Posts Tagged ‘Romans’
And So All Israel Will Be Saved
by Terry Wane Benton Romans 11:26 is typically misunderstood and misapplied. The church is the true Israel that will be saved. The gospel is the power to save (Romans 1:16). Being a mere Jew in the flesh does not save. There must be the circumcision in heart to make a true Jew (Romans 2:28-29). So,…
Read MoreFaith, Works, and Grace in Romans
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 1:1-17 I. In understanding biblical writings, it is important to remember that God is the author A. II Timothy 3:16 – All the written writings are breathed from the mouth of God B. This was Paul’s point in I Corinthians 14:33 when discussing roles and organization of the worship service. 1. God…
Read MoreIs Romans 8:35 about our love for Christ or Christ’s love for us?
Question: Hello, I am going over some studies on the Perseverance of the Saints. I came across one site that stated Romans 8:35 was talking of our love for God and not His love for us. Do you have any insights on this? Answer: In the Greek text, “from the love of Christ” (apo…
Read MoreSalvation by Grace
by Matthew W. Bassford Recently, I have become an even louder proponent of grace, indeed of the naked necessity of grace, than I ever was before. I can tell from the comments I’ve been getting on social media that this has made some good brethren nervous. They reply with variations of, “Yes, but you have…
Read MoreChildren According to the Promise
by Matthew W. Bassford The wisdom and subtlety of God truly are beyond our comprehension. Sometimes, though, we are privileged to get a glimpse of it in the Scriptures. This is the case with the story of Abraham and his descendants in Genesis, which only makes sense in the light of its New-Testament explanation. For…
Read MorePutting on the Lord Jesus Christ
by Matthew W. Bassford As you work your way through Romans, hopefully, the extraordinary quality of the epistle becomes obvious. The Book of Romans has changed the course of human history, and with good reason. The substance of Paul’s argument is astonishing in its scope, and the skill with which he argues is no less…
Read MoreCalvinism in Romans 9
by Matthew W. Bassford If there is any passage in the Bible that Calvinists love, it is Romans 9:6-24. Upon a casual reading, it seems to confirm the Calvinist doctrine of predestination. It talks at great length about God’s mercy and God’s choice being the deciding factors in human existence, and in the context, Paul…
Read MorePeople Paul Knew
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/People-Paul-Knew.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 16:1-15 I. Certain sections of the Bible are difficult to read, such as the genealogies with all the unfamiliar names A. The beginning of Romans 16 is similar, even though it is a list of personal greetings to people Paul knew in Rome B. Too often we skim right through…
Read MoreWho is Romans 12:13 talking about?
Question: Good morning, I came across a comment that was made on a particular verse: Romans 12:13, “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” Could you please comment on who it is that is distributing the needs of the saints? And that of given to hospitality. In Greek, this “given to hospitality,” is…
Read MoreA Grand Promise
by Ken Green “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). We approach now one of the deepest passages of this most profound epistle. In the next few verses, Paul speaks to us of God’s purpose,…
Read MoreNo Condemnation
by Ken Green Text: Romans 8:1-4 The major theme the apostle is dealing with continues to be the results of justification by faith. This thesis was taken up in Romans 5:1, “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have…” The closing verses of chapters 5, 6, and 7 serve to underscore the direction of the…
Read MoreWeak in Faith vs. Weak in the Faith
by Fanning Yeater Tant Gospel Guardian, 24 September 1970 To be weak in faith is not the same as to be weak in the faith. There are two kinds of “weakness” involved, and they are to receive different treatment from those who are stable in Christ. The first kind of weakness is that which afflicted…
Read MoreWhat law was Paul referring to in Romans 3:19-20?
Question: I have a few questions about the Law in the Bible that I hope you can help answer, please. I am looking for specific information or verses and not general information, please. I may have some follow up questions after you reply if I need to clarify my understanding regarding any of your responses…
Read MoreThe Changing Morals in America
by Sewell Hall There was a time when the leaders of our country unashamedly proclaimed their trust in God. George Washington said, “It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible. Of all the dispositions and habits that lead to political prosperity, our religion and morality are the indispensable supporters.” Similar quotations…
Read MoreIf the gifts of God are irrevocable, shouldn’t the gifts of the Holy Spirit continue?
Question: Hi, I have a question about gifts of the spirit ceasing. Romans 11:28-29 says “From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”. I understand…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to “suppress the truth in unrighteousness”?
Question: Good afternoon, Jeffrey. I’ve been meaning to ask for a while now what it means to “suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” It’s something that gets said about atheists quite a bit. For the longest, in regards to Yahweh, I’ve thought it meant pretending He doesn’t exist for the sake of being able to sin…
Read MoreAre Romans 2:4 and Titus 2:11 talking about two different types of grace?
Question: Good day, Titus 2:11 speaks about the grace that brings salvation, meaning unmerited favor. Does Romans 2:4 talk about a different grace, where God cares and supplies to all human beings so that they would want the grace mentioned in Titus 2:11? Thanks. Answer: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to…
Read MoreOn Stumbling Blocks and Offenses
by Doy Moyer via On Stumbling Blocks and Offenses at Moyer Press and Manipulating Offenses and People at Moyer Press When Paul made his arguments in Romans 14, he spoke of never putting “a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother” (Romans 14:13). This is one of the most significant ways that we can “pursue what…
Read MoreDoes ‘this form of doctrine’ in Romans 6:17 refers to a type?
Question: Good day, Does ‘this form of doctrine’ in Romans 6:17 refers to a type? This means things we do now will only get their true meaning in heaven. Answer: Good to hear from you! “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that…
Read MoreA Comparison of Romans 4 and James 2:14-26
by Jim Sasser Recently, we have been listening to a speaker on this radio station discussing the 4th chapter of Romans as compared to the 2nd chapter of James. It was obvious, from some of his statements, that he was trying to make Paul teach salvation by faith only and at the same time cause…
Read MoreMy friend claims that Romans 1:26-27 is not condemning loving, committed homosexual relationships
Question: Hello, Thank you really much for your ministry, I want to ask for your biblical answer about Romans 1:26. A woman I used to consider my friend, has terribly disappointed me. She presents herself as a “Christian lesbian.” I trusted her orthodoxy with Scriptures, blindly for a year, being her friend, her brother in…
Read MoreRomans 14: “Follow After Things Which Make Peace”
by Melvin Curry Truth Magazine, January 4, 1979 When Paul affirmed that “there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all” (Romans 10:12), he was fully aware of the problems posed by the fellowship of Christians with such different religious backgrounds. The Greeks were used to change, continually…
Read MoreThe Sovereign Love of God
An Examination of Romans 9 by Bruce Reeves Introduction June 23,24,26,27, 2005, Bruce Reeves debated Calvinistic Baptist Gene Cook on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas. The first two nights Mr. Cook affirmed, “The scriptures teach that the alien sinner is forgiven of his past sins by faith only, before…
Read MoreThe Redemption in Christ: An Examination of Romans 3:19-5:21
by Sean P. Cavender Paul indicted all people, both Jew and Gentile, as guilty of sin before God (Romans 3:19). It is due to man’s ungodliness that the wrath of God is revealed, and He will judge all sin as worthy of death (Romans 1:18,32). The reality of sin is frightening and condemning. What is…
Read MoreWho started the church in Rome?
Question: Hi Jeff, Got a quick question for you. Do we know who started up the congregation in Rome? Of course, we know that it wasn’t Paul from the way he words his epistle to them, but I wondered just who did or if we even know. Thanks. Answer: The quick answer is, no, we…
Read MoreOnce again your articles are super helpful
Question: Once again your articles are super helpful. Today I was studying Romans 9. Thanks for all you guys do! Answer: It is good to hear that the efforts here are helping others.
Read MoreCould you explain Romans 11:25-27?
Question: I found your website online trying to do some research. Can you please tell me your perspective on Romans 11:25-27 and to whom Paul is referring? Answer: “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part…
Read MoreThe Holy Spirit’s Intercessory Prayer
by Tanner Campbell In this article, we will put Romans 8:26 under a full investigation. The text explains that “the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” This difficult…
Read MoreDoes Romans 9 support Calvinism?
Question: I have been worrying over Calvinism. Could you help me understand Romans 9:20-22 and Romans 9:11-16? In verse 13 you can read of Esau being hated which is after verse 12 where you can read about the older will serve the younger. Calvinist may use this to support their beliefs. What is meant in…
Read MoreThe Gospel Paul Preached
by Sean P. Cavender The book of Romans is Paul’s defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Throughout the epistle, Paul details man’s sin, man’s need for justification, the conditions for justification, the effects of God’s grace, and the assurances of the child of God. He makes several statements of his dedication to preaching this…
Read MoreAll Things Work Together for Good
by Cecil B. Douthitt Gospel Guardian – August 31, 1967 Romans 8:28 contains one of the most precious promises in all the Bible: “And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.” An accurate understanding and an unwavering faith in this…
Read MoreCan Romans 14:21 be used to justify the use of alcoholic beverages?
Question: May His grace continually flourish in the good work He has started in our life. About Romans 14:21, many brothers in our congregation are having a field day with this verse. The worse are the defenses they use to justify drinking. I will not say am the weak type, but I have a distaste…
Read MoreWhy is Romans 5:13 in parenthesis in the King James Version?
Question: This came up recently: Romans 5:13 is in parenthesis in the King James version. Could you please explain why? Answer: The parenthesis was added by the translators, both in the King James and New King James versions, to emphasize that this is explaining the charge made in Romans 5:12. Paul stated, “Therefore, just as…
Read MoreWhat is the “free gift?”
Question: I’m having a little trouble with this passage and hope you can shed some light on it for me. Romans 5:12-21 talks about a “free gift”. What is it? Who brought it? What does it do for us? Answer: “But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s…
Read MoreCan the passage about homosexuality in Romans 1 and the one about the Jews and Gentiles in Romans 11 be compared since they both talk about what is natural or contrary to nature?
Question: I have a question about homosexuality. I have been thinking about something, analyzing it, and wondering if you could make an argument out of something I noticed. In Romans 1:26-27: For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and…
Read MoreWorks in the Book of Romans
by Irvin Himmel via Truth Magazine XXIII: 2, pp. 43-45, January 11, 1979 Frequently Paul mentions works or deeds in his epistle to the saints at Rome. Whatever he means by “works,” the term expresses something opposed to grace and faith. He insists that justification does not find its source in works. Let us take a look…
Read MoreDoes Romans 4:9-12 indicate that we are saved prior to baptism?
Question: Can you explain why Romans 4:9-12 does not indicate that we are saved prior to baptism? I am not sure how to put the answer into words for an acquaintance that insists that he was saved prior to baptism regardless of clear passages of Scripture. Thank you! Answer: When a person argues against what…
Read MoreWhat is the law in Romans 7?
Question: I would like to ask what is the “law” which Paul was referring to in Romans 7:14-25. Thank you. Answer: The Bible speaks of many different types of laws, so we need to examine the context to see what law is being discussed. Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those…
Read MoreMarried to Christ
by Keith Sharp The theme of Romans is the gospel, God’s power to save all who believe (Romans 1:16-17). This is equivalent to saying we are justified by faith apart from the law (Romans 3:20-31). The law that is no part of our justification is the law given through Moses to Israel (Romans 2:12-27; 3:21).…
Read MorePredetermined Destiny
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Many people in this world believe in fate or destiny. They feel there is a specific role chosen for them which they must play, whatever their personal choice. John Calvin taught that God predestines some people to be Christians and, if so chosen by God, there is nothing that a person…
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