The Gospel Exalted
1 Paul, THE AUTHOR a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, [a]called as an apostle, (SENT ONE VS. DISCIPLE (FOLLOWER) set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, THIS IS ABOUT FULFILLED PROPHECY https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/blog/5-old-testament-prophecies-answered-in-the-new-testament-through-christ/#:~:text=Bible%20scholars%20estimate%20that%20more%20than%20350,Savior.%20They%20still%20serve%20that%20purpose%20today
3 concerning His Son, who was born of a [b]descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the
Son of God with power [c]by the resurrection from the dead, according to the [d]Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship [e]to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles (NON JEWS) for His name’s sake, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as [f]saints: WE ARE SAINTS WHO SIN PER https://www.ficm.org/ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ [g]for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. 9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, 10 always in my prayers making request, ARE WE ALWAYS PRAYING FOR OUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, ENEMIES, ETC? if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be [h]established; ARE WE PRAYING FOR OTHERS TO GET SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND FRUIT (GALATIANS 5)? 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am [i]under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians (NON GREEK SPEAKER PER https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g915/nasb95/mgnt/0-1/), both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed [j]from faith to faith; as it is written, “[k]But the righteous man shall live by faith.” C PETER WAGNER, PHD AGREES that PAUL WENT TO THE JEWS, THEN THE GENTILES.
Unbelief and Its Consequences (Psalm 97:6 The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples have seen His glory.)
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth [l]in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident [m]within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. NONBELIEVERS CAN'T SAY THEY WEREN'T WARNED. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not [n]honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and [o]crawling creatures. THEY WORSHIPPED IDOLS WHICH IS AGAINST EXODUS 20, THE 10 COMMANDMENTS. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for [p]a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed [q]forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is [r]unnatural,(THE GREEK IS ABOUT (RE)PRODUCTION (https://www.blueletterbible.org/nasb95/rom/1/26/p0/t_conc_1047026)
27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing [s]indecent (NAKEDNESS PER https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g808/nasb95/mgnt/0-1/
acts and receiving in [t]their own persons the due penalty of their error. Why Do Gay Men Have a Higher Risk of Getting HIV? https://www.healthline.com/health/hiv-aids/hiv-risk-in-gay-men
28 And just as they did not see fit [u]to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, THINGS GET WORSE WHEN WE DON'T FOLLOW THE LORD. 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, [v]haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. THE EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH OF AMERICA AND DALLAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY BELIEVE THE ORDINANCES ARE THE LORD'S SUPPER AND BAPTISM.
https://blogs.efca.org/strands-of-thought/posts/ordinances-baptism-and-the-lords-supper
https://www.dbu.edu/baptist-heritage/articles/baptists-two-ordinances-baptism-and-the-lords-supper/index.html
Footnotes
Romans 1:1 Lit a called apostle
Romans 1:3 Lit seed
Romans 1:4 Or as a result of
Romans 1:4 Or spirit
Romans 1:5 Lit for obedience
Romans 1:7 Or holy ones
Romans 1:8 Or concerning you all, that...
Romans 1:11 Or strengthened
Romans 1:14 Lit debtor
Romans 1:17 Or by
Romans 1:17 Or But he who is righteous by faith shall live
Romans 1:18 Or by
Romans 1:19 Or among
Romans 1:21 Lit glorify
Romans 1:23 Or reptiles
Romans 1:25 Lit the lie
Romans 1:25 Lit unto the ages
Romans 1:26 Lit against nature
Romans 1:27 Lit the shameless deed
Romans 1:27 Lit themselves
Romans 1:28 Lit to have God in knowledge
Romans 1:30 Or hateful to God
The Impartiality of God
2 Therefore you have no excuse, [a]everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 And we know that the judgment of God [b]rightly falls upon those who practice such things. 3 But do you suppose this, O man, [c]when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? NOT TOUGH LOVE 5 But [d]because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God ARE WE TRYING TO CHANGE? , 6 who will render to each person according to his deeds: WE ARE JUDGED BY WHAT WE DO 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress [e]for every soul of man who does evil, THIS MEANS WE MAY HAVE CHALLENGING TIMES of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. 12 For all who have sinned [f]without the Law will also perish [g]without the Law, and all who have sinned [h]under the Law will be judged [i]by the Law; 13 for it is not the hearers [j]of the Law who are [k]just before God, but the doers [l]of the Law will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles who do not have [m]the Law do [n]instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having [o]the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
The Jew Is Condemned by the Law
17 But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely [p]upon the Law and boast in God, 18 and know His will and [q]approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 a [r]corrector of the foolish, a teacher of [s]the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, 21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who [t]preach that one shall not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? AFTER MARRIAGE You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast [u]in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written. 25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice [v]the Law; but if you are a transgressor [w]of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 So if the [x]uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who [y]though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor [z]of the Law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. CIRCUMCISION WAS AN IMPORTANT CUSTOM IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved throughfaith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Footnotes
Romans 2:1 Lit O man, everyone who
Romans 2:2 Lit is according to truth against
Romans 2:3 Lit who passes judgment
Romans 2:5 Or in accordance with
Romans 2:9 Lit upon
Romans 2:12 Or without law
Romans 2:12 Or without law
Romans 2:12 Or under law
Romans 2:12 Or by law
Romans 2:13 Or of law
Romans 2:13 Or righteous
Romans 2:13 Or of law
Romans 2:14 Or law
Romans 2:14 Lit by nature
Romans 2:14 Or law
Romans 2:17 Or upon law
Romans 2:18 Or distinguish between the things which differ
Romans 2:20 Or instructor
Romans 2:20 Lit infants
Romans 2:21 Or proclaim
Romans 2:23 Or in law
Romans 2:25 Or law
Romans 2:25 Or of law
Romans 2:26 Lit uncircumcision
Romans 2:27 Lit through the letter
Romans 2:27 Or of law
All the World Guilty
3 Then what [a]advantage has the Jew? See https://www.iza.org/publications/dp/4590/the-economic-progress-of-american-jewry-from-18th-century-merchants-to-21st-century-professionals
Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles SAYINGS of God. 3 What then? If some [b]did not believe, their [c]unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? 4 May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written,
“That You may be justified in Your words,
And prevail when You [d]are judged.”
5 But if our unrighteousness [e]demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) THIS ISN’T ONLY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT – SEE THE BOOK OF REVELATION 6 May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come”? [f]Their condemnation is just. 9 What then? [g]Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; 10 as it is written,
“There is none righteous, not even one; SEE VERSE 23
11 There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;
12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good,
There is not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave,
With their tongues they keep deceiving,”
“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”;
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood,
16 Destruction and misery are in their paths,
17 And the path of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” THERE IS NO RESPECT FOR GOD.
19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are [h]under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; 20 because by the works [i]of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for [j]through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
Justification by Faith (WE ARE MADE RIGHT BECAUSE OF CHRIST)
21 But now apart [k]from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [l]who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all [m]have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a [n]propitiation SUBSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICE [o]in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, [p]because in the forbearance of God He passed over THE PASSOVER IS IN EXODUS 12. the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who [q]has faith in Jesus. 27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 [r]For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works [s]of the Law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the [t]circumcised [u]by faith and the [v]uncircumcised through faith is one. 31 Do we then nullify [w]the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. WE DON’T GET RID OF IT, WE REMEMBER IT IN THE LIGHT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.
Footnotes
Romans 3:1 Lit is the advantage of the Jew
Romans 3:3 Or were unfaithful
Romans 3:3 Or unfaithfulness
Romans 3:4 Lit in Your judging
Romans 3:5 Or commends
Romans 3:8 Lit Whose
Romans 3:9 Or Are we worse
Romans 3:19 Lit in
Romans 3:20 Or of law
Romans 3:20 Or through law
Romans 3:21 Or from law
Romans 3:22 Or who believe. For there is no distinction, since they all have sinned...and are being justified
Romans 3:23 Or sinned
Romans 3:25 Or a propitiatory sacrifice
Romans 3:25 Or by
Romans 3:25 Lit because of the passing over of the sins previously committed in the forbearance of God
Romans 3:26 Lit is of the faith of Jesus
Romans 3:28 One early ms reads Therefore
Romans 3:28 Or of law
Romans 3:30 Lit circumcision
Romans 3:30 Lit out of
Romans 3:30 Lit uncircumcision
Romans 3:31 Or law
Justification by Faith Evidenced in Old Testament
4 What then shall we say that Abraham, [a]our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified [b]by works, he has something to boast about, but not [c]before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” HERE IS FAITH, AND THEY HAD TO SACRIFICE ANIMALS FOR FORGIVENESS OF SINS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. CHRIST WAS THE SACRIFICE FOR ALL, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, HE WHO DOESN'T WORK DOESN'T EAT (WHERE?) but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven,
And whose sins have been covered.
8 “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.” Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our wrongdoings from us." IF WE GO NORTH, WE WILL EVENTUALLY GO SOUTH.
9 Is this blessing then on [d]the circumcised, or on [e]the uncircumcised also? For we say, “Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.” 10 How then was it credited? While he was [f]circumcised, or [g]uncircumcised? Not while [h]circumcised, but while [i]uncircumcised; 11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which [j]he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which [k]he had while uncircumcised. 13 For the promise to Abraham or to his [l]descendants that he would be heir of the world was not [m]through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are [n]of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; 15 for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation. SOME WANT NO LAW, WHICH IS ANARCHY. 16 For this reason it is [o]by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the [p]descendants, not only to [q]those who are of the Law, but also to [r]those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 (as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and [s]calls into being that which does not exist. 18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “So shall your [t]descendants be.” NATIONS = MANY RACES AND PEOPLE GROUPS 19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; IT WAS A MIRACLE SHE HAD ISAAC AND JACOB 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. 22 Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. WE ARE MADE RIGHT BECAUSE OF CHRIST.
Footnotes
Romans 4:1 Or our forefather, has found according to the flesh
Romans 4:2 Lit out of
Romans 4:2 Lit toward
Romans 4:9 Lit circumcision
Romans 4:9 Lit uncircumcision
Romans 4:10 Lit in circumcision
Romans 4:10 Lit in uncircumcision
Romans 4:10 Lit in circumcision
Romans 4:10 Lit in uncircumcision
Romans 4:11 Lit was in uncircumcision
Romans 4:12 Lit was in uncircumcision
Romans 4:13 Lit seed
Romans 4:13 Or through law
Romans 4:14 Or of law
Romans 4:16 Or out of
Romans 4:16 Lit seed
Romans 4:16 Lit that which is
Romans 4:16 Lit that which is
Romans 4:17 Lit calls the things which do not exist as existing
Romans 4:18 Lit seed
Results of Justification
5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and [b]we exult in hope of the glory of God. THE GLORY CAN BE THE LITERAL PRESENCE OF GOD, LIKE IN A CLOUD. SEE EXODUS 16, 24, 40 ETC 3 And not only this, but [c]we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. SEE THE BOOK OF ACTS. 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; [d]though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified [e]by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved [f]by His life. 11 And not only this, [g]but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. 12 Therefore, just as through one man ADAM sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 for [h]until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a [i]type of Him who was to come. 15 But [j]the free gift is not like the transgression. IT'S FREE FOR US BUT IT COST CHRIST HIS LIFE AFTER BEING TORTURED. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression [k]resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions [l]resulting in justification. 17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 18 So then as through one transgression [m]there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness [n]there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. CHRIST DIDN'T WANT TO DIE (SEE THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE STORY) BUT HE WAS OBEDIENT. 20 [o]The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Footnotes
Romans 5:1 Two early mss read let us have
Romans 5:2 Or let us exult
Romans 5:3 Or let us also exult
Romans 5:7 Lit for
Romans 5:9 Or in
Romans 5:10 Or in
Romans 5:11 Lit but also exulting
Romans 5:13 Or until law
Romans 5:14 Or foreshadowing
Romans 5:15 Lit not as the transgression, so also is the free gift
Romans 5:16 Lit to condemnation
Romans 5:16 Lit to an act of righteousness
Romans 5:18 Lit to condemnation
Romans 5:18 Lit to justification
Romans 5:20 Or law
