by Rick Marin | Nov 7, 2017 | Romans
Of whom is Paul writing in Romans 7:14-25?
(Romans 7) Blog Nov. 19-25, 2017
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In Romans Paul presents the Gospel and how to be saved by it. He says God will make a final assessment to determine who has received the Gospel. Our obedience will be the evidence that we trust in the righteousness of Jesus as our only hope of acceptance into God’s kingdom. That righteousness God provided in the perfect life and atoning death of Jesus. Nothing we do, nor anything done to us (like baptism), nor anything done in us (like spiritual transformation) is how it is accounted ours. Rather the perfect righteousness of God’s Son is counted ours when we personally believe in it.
The Woman of Romans 7 (Romans 7:1-4; Exodus 20:14)
1. Of what law is Paul writing in these verses?
2. What commandment binds a married woman to her husband?
3. When is a married woman free from the law that binds her to her husband?
4. Is a woman whose husband has died free to marry another man?
5. To whom does Paul liken the woman of Romans 7?
THE MAN of Romans 7 (Romans 7:4-13; 2:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:56; 2 Cor. 3:6)
6. According to verse four, to whom is the believer “married”?
7. Through what aspect of Christ’s incarnation is the believer freed from the Law?
8. How is it that Christ’s life frees the believer from God’s Law?
9. What is the fruit those “married” to Jesus bear?
10. What expression does Paul use to describe our service to our new husband?
11. Of whom is Paul writing in verses 7-13? And in what tense of the verb?
12. What does sin use to produce covetousness in the heart of an unbeliever?
13. According to verses 7-13 what relationship exists between the law and sin?
14. What does Paul say about God’s Ten Commandment Law?
The man of Romans 7 (Romans 7:14-25; 5:12; Eccl. 7:20; Gal. 5:17)
15. What change in Paul’s story line occurs in verse 14?
16. With what two words in verse 14 does Paul contrast the law with himself?
17. Who sold Paul under sin?
18. What is the attitude of the man of Romans 7:14-25 in regard to the Law?
19. What drags down the obedience to God’s Law that the man of Romans 7:14-25 desires to do?
20. Of whom is Paul writing in verses 14-25? And in what tense of the verb?
21. Are all the good works of God’s people tainted with sin?
22. Is righteousness naturally found in human beings?
23. By whom and when did Paul expect to be delivered from his sinful nature?
ANSWERS: 1. The Ten Commandments; 2. The seventh commandment; 3. When he dies; 4. Yes; 5. To believers in Jesus who have died to the Law; 6. To Jesus; 7. His body which represents his life; 8. Christ’s life perfectly fulfilled God’s Law for all who are found in him for it is counted as their fulfillment of the Law’s demands thus setting them free from the obligation to fulfill it in order to be accepted by God & so free from its condemnation; 9. The fruit of the Spirit & the fruit of more converts to Christ; 10. “serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter”; 11. Of himself in the past tense; 12. The law; 13. The law that was meant to give life now points out & defines sin & sin uses the law to condemn & enslave sinners; 14. That they are holy, just, & good; 15. He does not change the person but he changes from the past tense to the present tense; 16. Spiritual & carnal; 17. Adam; 18. He considers it good (v. 17), he wants to obey it (v. 18), he delights in it (v. 22), & he serves it with his mind (v. 25); 19. Sin that dwells in him; 20. Of himself as a true Christian in the present tense; 21. Yes; 22. No, not since the Fall; 23. By Jesus at future glorification according to Romans 8:17.
by Rick Marin | Nov 2, 2017 | Romans
What kind of people does God justify?
(Romans 4; Gen. 15:6; Gal. 3:6-9; 19-22) Blog Oct. 29-Nov. 4, 2017
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Paul’s theme in the book of Romans is the Gospel of God and on what basis it gives eternal life. After listing the steps one may take towards damnation he assures all humanity that God will judge all by his perfect Law. There will be no bias in this judgment nor any missing evidence. The doers of God’s Law will be justified in that day. In chapter three Paul shows that God is entirely righteous and has the right to judge and punish sinners regardless of whether they have his Word or not. Then he says that in ourselves none of us has the perfect righteousness required for acceptance in God’s sight but that this kind of righteousness God has provided in the perfect life and atoning death of his Son, Jesus. All who believe in him will be accepted by the Father.
Reckoned righteous (Romans 4:1-8; Gal. 3:6-9; )
1. What did Abraham receive from God?
2. By what means did Abraham receive righteousness?
3. How did righteousness become Abraham’s possession?
4. Why does verse 4 say that if we present our obedience for justification it wouldn’t be justification by grace?
5. What kind of people does God justify?
6. What does “justify” mean?
7. What does it mean to “impute” righteousness?
Righteousness and ritual (Romans 4:9-12; Gal. 3:19-22; Gen. 15:6; 17:24)
8. Was Abraham reckoned righteous before or after he received the rite of circumcision?
9. What can we learn from the fact that God counted Abraham righteous while he was yet uncircumcised?
10. How was circumcision related to justification in Abraham’s day?
11. Whose father did Abraham become when he believed the promise of God’s Word?
Two kinds of righteousness (Romans 4:13-25; 8:3-4; 10:5-6; Gen. 17:5)
12. Of what two kinds of righteousness does Paul write in Romans?
13. In essence what did God promise to Abraham?
14. On what basis did God give the promise of eternal life to Abraham?
15. How do faith and grace work together for our salvation?
16. In whose presence is Abraham our father if we believe he Gospel?
17. What great truth taught by Martin Luther is taught in verse 17?
18. What did God call Abraham when he was certainly not that?
19. What is the result of believing God’s declaration that we are righteous in his sight?
20. How did Abraham strengthen his faith?
21. When is a person counted legally righteous (justified)?
ANSWERS: 1. Righteousness; 2. Faith; 3. By being put to his account, by reckoning it as his, not by infusion into his life; 4. For God would be indebted to pay us for our good behavior whereas grace is to be considered deserving of something we have not earned; 5. The ungodly; 6. Justify means to account or reckon righteous, not to make righteous; 7. To impute means to put to one’s account, to credit, to reckon; 8. After; 9. That our justification before God is not dependent on some ritual or something done to us; 10. Circumcision was the sign or seal of justification by faith, of the covenant God made with Abraham; 11. The father of all believers, whether Jew or Gentile, whether having received some ritual (like baptism) or not; 12. The righteousness of faith & the righteousness of the law; 13. Eternal life; 14. On the basis of of a righteousness received by faith & not on the basis of a righteousness personally rendered by the person receiving the promise; 15. Grace is God’s undeserved gift of his law-abiding Son while faith is our response to the revelation of that gift – like the opening of the eye or the hearing of the ear or the hand that receives a gift – our response is not a good work we do but rather it is accepting the good work that God has done in our behalf; 16. Not in the presence of our fellow men unless we are of Jewish descent, but rather in God’s presence Abraham is the father of all who believe in Jesus; 17. “Simul justus et peccator” which means “At the same time righteous and a sinner” for God counts the things that are not (that we are righteous) as though they were – this means we can be perfectly righteous before God while still sinners on earth; 18. A father of many nations; 19. We will be made righteous in ourselves – the righteousness of the law will be fulfilled in us; 20. By giving glory to God; 21. When they personally believe in Jesus the Christ.
by Rick Marin | Oct 25, 2017 | Romans
What is the only condition for justification?
(Rom. 3:19-31; Gal. 2:15-21; Phil. 3:9) Blog Oct. 22-28, 2017
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In his letter to the church in Rome Paul first states his theme – the Gospel of God. After showing how to receive salvation through this Gospel he lists the steps one may take towards damnation. Having presented these two options in chapter one he assures all humanity that God will at some future date consider their entire lives and pass judgment according to the standard of his holy Ten Commandment Law. There will be no bias in this judgment nor any missing evidence. The doers of God’s Law will be justified in that day. Then in chapter three Paul shows that God, being entirely righteous, has every right to judge and punish sinners and that their possession of the Holy Scriptures is no assurance of acceptance in God’s judgment. In fact he points out that in ourselves none of us has the righteousness required for acceptance.
Receiving the righteousness of God (Romans 3:19-23; Gal. 2:16)
1. If judged according to our condition as sinners how would we stand in God’s day of accounts?
2. Will our obedience to God’s law justify us today or in God’s final judgment?
3. According to verse 20 what is one special functions of the Law?
4. In Romans 1:17 where does Paul say that the righteousness of God is revealed?
5. What is the Gospel of God according to Paul’s introduction in Romans 1:1-4?
6. Where does Paul say that a witness to the righteousness of God revealed in the Gospel has been given?
7. Who does Paul say will be credited with the righteousness of God?
8. By means of whose faith will the righteousness of God be credited to a person?
9. Will our sinfulness prevent us from receiving the righteousness of God by faith?
Agents of justification (Rom. 3:24-26; 12:3; Eph.2:8)
10. According to these verses what does God the Father provide for our justification?
11. According to these verses what does God the Son provide for our justification?
12. According to these verses what does God the Holy Spirit provide for our justification?
13. Where is the redemption found of which Paul speaks?
14. How can God be just while at the same time justifying the sinner?
Faith and obedience (Rom. 3:27-31; Eph. 2:8-9; Phil. 3:9)
15. Does faith include obedience or is it the same as obedience?
16. What do we have to boast about if our obedience is not the ground nor means of our justification?
17. Is Paul’s conclusion that we are justified by faith alone without any obedience on our part?
18. What is the only condition for justification of both Jews and Gentiles now and in God’s final judgment?
19. How does this doctrine of “justification by faith alone” establish the Ten Commandments rather than invalidate them as God’s standard for humanity?
Answers: 1. Guilty; 2. No, for even if motivated by love for God it falls short of God’s holy standard & so is insufficient for God to accept us today or in his final judgment; 3. To point out sin in our lives; 4. In the Gospel; 5. It is the story of Christ’s life, death, & ascension from his conception to his installation as our heavenly High Priest; 6. In the law & the prophets; 7. All who believe in Jesus Christ; 8. By means of that person’s own personal faith; 9. No, for we all have sinned & continue to fall short of God’s glorious standard; 10. Grace; 11. Blood; 12. Faith; 13. In Christ, not in us; 14. God can be just while justifying the sinner who has put his faith in Christ, for in Christ the sinner that believes in Jesus, has the righteousness of God counted as his own, thus giving God every right to call him righteous while yet a sinner in himself; 15. No, faith is not to be confused with, nor equated with obedience, rather faith in Jesus produces obedience; 16. Nothing in ourselves; 17. Yes, most assuredly so; 18. Faith; 19. The doctrine of “justification by faith alone” establishes the Ten Commandments as God’s standard for humanity because it presents to God the perfect obedience the Law requires (the perfect life and death of Jesus) rather than our imperfect obedience (even our faith is not the basis of our justification, but rather only the means).
by Rick Marin | Oct 18, 2017 | Romans
What is the curse of the law?
(Romans 3:1-20, 23; Psa.14:1-3) Blog Oct. 15-21, 2017
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In his letter to the church in Rome Paul first states his theme – the Gospel of God. After showing how to receive salvation through this Gospel he lists the steps one may take towards damnation. Having presented these two options in chapter one he assures all humanity that God will at some future date consider their entire lives and pass judgment according to the standard of his holy Ten Commandment Law. There will be no bias in this judgment nor any missing evidence. The doers of God’s Law will be justified in that day.
Let God be true (Romans 3:1-8; Deut. 32:1-4)
1. What primary advantage did the Jews have over the Gentiles?
2. What characteristic of God does Paul emphasize in verses 3-5?
3. In what ways is God righteous?
4. What just right of God does Paul mention in verse five and how does this relate to God’s judgment?
5. How does the sinfulness of humanity emphasize the righteousness of God?
6. What is Paul’s attitude to those who say that our doctrine of justification encourages sin?
Universal condition (Romans 3:9-18; Psalm 14:1-3; 36:1-4; 51:5; 58:3)
7. In verse 9 where does Paul say all humanity is located?
8. On what basis does Paul say all humanity is “under sin”?
9. What sin does Paul especially emphasize as descriptive of a sinful nature?
10. When does a person acquire a lying tongue and a sinful nature?
Application (Romans 3:19-23; 5:12, 17)
11. If we are born depraved as well as degenerate would it be right to say we are born justified?
12. Are all people born under the curse of the law?
13. What is the curse of the law?
14. According to verse 19 under what condition are we all found?
15. What two time frames are mentioned in verse 23?
16. If God requires righteousness to pass his judgment and ours is insufficient to meet his standard what must we all do in his presence?
ANSWERS: 1. They had the Word of God; 2. His righteousness; 3. In nature, character, & actions; 4. His right to
punish the unrighteous showing that God’s judgment is not to be trifled with for it results in traumatic events –life or
death; 5. By displaying the sharp contrast between the behavior & character of humanity with the behavior & character
of God & even more so if he were to forgive human sin; 6. Very negative – he says they deserve damnation; 7. Under
sin; 8. On the basis of Holy Scripture; 9. That of telling lies; 10. At conception; 11. Certainly not; 12. Yes, so states
Romans five; 13. It is condemnation to eternal death; 14. Guilty before God’s judgment; 15. Past tense & present
continuous tense; 16. Shut our mouths.
by Rick Marin | Oct 11, 2017 | Romans
What is required to pass God’s judgment?
(Romans 2:1-29; Eccl. 12:14; Gal. 3:27) Blog Oct. 8-14, 2017
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The deacon Stephen stirred up the Jewish establishment by teaching that the true tabernacle was in heaven and not in Jerusalem, that the law of Moses had met its fulfillment, and that the people of God were Abraham’s children of faith and not those of blood. Saul could not prove Stephen wrong and after securing his death was convicted that Stephen was right. When as Paul the Apostle he taught the same things Stephen taught he met opposition. The question concerning keeping the law of Moses was taken up at the first council of the Christian church and it was decided that the law of Moses was no longer a requirement for God’s people. The covenant they entered at Sinai was obsolete and God’s people were now those who had been called out of the world and into Christ. Paul expounded on this truth in his letter to the Galatians. In his letter to the Romans he seeks to make clear what the Gospel is, how it is accepted and what the results will be. In chapter 1 we have seen that the theme of this letter is the Gospel of God which brings salvation and that to refuse this Gospel will bring damnation. Such a Gospel demands a reckoning for those who accepts its benefits and for those who refuse them.
The judgment of God (Rom. 2:1-16; 1:32; Eccl. 12:14; John 5:24; Acts 17:31; 1 Pet. 4:17)
1. What event predicted by Paul determines which of the destinies of Romans 1 will be yours?
2. What destiny is already determined for those who make the sins listed in Romans 1:28-32 their habit?
3. When is the judgment mentioned in Romans 2 to take place?
4. Will any pertinent evidence be lacking in this judgment?
5. What can we learn from the phrase, “treasurest up”?
6. Who is not included in this judgment?
7. What is the nature of the first phase of God’s judgment?
8. What, according to verse four, is required to pass God’s judgment?
9. What three aspects of God’s character should lead a person to properly prepare for judgment?
10. Besides examination of our life’s record what other phases does God’s judgment include?
11. With whom does God’s judgment begin?
12. By what standard will God judge?
13. Who will be justified and who will be condemned in God’s judgment?
14. Who is the judge in this judgment?
15. What phrase in this section shows that mercy is still available in this judgment?
Resting in the Law (Romans 2:17-24; Galatians 3:27)
16. Do those who know what the law says and teach it to others, necessarily do the law?
17. According to these verses of what law is Paul writing in Romans?
18. What is Paul saying that these teachers had? and what did they lack?
19. What does the world do when Christians boast in having the truth while not living in harmony with it?
The truly circumcised (Romans 2:25-29; 9:6; Gal. 5:1-6)
20. Of what was circumcision a sign?
21. What does Paul include in “keeping the righteousness of the Law”?
22. How should we regard a person who lacks the sign of the covenant yet observes the words of it?
23. What definition does Paul give of a true Jew?
24. In what should we be resting, rather than resting in the Law as Paul describes these Jews?
ANSWERS:1. The judgment of God; 2. Eternal death; 3. In the future; 4. No, not any; 5. That God keeps records & they are what is examined in this judgment; 6. No one – everyone is included; 7. Examination; 8. Repentance; 9. His goodness shown in common grace, his forbearance in not giving us what we deserve, & his longsuffering in giving us lots of time to repent of our sins; 10. Sentencing & execution; 11. His own people, the church; 12. God’s Ten Commandment Law; 13. Those who do good will be justified & those who do evil will be condemned; 14. Jesus himself; 15. “according to my gospel”; 16. No, not necessarily; 17. The Ten Commandment Law written by God himself; 18. They had the truth, the form of the Law but they lacked the spirit of the Law; 19. They blaspheme God; 20. It was a sign of being included in the Abrahamic covenant of grace; 21. He includes not only observing the form (the letter) of the Law but also observing the spirit of the Law; 22. As accepted by God — justified; 23. One who has the deeper meaning of the covenant sign, that is circumcision of the heart whether they are physical descendants of Abraham or not; 24. We should be resting (trusting) in Christ – not resting (trusting) in our obedience to the Law.
by Rick Marin | Oct 4, 2017 | Romans
What is the righteousness of God?
(Romanos 1; Hechos 6:8-15; ) Blog Oct. 01-7, 2017
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
INTRODUCTION: The Apostle Paul was an active missionary for the faith he once sought to destroy. Most likely he wrote his letter to the church in Rome while in Corinth on his second missionary journey. Having never visited Rome he hoped to instruct the believers there about matters of prime importance. What he wrote is of prime importance to us today also and especially when thinking of the Protestant Reformation that began 500 years ago this month.
The main subject (Romans 1:1-7; 1 Peter 1:10-12)
1. How does the Apostle Paul state his commission at the beginning of his letter to Rome?
2. After stating his commission what subject does Paul introduce as the theme of his letter to the Romans?
3. What can we learn about the Gospel from verse two?
4. What was the subject of Paul’s Gospel?
5. What blessings does Paul list as results flowing from acceptance of the Gospel?
6. What motive for obedience does Paul give in verse five?
The recipients (Romans 1:8-17; 5:1; 2 Pet. 1:12-13; 3:1-2; Heb. 11:1, 6 )
7. To whom does Paul write Romans, church members? or the general public in Rome?
8. For what was Paul especially thankful concerning the Christians in Rome?
9. Why does Paul continually pray for the believers in Rome if they had already accepted the Gospel?
10. Why would Paul want to announce the Gospel to believers in Rome if they had already accepted it?
11. Of what value was Paul’s Gospel to those who accepted it?
12. What is revealed in the Gospel?
13. What is the righteousness of God?
14. How is the righteousness of God counted ours?
15. What is the nature of the faith that grasps the righteousness of God?
The warning (Romans 1:18-32; 2 Tim. 3:1-8; Rev. 15:1; 20:14)
16. According to verse 18 why is faith in the Gospel so important?
17. When is the wrath of God revealed according to Romans one?
18. How is God’s wrath revealed at the present time?
19. At what level of departure from God does God completely give sinners up?
20. What future manifestations of God’s wrath are also mentioned in Scripture?
21. How has Paul set the stage in Romans one for the rest of his letter?
ANSWERS: 1. “separated unto the Gospel of God”; 2. the Gospel of God; 3. That there was a time when the Gospel was still future, when God’s prophets pointed forward to it; 4. Jesus Christ from his incarnation to his ascension; 5. Grace & apostleship (being sent out to witness) so that we might be obedient because we love Christ’s character; 6. Appreciation of the character of Christ; 7. Church members; 8. That their faith was renown throughout the world; 9. Because they still needed to be established in their faith in the Gospel; 10. Because we tend to forget what we have heard & by repetition of the Gospel story our faith is strengthened, otherwise if we forget the Gospel we may turn to other hopes of salvation & lose our justification; 11. It brought salvation for in it God’s power is manifest; 12. The righteousness of God; 13. It is the conformity to his law that was revealed in the life & death of Christ; 14. By our faith; 15. It is not some work that we do but rather like the eye or ear it just receives what God has already done in Christ & it is continuous for our justification before God must be continuous – meaning we go from faith to more faith & keep on living by faith in Christ our Substitute; 16. Because it places us into Christ for outside of him God’s wrath is manifest; 17. Right now in the present time; 18. By letting sinners go the way of their own choosing; 19. At he third level; 20. The seven last plagues & the lake of fire; 21. He has shown how to enter salvation & how to enter damnation – what follows will only give more details on both fronts.
