You Can Read the Bible Guided Podcast

Paul has a few priorities for the last few chapters of his letter to the Romans.  First, he concludes the section on bearing with others with a prayer that “…the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with each other…that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  This is followed by another reminder that “Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy.”

The letter turns toward a conclusion in the middle of chapter 15, as Paul affirms his satisfaction for the Roman church, though on some points he has written to them “…very boldly by way of reminder…”  He again affirms his desire to come to Rome, but cites his ambition “to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named” as a factor in his delay.  It is apparent that he is still on his way to Jerusalem, after which he expects to visit them on the way to Spain, assuming he is “delivered from the unbelievers in Judea.”  This fear is prescient, and we know from Acts that he does end up in Rome, though because of rather than in spite of those Judean unbelievers.

The final chapter is devoted primarily to greetings to and from fellow saints.  He opens by introducing a patron, Phoebe, who could well be the letter’s deliverer.  He then commends to them Prisca and Aquila, tentmakers who had fled Rome earlier and joined Paul in Corinth, taught Apollos in Ephesus, and were now apparently returning to their home.  Among the other names there could have been additional travelling companions or brethren from around the city of hundreds of thousands of people.  The greetings from Ephesus, including Paul’s scribe, host, and even the city treasurer, not only personalize the letter but place it squarely in history.

Pay attention to the final instructions and doxology.  Last words in these epistles often possess a specific warning or challenge that Paul wants to make sure he includes.  Today’s caution about those who cause divisions and create obstacles may be general, but connects with his instructions in the last half of this letter.  And in case they need encouragement, he is confident that “The God of Peace will soon crush Satan under [their] feet.” 

Our verse for this week is Genesis 1:1: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Romans 15 and 16.  Now let’s read it!

You probably noticed a brief personal note at the beginning of chapter 10: "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved..."  The "them" he refers to is his fellow Jews, who "have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge." "As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.  For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers..." is a turning point at the beginning of chapter 12, for it feels like everything that follows, at least through chapter 14, falls under the thesis of his appeal: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..."  By “the grace given” to him he reminds everyone “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think…” to “let your love be genuine…bless those who persecute you…if possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

In chapter 13 this transformed life, this living sacrifice, commits “every person” to “be subject to the governing authorities…not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.”  In fact, “Pay to all what is owed to them,” he exhorts: “taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed…owe no one anything, except to love each other…”

In the final chapter Paul dismisses the temptation to judge one another’s adherence to the Law, because again, “I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean to anyone who thinks it unclean.”  As you read this remember his earlier contention that “…now we are released from the Law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.”

Yesterday Paul appealed to Jewish history and writings to support his argument that God can choose whomever He wants to receive His grace.  Today, he appeals to the Law itself – which Jesus also did - to affirm that “love is the fulfillment of the Law.”  Look for quotes from Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy throughout, as Paul appeals both to Gentiles, and especially to Jews, to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” 

Our verse for this week is Genesis 1:1: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Romans 11 through 14.  Now let’s read it!

You probably noticed a brief personal note at the beginning of chapter 10: "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved..."  The "them" he refers to is his fellow Jews, who "have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge." "As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.  For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers..." is a turning point at the beginning of chapter 12, for it feels like everything that follows, at least through chapter 14, falls under the thesis of his appeal: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..."  By “the grace given” to him he reminds everyone “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think…” to “let your love be genuine…bless those who persecute you…if possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

In chapter 13 this transformed life, this living sacrifice, commits “every person” to “be subject to the governing authorities…not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.”  In fact, “Pay to all what is owed to them,” he exhorts: “taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed…owe no one anything, except to love each other…”

In the final chapter Paul dismisses the temptation to judge one another’s adherence to the Law, because again, “I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean to anyone who thinks it unclean.”  As you read this remember his earlier contention that “…now we are released from the Law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.”

Yesterday Paul appealed to Jewish history and writings to support his argument that God can choose whomever He wants to receive His grace.  Today, he appeals to the Law itself – which Jesus also did - to affirm that “love is the fulfillment of the Law.”  Look for quotes from Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy throughout, as Paul appeals both to Gentiles, and especially to Jews, to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” 

Our verse for this week is Genesis 1:1: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Romans 11 through 14.  Now let’s read it!

As chapter 8 opens with a “therefore,” let’s review the territory covered thus far in this letter.

In chapter 1, Paul declares that grace and apostleship were brought through “Jesus Christ our Lord,” who “was declared to be the Son of God in power…by His resurrection from the dead.”  This gospel is “the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”  Paul is equally insistent that God’s wrath is justified, for although men knew God, “they did not honor him or give thanks to Him… therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity,” which led to “dishonorable passions,” and, finally, “to a debased mind to do what ought not be done.” 

Furthermore, this wrath is distributed without partiality: “There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek; but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.”  The only hope for justification before God is His righteousness, which is available “through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe…”  Not even Abraham was justified by his works, but rather because he “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 

Through Adam came sin, and with sin, death; but “as by one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”  Shall we then “continue in sin, so that grace may abound?... Are we to sin because we are not under law by under grace?” Of course not.  Rather, “having been set free from sin, [we] have become slaves to righteousness.” 

Likewise, while “the law is holy… sin seized an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.”  Because of this, “I do not understand my own actions.  For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate… when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.” 

Which brings Paul to his “wretched man” ending of chapter 7.  And today to his gratefulness for the Spirit of God that dwells in him; for the “glory that is to be revealed;” for how “the Spirit helps us in our weakness.”  Furthermore, he reminds his readers today that God can choose whomever He wants to receive the gift of grace, just as He chose between Jacob and Esau, and that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 

Our verse for this week is Genesis 1:1: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Romans 8 through 10.  Now let’s read it!

As chapter 8 opens with a “therefore,” let’s review the territory covered thus far in this letter.

In chapter 1, Paul declares that grace and apostleship were brought through “Jesus Christ our Lord,” who “was declared to be the Son of God in power…by His resurrection from the dead.”  This gospel is “the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”  Paul is equally insistent that God’s wrath is justified, for although men knew God, “they did not honor him or give thanks to Him… therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity,” which led to “dishonorable passions,” and, finally, “to a debased mind to do what ought not be done.” 

Furthermore, this wrath is distributed without partiality: “There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek; but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.”  The only hope for justification before God is His righteousness, which is available “through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe…”  Not even Abraham was justified by his works, but rather because he “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 

Through Adam came sin, and with sin, death; but “as by one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”  Shall we then “continue in sin, so that grace may abound?... Are we to sin because we are not under law by under grace?” Of course not.  Rather, “having been set free from sin, [we] have become slaves to righteousness.” 

Likewise, while “the law is holy… sin seized an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.”  Because of this, “I do not understand my own actions.  For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate… when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.” 

Which brings Paul to his “wretched man” ending of chapter 7.  And today to his gratefulness for the Spirit of God that dwells in him; for the “glory that is to be revealed;” for how “the Spirit helps us in our weakness.”  Furthermore, he reminds his readers today that God can choose whomever He wants to receive the gift of grace, just as He chose between Jacob and Esau, and that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 

Our verse for this week is Genesis 1:1: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Romans 8 through 10.  Now let’s read it!

Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  What shall we say then?  Are we to continue to sin that grace may abound? – Romans 5:20-6:1

Today’s rhetorical flourish is a series of “What shall we say then?” questions.  The first is above: “Are we to continue to sin that grace may abound?”  This is followed later with “Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace?” and “What then shall we say? That the law is sin?”  Each of these expects an emphatically negative response: “By no means!” which Paul explains. 

The flourish of asking a question whose answer is intuitively obvious is one of the oldest Biblical traditions.  The LORD’s confrontation of the man and woman in the Garden of Eden was just a series of four questions: “Where are you? Who told you that you were naked?  Have you eaten of the tree…?” and “What is this that you have done?”  Both characters and readers already know the answers; the questions move the plot, more than the conversation.

So it is with Romans 6 and 7.  It’s possible that Paul is responding to questions or concerns that have been directly raised by the Roman church.  The early believers who converted out of Judaism certainly wrestled with the question of what to do with the Law.  We’ve already seen how this impacted evangelization efforts with Gentiles in Acts, and it was that very question that drove some to reject Jesus, who claimed He came not to abolish the Law or the prophets, but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17).

It’s also possible that Paul is building toward the crescendo at the end of chapter 7.  I’ll not stand in the way of his responses, but encourage you to listen to how the argument builds toward a personal conclusion.

Our verse for this week is Genesis 1:1: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Romans 6 and 7.  Now let’s read it!

Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  What shall we say then?  Are we to continue to sin that grace may abound? – Romans 5:20-6:1

Today’s rhetorical flourish is a series of “What shall we say then?” questions.  The first is above: “Are we to continue to sin that grace may abound?”  This is followed later with “Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace?” and “What then shall we say? That the law is sin?”  Each of these expects an emphatically negative response: “By no means!” which Paul explains. 

The flourish of asking a question whose answer is intuitively obvious is one of the oldest Biblical traditions.  The LORD’s confrontation of the man and woman in the Garden of Eden was just a series of four questions: “Where are you? Who told you that you were naked?  Have you eaten of the tree…?” and “What is this that you have done?”  Both characters and readers already know the answers; the questions move the plot, more than the conversation.

So it is with Romans 6 and 7.  It’s possible that Paul is responding to questions or concerns that have been directly raised by the Roman church.  The early believers who converted out of Judaism certainly wrestled with the question of what to do with the Law.  We’ve already seen how this impacted evangelization efforts with Gentiles in Acts, and it was that very question that drove some to reject Jesus, who claimed He came not to abolish the Law or the prophets, but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17).

It’s also possible that Paul is building toward the crescendo at the end of chapter 7.  I’ll not stand in the way of his responses, but encourage you to listen to how the argument builds toward a personal conclusion.

Our verse for this week is Genesis 1:1: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Romans 6 and 7.  Now let’s read it!