Daily reading
Today’s reading is: Rom. 1:1-3:20
Video
Romans Chapter One
- Paul introduces his epistle by declaring his mission (Rom. 1:1-6).
- Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles drafted an evangelistic & edifying epistle to the capital of the Gentile world (Rom. 1:7).
- “Beloved of God” and “called as saints” make reference to born-again believers in the Dispensation of the Church.
- Their faith was proclaimed throughout the whole world (Rom. 1:8). Before Paul could travel to Rome, the Lord Jesus Christ had already planted a number of local churches there (Rom. 16:5).
- Most likely, these local churches were established by the “visitors from Rome” who received the Gospel message on the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem (Acts 2:10).
- Paul prays daily for the opportunity to preach the gospel among the believers in that city (Rom. 1:8-15).
- Paul then summarizes the essence of the Gospel (Rom. 1:16-17).
- The power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (v.16 cf. 1st Cor. 1:18,21; Jn. 1:12; 3:16,18).
- The revelation of God’s righteousness (v.17 cf. 3:22,24,26; 4:5-8).
- God’s salvation is needed because ungodliness and unrighteousness merits His wrath (Rom. 1:18-32; 6:21,23 cf. Gen. 2:17).
- Natural revelation of creation is sufficient to convict each sinner (Rom. 1:19-21).
- Unbelievers who are negative at the point of God consciousness are given over to the Satanic substitute religious systems of this world (Rom. 1:21-23).
- The immoral depravity of this fallen world is then described (Rom. 1:24-32).
Romans Chapter Two
- Just as immoral depravity falls short of God’s glory, moral depravity likewise fails to measure up (Rom. 2:1-11).
- Gentile sinners are just as guilty as Jewish sinners. Mosaic Law did not remove culpability from the Gentiles, who continue to function under the operational principles of conscience (Rom. 2:12-16).
- Speaking of the Jews, Paul then addresses their depravity as well. Religious depravity falls short of the glory of God the same as immoral and moral depravity (Rom. 2:17-29).
Romans Chapter Three
- Romans is marked by a series of questions, posed & answered by Paul (Rom. 3:1).
- What advantage has the Jew? This question was prompted by Rom. 2:17-24.
- What is the benefit of their stewardship (circumcision)? This question was prompted by Rom. 2:25-29.
- The Jewish stewardship advantage was first and foremost their custody of the Scriptures (Rom. 3:2). THIS IS NOW THE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHURCH.
- Jewish failure in their stewardship did not nullify the faithfulness of God the Father’s grace eternal plan (Rom. 3:3-8). μὴ γένοιτο “May it never be!”
- God does not require the unrighteousness of man to demonstrate His own perfect righteousness (vv.5-7).
- God does not require human evil to demonstrate His own perfect goodness (v.8).
- The question is restated: are the Jews better than the Gentiles? (Rom. 3:9a) Not at all. Jews & Gentiles are all under sin (v.9b-18).
- Mosaic Law was both effective and ineffective (Rom. 3:19-20).
- Mosaic Law was effective in revealing the Absolute standard of God’s righteousness, and revealing the extent of man’s sinfulness.
- Mosaic Law was ineffective in justifying sinful man according to the Absolute standard of God’s righteousness.
(Chapter Three continues tomorrow)