Romans - December 30, 2007

Section -- Two; Condemnation -- Romans 1:18-3:20, continued

3. (v.20) Was Paul criticizing the Jew for acting as if they were instructors to others?
a. (Joh 4:21-22) NO! The Jews, having God’s revealed will, were instructors to the unlearned and were failing in their mission

4. PONDER: What is the significance of “therefore” at v.21?
a. The “therefore” of 2:21 is a transition word , thus, Paul is making application of or building upon the point he has just made about the Jew’s point of view of themself.

5. What did Paul say about the Jew’s point of view on being a Jew? [2:21-24]
a. (v.21-22) They failed to practice what they taught others, i.e., what they knew to be God’s will — they were the “embodiment of knowledge and truth” but they failed to put their knowledge into practice; their inward man was not involved in their obedience...
(1) Taught against stealing, yet stole from God. [Eze 22:26]
(2) Taught against adultery, yet did so. [Mat 12:39; Jam 4:4]
b. (v.23-24) He, who would not pronounce the Tetragrammaton (YHWH/JHVH; G_D), but damaged God’s reputation with others...
(1) Claimed he was a follower of the Law, yet did not live as a respecter (follower) of the Law, causing the Gentiles not to respect the Jew’s God. [Isa 52:5] This was prophesied by Isaiah.

6. PONDER: In v.22 the Greek word expressed by “sacrilege” [KJV] is expressed by “rob temples” in most other versions. The Greek word (hierosuleo, G2416) means “to be a temple robber”. What is the charge Paul is making against the Jews in the last part of verse 22.
a. He is not saying they looted pagan places of worship, nor is he saying they physically removed things from their places of worship. Is using the word in a figuratively sense, he is saying they taught against being sacrilegious (worshiping idols), yet they were sacrilegious by twisting the things of God to serve their own purpose — allow their traditions to set aside God’s commandments [cf. Mar 7:9-13; Luk 19:45]. KJV is using the Greek word in a figuratively sense.

D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — What was the problem with the Jew’s concept of their salvation? (Raised in the church(?); Know what the Bible teaches; Talk the walk, but fail to walk the talk; etc.)
1. The Jews were not wrong about their God given special position, a position given them not because they earned it. Their problem is they had an attitude causing them to fail to use their position to glorify God, thus, they glorified themselves.
a. Problem is not preaching better than one lives, for no one is perfect; problem is failing to inwardly strive to live up to what one preaches and teaches.+
OBSERVATION: The Jews had become blind to their rejection of God and God’s purpose for making them special (Christ’s linage), thus, they rejected the Christ for they were convinced what they expected of the Christ was what God expected and the person Jesus was not what they expected, thus, not what God expected.

E. Conclusion — Paul shows God was impartial in his condemnation for both the Gentiles and Jews failed to strive to live up to what they knew was God’s expectations, having the revealed mind of God in your possession does not prevent your condemnation.
1. The Jews were not “bad” people, per se, that had just closed their mind to any position that did not fit what they had always been taught, thus, what they had always believed.
2. If their position did not stand up against a logically presented different position killing the messenger was their only response — not because they were evil but because they had the responsibility to prevent “error” from being spread, for they were keepers of God’s revealed mind.

IX. {Rom 2:25-29} Physical obedience is not sufficient to prevent God’s wrath

Romans - December 23, 2007

Section -- Two; Condemnation-- Romans 1:18-3:20, continued...

D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — Why is God not showing partiality when He judges those without the Law (Law of Moses) the same as those with the Law of Moses?
1. God is going to judge all men no matter what their station in life and no matter what amount of God’s law they knew.
2. Each man is going to have his fair hearing based on his response to the amount of “light” (God’s information) he had at his disposal.
a. The Jew first (under the Law of Moses’, thus, have a finely tuned ethical system) has a high responsibility.
b. A Gentile is still held accountable, however, via whatever code he had or could have had (from observation of creation, conscience, and otherwise)+.
(1) A Gentile not making any effort to have or follow a code, if such a person exist, will be judged on what he had the opportunity to have.

E. Conclusion — No man (no matter how good or how bad, under the Law of Moses or not under the Law of Moses) can hope to escape judgment for his sins. The way out of this dilemma (how mankind is saved) will be revealed by Paul in the next section, thus, will be discussed then.+
1. It is noteworthy in verse 12 Paul does not say, “For as many without law will be justified without law and as many as with law will be justified with law.”
a. Paul’s point in this section is all are under condemnation — thus, declare a man to be under any form of law and you put him under condemnation.
2. The pagan, one by birth or choice, has responsibility and will be judged; but it is God’s end of the whittling stick, not ours, to make sure it is a fair judgment.

VIII. {Rom 2:17-24} Reason God’s condemnation is impartial toward Jews
A. Introduction
1. Review — In previous paragraph Holy Spirit shows all will be judged by their response to the amount of God’s will (knowledge of) they had available to them.
2. Preview — Paul now drives home to those resting in their “religious association” [being a “Christian; in a church “phone book”] reason for their “condemnation”.

B. Question For Discussion? — What was the problem with the Jew’s concept of their salvation?

C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...+
OBSERVATION: Name Jew [2Ki 16:6] was properly applied to a member of the kingdom of Judah [Southern Kingdom] soon after the separation of the ten tribes. After the captivity “Jew” was applied to remnants scattered among all nations of both Northern and Southern Kingdom.
1. From the Jew’s point of view what did it mean to be called a Jew? [2:17-20]
a. (v.17) Relied upon the law and were proud of their relationship to God.
b. (v.18) He was proud of his knowledge....
(1) He thought he alone knew God’s will.
(2) He alone had the ability to ascertain excellent things.
(3) He alone was instructed by the Law.
c. (v.19-20) Were the source of knowledge to others for they alone knew the mind of God.
(1) Wrong attitude: We are always right and others are always wrong for we alone are honest students of God’s revealed mind.

2. What did Paul mean when he said they had a “form of knowledge” in verse 2: 20 (KJV)? Consider other versions and or the Greek.
a. The Greek word express by the English word “form” [3446. morphosis {mor’-fo-sis}] can mean just the semblance of a thing or it can mean the real thing. In verse 17-20 Paul is saying what the Jews thought of themselves, not what they were. Based on context Paul is not saying they thought they had a hypocritical profession of religion without its reality. Paul is ridiculing them or condemning them for they alone had access to God’s will, they were the “embodiment of knowledge and truth” — but they were only applying the Law to the outward man not the inward man.

3. (v.20) Was Paul criticizing the Jew for acting as if they were instructors to others?

Romans - December 16, 2007

Section - Tw0: Condemnation -- 1:18-3:20, continued

4. How are those under law (expressed and binding will of someone) judged?
a. (2:12) If you sinned under any law, you will be judged by that law.
b. (2:.13) It is not just a matter of knowing law, but the “doers of law” shall be justified.
c. (2:12) If one did not keep the law (concept of right and wrong) they were under, it condemned him.

5. What about those not under law (expressed and binding will of someone)?
a. (2:12) Those who sinned without law, shall perish without law.

6. Is it impartial (fair) to judge someone not having an expressed and binding will of another the same as those having an expressed binding will (law)?
a. (2:14) Gentiles without the law had a chance to do, or not do, “by nature” the things contained in the law, therefore, become a law unto themselves.

7. What does Paul mean the Gentiles do by nature the things of the Law? (Reading 2:14-15 as a parenthetical statement helps the understanding.)
a. (2:15) Work of the law written in their hearts.
b. (2:15) Their conscience bearing witness and either accusing or excusing their conduct.

8. PONDER: : Does Paul say the “conscience” is the standard?
a. No, it is only the means of measuring our conduct (judging) against an already accepted standard. Conscience is a judge not a guide or a lawyer (i.e. one that teaches or explains the law). It can be over scrupulous [1 Corinthians 10:25,29] or it can be “seared” by abuse [1 Timothy 4:2].
b. “conscience” = 4893. suneidesis; co-perception, i.e. moral consciousness. In English we have “conscience” referring to moral awareness and “consciousness” referring to physical awareness, in the Greek both are the same word and context determines if the physical (outward man) or moral (inward man) is being addressed.
c. Consider this, one can no more train his consciousness (the awareness of pleasure and harm) to have an objective standard than he can train his conscience (the awareness of moral right and wrong) to have an objective standard, however, one can learn to ignore both. Point: One’s conscience is a poor guide for it is subjective (right and wrong is based on situations) — only God’s word is an objective guide.

9. PONDER: (2:14) The Holy Spirit did not use an article in front of [the] Gentiles, what is the significance?
a. Holy Spirit is not addressing the Gentiles collectively, but only Gentiles doing things of the Laws.

10. How did Gentiles get God’s will (knowledge of God) in their hearts? (2:14)
a. Perhaps some recognized rightness in the Law of Moses system [ref. Acts 10]
b. Perhaps handed down by tradition a “sense of right” from the Patriarchal period.
c. Perhaps mankind’s inborn tendency to develop a set rules or code of conduct by which to live.
d. (1:20) Apparently certain things about God should have been “put together” by all men just from the visible creation.
e. Certain behavior should apparently appear wrong to man if he will reflect and examine his own personal experience.+

OBSERVATION: One knows it is wrong to steal; if for no other reason than he does not want someone stealing from him. Paul is saying man has the inherent ability to know right from wrong; Calvinism says man does not have the ability to know right from wrong without direct action of the Holy Spirit. In reality man has the inherent ability to know right from wrong, but not an innate concept of what is right and wrong written on his heart. The New Covenant is said to be written on the hearts of believers [Heb 10:15-17]. All of God’s laws are written on the hearts of men in the same manner, i.e. by hearing or reading.

11. (2:16) What insight does this verse give informing readers about God’s standards and way of judging?
a. God shall judge the secrets of men, it is your inside not your outside.
b. Will be an objective not a subjective standard, will be the gospel delivered by Paul, not the gospel modified by mankind.
c. Jesus Christ will be mankind’s advocate [1Jo 2:1]
d. Same thing Paul said in Athens [Acts 17:31].
e. Stay tuned the future is not all dark and fearful.

D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — Why is God not showing partiality when He judges those without the Law (Law of Moses) the same as those with the Law of Moses?

Romans - December 9, 2007

Section -Two; Condemnation -- Romans 1:18-3:20, continued

10. What are the two major differences the Holy Spirit through Paul gives between God’s quality of judging and mankind’s quality of judging?
a. The attitude — God is impartial, thus, always fair for He does not see some things as being in a grey area (A.K.A. situation ethics).
b. The standard — An action is right or wrong based on our Creator’s unchanging standard.

11. PONDER: What prevents using this passage [2:6-11] to teach salvation is by works/law of merit not grace?
a. Context or section containing this passage is a section [1:18-3:20] on Condemnation not Justification or Salvation. Paul is showing why no one can claim they have earned eternal life (it is not possible to keep any law of merit perfectly) but have earned tribulation and distress.

12. PONDER: What light does this passage shed on the concept “eternal life” is more than “eternal existence” or “non-existence” (concept there is not an eternal punishment [hell])?
a. (2:7-8) Those living a life not pleasing to God’s will (not obeying the truth) will receive wrath and indignation with tribulation and distress for the same length of time others will receive “eternal life”. Both will have “eternal existence”, however, only one will have “eternal life” (eternity with God) and the other will have “eternal separation” from God.

13. (2:7-10) What do verses teach about conditions in the after life?
a. (v.7) Those seeking God’s glory [cf. 8:18], honor [cf. Joh 12:26], and incorruption [1Co 15:42] God will give eternal life [cf. 6:23].
b. (v.8,9) Those not seeking things of God will receive indignation, wrath, tribulations, and anguish.

D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] —How does God determine if one is obedient?
1. What one actually does, not what they plan on doing, as measured against the Truth revealed by God.

E. Conclusion — Those failing to receive eternal life have only themselves to blame for they, by their inaction or incorrect action, have chosen to reject God’s revealed truth...
1. Everyone earns their own condemnation.

VII. {Rom 2:12-16} Reason God’s condemnation is impartial toward Gentiles (non-Jews)
A. Introduction
1. Review — God’s ability to judge is superior to mankind’s for God’s criteria is firm, it is based on what is done by a person not on a person’s good intentions regarding obedience to truth.
2. Preview — God’s judgment is superior for it is based on God’s ability to know when each person knows he has done evil and done good.

B. Question For Discussion? — Why is God not showing partiality when He judges those without the Law (Law of Moses) the same as those with the Law of Moses?

C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. What is the purpose of the section of Roman between 1:18 - 3:20?
a. Showing all people have earned condemnation, no one is justified when they stand in God’s presences (Rom 1:18).
b. Paul is not discussing how one is saved but how one is condemned.

2. What is the general definition of the word law [cf. 1Co 9:21]
a. Law is basically the expressed and binding will of someone; One “under law” to someone is “bound” by the expression of that someone’s will.
(1) Only if really necessary see Study Introduction; 5.e.

3. In this passage sometimes “Law” has a definite article (the, a) other times it does not. (Definite article used twice in 2:14 and once in 2:15.) Why did the Holy Spirit make this distinction?
a. When used with a definite article the binding will under discussion is the Law of Moses.
(1) Mss do not have upper and lower case letters, only upper case.
b. The issue is not if one is under the Law of Moses or not but if one has a way to know what pleases God and what does not please God.

4. How are those under law (expressed and binding will of someone) judged?

Romans - December 2, 2007

Section - Two: Condemnation -- Romans 1:18-3:20, Continued

4. What is God’s criteria for judgment?
a. (2:6) According to every man’s deeds (works ASV).
b. (2:9) To the Jew first and also to the Greek...
(1) May be first in chronological order. However, probably means the Jew was judged more stiffly because of his greater advantage of having and knowing the Law of Moses. [ref. James 3:1]

5. PONDER: One has no interest in accepting God’s offer of salvation through Christ, yet, is a good moral person who loves his family and does deeds of great value for the human race, animals, and the environment — based on this passage what can he expect for eternity?+
a. Such noble deeds will not earn him points regarding his eternal future for one’s eternity is determined by his relationship to the truth — is the truth obeyed or not obeyed.

OBSERVATION: In this letter Paul makes justification by faith a very important point, yet, he also shows every man’s personal performance is also important. Paul is not suggesting God will, in effect, count the hours you did good and reward you (pay wages) based on hours worked. However, the kind and quality of works one does is an index of one’s attitude or character. As will be developed in the Sanctification Section those in Christ do what they do because “they want to” not because “they have to”.

6. What part does mankind’s intention or purpose play when God judges?
a. None; it is not what one plans on doing but what one does [energy spent] that determines one’s eternal future.

7. What determines if energy spent [a deed or work] is good or evil?+
a. An action’s relationship to “Truth” not one’s family or one’s intentions determines how one will be judged.
b. Tirades against the vices of the day are without virtue in the eyes of God when God judges.
c. If the deed does not obey “the truth” [2:8] it is evil — no grey area.
(1) What is the truth [cf. 1:18]?
(a) What has been revealed by God via inspired men.

OBSERVATION: The truth here denotes the divine will, which is alone the light of truth (Calvin). It means true doctrine in opposition to false opinions; and to refuse to obey it is to regard it as false, and to resist its influence. The truth here means all the correct representations which had been made of God, and his perfections, and law, and claims, whether by the light of nature (Rom 1:19-23 [lec]) or by revelation. (Barnes)

8. Considering context how does one accomplish the goal of Rom 2:7, how does one know they are accomplishing this.
a. Verse 7 is between verses 6 and 8, thus, if one does not obey the truth they are not seeking the items of verse 7.
b. Eternal life is rendered to those doing verse 7 by obeying the truth, those having Book, Chapter, and Verse for what they do to please God.

9. (2:7) According to this verse Paul imply it is easy or difficult to live obeying “the truth”?
a. It is not easy for it requires perseverance or patience.
b. G5281. hupomone, 1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance 1a) the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.

10. What are the two major differences the Holy Spirit through Paul gives between God’s quality of judging and mankind’s quality of judging?