Romans - A Quick Study on the Logic of the Letter

This past Sunday, we started a brief study during our Bible Study time of Paul's logic and argument presented throughout Romans.  I wanted to post some thoughts from that study and also an outline for the weeks to come.

Please note that this is not designed to be a comprehensive outline of the book, but is merely a presentation of one way of looking at the flow of Paul's argument so that we see some of the unity and breadth of the letter.  My purpose, as stated last Sunday was to show that many of the conclusions by scholars and Bible teachers or uses of Romans as proof texts are against the context and are contrary to the clear purpose of the letter.

First, let us consider the way Paul begins his argument.

Romans 1:16-17
In 1:16, he states that he is not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for the salvation of both Jew and Greek.  Now this is very important as it sets up the rest of the book.  Paul, a Jew by birth, is making a statement that the Gospel of Jesus will bring salvation not only to the Jews, but also to  those whom the Jew despised.  It will come to those of both groups through faith in the Gospel, not through the works of the Law.  This theme will run the entire length of the letter and is seen as Paul commands both Jew and Gentiles, slaves and slave owners, to greet one another in Christian love (16:1-24).

The statement (in 1:16-17) will cause a chain reaction of issues that the apostle foresees and raises in our minds as he responds to the issues throughout the letter.  In other words, the entire letter revolves around the controversial proposition that God is now saving both Jew and Gentiles from the sins through one means, namely the Gospel of Jesus.

Romans 1:18-32 - The Guilt of the Gentiles
Paul then explains something that is less controversial.  He states that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Notice that phrase "the Law" is never mentioned!  Contrary to the systematic theology of many, Paul does not have to use the Decalogue (commonly referred to as the Ten Commandments today) to show the guilt of these people.  God's wrath is said to come upon them because of their "ungodliness" and "unrighteousness".  They were not thankful to God and did not glorify Him.  They were filled with wickedness, covetousness, malice, envy, strife, deceit, hostility, etc.

The text in Romans 2:12 makes it clear that the Gentiles have sinned apart from having the Law!  In 3:19, we see that the Law speaks to the Jews, not to the Gentiles.

Romans 2:1-3:8 - The Guilt of the Jews
Now Paul turns to the controversy of his beliefs.  He now addresses the Jews who would agree with him of his assessment of the Gentiles.  However, he states that they are just as guilty as the ungodly Gentiles.  The Jews made their boast of themselves because they "rely upon the Law" and "receive instruction from the Law" (2.17-18).  Notice that the phrase "the Law" is used 27 times in chapters 2 and 3!  The Law did not make the Jews righteous.  Paul's point is that the Law's purpose was to show the Jews that they were guilty, even though they were the chosen people of God!

Notice in 3.19-20 that Paul states the Law speaks to the Jews (the one group under the Law) and its purpose is so that (this is a purpose clause in the Greek language) "every mouth would be silenced and the whole world may be held accountable to God."  He then says that through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.  His emphasis is to bring the Jews under the guilt of sin just as the Gentiles are under the guilt of sin. 

Romans 3:9-20 - Conclusion that all are guilty, both Jew and Gentile and in need of salvation through the Gospel.
Now Paul confirms that all are guilty, leaving no room for a Jew to boast over the Gentiles.

Romans 3:21-26 - The Gospel of Salvation through faith, to the Jew and to the Gentile
Paul now lays forth the Gospel message, emphasizing that justification come through faith.  The Law does not protect a person from the wrath of God.  The Law does not bring about righteousness.

With all of that being said, not Paul must defend himself against all of the accusations against faith in the Gospel verses the history of Jewish belief.  Here, I will present the outline that I am planning to continue through the next few weeks of study.  It mainly consists of Paul's statements following this pattern:

A) Statement
B) Question ("What then, shall we say...")
C) Emphatic Answer ("May it never be!")
D) Defense

However, there are a few things that I have included in the outline that do not follow this pattern but are important to continue following his argument.

• Romans 3:1-4: Is God unfaithful since some of the Jews will die in unbelief and not be saved?
• Romans 3:5-18: Is God unjust because Israel's unrighteousness shows His righteousness?
• Romans 3:27-5.1: Is the Law given to Israel nullified by the Gospel of faith? 
• Romans 5.20 - 6:13: Shall the Jews continue to sin since the purpose of the Law was to make sin increase and thereby magnify grace?
• Romans 6:14-7.3: Shall the Jews continue to sin because they are not under the slave master of the Law?
• Romans 7:4-7: Is the Law given to Israel sin since it aroused sinful passions?
• Romans 7:8-24: Since the Law kills by the results it brings, is it therefore sinful?

     >Paul’s Excursus – The Glory of the Gospel (Romans 8)
     >Paul’s Crux – Has the word of God failed? (Romans 9.1-8)

• Romans 9:10-17: Is God unjust because He rejected Esau, who was a child of Isaac?

     >Paul’s Conclusion (Romans 9:30-33)
     >Paul’s Reaffirmation of the Gospel (Romans 10)

• Romans 10.18-11:6: Did God reject his people since he foretold through the prophets that he would  reject Israel and embrace another people?
• Romans 11.7-32: Has Israel fallen beyond recovery?

Acts 1-3: Impressions

Last Sunday, I finished the third chapter in Acts. It is now time to pass the torch to Stan as he looks to pick up again in Matthew 5.

As I look back upon my studies, my sermons, and the wonderful dialog that has taken place in our midst as we have all focused upon the Word, there are a few thoughts that I wanted to share.

1. I have become convinced that we will never learn of the power of the Holy Spirit and the Lordship of Jesus as he is reigning from the right hand of God from studying systematic theologies and doctrinal statements with proof-texts. Our study in Acts shows a depth of sovereign power and the active nature of our Lord in his reign in this age. The Church must regain our focus upon the priority of the Gospel as it goes forth by the power of the Spirit by the will of the risen Lord. At Heritage, we must learn to long for this work and pray for this power.

2. A study in Acts shows condemns the self-centered focus of many influences in our churches today. Our best life now is not found in big houses, fancy cars, and sound financial investments. The Spirit did not bring these things when He came in power. The Spirit brings boldness to proclaim the Gospel, self-sacrificing love among the brethren, and redemption to those who will repent and return to the Lord.

3. My prayer is that we each will fall in love with the beauty displayed in these three chapters of Acts. May it consume us. May we see the Lordship of Christ in the Gospel and may we forsake all things that draw attention elsewhere. Let us not allow any other teaching take us away from the simple truth that the Church is to grow by proclaiming the Gospel in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.

Acts 3: His Lips with Grace O’erflow

Over the past two weeks we have looked at the third chapter of Acts. Here we have seen the continued work of the powerful Holy Spirit as the Kingdom continues to be proclaimed in Jerusalem.

At the gate of the Temple, known as "Beautiful", we see the graphic work of the Spirit and the power of the Gospel through the name of Jesus, as Peter heals the lame man. Here is proof of the impotence of the Old Covenant. This man sits here, wrecked by sin and he becomes the object of Israel's self-vindicating works. He would beg of alms. His cry would be to those passing by into the Temple something such as "Oh tenderhearted one, by me gain merit, to thine own benefit". The apocryphal book of Tobit (Tobit 4:8-10) expresses the Jewish belief "If thou hast abundance give alms accordingly: if thou have but a little, be not afraid to give according to that little: For thou layest up a good treasure for thyself against the day of necessity. Because that alms do deliver from death, and suffereth not to come into darkness. "

Oh how this picture is a stark contrast from the end of chapter 2. There, the New Covenant people of God are shown with great love and compassion for all in their midst, selling all of their possession if necessary, not for deliverance from judgment, but by the power of the Holy Spirit!

The healing of this lame man shows the efficacy of the New Covenant. The Gospel holds the power of deliverance and this leads to Peter's explanation in the rest of chapter 3. There we see Peter lay out the testimony of judgment against the nation of Israel for rejecting Jesus, the Messiah. Note the force of his words in 3:13-15. But even in this testimony of their guilt, what stands out is the grace that overflows from the Gospel. Consider the following:

• The Lord used Peter to heal this lame man as an appeal to Israel that the Gospel is true. In spite of their continued rejection of the Gospel, the Lord continues to appeal to them to repent and come to Him for rest and deliverance.
• Peter states that he knows that they have acted in ignorance, as their rulers did also (Acts 3.17). In light of the weight of being responsible for the death of the promised Messiah, the words of the Gospel still appeal with loving gentleness and mercy.
• The Gospel calls them to repent and return so that their record of sins my be blotted out (Acts 3.19). In the ancient world, the ink would not bleed into the papyrus below, but it remained on the surface. The ink on top could be purposefully removed, leaving no trace that it had existed on the surface below. The Gospel indeed offers grace! By the righteousness of Jesus Christ, our sins may be washed away as if they never existed...for He has paid the price for them!

There is much more to this text that we will continue to explore, but the call now comes to us. Will we be faithful witnesses in our generation for the Lord Jesus? It will only be done if we seek it through the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us be quick to leave our worldly concerns, knowing that He has promised to provide all things if we first and primarily seek the Kingdom of God. My we be testimonies of His grace. And may we learn by this text that grace is persistent. May we never stop proclaiming the Gospel to those who have rejected it, just as Peter continued to preach it to these people of his day.

Acts 2: The Gospel

This past Sunday, we enjoyed fellowship and worship. Our text for the sermon continued to be Peter's sermon in the second chapter of Acts. This time, my purpose in the message was to focus upon the Gospel message from this text. Perhaps the aspect that stood out most to me was the Gospel's presentation of the person of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is not merely about Jesus, it is intrinsically centered upon Him.

Peter says, "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene..." He does not skip to what Jesus did or what Jesus has now made possible without immediately and primarily presenting to his audience Jesus himself. You do not know the Gospel if you do not know Jesus. You may have an understanding of sin, and understanding of repentance. You may know that faith is essential and that salvation is of grace. But if you do not know Jesus and therefore know these wonderful things that are also part of the Gospel, than you know nothing of the Gospel presented in the Scriptures. In John's words:

1 John 1:1-3 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

We may not have seen Him with our eyes, heard Him with our ears, or touched Him with our hands, but through faith, we know Jesus. We have fellowship with Him. May He grant to us this knowledge through His great grace!