It is a well-recorded fact that Paul had at least three missionary journeys.(1) The final journey that is recorded in the book of Acts is Paul's journey to Rome so that he could have his hearing before Caesar.(2) It was on Paul's third journey that that he went to Corinth for the third time. Here he collected an offering for needy believers in Palestine.(3) And while in Corinth, Paul wrote this letter to the church at Rome in the early spring of AD 57, just before he left for Jerusalem.(4) And the Church of God has never been the same!
It is hard to accurately describe the value of this Epistle. Most, if not all, of the great revivals and reformations in the history of the church have been directly related to the book of Romans. By it, God has changed some of the great men of the faith. In September AD 386 a man by the name of Augustine read Romans 13:13-14, and through it was transformed into a child of God. Augustine would become one of the church's outstanding theologians and leaders. A little over a thousand years later, Martin Luther, a monk in the Roman Catholic order named after Augustine, was teaching the book of Romans to his students at the University of Wittenberg, Germany. When he came to Romans 1:16-17, the Lord transformed him into a child of God. Martin Luther would go on to lead the German Reformation. Several centuries later (24 May 1738), an ordained minister in the Church of England by the name of John Wesley was converted when he read the preface of Luther's commentary on the book of Romans. Yet in spite of how God has used this letter in history, in many circles today this book is viewed as nothing more than a theological treatise.
Many feel that this book is great for debating theology, but little use beyond that. When they hear the title, Romans, they think cold theology. Many think its passages are too hard to understand. Most people hate the long, confusing theological terms that are often associated with this book such as justification, particular redemption, glorification, grace, sanctification, the perseverance of the saints, total depravity, and covenantal theology. This sadly is a misunderstanding of what this letter is, and why it was written.
Yet this discussion brings us to the rather important question of just what is the book of Romans? If it is a theological treatise, than do we need to approach it as such? If it is a satire, than do we need to take it that way? If it propose be the philosophical schools of Rome, than do we need to interpret it in this light? It is obvious that one cannot approach the Psalms in the same way as you would Revelation to do so would be disastrous! Thus our task as we approach this great epistle is to come with hearts prepared and a mindset which reflects the AUTHOR'S intent! And to do this we need to understand the author!
Paul was originally named Saul. He was named after the first king of Israel, and, like his namesake, was of the tribe of Benjamin.(5) He was born in the city of Tarsus, the center of Greek learning and culture.(6) In fact, Tarsus was home to one of three most outstanding universities in the Roman Empire. He was learned in the Mosaic Law. He was circumcised on the eighth day(7). And soon after his thirteenth birthday he went to Jerusalem and studied under the tutelage of Gamaliel.(8) To learn at the feet of Gamaliel means that he had the best training since Gamaliel was the grandson of Hilel, one of the most famous rabbis of all time.
Under Gamaliel, Saul memorized and learned to interpret Scripture according to rabbinical tradition, notably that of the Talmud. And here he became a master of the Old Testament. In the book of Romans alone Paul demonstrates this mastery. He draws upon the writings of Moses, Hosea, Isaiah, and David. Of the books of the law, he demonstrates special familiarity with Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. He quotes Jeremiah, Malachi, Isaiah, Joel 2, Nathan 1, and Psalms. He refers to Daniel, 1 Samuel, 1 Kings, and Ezekiel.
It was probably during his time in Jerusalem that he became a Pharisee. As we know a Pharisee was Jewish religious leader. The Pharisees, along with the Sadducees and scribes, constituted the religious leadership in Christ's day. And because the apostle never encountered Jesus during His earthly ministry, Saul likely returned to Tarsus after his education in Jerusalem.
Back in Tarsus he worked at making tents(9) (this was his father's trade) and in spite of his young age, he arose as a leader in the Synagogue.(10) In the Synagogues he probably began hearing about the "new" sect that was filling Jerusalem. All of this combined with his Roman citizenship(11) made Saul's future look quite bright and hopeful!
Concerning Saul's zeal, he was very zealous. It was probably on a trip to Jerusalem that Saul came across a person of the sect he had been hearing about, Stephen.(12) Observing the trial and the stoning of Stephen hardened Saul's heart.(13) This all resulted in him being labeled a zealous legalist, a "Hebrews of Hebrews.(14)" He "began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison."(15) Luke records that Saul was "breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord.(16)" Not content with persecuting believers in Jerusalem and Judea, Saul, "...went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem."(17)
Paul was so fierce and intimidating, no Christian was able or desired to get around him to share the Gospel.(18) Thus, it was by direct revelation from God that Paul was confronted with the gospel.(19) On his way to Damascus, just outside of the city we read these words in Acts 9:3-6.
Acts 9:3-6, "And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."
As soon as he regained his sight, was baptized, and was nourished he immediately began to proclaim the word of God.
Acts 9:20, "And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God."
This was no small thing. In Paul's day, being a religious leader was a position of great respect and power.(20) And by the looks at Paul's life up till now, Paul was headed toward being one of the greatest Pharisees of his time.(21) Thus, Paul's choice to "preach in the synagogues" threw away everything. His past, his future, all that he had worked for, all that he had anticipated was set aside by his trusting in Christ! In fact it was not long until the Jews plotted against Paul.
Acts 9:24-25, "But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket."
It is theoretically possible that Paul could have become a "secret disciple" of Christ. There were others that had taken this approach.
John 19:38, "And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus."
However Paul did not choose the path of secrecy. He could not choose that path because Paul counted his past as rubbish for the cause of Christ.(22) Paul, like Moses and others before him, found that the riches of Egypt were of little value compared to the inestimable value of knowing Christ.
John 17:3, " And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
Jhis became the burden of Paul throughout all his writings.
Philippians 1:20-23, "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better."
Paul found that to be "absent from the body was to be present with the Lord."(23) The love of God is what controlled his life.(24) His life was exemplified by doing all for God's glory.(25)
2 Timothy 1:12, " For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
1 Timothy 1:14-17, "And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Romans 11:33, " O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
Paul was a man enraptured with his love for God and Christ. Nothing in the entire world could compare to the beauty of His Savior. All the glory and pomp that the life of a Pharisee would have held for Paul could not compare with Christ. All the riches and wealth that this world could offer could not compare. Whatever security there could be found in this world could not compare. Jobs, marriage, children, vacations, retirement, etc. could not compare with His Savior! In Paul's mind there was no need to become a "secret disciple." Paul had Christ; what else mattered?
To interpret this letter in any other context is to damage to what Paul intended! One must understand that Paul wrote this letter as a man enraptured with Christ and His kingdom! The book of Romans is not primarily a theological treatise--yet its theology is par excellence. Paul was not writing a satire or a philosophical discourse as the erudite men would. Rather, all the words that Paul wrote were words of a man who longed to know Christ and to make Him known! This epistle is the expression of a man's love for Christ and His kingdom. Thus, we must approach this letter in the same vein as Paul wrote it. These are the WORDS OF LIFE!
Romans 15:24, "Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company."
By this statement it has been generally accepted that Paul was hoping that Rome would become his missionary base in the West. This would be like the church at Syrian Antioch has been for him in the East. Because of this, the epistle was written NOT to set the Romans straight on account of a heresy (though this would have happened if there were any heretics in Rome)! RATHER, it was written to disabuse the church. For if there were any false notions or slanderous misinterpretations of his preaching and teaching this epistle would have set those things straight.(26) This epistle was written to acquaint the Roman believers with Paul! Thus, this epistle is a thorough expression of the heart and soul of Paul!
Paul was separated unto the gospel of God.
Romans 1:1, "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God."
Paul was set apart for gospel of God. Paul had a burning desire to preach the gospel to the Romans. Yet, Paul could not come in person.(27) Thus he writes this letter. The gospel to Paul was more than JUST the bare facts of salvation in Christ it was this Epistle.
Romans 16:25-26, "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith."
Paul's gospel did not merely see the lost saved. Paul's gospel sought to establish Christians in the faith. The end result of Paul's gospel was the "obedience of faith." Thus see that this whole epistle was the gospel to which Paul had been "set apart"! Paul was hungering and thirsting after Christ! And if we come here with any other intent than that of hungering after Christ and His kingdom, we will miss the message of Romans!
This book helps us understand Paul's greatest concerns in life--his love for his Savior and his zeal for the gospel. When one understands the purpose and nature of this letter one begins to see that the epistle to the Romans is not a cold statement of truth or theological talk. Rather the book of Romans is the heartbeat of Paul. Paul's life and soul are laid bare so that we may observe one who is deeply and wonderfully lost in the pursuit of knowing Christ. The book of Romans is not a heavenly discussion with no earthly good, but it is a heavenly discussion that brings the words of life for those who are similarly deeply and wonderfully lost in their pursuit of knowing Christ!
DEPENDING on your valuation of the gospel, this book will be to you a cold, theological treatise, or the very air you breathe. If you hunger and thirst to know God or if you long to be like Christ this book will awaken your very soul If you long to be conformed to the image of Christ and partake in His sufferings and long to be used by God in extending His glory and name then you will be refreshed by this book. This is what the Psalmist taught, Peter longed for and Job desired.
Psalm 119:97, "O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day."
John 6:68, "Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life."
Job 23:12, " Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food."
However, if you hunger and thirst for happiness, wealth, fulfillment, security, good times, a good job, a good career, and a healthy bank account this book will seem like a cold, theological treatise.
This is why I exhort you to pray that God would use the words of the book of Romans to stir up passion for God. Ask God to remove your complacency as a Christian. Ask God to remove your laziness and replace it with a holy passion and holy zeal for Him and His Kingdom. Ask God to enable you to approach this letter with sincerity and genuineness.
As we study this book together let us reevaluate the beauty of your Savior. Is Christ lovely to you? Is your view of Christ that of the Psalmist?
Psalm 45:1-2, "My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever."
Hebrews 1 says this of Christ!
If your heart is not stirred to this passion then we need to "remember our first love" as Christ admonished the Revelation church.(28) We do this by remembering what a healthy walk with Christ is. This of necessity requires Bible study. We must study God's word and meditate thereon. This will require submission to God. To desire spiritual growth and yet willingly neglect God's word is to play the Hypocrite!
Secondly, one must repent of his cold-hearted sins. Unwillingness to seek the things of Christ is a sin. Doubting God and His word is a sin. Whatever things or ideas distracting you from Christ are sin. All these things need to be repented of before your walk will be renewed.
Thirdly, one must obey Christ. One must do the first works. These are simply doing what God's word says for us to do. We must implement these things in our life. To go on with Christ we must commit our whole being to His service. We must be willing to do what He says to do. We must be willing to go where He says to go. We must be willing to be what He wants you to be. This is not some mystical formula that we must decipher, but it is simply trusting God. We must believe that everything that God says He will do for us He will do for us. This is not doing what we have never heard about doing, but it is doing the plain commands of Scripture.
Fourth, one must long for God's redeeming grace to transform him.
Mark 6:3-6, "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching."
This passage does not imply that God is bound by man's beliefs. Rather it teaches us that the recipients of God's grace are those that hunger and thirst after it. In order for use to receive God's transforming grace we must long for it in faith!
Matthew 9:20-22, "And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour."
There are two elements to our faith presented in this passage. Christ must be the object of our faith. The woman who was healed had Christ as the object of her faith. Secondly, this woman hungered and thirsted for healing! If we are to have God's transforming grace work in our lives we must hunger and thirst for it!
James 1:6-8, "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."
Matthew 15:22-28, "And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour."
One must hunger and thirst after righteousness. One must have a yearning for Christ. One must have the expectation that God will transform through His word! Develop the habit of implementing a truth you learned from the text. This means that you will note a truth found in the text. You will pray for God's Spirit to reveal areas where you need to implement the truth. And then you will painfully search your heart and then change whatever thoughts, desires, beliefs, or actions you discover are out of accord with God's word.
Paul's letter to the Romans is designed to introduce Paul to the Christians in Rome. And because the heart and soul of Paul was to know Christ and to make Christ known we must understand that this epistle is more than a theological treatise or a discussion on Christian fundamentals. Rather, Romans is a doctrinal epistle that sets for the heart and soul of a Christian's life! Thus, to read this epistle and walk away with little more than just a better understanding of "Doctrine" is to MISS READING THIS BOOK. May we all look to the Lord as we approach this magnificent epistle!
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These footnotes are not part of the original. They are added by the editor to aid the reader in the study of the Scripture. This sermon was reformated for publication and style varies from the original. This commentary was originally preached by Greg Thurston. Copyright � 1998 Cornerstone Publishing � Post Office Box 691, Windsor, CO 80550. This may be reproduced as long as it is done so without charge--non commercial purposes-- and proper credit is given. If you desire to publish this commercially contact Cornerstone Publishing.
1 Compare the book of Acts chapters 13-21
2 Compare Acts 27-28
3 Compare Romans 15:25-26
4 Compare Romans 15:25 and Acts 20:6
5 Compare Philippians 3:5
6 Compare Acts 9:11
7 Compare Philippians 3:5
8 Compare Acts 22:3
9 Compare Acts 18:3 Many think that at this time Paul was discouraged and went back to tent-making.
10 Compare Philippians 3:4-6
11 Compare Acts 22:28
12 Compare Acts 7-8
13 Compare Acts 8 - 9
14 Compare Philippians 3:5-6
15 Compare Acts 8:3
16 Compare Acts 9:1
17 Compare Acts 9:1-2
18 Compare Galatians 1:13-14, and Acts 9:26
19 Compare Galatians 1:15-16
20 Compare Matthew 23
21 Compare Galatians 1:13-14
22 Compare Philippians 3:4-9
23 Compare 2 Corinthians 5:8
24 Compare 2 Corinthians 5:14
25 Compare Colossians 3:17-23
26 Dr. Reymond, Seminary Class notes on Pauline Epistles, 1989, page 55
27 Compare Romans 1:10
28 Compare Revelation 2:4-5