ROMANS 16

 This is the final chapter of Romans, but not to be overlooked. 

Paul said that Phoebe delivered his letter to the Romans, and encouraged them to receive her "in a manner worthy of the saints..."

He sent greetings to numerous saints, men and women, Jew and Gentile, all workers in Christ, to lovingly greet one another with a holy kiss.

Now, Paul warned the Roman Christians not to keep company with those who caused division regarding serious doctrinal issues because those people do not serve Christ, but their own agendas. They use flattery to deceive the weak and simple minded. The Roman Christians were known for their obedience, but Paul just wanted them to be wise and mindful of what was good and what was evil.

The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. 

Then Paul shared a list of Christians with him who greeted the Christians at Rome, and ended with a beautiful blessing:

...to Him who is able to establish you according to the gospel...of Jesus Christ, ...to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began, but now made manifest...by the Scriptures made known to all nations, ...to the obedience to the faith -- to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever.

COMMENTARY

The Roman church was founded by Paul, after sharing the gospel with several individuals who then went to Rome and formed the church there. In his letter to Rome, Paul was greeting those very saints. 

After warning them to stay away from those who sought division, he told them to "be sober and vigilant," because the God of peace would soon put down Satan.  

In his benediction, the mystery he talked about was what had not been revealed in the Old Testament, the Jews and Gentiles becoming one body in Christ. 

And finally, obedience is a fruit of faith. When you trust in Christ, you will obey Him. 

 

ROMANS 15

Paul encouraged the Roman Christians to bear with one another (strong with the weak), not to please themselves, but to "please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. As Scripture said...Jesus did not please Himself, and

...whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 

Paul prayed that God would grant them to be like-minded toward each other, that they may glorify God. 

Also, they were to receive one another, as Jesus received sinners into the family of God, including Gentiles, whom He showed mercy. 

There shall be a root of Jesse; and He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope. 

May the God of hope fill you will joy and peace...that you may abound in hope by the Holy Spirit. 

Paul had confidence in the Roman Christians that they were full of goodness, knowledge, and able to reprove one another. Grace was given to Paul by God to be a minister of the Gentiles and to preach the gospel to them. He planned a visit to Rome but was hindered for awhile. Now he was headed to Jerusalem in hopes to reach more Jews, and thereafter, he planned to stop by Rome on his way to Spain. 

Then he asked that they pray that his work in Jerusalem be acceptable, and that he may come to then with joy by the will of God. 

COMMENTARY

Paul gave more instruction for Christian conduct. He encouraged Christians to "seek the interests of the other man." Edify one another. Also, Jews and Gentiles should be in one body glorifying God. Christians should glorify God in unity. 

Everything written in the Word of God is for our learning and patience, to give comfort and bring hope. 

God receives all men, strong and weak, high and low, Jew and Gentiles, and all should receive one another in fellowship because glorifying God is the main goal. 

God is the God of hope. He is the Rock of Ages, a Shelter in the time of storm. He should fill you with all joy and peace. 

Paul writing letters

 

ROMANS 14

Paul continued: accept those of the faith, including those considered weak, particularly believers clinging to their old religious habits. Disputes about what to eat and what not to eat are non-essential to relationships. Mature believers are strong in faith, and have no problem eating meat, even meat sold in pagan markets. Do not judge those who refuses to eat meat. Who are you to judge the Lord's servants? God will oversee the weaker man. 

This also pertains to those who are still observing certain days, like the Sabbath. Instead, "let each be fully convinced in his own mind." Whatever a believer does, let him do it unto the Lord. This is why Christ died, rose, and lived again. Do not show contempt for your brother because "we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ. For it is written:

As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me and every tongue shall confess to God.

Therefore, do not judge one another in such matters, or cause a brother to stumble. Everyone shall give account of himself to God.

Paul was convinced, through divine revelation, that nothing common was unclean, but if someone considered it unclean, then to him it was. To be burdened by your brother's conviction regarding drinking, eating, or observances was not walking in love. The kingdom of God is not drinking and eating, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, pursue peace and edify one another. Do not violate your own conscience or condemn those who doubt, because "whatever is not from faith is sin."

COMMENTARY

According to McGee, Paul listed three principles of Christian conduct: conviction, conscience, and consideration. Christians should be convicted about what they do. Does he consider how his behavior will affect others? Was his behavior right or wrong? 

In this chapter, Paul wanted to make sure that those who were weak in faith were embraced into fellowship and not judged because of their convictions. Some matters are questionable and not forbidden in Scripture. 

One may be weak in non-essential matters, but not the gospel truth. One Christian may not agree with the other, but he is not to judge or argue about questionable matters. Whatever a Christian does, he should be fully convinced in his mind that it is right. All will stand before God to give an account of himself. 

Consider your conscience. Is it right for you to do it? Can you do it with joy? Christians should have a clean conscience when they examine their conduct. Any conduct concerning questionable matters that is not from faith is sin.

Paul Writing from Prison

 

ROMANS 13

Paul told his readers to subject themselves to the governing authorities because God appoints government officials. If one resisted the government, he resisted God and would be punished by those authorities. Governments were instituted for good, to restrain evil. If one obeyed the law, the government would reward him; but if evil, the government, God's minister, will execute judgment upon him. For conscience sake, obey. Also, pay your taxes, fear God, and honor the king. 

Owe no one anything but to love each other because love is the law. All of the commandments are covered under "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," because love does not harm anyone. 

Now wake up! Salvation is closer than before. Put off deeds of darkness and put on light. Walk rightly, not in drunkenness, lewdness, lust, strife, or envy. 

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

COMMENTARY 

Submit to government because they are ordained by God, and while many governments are made up of corrupt men, the Lord is still in control. God is not surprised by the corruption. Nonetheless, Christians are not to be in rebellion to government, although believers have opposed bad government on the theory that good government is the one ordained by God. The believer is for law and order and justice and honesty over lawlessness, injustice, and corruption (see the American Revolution). Nonetheless, it is difficult for Christians to subject themselves to corrupt governments. But they must obey the law, particularly for conscience sake.

Continuing the theme of Christian conduct, Paul commanded that Christians owe nothing to anyone but to love one another. Love is not words but action (or heart attitude) or not doing something to one's neighbor, like not coveting, not stealing, and not committing adultery. Love is the fruit of the Spirit.

And Paul also gave warning that the time is now to wake up and yield their lives to God. Looking to Christ's return should purify Christians in their heart and cause them to live for God now. 

Armor of Light (credit)

 

ROMANS 12

 Paul instructed Christians to

present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

He continued: 

not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Paul explained that each Christian is a member of a body of believers, and each Christian has different abilities and "gifts according to the grace that is given to us...[and they are to] use them." This includes speaking forth, ministering, teaching, exhorting, giving, leading, and showing mercy.

CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR

Here are more instructions Paul gave regarding how Christians are to live publically:

• love without hypocrisy
• hate evil
• cling to what is good
• be kind and affectionate to each other (brotherly love)
• give preference to one another
• be diligent
• be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord
• rejoice in hope
• be patient in trials
• pray continuously 
• support and aid other Christians
• be hospitable
• bless those who persecute you
• rejoice with those who are rejoicing
• weep with those who are suffering
• be impartial towards each other
• avoid being pride-filled, but be with those who are humble
• avoid superious conceit toward other believers
• do not avenge yourselves
• respect what is good and right, especially around unbelievers
• live peaceably with all men, if possible
• again, do not avenge yourselves because vengeance belongs to the Lord. 
• lovingly help your enemies because in doing so "you will heap coals of fire on his head."

And finally

• do not be overwhelmed by evil, but overcome it with good.

COMMENTARY

This section is on Christian conduct or behavior. This refers to the outer man and the precepts of grace. "Enunciation of the way of life must be followed by evidences of life. Announcement of justification by faith must be augmented by activity of life." 

Paul told Christians to yield their bodies (personalities) as living sacrifices, set apart for and well-pleasing to God, which is a reasonable spiritual service. Yielding is the way Christians are consecrated. "The body is the instrument through which we express ourselves," and includes "the mind, affections, and will," which the Holy Spirit can affect. 

Basically, Paul told believers to be normal and natural, be genuine, to reflect outwardly the transformation of what the Holy Spirit is doing inwardly. Don't reflect the world. Reflect Christ. And be an authentic Christian. 

By permitting the Spirit of God to renew the mind, the believer will be able to test the will of God...By yielding, the will of God for the life of the believer becomes good and fits the believer's will exactly...that the believer's will and God's will are equal to each other...be natural and let the Spirit of God move and work through you.

Paul was saying that this is the way to be content and have joy and fullness in your life. He also encouraged believers to test the gifts God gave him or her. If it is not a blessing and you are not building up, maybe that is not your gift. 

Then Paul gave a long list of how Christians are to conduct themselves within the church with other believers and in the world around unbelievers. It's self-explanatory. 

ROMANS 11

Paul asked if God had disposed of Israel. No. Obviously he is an Israelite, seed of Abraham, tribe of Benjamin. 

God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. 

He reminded his audience that Elijah thought he was the only faithful one left of Israel, but God revealed to him that there was a large remnant of believers who had not worshiped Baal. Therefore, Paul assured them that presently there was a "remnant according to the election of grace" in Israel. The nation Israel had not received what it desired, but elect individuals have; the others were "blinded," as written:

God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.

But did this mean the end for Israel as a nation? No. However, hopefully some will be provoked to jealousy because salvation was now available to the Gentiles. Meanwhile, the Gentiles should not boast because they were/are grafted in, being supported by the root. The Jews, being the branches, were broken off because of their unbelief, which God could also do the same to those grafted in.

Therefore, God was severe with Israel and good toward Gentile believers, who were only wild branches; but if Israel, the natural branch, returns to the Lord, they will be grafted in again. 

Also, this blindness will be with Israel until the "fullness of the Gentiles has come in." Then Israel will be saved:

The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with Them, when I take away their sins. 

Because of Israel's disobedience, Gentiles may now experience God's mercy. He permitted Israel's disobedience that He may demonstrate His mercy to all. 

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him? 

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. 

COMMENTARY 

Paul explained that the remnant of Israel were "according to the election of grace," which meant they are Jews who come to Christ, by grace -- not merit. And those who do not come to Christ, were or will be hardened; and people are hardened because they reject Christ. They are blinded because they will not accept the Light. 

Also, the blindness (hardening) of Israel will continue while the church is present, and it will continue until the fullness of the Gentiles and the Rapture of the church. All Israel will not be saved, but rather a remnant of Israelites out of the whole nation.

About verse 29: "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." The calling is the "effectual calling of God" and "without man's repentance or change of mind." 

It is your faith in Christ that saves you. Neither is your faith meritorious. It is Christ who is meritorious. Your faith enables you to lay hold of Him. 

One's salvation is by God's mercy. And God can show mercy on whom He wants to show mercy. If God wants to save a remnant of Israel, He will. No one knows the mind of God. No one can advise God. And to Him be the glory. 

ROMANS 10

 Paul said that his "heart's desire and prayer" was for Israel to be saved. They were conformed to the Law but they were "ignorant of God's righteousness." They had established "their own righteousness." But Christ was and is the goal of the Law, if they would just believe it.

Moses wrote about the Law, that it would be a burden to those who lived by it. Rather the "word of faith" is the way to God, which is salvation: "confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead..." This is for both Jew and Greek because God is the same God over all men who call on His name. 

But Israel has rejected the gospel. He, Paul, was sent by God to preach the gospel to them, but they had not obeyed. Isaiah said: "...who has believed our report?" 

...Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

And God said through Moses that He would "provoke [Israel] to jealousy by those who are not a nation..," meaning the Gentiles. 

In addition, Paul quoted Isaiah again, that God was found by the Gentiles when they were not even seeking Him. But to Israel, Isaiah said, God was stretching out His hands to a "disobedient and contrary people." 

COMMENTARY

The present state of Israel is that they are lost. It was so in Paul's day, too. This is why they are unable to have peace today. Even being established by God Himself, the most they had was religion, not His righteousness. But the Law was meant to point them to Christ, not to save men, but to show them that they needed saving. That is what Paul meant when he said that Christ is the end of the law. He was the goal. 

Man's righteousness will never measure up to God's righteousness. That was what the Jews of Paul's day were trying to do. That is what man, Jew and Gentile, does today. It will never save him. 

Paul explained that man must bring his heart (his being) and his mouth (confession) in alinement with each other. What you say with your mouth needs to be supported by your actions. When you confess Christ, it should be apparent by your heart attitude and the way you live your life. That was why James said: "...faith without works is dead (James 2:20)." 

Furthermore, Paul argued that salvation is of faith. But the Law had become a religion in itself: Pharisaism, of which he knew all about. Paul explained that God called out men, like himself, to be messengers of the gospel. Preachers were sent out by God that people may hear the truth and believe. In order for people to know that they must call on the name of God, they must first hear the word. 

Finally, Paul explained that the gospel would be preached to all. Even Isaiah predicted Gentile conversions. And God has been so patient with Israel, "...holding out [His] hands to a disobedient people."

Even still, God has been patient with the whole world, waiting for them to call on His name and believe His righteousness offered through Christ. We cannot earn our way to heaven. We would have to be perfect, but no one is good. Jesus went in our place to pay for our sins, and He was raised for our justification. He is our righteousness. 

Is Jesus your Savior? Do not die without Him. 

St Paul the Apostle Writing his Epistles

 

ROMANS 9

Paul said he would exchange his own life for that of his brethren (Israel) if it meant that they would believe; after all, the entire nation was chosen to receive God's calling, the glory of God's presence, the covenants, the Law, the temple service, the promised Messiah, through the Fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Nonetheless, not all of the descendants of Abraham are heirs of the promise, but only those who were called through Isaac. 

In Isaac your seed shall be called.

Even before the twins, Esau and Jacob, were born of Rebecca (and Isaac), having done neither good or evil, God's purpose was to call Jacob, not of works, but according to election.

The older shall serve the younger.

And it was written:

Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.

Does this mean God is unjust? No. 

God told Moses that He will have mercy and compassion on whomever He will have mercy and compassion. Therefore, it is not of human will or choice or by man's works or merit, but of God's mercy.

Then Paul threw in more supporting evidence regarding Pharoah, that God raised him up to demonstrate His power in him because God shows mercy or hardens whom He will.

But then why should any man be faulted for his sin or unbelief? If your question is genuine, that is one thing; but do not use it as an excuse for your own sin and unbelief. Does the pot ask the potter why he made him for a particular purpose?

God can use His creation to demonstrate His wrath, power, and glorious mercy. In fact, God could destroy all sinners instantly, but has chosen to be patient and show mercy instead. Furthermore, God does not cause people to be sinful, but rather He leaves them to their own devices because that is what they themselves have chosen. Meanwhile, He grants those sinners whom He has chosen for salvation, "which He prepared beforehand," grace, compassion, and forgiveness through Christ.

Paul then used scripture from Hosea and Isaiah to argue that Israel was called out by God and that He will also save a remnant from them in the end.

I will call them My people, who were not My people...

The remnant will be saved. For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness... 

Unless the Lord...had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom,...and...made like Gomorrah.

Although God chooses some for mercy, those who reject the gospel will receive His judgment. The Gentiles received His righteousness through their faith, while Israel was rejected because they rather earn it through the Law.  

COMMENTARY

According to McGee, Romans chapters 1-8 is doctrinal, emphasizing faith and salvation; chapters 9-11 is dispensational, emphasizing hope and segregation; and chapters 12-16 is duty, emphasizing love and service. 

Paul "has concluded the first eight chapters...put[ting] salvation on a broad basis because the entire human race is lost...Salvation [is] available to everyone on one basis alone -- faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

In this section, Paul explains who Israel is, that God is not done with Israel, and that God's remnant is always spiritual. 

This is such a deep chapter, and I do not have the time to go through McGee's commentary and pull out everything I want to share. I will conclude with my final notes:

If you want to be saved, you are the elect. If you don't, you aren't. 

Also, the humble man will come in simple faith. The natural man will try to produce salvation by natural processes or to reconcile the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man, as if the puny mind of man is capable. 

credit: Free Bible Lessons on Romans 9

 

ROMANS 8

 Believers who are in Christ Jesus will not be condemned of their past, present, or future sins because the Spirit of Christ has made them free from the law of sin and death! The Law could not do this, but God did it through His Son Jesus Christ. 

Those who live according to the flesh, are only thinking about the flesh, which is to be carnally-minded; but those who live according to the Spirit, are in the Spirit, which is life and peace. Carnally-minded men cannot please God.

The carnal mind is enmity against God...

If you have the Spirit, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is alive because of the righteousness of Christ. If you do not have the Spirit, you will die; but if you are led by the Spirit, you will live.  Also, the Spirit confirms that we are children of God, " --and if children, then heirs-- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."

Paul said we cannot compare the suffering of the present with the glory revealed in us later. Creation eagerly awaits for the revelation of God's children and the end to its own "bondage of corruption." Even the bodies of believers await the redemption of their bodies.

The Holy Spirit also helps us in our weakness, including intercessions and what to pray for.

...He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Since God is for us, there is no one bigger than Him who can be against us. God spared His own Son for us, and Jesus makes intercession for us. Therefore, nothing shall separate us from the love of God. Not tribulation or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword.  

COMMENTARY

The themes of Romans chapter 8 are sanctification, security, and no separation from God. Every believer is going to experience joy and peace in his life as he lives for God. But how, when he is still in sin?

Through the work of the Holy Spirit who is in each believer! This is the work of sanctification. 

The believer now shares his life with Christ. While believers still experience sin (since it has not been removed), he will not be condemned. But the Holy Spirit will be his guide and helper by giving him power to live obediently to God. The Spirit will fight the flesh. So turn the battle over to Him. 

The natural man is full of adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, etc., as these are the works of the flesh. These are the things the carnally-minded man practices, and he is separated from God. When a believer sins (because he is still in the flesh), his conscience should inform him and he should hate his sin and go directly to God and confess. 

If you have unconfessed sin, don't want to go to church, don't care to read the Bible, or pray, you are separated from God. But believers are led by the Spirit because they "hear His voice and He knows them and they follow Him."  

Everything works together for good, to those who love God, the "called-ones," according to His purpose. 

ELECTION

According to McGee: God's part was the saving and [McGee's] part was the sinning. "I done run from Him as fast as my sinful heart and rebellious legs could take me. He done took out after me until He run me down." 

According to Henry Ward Beecher: The elect are the whosoever wills and the non-elect are the whosoever wont's. 

And it is all according to His purpose. Whatever God does is right and good and just. He can save whomever He chooses. 

A theologian named Simeon said of Romans 8: There were three reasons why he preached on election: It laid the axe at the root of pride, presumption, and despair. There is no pride in the doctrine of election. it is God's work, His wisdom, and His purpose that is being carried out. The will of God comes down out of eternity past like a great steamroller. 

PREDESTINATION

The elected are not lost; they are the called, the predestined ones. Predestination means once God saves you, He will see it through, He will sanctify you. Sanctification is the work God does in the heart and life of each believer. "God's elect are justified sinners."

credit: Art of Hope

 

ROMANS 7

 In this chapter, Paul explained how the Law was related to faith in Christ, especially for Jewish believers, and he used marriage as an example. A woman was bound to her husband so long as he was alive, but when he died, she was no longer bound to him and could remarry. Likewise, believers in Christ are dead to the Law and are bound to Christ. In the flesh, the Law "aroused" sin "to bear fruit to death." However, now believers died to the Law and "should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter."

Then Paul showed evidence that the Law was still good and holy and just because it was through the Law that one could see his own sin. Under the Law, one desires to do good, but cannot. As Paul said:

For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice, but what I hate, that I do...For I know that in me nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do: but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.

The law of Paul's flesh and the law of his mind were in constant battle. His mind wanted to serve God, but his flesh wanted to serve the law of sin. And he said:

O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord!

COMMENTARY

This chapter is about "the shackles of a saved soul" and "the struggle of a saved soul." The Law cannot save or sanctify a believer, but it "shackles" one to sin. Even desiring a new life won't help. One must present himself to Christ, recognizing he must be joined to Him. We cannot walk the Christian life on our own. Christians must yield their lives to Christ.

Christians are delivered from the Law because no one can follow the Law. But there is nothing wrong with the Law. It reveals excessive sinfulness. It is a mirror or a way to measure yourself against God's goodness and holiness. The Law is not the problem; man is. 

Paul explained how he still (as a believer) had the old self in him (in his flesh) that wanted to sin, and that was at war with his new nature (the one that loved the Lord and wanted to serve Him). The new nature won't sin, but when a Christian sins, it is his old nature acting out. And then the new nature works like the conscience condemning the believer of his sin. 

When a man gets saved, he does not rid himself entirely of his old sin nature. It is still there. He received a new nature - true - but he struggles against his old nature. However, God will give him the strength and ability to overcome, if he yields to Him, because he cannot do it alone. 

credit: The Jesus Fellowship Centre via Facebook

 

ROMANS 6

 Paul asked if believers should continue sinning if salvation was based in God's free grace alone; but of course he said NO, because if believers were dead to sin then how shall they continue in it? Believers are baptized with Christ at His death and now identify with Him (in death and resurrection), and therefore, they "walk in newness of life."

Paul described how a believer's old nature (old man) "was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin." And if they died with Christ, they live with Him, too, because death no longer has control over Him. "...He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God."

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

He explained that to whomever or whatever they obeyed, that was whom or what they were slaves to, "whether sin leading to death, or obedience (to God) leading to righteousness." But praise God that they had been set free from sin because they obeyed the correct teaching. Now they are slaves of righteousness, that they may continue living in righteousness towards holiness.

Paul reminded them that there was no fruit in being slaves of sin, but death. But now they will have fruit of holiness and everlasting life. 

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

COMMENTARY 

Justification is an act and takes place immediately when you trust Christ. You are declared righteous and the guilt of and penalty for your sins are removed; and sanctification is a work, which God began in you and continues throughout your lifetime, removing the love, growth, and power of sin. 

In this chapter, Paul demonstrated how God takes a sinner and makes him holy. When Jesus becomes our Lord and Master, He gives us freedom from -- but not license to -- sin. 

Justification does not make a person good, but instead declares him righteous before God. So if God declares you righteous, He is going to work in you to help you stop living in sin. You cannot continue in sin because God is going to remove that power of sin. Believers still struggle with sin because they are still in their earthly bodies, but they will feel a change towards their sin; that is the power of the God working in them to overcome their sin. 

When Paul talked about baptism, he meant identity. Believers now identify with Christ. When Christ was crucified, the sins of believers were on Christ. But if you are not saved, then your sins are still on you, and you will be judged for them. Christ already took the penalty for sins of those who trust Him as Savior. Therefore, those who identify with Christ, are now living in His likeness. 

Believers who come to Christ as Savior must present or yield themselves to God for service. Even our sin nature must be yielded to God. Believe that God can do it and let Him live through you. Be obedient and live to Christ. How? Start by confessing your sin and weaknesses. 

According to McGee, there are only three ways to live: by the Law, license, or liberty. We cannot keep the Law, license, whose only fruit is shame, always leads to death, but liberty is the way to live free from sin and obedient to Christ. 

 

ROMANS 5

 Because believers have been justified by faith, they have peace with God through Jesus, having access to God in grace, and can rejoice in hope. And also they can rejoice in trials because trials produce perseverance, character, and hope because the love of God has been poured out in their hearts by the Holy Spirit...

Even while sinners were still weak, Christ died for the ungodly. Most people would not die for a righteous man or good man, but Jesus died while man was still sinning. Because of His blood, believers are justified and rescued from God's wrath. 

For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Because of Adam (the one man), sin (the offense) entered the world along with death, which spread to all men, and that offense resulted in condemnation. But through the One Man's righteous act and His obedience, this resulted in justification of life for many.

The Law entered that offense might abound, but where sin abounded, grace abounded much more; sin reigned in death, but grace reigns through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

COMMENTARY

In this chapter, Paul is telling believers that what Christ did on the cross "...delivers us from the guilt of sin...we will not come before God for judgment...an eternal home is waiting for those who have trusted Christ." 

But what about the present?

When a believer comes to Christ, these are his benefits:

1. Peace with God! No more alienation from God. No more guilt from sin!

2. Access to God in prayer. Go directly to Him!

3. Hope in God's promises and future!

4. Triumph in trials! Trials bring us into a closer and deeper relationship with God, and that brings joy and peace and patience and character and more hope!

5. Love of God brought to believers by the Holy Spirit who was given to them.

6. The Holy Spirit...our Helper! Again, He makes the love of God very concrete in a believer's heart. 

SIDEBAR: Imagine this: Jesus died for the ungodly -- His enemies, those who hated Him! Also, God did not save you with His love. He is holy and righteous, which means He must judge unrighteousness. Instead, God saves people by His grace, through faith. He loved you enough to send His Son to die for you, and that is how God demonstrates His love. When the guilt of sin was removed (through Christ's sacrifice on the cross), then He accepts repentant sinners. 

7. Deliverance from God's wrath. Believers are free from the penalty of sin. 

8. JOY in the Lord! Right now!! 

These are the benefits Paul described for those who enjoy salvation. 

SANCTIFICATION OF SAINTS

Justification is when a person is declared righteous at the moment of salvation. However, there is a process to make a person righteous by causing him or her to grow in grace and become sanctified (set apart) for God. 

Adam disobeyed God and sin entered the world, and with it death. This is how we all became sinners: 

1. We commit sin.

2. We are sinners by nature.

3. We are in a state of sin.

4. We are sinners by imputation because Adam was the federal headship of the human race.

Adam's sin was imputed to us. All mankind is lost, even little babies and civilizations of people on remote islands who never heard the gospel. All people are alienated from God. People don't want to be saved. 

But Christ is the federal head of "the new race of redeemed man, and the church is His body, a new creation."

DEATH

There are three terms of death: 

1. Physical means the body, a separation of spirit and body. 

2. Spiritual means separation from and rebellion against God, alienated from God, and dead in trespasses and sins.

3. Eternal death is eternal separation from God unless man is redeemed. 

Finally, the way sin is imputed from Adam through mankind is the same way righteousness is imputed from Christ to believers. Adam's disobedience made us all sinners with a sin nature, guilty of sin; but Christ's obedience (death and resurrection) made a way for God to declare believers righteous before Him. 

The Kingdom has been established on the cross of Christ. All other ways are sinking sand. 

DON'T BE THIS GUY

 

ROMANS 4

 Father Abraham was not justified in his flesh/works or else he could boast about himself, but not before God. Rather, the Scriptures say, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

Those who work, his wages are as a debt to be paid. But those who trust in Christ (who justifies the ungodly) his faith is equal to righteousness. Even David, who was under the Law, said: 

Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.

Paul then asked if the blessing was only for the circumcised? No, because Abraham believed while he was uncircumcised. Faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness because he believed God's promise. Therefore, he received the "seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised..."

The promise that Abraham would be heir of the world was not to him or his seed through the Law but through faith that it might be of grace for all, whether of the Law or outside the Law. Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah's womb was barren, yet, he still believed God's promise that from him would come nations of people. And his faith was strengthened. 

The promise of imputation was not for Abraham alone, but for us who believe that Jesus died for our sin and that God raised Him up from the dead.

COMMENTARY

In this chapter, Paul used Abraham, Father of the Hebrew nation, and David, the greatest Hebrew king, to demonstrate that man is a sinner, and God provided a righteousness for sinners and justification by faith. Faith was God's only requirement. Abraham was justified by faith before the Law, and David sang of justification by faith under the Law.

Any good works Abraham had done did not aid in his salvation, but were the result of his salvation, being justified by faith. For example, when he offered up his son Isaac in obedience to God's command. This was a work of faith, not flesh. 

Abraham believed in his heart that God told the truth...[His] faith was not an act, but an attitude. His heart was turned completely away from himself to God and His promise. 

 David could never be saved by the Law because David was a sinner, and he was chastened; but he knew the Lord would put away his sin. So even with the Law, David could not be saved. 

Back to Abraham, he was justified by faith in the resurrection -- life from the dead. Abraham believed God's promise to raise up a son out of the tomb of death, or the womb of Sarah. God raised up His own Son out of the tomb. Sarah's womb was like a tomb. But God brought out of it life. 

In Christ's death, He paid our debt; in His resurrection, He took out our acquittance.

Renáta Fucíková, Czech, 1964

ROMANS 3

What advantage did one have being Jewish or circumcised? A lot! For one, they had the Word of God. And if a circumcised Jew did not believe? It did not negate the faithfulness of God. 

Nonetheless, all men, both Jew and Greek, have sinned. And it was written;

There is none righteous, no not one; there is none who understand; there is non who seeks after god, they have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is non who does good, no, not one. Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known. there is no fear of God before their eyes.

The law is for those under the law, and no man will be justified because the law brings the knowledge of sin. 

But now God's righteousness through Jesus is revealed, as told previously by the Law and the Prophets, to all those who believe. 

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness...

No one can boast now because man is justified by faith, not works of the law. God is also the God of the Gentiles because there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.  

COMMENTARY

Paul asked what good circumcision was. It was an advantage to have God's word, and it meant Jews had a responsibility, as an outward sign to demonstrate to the world who God is. Paul noted that Israel's faithlessness did not revoke His future promises to them. Because the Jews failed, it does not mean God failed.

God judges sin and all mankind is under sin. Man is a sinner by his actions, man is a sinner by nature, man is a sinner by imputation; and man is under sin. 

Being righteous means to be right. To be right with God means to receive His plan for salvation. 

No one is the person he wants to be and no one seeks for God. Some time ago, God tolerated man's ignorance, but those times are gone. All men must repent now because God is no longer tolerating man's lack of knowledge.

Man has left the right way. Even primitive civilizations had an understanding of living rightly. Somewhere, man took a detour. 

Man is unprofitable (rotten)!

No one does good. Not one! If we saw ourselves the way God does, we would be disgusted, too. 

Man's mouth abounds with cursing, deceit, and fraud, and is full of mischief and vanity. He is attracted to evil. Everything in his wake is destruction and misery. He does not understand how to make peace. And he has no fear of God. 

Bottom line: man cannot attain righteousness through the Mosaic Law. The Law is only good to reveal man as the sinner that he is. 

THE GOOD NEWS

God demands and then provides the righteousness for us, through Christ -- apart from the Law.  

That righteousness which the Father required, the Son became, and the Holy Spirit convinces of, and faith secures. - Dr. Brooks

The object of our faith is Christ. His blood and merit save us. By His grace we are saved. 

It is FAITH IN HIS BLOOD (His life --). The life of the flesh is in the blood. 

ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS COME (TO CHRIST). IF YOU COME, HE SAVES YOU WHOLEHEARTEDLY, ABUNDANTLY. HE ACCEPTS US (not the other way around).

Finally, God gave the Jews the Law. Obviously, they could not keep the Law, which was why there had to be a sacrifice (of a lamb), which was provided in faith. The sacrifice always pointed to the coming Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who would be the propitiation for sin. And today, this is how we are saved, through faith in His sacrifice.

Paul Writing His Epistles - 1618-20

 

ROMANS 2

 Paul said that man has no excuse to judge others because however he judges, he too can be judged. But God's judgment is always right. Do not think you will escape His judgment. 

Paul asked if they (the church at Rome) thought so little of God's kindness, sufferance, and patience, which leads man to repentance? But because of man's hard heart, he is storing up punishment in the day of God's wrath. 

God will reward those (who do right) with eternal life, seeking glory, honor, and immortality; but God will punish those who are self-seeking, disobey truth with indignation, wrath, tribulation, and anguish. Only those who do what is right will be justified, for the Jew first and also the Greek. 

There is no partiality with God.

The Gentiles, who sin without the law will perish without the law; they do things by nature and are a law unto themselves, though the law was written on their hearts. However, the Jews have the law, boast in God, know His will, are a guide to others, and have knowledge and truth in the law. But they are hypocrites! They steal, commit adultery, and commit adultery. They dishonor God by breaking His law and mislead the Gentiles. 

Circumcision, if the law is honored, is worthy; but is nothing if the law is broken. If an uncircumcised men keeps the law, is he not counted as circumcised? And can he judge the circumsized? It is as if he were a Jew on the inside because circumcision is of the heart -- in the spirit, not the law -- whose praise comes from God.

COMMENTARY

In this chapter, overall, Paul is not referring to salvation, but how God will judge men accordingly because of their sins. 

First of all, rejection of Jesus is immediate judgment from God. Paul told the Jews that they may be religious and have the law, or you may be Greek and be a "good person," but without Christ, all will be lost. 

Now, when man judges others, he is acting as judge. Paul said that when man judges, he is using his own  standards. But God says that He has the right to judge man by His standards. And God's standards are right. Therefore, judgment using God's standards without Christ will be dreadful. 

God is good and His goodness should humble us. The wicked will face God's wrath. 

God will also judge believers according to their works. First, believers will receive the gift of eternal life, but then the works they do as a believer will be judged. "Men are not saved by the light they have; they are judged by the light they have." And Jews will be held to a higher standard because they had an advantage over the Gentiles.

Circumcision was part of the Mosaic system like baptism of the church. It is an outward expression, but it is useless if a person does not demonstrate evidence of belief or salvation. 

If man were judged by his own standards...

 

ROMANS 1

Paul addressed the Christians in Rome. He referred to himself as "called to be an apostle" and "separated to the gospel of God," which he noted was "promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." 

Whew.

And then he added that so too were the recipients of this letter "called of Jesus Christ" and "called to be saints."

Paul also told them that he prayed always for them and was seeking a way to come to them. He often tried to come but "was hindered" by the Spirit though he is ready to preach the gospel to them and all in Rome.  He declared, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes..." 

The just shall live by faith.

Then he talked about the wrath of God. God has revealed Himself to men in creation, "His invisible attributes are clearly seen"...and are "without excuse." But man suppresses the truth and is ungrateful, so that their "foolish hearts were darkened." Man proclaims to be wise, but he is a fool. He even worships created things instead of God. 

Therefore, God permits them to worship the lust of their hearts by dishonoring themselves with one another and exchanging the truth for a lie. God gives them over to their abominable passions for the same sex so that they suffer the consequences. 

Because they do not want to know God, He gives them over to their perverted mindset and to continue practicing these wicked thoughts and behaviors:

• filled with unrighteousness
• sexual immorality
• wickedness
• covetousness
• maliciousness
• full of envy 
• murder
• strife
• deceit
• evil
• gossip
• backbiters
• hating God
• violent
• proud
• boasting
• inventing evil ideas
• disobedient to parents
• undiscerning
• untrustworthy
• unloving
• unforgiving
• unmerciful

And this goes for those who may not practice such behaviors, but encourage and defend those who do.

COMMENTARY

According to McGee, the Book of Romans teaches the total depravity of man who is "irrecoverably and hopelessly lost." Man has no righteousness of his own apart from God's righteousness. Man does not pursue God, nor does he understand God. God will never force us to serve Him; we must come willingly. It is His decision to call us, and He will only use those whom He calls.

The gospel was promised by the prophets from the Old Testament. God loves mankind and provides a way to save mankind. It is a loving relationship with Him. He loves us and gave Himself for us. "Grace is God's method of salvation." 

THE CALLED/ELECT

The called are the elect. They are the ones who have heard the call. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27). "He calls, and you answer. If you have answered, you are among the elect, one of the called of Jesus Christ." These are called saints, ones set apart for Him. Saints exalt Jesus Christ, when He becomes their Savior. It is not our behavior that makes us a saint, but rather our faith in Jesus Christ. Are you set apart for Him? 

Paul was not ashamed of the gospel because it has the power of God unto salvation, and he was obliged to God and the world to share the good news, which he received from God. The gospel is to everyone, regardless of who. It is personal and individual --- "whosoever will may come." Open to all, but limited by those who will believe.

According to Dr. Stifler: the effect of the gospel = salvation; the extent of the gospel = worldwide, everyone; and the condition of the gospel = faith in Jesus Christ.

The just shall live by faith: "God places a lost sinner in Christ, and He see him in Christ. The believer is absolutely accepted because of what Christ has done for him. The only method of procuring this righteousness is by faith." Justification (by faith) is when a sinner trusts Christ and may stand before God complete in Christ and His righteousness. 

THE WRATH OF GOD

As per McGee, the wrath of God is God's feeling about sin, not His punishment of sin. It is His holy anger. When we die, we will experience God's righteousness or His wrath. 

By the way, man is not improving himself, nor is he improving the world. Man is moving further from God. Man has knowledge of God, but he turns away from God. Paul lists what man was up to in his time, and it is still true today. 

• Man does not glorify God
• Is ungrateful
• Is vain
• Foolish heart is darkened
• Thinks he is wise, but is really a fool
• worships creation instead of the Creator

Man has hardened his heart against God and God has relinquished him over to his depraved practices, passions of dishonor, disgrace, depravity, and gross immorality. Even those who promote these bahviors will be condemned. 

Paul Writing Epistle to the Romans 

 

LUKE 24

 On the first day of the week, in the early morning, the women went (with the prepared spices) to the tomb and found it empty. The body of Jesus Christ was not there. Instead two men in shining garments stood by, and the women were afraid. The men asked why they sought the living among the dead. "He is not here, but is risen!" They reminded them that He said the Son of Man would be delivered and crucified and rise the third day. And they remembered. 

The women told the disciples, but they thought they were "idle tales." However, Peter ran to the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying by themselves, marveling at what happened.

Meanwhile, two men were walking from Jerusalem when Jesus joined them in conversation, asking what they were discussing. One of them asked how He could not know what had happened. And they explained to Him about Jesus who did mighty deeds, how the religious rulers condemned Him to death and crucified Him. They had expected Him to redeem Israel, and now women in their company reported His body was missing from the tomb and that they saw angels who said He was alive. 

Jesus called them foolish because they had not believed the prophets: that Jesus had to suffer these things to enter into His glory, such as the things spoken of from Moses and all the prophets, in the Scriptures. 

Jesus stayed with them awhile and broke bread with them, and as their eyes were opened, they realized it was Him, but He vanished. They declared that their hearts had burned within them while He opened the Scriptures to them. They immediately returned to Jerusalem and told the eleven disciples, 

He is risen indeed! 

Suddenly, Jesus appeared to them all in the room, saying, "Peace to you." They were afraid, and Jesus asked why they had doubts in their hearts. "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." Then they ate with Him.

Jesus told them that the things that happened were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Him. 

And He opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

He told them that it was necessary for Him to suffer and rise from the dead the third day and that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." 

Then He sent them to Jerusalem to await the promise and power of the Holy Spirit. He walked with them until Bethany, blessed them, and then ascended to heaven. They worshipped Him and continued to Jerusalem with great joy. 

COMMENTARY

"The Bible can only be divinely understood. Human intellect is simply not enough to comprehend its truths." The Lord opened their understanding (of the Scriptures) that they might understand. In 1 Cor. 2:14, Paul said, "But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Only the Holy Spirit can make them real to us. Again, in order to understand the Bible you have to have the Holy Spirit open your mind and heart. 

The gospel message from Jesus to His disciples and to the world was that Jesus died and rose again from the dead, and that by trusting Him, sinners could be saved. The power of the Holy Spirit, through His disciples and all believers would carry the message to the ends of the earth. 

Supper at Emmaus - Stom, 1632

 

LUKE 23

The multitude took Jesus to Pilate, accusing Him of "perverting the nation" and discouraging the people from paying taxes to Caesar, which were absolute lies. They also said that Jesus claimed to be Christ, "A" King, as opposed to THE King. Thence, Pilate asked Jesus if He was King of the Jews, and Jesus said: "It is as you say."

Pilate was not threatened by Jesus and found no fault in Him, but the religious rulers were relentless. When Pilate learned that Jesus was a Galilean, he sent Jesus to Herod, hoping to relinquish himself of such judgment. Herod was glad to meet Jesus because he had heard much about Him, hoping Jesus would perform a miracle, but Jesus would not answer any of Herod's questions. Instead, Herod mocked Jesus and sent Him back to Pilate decked in a "gorgeous robe." From then on, Herod and Pilate were good buddies. 

Back in Pilate's hands, he explained to the religious rulers that he found no fault in Jesus concerning the issues they had accused Him of, and neither did Herod. He was not deserving of the death penalty. Pilate said the most he would do was chastise Jesus and let Him go. But the rulers threw a tantrum and asked for Barabbas, a murderer and a man who actually incited upheavals and rebellions. But I digress.

Again Pilate tried, but the people shouted: "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" Pilate asked, "Why? What evil has He done?" Again they insisted, and Pilate did not want a riot on his hands. Therefore, he sentenced Jesus to death, as they had demanded, and released the real rebel. 

Leading Jesus away, they had Simon bear Jesus' cross. A multitude of women followed and cried out to Him, but Jesus told them, "Daughters of Jerusalem (as a message directly to Jerusalem), do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren...!' Then they will begin to say to the mountain, 'Fall on us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!' "

Then they crucified Jesus. The soldiers divided His garments, cast lots, and mocked Him, while people stood looking on. Even the rulers mocked Him: "He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He is the Christ, the chosen of God." Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." They also added an inscription over Him, in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS, kind of mocking the Jewish nation, as well. 

Two criminals were nailed to crosses, one on either side of Jesus. One of the criminals blasphemed Jesus and told Him to save Himself and them. But the other criminal rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? We are indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he asked Jesus to remember him in His kingdom. Therefore, Jesus assured him that "...today you will be with Me in Paradise." 

Then there was darkness over the earth and the veil of the temple was torn in two. Jesus cried out, "Father, into You hands I commit My spirit," and breathed His last breath. 

Joseph, a council member of the Sanhedrin, asked Pilate for the body of Christ, took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a new tomb in the rock. The women had watched and observed where He was laid, returned to prepare spices for His body for the next day, but first they rested on the Sabbath.

COMMENTARY

The religious rulers knew they could not convince the Roman governor Pilate to punish Jesus with death for breaking Mosaic Law; therefore, they accused Him of treason against Rome. But even Pilate did not buy it. 

Regarding the women whom Jesus called "Daughters of Jerusalem": Jesus did not want their (or our) sympathy; He wanted their (and our) faith. Instead, He warned of the coming Tribulation when it will be better for one to not have children, particularly for Jerusalem. 

The sign above Jesus on the cross is actually accurate because the Hebrew represented religion, the Greek represented knowledge, and the Latin represented the law. When Jesus returns to set up His kingdom, He will truly be our political ruler, educational ruler, and spiritual ruler of the world. Forever. 

About the thieves on the cross: both were arrested, tried, and punished for theft. There was no difference. Both were not fit to live, according to Roman law. But one thief had faith to believe that the Lord Jesus would set up a kingdom, after His death. Whether he understood that before the cross or figured it out while hanging there for a few hours...the point is, that day, he believed and the other did not. And he was saved and changed immediately.

Notice that Jesus GAVE UP His life (His spirit). He did not struggle to death; He yielded His spirit to God. 

The Crucifixion - Fra Angelico, 1423 

 

LUKE 22

 It was the Passover, and the chief priests and scribes sought how to kill Jesus. Satan had entered Judas, and he approached the religious rulers with a plot to betray Him (away from the multitudes), which they agreed to pay him for.

At the Passover meal, Jesus met with His twelve disciples in the upper room and said He longed to eat with them before He suffered, and that He will "no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."

Then He gave thanks and broke bread, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." He also took the cup, gave thanks, and said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which i sshed for you."

Then Jesus announced that His betrayer was with them at the table, and they all questioned which one it was. Next, they argued over who will be greatest in heaven, to which Jesus explained that the Gentiles act this way, but not so for His disciples. "Let...he who governs as he who serves." Jesus also told them that He is bestowing a kingdom upon them, and they will sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 

Jesus told Peter that He prayed for him because Satan was pursuing him, but Peter said he was ready to die for his Lord; Jesus told him that before the rooster crows, Peter will deny he knows Jesus three times. 

Jesus also told them to prepare for a long journey and what they need, including a sword for protection. 

For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me! And He was numbered with the transgressors. For the things concerning Me have an end. 

Next, they went to the Mount of Olives, and Jesus sat a ways from His disciples to pray, asking His Father to remove the cup from Him; "nevertheless, not my will, but Yours, be done." He was administered to angels to strengthen Him. He was in agony and sweat drops of blood. Then He saw His disciples sleeping, and He told them to pray lest they enter into temptation. 

Judas then showed up with a multitude and betrayed Jesus with a kiss. One of the disciples struck a servant of the high priest with a sword and cut off his ear. But Jesus healed his ear. Jesus pointed out that the multitude came with clubs and spears when He taught in the temple daily and they did not try to seize Him then; but they preferred the cover of darkness. 

They arrested Jesus and took Him to the high priest and Peter followed them. It was then that he was identified as a follower of Jesus by three people and denied the accusations, realizing that he did exactly as the Lord said. Then Peter wept bitterly in sorrow. 

Meanwhile, Jesus was mocked and beat. They blindfolded Him and struck Him and blasphemed Him. They asked Him if He was the Christ, but He knew they would not believe what He said. They asked again, and He said, "You rightly say that I am." And that was enough for them. 

COMMENTARY

Note that Jesus used two of the most delicate elements as symbols of His body and blood. Bread and wine will spoil in a few days. When we eat of these, we remember what He did on the cross.

Some believe that Judas left before the institution of the Lord's Supper, and McGee believes this to be correct. Luke does not give a chronological order of events. During the supper, when Jesus announced that one of them would betray Him, they all knew they were capable of doing so, and questioned who. We are all capable of doing so; if it were not for the Lord to keep us.

And not only were they inclined to betrayal, but they also wanted to know who would be greater in heaven. Jesus set them straight with His example of being a servant. He even took our place on the cross. He served mankind, and He set the table of salvation and invited us. For His apostles, they will sit on thrones and judge the tribes of Israel. 

All believers will have a responsibility in heaven, but it will be according to our works on earth. We are all given talents, abilities, and gifts at the time of salvation, and what we do with these gifts will determine how we are rewarded in heaven. It is not a judgement, nor is it a determinant of salvation. It is a reward for faithfulness with the gifts God bestowed in our care. 

When Jesus prayed that God would remove the cup from Him, it was not that He was afraid to die, but it was the repulsion of the cup He was about to drink, the repulsion of our sin. If we only knew how much so, we would understand the weight of this punishment. 

Jesus died for our eternal liberty. He loved a lost world so much that He went to hell itself to offer mankind salvation. And the world rejects Him. Why? 

After His illegal arrest in the cover of night without a true charge, the religious rulers put Him in the authority of the soldiers who cruelly mistreated Him. In the end, the Sanhedrin wanted Him condemned for admitting to be the Christ. Although, once in Roman hands, the charge was to be changed. How convenient. 

Jesus About to be Struck in Front of Former High Priest Annas - Madrazo, 1803

 

LUKE 21

 Jesus was in the temple when he observed the rich and a poor woman giving to the treasury. The rich gave out of their abundance and the poor woman gave out of her poverty all the livelihood that she had. 

His disciples remarked about the beautifully adorned temple, and Jesus replied that one day "these things which you see --- the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down." His disciples asked when will this happen?

Jesus warned them not to be deceived, "For many will come in My name saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them. But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately." 

Nation will rise against nation...there will be great earthquakes...and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you...wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents...and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls. 

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near...For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled...And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 

 Then Jesus talked about His Second Coming: There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and in the sea and of the nations on earth, there will be great distress. Men's hearts will fail from fear and expectation of those things, "for the powers of heaven will be shaken."

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and life your heads, because your redemption draws near. 

 Next, Jesus used the parable of the fig tree: when they are budding, you know that summer is near. So when you see the things He just described happening, the kingdom of God is near. 

Heaven and earth will pass away but My words will by no means pass away.

He warned again not to be distracted with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this world because that Day will come unexpectedly. 

Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.

COMMENTARY

Regarding the rich giving to the treasury out of their abundance and the poor woman giving all of her livelihood, God looks at the sacrifice and how much we keep back for ourselves. 

Then the disciples wanted to direct His attention to the wealth and value of the temple. But Jesus wanted them to know that it would all be gone. So they asked when.

This section of Luke corresponds with the Olivet Discourse in Matthew and Mark. In Matthew's and Mark's gospels, the question posed was "What is the sign of Your coming?" and "the end of the age?" In Luke's gospel, he emphasizes that "there shall not be left one stone upon another," which is the destruction of Jerusalem. The question: when shall these things be (no stone left upon another), is no longer prophecy but history. This occurred in A. D. 70.

Some of the disciples present to hear the answer to the question would have likely still be alive these 40 years later to see the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus and would remember Jesus' words. (Of course, this similar destruction will occur in the Great Tribulation period, too, after the temple is rebuilt.)

Jesus described the characteristics of the times, and even now: there will be false Christs, wars, famines, illnesses, earthquakes, and fearful sights from heaven, which will probably intensify as we get closer to Jesus' coming. 

Then Jesus said, regarding the nation Israel and persecutions, "...they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prison..." which did happen to the disciples. 

And the betrayal by parents and family and friends...hated by all men for my name's sake, McGee said this verse refers to the 144,000 Jews who will be indestructible during the time of the Great Tribulation Period. I did not confirm. 

From the time of the first destruction of the temple (and likely before) we have been living in the times of the Gentiles. When those times are fulfilled, Jesus will return. But just before then, there will be great signs in the sky and great distress on earth. Again, this will be during the Great Tribulation.

The Destruction of the Temple - Colman, 1835