Understanding The Bible
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BY THE AUTHOR
Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.
Philadelphia College of Bible
THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS
The Epistle falls into
THREE MAJOR DIVISIONS, with an INTRODUCTION and a CONCLUSION
The Righteousness of God Revealed
Personal and Personnel
The Righteousness of God Harmonized with His Dispensational Ways
Divine Righteousness Producing Practical Righteousness in the Believer
INTRODUCTION: Personal, 1:1‑17
Paul and his gospel, 1:1‑7
credentials and occupation, 1:1a‑b
"Paul"‑‑the writer, NOT the author. The Holy Spirit was the author. ("Paul" means "asked for"; "Saul" means "little, " Acts 13:9.)
"servant"‑‑not hired servant, but bondservant, bound servant of Christ. This is his VOLUNTARY position. Cp. Exodus 21:2,5‑6 with Psalm 40:6‑8 and Hebrews 10:5. Set free by Christ from the slavery of sin and Satan, he voluntarily makes himself the love‑slave of his Deliverer. Now he is safe, for now only his Master can release him; he cannot release himself. Note: (1) A servant must implicitly obey, but (2) a servant has the right to implicit guidance and command!
"of Jesus Christ"‑‑"Jesus" is the Greek for the Hebrew "Jehoshua" (shortened to "Joshua") which means "Jehovah is Salvation" (Mt. 1:21). This is His personal, human name. "Christ" is Greek for the Hebrew "Messiah" which means "Anointed" (Acts 10:38; Heb. 1:9). This is His official tide or name.
"a called apostle"‑‑a paradox, lit. "a called sent‑one." One must COME to God for salvation, before he is prepared to GO for God to tell others. This is Paul's OFFICIAL position and tide. Contrast VOLUNTARY position above (under "servant"),
"separated"‑‑lit. "railed off, placed apart," Separated from sin unto God and His gospel. He is not preaching reform, but regeneration; not his original thoughts, but Someone else's message. We can't preach the gospel without preaching Christ; it is "WHOM we preach" (Col. 1:28). What a worthy occupation!
The gospel Paul represents, 1:1-7c (cp. section 3)
Its source‑‑"from God" (Gal. 1:15), 1c
Its channel‑‑"through the prophets", 2
Its contents‑‑"concerning His Son", 3‑4
His humanity‑‑"seed of David" 3
of God" 4
"Declared" means "set forth distinctly, ""marked out"; "from the dead" may read "of dead ones, " i.e., "by resurrection of such as were dead" (i.e., Jarius' daughter, Lk. 8:54; widow's son, Lk. 7:14; Lazarus, Jn.11:43‑44).
Its objects‑‑"all nations" 5
opening salutation, l:7b
Paul and his readers, 1:8‑15
Thanksgiving for them all, 8
Prayer for them all, 9
"without ceasing"; read "how unceasingly"
coming to them, 10
"if by any means" is an idiom, "I don't care how, just so I arrive in the will of God.
"prosperous... in the will of God" (shipwreck, Rom. 8:28; Acts 27‑28).
Desire to minister to
"I long"; emphatic, "I greatly desire. "
Obligation to all men, 14 (CONSCIENCE)
Readiness to preach to
them, 15 (HEART)
The THEME of the book,
The righteousness of God in the gospel of Christ (CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE)
Note the three "I am's" of w.14‑16 (cp. section 1B)
He is "not ashamed" because of:
Its power‑‑"the power of God" (cp. dynamite).
Its purpose‑‑the "salvation" of men; "unto" = gets men clear through to salvation. It NEVER FAILS. IT EVER AVAILS (Heb. 7:19‑25, 27).
Its availability and universality‑‑"to everyone.. .Jew and Gentile (whole race).
Its easy terms‑ ‑only "believe."
Its character‑‑a "revelation" (not a reasoning).
Its content‑‑"a righteousness of God" (not man's)
Its operation‑‑progressive... "from faith to faith" (faith‑wise) / practical... "the righteous shall LIVE by (his) faith"
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