Romans - January 21, 2008

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

7. If there is a conflict in the matter of rightness and wrongness between God and man who is always wrong?
a. (v.4) Man not God.

8. (v.5)When Paul says he is speaking in human terms [v.5] what does he mean?
a. He is making a sound logical argument that is accepted by all humans...
(1) Argument is not made based on personality, or position.

9. (v.5) What does it mean when one is “unrighteousness” or “righteousness”?
a. unrighteousness — G93. adikia; injustice of a judge (legal term); moral wrongfulness (of character, life or act)
b. righteousness — G1341. dikaiosune; 1) integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting. 2) in a narrower sense, justice or the virtue which gives each his due.

10. What must one who is righteousness do to demonstrate his righteousness in the face of unrighteousness? (cf. Pro 17:15; 18:5; 24:23; Joh 7:24)
a. Be a fair judge, thus, pass judgment (sentence) according to the law.

11. Based on Paul’s answer to the rhetorical question of (v.5) what answer did he expect to expect to receive.
a. God is not unrighteous (“unfair”) when he applies His judicial wrath.

12. (v.6-8) What two arguments does Paul presents to support the position God’s punishment does not make God unrighteous?
a. (v.6) Logical or abstract — Righteousness includes punishing wrongness.
b. (v.7-8) An example — The error of their thinking (talk) versus their action (walk) is shown. From the Jewish readers (LOM followers) point they are sure Paul is teaching error, i.e., teaching LOM has been replaced [cf. 3:20-21]), thus, if they say or do nothing against Paul, who is a Jew, (as they would expect God to do nothing toward them if they were teaching error because they are Jews (cf. 2:3-4]) then, it would just show they are very righteous — in fact they would say Paul’s evil is really advancing good [cf. 6:1]. However, by their actions toward Paul, who they think is doing evil, they show they know evil does not bring good, thus, evil must receive God’s judicial wrath.

D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — Is God breaking His covenant with Abraham’s descendants if God’s wrath (judicial punishment) is applied to the Jews? NO.
1. While there is an advantage to being part of the nation of Israel (being a Jew) it does not mean the Jew is not guilty, thus, not deserving of God’s judicial wrath. Based on sound human logic the Jews are guilty of being faithless, thus, are not above the application of God’s judicial wrath.
a. The one judging (sentencing) the evil person is not an evil person.
b. The Jews, by their actions of judging Paul a sinner, recognize doing evil does not make good happen.

E. Conclusion — Context: Section (1:18-3:20) addressing condemnation not justification.
1. At this point Paul does not list the advantage of being part of the nation of Israel, i.e., being part of the Jewish nation, except to show them the nation being special does not put the nation above Gods’s judicial wrath because of the nation’s unfaithfulness, i.e., the nation’s unbelief as seen in their actions...
a. The common thinking among many today that the Jew’s advantage means a different plan of salvation for the Jews or a second chance for the nation of Israel to accept Christ as deity at some point in the future is to read what is not written in the text.

F. Application
1. Does Paul’s argument concerning the Jews (God’s chosen people) receiving God’s wrath shed any light on TULIP doctrine of the “Perseverance of Christians”?
a. This doctrine teaches (at least implies) the more we sin the more God forgives for God’s grace is without limits because the saved cannot sin enough to be lost. While God’s grace is without limits, based on God’s dealing with His chosen people, His patience does have a limit.
b. By definition God’s “righteousness” also includes punishment for those not obeying the laws a person is living under.
2. PONDER: What in Rom 3:3 implies the nation of Israel (the Jews) are not condemned as a nation, thus, it is logical to accept the position they will not be saved as a nation, but as individuals?
a. “Some” informs not all were faithless. This is developed in chapters 9-11.

XI. {Rom 3:9-20} All mankind knows they are worthy of God’s wrath, including the Jews.
A. Introduction