Week 27

Romans 11:1-15

Discussion question: Why does Paul ask the question in v1 hasn’t he already shown and proven this point back in chapter 9?

Leader: for your review:
Not necessarily, the question is different. In chapter 9, Paul showed that God’s word had not failed because not all Israel is the true Israel as was shown through Isaac/Ishmael, Jacob/Esau. Paul showed that God chose His own people on a person by person basis and not as an entire nation/people group. Now he is answering the next human question that would come up, if God has chosen His people on a person by person basis and the Jews have rejected Christ, does that mean that God has now moved on from Israel and gone to the Gentiles and rejected the Jews?

Discussion question: Why does Paul bring up the fact that he is a Jew in v1, is it only to prove his point that God has not rejected His people?

Discussion question: Now that we know why Paul asked the question in v1, how exactly does he answer it? What is the answer and the explanation?

Leader: for your review:
Paul shows that God always keeps His remnant of people and uses the story of Elijah as an example. He shows that God will keep His people even when others have turned away. He is implying, without stating, that God will keep His remnant amongst the Jews while He brings the message of salvation to the Gentiles even though many Jews may reject it. This brings up the idea of Israel verses the Church. Are the two separate, is the church today what Israel was in the OT, are Jews who know Christ part of the church, will Israel be joined in with the church? This question will come up again at the end of chapter 11.

Discussion question: Who/What is the remnant during the present time in v5?

Leader: for your review
The question seems to be a continuation of what was said back at the end of chapter 9 when Paul quotes Isaiah. It may be that chapter 10 was a “tangent” that Paul took and then he brings it back in the beginning of chapter 11. Paul is also setting up the discussion for Israel which he concludes at the end of chapter 11. This idea of a remnant has been around since God began His work of creation/redemption. We saw it in the story of Noah, then Abraham’s descendants, then those that followed Moses, then those who would find the book of the Law during the kings of Israel, then God’s prophets during the captivity, in Acts when Jews would come to a knowledge of Christ. Now we are seeing it during our times, the Reformation, etc. It is an amazing story and testimony. God always has His remnant who follow after Him even when everyone else turns. Look up 1 Kings 18-19 for the story of Elijah.

Discussion question: Why does Paul add v6, it seems out of place?

Leader: for your review
This could be a reminder or a setup for v7-10 to show again why the Jews have not attained salvation.

Leader: for your review
The greek word used in v7 for hardened is a very strong word, only used in a few other places in the NT (when the disciples argued over what Jesus meant when he said beware of the leaven of the Pharisees). It means to grow over calloused, or petrify. An example would be, when a bone breaks and it is not set properly, the bone will grow back connected but will grow this extra layer of hard material to harden the bone. Paul is using it to show how strong the hardening is.

Discussion question: In v8-10 it seems God causes those whom He hardens to have a spirit of stupor, eyes to see not and ears to hear not and this again brings up the question of God’s sovereignty but this time we see in v4 that God’s chosen people were those who haven’t bowed the knee to Baal, implying God chose them based on something they did (or in this case didn’t do), how do we reconcile this? Can we reconcile this?

Discussion question: What is the application of this in our lives?

Leader: for your review
The application question of this might be held off until the end of chapter 11 when we see God’s place for Israel to be grafted in. But, this should give us hope in that God’s plan will be carried out (Isaiah 55:11) and that He was gracious to allow those who aren’t Jews to be a part of His plan.

Week 28; part II

Romans 11:16-32

Leader: for your review. This discussion was a continuation from Week 28.

Rev 13:8 – All who dwell on earth will worship him (the beast), everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. (also see Rev 17:8)

Rev 20:15 – And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

So these verses address the book of life that was written at the beginning of time and is looked at on the day of judgment. If a book was written by Jesus at the beginning of time before man existed, how could we possibly be “saved” at some point and then “unsaved” at another point? How can we “loose” our salvation? Our names are either in the book or out of the book at the beginning of time. But, backing up a few verses in Rev 20 and verse 12, we see there are other books in addition to the book of life that have a record of every deed ever done by every human. “and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds (v12).” So, we are judged according to our deeds in these books and Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned so certainly every human as at least one sin in these books. So, how are we to stand on the day of judgment, how is our name to be found in the book of life when every sin we commit is painstakingly recorded so that God can be just when He judges us on the last day? “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

Discussion question: Given the passage from vv17-24, what does this tell us about the Church or the body of Christ? Are there two roots and in essence two ways to God? Do/Did the Jews have their own way to God that was changed into the Christian way to God after Christ’s death and resurrection?

Discussion question: What is the sequence of events taking place in vv25-26? Does this mean that some Jews were saved and then no Jews are saved while the Gentiles are saved and then Jews start being saved again?

Discussion question: What does v28 describe our attitude towards Jews to be?

Discussion question: How can we see God’s plan at work in vv30,31?

Discussion question: What does v32 mean?

Week 17

Romans 8:1

Leader: This week should be spent discussing the first seven chapters of Romans and bringing up issues that were good discussions or were helpful or difficult to get through. Romans 8:1 is such an important verse and it is a great place to just pause for a week and dwell on.

Overview of Romans Chapters 1-7

Chapter 1

1-15 Paul introduces himself because he did not start the church at Rome, gives background to the Gospel, gives thanks for them at Rome, says he is writing to the believers at Rome, probably mostly Jewish converts at Rome.

16-17 Thesis statement is made, this theme is seen almost everywhere in the letter to the Romans. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.’”

18-32 God has made Himself known to all men, but man has exchanged what is Glorious for what is corrupted and so God has given them over to their degrading passions.

Chapter 2

1-16 There is no partiality with God, Jews and Gentiles alike will be judged for their deeds

17-29 Even the Jews, who follow the Law to the letter, have not understood the spirit of the Law, for it is not outward circumcision that saves, but rather inward circumcision.

Chapter 3

1-2 So what advantage is there to being a Jew? Jews were entrusted with the knowledge of God.

3-4 But the Jewish religion is built upon this law, if some don’t believe in Jesus, wouldn’t that nullify God’s promise to save them? Never! Let an entire religion be found false, let every man be found to be a liar and God be found true.

5-8 But if man needs to be so evil that God may be seen as good, is God wrong for judging us? Or, put another way, if we have to sin so God has something to save us from, why not go on sinning even more so that good may come from it? It’s not even worth refuting such nonsense.

9-31 So, are some then better than others? Not at all, for there is not one who is just, not one seeks after God, all have turned away from God. All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. But God has looked over the sins of the past knowing that Christ would come and be the justifier of all who believe. So there is no boasting in works, for man is justified apart from the works of the Law. Therefore, we don’t nullify the Law by our faith, but rather, we establish it.

Chapter 4

1-25 Take Abraham, for example, he did not have the Law, but it was written, “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Just like when you work, your wage is not a favor, but is due to you for your work. But to the one who believes, his faith is credited as righteousness. So Abraham believed and the promise was made to him that his descendants would reign while he was uncircumcised, and circumcision was given to seal the promise.

Chapter 5

1-11 So we have been justified and from this we gain our hope, our hope comes from the fact that it is not our doing but God’s, just look at the example He gave us, while we were completely helpless, Christ died for us. God sent His son to die for us while we were even enemies of God, this is our hope!

12-21 Look at how powerful Christ’s death was, sin came into the world through one man, Adam, and it spread to all men so that all are guilty just because they are men, now there is another event, Christ’s death, that came into the world and saved the world from the consequences of sin. So one act had the power to count all men as guilty, and one act had the power to forgive guilt. So the Law is given to show our guilt, but because of our guilt, grace is made all the more powerful.

Chapter 6

1-23 So if our sins bring about grace, shouldn’t we sin more to bring about more grace? No, don’t you see that you have died to sin? To gain this life that Christ promises us, we have to be baptized into His death so that we can be baptized into His life and being baptized into His death shows us that we are no longer who we once were. Our old selves are dead, let your old ways die as well. Don’t go on in your old ways, for you have died and are now in Christ. You don’t want to be enslaved to sin again do you? The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Chapter 7

1-13 Take the example of the law of marriage. A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives, if she joins with another while her husband is alive, she is found guilty of adultery, but if he dies she is free to join another. So you were made to die to one, sin, so that you can be joined to another, Jesus. We see that the law seems to arouse sin in our lives, but the law is not sin, rather it is the way we can know what sin is. Sin uses the law to deceive us, it uses what is good to make us do evil. But it is not the law that is the cause of evil and death, but rather it is sin working through the law.

14-25 The law is spiritual, it came from God, but we are flesh, in bondage to sin. I can see it at work when I want to do good, but don’t. I agree with what is good, I agree with the law, but the sin that dwells in me is evil and causes me to do evil. I can see then that there is nothing good in me and now there is a struggle because I want to do good, but can’t. Wretched man that I am, who will set me free?? Praise and thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Condensed Overview by Chapter:

1. Introduction, thesis, corruption of man
2. Condemnation of Jews and Greeks
3. All man is evil and deserving of death, but God have forgiven all who believe in Him and not their works
4. Evidence given that this is true
5. Sin came in through one man, and through one man it’s power is broken
6. Consider your old selves dead and the power to live your life to God in Christ
7. Sin no longer has power over us, but it still causes us to struggle

Topics discussed during the study:

• Power of the Gospel
• Do all men know God
• Does the Law save/ if one kept the Law could he be saved
• Is man dead spiritually until God awakens him
• Does anyone know God on his own
• Free will
• Does God deal with men differently than women
• Is there an age of accountability
• What if people have never heard of Christ
• What if people are too young to understand
• Who works first, God or man
• Are we sinners because we sin or do we sin because we’re sinners
• How do we go about santification
• Why does the Gospel, forgiveness of all sins past and future, produce people who don’t want to sin instead of people who say “anything goes now”
• How were OT people saved
• Predestination
• Depravity
• Election

Chapter 8

8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Discussion question: Does 8:1 flow logically from 7:25? What is the “therefore” there for?

Leader: for your review:

8:1 seems to be the end of a very long comma separated sentence. Looking at 1:18-3:20 is very condemning, then 21-24 offer the sweetest sound our fallen ears can hear, then a semicolon appears after verse 24 and a long argument is brought up showing proof of faith being counted as righteousness in the old testament (3:25-4:22), then present time is brought back in (4:23-25) to explain our hope and foundation for sanctification (5:1-7:25). Then 8:1 comes back in, which, among other passages in Romans, is so fitting an ending for 3:24.

Leader: the following is an attempt to show how 8:1 seems to be a constant theme that runs throughout the book of Romans. By inserting 8:1 after a series of verses we can see how it is meant to give us comfort, encouragement, and hope as we read the book. All passages are from the book of Romans:

1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

2:9-11 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11For there is no partiality with God.8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

3:20-21 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. 21But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

4:7-9 “BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. 8″BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.” 9Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

4:20-21 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21and being fully assured that what God had promised, 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus., He was able also to perform.

5:1 Therefore, having been justified, 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus., we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 5:3-5 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 6:2 How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 6: 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 6:12-14 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 6:18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 6:22-23 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 7:6 now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

Discussion question: We are counted as righteous, why are we so unable to grasp this? Why is it that we really don’t believe that we are seen as righteous before God and not just forgiven?

John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.”

Week 8

Romans 4:1-12

Why does Paul bring up justification by faith again? What “new” argument is he bringing up?

Paul brings up Abraham being justified by faith. How is this a great way of approaching apologetics? How can we use this same methodology with unbelievers?It is interesting to note in Gen 15:1 KJV, “I am thy exceeding great reward”

Why is boasting so bad? james 4:6, Psalm 138:6, prov 3:34

What is Paul’s point in bringing up Abraham, specifically, going through the time sequence of events from when Abraham was told, to when he was circumcised?

What is the significance of v11?
Lev 18:5 vs Deut 30:12-14

v20: grow strong & giving glory to God. Why does our growing strong give God glory?

Week 4

Romans 2:17-29

Overview

Paul tells them what they are, they are Jews, instructed out of the Law to tell others about God, they know the will of God, they know the essential things to do to please God, they know how to guide others to God, they know how to correct those who are ignorant, all taken from their intense study of the Law. But it seems that their study of the Law has led them only to knowing how to teach others, and not themselves. They know how to explain the things of the Law, but they didn’t explain it to themselves. Jesus said to do as the Pharasies say but not as they do. But it doesn’t seem like the Pharasies would steal like they tell others not to steal (bread, possessions, etc.), it doesn’t seem like they would commit adultery or take idols from temples, they wouldn’t be caught dead in a Pagan temple where there are idols. Paul is attacking the things done against God’s Glory (idolatry, adultery, theft) in the more spiritual sense. Then he asks, if they boast in the Law, if they use the Law as a light to the ignorant and a guide to the blind, why do they dishonor God by breaking it? They missed the point, the point of the Law was to show that no one could possibly measure up to God, but they only saw it as how others couldn’t measure up to God. No where in God’s Law does it say that if you know the Law, you will be saved. So Paul says that the Greeks blaspheme the name of God because the Jewish teachers/leaders have an attitude that they are better, that they have been given the Law by God Himself, yet they are no better off than any other nation, they are really no different than anyone else.

So, Paul has touched on the Law and says that even though the Jews have the Law, they are still no different, the Gentiles still don’t see any difference. So maybe the Jew would say, “but we are circumsized, we have this covenant with God.” To which Paul answers that their circumcision has become uncircumcision if they don’t keep the Law. That their outward symbol of being God’s Holy people actually shows that they are NOT God’s Holy people if they break the Law. For circumcision is just a symbol of being God’s chosen people for two reasons: women without husbands can be God’s people (men without the means for circumcision as well), the Gentiles who keep the Law can be God’s chosen. Men can see circumcision, only God can see the heart. So Paul is replacing the notion of being a Jew because one is born and raised in the Law with the fact that one is a Jew who is one inwardly, that is, one who keeps the Law in matters of both the heart and outward acts.

Overview:
Ch 1, everyone knows God, those who choose to ignore Him, God gives them over to their lusts.
Ch 2:1-16 Paul says evil doers will be punished, those who do good will be saved (Jew or Greek).
Ch 2:17-29 some Jews (who have the Law) still do evil, some Greeks (who don’t have the Law) still do good.
So, he seems to be going back and forth, maybe there are some who do good? Clarity coming in Ch 3

Deut 6:5 – Greatest commandment, Deut 10:12
Who is Paul addressing here?

It seems like Paul has addressed this issue before (2:13), there is a reason he is going back over it in more detail…there is another issue he wants to take up against the Jews, he has already leveled the playing field by condemning both Jew and Greek, but now it seems he’s going after a certain group within the Jews.

What does Paul seem to emphasize when he tells them they know the essential things, the will, they are a light, etc? The Law.

Now Paul gets into a list of things the Jews do, do these sound like good or bad things to do?

With the list of things they teach, but do, do you think the teachers of the Law actually do these things?

So, if they know the Law (which is good) and they can help others in the ways of the Law (which is also good) and they don’t do the bad things, what is Paul accusing them of?

Relying upon the Law: Micah 3:11, John 5:45

What, in essence, have the Jews, the teachers, then done with the Law? Isaiah 6:9,10

Do you think everyone who believes in God will be saved? These Jews certainly believed in God, they believed in the Law that He gave, what did they miss? Hos 6:6, Is 1:11

Jer 6:19-20 – People can reject God’s Law even if they “keep” it. So, how can we reject “Christ” even if we believe in Him? Matt 12:50 1 John 3:10 Matt 7:15-23 Matt 15:1-14

Ez 36:20-38 is the reference Paul makes here or Is 52:5. Why does Paul, after telling the Jews that they have become lawbreakers because they know the Law but don’t practice it, bring up how God is dishonored amongst the Gentiles because of them?

In v20 how can Christians cause the name of God to be blasphemed? What does Jesus have to say about this: Matt 5:16

Circumcision – Gen 17, John 7:22, Deut 30:6, Deut 10:16

How is circumcision of value if you practice the Law? Could we say the same thing about baptism?

What is uncircumcision?

How do we know circumcision is just a symbol?

What does the last verse get into? Heb 4:12,13

Week 3

Romans 2

Who is Paul talking to here? v2 and v17 seem to imply he is addressing the Jews

We know judgment falls rightly, those who know God.

Why do you think Paul would bring up this point? What is he getting at? non-jews have been condemned previously, now Jews, he is clearing the floor of anyone trying to win salvation by any means other than God (works or blood relatives).

If he is talking to Jews in v3, does this apply to us? How have we seen/done this today?

What is v4 trying to say about the riches of His kindness? Are they not rich enough to save everyone?

How does the kindness of God lead us to repentance?

v6 Prov 24:12 – not quoted directly?

what do v6-16 say about works? what does James say about works? What does Isaiah say? 64:6

What do there verses say about the Law?

If we perish with or without the Law, what does that say about the Law?

How can we use v14-15 in bringing the Gospel to others?

What does Paul mean by “my” Gospel?

How can we define “The Law” after reading these verses? What is the Law really if a Gentile performs it but does not know of it?

Deut 28:15, 8:19, Lev 26:14