Romans - May 5, 2008

Section -- Three: Justification -- Romans 3:21-5:21 continued

VII. {Rom 5:1-11} Assurance of Justification
A. Introduction
1. Review
2. Preview
B. Question For Discussion?
1. Why can those justified by faith rejoice, in this life, with confidence?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
(continued from previous Blogs)


14. (5:10) Paul has proven Christ’s death reconciled the readers to God, in what way are the readers saved by Christ’s life? (cf. 1Jo 1:7-9; 2:1)
a. Reconciled with God by Christ death from our old sins, and saved from new sins by being able to go to Christ who has been resurrected — i.e., is alive (1Jo 1:7-9; 2:1)
(1) Paul will develop this in the next section, “Sanctification”.
OBSERVATION: (5:11) Some versions have, “we have now received the atonement”, others have, “we have now received the reconciliation”?
“reconciliation” = katallage; noun; used four times [Rom 11:15; 2Co 5:18-19] only here does some versions translate the word as atonement. Atonement means the sacrificial death uniting God and man. Paul, in this context, is discussing the results or consequences of Jesus’ death — man is “reconciled” with God because God’s judicial wrath is appeased [3:25].
D. Evidence Applied: Why can those justified by faith rejoice, in this life, with confidence?
1. God knew what had to be done so mankind could once again walk with Him and He did what had to be done — at the right time God allow His Son to die for all the ungodly — not just a limited number.
E. Conclusion — Because the readers are justified by faith they must rejoice because of their peace with God, because while under going tribulations they can hold on to hope, and because they have the confidence they are reconciled with God.
1. This concept of peace with God by faith is considered at Rom 6:1-2

VIII. {Rom 5:12-17} Adam’s actions compared with Christ’s actions
A. Introduction
1. Review — Paul has shown being justified by merit cannot be accomplished, he now summarize his argument before he discussed the consequences of justification — Sanctification.
2. Preview — We move into an area (from here to the end of the chapter) causing many, because of the way Paul presents his Justification Conclusion, to think Paul supports Calvinistic views (everyone is born totally depraved) and Universalism views (no one will be lost). Such an understanding is not the fault of the Holy Spirit but the fault of the reader.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. What is the primary difference between what Adam did and what Christ did?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (5:12) “Wherefore” (the channel of an act G.1223) refers to three major blessing received through Christ of verse 5:1-11, what are they?
a. (5:2) Hope of the glory of God.
b. (5:3) Tribulations.
c. (5:11) Reconciliation.
2. (5:12) Who is the “one man” and what was the result?
a. (Gen 2:17; 3:4,17,22-24) Adam disobeyed God by eating of what he was not to eat and was removed from the garden.
3. (5:12) What is the death Paul is addressing?
a. (Rom 5:14; 6:23) Not physical death but spiritual death for physical death is still a fact.
b. Consider the contrast of 5:17.
4. PONDER: Did Adam bring physical death to the world?
a. (Gen 2:15-17) The law or covenant and judicial punishment (cf. 5:5)
b. (Gen 3:16-19) Nothing said about physical death being the result of the eating of fruit.
c. (Gen 3:22-24) The tree of life does not give physical life but spiritual life (cf. Rev 22:2,14).
OBSERVATION: Physical death is still with us, thus, the death brought by Adam was not physical death (which was going to happen even if Adam did not eat the fruit of knowledge) but spiritual death. If Adam had access to the “Tree of Life” he would have physically died spiritually separated from God, thus, separated from God for eternity. It was an act of mercy by God to prevent Adam from having access to the Tree of Life (Gen 3:22). The Tree of Life is not physical life put spiritual life — i.e., eternal life with God is now available to baptized believers [Rev 22:14]
5. (5:12) Why did death spread?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A LOOK AHEAD

a.
6. (5:13) The Greek word translated as “imputed” is use in the KJV four times. The other three times are Philemon 1:18. What is the meaning of “imputed”?
a. .
7. (5:13) Considering this passage, along with Rom 4:15, what is Paul saying?
a.
8. (5:14) Why did Paul pick the time frame from Adam to Moses to address the reigning (to rule) of death?
a.
9. (5:14) What was the nature of Adam’s sin?
a.
10. (5:14) What is the nature of the sins of others?
a.
11. (5:14) In what way is Adam a type of Jesus?
a.
12. (5:15) In what way does Paul say Jesus the Christ’s gift is not like Adam’s sin?
a.
13. (5:16) In what way does Paul say Jesus the Christ’s actions is not like Adam’s?
a.
14. (5:17) In what way does Paul say Jesus the Christ’s impact is not like Adam’s?
a.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — What is the primary difference between what Adam did and what Christ did?
1.
E. Conclusion —

IX. {Rom 5:18-21} Conclusion of Justification Section (3:21-5:21)
A. Introduction
1. Review — Paul has addressed justification is not by our personal efforts, not by our obedience to any law granting justification based on how well we follow, thus, earned justification. Paul has shown the graciousness and, beyond any question, the reliability of justification by faith based on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
2. Preview — Paul now draws a conclusion on Justification as he prepares to move to Sanctification. Must not allow Paul’s conclusion to Justification Section( 3:21-5:21) mean any more on any less then what is supported by the section’s context. Any conclusion we draw must have been addressed between 3:21 and 5:21. If Paul has not discussed the conclusion drawn it is not Paul’s conclusion but a conclusion drawn from “church” or personal doctrine.
3. Question For Discussion: What is the primary difference between what Adam did and what Christ did?
B. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. NOTE: The flow 5:18f goes back to 5:12, i.e. without interruption of the parenthetical statement of 5:13-17
a. (5:12) is the beginning of showing contrast between Adam and Christ with 5:18 being the continuation of the thought.
b. (5:18) “so then” [“therefore”] = ara G.686; = a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive, that follows; conclusion of an argument.
(1) (5:12) “Therefore” = G.1223 dia = denoting the channel of an act;
2. (5:18) What contrast between Adam and Christ is stressed?
a.
3. (5:18) What is contrasted with “justification of life”?
a.
4. (5:19) What contrast between Adam and Christ is stressed?
a.
5. (5:19) Why is this not establishing doctrine of TULIP or Universalism?
a.
6. (5:20) What contrast is addressed?
a.
7. (5:21) What contrast is addressed?
a.
C. Evidence Applied: What is the primary difference between what Adam did and what Christ did?
1.
D. Conclusion —