Daily reading

Today’s reading is: Rom. 1:1-3:20

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Romans Chapter One

  1. Paul introduces his epistle by declaring his mission (Rom. 1:1-6).
  2. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles drafted an evangelistic & edifying epistle to the capital of the Gentile world (Rom. 1:7).
    1. “Beloved of God” and “called as saints” make reference to born-again believers in the Dispensation of the Church.
    2. 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).
    3. 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).
  3. Paul prays daily for the opportunity to preach the gospel among the believers in that city (Rom. 1:8-15).
  4. Paul then summarizes the essence of the Gospel (Rom. 1:16-17).
    1. The power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (v.16 cf. 1st Cor. 1:18,21; Jn. 1:12; 3:16,18).
    2. The revelation of God’s righteousness (v.17 cf. 3:22,24,26; 4:5-8).
  5. God’s salvation is needed because ungodliness and unrighteousness merits His wrath (Rom. 1:18-32; 6:21,23 cf. Gen. 2:17).
  6. Natural revelation of creation is sufficient to convict each sinner (Rom. 1:19-21).
  7. 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).
  8. The immoral depravity of this fallen world is then described (Rom. 1:24-32).

Romans Chapter Two

  1. Just as immoral depravity falls short of God’s glory, moral depravity likewise fails to measure up (Rom. 2:1-11).
  2. 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).
  3. 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

  1. Romans is marked by a series of questions, posed & answered by Paul (Rom. 3:1).
    1. What advantage has the Jew?  This question was prompted by Rom. 2:17-24.
    2. What is the benefit of their stewardship (circumcision)?  This question was prompted by Rom. 2:25-29.
    3. The Jewish stewardship advantage was first and foremost their custody of the Scriptures (Rom. 3:2).  THIS IS NOW THE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHURCH.
  2. 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!”
    1. God does not require the unrighteousness of man to demonstrate His own perfect righteousness (vv.5-7).
    2. God does not require human evil to demonstrate His own perfect goodness (v.8).
  3. 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).
  4. Mosaic Law was both effective and ineffective (Rom. 3:19-20).
    1. Mosaic Law was effective in revealing the Absolute standard of God’s righteousness, and revealing the extent of man’s sinfulness.
    2. Mosaic Law was ineffective in justifying sinful man according to the Absolute standard of God’s righteousness.

(Chapter Three continues tomorrow)