Romans
The People of Israel Will be Brought Back
The text begins in this passage by focusing on the puffed-up minds of men (v. 25). It ends with Paul falling before God in praise, based upon the infinite and unfathomable wisdom of God (vv. 33-36). These words are a most appropriate conclusion. They conclude not only the argument of …
If God is For Us Who Can be Against Us?
In this passage Paul asked and answered several questions in order to bring to us the truth that a believer’s eternal salvation is completely secure in God’s hands. The first question is, “What shall we then say to these things?†The response would be to say “Halle …
Submit to Government
God has established these institutions: the home (Genesis 2:18- 25), government (Genesis 9:1-7), and the church (Acts 2). Paul tells us what our relationship to human government is to be. It is God who established the governments of the world, so man must be in subjection to them. To …
Gentiles Will be Saved
Paul was appointed as a missionary to the Gentiles (v.13). He reminded his Jewish brethren of this fact, hoping that they too would want to be saved (v. 14). The Jews had been rejected, and thus Gentiles were being offered salvation. When a Jew comes to Christ there is great rejoicing. It was …
Rules For Christian Living
Christian hospitality differs from social entertaining. Entertaining focuses on the host and the home. The home must be spotless, the food must be well prepared, the host must appear to be relaxed and good natured. Hospitality by contrast focuses on the guest. Hospitality can happen in a messy …
God’s Anger And Mercy
Is God unjust in choosing Isaac over Ishmael & Jacob over Esau? Moses over Pharaoh & Israel over Egypt (vv. 14-18)? Paul responds, “Not at all! God is not under obligation to give mercy to anyone.” In Malachi 1:2,3, the statement “Jacob I have loved but Esau I have hated†refers to the …
Mere Rituals Will Gain You No Favor in God’s Sight
A religious person usually feels that he has a special standing before God, not only because of his intellectual assent to certain beliefs, but also because he keeps the ordinances, the rites, and the rituals of that religion. Paul shows in this passage that mere rituals will gain no favor in God’s …
Israel’s Rejection of Christ
Today we begin looking at one of the most difficult parts of the Bible, the ninth chapter of Romans. No matter how much we might struggle to understand specific details of this chapter, the key theme is that God is faithful to keep His promises. Paul gives us three facts to remember as we struggle …
Abraham Justified by Faith
This chapter is perhaps one of the greatest chapters in the Bible on salvation by faith alone. Many religious groups claim to believe in salvation by faith, but not in salvation by faith alone. It is even common to find people in good churches who are not sure if they are saved or not because of …
No One Is Good
Paul has already charged that both Jews and Gentiles are guilty before God. Now he declares that all men are sinners, and he seeks to prove it with references from the Old Testament. “All are under sin” (v. 9). This sin reaches into every area of life …