Book of Romans
1-4-2012 Vol. 6 Part 8
Psalms 55:1-7 NKJV To the Chief Musician. With Stringed Instruments. A Contemplation of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication. Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily, Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me, And in wrath they hate me. My heart is severely pained within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me. So I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness. Father we praise you, we give you all the glory. We thank you for all you provide to us. We thank you for this mild winter we are having so far. We ask that you bless us with good health and a kind and loving heart. In the name of Jesus of we pray! Amen!
Romans 2:17-24
Romans 2:17-24 NKJV Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For "THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU," as it is written.
This lesson tells us how it is possible to have all the right information and still apply it incorrectly and fall way short of a spiritual relationship with God. This lesson goes hand in hand with verse 13 in chapter 2 which states, “for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified.” In verses 1:18-32 Paul addressed the heathen, in 2:1-16 he addressed the hypocrites, and now in 2:17-24 he addresses the Hebrews/Israelites/Jews. Paul demonstrates that they are just as guilty before God.
Verse 17-20: Paul starts out by appealing to the Jews in who they are, what they stand for, what God has done for them, etc. His first statement to them is, “you are a Jew.” What does he mean Jew? Where did this name come from? Does it mean the same as Hebrew or Israelite? Jew originated from the tribe of Judah and came from the patriarch Judah. It was given to one belonging to the tribe of Judah or to the separate kingdom of Judah. It set this tribe apart from the other tribes. The tribe of Judah and Benjamin was preserved from the exile of captivity unlike the other ten tribes. Why was this, these two tribes were spared from captivity? The tribe of Benjamin was small in number compared to the other 11 tribes due to numerous civil wars they had with the other tribes. In fact the tribe of Benjamin was almost wiped out at one time. The first king of the Jews was Saul, a Benjamite. During this time and afterwards, a great alliance was formed with the tribe of Benjamin and Judah. See how this is starting to fit together? What tribe was the Messiah to come from? You got it, the tribe of Judah. Genesis 49:10 NKJV The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. The tribe of Benjamin was so small they probably blended in with the tribe of Judah and weren’t considered a threat or worth bothering with. The name Jew would therefore be one that would suggest the facts that they were preserved from captivity, that they had received remarkably the protection of God, and the Messiah was to be sent to them.
Originally God’s people were called Hebrew, but after the exile, all of the twelve tribes were referred to as Jews. Are you starting to see why the name “Jew” came to denote all the peculiarities and special favors of their religion and they regarded it as a name of honor, and placed themselves above all others? Galatians 2:15 NKJV We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles.
In the New Testament there are three names used to designate these people:
| · Jews, as regards their nationality, to distinguish them from Gentiles. |
| · Hebrews, with regard to their language and education, to distinguish them from Hellenists, i.e., Jews who spoke the Greek language. |
| · Israelites, as respects their sacred privileges as the chosen people of God. To other races we owe the splendid inheritance of modern civilization and secular culture; but the religious education of mankind has been the gift of the Jew alone. |
Getting back to the rest of the verses 17-20 it doesn’t leave much explanation as to why they were the way they were. After their exile they were all classed as Jews. This gave them all a connection with their highly respected ancestor Judah, and they prided themselves of this. The name Judah meaning, “praised”. Having a Hebrew birth, they felt favored by God and could do no wrong. They had the Holy Book in their possession, the Pentateuch plus Psalms and Proverbs and other books up until Paul’s time. They had the truth in their hands and didn’t need to go in search of the truth elsewhere. They had the wisdom of God by means of scriptures that God himself gave them and no one else on the face of the earth had. They rested on Gods laws, they knew His will and approved of what the laws stated. They were instructed out of God’s laws from generation to generation. They prided themselves in knowing the laws which resulted in them looking in a mirror and seeing themselves as a guiding light to the blind walking in darkness. They viewed themselves as instructors of the foolish and teachers of babes since they had an in with God. All of these things that God granted to the Jewish people was to draw them to Him in a closer relationship, but instead the pride of human nature intervened. Zechariah 8:23 NKJV "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."
Just in a couple verses Paul address the character of the Jewish people of his time, they were Jewish, they boasted about it, they had God’s laws, they viewed themselves above mankind, they believed they were the guiding light, they were confident, and they viewed themselves as teachers of the laws.
Verses 21-23: After building up the Jewish people and getting their attention, Paul turns it all around and starts pointing his finger and asking point blank question of them. We all know what it feels like to be lifted up, but then when the rug is pulled out from under us our tendency it to start placing the blame elsewhere and our temperature rises.
Paul knows they are well versed in the laws, but he asks them if they teach themselves. In other words he is asking them if they practice what they preach. Matthew 23:3 NKJV Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. He is saying to them being book smart is good, but can you apply what you know? Evidently they were stealing and didn’t even realize it. Some examples of how they were stealing may be in tithing, or not giving to Cesar what tax was due, maybe borrowing something from a neighbor without asking, cheating God out of service, worship, and thanksgiving time that is due Him, etc. Some of these same things are still happening today, like tithing to a church, cheating on income tax, borrowing without asking, only giving an hour of time each week on Sunday, downloading things off the internet, or hooking up to a utility and getting free service. Paul is making this statement just like the following ones to get the Jewish people and ourselves to do a self check, examination of conscience in hopes of repentance.
Next Paul asks if they commit adultery. He knows they do and adultery was something that was common yet they preached against it and probably engaged in stoning of those caught in the act of adultery. John 8:7-9 NKJV So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. Paul could also be referring to spiritual adultery meaning idolatry, covetousness, and apostasy in their relationship with God. Matthew 12:39 NKJV But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. What we do know for sure is that the Jews were committing adultery, both sexual and spiritual yet teaching that is was a violation of Gods law. Again I point out the fact that Paul is addressing the Jews of his time, but also our current time and how we live. Are we adulterers, sexually and/or spiritually? Matthew 5:28 NKJV But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:32 NKJV But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. Matthew 19:9 NKJV And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."
Next Paul makes a statement that they abhor idols. Hmmmm, what does Paul mean? Wasn’t idolatry one of the main sins that separated them from God? Well it was before the Babylonian captivity, but afterwards they drilled home the fact that worshipping and praying to any person, place, or thing other than God was wrong and they had the proof of their captivity as an example. Since Paul couldn’t accuse them of idolatry, he skirted right over it and asked the question, “do you rob temples?” The KJV and the Catholic Bible I have state, “dost thou commit sacrilege?” Paul has them here because they were guilty. Sacrilege is the crime of violating or profaning sacred things, or of using them for common purposes and not what they have been devoted to be used for in a religious way. Paul is accusing them of a form of spiritual adultery. They were being abusive and withholding from God what was due Him. This the Jews did by going astray from the proper use and specifications of the offerings, and what they were designed for, God’s honor. They would bring sick, crippled, or stolen animals to be sacrificed, thinking God wouldn’t know. Malachi 1:7-8 NKJV "You offer defiled food on My altar, But say, 'In what way have we defiled You?' By saying, 'The table of the LORD is contemptible.' 8 And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?" Says the LORD of hosts. Another example is how they were using God’s temple for something other than what its purpose was. Matthew 21:12-13 NKJV Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 And He said to them, "It is written, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER,' but you have made it a 'DEN OF THIEVES.'"
Verses 23 & 24: The last two verses Paul points out to the Jewish people that they need to get their act together and to start practicing what they are teaching. They need to humble themselves and stop bringing disgrace to God by not being doers of the word. James 1:22 NKJV But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because of how the Jewish people were conducting their lives, the Gentiles were blaspheming God. They were probably saying, if their God is like them we don’t want anything to do with their God.
This holds true for us if we proclaim to be Christians. We need to practice what is printed in the Bible and not just read it like a history book. We need to be meek, humble, kind, loving, compassionate, gracious, etc. like Jesus is. I don’t know about you, but some of these lessons really make me look at my life and how I’m living, and sometimes I get conviction and have to go before God and ask for forgiveness. Many times I pray and ask God for help so that I can conduct my life in a manner like Jesus. So whenever we pick up the Bible and do some reading, we need to analyze what we are reading, and then go find a mirror and ask those hard hitting questions of our self, like Paul ask.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,
for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Unless you are Born Again, you cannot enter into Heaven, the Kingdom of God."
Bill
Last Week’s Trivia: What is myrrh and where does it come from?
Answer: Myrrh: This substance is mentioned in Exodus 30:23, as one of the ingredients of the "oil of holy ointment:" in Esther 2:12, as one of the substances used in the purification of women; in Psalm 45:8; Proverb 7:17, and in several passages in Canticles, as a perfume. The Greek occurs in Matthew 2:11, among the gifts brought by the wise men to the infant Jesus, and in Mark 15:23, it is said that "wine mingled with myrrh" was offered to, but refused by, our Lord on the cross.
Myrrh was also used for embalming. See John 19:39. The Balsamodendron myrrha, which produces the myrrh of commerce, has a wood and bark which emit a strong odor; the gum which exudes from the bark is at first oily, but becomes hard by exposure to the air.
(This myrrh is in small yellowish or white globules or tears. The tree is small, with a stunted trunk, covered with light-gray bark. It is found in Arabia Felix. The myrrh of Genesis 37:25, was probably ladalzum, a highly-fragrant resin and volatile oil used as a cosmetic, and stimulative as a medicine. It is yielded by the cistus, known in Europe as the rock rose, a shrub with rose-colored flowers, growing in Palestine, and along the shores of the Mediterranean.)
This week’s Trivia: Why do some denominations hold up their hands in prayer?
| Verse List: |
| Romans 9:3 Romans 12:1,2 Luke 6:39 Isaiah 42:6 1 Corinthians 9:27 James 3:1 |
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