4,5 - - 9,10,11
Intro 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 16
Church - - - - 6,7,8 - - - 12,13,14,15
Jack Teachout said that James Stiffler is the best on Romans.
H.J.Brokke notes 1:1-17, v1-7 could be used as a creed v2 the Savior Promised; v3 Christ's Incarnation; v5 Christ's death, res., eternal deity & power; v5 the outpouring of the Holy Spirit; v5 the essence of the gt. commission; v7 shows how far the gospel had spread by Paul's time. v8-16 The spiritual issues in spreading the gospel; v8-10 Paul's spiritual service; v11-13 Paul's spiritual methods; v14-16 Paul's spiritual attitude.
Dr. H.Harrison notes on v16-17 1)The Power of the Gospel - God; 2)The purpose of the Gospel - Salvation; 3)The availability of the Gospel - Everyone who believes; 4)The universality of the Gospel - Jew first, also to Greek; 5)The character of the Gospel - "wherein revealed"; 6)The content of the Gospel - the righteousness of God; 7)the operation of the Gospel - from faith to faith.
See also 10:9-10 same theme = Righteousness of God (Hab2:4 quoted 3 times in N.T. Rom.1:17, Gal.3:11, Heb.10:38
Man's Spiritual Fall 19-21
Man's mental & Moral fall 22-25
Man's bodily fall 26-28
Man's total fall 29-32
Man entered this condition by his own choice; then he experienced conditions not of his choice.
Some think Paul was watching Corinth when he wrote this - see 1:18-32
Romans chapter 1
1 "Paul" means "little," "called apostle," is "apostle" a title or a description here? The "to be" is added by the translators. Servant = bond slave; "separated unto" final - beyond change; "of God."
2 which "which" ?
5 APOSTOLAN, HUPAKOAN, "obedience" - the obedience every slave owes his master, here the obedience that comes - that springs, from faith - now available to gentiles. see NIV.
6 KLATOI "are ye also the called" +8:28
7 "Grace" to the Greeks; "peace" to the Jews
8 PROTON, "First" So, this is intended as a formal presentation with a 1, 2, 3 ... point outline. But, remember that this is being dictated and so we mustn't look for him to keep track and alert us of his divisions. We will have to do that for ourselves. The Holy Spirit takes responsibility for protecting the text from error, I doubt he takes responsibility for insuring our ease of making an outline. KOSMO "world" the known world, the civilized world, in our words, "the world that has had cosmetics applied to it." (ladies, have a chuckle)
9 LATREUO "serve," a hired hand, or doing service in worship.
11,12 1)impart unto you some spiritual gift 2)ye may be established 3)I may be comforted together with you. [See Zondervan Interlinear pg.xxxvi for comments on "you."]
13 AGNOEIN "ignorant" our word "agnostic" comes from this Gk root; note the initial "a" making it the negative of perceptual knowledge. "let" a very old English word meaning "to make late, hinder." Heb wd. = SHUB, used 1150x. Tx. 115 different ways as in Is43:13, or in Ge3:19 tx. "return" in Is 43:11,25. see also 2Th2:7. [ Our attempt to make much of the word "gift" and "fruit" is not helped by Paul's use of these terms here. In v11 he wishes to give them "some spiritual gift," CHARISMA; in v13 he wishes to gain from them "some fruit" KARPON.]
14 (2 see v15)"I am debtor" [EIMI = "I am"] "to the Greeks," the civilized; "to the barbarians," the uncivilized - Paul rejects social classism AND intellectual classism.
15 (3 see v16)"I am ready" [the "I am" is derived from the word ending of "ready"]
16 ( ),(1 logical and grammatical order; see v14)"I am not ashamed" [The "I am" is supplied by the translators to make sense of the phrase. These three "I AMs are the same in the English translations, but each is different in the Greek. Is this important? Probably not, but since this is used as an outline in "missionary" sermons, it is helpful to remind ourselves not to put so much weight on a less than clear passage.] 1Ti1:12.
17 "righteousness of God," the theme of the epistle; "The just shall live by faith" quoted from Hab.2:4, +Ga.3:11, Heb10:38. APOKALUPTETAI "revealed;" the APO = to uncover, to show; the KALUPTETAI = to cover, so lit. = "to take the lid off;" implying that it was hidden or "bottled up" previously. A religion, even the True Biblical religion can become so fixated on laws and on control that it can cover up the positive aspects - righteousness, and in this case the Jewish religion had so emphasized the wrath of God that they covered up the righteousness of God. The New Testament message is not so much "Turn or Burn" as "It is not necessary for you to Burn for your own sins, Jesus has done that for you - If you want. But it will, indeed, result in a turn, otherwise, you will surely burn." HOWEVER, the next verse is the darker context for this Good News. [see more below.]
18 ( ), [Warning, this section to the end of the chapter is an "X" rated passage. It is very strong in the original and not nice to dig into, besides being difficult to follow due to so many others having tried to "explain away" so much of it.] APOKALUPTETAI, same word as v17. ORGA "wrath" A deliberate settled anger, not a flash of passion, certainly not a fit of temper. Note the initial "a" in ASEBEIAN, ADIKIAN, ADIKIA; these are all negatives. KATECHONTON "hold the truth" = they bottle up the truth, "suppress the truth" NIV. This is done by the priestly class as they chained the Bibles to the pulpits; by the Rabbis & etc.; done by the moslem fanatics; done by our legislators with their wicked application of their contrived "wall of separation;" but done primarily, here, the suppression of the truth was within - an inner, repeated suppressing, v19-21+28. To blame it all on wicked leaders is our human tendency, but this text v19 leaves the INDIVIDUAL without excuse.
20-22 ( ) 1)"being understood by the things that are made ... so that they are without excuse" 2)"but became vain in their imaginations" (reasonings), 3)their foolish heart was darkened - professing themselves to be wise, they became fools - this logical chain results in v23. see also Pr.1:30
20 POIAMASIN "things made" see the modern word "poem;" +Eph2:10 (Did you ever think of yourself as God's poem? Here, all creation is God's poem.). v20 has an interesting sentence structure in the Gk. ANAPOLOGATOUS "without excuse" lit. "without any logical explanation."
21 "because," GNONTES "knew" the objective, outward kind of knowing see v28,32,+ notes on "know." the first step away (for a Christian) is "neither were thankful." (Six steps down #1 = neither glorified him as God, #2 nor gave thanks, #3 thinking became futile, #4 foolish hearts were darkened, #5 claimed to be wise - became fools, #6 exchanged ... God ... for images.)
24 a)"God gave them up" to sexual impurity. The wd. is PARADOKEN perhaps our ultramodern word "paradigm." (See an essay on this word and from this passage.) Same wd in v28.
25 ( )Evolution and perverted sex; religious impurity. "served created things"NIV Man serves animals instead of animals serving man.
26 b)"God gave them up unto" homosexuality (see v28 for c). "Even their women," when "even" women become sexually perverted, the condition is terminal.[Those who claim the Bible and especially Paul, know nothing about, and say nothing against homosexuality, willfully ignore this passage, or as the first few words of v25, twist the meaning of the words.]
27 "receiving in themselves that recompence...which was meet," natural judgment.[Are sexually transmitted diseases part of this "natural judgment?"]
28 c)God gave them over" "as" "did not (at all - implied in the Gk.) like to."[This verse implies that there is a condition of sin beyond which God will not tolerate. But, make a distinction between sins committed by an individual and the same sins that have become common in a culture. The sins committed by an individual may be forgiven and "worked off" while that of a culture may be judged permanently. Hence, God may forgive a homosexual, but severely judge a society that has embraced the homosexual agenda. Individuals CAN recover from the sin of homosexuality; there is no record of any culture in all history that has ever recovered from homosexuality.] ADOKIMON "reprobate mind" [see my essay on "Test."] The "a" makes the word negative; DOKIMOS is the functional kind of test, so when they are given a functional test, it turns out bad - used twice in this verse.
29 ADIKIA, "filled with all unrighteousness" the root of it all. The "a" makes the DIKIA, the common word for righteous, negative. See how often "negatives" are used in this dark passage. There is a play on the Greek words here and in v31. PHTHONOU PHONOU "full of envy" lit. "full of envy, of murders,..." v31, ASUNETOUS, ASUNTHETOUS thus the "t" sound and the "th" sound are all that distinguishes "without discerning" from " without faith."
30 "they invent ways of doing evil;" v31 "they are senseless" NIV; a new pair!
31 ASTORGOUS "natural affection" MH translates this as child abusers. [See essay on Love.]
32 "knowing the judgment of God" for more on "knowing" see v21. SUNEUDOKOUSIN the intensive form of DOKIMOU, they defend and justify failure of a functional test; "have pleasure" KJV, "also approve" NIV.
There are 23 sins &/or sinners listed. 2P2:14 similar list.
Sins against the first table of law - hater of God v30, proud, boasters.
Sins against the second table of law - v29 unrighteousness, disobedient to parents, child abusers (MH), v30,31.
[v.28 AIDS, then AIDS dementia, then v31 Cultural dementia.]
Romans 2
Here he begins to talk to those who think they are better than others +v17, then 3:9. The moralist underestimates the standards of the Holy God; he also underestimates the depth of his own sinfulness. He thinks God grades on the curve.
1-3 ( ) "?" v6,16; v3 is the text of the arrogant man's life; DGBarnhouse translated this as: "You dummy, do you think you've doped out a scheme to get by with doing the same things you criticize others for doing."
4 "not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (see Phillips)
6-15 ( ) This section teaches that if some wish to rely on works, o.k. they will be judged on their works and naturally will be found wanting.
6 "Who will render to every man according to his deeds:" see also Mt25:31-46
7 "glory and honor" seeking for these is not bad, if in right context.
11 "Tor there is no respect of persons with God" no "preferential treatment"
12 "be"
13 add the word "diligent" before AKROATAS "hearers" as in a courtroom. "The Jewish doctors bolstered up their followers with an opinion that all that were Jews, how bad soever they lived, should have a place in the world to come."(MH) Sometimes "we" Calvinists apply this same thinking to the evangel. see Jn8:17, Jas1:22.
14-15 The doctrine of conscience; "their conscience," "their thoughts." (see JASA 1979)
16 "according" "my" hmm!
17 "a Jew" an example. from v17 on = text for ch.2.
18-20 "knowest, approvest, instructed confident, guide, light, instructor" these are all (1)claims of the Jews. A "form of knowledge" produces only a "form of godliness" a form may be the vehicle, but...
21 "?,?" The first ? is the real question, the ones that follow are examples, 1,2,3 and summed in v23.
21-25 the (2)charge against the Jew.
24 +2Sa12:14, 1Ti6:1
26-29 "therefore", the (3)summation against the Jew. [Jew is a contraction of Judah which = "praise to Jehovah" Gen29:35]
29 "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly" the form vs. the true. To be Abrahams children, is to do the works of Abraham Jn8:30, 40; De30:6; Col2:11, 12.
Romans 3
1 "What-Jew?" the first objection, "what-circumcision?" the second objection.
2 LOGIA, "Oracles," see also Ac7:38.
3 ( ) "?,?" another double question. Man judging God. Is it proper to make a distinction between "lack of faith" and "disbelief" from this verse? If we make disbelief a deliberate act, different even from unbelief - the word used twice here is APISTASAN, the "a" making it the negative of "believe;" PISTIN is also used in this v.
4 Ps51:4; 116:11 [perhaps, Paul read the bulletin board that displayed "EVERYBODY LIES but it doesn't matter since nobody listens."]
5 "?,?" and another. "Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance?"
6 "God forbid" modern expression = "No way!"
8 "do a little evil in order to get the opportunity to do a lot of good?"
9 "we" either "we Jews" or "we Christians" both fit Paul. "?,?" "they are all under sin" the Jew is no better than the gentile, indeed, he is condemned by the very scriptures he boasts in. This is the "text" for chapter 1 & 2. PROATIASAMETHA, "proved" a legal term implying an accusation with proof of guilt.
10-12 Step 1, the gentile (see v23), [v10-18 an OT medley (Ps14:1-3; 53:1-3; Ecc7:20; Ps5:9; 140:3; 10:7; Is59:7,8; Ps36:1) Some think Paul used the LXX here, but MH thinks he used other passages - after quoting 14:1-3 and then later copies of LXX followed Paul as in Ps14 - interesting!]
12 ACHREOTHASAN, "unprofitable" the term is used of "sour milk" or "bad fruit."
13 "asp" a poisonous snake.
14 PIKRIAS, "bitterness" the chemist takes this word for picric acid, a most bitter compound.
19-20 "law" the law of Moses; no law can justify anyone. Law can only declare not guilty; law cannot declare innocent.
20 Underline all of v20. (The NIV does not handle this v. well.) "The deeds of the law" has ref. to Jewish circumcision, dietary laws, Sabbaths etc. a cultural cliche. The natural man (average man) hopes he will be judged to have done enough good to outweigh his bad deeds. v.20 shows us we can NEVER be good enough, hence we MUST seek another option.
21 [Leaving v12, the courtroom, where man is guilty to death, Paul goes to: Physicians office - terminally ill; Psychologists office - fatally delusional; councellors office - improperly programmed; Police office - shoot to kill (the police use deadly force); environmental protection office - men make messes but don't clean up and won't change; the U.N. Peacekeeping office - they are international pirates; the Church....(fill in your own blank); but all say men and women are guilty to death - v19. But! NOW, v21.
22 IASOU, "Jesus" is not in all Gk texts and is supplied by the translators. "for there is no difference" What does this refer to?
23 ( )Step 2 see v10-12, 10:9 also see 2Chron6:36
24-26 see 4:3
25 replace "for the remission of sins that are past" with "because of the passing over of sins done aforetime."
27 "?,?"
28 "that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
29 "Is He-?,?"
31 "Do we-?" "God forbid" see v4, v6.
Romans 4
1 "What shall we say then" "?" [HEURAKENAI or HEURISKO "found" is the technical term "heuristic" meaning something that was sought for, and then found; an "aha, got it!" sort of thing. It is used repeatedly in Romans.]
3"Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness" Gen15:6; 3:6; Jas2:23; see v6 for David.
5 ( ) The logic here is a bit astonishing especially to one involved in religion professionally. No wonder the Jewish teachers considered Paul dangerous.
6 David, see v3 for Abraham.
8 OU OU MAY, "not"KJV, "never" NIV, "by no means" interlinear.
9 The root words for "circumcise" and "uncircumcision" are quite different. Circumcise, PERITOMAN lit, "around to hack off" seems to emphasize an act, albeit a surgically precise single act; whereas uncircumcision, AKROBUSTIA lit. "tip of the penis," seems more to emphasize a condition or state of being. Paul makes much of the LOGIDZETAI, "reconing"KJV, or "counted" NIV (v3, 6, 8, 10,+) a condition, not an act of works. Again, something to alarm the priests. see v11
10"?"
11 "Sign - seal" Paul argues that circumcision is a sign, a seal of something, not a thing important in/of itself. But, being "reckoned" righteous, now that is something real and important in/of itself! more so since it cannot be earned or achieved thru some ritual or action.
12 STOICHOUSIN "walk" more a deliberate march, rather than an aimless amble.
15"for where no law is , there is no transgression" note that Paul did not say that where there is no law, there is no "sin," only that there is "no way to haul the person into court and prosecute him." Our relation with God is not a law thing, for mankind has (had) been relating to God long before the law was given. Therefore our relation with God is not so much a contrast between being hauled into court and being prosecuted vs. being let off because we did something to cut a deal and get let off. But it is the difference between being confronted with a God whom we have offended or being confronted with a God who has imputed righteousness on us even while we were sinners because we took Him at His word and believed that He would. It is that complex and it is that simple.
16 A promise with a guarantee and without conditions. (A conditional promise or contract = "If you do this, then I will do that.")
17"God who quickeneth the dead and calleth those things which be not as though they were"
19"considered" scratch "not"
20"staggered not - strong in faith" Abraham's FAITH may not have been so strong as his faith in God's PROMISE." The phrase "staggered not" may be rather cute, but it is not in the text. The lit. parallel construction in the Gk is: "he did not make his decision by unfaith," but "was empowered by faith." It seems this v. emphasizes Abraham's decision to not disbelieve God and thus was empowered by faith and then gave glory (DOXAN) to God.
21,22 ( ) PLAROTHORATHEIS "fully persuaded" "a metaphor taken from a ship coming into harbor under full sail" M.H. "and therefore." The logic is straightforward a)being fully persuaded b)He who has promised is able c)therefore it was reckoned for righteousness. This is perhaps the simplest definition for faith in all Scripture. The catch phrase "God said it, I believe it, that settles it" makes for a cute slogan to place on a bumper sticker, but it summarizes a proper response to a word from the God of the universe. Eve and Adam violated this causing themselves a whole lot of trouble. Faith, then becomes a belief in a statement made by God, on which one rests. The scientific method, by contrast is a proposed statement that one tests. Eve and Adam were the first scientists. Any scientist who sets out to test whether or not his fianci really loves him, will probably not make it to the altar; similarly any "scientist" who sets out to put God to any sort of ultimate test will regret it.(See my essay in WORDPAIRS on "Test.") The thing that takes this section way out of the ordinary is God's response "and therefore." In v24 Paul is declaring this to be a "formula," as it were, for all "us also" to follow.
23-25 tells that Abraham is an object lesson for us, if we will but believe on the One who raised Jesus from the dead and who was delivered because of our offences and who was raised for our justification, then we too will have righteousness imputed.
book outline break
Romans 5
1 (1)"peace with God" the results of "justified"
2 ( ) PROSAGOGAN ESCHAKAMEN, (2)"access by faith - we have had" an introduction which implys we weren't born in this state. (3)"rejoice in hope" KAUCHOMETHA, "boast" and v3, see also Heb3:16, 2Cor12:9
3 ( ) (4)"glory in tribulations - knowing that tribulation worketh patience"
4 "patience" better=steadfastness; DOKIMAN, "a functional test to approve, (both times) "experience" better=approvedness
5 "ashamed" better=disappointment; the Christians Hope prevents him from being ashamed of his own sufferings. (5)"love of God is shed abroad - by (6) Holy Ghost which is given unto us"
6 {1}Without strength (see Jn3:30)
7 Hmm, note the distinction between a "righteous" man and a "good" man.
8 {2}While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us; the "were" implies that we are not considered to be in this condition now. There are several changes of titles for those "outside" Christ, v6 ASTHEVON, ASEBON, "weak, impious," v8 HAMARTOLON, "sinners," v10 ECHTHROI, "enemies.
9 {3}"much more - enemies - saved by His life" [another "much more" in v10, 15] DIKAIOTHENTES and V7 DIKAIOU, same root; our attitude toward the value of "justification" must be different from that of "ordinary people." TAS ORGAS "the wrath"
10 "enemies" NIV= "God's enemies" Zech11:8 Nonchristians deny that they are such. MH says, Christ dying was the testator bequeathing to us the legacy. Christ living is the executor who pays it. [This is a key and unique feature of Biblical Christianity.]
11 (7) joy in God
12 Death of humans, nothing is said of animals. [The Young-Earth-Creationists use this verse as a "proof text" but I can not find support for their arguement here.]
13 Sin preceeded the Law of Moses, so righteousness cannot be obtained by keeping the Law. It is the universal law that imputes this sin.
15 "be dead" better=died, "much more;" MH says the contrast is "one offence - one man." True, the contrast is Adam - Christ; Offense - Free Gift, but the free gift was the man, Jesus Christ. This makes Jesus Christ a "much more" than equal.
16 Hist. of sin and grace in human nature.
17,18 ( ); "reign" now, over sin, see ch6 as context for this idea. [all same Gk= POLLO; v20 different see below.]
19( ) "many" as compared to the "one."
20 "abound" better=be revealed. This v. has several informative superlatives; the "offense abounds" and when the "sin abounds" then "grace super abounds" (but this is a different Gk root meaning to overflow or have plenty or abound all around.)" [the "much more" of KJV is NIT (not in text)] As we substitute a mirror for a pool or other natural reflecting surface, the perceived spots increase! but the mirror doesn't MAKE the spots.
Romans 6
1 "What shall we say then?"
2 see Jude 4
3 ( )"know ye not" "into Christ Jesus, into the death of Him" lit.
4 "buried" PERITASOMEN, the word for an ordinary "walk," as distinct from a resolute march.
5 "If"- also, a firm comparison, a proof that what is to come is based on what He has already done - but it is an "if."
6 "Knowing this" "destroyed is better translated as "devitalized", see Sampson; "crucified" compare with or contrast with 8:13 This is the real emancipation proclamation. MAKETI, "henceforth should not serve" from this time and on.
7 Dead men don't sin.
8 "dead" a near repeat of v5. but 5 has to do with HOMOIOMATI, "likeness" whereas 8 has to do with ...
9 "Knowing that" This v. is a problem to the Roman Catholic concept of the Mass.
10 "he died unto sin once.
11 "Likewise RECKON ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, BUT alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." LOGIDZESTHE, "reckon" see our word "logic;" it is not a "feeling."
12 "therefore" or lit. "not therefore"
13 see Living Bible. Some people use words for communication, some use them as weapons; so here, we are admonished to use our bodies for Godly service and not as weapons of unrighteousness. Here and in 16 & 19, "yield"(KJV) or "offer"(NIV) is PARASTANETE a legal bringing or a ceremonial offering.
14 ( ) "shall not" "dominion" is KURIEUSEI or "lord it over you" see v23 for KURIO
15 "What then?"
16 ( ) "Know ye not" Paul used the slave institution for his day, we would use addiction to illustrate for our day. The LB "You choose your own slave master." OIDATE, "know" is the intuitive kind of knowing, or innately.
17 "obeyed," "which was delivered you"(KJV) is "to which you were entrusted" in (NIV); contrast w. 1:24+
18 "made" aorist tense. A freedom to, but not an automatic. see v20, contrast this change of masters.
19 "so now offer them"(NIV) the word for "iniquity" is ANOMIA, lit. lawlessness, leading to more lawlessness.
21 "for the end of those things is death" - v23 "the wages of sin is death." Contrast "fruit of shame" here w. "fruit unto holiness" in v22 + 7:4.
23 ( ) Paul here seems to use "fruit" "wages" and "gift" somewhat interchangeably.
In sum, Sin operates in the Christian by permission; sin operates in the pagan by inherited nature. Through practice, sin can be a matter of habit to both alike.
While Saints do not deserve heaven, sinners do earn death and hell.
Romans 7 (the religious person)
1 AGNOEITE the agnostic lit. is one who knows not, in this case, one who knows not the law of God.
2 woman=inner nature; husband="the old man"; dead="crucified" HUPANDROS, "married woman" (NIV) lit. under the power of a man, or subject to a man.
3 man=Christ; This v. implies a socially recognized or a legal union as contrasted with an adulterous union. [Today we are trying to have three (or more) classes of unions - it isn't working.]
4 see 1Jn4:17,Rev22:4,Jas2:7 Contrast again, "fruit to God," "fruit to death"v5 as in 6:22
5 Text for 7:7-25 PATHAMATA, "motions", lit. "passions."
6 "But now" Text for ch.8. The Law was an arranged marriage, though legal (see notes v3); there was no choice; it was childless - no fruit; service out of fear now changed to service out of love.
7 "What shall we say then?"4:1, 6:1 Paul owed his salvation to the 10th commandment. He may have been outwardly blameless, but this Pharisee hid a dark secret. (Stuart Briscoe) The command alone set him thinking about what he shouldn't be coveting, and he discovered a number of things he didn't have that he wanted. (W.Jacobsen) [Modern media advs do this for the rest of us.] "God forbid" see 6:2
9 "I was alive...I died"
12 "the law is holy"
13"Was then...?" "God forbid" [this expression occurs several times in Ro.] HUPERBOLAN, "exceeding" our modern "hyperbole" something taken to an extravagant extreme. Is sin really this bad? Is it THE poison that kills? - eternally? - really?, really?
14 "I am carnal...sold under sin" see Jn3:30, 34, 1Pet1:11 (#1) If we try to make a positive self-image out of this and v18, we'll have a real problem to adjust our doctrine. The word for "know" is the intuitive kind of knowing, OIDAMEN - in v15 it is the knowing by experience. This is backwards to the way we think it works.
15 ( )with (19) The law is good, it is I that is the perverted one.
16 SUMPHAMI, "consent" better, "vote for" same in v22. [our word symphony? a harmony, an agreement.]
I vote for the law - v16
I work for the law - v18
I practice the law - v19 + 1Jn3:6+
I delight in the law v22
I serve the law - v25
17 "sin that dwelleth in me" +20 [yep, he's hooked on the addiction.+v19]
18 "dwelleth no good" (#2) [There are two different words for good used back and forth AGATHA and KALON. Is this significant?]
20 "that dwelleth in me"+17 What we have pictured here is a person with an addiction.
21 HEURISKO, "find" the sort of "finding" after a diligent search.
22 "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:"see v16 for "delight," ESO, "inner" perhaps our "essence."
23 "law of sin which is in my members"
24 ( ) (#3) TALAIPOROS "wretched" [the taxonomic name for the carp fish.]
25 "So then...law of sin."
The Law revealed the righteousness of God by which men stand condemned - the Gospel revealed the righteousness of God by which men are acquitted. 7:1-8:39 is an argument of the inability of the Law to save & the necessity of Christ. See 9:32 as a summation.
7:14-25 "I,me" used 36 times; Holy Spirit used Zero, but in ch8 "I,me" used twice, Holy Spirit 16 (or perhaps 19) times. In fact no other passage in Ro makes much mention of the Holy Spirit.
Contrast the servility of the life controlled by self and the service and reality of the life controlled by the Spirit. This passage is not exhaustive, see also 1Th5:23
Romans 8 If chapter 7 describes the religious person, then chapter 8 describes the Christian. v6, harmony, the spiritually minded = life & peace; v9-13, Victory, the body is the vehicle thru which victory is expressed over the depravity of the body. The body is not inherently evil, but it may be depraved by our allowance, i.e. fornication originates in the mind, is against the body. Make no provision for the flesh. v14, Spiritual mastery, ceasing to be a child, becoming a responsible adult son. A child is under discipline, but he doesn't allow it. A son COMES under discipline and accepts it.
Spiritual certainty goes w. Spiritual regeneration; Spiritual Relationship goes w. Spiritual resources.
7:1 - 8:39 is an argument of the inability of the law to save & the necessity of Christ - see 9:32 as a summation.
1 "therefore," "no condemnation" in Christ this condemnation thing is finished! [KATAKRIMA, a legal sort of condemnation; same v3.] the last phrase is not in the R.V. - may be a transposed copy of the end of v4.
2-4 describes life in the Spirit.
3 see Heb10:1-10 for the best exposition of this v.
5 PHRONOUSIN (as in Mt16:23)+v7 "mind" both the mind set & the regular activity of the mind.
6,7 "the minding of the flesh, Spirit, flesh." "death" see v8 vs life, see v10. EIRANA "peace" see Lexicon = peace harmony. Harmony is action without friction - that takes oil! Note "body" in v10,11,13,23; it seems SARKS is used to mean "the appetites of the flesh" and SOMA to mean "the physical carcass. But, if so, then v11 is saying: "when Christ came in, the body died & was resurrected by the Spirit, but then the appetites should have died & not to have been resurrected.
8 "cannot" +v6. Trying to keep the law but failing to do so.
11 see notes ch6
12 "Therefore"
13 either or - . And everything we do/touch shall die. "Mortify" = kill [Lord, Jim Seibert is rising, kill him!]
14 AGONTAI "are led" Two contrasting ideas to this Gk. wd. AGO, 1) arrested as a captive; 2) voluntary followership. A child is under discipline but he doesn't know it; a son is under discipline and "accepts" it. Note that the root word of discipline is "disciple." This is what makes the change from childhood to responsible sonship.
15 The helpless child cries "daddy;" the son states a relationship - "father." To denote accomplishment, men give a paper, God gives the Spirit.(1,2,3)+Gal4:5, Eph1:5. ABBA HO PATAR, Abba is a Syriac word. This could be tx as "Daddy, my Father"+Gal4:6, Mk14:36.
16 "itself" better, "Himself;" SUMMARTUREI "beareth witness with" note it is "with," not "to."+Eph1:13.
17 "if so be" better "since." Paul is saying that we are "double heirs," and that we shall suffer together and that we shall be glorified together.
18-25 a digression ( ) "reckon" hope in the midst of tribulation;
20 MATAIOTATI, "vanity" = "empty, worthless, transitoriness, frustration."+Tit3:9, 1Co3:20,1Pe1:18,Eph4:17,2Pe2:18,Jas1:26. "creature" better, "creation"
22 "For we know that the whole creation groaneth [same wd. v23, 26] and travaileth in pain..." The word "pain" or "pains"NIV is NIT (not in Gk. text).
23, 24 "body - saved" spiritual adoption here defined.
24, 25 like waiting for a train not seen.
26 #3 "Likewise" "Spirit itself[or Himself] maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Learning to pray is like learning to play a violin - not on key, uncertain, prone to repetition - just plain awful sounds at times. SUNANTILAMBANETAI, "helpeth" lit. "Heaves together with us" we lift one end, He lifts the other; we cannot without God, he will not without us; MH. HUPERENTUGCHANEI, "maketh intercession" or "supplicates" same root wd. in v27. ALALATOIS, "not be uttered" lit. "no words."
28 ( ) OIDAMEN, "know" the intuitive kind of knowing. TOIS AGAPOSIN TON THEON, lit. "to the ones loving God" and SUNERGIE is a singular verb with a plural noun. God uses all things for ultimate good. + Pro16:33 The context of 28 is 27. KLATOIS "the called" used 11 times.+1Co1:26,2Ti1:9,2Th2:14,Eph4:1; KLESIS="calling" also used 11 times, related to EKKLESIA used 115 times.
29 PROEGNO "foreknow"(A)[used 5 times], PRORISEN "predestinate"(B) Those who love God are "the called" and His purpose is that they might be SUMMORPHOUS, conformed to the image of His son. "Foreknow" & "predestinate" are words of eternal and spiritual significance to intensify to our earthly minds this determined purpose of God. (5/93 rjs) Predestination is a cultural, this world activity. From the very beginning, God chose those who believe in Him should become like his son, Jesus Christ. Note that the word is "whom" not "what" that He foreknew. We think of "what," He of "whom."
30 Distinguish between this internal, heart call and the external general call of Mt20:16,22:14 That is what 2P1:10 is all about. "call" (C), "justified" (D), "glorified" (E)
31 #1 "?" "If" better, "since" "?" a transition question. "Who can be against us?"(a)
32 "shall He not...give..all things?"(b)33 "Who shall...charge..God's elect?"(c)
34 #2 "?" "Who...condemneth?"(d) "It is Christ that died" "Who also maketh intercession for us."
35 "?" "Who...separate...love of Christ?"(e) "?" Paul's list of 7 things that can't separate us from the love of God; THLIPSIS, "tribulation"+ mk10:29
36 Q. of Ps44:22
37 "in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Just think, sheep that conquer - and hyperconquer, at that. HUPERNIKOMEN or hyper-niki (Nike shoes are "victory shoes")
38, 39 ( ) "nor life,"(!) "nor things present, nor things to come" circumstances and contingencies. The deep (breadth) is rejecting the life controlled by self and accepting the life controlled by the Spirit - daily. V38 and v18 are the two places in this ch. where Paul speaks in the 1st person.
Romans 9 Past of the Jew, ch10 Present of the Jew, ch11 Future of the Jew. In this sense, ch9-11 make a sort of parenthesis.
3 A most startling emotional statement by Paul "I could wish" Not a theological statement, but a hypothetical one.
4 see 3:2
5 "and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who..." "Considering the posture & character of the Jew at that time - this may well be looked upon as part of his humiliation" - MH. The word order of this v. is somewhat in question. It is a doxology to end his short "prayer."
7,8 ( ) see Ge21:12, 18:10,14
10 KOITAN, "conceived" same wd. Heb13:4
11,12 "election" "that God's purpose...might stand...not by works but by him who calls." Ge25:23 [see pg.xxxvi for notes on GENNATHENTON and PRAXANTON] note EKLOGAN, a word left out of the English text usually translated as "choice." In this case it refers to God "choosing." In 12 it is MEIDZON, ELASSONI, lit. "the greater will serve the lesser."
13 +Mal1:2,3 see context = peoples of Edomites, Israelites - not the persons Jacob, Esau.
14 "What" "shall we say" "then?" "?"
15 ( ) If v13 (see note), then might v15 also refer more to a people than to individuals? Maybe even v17? v23+ all are plural.
16 ( ) "So then" (same v18) a hidden "therefore;" "willeth...runneth" not wishing or running for salvation, but to become Christlike which indeed is the goal God has for us, "in His mercy." see 8:29, 1Co9:24, Ga2:2,5,7, Php2:16, He12:1
20 ( ) "?" "?" "But who are you O man, to talk back to God?" NIV
21 He could even have left the clay in the slime pit! +Jer18:6 This following is a "What if" or a "but if."
23 "glory" see Ex32:18,19
25 "Osee" = Hosea 2:23,1:10, needed for background.
28 LOGON "work" perhaps better, the "record" or "The Law & Ceremonies;" Jesus said - "It is finished."
29 SABAOTH, an Hebraism, see also Jas5:4.
30,31 "What" "shall we say" "then?" "?" see NIV "obtained (inherited it), attained (earned it)"
31 ( )
32 ( ) "?"
33 SKANDALOU "offence."
Romans 10
1 The word "prayer" is a translators choice, and seems to be implied, lit. "the request to God on behalf of them."
2 "they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge." EPIGNOSIN, "knowledge" is the practical kind of knowledge. A fanatic has enthusiasm for God, a zealot has enthusiasm of god.
3 ( ) Like the "modernists," etc. all the way to --> the cultists.
5 "They" divided because of Scripture - he wrapped it up USING Scripture; The Law/Moses/Scripture v5->8->9->11,12,13; Faith, from v5 via Moses->6,7 with a "but", and from v9->10; then after 13, and again.(v5 fr. Lev18:5)
6 see Jn3:12 (fr. Deut30:12)
7 perhaps a quote fr. De30:13 and v8 fr. De 30:14.
9 ( ) Step #3 see v13, +3:23; "mouth"=horizontal, "heart"=vertical; it isn't an either/or, but rather a both/and.
10 [v9 had to do with the private, v10 with the public.] (v11 fr. Is28:16, v13 fr. Joel 2:23)
12 DIASTOLA, "difference" [this Gk wd. is used as a medical term]; EPICALOUMONOUS, "call" a call, or a cry-out; there is no smug introspection here, + in v13,14.
14,15 (?),(?),(?)+v15 (?) "how shall they hear without a preacher" better, "how will they hear apart from one preaching." The emphasis is on the message, not on the man. +2:10 See Is52:7 but no mountains in this passage. (v15 fr. Is52:7, v16 fr. Is53:1)
17 "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
18 GAN, "earth" the physical earth, hence, all the lands; however OIKOUMENAS, "world" = the inhabited earth. Ps98:3, Ps19:4 (v19 fr De32:21, v20 fr. Is65:1, v21 fr. Is65:2)
19 ASUNETO, "foolish" better "no understanding" as the NIV.
20 ANTILEGONTA, "gainsaying" lit. against logic, hence, contradicting; everything you try to teach them, they contradict it.
Romans 11
1 "Hath" (?); His argument is: "See, I am a Jew and He has not rejected me."(v3 fr. 1K19:10,14)
7 "What then(?)"EKLOGA, "election" KJV, "elect"NIV; see the Gk. it IS the "election"(or choice) not the "elect,"(or the chosen) hence it is due to God not due to them; but the NIV is closer with "were hardened" in place of "blinded." (Either way, they lost sensibility to spiritual things.)
11 PARADZALOSAI, "jealousy" KJV, "envy" NIV If we define "jealousy" as an emotional state provoked by a threatened loss of something that is rightfully mine, and "envy" as an emotional state caused by a lack of that which I desire, but do not have, then the KJV is certainly correct and the NIV isn't. We do indeed "belong" to God, we aren't merely something He wants because somebody else has more than He has. This same word is used in v13.
12 ( )
13 "I am the apostle of the Gentiles" see comment on v11.
17 "a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them" this is opposite to the practice of good farming, so it MUST be spiritualized.
18 "consider this" in NIV is added by the translators.
19 "that I might be grafted in" v13 w. Jn15:1-7. A grafted plant must be continually pruned (suckered) or the old stump will send up shoots and crowd out the graft.
20 This v. is a little clearer in the NIV, "arrogant" in place of "highminded."
21,22 ( ) "severity"
25 "ignorant of this mystery" "in part" here of the Jew, in Eph3:3 of the Gentile.
26,27 "ungodliness...covenant...take away their sins;" Note that the emphasis in v26 on the inner sin comes before the concern over the legal effects of their sin in v27. This is the order in which God sees our sins, we see it the other way around - to our great loss.
29 "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." This verse is a strong puzzler. Since God knows the future, why would He gift a person and then allow that gift to become a source of destruction; but we HAVE seen this happen. A beautiful girl, a strong athletic boy, an excellent singer, actor, speaker who is ruined by the acclaim brought by the "gift." We have seen this happen in the physical/social realm, we have seen it happen in the spiritual realm.
30-32 "Disobedience" and "mercy" are used four times each, it is as if God were determinedly classing our sinfulness as childish disobedience so that He could have mercy on us. With this, Paul breaks out with a doxology.
33 ( ) Is45:15, (this doxology v33-36 see also Is40:13,14; Job38; "counsellor" in v34, but see 1Co2:16; Jn1:18,15:15; Ps25:14; both ideas are true.)
36 "of Him...through Him...to Him" God's causal relationship with all things; He made everything, he sustains all things, he will finally have all returned to Him.
Romans 12 (7 things that will nullify the sacrifice (v1)Conformity to world, self-centeredness (3-8)hypocritical love, civil disobedience (8-10)delinquency in debt, spiritual sleep, judgment disputes.)
1 (1+2) "bodies"=plural, "sacrifice"=singular
2 "conformed" like a bug in a spider's web, external, internal; Spiritual obedience preceeds spiritual guidance Jn7:17); METEMORPHOUSTHE, "transformed" see Mt17:2 +see living Bible.
v1,2 are so commented on that it is difficult to do all in a single pass, so: OUV "therefore" back to 11:21 or ? OIKTIRMON "mercies" same wd 9:15; PARASTASAI "present" aorist tense?? "bodies," Heb13:15 LOGIKAN "reasonable" see root "logical," LATREIAN "service" worship type of divine service, other word is deacon. v2. AIONI, "age"1P2:2 METAMORPHOUSTHE, "transformed" only 3 uses, see mount of Transfig. Mk9:2+Mt17:2 & 2Co11:13, ANAKAINOSEI "renewing" lit "again new" - in quality. NEOS is the other word for "new" = new in point of time. We need both kinds of new in our salvation: pardon, a new start and overhaul restoration to quality, see notes at Mk1:15, Heb6; NOOS, "mind" DOKIMADZEIN, "prove" a functional type of test
3 "not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think"(see v16),"but" "to think...according as God hath dealt;" the "himself" is not in Gk, so could be a caution against philosophizing, but v4 and on seem to take it into the interpersonal arena.
4 PRAXIN, "office" better = action, function or practice.
5 HOI POLLOI, lit. "the many" [the expression referring to the "common man", you see, comes from the Greek].
6 "having gifts, then let us use them" The assumption is that the Christian HAS gifts and is to use them (it) in the church and for the church - not for her/himself. In v6-8 = 7 gifts; see also 1Co12:4,1Ti4:14,1P4:10
8 PARAKLASEI, "exhortation" lit to stand alongside; "giveth" nah, see Gk. the word is METADIDOUS better tx as "sharing;" it seems he is describing our "congregational testimony" practice, thus distinguishing between the "exhortation" and the "sharing." The "sharing" is to be with APLOTATI "simplicity" meaning it is not to have a written outline or set of notes. No such negative request is made concerning the "exhortation." If someone is prone to give longwinded or certainly if they deliver organized speeches during testimony time, we can remind him/her of the KISS rule and of this passage. "showeth mercy, with cheerfulness" KJV or "let him do it cheerfully" NIV - If one asks for mercy, it means he doesn't legally deserve it - otherwise why the need to ask (beg). Here - if you're going to do what you should do in Christ, then do it cheerfully, not grudgingly. Don't make the other guy grovel. [HILAROTATI, "cheerfulness," hilarity!]
9 Note the succession of declarative statements, indeed, 18 or more commands, so close space them from here to 21.
9 ANUPOOKRITOS, "dissimulation" the negative of hypocrisy, see 1Jn3:18; the word "cleaving" is KOLLOMENOI "glue."
10 PHILADELPHIA here (x2), AGAPA in v9, both are needed, see Php2:3,Tit3:14
11 SPOUDA, "in business" see 2Ti2:15, MH says some mms have KAIRO in place of KURIO, "time" in place of "Lord." If "time" were correct it would be a strong reminder to adjust to the "times;" the liberals would love it! Note also that the word for serving is DOULEUONTES, not DIAKONOS more "slave" than "servant."
13 KOINONOUNTES, "distributing" same root wd for "fellowship;" PHILOXENIAN DIOKONTES, "given to hospitality," a welcomer of strangers; used 5X, 1Ti3:2, Tit1:8, 1P4:9, Heb13:2.
15 CHAIREIN see pg xxxvi in Zondervan.
16 v3 +Q. of Pro3:9 The Romans were masters of the known world - The Roman Christians were tainted with this leaven - and the U.S. Christians? "Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position" NIV, is a warning against becoming snobs.
17-19 see Phillips, see "no...all...all --> Dearly beloved." "If it be possible" KJV, "As far as it depends on you" NIV.
20 PSOMIDZE AUTON, "feed him" it means to feed him abundantly, perhaps even indulgently.
21 "Be not overcome of evil... overcome evil with good" the first is the easier of these two.
Romans 13
1 HUPOTASSESTHO, "subject" +v5; TETAGMENAI, "ordained" MH says this is a military term indicating a chain of command; and ANTITASSOMENOS, "resisteth" and DIATAGA, "ordinance" in v2. note the deliberate parallel in the root Gk. words.
4 "for he beareth not the sword in vain" God gives government the right to use force.
5 "subject" same v1, "but also for conscience sake"
6 "tribute"=taxes, uses the formal word for minister LEITOURGOI; "continually"=How about that! A scriptural admonition that all politicians obey scrupulously.
8 ( ) the word for "owe" is the same as "dues" in v7; we are to love those who are "like" (ALLALOUS) us and those who are "not like" (HETERON) us, both are used here.
9 ( ) keeping the law, the phrase "thou shalt not bear false witness" is not in the NIV nor in Nestles Gk text; "if there be any other (different kind of) commandment."
10 ( )
11 "now it is high time" 2Co6:2 "for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."
12 "therefore" "armor of light"Eph6:11. How a Christian should start a day: 1)awake, 2)dress, 3)how to walk, 4)what to avoid; APOTHOMETHA, "cast off" only 3 other, Jn9:22, 12:42, 16:2 used of excommunication, hence a vigorous act.
13 KOITAIS "chambering"=playing with sex, the medical term for the sex act; envying parallel with drunkenness; note three pairs of things to avoid.
14 ( ), ENDUSASTHE, "put on" the opposite act in v12; PRONOIAN "make no provision for" KJV, "do not think about how to" NIV, the "thinking" or the "forethinking" or the "daydream" of v14 makes way for the act (of v13).
Romans 14 Preferences & prejudices must not be elevated to principles - and principles must be protected gently & firmly from the confusion of the weaker brother, a little more firmly from the professional weaker brother.
1,2,3 ( ) Humans are odd, Those who refuse themselves some activity consider themselves to be more spiritual - yet, here called "weak." "vegetables" v1, "one day more sacred than another" v5; it isn't important whether you do or don't, but it is important how you treat other Christians. DIAKRISEIS DIALOGISMON is it a matter of motives?
2 PHAGEIN...ESTHIEI, "eateth...eateth" two different words for eating. To gobble food as an animal eats, and to eat with manners as a refined person might. The 6 uses following are the latter. Jesus used this same interesting change of words in describing how we should "eat" His body. Astonishingly He used the exact opposite to what we would expect. So, both here in Romans and there in the Gospels, it has not to do with the outward ceremony, but with the inner attitudes. [As I recall, the German language has this same distinction for eating, FRESSEN, ESSEN.]
4,5 "own...own" Tolerance on nonessentials - but know why you believe what you believe - anyway; "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."
6 EUCHARISTEI...EUCHARISTEI, "giveth God thanks...giveth God thanks," note this is the word used by more liturgical groups to describe the Communion ceremony. "Eating" and "Giving God thanks" are paired here to combat the excessive attention to "Kosher" eating laws of the Jewish Christians - but note v7 immediately following.
7 "For none of us liveth to himself" no man is an island? v11 is a quote fr. Is49:18, 45:23
15 "destroy not" strong words.
16 "Let not"
17 ( ) "but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." The NIV uses "eating" here, but the KJV is better; BROSIS. The idea is still, diet will not make you more holy - or less holy, You will differ, just don't destroy one another by quarreling over it.
18 DOKIMOS, "acceptable" a functional test.
19 OIKODOMAS, "edify" lit "a house, to build;" as 15:2, Jesus says, "I will build my house of living stones." Mt16:18.
20 "all things indeed are pure" this does NOT mean that a Christian may eat contaminated food if he first says "grace" over it, it does mean that all sorts of food are now - in Christ - ceremonially clean, and all who "run roughshod over their brothers" are ceremonially unclean.
22 DOKIMADZEI, "alloweth" a functional test.
23 PHAGA, "eat" see v3. "for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
Romans 15 - continues the theme of ch14
1 "ought;" Pilgrim, the word is "bear" not "bare."
2 OIKODOMAN "to edification" same 14:19
4 ( ) "through patience" +v5
5 "God of patience...consolation" God is these two, we are to be these two, too. These qualities in the individual, when expressed in the group, make it glorify God. "Let Jesus Christ be the center of your unity."
6 "one...one"
8 "circumcision" "truth" "to confirm the promises" Ps117
9 "Gentiles...mercy" contrast with "circumcision" of v8 +Mt20:13, Ps117
11 This and v8,9 fr. Ps117:1
13 ( ) "The God of hope" only use in NT. The benediction, then the personal notes.
14 "ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another."
16 LEITOURGON...HIEPOURGOUNTA, "minister...ministering" the latter term used only here. The NIV has this accurately, a pastor is not a priest, but a missionary is; the word for Gentiles is ETHNA, our word "ethnic," or people groups.
17 KAUCHASIN, "glory" in 2Co1:12, Ph3:3 = rejoice.
19 "I have fully preached the gospel of Christ," so Paul said he covered the entire area. Illricum is possibly Bulgaria (MH), but more likely Albania. Conquered by the Romans in 167BC after a renowned struggle. In A.D.200-380, Rome sent missionaries and so did Constantinople, followers called Latins & Greeks. Later Moslems converted most of the people - called Turks. Thus their heritage is factionalism not nationalism. Then, under Communism, religion, at first tolerated, later came to be totally outlawed. Even the simple act of baptizing a baby for a woman prisoner (1972), resulted in death to a 70 year old priest for "subversive activities designed to overthrow the state." All religious symbols and speech were smashed, diverted or punished, making Albania the most atheistic country of all the Communistic nations.
20 ( )
21 ( )
23 In v19 he said he fully covered the area, but here he says he has "no more place in these parts;" does he mean he didn't establish a strong church there?
25 DIAKONON, "minister to" Paul, the deacon, the elder deacon? HAGIOIS "saints" never used in the singular in the NT.
26 "Macedonia...Achaia" probably the Philippian church & the Corinthian church; KOINONIAN...EKOINONASAN(V27), "contribution...made partakers;" LEITOURGASAI, "minister" our liturgy, a formal, as unto God, so MH. Paul may mean something more formal, but perhaps it is merely the tendency of this particular scribe (16:22) to use this particular word.
29 "the gospel of Christ." Eph3:19
30 ( ) + Acts21:27, 1Co4:19; SUNAGONISASTHAI, "strive together with"+Lk22:44.
31 ( ) EUPROSDEKTOS, "accepted" lit. "to stick out the hand," sim. 16:2.
32 ( ) Does Paul know what lies ahead & is he asking for prayer? Were they faithful?
33 Closed his dictation &/or writing for the day. Same in 16:20.
Romans 16 opened his letter to write more another day see 15:13.
1 "Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church" ministry of women. Phoebe NIV pagan name fem. of PHOBOS or APOLLO; Chenchrea, a sea-port town 12 furlongs from Corinth, DIAKONON, "servant;" here, a women deacon.
2 "many" either very busy or wealthy; PROSDEXASTHE, "receive" lit. "with open arms" see 15:31; AXIOS "worthy" our study of axiology, the study of values; PROSTATIS, "succourer" a protectress, only use in NT.
3 ASPASASTHE,"greet," better, to "salute," same v5. "Priscilla and Aquila" (or Prisca) of Rome, banished as Acts 18:2, then, now returned to Rome. Worked with as Acts18:26. Note P. listed before A.
5 "wellbeloved Epaenetus" when they lived at Ephesus, though sojourners, they had a church in their house 1Co16:15, 19. Corinth was the chief city of Achaia +Acts18:10. [Achaia was South of Illrycum, several days journey.]
6 "us" KJV, "you" NIV, Nestles Gk supports NIV.
7 "relative" NIV see v11, "fellow prisoner" KJV, cellmate; Paul was in prison several times 2Co11:23; "Junia" husband or wife uncertain; EN, "in" so also v8,9,10,11,12(x2),13.
10 "salute Apelles approved in Christ;" DOKIMON, a functional test, in this context, it means "he wears well."
11 "my relative"v7, "in the Lord" but some aren't, so watch out. N. may have been the wicked Pareus mentioned in the life of Claudius. P was a very rich man, large extended family, but wicked.
12 Tryphena and Tryphosa - twins?
14 Asyncritus = "odd ideas,"? Phlegon = "burned" hence probably dark skinned, a frequent name among slaves. Hermes, Hermas, more twins?
17 DIDACHAN...EMATHETE, "doctrine...learned" there's a difference between what is taught and what is learned! EKKLINETE, "avoid" note he said to depart from them, not to debate them.
18 ( ) This is a really strong verse; "the simple" includes us too!
19 "yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil." Some subjects are not good to study. "God placed no restrictions on curiosity except in the area of learning about evil." MH + 1Jn4:1, Ja1:14.
20 "Amen" + 27, another stop, 15:33. Peace - crush, some pair. "your feet"! TACHEI, "shortly" better, "suddenly" or "abruptly," implying that "you have to put up with it for awhile and then 'suddenly' it's over."
21 "salute you"
22,23 "Tertius...Quartus" These are not names, but numbers! Were they slaves? If so, it gives us an indication of the status of slaves. +Acts20:4, but it was Tertius who wrote (recorded) this epistle.
25 "my gospel"
27 ( ) a doxology.
+ the postscript commentary "Written to the Romans from Corinthus and sent by Phebe (v1) servant of the church at Cenchrea."
In this long list of greetings - how could Paul fail to greet Peter if he had actually been resident as the papists insist. And, if Paul is so down on women, how come he lists here so many women? - 35 men & women, 5 terms used to describe their faithfulness. 1)v.1 servants (deacon = lit. thru the dust); 2)v3,9,2 helper (+succourer); 3)v6,12,12 laborers (AGONIZE); 4)v5,8,9,12 well beloved (AGAPAO); 5)V10 approved - functionally tested. v20 + 1P5:8, Ge3:15, Rev20:2,10, 1P5:9, 5:8, Ja4:7, Eph6:12,16,17.
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