We are just beginning to look at Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome. I explained in my last post that this letter is written more as a religious treatise than just an ordinary letter. Paul knew this was going to the heart of the Roman Empire, so he took extra pain to “polish” his [...]
As I was explaining in the preface, this letter is quite unique. For instance, the First and Second Letters to Timothy and Paul’s Letter to Titus are referred to as “Pastoral Letters.” The reason is because Paul expresses his concern for the future of the church and its ministry. He discusses a wide range of [...]
In the last post we began to discover the wonders and importance of Paul’s message to the Christian in Rome. We read Augustine’s comments regarding Paul’s letter, and Luther, and Barth and several other notable theologians and teachers in the Church’s history.
I have my favorite sections of the Bible. I love teaching Ephesians; Hebrews; and Colossians. In the the Tanakh, what Christians refer to as the Old Testament, I love to read and teach from the writings of the Prophets (Isaiah and Jeremiah primarily). However, I would say my most favorite section is Paul’s letter to [...]
Look at I Peter 2:4-10: You have come to the Living Stone, depised indeed by men but chosen and greatly honoured by God. So you yourselves, as living stones, must be built up into a spiritual House of God, in which you become a holy priesthood, able to offer those spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable [...]
In the following verses (Philippians 1:19-26), Paul wrote about his uncertain future. He might go free, or he might be executed. I realize that is a pretty stark statement but that was the reality Paul faced. So how did Paul feel about it?
When Paul wrote to the Philippian saints (who were the only ones who sent a contribution to him while he was a prisoner in Rome), he knew he would probably never see them again. Was he concerned because he would not be there for them? Not at all! Paul knew that it was not about [...]
I probably should point out that those in Caesar’s household had the honor of hearing the gospel, although many of these folks could have been servants in his household. Ooh, I see it in your eyes; you don’t believe me and are wondering where in the world I found that out. That’s simple, look in [...]
Okay, so we have reached the end of this chapter, and the end of the Book of Acts. So let’s look at what Luke did and didn’t emphasize in his conclusion. Maybe we can see what Luke (and the Holy Spirit, who inspired the writing) intended for us learn in the Book of Acts. You [...]
Letter to Christians in Rome: Introduction (pt 3 of 5)
This letter has three major divisions: Chapters one through eight present doctrinal explanations of what God is doing with man; how he has redeemed—or Sozo-ed—the total man—body, soul and spirit. Paul presents step-by-step, the essential elements of the gospel. If you have not grasped the message of the Gospel by the end of chapter eight, [...]
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Bible Commentaries, Bible Study, Romans