Paul’s Epistle to the Romans
March 28, 2021
Opening Prayer
Psalm 119
65 You have dealt well with your servant,
O Lord, according
to your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
68 You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
69 The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
70 their heart is unfeeling like fat,
but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I was
afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Romans 3:1-4
Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of
circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were
entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if
some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of
God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though every one
were a liar, as it is written,
“That you may be
justified in your words,
and
prevail when you are judged.” (ESV)
-
The
value of circumcision is not in the physical procedure. Paul is referring to
the covenant – the relationship of God and his chosen people, the children of
Abraham.
-
“Much
and in every way.” He only focuses on one here – “first”.
-
They
were entrusted with the oracles of God.
o
Passive
/ receptive
o
Oracles
– wise sayings, often predictive
o
Wisdom
– Psalm 119 – Law to shape our lives.
o
Promises
– God’s testimonies, deeds, and oaths. Particularly regarding the Messiah /
Savior.
What
advantage do Christians have in today’s world?
-
Much
and in every way.
-
First
– 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
-
We
have the Word Made Flesh Who Dwelt Among Us -
and dwells among us by His Spirit.
What if
some were unfaithful? Does their unfaithfulness nullify the faithfulness of
God?
-
By
no means! – No way! – It cannot happen!
-
This
is why our focus is best placed on God rather than ourselves.
o
Racism,
Critical Race Theory, and the Gospel
o
Other
gods within the church – finance, politics, people (pastors), the world (how
the community views us and how that impacts our decisions).
o
God
remains faithful
§
Promises
forgiveness, presence, Holy Spirit, comfort, grace, resurrection, everlasting
life, etc.
§
Knowing
the faithfulness of God through His faithfulness to Israel.
·
Chose
·
Egyptian
Slavery
·
Promised
Land
·
Monarchy
and Prophets
·
Apostasy
and Exile
·
Exilic
Faith and Return
§
“Let
God be true, and all men liars.”
·
Truth
… again.
“That
you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”
-
Psalm
51:4 – “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your
sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your
judgment. (ESV)
-
Translation
is always the first step of interpretation.
-
ESV
- … so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgement.
o
This
is an excellent translation of the Hebrew text.
-
Paul
quotes the Greek translation of the Psalm – which is also an excellent
translation of the Hebrew text.
o
Justified
in your words (same)
o
You
will overcome, be victorious, prevail, in your judgement (an infinitive verb).
§
Does
this mean that God is the one proclaiming judgement? I have sinned and done
evil in his sight, and therefore he is clean/vindicated when judges me as a
sinner.
§
Does
this mean that God is the one receiving judgement? I have sinned and done evil
in his sight, and therefore he is clean/vindicated when I complain that his
judgement is unfair.
§
Yes?
o
Do
people judge God?
o
What
is the result of judging God?
Comments
(judgements) for Him to make. (A version of Charles Stanley's Life Principle #2)