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Romans 7-10

Sunday (Romans 7)

The Believer’s Relationship to the Law

7:1 Or do you not know, brothers and sisters (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law is lord over a person as long as he lives?

7:2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of the marriage.

7:3 So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is alive, she will be called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she is joined to another man, she is not an adulteress.

7:4 So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you could be joined to another, to the one who was raised from the dead, to bear fruit to God.

7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful desires, aroused by the law, were active in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.

7:6 But now we have been released from the law, because we have died to what controlled us, so that we may serve in the new life of the Spirit and not under the old written code.

7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Absolutely not! Certainly, I would not have known sin except through the law. For indeed I would not have known what it means to desire something belonging to someone else if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”

7:8 But sin, seizing the opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of wrong desires. For apart from the law, sin is dead.

7:9 And I was once alive apart from the law, but with the coming of the commandment sin became alive 7:10 and I died. So I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life brought death!

7:11 For sin, seizing the opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it I died.

7:12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.

7:13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? Absolutely not! But sin, so that it would be shown to be sin, produced death in me through what is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.

7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual—but I am unspiritual, sold into slavery to sin.

7:15 For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I do not do what I want—instead, I do what I hate.

7:16 But if I do what I don’t want, I agree that the law is good.

7:17 But now it is no longer me doing it, but sin that lives in me.

7:18 For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I want to do the good, but I cannot do it.

7:19 For I do not do the good I want, but I do the very evil I do not want!

7:20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer me doing it but sin that lives in me.

7:21 So, I find the law that when I want to do good, evil is present with me.

7:22 For I delight in the law of God in my inner being.

7:23 But I see a different law in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that is in my members.

7:24 Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

7:25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Prayer

Lord, Your grace separates us from the deadly consequence of sin, yet You call us to a higher-standard—that of who we have become because of Whose we have become. May I honor Your grace with a life focused on You and not on my worldly flesh.

Summary & Commentary

Since the Fall in the Garden of Eden all of Creation, most-relevant to this study—humankind—dwells apart from relationship with the Lord God. All is doomed to an imperfect and meaningless death, together with the “prince of the earth”, Satan. This is because nothing imperfect may enter Heaven and the presence of the perfectly-holy Lord God, because all imperfection is sin, and because everything apart from the Lord is worthless.

The law did not create sin, it defined it more-clearly and it made its commission an unavoidably volitional rather than a somewhat non-volitional act, as well as a volitional act that is intentionally rebellious because it breaches the clear boundaries set by the Lord God.

Paul explained that the Law sets boundaries in our temporary earthly existence; he used the example of a married person who is—according to the law—not allowed to abandon their spouse and to marry another while that spouse is alive, for they were bonded together for life.

He then noted that our salvation sets us free from the bond we have to sin so that we may become the family of Christ in emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual harmony.

[Note: It was not Paul’s intent to teach in any comprehensive way the Biblical approach to marriage, divorce, and remarriage here any more than Jesus was teaching about fishing or gardening when He used those as teaching illustrations. He did not intend to teach that only a woman is bound by that law, nor did he intend that one abandoned by a spouse who remarries is bound to remain single. He was simply using an available illustration—and as is true of all such illustrations when extrapolated too-far apart from the intended purpose—it fails.]

Paul continued to teach that because sin no longer controls us [in an eternal sense] the Law is no longer necessary to convict us of sin to preserve us for salvation; however, our temporary bodies remain enslaved to sin and the Law becomes a tool of the Holy Spirit to convict us of that sin so that we may partner with the Holy Spirit to press it away.

Interaction

Consider

The Lord God brought clarity to the ancient and primitive Israelites, and to us, so that we may plainly know when we are doing that which offends Him.

Discuss

What are some specific ways that the Law is used by the Holy Spirit to help us to discern when our temporary physical bodies are drifting into in, such as cheating, coveting, gossip, hatred, idolatry, jealousy, lying, stealing, etc?

Reflect

The law made it impossible for any to pretend that the boundary between good and evil and right and wrong could not be readily known.

Share

When have you been confronted with the challenge of worldly temptation and found the answer to where you must draw the line in the clear teaching of the law?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reminded you of the Lord God's Law "You shall not …" in some area where you are drifting into sin.

Action:

Today I will ask a fellow believer to pray in-agreement with me as I press-away that fleshly desire in this world which is leading me away from righteousness as the law defines it.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Monday (Romans 8:1-30)

The Believer’s Relationship to the Holy Spirit

8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

8:2 For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.

8:3 For God achieved what the law could not do because it was weakened through the flesh. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 8:4 so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

8:5 For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit.

8:6 For the outlook of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the Spirit is life and peace, 8:7 because the outlook of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, nor is it able to do so. 8:8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him. 8:10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is your life because of righteousness. 8:11 Moreover if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you.

8:12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh 8:13 (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live.

8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.”

8:16 The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. 8:17 And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ)—if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him.

8:18 For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us.

8:19 For the creation eagerly waits for the revelation of the sons of God. 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly but because of God who subjected it—in hope 8:21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children.

8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now.

8:23 Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

8:24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with endurance.

8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.

8:27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will.

8:28 And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, 8:29 because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

8:30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

Prayer

Lord, You made a way for us to be set free from the death of sin due to our fallen-flesh, You offered us this free gift, and when we accepted You indwelt us with Your Holy Spirit. May I be grateful beyond-measure for Your incredible gift and for Your indwelling assurance of my salvation.

Summary & Commentary

Paul revisited his teaching that a believer’s freedom from eternal condemnation for sin was necessary because their flesh was imperfect and prone to sin.

He noted that at-salvation the Holy Spirit indwelt every believer such that no-one is saved unless they have the indwelling Holy Spirit.

[Note: This is why “... the baptism of John” was insufficient.]

Paul then described the believer’s relationship to the Holy Spirit; where we once were fear-controlled slaves to sin we became joy-filled adopted-children of the eternal family of God.

Paul listed several specific ways that we are blessed by the presence of the Holy Spirit:

  • The Holy Spirit intercedes as He hears the “groanings” of our hearts
  • The Holy Spirit replaces our former spirit of fear with one of hope
  • The Holy Spirit takes things that the Enemy means for evil and turns them to good
  • The Holy Spirit helps us to resist the temptations of the flesh
  • The Holy Spirit leads us towards righteous choices

Interaction

Consider

“... if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you.”

Discuss

How do the elements of Paul’s list of the blessings of the indwelling Holy Spirit apply to your walk with God?

Reflect

The Lord God's consistency begins with the law that flesh-based sin means death. Jesus took the consequences of all flesh-based sin to Himself then overcame it with grace so that when we surrender and join Him we receive His redemption and flesh-based sin cannot cause us eternal death. Those who do not have Christ, and the indwelling Holy Spirit as His down-payment on Heaven, are still accountable to the law—their flesh-based sin will bring them death. This consistency builds trust in the Lord God.

Share

When have you found the courage to resist flesh-based sin in the assurance of your salvation by a loving and self-sacrificing Lord God?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you one way that He has impacted your life through one of the blessings of His presence as listed by Paul.

Action:

Today I will share the story and then celebrate in praise and worship what He has revealed to me—together with another believer.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Tuesday (Romans 8:31-39)

8:31 What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

8:32 Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things?

8:33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

8:34 Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us.

8:35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

8:36 As it is written, “For your sake we encounter death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

8:37 No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us!

8:38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Prayer

Lord, You are the cause and the power that makes the gift of salvation possible, and once we belong to You we are yours forever. May I not be confused by the many extra-Biblical doctrines and rather cling to Your Word.

Summary & Commentary

Paul reviewed God’s requirements for salvation and His power for righteous living:

  • Jesus, the Son of God, would be the first among many brothers and sisters
  • God predestined believers to be conformed to the image of Jesus [righteousness]
  • God, Who created time, knows the end from the beginning, knows who will be in His eternal family [Note: This is not intended to say that God caused what He knows, that would violate His declaration of a free will choice for Jesus. Knowing something does not make one the cause of it any more than God is the cause of sin because He knows—apart from the constraints of linear time—that sin will occur. Good scholarship requires that one be consistent in the application of principals in Bible study.]
  • Those who love God are called to His family and His ministry according to His purpose
  • God’s standard for salvation is unchanged, those who meet it are predestined to be saved
  • God justifies the saved, through Christ, to protect them from the judgment
  • God glorifies the saved upon admission to Heaven
  • Nothing in the spiritual or physical world can separate us from the love of Christ Jesus

[Note: Paul's purpose here is not to teach fatalism, that God predetermined who would be saved and not and then just timed their salvation with no regard for His commitment to free will, evidenced in the Garden, and repeated elsewhere. This is, instead, Paul reminding us that God's standards are high and His commitment to people of faith consistent. The One true God is never arbitrary or inconsistent.]

Interaction

Consider

Once we, through volitional acceptance of the gift of Christ—and our submission to His Lordship that comes with it—belong to Him, there is no power on earth or in heaven that can separate us from Him.

Discuss

The terms “elect” and “predestined” have been the source of great confusion and conflict but can you see where the Lord God says that the “elect” are those who accept the gift and are then transformed from the “non-elect” and once they are among the “elect” they are “predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus [righteousness] through the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit?

Reflect

The victory of the believer is not over earthly enemies, it is not over worldly imperfections (e.g. disease, loss, troubles), but it is over death-itself. The focal purpose of salvation is on eternity and not our temporary existence here on earth.

Share

When have you contemplated the change in you from before your intentional surrender to Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you someone who is confused about “elect” and “predestined”.

Action:

Today I will pray for the one to whom the Holy Spirit has directed me. I will respectfully offer to study these verses in Romans, and others in the B7-series, which clarify the matter of “elect”, “predestination”, and “free will” in a Biblically-consistent manner.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Wednesday (Romans 9:1-29)

9:1 Israel’s Rejection Considered

I am telling the truth in Christ (I am not lying!), for my conscience assures me in the Holy Spirit—9:2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed—cut off from Christ—for the sake of my people, my fellow countrymen, 9:4 who are Israelites. To them belong the adoption as sons, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. 9:5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from them, by human descent, came the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever! Amen.

9:6 It is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all those who are descended from Israel are truly Israel, 9:7 nor are all the children Abraham’s true descendants; rather “through Isaac will your descendants be counted.”

9:8 This means it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God; rather, the children of promise are counted as descendants.

9:9 For this is what the promise declared: “About a year from now I will return and Sarah will have a son.” 9:10 Not only that, but when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our ancestor Isaac—9:11 even before they were born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose in election would stand, not by works but by his calling)—9:12 it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger,” 9:13 just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

9:14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not!

9:15 For he says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

9:16 So then, it does not depend on human desire or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.

9:17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh: “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may demonstrate my power in you, and that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” 9:18 So then, God has mercy on whom he chooses to have mercy, and he hardens whom he chooses to harden.

9:19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who has ever resisted his will?”

9:20 But who indeed are you—a mere human being—to talk back to God? Does what is molded say to the molder,Why have you made me like this?” 9:21 Has the potter no right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special use and another for ordinary use?

9:22 But what if God, willing to demonstrate his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath prepared for destruction?

9:23 And what if he is willing to make known the wealth of his glory on the objects of mercy that he has prepared beforehand for glory—9:24 even us, whom he has called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?

9:25 As he also says in Hosea: “I will call those who were not my people,My people,and I will call her who was unloved,My beloved.’”

9:26 “And in the very place where it was said to them,You are not my people,there they will be calledsons of the living God.’”

9:27 And Isaiah cries out on behalf of Israel, “Though the number of the children of Israel are as the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved, 9:28 for the Lord will execute his sentence on the earth completely and quickly.”

9:29 Just as Isaiah predicted, “If the Lord of armies had not left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, and we would have resembled Gomorrah.”

Prayer

Lord, You provided the law to the Israelites, the subset of humankind descended from Isaac. The law convicted them of sin and provided a ritual-covering for them but it was never possible for them to earn salvation in their fallen-flesh through works but only through faith—as had Abraham—prior to the law. May I be grateful to be free from the law, to be in-Christ through faith, and be found grateful through thankfulness and righteous living.

Summary & Commentary

This section of Romans 9 describes the Lord God’s relationship with humankind under the law. the final few verses of Romans 9 (discussed in the next section of this Study) addresses the sovereignly-altered realationship under the grace of the Cross.

Paul explains God’s rejection of Israel, because God’s promise to God was not inclusive of all in the tribes of Israel but only a remnant—for faith not tribe—Jew and Gentile alike.

Israel’s repeated rejection of the God made both the nation and individuals culpable.

God chooses, based on the standard described in Romans 8, whom He will bless and whom He will not and no man or tribe may correct Him.

God testifies to His sovereignty from the enforcement of His holy decrees, mercy as He sees fit, hardening the already hard also as He sees fit, all according to His perfect plan.

Interaction

Consider

Those who were born Israelites were blessed with a unique relationship with the Lord God, yet because of their generations of rebellion only a remnant was preserved, and their special earthly-relationship lost.

Discuss

Isn’t it amazing how God's standard of a faithful-surrender to His Lordship has never changed?

Reflect

The descendants of Israel have always shared access to a faith-based salvation with the “gentiles” but they lost sight of that due to their unique earthly relationship in the past.

Share

When have you experienced or observed a person imagining that their membership in a unique job, religious organization, or social circle makes them more valuable to the Lord God?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a place in your fellowship, or one one elsewhere in your community (perhaps a cult of some sort) where some may be confusing membership and performance/works with salvation through faith-alone.

Action:

Today I will pray in-earnest for those who are confused, and if the Holy Spirit provides an opportunity, I will gently, patiently, and respectfully share with them the truth of salvation through faith-alone.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Thursday (Romans 9:30-33)

Israel’s Rejection Culpable

9:30 What shall we say then?—that the Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness obtained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith, 9:31 but Israel even though pursuing a law of righteousness did not attain it.

9:32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but (as if it were possible) by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 9:33 just as it is written,

Look, I am laying in Zion a stone that will cause people to stumble and a rock that will make them fall, yet the one who believes in him will not be put to shame.

Prayer

Lord, You gave the law to show the way to grace, and under grace the law serves to point the way to righteousness. May I be faithful, under grace, in the pursuit of righteousness.

Summary & Commentary

Paul asked if the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness—via the law—still obtained it?

He also asked if Israel, who did (at least in theory) pursue righteousness—via the law—did not?

Paul explained that the difference that Israel attempted works-righteousness, salvation without faith, rather only by legalistic-works, whereas the Gentiles sought a faith-based salvation without pre-salvation works.

He further explained that Israel had become so invested in their legalism that it because a stumbling-block which distracted them from the faith that saved Abraham.

Interaction

Consider

The Lord God wanted Israel to choose a saving-relationship with Him through faith-alone, but Israel was like those in the time of the Tower of Babel, they wanted to access the Lord God though their own “power”.

Discuss

God's standard for salvation and righteous living reflects that which is necessary to set-apart those whose genuine surrender will make them sinless occupants of "the new heaven and new earth" to come.

Reflect

The Lord God was consistent, from the Garden of Eden to Paul's time of teaching, restoration was always a matter of faith.

Share

When did you first truly understand the meaning of salvation through faith-alone?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a place in your life where a religious habit or ritual or tradition has displaced genuine relationship with the Lord God.

Action:

Today I will praise the Lord God for His consistency, sharing with another believer how that has built confidence in my relationship with Him and in my daily walk.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Friday (Romans 10:1-13)

10:1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God on behalf of my fellow Israelites is for their salvation.

10:2 For I can testify that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not in line with the truth.

10:3 For ignoring the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking instead to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

10:4 For Christ is the end of the law, with the result that there is righteousness for everyone who believes.

10:5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is by the law: “The one who does these things will live by them.”

10:6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 10:7 or “Who will descend into the abyss?” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we preach), 10:9 because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10:10 For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation.

10:11 For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

10:12 For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him.

10:13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Prayer

Lord, so many have been frustrated by works-righteousness, and as a result have been difficult to reach with Your message of grace. May I be faithful in praying for those who need you and in sharing Your message of grace.

Summary & Commentary

Paul lamented that the Jews “... are zealous for God”.

He explained that they were zealous for a religion that ritually honored the name of the Lord God but not one that truly surrendered to Him as Lord of their lives.

Paul lamented that they failed to be zealous for “... the righteousness that comes from God” but were “... seeking instead their own righteousness”.

He explained that they were trapped in an idolatry of works-righteousness under the law, to which they had added many human rules and regulations, so that it had all become a crusing and hopeless burden.

Paul declared “Christ is the end of the Law ... there is righteousness for everyone who believes” and then he reminded them that those who would seek righteousness in only the law would be trapped in the hopeless pursuit of works-righteousness.

He instructed that righteousness by faith does not look for Christ and His salvation in heaven or hell but instead right where they stood—through a repentant heart and surrendered spirit when they declare Christ to be their Lord and Savior.

Paul reminded them that with Christ via faith all of humankind was granted equal access to salvation, without regard to Jew or Gentile.

Interaction

Consider

Trying to earn the right to enter heaven when the standard is perfection is a fools-errand.

Discuss

What are some of the ways that the Jews may have sought their own righteousness, despite their zealousness for God?

Reflect

Does it seem that there are many ways that many people of many cultures still engage in works-righteousness today?

Share

When have you imagined that the Lord God was far away when it was your choices that was making it hard for you to recognize that He was right beside you; actually, in your heart.

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to me any way in which I may still seeking my own righteousness, Jesus plus my performance.

Action:

Today I will prayerfully reflect upon my commitment to Christ; and I will intentionally seek a path of maturity that leads to a more-complete surrender.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Saturday (Romans 10:14-21)

10:14 How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them?

10:15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news.”

10:16 But not all have obeyed the good news, for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”

10:17 Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ.

10:18 But I ask, have they not heard? Yes, they have: Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

10:19 But again I ask, didn’t Israel understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation; with a senseless nation I will provoke you to anger.”

10:20 And Isaiah is even bold enough to say, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I became well known to those who did not ask for me.”

10:21 But about Israel he says, “All day long I held out my hands to this disobedient and stubborn people!

Prayer

Lord, You send your children who have responded to Your call to be evangelists and missionaries, and they share Your message with the unsaved. The unsaved choose to believe or not to believe. Salvation is a gift, offered to all, but is one which must be accepted. May I be grateful to those who surrendered to You not only for their salvation but to be Your instruments so that I could hear and receive.

Summary & Commentary

Paul explained that before one may believe one must first hear of the gospel of Christ.

He then noted that the ones who are doing the telling are those who have been sent by the Lord God.

He emphasized that "... the preached Word of Christ" is very important so that those who hear have an opportunity to make an informed choice.

Paul reaches back to Isaiah to demonstrate how long the Lord God has been telling His story and how long many have refused to respond in faith.

He answered the question of the Israelites “.. have they not heard” as they tried to understand why the Israelites were not Christians with “ Yes, they have ...”

Paul then reminded them of the warning of Moses that it would be non-Israelites who would first respond and that would make them jealous enough to finally listen.

He clarified “I was found by those who did not seek me; I became well known to those who did not ask for me.” [Speaking of the Gentiles]

And finally Paul quoted Isaiah, in reference to Israel “All day long I held out my hands to this disobedient and stubborn people!”

Interaction

Consider

No matter how many times Moses or Isaiah or others tried to explain faith to the Israelites most refused to break-away from living in the flesh and/or works-righteousness in the law.

Discuss

What has been your experiences with those who have “preached”. Was what they preached the pure Word of God or was something added or deleted or distorted? How do you know?

Reflect

The Lord God has chosen to use humankind in the “preaching” and “teaching”—sharing—of the gospel in his great plan of salvation.

Share

When did you hear and how long did it take you to respond?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you n opportunity to be His instrument to bring the gospel to someone who has yet to understand and surrender.

Action:

Today I will courageously and respectfully share the gospel with the one who the Holy Spirit has prepared to receive it. I will be patient as they may take some time to absorb and accept before they repent and surrender.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

 

All Bible text is from the NET unless otherwise indicated—http://bible.org

Note 1: These Studies often rely upon the guidance of the NET Translators from their associated notes. Careful attention has been given to cite that source where it has been quoted directly or closely paraphrased. Feedback is encouraged where credit has not been sufficiently assigned.

Note 2: When NET text is quoted in commentary and discussion all pronouns referring to God are capitalized, though they are lower-case in the original NET text.

Commentary text is from David M. Colburn, D.Min. unless otherwise noted.

Copyright © 2011 by David M. Colburn. This is a BibleSeven Study— “Romans”—prepared by David M. Colburn and edited for bible.org in October of 2011. This text may be used for non-profit educational purposes only, with credit; all other usage requires prior written consent of the author.

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