What is the difference in Paul’s emphasis in Romans and Galatians?
(Gen. 1:26-27; Duet. 31:24-27; Isa. 8;20; Dan. 1:1-4; Zech. 13:8-9; Gal. 4:24; Rev. 1:1) Blog May 10-16, 2020
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The Bible tells the story of the mighty acts of God in dealing with humanity. In this way it shows us how to live now and how to obtain future salvation. Its prophecies tell how God will act in the future and how we should prepare and respond. The Holy Spirit inspired holy men to portray God’s thoughts in human language. While the words are not inerrant in every detail, the thoughts are an infallible guide. For us the Bible is necessary, has absolute authority, is entirely sufficient, and essentially clear, showing us how to live in this life and how to enter into the next. If we read the Bible in context, regarding its grammar, and comparing Scripture with Scripture, the Holy Spirit will teach us its meaning.
Comparing Scripture with Scripture (Deut. 31:24-27; Isa. 8:20; Zech. 13:9-10; John 7:39; Acts 5:32)
1. When reading a passage of Scripture you think you understand, what is the first comparison you ought to make? That of Isaiah 8:20 – is my view in harmony with the Ten Commandments & with the Gospel of grace.
2. Having assured yourself that your understanding of a passage is in harmony with the Law and the Gospel, what comparison should you make next? Next you should find other passages in the Bible that deal with the same subject to see if what they say is in harmony with your view.
3. After comparing your view of a Bible passage with the Law, the Gospel, and with other passages dealing with the same subject what comparison should you next make? Then you should look for the same key words in other portions of Scripture to see if they shed any light on the passage you began with.
4. Whenever a New Testament passage contains words from or references to the Old Testament what should you do? Go to the Old Testament passage to determine what it is talking about.
5. If you think that Acts 20:7 indicates that God’s day of rest has been changed from Saturday to Sunday with what should you compare your idea? With the Ten Commandments (the Law) that clearly state that Saturday is God’s appointed day of rest.
6. If when reading Acts 5:32 you conclude that the Holy Spirit is given to those that obey God what other passage should you compare with this in order to arrive at the correct meaning? You should compare it with John 7:39 which says that the Holy Spirit will be given to those who believe.
7. If Revelation 8 and 9 repeatedly refer to the fraction “one third” what other passage should you compare with this in order to understand this symbolic phrase? To Zechariah 13:8-9 where the prophet is told that “one third” represents God’s people while “two thirds” will be lost & to Revelation 12:4 that says Satan took “one third” of the angels of heaven with him when he fell, leaving a “one third” void in God’s kingdom.
8. When trying to understand what was nailed to the cross according to Ephesians 2:15 and Colossian 2:14, what Old Testament Scripture should you read? Deuteronomy 31:24-27 which shows that “the handwriting of ordinances” was the law of Moses: the ceremonial law.
Examples of Theme, Context, Words, and Grammar (Gen. 1:26-27; Acts 2:44; Rom. 10:4; Gal. 4:24; Rev. 7:4, 9)
9. How is Genesis 1 related to Genesis 2? The first chapter of Genesis gives a thematic introduction to the creation of human beings while the second chapter gives the details – they are one single story told in a progressive way going from “general” to “specific”
10. How are we to determine what is the emphasis of Genesis 1:26-27? By the repetition of the words “created” & “image” showing that God made man (not evolution) & that mankind is made like God (which the following verses elucidate).
11. What form of writing does Paul clearly tell us that he is using in Galatians 4:21-31? Allegory.
12. What oft repeated words of Scripture have depths of meaning that go far beyond one single concept? Mercy, peace, righteousness, grace.
13. What are we to deduce from the word “Behold” in Daniel 10:16? That the person introduced here is very important, even Jesus Christ, called Michael — Daniel’s Prince in verse 21.
14. What should we notice when reading in Acts 2 that God’s people “had all things in common”? That the expression is declarative (is) & not imperative (ought) so we are not to take this as a command for the church today.
15. What is the antecedent for the expression “one of them” in Daniel 8:9? The antecedent is “winds” for it is the last noun in the previous verse and is of the same gender.
16. How does the tense of the verb in Romans 10:4 influence what Paul is referring to? It is present tense showing that he is not speaking of something that took place at the cross nor something way off in the future but rather TODAY Jesus is the fulfillment of the Ten Commandments to everyone who believes in him.
17. Did John see the 144,000 as recorded in Revelation 7? No, he only heard the number, but when he turned he saw a great multitude.
The Book & its Message (Dan. 1:1-4; Rom. 2;13; 10:17; Gal. 2:16; Rev. 1:1; 4:7)
18. What should we learn about the book of Daniel by reading its first four verses? We should learn that in this theme statement is contained the outline for the entire book: restoration of God’s kingdom, king, sanctuary, & people (see our blogs on the book of Daniel.
19. When reading Romans and Galatians what is the difference in Paul’s emphasis? In Romans he presents the basis for our salvation (perfect obedience to the Ten Commandments) while in Galatians he presents the means by which we obtain that salvation (faith alone in Jesus Christ).
20. What is the different perspective of Exodus and Leviticus since they repeat much of the same information? Exodus views things from the peoples’ perspective while Leviticus views them from the priests’ perspective.
21. How are the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John related? Matthew writes from the perspective of the camp of Israel presenting Jesus as king (lion of Rev. 4), Mark from the outer sanctuary court presenting Jesus as the sacrificial animal (calf of Rev. 4), Luke from the Holy Place presenting Jesus as the servant of humanity (man of Rev. 4), & John from the Most Holy Place presenting Jesus as very God interceding for his own (flying eagle of Rev. 4).
22. How is Daniel related to Revelation? Both are apocalyptic prophecies but Daniel outlines world history as it relates to God’s people from his day to the end while Revelation outlines world history as it relates to God’s people from John’s day to the end – each overlapping & complementing one another.
23. What word in Revelation 1:1 tells us that this book will use symbols to describe the reality of future events? The word “signifying,” in other words, using signs (symbols).
24. What will be the result from reading and studying the Bible? Your faith in God will increase.