• Paul has explained his recent travel route and current situation.
• From Jerusalem to Illyricum - (Eh-lyric-come)

 
PAUL’S TRAVEL PLANS
22 That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you. 23 But now I no longer have any work to do in these regions, and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you 24 whenever I travel to Spain. For I hope to see you when I pass through and to be assisted by you for my journey there, once I have first enjoyed your company for a while.

• Paul is in the midst of wrapping up his 3rd missionary journey (maps).
• He plans on heading to Spain but will stop in Rome for a season to visit with believers there and raise support for his ministry.

25 Right now I am traveling to Jerusalem to serve the saints, 26 because Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

• He is returning to Jerusalem to give them all the funds he collected from the churches he visited on this 3rd journey.

27 Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits, then they are obligated to minister to them in material needs. 28 So when I have finished this and safely delivered the funds to them, I will visit you on the way to Spain. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
30 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 and that, by God’s will, I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you.

• There is some hesitancy and doubt that the Jews will accept Paul, his ministry to the Gentiles and even the funds from the Gentiles.
• He wants them to be acceptable so it will be an encouragement to him as he continues his ministry.

33 May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.[1]

• Reminder that God is the God of peace and He is with us always now.

 
PAUL’S COMMENDATION OF PHOEBE
16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae (sen'kre-a – aport in Corinth/Greece). 2 So you should welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever matter she may require your help. For indeed she has been a benefactor of many—and of me also.

• Paul here has the longest series of greetings to Christians that he has anywhere in the letters, which comes as something of a surprise when we recall that Paul has never visited the Roman Christian church before.
• Phoebe who apparently is the one who is carrying the letter for Paul from Corinth where he was writing to the church in Rome.
• Phoebe was probably a wealthy businessperson who has business in Rome and is therefore traveling that direction and so, of course, a great candidate to carry the letter on behalf of Paul.
• What’s particularly interesting is that Paul calls Phoebe two things: a prostatis (benefactor) (a Greek word) and a diakonos (servant).
• The first one has been translated by some people in the sense of “leader.” This is unlikely, however. The term was widely used in the ancient world to talk about what we would call a “patron” or “patroness.”
• Patronage was a very significant part of the social fabric of the Roman empire.
• Patrons were people who would, by their influence and money, help sponsor the work of others.
• Usually to succeed in that culture meant to find someone who would be a patron and who would help you advance in career or say a good word in the ear of an important person on your behalf. We call this “networking” today, don’t we?
• Phoebe then is described here by Paul as a wealthy Christian woman who is a patroness—that is, one who has used her money and perhaps her influence in the city to advance the cause of Christ.
• How about the word diakonos? The difficulty here is that this word is used in two very different ways throughout the nt. On one hand, it’s often used simply to describe someone who is a servant of Christ or a minister in a very broad sense. In this sense, of course, all Christians are diakonoi; that is, each of us is a servant of Christ called to minister on behalf of the church in certain ways.
• But diakonos was also used in a more technical way, translated in that sense “deacon,” a sort of officer officially recognized as one of the leaders in the early Christian church.
• Is Paul calling Phoebe simply a servant, or is he calling her a deacon?
• Let’s remember that in the early Christian church, deacons were not sort of the top leaders in the local Christian church.
• Those leaders were called “elders.” Deacons served under elders, helping with the financial affairs of the church, occupying themselves in the visitation of the sick, the ill, those who couldn’t get to church, as we see people doing in our day as well. So I think what Paul is saying here is Phoebe, because she is a wealthy woman sponsoring the Christian movement in Corinth (and specifically Cenchrea, the seaport of Corinth that Paul mentions here) is also recognized by the church as a deacon—that is, by someone who has a recognized role in the church under the elders to assist these kinds of ministries.[2]

 

• In addition to Phoebe in verses 1–2, Paul goes on to greet 25 different Christians by name, mentioning also others like the household of so-and-so or brothers and sisters within a certain house church.[3]

 
GREETING TO ROMAN CHRISTIANS
3 Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. 5 Greet also the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus (Epi-neet-us), who is the first convert, to Christ from Asia., 6 Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus (and-dron-icus) and Junia, my fellow Jews and fellow prisoners. They are noteworthy in the eyes of the apostles, and they were also in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus (Amp-lea-tus), my dear friend in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys (stock-iss). 10 Greet Apelles (apple-less), who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus (air-iss-tob-you-lus). 11 Greet Herodion (hair-rode-ion), my fellow Jew. Greet those who belong to the household of Narcissus (Nar-siss-us) who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphaena (Tri-fin-a) and Tryphosa (Tri-fosa), who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother—and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus (ass-sync-rit-us), Phlegon (Flee-gon), Hermes, Patrobas (Pat-row-bus), Hermas (Her-moss), and the brothers and sisters who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus (Fil-lol-o-gus) and Julia, Nereus (knee-roos) and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

• There are men and women. There are people who are Jewish and people who are Gentile.
• There are people who are from very low social classes (slaves or slaves who had recently gained their freedom) and people who were from fairly high social classes as well.
• In other words, these names give us a kind of window into the early Roman Christian church as a community of Christians that was very diverse with all of the wonderful things that come with that, but also, as we’ve seen in Paul’s argument in Romans, some of the problems that come with that.[4]

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings.

• Our equivalent to a hand shake or elbows in a pandemic.

 
WARNING AGAINST DIVISIVE PEOPLE
17 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them, 18 because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites., They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.

• The house churches at this time did not have the Bibles we have today.
• They had the stories of the apostles that were compared and passed along.
• False teachers with agendas and selfish intent were common in the day.
• Sadly, we have Bibles on our phones and the same things is happening today.
• I like to refer to them as penalty flags.
• Can you recognize penalties in teaching as we filter what we read and hear?

 
PAUL’S GRACIOUS CONCLUSION
19 The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and yet innocent about what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

• Paul believed that Jesus was going to return any day and he lived his life/ministry accordingly.
• A preterist view believes the word “soon” means 70 AD with the destruction of the temple.
• A futurist believes that Jesus is still to come.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21 Timothy, my coworker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater (So-sis-pater), my fellow countrymen, greet you.
22 I, Tertius (Tert-e-us), who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.

• Tertius is the scribe to Paul.
• Papyrus was rare and expensive.
• Scribes were able to write small and efficiently.

23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you.
 
GLORY TO GOD
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ,

• Paul’s Gospel was the good news of Jesus Christ.

according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent for long ages 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures,

• The Old Testament prophesied about what was to come and now Jesus has fulfilled this prophecy.

according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles--

• Once again, Paul is confirming his ministry and calling to the Gentiles.
• Obedience is equivalent to hearing.

27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ—to him be the glory forever! Amen.[5]

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 15:22-33). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[3] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[4] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 16:1–27). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

• Paul was encouraging the strong to not overpower the weak in faith.
• Stay focused on the main thing… Jesus.
• We can easily get distracted with the side show and spend many hours in discussion/debate which only brings division.

 
PLEASING OTHERS, NOT OURSELVES
Romans 15:1-33
1 Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves.

• I have my opinions and beliefs.
• I have to trust the Spirit in what to unpack with others.
• I was trained to force my opinions and beliefs on others to get them to believe the way I did.
• Evangelism 101… close the deal!
• Now… I wait.
• Text at 12:49 AM – “That is a very wise way of putting it and I think you're completely right. What you just said kind of plays into what I've been sitting on today ... I've had a lot of chaos throughout the course of my life ... my parents' and their nasty divorce, an absent father, depression and anxiety ..  Sure, a lot of people have had way more chaos but that doesn't devalue my own perceptions.

I have grown up in a life where chaos is normal and it is expected. I can see it in my mom and my brother and my father when I think about it. Each in unique ways. We all share it i think. But I think for people like us, if life doesn't have chaos it just feels uncomfortable. I really can't speak for my family but I can for myself and I feel uncomfortable when things are "calm" or "good" by the standard definition. I think I create chaos in my life to feel comfortable.
I have gotta relearn how to live again man.”
 

• I’ve only waited about 7 years for this door to open.
• But the idea that they need chaos in their life… I’m good with that.
• I seem to rally in chaos as well. I would just prefer that it is not my own chaos or that I created the chaos.
• Sometimes I still do.
• But this is where the strong in faith begin to “bear” the weight of the weak.
• And it definitely should not be for the purpose of being pleased with ourselves.

2 Each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

• There is a party in our cul-de-sac this Friday Night.
• I’ll feed everyone physically with the hope of building a relationship to feed them spiritually when they come to point of crisis.

3 For even Christ did not please himself.

• Jesus didn’t come here for the sole purpose of pleasing Himself.
• Jesus came to serve others… to include you and me in the fellowship of the Trinity.
• Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”[1]
• 2 Corinthians 8:9 - For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.[2]
• Philippians 2:5-8 - Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
• who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.
• Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man,
• he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross.[3]
• Sure, He is pleased in you. But He came to rescue you and show you a pattern of life that works in a fallen world.

On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. (Psalm 69:9)

• Think about that for a minute.
• What David said, Paul is transferring to Jesus.
• What David said was true for Paul.
• What David said is true for the believers today.
• I expect a fallen world to reject the plan/ways of God. So…
• I don’t have to defend God’s ways.

4 For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. 5 Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one voice.

• Sadly, some people who call themselves Christians have abandoned enough of the faith, are theologically suspect enough, that it’s difficult to think of them as true brothers and sisters.
• Sadly, sometimes divisions are needed to preserve faithfulness to the truth of the gospel.[4]
• But Paul is saying that we don’t have to divide over every little difference of opinion or interpretation.

 
GLORIFYING GOD TOGETHER
7 Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God. 8 For I say that Christ became a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises to the fathers, 9 and so that Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and I will sing praise to your name. (2 Samuel 22:50 & Psalm 18:49)
10 Again it says, Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people! (Deuteronomy 32:43) 11 And again,
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples praise him! (Psalm 117:1)
12 And again, Isaiah says,
The root of Jesse will appear,
the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
the Gentiles will hope in him. (Isaiah 11:10)
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

• The point of these Old Testament quotations then is to remind the believers in Rome that God’s purpose is to bring Gentile and Jew together in His end-time people, that this has all along been His plan, and they need to seek ways in which they can themselves work within that plan and seek to fulfill it as they become a Church of Jesus Christ, of Jew and Gentile together.[5]

 

• Greek letters in Paul’s day generally simply fell into those three parts: an introduction, conclusion, and, of course, the body in between. So with Romans 15:14, we come now to the conclusion of the letter.
• If you look at the letters of Paul, he does several usual things in the conclusions of the letters.
• He will talk about his own ministry and his plans for ministry.
• He’ll ask his readers to pray for him.
• He’ll mention some of his coworkers who are with him and send their greetings also.
• And he will greet people in the churches, praise God for their faith, and pray that God would continue to help them grow in Christ.
• The section of conclusion here in Paul’s letter to the Romans is much longer than in any of his other letters. Why is this so?
• Probably because Paul’s writing to a church he did not plant, to a church he has not even visited yet.
• He’s a bit of an unknown quantity to the Roman Christians, and so he has to spend a little bit more time talking about himself, his ministry.[6]
  ​
  

FROM JERUSALEM TO ILLYRICUM
14 My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. 15 Nevertheless, I have written to remind you more boldly on some points because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the gospel of God. God’s purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

• There was still the issue of the Jews accepting the Gentiles into the faith… and the Gentiles not puffing up in what they have been given as compared to the Jews.

17 Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus regarding what pertains to God. 18 For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles, 19 by the power of miraculous signs and wonders, and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum.

• Illyricum was the name of a Roman province that occupied approximately the space now occupied by Serbia, Albania. Croatia just north.
• So it kind of draws a line from Jerusalem to Illyricum through many of the places where Paul has planted churches on his first, and second, and third missionary journeys.[7]

20 My aim is to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named, so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but, as it is written,
Those who were not told about him will see,
and those who have not heard will understand. (Isaiah 52:15)[8]

• To the Gentiles who have not been told

To the Jews who have not heard and will come to understand.

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Mk 10:45). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (2 Co 8:9). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Php 2:5–8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[5] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[6] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[7] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 15:1–21). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

• Look back to see where Paul is going…
• Chapter 12 – Live in harmony; don’t be proud
• Chapter 13 – Submit to government and love your neighbor as yourself.
• Paul was telling the Church how to live out their life in Christ in a dark world.
• 1) This is your moment – each day – not just a few times a week
• 2) Judge soberly but don’t think to highly of yourself
• 3) Just love one another
• But specifically to the Roman Christians who were meeting in homes. (20-30 people consisted of church)
• Different teachers, interpretations and opinions from house to house.
• If division is present, how do you accomplish the main thing?

THE LAW OF LIBERTY
Romans 14:1-23
1 Welcome anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about disputed matters.

• Is Paul talking about new believers and veteran believers?
• Or is Paul talking about those who are free (walking by the Spirit) and those who are bound up (walking by their flesh).
• Paul is talking about the difference in what their faith will allow them to do.

2 One person believes he may eat anything (meat), while one who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat, and one who does not eat must not judge one who does, because God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s household servant? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand, because the Lord is able to make him stand.

• 1) Judging people based upon what they are comfortable with eating.

5 One person judges one day to be more important than another day. Someone else judges every day to be the same. Let each one be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 Whoever observes the day, observes it for the honor of the Lord. Whoever eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; and whoever does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat it, and he gives thanks to God.

• 2) Judging people because the celebrate specific holidays or else they see every day as the same.
• Are we talking about a “strong Gentile Christian faith” vs a “weak Jewish Christian faith”?
• Remember that Paul was a Jew and he sides with the strong in chapter 15.
• Are we talking about Jewish Holidays vs Roman pagan god holidays?
• Are we talking about abstaining from meat and wine because they believe it was contaminated from pagan idolatry?
• Daniel 1 – Daniel and his friends refrained from eating from the King’s table… No meat or wine.
• Daniel diet today.
• What Paul is talking about here is specific issues that he would consider “indifferent”.
• If they choose to follow holidays found in the Torah… so be it.
• If they choose their freedom in Christ so be it.

7 For none of us lives for himself, and no one dies for himself. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and returned to life for this: that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living.

• This is the non-negotiable.
• Our commonality.

10 But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God., 11 For it is written,
As I live, says the Lord,
every knee will bow to me,
and every tongue will give praise to God. (Isaiah 45:23)
12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
 
THE LAW OF LOVE
13 Therefore, let us no longer judge one another.

• In trying to unify these two groups, it’s also interesting to see that Paul spends a lot more time talking to the strong than he does to the weak in faith.[1]

Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister.

• So Paul is saying, “If what you’re doing—if by using your liberty and flaunting your liberty to do these things you think you can do—if those activities are spiritually hurting brothers and sisters in Christ, stop doing them.
• You have the liberty, but you also have the choice whether to exercise that liberty or not.”
• And Paul’s fundamental concern here is that the exercise of our liberty be done with a heart of love to others in Christ.[2]

14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. Still, to someone who considers a thing to be unclean, to that one it is unclean. 15 For if your brother or sister is hurt by what you eat, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy, by what you eat, someone for whom Christ died.

• This statement right here brings value to all believers.

16 Therefore, do not let your good be slandered, 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

• We get caught up in the doing and comparing our faith based upon what we do rather than who we are in Christ.
• One’s traditions, opinions and expectations cannot be forced on another believer.
• It is the Holy Spirit who teaches, directs and causes us to rest in our freedom… to understand our righteousness and the peace and joy we already have.

18 Whoever serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and receives human approval.
19 So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. 20 Do not tear down God’s work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong to make someone fall by what he eats.

• Their concern, rather, should be the values of God’s kingdom and the spiritual health and development of their fellow brothers and sisters.
• So Paul encourages the strong in faith not to do anything that might bring harm to the weak in faith.[3]

21 It is a good thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble. 22 Whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever doubts stands condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith, and everything that is not from faith is sin.[4]

• Paul is concerned that the weak in faith might start doing things that in their own conscience they continue to think is wrong.
• Paul doesn’t want that to happen.
• Paul doesn’t want our activity to run ahead of our conscience.
• We must first be convinced that something is right before we do it.[5]

 

• “everything that is not from faith is sin” – What does this mean?
• We have two choices: 1) Faith or 2) Not faith...
• 1) Walk by the Spirit or 2) Walk by the flesh…
• 1) Submit to the Spirit or 2) Be selfish
• 1) Rest and let the Spirit do it through you or 2) Do it in your own strength…

[1] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[2] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[3] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 14:1–23). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

• We jumped from taking care of each other in Chapter 12 to our obligations to the government.
• Why is that? What was the issue at hand?
  
  

A CHRISTIAN’S DUTIES TO THE STATE
Romans 13:1-14
1 Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.

• This is one of those passages where our tendency is to spend most of our time trying to figure out what the text doesn’t say rather than what it does say.
• Pretty self-explanatory.
• Is this referring to specific people or the actual position of authority?
• Paul is saying authorities are given the right by God on earth to exert punishment for wrongdoing.[1]
• Paul clearly here is teaching that government is something God has established in using for the well-ordering of His creation.[2]
• Where on earth is there not a form of government? Then chaos rules.
• Anarchy -  is often negatively used as a synonym of chaos or societal collapse
• God is a god of order.
• Submission is in effect.
• We submit to government (President > police, IRS, employers, parents and eventually our own kids).
• Our society is demanding equality and as it does that, it demands equality in roles and places of authority… to a point where submission is intolerable.
• Then chaos reigns.

2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. 5 Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience.

• In verse 1 and in verse 5 Paul says, “Be subject (or submit yourselves) to the authorities.”
• Clearly that’s the main point Paul makes, repeating it to make sure we understand how important it is.
• But I do think as we read more broadly and more fundamentally biblically across the Bible, we recognize that there must be exceptions to what Paul is saying here, that there are those times when government can turn demonic.
• Government can be ordering us to do that which is contrary to the will of God, and then we have to emulate Peter and Paul in obeying God rather than man.[3]
• Video from Deron Spoo

6 And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks. 7 Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.

•  We know from secular historians that in Rome at about this period of time there was what we might call a “popular tax revolt.”
• The Roman emperors had begun taxing the population so heavily to pay for their opulent lifestyles and for their wars that the people were beginning to rebel against taxes.
• In other words, Paul might here be addressing a very specific local problem in Rome that had begun to creep into the Church at this point in time, and he would be telling the Christians, in effect, “Don’t get involved in that revolt.
• You owe taxes to the governing authorities because of who they are in relationship to your Christian faith.”
• Another point of confusion is Paul teaching their freedom in Christ.
• So it might be that some in the Roman Christian church were viewing their faith in Christ as a reason to avoid the government altogether, to live lives separate from it, to ignore it, disobey it, and just treat it as if it didn’t exist.
• That could be part of the problem here as well.
• It is well known, I think, that when Jesus has the opportunity to comment on the relationship of God and government, it’s taxes that are the context in which he makes his pronouncement, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
• Is it possible then that Paul once again here is reflecting the teaching of Jesus that he draws on in giving his own instruction to the church at Rome?[4]

 

• Then all of a sudden Paul makes the leap back to love.

LOVE, OUR PRIMARY DUTY
8 Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

• The one debt Paul says that we’ll never be able to fully pay is our obligation to love each other.
• That is an obligation that will remain forever open.
• There will always be new ways for us to fulfill our obligation to love one another sincerely and from the heart.[5]

9 The commandments, Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not covet; and any other commandment, are summed up by this commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself.

• Leviticus 19:18 - Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.[6]
• Matthew 19:19 - Jesus answered: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; 19 honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself.[7]

10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.

• Is this in reference to other believers or everyone?
• But they don’t think like I do.
• They don’t have the same morals or values that I do.
• My life is like a rolling magnet, picking up nails.
• Sometimes I have to clean off the magnet.

 
PUT ON CHRIST
11 Besides this, since you know the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, because now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

• Yes, today you are one day closer to seeing Jesus face to face.
• Paul believed that Jesus was going to return any day.

12 The night is nearly over, and the day is near; so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

• Paul clearly uses “day” in contrast to “the night” to talk about our ethical obligations.[8]

13 Let us walk with decency, as in the daytime: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.[9]

• It is still the battle between walking by the Spirit and living in our flesh.

[1] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[2] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[3] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[4] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[5] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Le 19:18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Mt 19:18–19). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 13:1–14). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

• August 22 – Romans 12:1-2 - Transforming of the Mind – Talk about eternal things.
• September 12 – Romans 12:3-8 - We are one body with many gifts.

 
CHRISTIAN ETHICS
Romans 12:9-21
9 Let love be without hypocrisy.

• Paul then talks about the many dimensions of love as it relates both to our fellow believers and to those people who are outside the Christian Church.
• It talks about relating well both to God and to other people—what some have called an “other-orientation,” that as a believer I am no longer oriented to myself.
• I am oriented toward God and to others as the very mode of my being and decision making.[1]
• ‘Love is not genuine when it leads a person to do something evil or to avoid doing what is right—as defined by God in his Word’ – Douglas Moo.[2]
• Here is the real issue… how do you measure/judge one’s heart?
• What makes one a hypocrite?
• I say one thing but do another.
• Christians (followers of Jesus) have been called hypocrites from day one.
• A follower of Jesus has an assumption that they are going to do exactly what Jesus does.
• That may be the desire of the believer but it doesn’t always occur because we are dealing with our flesh. (not our sinful nature).

Detest evil;

• Detest – is this a private or public response?
• As the Spirit leads you.
• I think at one point, it was easy to point out specific things (sin) that I detested and could be vocal about.
• As I get older in my faith, and realize that it is not me that changes other people’s minds, but it is the Holy Spirit.
• I tend to be less public about what I detest… that doesn’t mean I am more accepting or passive.
• I think it has more to do with trusting.
• I will continue to teach Truth from the stage and even my personal conversations.
• But I will trust that the Spirit will lead to repentance through His kindness.
• It is the Spirit’s responsibility to change the mind of other believers.

cling to what is good. 10 Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters.

• Did you ever fight with your siblings?
• Of course you did… but it never changed the fact they are still related to you… they belong to you.
• You may have had to set healthy boundaries with family members… but they are still your family.
• But as you go through trials and loss, you probably cling deeper to your family.
• Paul, is saying the same thing here in the body.
• Love each other deeply… even though we do “goober” things.
• We all do “gooberish” things. But we are all still forgiven and made perfect.

Take the lead in honoring one another. 11 Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord.

• You’re not going to find a spiritual gift analysis on our web site and a list of church duties.
• There are plenty of ways to serve your brother and sister in this body… but we are good if it is even outside of the body of Christ.
• It is as the Spirit leads you.

12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.

• On this day, 16 years ago, the body lost a child named BJ Higgins. He was 15 years old.
• On this day, 3 years ago, the body lost a good man named Todd Dolbeer. He was a vital part of this ministry.
• We have suffered over the years with their loss here on earth but we rejoice to know they are forever home with Jesus.
• So we persistently pray for their families. For their needs and their grief to subside.
• I know the Higgins family shared hope with the Absher family because of their hope in eternity.

13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.

• This literally meant to feed one another at your homes.
• Hospitality may be defined as ‘the process by means of which an outsider’s status is changed from stranger to guest’.
• It is not something a person provides for family or friends but for strangers.
• Strangers need hospitality, for otherwise they will be treated as non-human because they are potentially a threat to the community.
• Strangers had no standing in law or custom, and therefore needed a patron in the community they were visiting.[3]
• In a big city, strangers have been vilified.
• We have trained ourselves not to even talk to strangers.
• Isn’t it refreshing when you can have a decent conversation with a stranger?
• In context of today, that has changed with COVID.
• How do you encourage one another in sharing now?

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

• Paul does not often quote the words of Jesus.
• Indeed, it’s been one of the issues in Pauline scholarship over the years to figure out why Paul does not make more reference to the earthly life of Jesus or to His teaching.
• Paul talks a great deal about Jesus’ death and its significance, about His resurrection, but about His earthly life, Paul is relatively silent.[4]
• Jesus taught the Law… and fulfilled the complete Law.
• Paul encourages to walk by the Spirit.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud;

• In Biblical terms, proud/pride has never been associated with good.
• In society, we have made the word “proud” acceptable and good… especially in light of our family.
• My wife and kids know that I personally refrain from using the word “proud”.
• It takes a little more thought to express my love and admiration for them by not using the word “proud”.
• I have to explain what makes me happy about them.
• Try it sometime.

instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

• This is simply revenge.
• Some people ask the question, “Don’t you just become a door mat?”
• Are we not to stand up for ourselves?
• There is a difference between revenge and healthy boundaries.
• Is it important to you that you don’t come across as soft or a pushover?
• What does it look like when the Spirit causes your emotions not to get ramped up during a disagreement?
• Can you think more rationally (and with love) when you are not letting your emotions control your physical body?
• Breathe… calm down… you can say the same things with no emotion.
• We are living in a world where protests are becoming so emotionally charged that people are actually dying.
• There is evil in this world… it is going to continue to happen.
• There is only one answer to evil… Jesus.

Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes.

• Try to see the other side of things.
• You don’t have to agree with the other side.
• But you don’t have to be mean either.

18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. 20 But
If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
For in so doing
you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. (Proverbs 25:21-22)

• In the Proverbs we have mainly the teaching of Solomon, of course, but Solomon himself apparently had been influenced by wisdom traditions in Egypt—something Old Testament scholars almost universally recognize.
• And we know from archaeological evidence that there was a custom in Egypt according to which someone who wanted to show their repentance or to express their sorrow for something they had done, would carry a tray full of burning coals on their heads.
• That is probably what’s going on in Proverbs 25, and I suspect Paul understands that context and meaning.[5]

21 Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.[6]

• How does that work in this world?
• It’s not up to me to determine.
• All of a sudden we went to thinking about the individual to world peace?
• Next week, Paul gets into the government.

[1] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[2] Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (D. A. Carson, Ed.) (p. 475). Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England; Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
[3] Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (D. A. Carson, Ed.) (pp. 478–479). Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England; Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
[4] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[5] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 12:9–21). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

MANY GIFTS BUT ONE BODY
Romans 12:3-8
3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think.

• Every church in our community has a distinct aroma to it.
• Most churches in the community could describe what their distinct aroma is.
• What is Leavener’s?
• Now if each church can describe their own distinct aroma… don’t you think they would prefer their own aroma over others?
• But the question is, is one better than the other?
• Is this a form of passing judgment?

Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.

• but to think (sensibly) so as to have sound judgment, as God has (distributed) allotted to each a measure of faith (to each one).
• NASB 95
• “a measure of faith” by itself describes that the Church has been given a general faith.
• “a measure of faith to each one” describes that each individual has been given a measure of faith.
• Faith comes from God.
• Does is really matter if God gave us all the same amount of faith or varying amounts of faith?
• When we speak about faith in this context, I am referring to belief and trust.
• Not everyone in this room has equal amounts of belief or trust… or do they?
• I have the same Spirit in me that you do.
• Why wouldn’t we have the same amount of faith?
• Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.[1]
• I go back to the August 22nd message on Romans 12:1-2
• Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.[2]
• What is your focus?
• We get so easily distracted with “stuff”
• Since that message, I have been swamped with “personal stuff”.
• But if it wasn’t for my faith in Jesus Christ, I would be puddle on the floor.
• Yah, I get emotional. But I am good… because of what I believe and trust… because of my faith.
• The same faith that you have… is it by measure or the renewing of my mind?
• US Open – Emma Radacanu – Pulled out of the 4th round of Wimbledon due to a panic attack.
• Won the US Open as a qualifier because she was able to maintain her focus on tennis.
• There is a lot surrounding our daily lives.
• It causes us to go into tailspins, lose focus, self-medicate and even withdraw from life.
• As a community, we have to remind each other of our identity in Christ and to stay focused on the eternal matters.

4 Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5 in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.

• We are uniquely designed individuals (soul/personality) that have one common bond (spirit).
• “Calling” – What is our calling?
• Romans 11:29 - since God’s gracious gifts and calling are irrevocable.[3]
• Calling being the use of your God given abilities and interests AFTER listening to the Spirit of God inside of you.
• Using your God gifted abilities and interest for the purpose of glorifying God rather than your own self.
• I am capable of doing some things that you are not capable of doing.
• You are capable of doing some things that I cannot.
• We have been woven together as one body in Christ.

6 According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; 7 if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.[4]

• Paul talks about the gifts God has given the Church for its health and flourishing in three different texts: here in Romans 12, again in Ephesians 4, and yet again in 1 Corinthians 12.
• The lists of gifts as you compare these passages differs among these three texts.
• I think what we are to conclude from that is that Paul is nowhere trying to give us a complete list of the gifts that might be available to the Christian Church.[5]

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 10:17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 12:2). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 11:29). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 12:3–8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Paul turns to much more practical, everyday Christian life issues beginning in chapter 12.

• In 12:1–15:13 then we have Paul dealing with a series of issues about what it means to live out the gospel in everyday life.
• The good news of Jesus Christ talks more broadly about how, through Christ, God is reestablishing His reign over His rebellious creation.
• Then in 14:1–15:13 we find Paul centering on one particular issue that apparently was a real problem in the Roman church.
• This division, these arguments between what he calls the “strong” and the “weak.”[1]

 
A LIVING SACRIFICE
Romans 12:1-2
1 Therefore,

• “Therefore,” reminding us that what Paul is now about to say depends on everything he has been doing to this point in Romans.
• Everything we have been talking about since January 24th (26 weeks).
• In grace, as Paul has taught, he has enabled us to become righteous persons, right before God.
• In light of that and all of the mercy of God, then we are to respond.[2]
• But what has Paul ben having to deal with?
• If he spends the next 3.5 chapters on Christian ethics… there is a reason for it!
• I’m pretty sure it may have looked a little like this…

 
The Honest Preacher Video
 
brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God,

• “mercies” – Paul has spent the last 3 chapters explaining this mercy of God.
• If God has mercy on us… why can’t we have mercy on others?
• We don’t always have to be right.
• And when we are right… just leave it alone.
• “told you so”
• Just give a little room to be wrong to others sometimes, because you are going to need it as well.
• And if you don’t agree with that… then you are wrong!

I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God;

• Wait… what? That is what the animals are for!
• No… Christ changed all that.
• You are the Temple now.
• The Holy of Holies is where the Spirit once dwelled.
• Jesus died on the cross, rose again and made you holy now for a reason.
• The Holy Spirit lives in you now.
• “Body” is a word that Paul likes to use to talk about human beings in terms of their concrete interaction with the realities of this life.
• He’s addressing us as human beings generally, but as human beings who are embodied—that is, human beings who do have an existence here in this world, and people who therefore have abilities to live a certain way in the world where God has placed us.[3]

this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.[4]

• The secret to being not conformed is to be transformed—to be changed from within in our very basic ways of thinking.[5]
• Paul says it’s by engaging in this process—offering ourselves as living sacrifices, not being conformed but being transformed—it’s by doing all of those things that we will be able to test, approve, and actually carry out the will of God.
• We Christians are always wondering, “What is God’s will for me?”[6]
• The odds are, you are not going to discover God’s will for your life through your emotions and feelings.
• The most important things in our lives (the values we live by) have been revealed to us by God.
• And it’s by engaging in this process of transforming ourselves, allowing God’s Spirit to pattern our ways of thinking, that we will be able to do God’s will, to put it into practice, to be people who daily walk in the way God has laid down for us.[7]

 

• Worship that comes from beings who have been given by God the capacity to understand Him and His purposes.
• Paul here is talking about our very lives—day in, day out—as ways of worshiping God.
• The worship of God in everyday life is what Paul is calling upon us as His people to be engaged in here, worship that honors God in the decisions we make day in, day out—worship of God as we do our jobs, as we engage in conversations with neighbors, as we enjoy ourselves in various entertainment contexts.[8]

 
Renewing of the Mind

• When Paul talks about our being transformed, he says it’s to take place by the “renewing of the mind.”
• The same phrase … one Paul uses also in Eph 4, and I think it kind of gets at the heart of what we might call “Paul’s view of Christian ethics.”
• How is it that Christians are to live in ways that please God? All of us struggle with that.
• All of us struggle with the fact that we know what God wants us to do at times, but don’t always feel like we want to do it, or [we’re] frustrated sometimes even in carrying it out.
• This idea of the renewing of the mind I think should be central in the way we think about living as Christians.
• In Paul’s way of looking at things that we don’t make the commandments too centrally important for us.
• We are deeply and appropriately concerned that Christians live out their faith in the specifics of life.
• And we’re often surprised/not surprised to find Christians aren’t doing that, ourselves included.
• And one, in a sense, easy answer to that problem is to order people what they’re to do, to give them the impression that they need to live by a series of do’s and don’ts.
• However, I think the essence of new covenant ethic is rather an internal transformation of the person.

 

• First of all, that this is a constant process.
• Paul does not say, “Be transformed by your mind already fully renewed.”
• He says, “Be transformed by a continuing renewing of the mind”—in other words, a process that we’ll be engaged in from the moment of conversion to the moment of death.
• My personal mind is being renewed as well.
• I still struggle with fleshly thoughts.
• I still seek wisdom from Godly people.
• But it is this inner transformation that God is working by His Spirit that is the key to leading a faithful life in glory to God.

 

• The Corinthians seem to be people who are so excited about the Spirit working in them.
• They claim to have special wisdom and insight, and yet Paul again and again has to tell them, “No, at this point if you think you are being guided by the Spirit, you are wrong. You are breaking a commandment of God relevant to your situation.”

 

• It is not that we don’t need law in some form anymore. We do.
• In my view God has given us law and specific commandments in the NT Scriptures to give us an indication of right and wrong, but these should never be a replacement of the more fundamental, internal work of God’s Spirit as it transforms our hearts and minds and leads us to become people who think rightly about the world in light of the values of the kingdom of God.[9]

 
Let me try to bring this home for you…

• The Chosen…
• Matthew 4:23-25 - Now Jesus began to go all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 Then the news about him spread throughout Syria. So they brought to him all those who were afflicted, those suffering from various diseases and intense pains, the demon-possessed, the epileptics, and the paralytics. And he healed them. 25 Large crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.[10]
• Jesus is dealing with people in the midst of their crisis.
• In the show, Mary (Jesus’ mother) and other women disciples are a part of Jesus’ disciples.
• The brand new disciples are exhausted and sitting around the fire.
• This is the writer/producer’s vision of what it looked like…

 
The Chosen Video
 

• Now… in the midst of my current week…
• Where our families are dealing directly with COVID
• We’ve had a Leavener death
• We are walking with people who are losing their jobs because of their addictions
• We are dealing with families being broken over divorce.
• We are consoling a community that has lost 3 teenage girls to a drunk driver.
• We are ministering to a family who lost their child just 10 months ago.
• We are consoling parents and students who going away to college… some many hours away.
• We are trying to figure out how to minister to a lady coming home from rehab and still has a long road ahead of her.
• We are ministering to a Pinheads employee who is disable for a season.
• Just to name a few… in the midst of our own personal chaos.
• We are not looking for sympathy… this is our calling.

 

• But at the same time… these are the conversations I am hearing sitting around the camp fire…

 

•  Masks – “Opinions are good… take a stand”
•  Vaccine – “were they vaccinated?”
•  School Curriculum
•  School Boards
•  Library Books
•  Politics
•  Prophecy/End times
•  Afghanistan
•  Racism/ Reverse Racism
•  Gender Equality
•  Gender Identity Issues
•  Sexual Identity Issues
• Social network posts where you air out your personal issues and throw the name of Jesus in there to make it look like it is God approved.

 
I get it… real day topics… this is the world we are swimming in right now.
 
I care… but I don’t care!

• I have enough chaos in my own life, that I don’t need to focus on the fallen world.
• My focus is going to be on Jesus.

 

• I will hang out with people who pursue Jesus.
• I’m not interested in the sideshow.
• “But you need to be a light in the world and taka a stand on these issues!”
• No! I don’t! I am a light in this world because the Spirit is living inside of me and directing my paths.
• The Spirit is constantly renewing my mind to the things that are important to Him… Which become important to me!

 

• I don’t have time for the foolishness of this world!
• I want to sit around the camp fire and talk about the things Jesus did today.
• We were meant to have an abundant life in the midst of the chaos.

 
Paul writes…
Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.[11]

[1] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[2] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[3] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 12:1–2). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[6] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[7] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[8] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[9] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Mt 4:23–25). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 12:1–2). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Some have concluded from this that Paul’s Christian audience in Rome was made up entirely of Gentiles.

• I think it’s more likely, however, that the congregations Paul’s addressing in Rome were a mixed group between Gentiles and Jews.
• And so what he’s signaling here to this mixed audience is, “Now the argument of my making at this point in Rom 11 is particularly directed to you Gentile Christians in Rome.”[1]

 
Romans 11:12-16
12 Now if their transgression brings riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness bring!

• Whose transgression?
• Israel for not believing Jesus is the Messiah
• Brings riches for the world
• Salvation has come to the world… the Gentiles.
• This is Paul’s experience throughout Acts.
• He came to each city/region and preached to the Jews first in the synagogue.
• He got rejected by the majority and then would go teach the Gentiles.
• This was repeated everywhere Paul went.
• How much more will their fullness bring
• All of Israel will eventually believe.

13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Insofar as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if I might somehow make my own people, jealous and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brings reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?

• Paul repeats what he said before.
• The Jews rejected Jesus and the Gentiles believed.
• Their acceptance mean but life from the dead.
• All of Israel will eventually believe.

16 Now if the firstfruits are holy, so is the whole batch. And if the root is holy, so are the branches. [2]
 
Romans 11:17-36
17 Now if some of the branches were broken off (Jews – rooted in the soil of God’s promises to the Patriarchs), and you (Gentiles – apart from the promises), though a wild olive branch, were grafted in among them and have come to share in the rich root of the cultivated olive tree, 18 do not boast that you are better than those branches. But if you do boast—you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you.

• It is not so much an attitude of “I am wonderful” of which Paul is complaining as “I am more wonderful than you.”[3]

19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 True enough; they were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but beware, 21 because if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. 22 Therefore, consider God’s kindness and severity: severity toward those who have fallen but God’s kindness toward you—if you remain in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.

• “you too will be cut off”
• Paul never was talking about an individual
• He was always speaking in reference to a generation of Jews or Gentiles.
• Your kindness or lack of, could impact generations to come.

23 And even they, if they do not remain in unbelief, will be grafted in, because God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from your native wild olive tree and against nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these—the natural branches—be grafted into their own olive tree?

• Grafted in is something that is unnatural
• Slide of Olive Tree

25 I don’t want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you will not be conceited: A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

• The hardening of the heart is something Paul has already talked about in the previous chapters.

26 And in this way (not “then”) all Israel will be saved, as it is written,

• There are, essentially, six interpretations of the expression ‘all Israel’ in Paul’s statement that ‘all Israel will be saved’:
• (i) all Israelites from every age;
• (ii) all the elect of Israel of all time;
• (iii) all Israelites alive at the end of the age;
• (iv) Israel as a whole alive at the end of the age, but not including every individual Israelite;
• (v) a large number of Israelites at the end of the age;
• (vi) Israel redefined to include all Jews and Gentiles who believe in Jesus Christ.[4]
• Is Paul here talking about one step in the process when Jews are included again in the kingdom?
• Or is “all Israel will be saved” a way of summarizing the entire process from beginning to end?[5]
• The phrase occurs almost sixty times there, and very rarely does “all Israel” mean every single Israelite who was, let’s say, alive at that time.
• “All Israel” is a phrase that almost always has a kind of representative significance.
• It talks about a significant or representative number of Jews, but not every single Jew.
• This language is similar to the way we use such language in our day.
• One might say, for instance, “The whole city was talking about the books available to the students,” when in fact we mean, “Well, a significant number of people in the city,” maybe not even a majority of the people in the city.
• Many of the people in the city may not even have heard about the issue, but we use the language of the “whole city” or “all Israel” in this kind of representative sense.[6]

The Deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this will be my covenant with them (Isaiah 59:20-21 - “The Redeemer will come to Zion,
and to those in Jacob who turn from transgression.”
This is the Lord’s declaration.
21 “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of your children’s children, from now on and forever,” says the Lord. [7])

• The “deliverer” or “redeemer” will come to Zion in Isaiah’s prophecy (to the Jews).
• But Paul quotes it as the “deliverer” or “redeemer” will come from Zion. (from the Gentiles who reach more regions.

when I take away their sins. (Jeremiah 31:31-34 - 31 “Look, the days are coming”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—my covenant that they broke even though I am their master”,—the Lord’s declaration. 33 “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”—the Lord’s declaration. “I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “For I will forgive their iniquity and never again remember their sin. [8])

• Some theologians believe in bi-covenantalism.
• Gentiles are saved by faith in Jesus
• Jews will be saved by the promises made in the Torah.
• I don’t believe Paul has declared that at all.
• He has clearly said that both Jews and Gentiles must come by faith in Jesus to be saved.
• Here Paul is talking about the issue of salvation, spiritual matters, and I think that Paul always views salvation as taking place in Christ and in terms of the Christian church.
• So this salvation of “all Israel” in the last days, it seems to me, will be taking place by their faith in Christ as God graciously works among them and will integrate them into the single people of God, the church of the new covenant era.[9]

28 Regarding the gospel, they are enemies for your advantage, but regarding election, they are loved because of the patriarchs, 29 since God’s gracious gifts and calling are irrevocable. 30 As you once disobeyed God but now have received mercy through their disobedience, 31 so they too have now disobeyed, resulting in mercy to you, so that they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may have mercy on all.

• God’s purpose is to let salvation come to Gentiles, in turn provoking Israel to repentance (11:11).
• That way, representatives from all peoples, Jewish and Gentile, could have the opportunity for salvation (11:30–33).[10]

 
A HYMN OF PRAISE (doxology)
33 Oh, the depth of the riches
and the wisdom and the knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments
and untraceable his ways!
34 For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?
35 And who has ever given to God,
that he should be repaid? (Isaiah 40:13-14)
36 For from him and through him
and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever. Amen.[11]

• He has shown that God treats Jews and Gentiles alike in the matters of sin and judgment (1:18–3:20), and that he offers salvation freely to them both and without reference to the law.

God does this on the basis of what he did for them through Jesus Christ, whom he set forward as the atoning sacrifice for their sins, thus showing not only his great love for humanity but also his justice in justifying sinners who put their faith in his Son (3:21–5:21).[12]

[1] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 11:12–16). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (p. 414). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
[4] Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (D. A. Carson, Ed.) (p. 448). Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England; Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
[5] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[6] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Is 59:20–21). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Je 31:31–34). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[10] Keener, C. S. (2009). Romans (p. 132). Eugene, OR: Cascade Books.
[11] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 11:17–36). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[12] Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (D. A. Carson, Ed.) (pp. 456–457). Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England; Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.

In chapters 9 and 10 Paul looked more at the negative; that is Israel itself is responsible for her state, failing to respond to the grace of God and to recognize Christ as the culmination of God’s plan in the history of salvation.[1]
 
ISRAEL’S REJECTION NOT TOTAL
Romans 11:1-10
1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Absolutely not!

• The suggestion is unthinkable.
• To some it may seem the logical result of what Paul has been saying, but to the apostle it is an utter impossibility.
• God is thoroughly reliable, and it is impossible to think of him first choosing and then rejecting a people.[2]

For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.

• Paul is playing for the Gentiles but he is actually a Jew.
• Ian Kinsler, a major league baseball player, born in Tuscan, AZ
• His family heritage is Jewish
• He played baseball for Israel team in the Olympics
• 8 NBA players were on France’s basketball team.
• Paul is reminding both the Christian Gentiles and Christian Jews that he is a Jew.

2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.

• The verb has the sense of God entering into relationship with people ahead of time.[3]

Or don’t you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he pleads with God against Israel? 3 Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and they are trying to take my life! (1 Kings 19:10, 14) 4 But what was God’s answer to him? I have left seven thousand for myself who have not bowed down to Baal. (1 Kings 19:18)

• These are men who made a choice to follow the God of Abraham.

5 In the same way, then, there is also at the present time a remnant chosen by grace.

• At both times the nation as a whole was not obedient to God, but in both also a minority did obey.
• And in both the minority was a standing witness to the truth that God has not cast away his people.[4]

6 Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace.

• The divider here is whether one is determining that belief is a “work”.
• If belief is a work, then God alone chooses who receives grace.
• If belief is not a work, then grace is purely a way that has been made for salvation.

7 What then? Israel did not find what it was looking for, but the elect did find it. The rest were hardened, 8 as it is written,
God gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that cannot see
and ears that cannot hear,
to this day. (Deuteronomy 29:4, Isaiah 29:10. Matthew 12-13)
9 And David says,
Let their table become a snare and a trap,
a pitfall and a retribution to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and their backs be bent continually. (Psalm 69:22-23)

• What Paul wants to say here is very simple, “Don’t forget, you Roman Christians, that God is continuing to choose Jews to belong to His people.”
• In other words, there are quite a few Jewish Christians in Paul’s day.
• Paul himself is one of them, of course.[5]

 
ISRAEL’S REJECTION NOT FINAL
11 I ask, then, have they stumbled so as to fall? Absolutely not! On the contrary, by their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous.

• God’s purpose is to let salvation come to Gentiles, in turn provoking Israel to repentance.
• That way, representatives from all peoples, Jewish and Gentile, could have the opportunity for salvation.[6]

12 Now if their transgression brings riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness bring!
13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Insofar as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if I might somehow make my own people, jealous and save some of them.

• Don’t become so arrogant as to believe that God has rejected the Jews and turned only to the Gentiles.
• How does that attitude help reach Paul’s own people?
• Have respect for the Jews.
• Don’t despise their customs.

15 For if their rejection brings reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?

• Paul’s statement here compares to what Jesus did.
• Jesus’ death brought salvation to the world, but even greater was Jesus’ resurrection from the dead because He brought life to believers.

16 Now if the firstfruits are holy, so is the whole batch. And if the root is holy, so are the branches.[7]

• In reference to the patriarchs of faith (Abraham).
• All those who believe in the coming Messiah and Jesus would be considered the whole batch or the branches.
• The remnant of Jews and believing Gentiles. (grace)

Not those who have made the Law their point of salvation. (works).

[1] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[2] Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (p. 398). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
[3] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[4] Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (p. 401). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
[5] Moo, D. J. (2014). NT331 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[6] Keener, C. S. (2009). Romans (p. 132). Eugene, OR: Cascade Books.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 11:1–16). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.