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Romans Chapter
One
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Theme ---- the
Gospel of God
A. The messenger of the gospel of God ----
Paul
the called apostle
separated to God's glad tidings (v.1);
B. The content of the gospel of God ---- our
Lord Jesus whom God had before promised in the holy scriptures (v
2-4);
C. The object of the gospel of God ---- all the
nations (v.5
14);
D. The fellowship of the gospel of God ----
greetings
intercession and fellowship (v.5-12);
E. The burden of the gospel of God ---- preach
with one’s whole heart in the position of a debtor (v.13-15);
F. The power of the gospel of God ---- to save
everyone that believes (v.16-17);
G. The necessity of the gospel of God ---- all
the world is judged by God
1. Because of the ungodliness of the world
before God ---- neither seek God nor glorify God
but worship idols (v.18-25);
2. Because of the unrighteousness of the world
toward God and men ---- the vile lusts and the reprobate mind to practice evil
things (v.26-32);
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Rom. 1:1 “Paul
a bondservant of
Jesus Christ
called to be an apostle
separated to the gospel of God
”
YLT: “Paul
a servant of Jesus Christ
a called apostle
having been separated to the good news of God --”
Meaning
of Words:
“bondservant”: salve
bondman; “Paul”: minuteness; “separate to”: to set off by
boundary
appoint; “gospel”: good news
the glad tidings;
The
Background: “a
bondservant of Jesus Christ”
the bondservant in the original means “slave”
which has two kinds of background:
1) The opposite of the word
“slave” is “master”
which in Greek means that one has the absolute ownership
of a certain man or thing. Therefore
Paul called himself “the bondservant of
Jesus Christ”
indicating that he was no longer of himself
but of Jesus Christ
completely.
2) In the Old Testament
if
one was called “a bondservant of Jehovah”
it meant that he was different from
the common people (Jos. 1:2; 24:29). Therefore
one would count it an honor if
he could call himself “the servant of Jehovah”. Therefore
Paul in his mind
also had two points of understanding toward his ministry ---- on one hand
he
responded to the love of Christ who gave Himself. And on the other hand
he
deeply took it as an honor that he could serve this Lord of lords.
Literal
Meaning: “Paul
a bondservant of Jesus Christ”
“bondservant” in the original means slave who
has sold himself and lost his liberty of life. “Paul” was firstly called Saul
(Acts 7:58-60; 8:3; 9:1) and was called Paul after being saved. There are
several meanings of this verse:
1)
To
be the servant of the Lord is neither voluntary
nor of hired
but is purchased
by the Lord.’
2)
The
servant of the Lord has neither his own right or liberty nor his own choice.
3)
The
servant of the Lord will be of the Lord all his life and shall live according
to the Lord’s will.
4)
The
Lord will be responsible for the life and works of His servants by provision
revelation and guidance.
“Called to be an apostle”
“called”
means “being called by God”; “apostle” refers to “those who are sent out”;
“Separated to the gospel of God”
“the
gospel of God” shows the nature of the gospel
which is of God
by God and unto
God. The gospel is generated by the love of God and be perfected by the power
of God so that the righteousness of God shall be manifested and thanks be given
unto God.
This verse unveils three conditions of
Paul:
1)
Status
---- the bondservant of Jesus Christ;
2)
Ministry
---- called to be an apostle;
3)
Work
---- to preach the gospel of God;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Only
those who are bought with the precious price of the Lord’s blood (1Cor. 6:20)
have the right of preaching the gospel. We are all those who are bought by His
precious blood
and we certainly have the obligation to preach the gospel
everywhere at any time and bear witness of the Lord.
2)
We
have no reason of not preaching the gospel
for it is woe to us if we should
not announce the glad tidings (1Cor. 9:16).
3)
The
works of the servant is “service” and the way of him is “obedience”. He who
preaches the gospel should humble himself without regard for face and have made
himself bondman to all (1Cor. 9:19).
4)
The
more we draw near to the Lord
the more will we remain before the Lord and the
more will we desire to serve others.
5)
The
reason for one who becomes a vessel of being sent to preach the gospel is the
calling of the Lord beforehand
which means that the burden is neither of men
nor through man (Gal. 1:1)
but purely of God Himself
who is the originator of
everything.
6)
Any
true servant of the Lord is of his “own will”
but of the Lord’s calling of
coming to serve Him. It is not the servants that choose the Lord
but the Lord
that choose them (John 15:16).
7)
When
we come to serve the Lord
what we are thinking shall not be what kind of men
we want to become
but what kind of men God desires of us.
8)
We
Christians are also “called” and “separated” by God ---- we are separated from
the world to undertake the work of preaching the gospel.
9)
Paul
became firstly the bondservant of Jesus Christ and then was called to be an
apostle. A Christian should be firstly one who serves the Lord humbly and
faithfully. Then the Lord will entrust more important mission to him.
10) We shall not preach the
gospel occasionally
for God set us apart from our mother's wombs (Gal. 1:15)
so that our life shall be devoted to the divine ministry of preaching the
gospel. Therefore
preaching the gospel is our regular occupation
not side
occupation. All that we do shall be for the purpose of the gospel so that we
may be fellow-partaker thereof with others (1Cor. 9:23).
Rom. 1:2 “which He promised before
through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures
”
YLT: “which He announced before through His prophets in holy
writings --”
Literal
Meaning:
“promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures”
“His prophets”
referred to those prophets who prophesied the Lord Christ would come in the Old
Testament
and they did not refer to the authors of the Books of the Prophets
only
for the whole Old Testament prophesied the Lord Jesus (see Luke 24:27
44). “The Holy Scriptures” here refers to the scriptures of the Old Testament.
“Promise” means that God ensures that everything in the scriptures shall be
fulfilled in His faithfulness.
This verse indicates that the gospel is
not brought forth occasionally by God
but was early planed by Him in the past
eternity and was revealed to us by the prophets in the times of the Old
Testament (see Gen. 3:15; 22:18; Gal. 3:16; 2Tim. 1:9; Titus 1:2).
This verse points out three things
concerning Jesus Christ:
1)
He
is whom God prophesied. All that of Him has fulfilled the prophecy of God
so
Christ is true.
2)
He
is whom God promised. Therefore
the Savior is gifted by God
not imagined by
men.
3)
He
is whom God revealed. Therefore
the gospel is not produced by men’s thoughts
but out of God’s revelation.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The gospel is
neither an occasional measure nor sudden fancy
but a plan of God’s love before
the foundation of the world. Therefore
the effect of the gospel shall be
abiding for ever.
2)
The Scriptures is
the words of God preached by the prophets. If we want to know the will of God
we shall read and search the Bible diligently.
3)
All the promises of
God will be fulfilled at the appointed time. We should appropriate His promises
by faith and that will become our portion.
Rom. 1:3 “concerning His Son Jesus
Christ our Lord
who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh
”
YLT: “concerning His Son
(who is come of the seed of David
according to the flesh
”
Literal
Meaning:
“concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord”
it states that the gospel is about
the Son of God. This gospel is neither how to reform the society
nor how to
bring benefits to the people nor other matters
but merely relates to the Son
of God
who is the subject
center and essential content of the gospel. “His Son”
speaks of His nature ---- He has the divine life and character of God and is
the manifestation of the invisible God. “Our Lord” emphasizes His position
who
exists over all and receive the worship of all those who are of Him. “Jesus”
shows His status of a person ---- the Nazarene Jesus who was incarnated and
humbled Himself and took his place in likeness of men. “Christ” points out His
ministry
and He is the “Messiah”
who is anointed by God and sent by God to
come to keep the will of God and fulfill His mission.
“Who was born of the seed of David
according to the flesh”
according to the flesh
He was born by Mary
the seed
of David (see Luke 3:23-31
Heli was Mary’s father)
proving that He was “the
son of man”
who had the life and disposition of man. Therefore
he had the
right to stand on the position of man to be judged by God and be crucified on
the cross. “Who was born of the seed of David”
it carries the meaning of
inheriting the throne of David to be king. Jesus Christ will reign among the people
of God.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The gospel in the
Old Testament was the promise of God (v.2)
and in the New Testament is Jesus
Christ.
2)
The “gospel” that we
normally understand is only men’s being saved. Actually
it is just a part of
the gospel. What the gospel really involves is all the grace of God to men in
His Son
for the gospel is the Son of God. Christ Himself is the gospel ----
who is the subject as well as the content of the gospel.
3)
The Lord Jesus was incarnated and took his place in likeness of men so as to make us like Him.
Rom. 1:4 “and declared to be the Son
of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness
by the resurrection from
the dead.”
YLT: “who is marked out Son of God in power
according to the
Spirit of sanctification
by the rising again from the dead
Jesus Christ our
Lord;”
Meaning
of Words: “holiness”:
sacredness; “declare”: to mark out
bound ("horizon")
appoint
decree
specify;
Literal
Meaning:
“according to the Spirit of holiness”
Jesus Christ has both humanity (see v.3)
and deity. According to the flesh
he had truly been born on the earth to be a
man. According to the inner nature
since Mary was found to be with child of
Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:18)
He had the spirit of holiness. “Holiness” is opposite
to the word “commonness”
indicating that He was different from men in the
world. In fact
He is God who came to be a man
and therefore He is holy
harmless and undefiled (Heb. 7:26). He had accomplished the redemption for us
“the innocent for the sinful
the just for the unjust” would be fulfilled
(1Pet. 3:18)
thus bearing and getting rid of the sins of men before God (1Pet.
2:24; John 1:29).
“Declared to be the Son of God with
power…by the resurrection from the dead”
the death reigns in men by sins
(1Cor. 15:55-56). No one can come out of the power of death once he has entered
in
for all have sinned (
The third and fourth verses suggest the
being of the “three Persons” of God professed by the Christianity. God the
Father sent the Son to the world to be the seed of David
and the Spirit
partakes in the ministry of the resurrection of the Son of God from the dead.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Jesus Christ is the “Son of man” (v.3)
referring to His humility. He is also the “Son of God”
referring to His glory.
Such a full and perfect Christ
possessing both divinity and humanity
is “the
gospel of God” as well as the totality of the blessedness of God given to men.
2) Since Jesus Christ whom the gospel relates
to is both the Son of man as well as the Son of God
He can grant perfect
salvation to men. Therefore
this gospel is a perfect gospel.
3) We were dead in trespasses and sins
and God
has quickened us with the Christ (Eph. 2:1
5) and makes us the sons of God by
rebirth.
4) If Jesus had not been raised from the dead
He was merely one among all those great men. However
He rose again and lives
forever and enables us to experience the true and living Lord. This is the
distinction of Him from all the founders of all the religions.
5) The Lord Jesus is the Son of God and has the
life and nature of God. All those who believe Him and are jointed to Him will
have the divine life (1John 5:12) and be partakers of divine nature (2Pet.
1:4).
Rom. 1:5 “Through Him we have
received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for
His name
”
YLT: “through whom we did receive grace and apostleship
for
obedience of faith among all the nations
in behalf of his name;”
Meaning
of Words: “obedience”:
submission;
The
Background:
the words “grace” and “rejoice” share the same etymon
whose primitive meaning
is that one matter brings pleasant feeling to men
such as beauty. Later it
gradually evolved into the meaning of “favor” and had no longer relation with
beautiful feeling.
Literal
Meaning:
“we have received grace”
“grace” indicates that it is a gift that one obtains
without paying any cost and is actually unworthy of receiving it. Believers are
saved by receiving grace. That believers are called to preach the gospel is
more due to the special grace
which is grace upon grace (John 1:16).
“And apostleship”
it shows that
preaching the gospel is a mission bestowed and entrusted by God. Even if it is
not of our own will
we are entrusted with the administration (1Cor. 9:17).
However
thanks the Lord! If we do this voluntarily
we will not only have
rewards in the future
but will also have enjoyment in this age (1Cor. 9:17
4
14).
“For obedience to the faith among all
nations for His name”
this is the explanation of the “apostleship”
stating
the responsibilities of preachers of the gospel:
1) The realm of preaching the
gospel is “all the nations” and its object is “all the people” (Matt. 28:19).
2) To preach the gospel is to
make the “name of the Lord” sound out so that men shall call upon the Lord’s
name (Rom. 10:13) and sanctify the Lord’s name in their hearts (1Pet. 3:15) and
be unto the Lord’s name ---- let men experience the reality of the Lord’s name
(namely
the Lord Himself).
3) To preach the gospel is to
make men have the “obedience to the faith”
i.e. make one subject to the Lord
and believe Christ only instead of walking according to his hardness and impenitent
heart (Rom. 2:5). In a word
to preach the gospel is to make one believe in his
heart and confess in his mouth (
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The gospel enables us to enjoy the grace and
be saved. Though the experience of us is different
we are saved from the same
gospel.
2) What we have obtained in the Lord today are
all free grace
not because we are worthy of them or we have paid any cost.
3) We must firstly receive God’s grace from
Christ (1Cor. 15:10)
for only those who have first-hand experience in the Lord
can then supply the living Lord to others.
4) We received the grace of God when we were
just saved
and continued to receive God’s grace after we have been saved ----
it is not that we can do anything for God
but that God does everything for us.
5) Paul’s whole life was completely transformed
because of the gospel. He was a man who went against fiercely the gospel
but
now became a man who spread the gospel. Obviously
the gospel can transform
men’s life
way and direction. All those who have really tasted the goodness of
the gospel will spontaneously share it with others.
6) Paul’s words indicated that his apostleship was not out of his advantages
but God’s
grace. What we believers can accomplish in the assembly is not because we are
better than others
but on account of God’s grace purely.
7) The gospel can extend our breadth of mind
and deliver us from the narrow self-regard to the liberality of being willing
to share the goodness of the gospel with “all the nations”.
8) Those who have truly obeyed the faith will
only exalt the Lord’s name
not the name of any spiritual giant. Neither would
they honor anyone going beyond the things which are written in the Scriptures
(1Cor. 4:6).
9) “Obedience” refers to faith and obedience
or obedience in faith. To Christians
faith is inseparable from obedience.
Faith without obedience is not true faith.
Rom. 1:6 “among whom you also are the
called of Jesus Christ;”
YLT: “among whom are also ye
the called of Jesus Christ;”
Literal
Meaning:
this verse points out two features of believers:
1) They are “called”.
Apparently
if a man is willing to hear the gospel and believe the Son of God
it seems to be of his own will. Actually
if he is not called by God
he cannot
make this choice through himself (Rom. 9:16).
2) They “are of Jesus Christ”.
It is a transfer of a man’s being saved ---- from the authority of darkness to
the kingdom of the Son of his love (Col. 1:13)
thus becoming a man of the Lord
(
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The announcement of the gospel is without
limit
for the gospel is the power of God (see v.16)
which has the power of
spreading life.
2) We are called according to the will of God.
God called us in order to perfect His will in us (Rom. 8:28-30). Therefore
our
life has orientation and goal.
3) We are not of our own (1Cor. 6:19)
but of
Jesus Christ. Therefore
if we live
we live unto the Lord. If we die
we die
unto the Lord (
Rom. 1:7 “To all who are in
YLT: “to all who are in
Meaning
of Words: “grace”:
favor
joy
liberality
pleasure
thanks;
Literal
Meaning:
“to all who are in
1)
Who
are “in
2)
Who
are “beloved of God”; God chose and preordained us before the foundation of the
world in love so that we can be called the children of God (Eph. 1:4-5; 1John
3:1).
3)
Who
are “called” by God; According to the selection and predestination of God
before the foundation of the world
God called us by the gospel in time (2The.
2:14).
4)
Who
are “sanctified” (the meaning of “being saints” in the original). The calling
of God makes us be separated and sanctified from the world unto God (2Cor.
6:14-18).
“Grace to you and peace from God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” ---- Grace is the free gift bestowed by God.
The greatest grace for men is that they can possess and enjoy God Himself.
“Peace” does not refer to peaceful and smooth environment
but quite and
restful mood in one’s heart. In other words
peace is a kind of mood of those
who have already enjoyed God’s salvation
which brings peace between God and
men
and men themselves.
“From God our Father”
it shows that
God the Father is the origin of grace and peace. We believers are vessels of
enjoying grace and peace.
“And the Lord Jesus Christ”
Paul
presented God the Father and the Lord Jesus as a pair of appositives. Here
it
mentions the Lord Jesus
for we can only enjoy grace and peace through Him.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) This gospel is bestowed to all the “beloved ones of God”
which unveils that the gospel is produced
because of the love of God. This gospel is planed with the purpose of satisfying
the love of God.
2) That men can be saved by grace is due to the
love of God. God’s love is the only motivation and origin. It is by no means
because of men’s qualifications or conditions.
3) All those who are saved are called to be saints. It is all because of the calling of God
that we can be saved and be separated to be saints.
4) All Christians are saints ---- who are
“separated” unto God in standing
and are in the process of “being sanctified”
through the working of the Holy Spirit in experience.
5) Unless we have realized that we are “saints”
and what honorable and important position and nature we have in the Lord
we
cannot live the separated and triumphant life on the earth.
6) A separated Christians should still seek to
be holy in life. Because God is holy
all those who are of Him should also be
holy (Lev. 19:2). Therefore
we should purify us and seek to be sanctified
(2Tim. 2:21).
7) God’s grace is the premise of us to obtain
peace. He who has not received the grace of God shall never obtain true peace.
According to the wickedness of us before God
we are only worthy of being
punished and suffering troubles.
8) Grace has been in connection with our
salvation
and peace relates to our life. In other words
grace is the source
of peace
and peace is the fruit of grace. It is impossible for men to have
peace without seeking God’s grace earlier.
9) Grace and peace are of God given to us by
God through the Lord Jesus. We can only enjoy the grace and peace of God unto
Christ.
10) Christians are those who have enjoyed the
grace of God
and therefore
their life must have its pleasantness. The
Christianity that has no attraction is not real Christianity.
11) Grace is a gift that men can not obtain
by themselves
for men are unworthy of receiving grace through themselves.
12) We should not seek peace outside of God.
The shortcut of true peace is keeping the will of God.
13) The “peace” of believers has nothing to
do with objective environment and will not be affected by things outside.
14) “May” every Christian of us be the
channel of conveying the grace and peace of God to others!
Rom. 1:8 “First
I thank my God
through Jesus Christ for you all
that your faith is spoken of throughout the
whole world.”
YLT: “first
indeed
I thank my God through Jesus Christ for
you all
that your faith is proclaimed in the whole world;”
Meaning
of Words: “speak”:
declare
announce;
Literal
Meaning:
“through Jesus Christ”
we can only draw near God and have fellowship with God
through Jesus Christ.
“I thank my God for you
all”
the gospel is the free grace of God. As far as our nature concerned
we
are totally unworthy of obtaining the gospel
but we are still bestowed the
mercy (1Tim. 1:16). Considering our strength
we are unable to believe the
gospel by ourselves
but God becomes to be our leader of faith (Heb. 12:2).
Therefore
the result of the gospel is to make men give thanks to God.
“That your faith is spoken of throughout
the whole world”
“the whole world”
it referred to all the places where the
gospel was covered.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Some people like to fix their eyes on the
mistakes of others and open their mouths to criticize others. However
seeing
and praising the advantages of others may be more edifying than criticizing
others.
2) There is a dozy heroes in the one who is
only worthy of going to the hell. Sometimes
a word of praise may awake him
but criticism can only drive him into rage and disappointment.
3) He who knows how to shepherd the flock may
firstly give milk to men and then the solid food.
4) A true servant of God is always concerned
about the conditions of the saints before God everywhere. He will rejoice when
seeing their growth in life and pray for them when they are confronted with
difficulties.
5) It is worthy of preaching the Christians’
life witness of faith
because such witness can encourage the faith of others
as well as glorify God.
Rom. 1:9 “For God is my witness
whom
I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son
that without ceasing I make
mention of you always in my prayers
”
YLT: “for God is my witness
whom I serve in my spirit in the
good news of His Son
how unceasingly I make mention of you
”
Literal Meaning: “in
the gospel of His Son”
namely
the
gospel of God (see v.1) ---- it is the realm and content of Paul’s serving God.
“Whom I serve with my spirit”
“serve”
the word means among the Jews
the ministration of priests in the
“For God is my
witness that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers”
“God
is my witness”
he does not boast of himself
but testifies that God is his
witness. “Without ceasing”
it did not mean the prayer occupied the whole
twenty-four hours in a day
but that he prayed for them frequently without
disremembrance.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Serving God can never be separated from
worshiping God (see Phil. 3:3; Heb. 9:9; 10:2). Therefore
the work of serving
God shall be started from the spirit.
2) The true significant service is neither the
outward works nor religious assignments ---- holding various ceremonies
unceasingly
reciting many scriptures and prayers rigidly ---- but being
immersed in zealous prayers in full faith.
3) We shall not only preach the gospel with our
mouths and feet
but also preach the gospel and serve God in spirit
for God is
a spirit. Therefore
we shall be in newness of spirit and serve Him in spirit
and truth
and not in oldness of letter (John 4:24; Rom. 7:6).
4) We shall serve God according to the feeling
in our inner part
namely
the feeling in one’s spirit
not our affection or
thoughts. If the origin of our service is wrong
even though the things are
done
it will still not please God.
5) The true service unto God shall only be
through the spirit instead of one’s nature or flesh
and take the Son of God as
the central content only instead of any other model.
6) The announcement of the gospel is a service
unto God
which demands our spirit more than our soul and body. Therefore
it
is not persuasion by reasoning
but deep calls unto deep (Ps. 42:7). Only that
comes out of one’s spirit will reach into others’ spirits
evoking spiritual
concordance.
7) To pray for others is the right and
responsibility of Christians. We shall also bring our relatives’ names or other
Christians’ names to the throne of grace.
8) We may commonly pray for those whom we draw
near frequently or we are familiar with
but those whose hearts are large and
who have great love (2Pet. 1:7) will pray for all the churches and all the
saints.
9) Paul was concerned about the assembly in
10) The true condition of our spirit may not
be made known to others
but cannot be hidden toward God. Therefore
God is the
best witness of our spiritual conditions.
Rom. 1:10 “making request if
by some
means
now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.”
YLT: “always in my prayers beseeching
if by any means now at
length I shall have a prosperous journey
by the will of God
to come unto
you
”
Literal
Meaning:
“in the will of God”
the gospel is a great matter in the mind of God. The plan
and dispensation of the gospel are according to His will
so are the
announcement and popularization of the gospel.
“At last I may find a way to come to
you”
it contains the meaning of “being brought to you smoothly” in the
original.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The will of God can be known through prayer
so that the announcement of the gospel will be effective. Therefore
the way of
preaching the gospel shall be paved by prayers. Prayers first
and ministry of
the words afterwards (Acts 6:4)
and thus the words will be powerful.
2) Though Paul had his own will of his route
---- “now”
“at last”
he knew that he was still influenced by the environment
---- “a way”. What was more important was that he committed himself fully unto
the will of God ---- “in the will of God”.
3) If an evangelist wants to preach the gospel
to someone in some place
though it seems to be a desire from God
he shall
still pray to God and commit this desire to God and let God direct his steps
(Jer. 10:23).
4) No matter what place a Christian wants to
go
he shall firstly seek the will of God instead of acting on his own (James
4:13-15).
5) What Paul prayed was not that the will of
God had to match up his plan and route
but that his plan and route had to meet
the will of God closely.
Rom. 1:11 “For I long to see you
that
I may impart to you some spiritual gift
so that you may be established-- ”
YLT: “for I long to see you
that I may impart to you some
spiritual gift
that ye may be established;”
Literal
Meaning: “that
I may impart to you some spiritual gift”
the spiritual gifts in the Book of Romans were not supernatural
power
but gifts of teaching and government and etc. (see
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) All the workers of God should take the
responsibility of making believers be strengthened in faith instead of seeking
to be honored by them.
2) We should see all the believers in the bowel
of God. No matter those whom we bring to the Lord or other ones whom others
bring to the Lord
they shall be both regarded as the children of God in the
house of God and belong to the flock of the Lord. Therefore
we should
earnestly care about them.
3) From this verse
we can see that there was
not the so-called idea of “domain”
namely
a certain local church receives
only the guidance of a certain man or group
in the early church.
4) The principle of this verse can also be
applied in the service of the announcement of the gospel:
a) The one who preaches the gospel shall not
only be of no sense of shame (v.16)
but also take the responsibility of
imparting spiritual gifts to others.
b) The gospel not only brings material and
immaterial blessings to men on the earth
but also enables men to obtain every
spiritual blessing in the heaven (Eph. 1:3)
namely
to obtain the spiritual
glory in mystery that God had prepared for men.
5) Men shall be strengthened in spirit by only
obtaining and tasting the riches of the glory of God.
Rom. 1:12 “that is
that I may be
encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. ”
YLT: “and that is
that I may be comforted together among
you
through the faith in one another
both yours and mine.”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) There is a mysterious union and response of
faith (Titus 1:4; 2Pet. 1:1; 2Cor. 4:13) between the preacher of the gospel and
the receiver of the gospel.
2) The result of preaching the gospel is to
make the preacher of the gospel and the receiver of the gospel enjoy the
benefits of the gospel together (1Cor. 9:23).
3) Paul never thought he did not need the help
of other saints. Those who serve the Lord shall not only often prepare for
supplying others but also prepare for receiving the provision from others.
4) The relation between the evangelists and all
the believers is not a nonreciprocal one of provision
but a bidirectional one.
Therefore
the evangelists should also learn to be humble
thus being benefited
from the fellowship with others.
5) “Iron is sharpened by iron; so a man
sharpens the countenance of his friend (Pro. 27:17)”. Teaching benefits teacher
and student alike. Believers in the assembly can always find comfort and
encouragement from each other
and everyone can mutually discover precious
things from others.
6) Only the faith that we hold can confirm our
faith and comfort our spirit.
7) The true and sweet fellowship among all the
saints comes from the knowledge of and faith in Christ. Actually
the
difficulties of the fellowship among the saints and the division in the
assembly are often caused by the lack of the knowledge of Christ. Therefore
the more we seek the knowledge of Christ
the truer and deeper fellowship among
the saints will be.
Rom. 1:13 “Now I do not want you to be
unaware
brethren
that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until
now)
that I might have some fruit among you also
just as among the other
Gentiles. ”
YLT: “And I do not wish you to be ignorant
brethren
that
many times I did purpose to come unto you -- and was hindered till the present
time -- that some fruit I might have also among you
even as also among the
other nations.”
Literal
Meaning: “that I often planned to
come to you”
he “often planned” it
but he had not done it
showing
that he was hindered by the environment and yet he did not give up.
“That I might have some
fruit among you also”
“fruit” is the manifestation and expression of the inner
life. The condition of the tree will decide the condition of its fruit (see
Matt. 7:17). Paul here compared preaching the gospel to gain men with bearing
fruit.
There
are at least the four kinds of “fruit” that Christians may bear as below:
1)
The fruit in life ---- the natural expression of God’s
life
namely
making men see God or Christ Himself (see Matt. 7:20; 1Tim. 3:16;
Phil. 1:20);
2)
The fruit in walking ---- the natural expression of God’s
nature
namely
manifesting many good virtues (see Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:9;
Phil. 1:10; James 3:17-18);
3)
The fruit in works ---- bring men to the Lord (see Rom.
1:13);
4)
The fruit of lips ---- offer the sacrifice of praise to
God (see Heb. 13:15);
“Just
as among the other Gentiles”
obviously
gentiles occupied most of the
believers in the assembly in
“But was hindered until
now”
the reasons for the hindrance of Paul’s desire might be:
1)
Others places had more urgent need.
2)
He had not found proper time and opportunity.
3)
The direct prohibition of the Spirit (see Acts. 16:6-7);
4)
The hindrance of Satan (see 1The 2:18);
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Here the words like
“often planned”
“without ceasing” (v.9)
“always” (v.10) and “long to”
(v.11)
showed that Paul was earnest in the matter of preaching the gospel to
Romans instead of planning it randomly or routinely. The announcement of the
gospel should be out of the burden in us.
2) When we seek the will of God
though we have
to consider the manifestation and proof in the environment
the factor in the
environment is not the only element of God’s guidance
for the burden and
guidance in us are also rather important.
3) The hindrance in the environment does not
mean God’s prohibition. The will and guidance of God relates to the time. If it
is not fulfilled
it may be done in other time.
4) Someone quotes the words in the Book of James partially and holds
that Christians should not have plan in their conduct but only look unto the
guidance of God (see James 4:13-15). Actually
it is misunderstanding of the
Bible. Christians may have their plans
but should rely on God’s guidance in
their plans and performance.
Rom. 1:14 “I am a debtor both to
Greeks and to barbarians
both to wise and to unwise. ”
YLT: “Both to Greeks and to foreigners
both to wise and to
thoughtless
I am a debtor
”
Literal
Meaning:
“Greeks”
it referred to the gentiles who lived in the Greek way of life or
spoke Greek in the
“And to barbarians”
they
were the people who language was hard to understand
namely
those who had not
influenced by Greek culture. Therefore
they stood for the uncivilized people.
“Both to wise and to
unwise”
they had intellectual distinction
having nothing to do with the
civilized level.
“I am a debtor both to…”
it had dual
meanings in Greek. To a debtor
he might often have a feeling of burden in his
heart. However
when his debt was paid
he would feel as if relieved of a heavy
load and be comfortable. Paul thought he was a debtor to all kinds of people.
On one hand
he had the responsibility of preaching the gospel to them. On the
other hand
he would obtain from them the benefit of preaching the gospel to
them.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The announcement of the gospel is open to
all
all men are the object of the preaching of the gospel
for God desires
that all men should be saved (2Tim. 2:4) and is unwilling that any should
perish (2Pet. 3:9). For this sake
we have the responsibility of making
everyone hear the gospel. Otherwise
we shall be like a debtor who has always
the feeling of iniquity and cannot be free.
2) The Lord Jesus is the preserver of all those
that believe. He treats all men alike
no discrimination in race
class
education
culture and etc. There should be no division in the body (1Cor.
1:10; 12:25).
3) Paul thought he was “a debtor to men”
concerning the gospel. Therefore
the announcement of the gospel is the duty of
us. Just like repaying a debt
the debtor must do it.
Rom. 1:15 “So
as much as is in me
I
am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in
YLT: “so
as much as in me is
I am ready also to you who in
Literal
Meaning:
“as much as is in me
I am ready”
“ready” means that one has the spirit of
gospel ---- whatever he does
he labors at it heartily (Col. 3:23). “As much as
in me”
it indicates that one has devoted himself all to the gospel of Christ
without any reservation.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) God only asks every preacher of the gospel
do his own utmost. God has never set a high standard and only those who have
reached the standard can preach the gospel for Him. Otherwise
the mission of
the gospel cannot be fulfilled by any believer.
2) Every one who is disposed to devote himself
to the Lord will be used by the Lord in the ministry of the announcement of the
gospel.
3) He who preaches the gospel shall be gladly
spend and be utterly spent for the souls of men (2Cor. 12:15).
Rom. 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ
for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who
believes
for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ”
YLT: “for I am not ashamed of the good news of the Christ
for it is the power of God to salvation to every one who is believing
both to
Jew first
and to Greek.”
The
Background:
“for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ”
to preach the gospel is to
preach the Nazarene Jesus.
Literal
Meaning: “for I
am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ”
the word “for” revealed one reason
that Paul preached the gospel so earnestly. Paul was despised and mocked
everywhere for the purpose of preaching the gospel. However
he felt honored of
the gospel. It unveils that the gospel has a kind of power that makes men able
to overcome all the opposition and resistance.
“For it is the power of God”
it shows
that the gospel is the power of God that can overcome everything. The gospel
can save every sinner in the world (1Tim. 1:15-16)
and can deliver men from
all the sins (Matt. 1:21).
“To
salvation for everyone who believes”
the preposition “to” (“eis” in Greek) in
the verse shows the immediate effect of the salvation.
“Save”
it indicates that men are just
in the brink of death and can not save themselves. They are in dire need of a
super mighty one
namely
God
to save them. God would save men and has already
prepared the salvation for men and has sent preachers of the gospel to declare
His salvation. Therefore
now the problem does not lie in God
but in men.
“To
salvation for everyone who believes”
it shows that “believing” is the only
condition of receiving the gospel and that God cannot refuse to save those who
have believed. He who wants to obtain the salvation has to receive the gospel.
To believe is the only way of receiving the gospel ---- to believe Jesus is
Christ and is the Son of God (John 20:31). To receive Him in spirit is to
believe Him (John. 1:
“For
the Jew first and also for the Greek”
“the Jew first”
because salvation comes
from the Jews (John 4:22); “and also for the Greek”
the Greek here represents
all the gentiles
showing that the gospel of God is also prepared for all the
nations (see v.5). “First…and also…”
it is the order of time
not importance.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If we want to preach the gospel
we should
be not ashamed
of the gospel. Therefore
we
should have the spirit of the gospel. If we have possessed the spirit of the
gospel
we shall not only be not
ashamed of the gospel
but also take it
as an honor. If believers have not taken the gospel as the most glorious thing
they will naturally have the sense of shame and be afraid of being despised by
others.
2) Satan often makes believers feel ashamed
when they are preaching the gospel
especially when they start to learn to
preach the gospel. If we have really known the glory of the gospel and have
personally tasted the goodness of the gospel
we will say that “we are not
ashamed of the
gospel of Christ” like Paul.
3) We may often think in our mind that some
kind of men is easy to be saved
but some is impossible to be saved. However
the gospel of God is the “salvation
for everyone who believes”
for it is the power of God to
salvation for everyone who believes.
There is nothing to hard to God. We should have such faith to preach the gospel
to man
no mater whom he is.
4) If we have really know that “the gospel is
the power of God” ---- the power of God that makes Christ break through the
death and rise and ascend to the heaven (v.4; see Eph. 1:20)
we will not ask
for other power ---- encouragement of men or physical methods and etc. ----
when we are preaching the gospel. If what we have preached and testified is
purely the Son of God
the risen Christ
the gospel Himself will bring forth
enormous power to save “all those who believe”
from the Jews to the nations.
5) The announcement of the gospel does not
depend on men’s own power
but the power of the gospel Himself. Therefore
we
shall be bold to preach the gospel. Otherwise
no one can preach the gospel
because he who thinks he is incapable has no courage to do it
and he who
thinks he is capable yet puffs up and is unwilling to do it
and consequently
the gospel would not be preached out!
6) “To salvation for everyone who believes”
God desires that all men should be saved
but the salvation only comes to those who believe. To believe is the way of
obtaining the salvation of God.
Rom. 1:17 “For in it the righteousness
of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written
"The just shall
live by faith." ”
YLT: “For the righteousness of God in it is revealed from
faith to faith
according as it hath been written
`And the righteous one by
faith shall live
'”
Literal
Meaning:
“for”
it shows that this verse is the explanation of verse 16 ---- why the
gospel can save “all those who believe”.
“In it the righteousness of God is
revealed”
“righteousness”
it indicates that the precondition of men’s “right”
relationship with God is the satisfaction of the righteous demand of God.
“Righteousness of God” is different from
“righteousness of man”. Righteousness of man is to meet the righteous demand of
God through man’s own power and deeds. Righteousness of God is God Himself
comes to meet the righteous demand of God and then gives the justified standing
to those who believe freely. Strictly speaking
there is not a righteous in the
world
not even one. By works of law no flesh shall be justified before God
(Rom. 3:10
20). However
the gospel tells men that the Son of God Christ has
satisfied the righteous demand of God on the cross
and if a man receives Him
he will be his righteousness (1Cor. 1:30) and makes man has be made the
righteousness of God in Him (2Cor. 5:21). Therefore
the gospel has manifested
the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:25-26).
“From faith to faith”
or
“in the principle of faith”; it indicates that the righteousness of God
revealed by the gospel is given to men according to the principle of faith
(Phil. 3:9). “From faith to faith”
it unveiled that we were justified by faith
(Rom. 5:
“As it is written
"The just shall live by faith."” “The just shall live by faith.” ----
It is quoted from the Book of Habakkuk (2:4)
carrying two meanings therein:
first
man is justified by faith
so is delivered from death and live before
God (Gal. 3:11
12). Secondly
since we believers have already justified by
God
we should still live before God by faith (Heb. 10:38-39). One is “being
quickened” when one had just been saved
and the other is “living by faith”
after one has been saved.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Faith that enables men to be justified is a
kind of faith that can still increase. It is of the realm of life.
2) That we can live before God is fully due to
the faith in and obedience of the risen Lord.
Rom. 1:18 “For the wrath of God is
revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men
who
suppress the truth in unrighteousness
”
YLT: “for revealed is the wrath of God from heaven upon all
impiety and unrighteousness of men
holding down the truth in unrighteousness.”
Meaning
of Words: “suppress”:
retain
hold
withhold; “truth”: reality;
Literal
Meaning:
“for the wrath of God”
“the wrath of God”
it is the reaction of God to men’s
offending His will and holy nature. The word “for” points out the reason for
men’s need for the gospel ---- since men have offended God
the wrath of God on
men is like the impending thunder. Therefore
the salvation is seriously needed
for men to reverse the situation
“Is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men”
two aspects of sins have
made men offend God:
1)
“Ungodliness”
be ungodly before God ---- men do not glorify Him as God
neither are thankful
but change the glory of the incorruptible God into likeness of an image
(v.21-25).
2)
“Unrighteousness”
be unjust before both God and among men ---- they are unjust and unmerciful and
disobey the holiness and righteousness of the nature of God (v.26-31).
The former word “ungodliness”
emphasizes the faith
and the latter word “unrighteousness” focuses on works.
“Who suppress the truth in
unrighteousness”
the word “who” shows that “godly and unrighteous men” refer
to those who “suppress the truth in unrighteousness”. The ungodliness of men
before God leads to the unrighteousness of men before God and among men. Since
men are unrighteous
what they have done must be also unrighteous. The result
of the unrighteousness of men is suppressing the truth. Therefore
the
deprivation of men’s proper relation with God is the root of all sins.
“Truth”
it refers to the
unchangeable truth that is generally acknowledged as well as the perfect
reality. God Himself (Rom. 1:25; 3:7) and Jesus Christ (John. 14:6) and the
word of God (John. 17:17) are truth.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Paul mentioned “ungodliness” first and “unrighteousness” afterwards
showing that men’s unrighteousness to men is on account of their ungodliness before God. If men are ungodly before God
they will be unrighteous among men.
2) Men are “ungodly” before God first and then “unrighteous” among men. If the condition of men before God is
wrong
their condition before men will surely be wrong too. Therefore
we shall
pay attention to our internal spiritual condition before God more than the
external moral condition before men.
3) The most serious ungodliness of men to God is unbelief. However
every believer
at least has the faith in God and the Savior sent by God
so they have got the
elementary godliness.
4) God has prepared His love to everyone in the
world. Those who do not receive it purposefully will surely suffer the wrath of
God.
5) “Suppress the truth in unrighteousness”
if the conducts of believers make men
misunderstand the truth of God
they will also suffer the wrath of God.
6) Although there are different kinds of men in
the world. However
before God
there are only two kinds of men ---- those who
suppress the truth and those who obey the truth. If one dose not obey the
truth
he will suppress the truth. There is not the third kind of men.
7) All the deeds of suppressing or opposing the
truth are “unrighteous” before God and shall cause the wrath of God.
8) The world needs the salvation of God because
of their “ungodliness” and “unrighteousness”. If we believers want to preach the gospel
to them
we should be shown of having not any “ungodliness”
and “unrighteousness”.
In other words
we should conduct ourselves worthily of the glad tidings of the
Christ so that we may help others to obey the gospel.
Rom. 1:19 “because what may be known
of God is manifest in them
for God has shown it to them.”
YLT: “Because that which is known of God is manifest among
them
for God did manifest to them
”
Literal
Meaning:
“of God” refers to “His eternal power and Godhead” (see v.20).
“What may be known of…is manifest in
them”
there is the instinct of knowing God in the spirit of men
because the
spirit in men is created by God for men to touch
worship and feel Him.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Though we can not know all that is of God
fully
at least
God has revealed Himself to us slightly
thus making us have
some knowledge of Him.
2) Our knowledge of God is not external
knowledge
but internal consciousness. It does not stem from logical reasoning
but inner revelation of God.
3) The Scriptures are not the only origin of
our knowledge of God
because God not only speaks to us by the written words
but also by various men
matters and things.
4) Many times
believers lack the knowledge
about spiritual things. It is not because God has not enlightened or revealed
them
but their hearts are not upright (see Matt. 13:14-15).
5) Those who are proud have no God in them.
Christians who consider themselves always right cannot understand the will of
God.
Rom. 1:20 “For since the creation of
the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen
being understood by the
things that are made
even His eternal power and Godhead
so that they are
without excuse
”
YLT: “for the invisible things of Him from the creation of
the world
by the things made being understood
are plainly seen
both His
eternal power and Godhead -- to their being inexcusable;”
Literal
Meaning:
“His eternal power and Godhead are clearly seen”
“eternal power”
it pertains
to the limitless power of God. God’s eternal power can been seen from the
creation and existence of all things
such as
the wonderful arrangement of
stars and the beauty of flowers and grass. “Godhead” refers to the nature and
attribute of God
which can bee inferred from the being and condition of all
things
such as men’s conscience or moral human relations
and the common
saying like “all men
good or bad
rarely ill-treat their own children” and
etc.
“The creation of the world”
if men
carefully observe the world and all things in it
they will figure out and know
the existence of God (Acts. 17:24-28).
“Are clearly seen
being understood by”
it can be directly translated like this: “being understood…being perceived”.
The former word refers to intellectual knowledge
and the latter pertains to
visible things
showing that men can know that all the creation of the world is
the work of God and the manifestation of God’s nature by observing and
meditating all the visible things.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Verse 19 points that “men’s hearts” prove
the existence of God. This verse shows that “all the creation of the world”
also testifies the existence of God. Amen. If men put aside their prejudice
no
matter examining their conscience or observing all the creation of the world
they cannot deny that there is a Master in the universe
who is the God that we
believe. We shall worship Him!
2) Though God “is clearly seen”
He is invisible. Therefore
we
shall walk by faith
not sight (2Cor. 5:7)
nor appearance (2Cor. 5:16).
3) The living environment that we live in
contains the law and works of God. All those who are of God should not be
indifferent to the environment.
4) The law of Christ’s power and nature is
filled in the whole universe. If we have the central revelation of Christ
we
will increasingly find that all things are indeed bearing witness of Christ
from which we can also know Him more.
Rom. 1:21 “because
although they knew
God
they did not glorify Him as God
nor were thankful
but became futile in
their thoughts
and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
YLT: “because
having known God they did not glorify as God
nor gave thanks
but were made vain in their reasonings
and their
unintelligent heart was darkened
”
The
Background:
in the days of Paul
most of the philosophers idled away their time everyday
and were fond of arguing with others (Acts. 17:18). Therefore
the last half of
the verse can be translated as: “they abandoned themselves in vain arguments so
that they became dark in mind and saw nothing”.
Literal
Meaning:
“although they knew God”
here “they” referred to men in the world.
“They did not glorify Him
as God”
though men knew God is God
they did not glorify Him as God. All the
sins are not the fundamental sin. They originate from the sin of not glorifying
God as God.
“And their foolish hearts
were darkened”
since men did not regard God as God
their hearts became dark.
Once their hearts were dark
they would commit other sins.
The three words “because”
“did not” and “became” show the progress of men’s fall and point out the main
reason for men’s sins.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The most serious sin of men before God is
not taking God as God. It is just like the children in a family do not regard
their parents as parents and the people of a nation do not take the head of the
nation as the head.
2) The fault in faith causes the faults in
morality. All sins of men stem from the sin of not taking God as God.
3) If our “knowledge” cannot influence our
conduct
such “knowledge” is of no effect and is equal of “ignorance”.
4) The reason why men’s “thoughts” became futile and “their
foolish hearts” were darkened was that they “knew God
but
did not glorify Him as God”. It tells that men
shall be bright and calm in their hearts only when they take manifesting Christ
and glorifying God as the significance and purpose of all.
5) If man refuses to receive light
he will
never be illuminated. If man refuses to see
he will lose the power of sight.
6) Those who do not regard God as God must be
dark in their hearts and be totally ignorant of things of God.
Rom. 1:22 “Professing to be wise
they
became fools
”
YLT: “professing to be wise
they were made fools
”
Literal
Meaning:
if men rejected of God on purpose
they would become futile in their thoughts
and dark in their hearts (v.21). Therefore
they doubtless think they were
wise
but become fools.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) A wise man can be ruined by the wisdom of
himself. If man relies on his own intelligence and resource
it tends to be of
no help to spiritual things but bring fool results.
2) God has chosen the foolish things of the
world
that he may put to shame the wise (1Cor. 1:27). Though believers speak
wisdom
it is not of the wisdom in the world
but the wisdom of God (2Cor.
2:6-7).
Rom. 1:23 “and changed the glory of
the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and
four-footed animals and creeping things.”
YLT: “and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the
likeness of an image of corruptible man
and of fowls
and of quadrupeds
and
of reptiles.”
Literal
Meaning:
verse 21 and this verse showed the reason why men went to worship idols:
1)
Though
men knew God’s existence in their conscience
they did not glorify Him as God nor honored God’s being nor were thankful to God
(v.21).
2)
The reason for men’s not
honoring God or being thankful to God is the deterioration of their mind ----
from being concrete and sure to being abstract and empty
from being clear and
bright to being futile and dark
and from being wise and keen to being fool and
dull (v.22).
3)
Once men became so fool in
mind
they will supersede the incorruptible God by the corruptible ones ----
supersede the glory of God by the images of man
birds
four-footed animals and
creeping things
namely
replace God with idols (v.23).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “Man
birds
four-footed animals and creeping things”
from men to creeping things
lower and lower.
Men even make themselves degenerate to a degree of worshiping the objects baser
than themselves.
2)
Men will
increasingly resemble what they worship. When men know God less and less
it is
no wonder that their
morality has become more and more decayed.
3)
If
we believers in the church honor the spiritual giants above what is written in
the Scriptures (1Cor. 4:6)
it will be like worshiping
idols ---- worshiping the corruptible men as
God.
4)
If
we neither honor nor thank the true God
we will surely create our own gods for
ourselves.
5) Though the modern
cultivated men do not worship the animals as gods
if they degrade their life style to the level of seeking to survive like
animals ---- satisfy their own lust by seeking things outside of God
they will
still unconsciously fall into the trap of
the devil
being equal to worship idols.
Rom. 1:24 “Therefore God also gave
them up to uncleanness
in the lusts of their hearts
to dishonor their bodies
among themselves
”
YLT: “Wherefore also God did give them up
in the desires of
their hearts
to uncleanness
to dishonour their bodies among themselves;”
Meaning
of Words: “gave
up”: surrender
yield up;
The
Background:
Paul wrote the Book of Romans in
Literal
Meaning:
“therefore”
it is after the previous verse.
“God also gave them up to uncleanness
in the lusts of their hearts”
“gave up”
abandon something after passing the
process from anxiety to grief; Since men had abandoned and rejected God
God
had to give them up. God’s giving up men did not mean God authorized men to commit
sins
but that God gave men up to choose unrighteousness without restriction.
“Lust” means seeking the joy that satisfies men themselves beyond reason. Once
men’s lusts are not governed by God
men will be like horses that have no
robes
doing many dirty things.
“To dishonor their bodies among
themselves”
the result of men’s lusts is the corruption of their bodies.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) God strived (see Gen. 6:3 the original) with
men who had sinned before the blood. However
since men began to worship the
idols
God “gave up” them and no longer restrained or controlled them in
morally.
2) When men chose to refuse the way of God in
their will
God would give them up and let them go out of the way. Though God
is the almighty God
He does not walk beyond our free will.
3) The most terrible dealing with men of God is
“giving up” (v.24
26
28). Therefore
it is better to be suffered in the hands
of God’s discipline than to be loosed because of God’s giving up.
4) C. S. Lewis said
“The lost men had desired
the terrible liberty
and they would ever have it
thus becoming the bondmen of
their own. (translated
from the Chinese version from the original)”
5) There is a cruel thing in life
i.e. sins
bring sins. Sinners who have committed many sins will be more disposed to sin.
6) The result of worshiping the idols is
bringing about adultery
which also causes the corruption of bodies. If men
have other pursuit outside of God
they will indulge themselves and suffer
loss.
7) The first sin that men had committed was not
uncleanness in
the lusts of their hearts
nor dishonor on their bodies among themselves
but that their relationship with God was wrong.
Once men’s relationship with God went wrong
they would certainly commit these
sins.
8) These words go after the mention of idolatry
in the previous verse. Therefore
we can see that idolatry has relations with
adultery. Where there is idolatry
there is adultery (see Num. 25:1-2; 1Cor.
10:7-8).
Rom. 1:25 “who exchanged the truth of
God for the lie
and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator
who is blessed forever. Amen. ”
YLT: “who did change the truth of God into a falsehood
and
did honour and serve the creature rather than the Creator
who is blessed to
the ages. Amen.”
Literal
Meaning: “who exchanged the truth
of God for the lie”
“suppressing
the truth” in verse 18 just means “exchanging the truth of God for the
lie” here. The definite article “the” before the word “lie” refers to the big
“fault”
namely
false gods and idols (Jem.13:25)
opposite to “the truth of
God” (2The.2:11). Suppressing the truth is taking vanity as reality
and
turning away one’s ear from the truth and turning aside to fables (2Tim.4:4;
Titus.1:14).
“Worshiped and served the creature
rather than the Creator”
the certain result of men’s exchanging the truth of
God for the lie is having perverted the truth
thus worshiping the creature
rather than the Creator.
“Amen”
means “yes”
“trustworthy”
or
“surely”.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) God abandoned idolaters
for they had first
rejected the truth of God and turned to the fault of idols.
2) Not only sinners who do not believe the Lord
worship the creation
but also many believers make the same mistake ---- they
do not worship the Lord but worship the so-called “spiritual giants” who also
belong to the creation
thus worshiping invisible idols without realization.
Therefore
we should be watchful that we shall not respect the Lord’s servants
not above what is written in the Scriptures (1Cor. 4:6).
Rom. 1:26 “For this reason God gave them
up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is
against nature. ”
YLT: “Because of this did God give them up to dishonourable
affections
for even their females did change the natural use into that against
nature;”
Literal
Meaning:
“God gave them up to vile passions”
the “lusts” in verse 24 is different from
the word “passions” in this verse. The former refers to unrestricted lusts
and
the latter refers to wicked lusts.
“For even their women exchanged the
natural use for what is against nature.” ---- “the natural use of women” means
that women get married to men and establish their family and cultivate their
children. “What is against nature” means that women become harlots for the
purpose of dealing with abnormal lusts (note that there are also Bible exegetes
who interpret “what is against nature” here as women homosexuality)
Rom. 1:27 “Likewise also the men
leaving the natural use of the woman
burned in their lust for one another
men
with men committing what is shameful
and receiving in themselves the penalty
of their error which was due. ”
YLT: “and in like manner also the males having left the
natural use of the female
did burn in their longing toward one another; males
with males working shame
and the recompense of their error that was fit
in
themselves receiving.”
Literal
Meaning:
“men with men committing what is shameful”
the adultery in verse 24 is
heterosexual. Here it is homosexual in this verse. Some of the leaders in the
Christianity ignore this verse and permit or even defend homosexuality on the
table. They attribute it to the problem of “genes” in biology. However
this
verse clearly tells us that those genes “against the nature” are caused by
men’s lusts of the flesh.
“And receiving in themselves the penalty
of their error which was due”
the result of men’s such prurience is receiving
“in themselves” the penalty of their error which was due (see 1Cor. 6:18). The
popularization of AIDS in the modern times is an example of such case.
“Receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due”
it is also
translated as
“receiving in themselves the penalty of their abnormal deeds
which was due”.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Sinners should repent and admit their sins
and forsake their sins so that they shall be saved (see Acts. 2:38). Likewise
if a gay man or a lesbian neither repents nor forsakes his or her homosexual
conducts
he or she cannot be regarded as one has been saved.
2) Everyone should pay a price for his sins in
his body and soul ---- disease
guiltiness
the distortion of character and
etc.
Rom. 1:28 “And even as they did not
like to retain God in their knowledge
God gave them over to a debased mind
to
do those things which are not fitting; ”
YLT: “And
according as they did not approve of having God in
knowledge
God gave them up to a disapproved mind
to do the things not
seemly;”
Meaning
of Words: “debased”:
unapproved
rejected
worthless;
Literal
Meaning: “And even as they did not
like to retain God in their knowledge”
“retain God in their knowledge”
it was translated in the
original in this way: “they did not approve of having God in knowledge”
namely
they did not bear sound teaching. Since they had committed their error
the existence of God would surely bring judgment or penalty to them. Therefore
they
said
there was no God.
“God gave them over to a debased mind”
the
word “give up” (see v.24
26) is mentioned three times here. Being “abandoned”
by God is the most lamentable thing. “A debased mind” refers to a corrupted
mind (2Tim. 3:8). As the old saying goes
“the inner reality must be manifested
in the outer appearance”. Once men’s mind is corrupted
they will be involved
in various evil things (Matt. 15:18-19). Therefore
we shall keep our heart
more than anything that is guarded (Pro. 4:23).
“To do
those things which are not fitting”
“things which are not fitting” refer to
“fitting things”
namely
things that are against men’s conscience and moral
quality.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) It is not that men cannot know God
but that
they do not approve God
nor take God as good. Men refuse to retain God in their
knowledge on purpose
and
they do not please the fact of God’s existence.
2) When men do not please the knowledge of God
God gives them up to the condition of life that God does not delight in. Since
men do not please God
God will also do not please them.
3) This verse mentions God’s “giving up” for
the third time. Men committed sins for the sake of the wrong relationship with
God. The more terrible men’s relation with God is
the farther they are from
God
and even they refuse to know God on purpose. Once men’s relation with God
goes wrong
there will be a surge of sins thereafter.
4) If men refuse God
they will be fallen into
sins
and deeper and deeper (see v.29-31).
Rom. 1:29 “being filled with all
unrighteousness
sexual immorality
wickedness
covetousness
maliciousness;
full of envy
murder
strife
deceit
evil-mindedness; they are whisperers
”
YLT: “having been filled with all unrighteousness
whoredom
wickedness
covetousness
malice; full of envy
murder
strife
deceit
evil dispositions;
whisperers
”
Literal
Meaning:
“being filled with all unrighteousness
sexual immorality
wickedness
covetousness
maliciousness”
these are the general principles of all sins:
“unrighteousness” is the opposite of righteousness. Righteousness is to give
what is due to God and men to them
so unrighteousness means depriving God and
men what is due to them. “Wickedness” does not refer to unconscious evil
but
conscious evil that hurts others. “Covetousness” means sacrificing the
advantages of others in order to earn more gains for oneself. “Maliciousness”
refers to the one who is totally lack of good and upright character and is
filled with vileness
by which all the sins are caused.
“Unrighteousness” emphasizes more the
evilness in conducts; “wickedness” focuses on the evilness in nature;
“covetousness” refers more to greed for materials; “maliciousness” is evil
schemes toward men
including corruption
viciousness of one’s inner heart
or
the venomous mental attitudes of hurting or destroying others.
“Full of envy
murder
strife
deceit
evil-mindedness; they are whisperers”
“full of” it is not only full of envy
but full of envy
murder
strife
deceit and evil-mindedness.
“Envy” means that one is jealous of the
accomplishments and attainments of others with the thought that they are
unworthy of possessing predominant status or possessions than himself.
“Murder”
it may be caused by the one who thinks that those who are not
profitable to him or harmful to him have no right of existence. This is an
action out of a hostile heart
including those what is done in malice
aforethought or fierce anger. “Strife”
it is an action out of envy
including
emulation
quarrel
discord and etc. “Deceit”
it refers to the action of
gaining one's ends by base means
including treachery
skullduggery
fraud and
etc. “Evil-mindedness”
it means interpreting the hearts of others in corrupted
mind as the worst motivation
including hatred
resentment
bitterness and etc.
“Whisperer”: those who speak ill of someone in public
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Those who are unrighteous are self-centered.
They push God and others out of his life and regard him as the center of
everything.
2) The love of money is root of every evil
(1Tim. 6:10). Greedy men override others to seek their own satisfaction without
considering morality or being restricted by justice or righteousness.
Rom. 1:30 “backbiters
haters of God
violent
proud
boasters
inventors of evil things
disobedient to parents
”
YLT: “evil-speakers
God-haters
insulting
proud
boasters
inventors of evil things
disobedient to parents
”
The
Background:
“boasters” is translated from the Greek word “doctor who traveled widely”
which referred to those who travelled widely and boasted that their art of
healing was competent
or the goods they sold were good in quality. They often
made an overstatement inconsistent with the fact for the purpose of promoting
them.
“Disobedient to parents”
the Romans at
that time
just like the Jews
paid great attention to filial piety for
parents
especially “paternal right”. The father held the right of life or
death of his whole family.
Literal
Meaning:
“backbiters”: to vilify someone in secret; it is worse than the whispers.
Concerning public slander
there are at least chances for the victim being
slandered to raise a protest or defend himself. But the secret slander damages
the reputation of others who have no opportunity of defense.
“Haters of God”: those who
dislike or hate the discipline of God. Men not only refuse to retain the
knowledge of God in their mind
but also hate God in their affection.
“Violent”: satisfy one’s
self by insulting others wickedly;
“Proud”: despise everyone
except for oneself;
“Boasters”: to show off
one’s self in an exaggerated way; “proud” is more in the aspect of attitudes
and “boaster” is more in utterance.
“Inventors of evil things”:
to satisfy one’s self by inventing unceasingly new evil things or new means of
committing sins.
“Disobedient to parents”:
not respect parents nor take the responsibility of taking care of parents;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Antitheists deny God
because if God is
true
it will be badly unprofitable to them and they cannot do as they want.
Therefore
they turn to be haters of God.
2) Haters of God cannot love anyone except for
themselves. Therefore
they will do harm to others.
3) Proud cannot see God
for they are
self-centered and think that everything exists for the purpose of satisfying
himself.
4) A “boaster” likes to show off his riches and
skills before others
thus making others know that he is superior to others.
However
we Christians shall not think of ourselves more highly than we ought
to think (Rom. 12:3).
Rom. 1:31 “undiscerning
untrustworthy
unloving
unforgiving
unmerciful; ”
YLT: “unintelligent
faithless
without natural affection
implacable
unmerciful;”
The
Background:
“untrustworthy”
at that time
the Romans paid high attention to faithfulness.
Even a verbal promise was as effective as the written contracts. However
the
Greeks at that time would try to pick holes between the lines in order to free
from the restriction of the contract that they had already signed.
“Unloving”
when a child was born at
that time
there might be someone who took the child to his father. If the
father took the child in his arms
it showed he admitted that the child was
his. However
if the father turned aside and left the child and no longer paid
attention to him
it showed that he rejected the child. Therefore
in the
market of
“Unmerciful”
the Roman society at that
time despised the life of salves. And the Roman laws gave the masters limitless
power of dealing with the slaves cruelly at random. Thus the Coliseum emerged
in response to that time. They put the slaves before the breast
and the salves
had to fight with the beasts in order to survive. But the people just enjoyed
the sight of the battle
having no mercy completely.
Literal
Meaning:
“undiscerning”: it means that one is too foolish to learn the lessons from his
failures by the mind and understanding given by God. It also refers to the
absence of moral and spiritual discernment.
“Untrustworthy”: unfaithful; to disobey
the promise
contract or agreement and etc. for one’s own sake.
“Unloving”: have no love to
one’s family members; not meet the obligation to one’s family; not take the
responsibility for one’s family;
“Unmerciful”: be unable to
sympathize with others ---- men’s hearts are too hard to understand the meaning
of mercy.
Rom. 1:32 “who
knowing the righteous
judgment of God
that those who practice such things are deserving of death
not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. ”
YLT: “who the righteous judgment of God having known -- that
those practising such things are worthy of death -- not only do them
but also
have delight with those practising them.”
Meaning
of Words: “righteous
judgment”: righteous order
an equitable deed;
Literal
Meaning:
there are two features of those who practice unrighteousness:
1) They know what they have
done is unrighteous and must be punished by God
namely
the penalty of “death”
(Gen. 2:17). However
they even quench the strong feeling of unrest and do the
evil without considering the result.
2) They like to ask others to
combine to do evil together (Micah 7:3).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) No matter what men say or think
it does not
count. Only the righteous judgment of God is the ultimate judgment on men’s
conduct.
2) Intentionally violation is the common fault
of men in the world. Education can not decrease men’s inclination of sin
and
even increase men’s knowledge and skill of committing sins.
3) George Bernard Shaw said
“No nation can
survive without God”. Likewise
all those who forsake God will be forsaken by
God. Their end is perdition (translated
from the Chinese version from the original).
4) Men who go towards the way of sin will
seldom remember their sins and may also feel joyful for the sake of being
accustomed to being kept company with sinners.
5) Sinners often like to commit sins with
others together. Therefore
the chances of one’s committing sins shall be
spontaneous decreased by keeping distant from the wicked (see Ps. 1:1).
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The
Origin of the Gospel ---- God
A.
The
gospel is of God ---- “the gospel of God” (v.1);
B.
The
gospel is the promise of God ---- “which He
promised”
(v.2);
C.
The
gospel is of the love of God ---- “beloved of
God” (v.7);
D.
The
gospel is according to the will of God ---- “in the will of God”
(v.10);
E.
The
gospel is the power of God ---- “it is the
power of God”
(v.16);
F.
The
gospel is for the purpose of manifesting the righteousness of God ---- “in the
gospel the righteousness of God is
revealed”
(v.17);
G.
The
gospel is of God ---- “I thank my God through Jesus
Christ for you all
that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (v.8);
The
Announcement of God’s Gospel
A.
The
vessel for preaching the gospel:
1.
Who
is “the bondman of Jesus Christ” (v.1 the original);
2.
Who
is “called” by God (v.1);
3.
Who
is “separated to the gospel of God” (v.1);
4.
Who
has “received grace” (v.5 the original);
5.
Who
is “apostleship” (v.1
5);
B.
The
example of the preacher of the gospel:
1.
Who
takes “all nations” as the object (v.5);
2.
Who
“serves with the spirit” (v.9);
3.
Who
“prays” without ceasing and seeks “the
will of God” (v.9-10);
4.
Who
“has some fruit” in life (v.13);
5.
Who thinks he is “a debtor” to
all those to whom he will preach the gospel (v.14);
6.
“Who is ready to”
“as much as is in him”
(v.15);
God’s
A.
God’s
gospel (v.1);
B.
God’s
Son (v.4);
C.
God’s
beloved (v.7);
D.
God’s
will (v.10);
E.
God’s
power (v.16);
F.
God’s
righteousness (v.17);
G.
God’s
wrath (v.18);
H.
God’s
things ---- God’s eternal power and Godhead (v.19-20);
I.
God’s
glory (v.23);
J.
God’s
truth of God (v.25);
The
Content of the Gospel ---- Jesus Christ
A.
Concerning
Jesus Christ ---- “the gospel …concerning His Son Jesus Christ
our Lord”
(v.2-3);
B.
He
is “the Son of man” ---- “who was born of the seed of
David according to the flesh”
(v.3);
C.
He
is “the Son of God” ---- “be the Son of God … according
to the Spirit of holiness”
(v.4);
The
Existence of the Three Persons of the Divine Trinity (v.3-4)
A.
God
the Father ---- “His”
“God”;
B.
God
the Son ---- His Son Jesus Christ our Lord
the Son of God;
C.
God
the Spirit ---- the Spirit of holiness;
Why
We Need to Preach the Gospel?
A.
Because
of Christ’s being ---- He is the theme and content of the gospel (v.3);
B.
Because
of Christians’ being ---- who are entrusted to preach the gospel and are
debtors of all men (v.14);
C.
Because
of the being of men in the world ---- whatever of a person one is
he needs the
gospel (v.15
17);
D.
Because
of the gospel’s being ---- the gospel is a kind of good news and the power of
God to salvation for everyone who believes;
E.
Because
of God’s being ---- God is righteous and will judge all those who practice unrighteousness
(v.17-18);
The
Receiving of the Gospel of God
A.
Those
who have received the gospel:
1.
“Who
are the called of Jesus Christ” (v.6);
2.
“Who
are beloved of God
called to be saints” (v.7);
B.
The
way of receiving the gospel ---- “salvation for everyone who believes”
(v.16-17);
Paul
to Believers in Rome
A.
He
thanked for them (v.8);
B.
He
made mention of them in his prayers (v.9-11);
C.
He
planned to go to them (v.13);
D.
He
was a debtor to them (v.14);
E.
He
was ready to preach the gospel to them (v.15);
F.
He
bore witness to them (v.16);
The
Knowledge of the Gospel
A.
The
right attitude towards the gospel ---- not be ashamed of… (v
B.
The
gospel itself ---- the power of God (v.16b)
C.
The
purpose of the gospel ---- to salvation ….(v.16b)
D.
The
condition of the gospel ---- believe (v.16b)
E.
The
sphere of the gospel ---- everyone who believes (v.16b)
F.
The
order of the gospel ---- the Jew first and also for the Greek (v.16)
G.
The
revelation of the gospel ---- the unrighteousness of God (v
H.
The
result of the gospel ---- live by faith (v.17b);
Five
Basic Principles of the Gospel (v.16-17)
A.
The
gospel is the power of God.
B.
The
gospel is to salvation for everyone who believes
and there is no difference.
C.
The
gospel is to reveal the righteousness of God.
D.
The
gospel is from faith to faith.
E.
The
just shall live by faith.
Four
Manifestations
A.
The
righteousness of God is manifested in the gospel (v.17).
B.
The
wrath of God is manifested in ungodly and unrighteous men (v.18).
C.
God’s
existence is manifested in men’s conscience (v.19).
D.
God’s
eternal power and Godhead are manifested in the creation of the world (v.20).
The
Necessity of God’s Gospel
A.
God’s
wrath is evoked by men’s sins in two aspects ---- “ungodliness and
unrighteousness… suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (v.18).
B.
Men’s
sins in the first aspect ---- ungodliness and suppressing the truth:
1.
They
knew God
but they did not glorify Him as God
nor were thankful (v.19-21).
2.
They
changed the glory of the incorruptible God into idols … they exchanged the
truth of God for the lie
and worshiped and served the creature (v.22-25).
3.
“They
did not like to retain God in their knowledge… be haters of God” (v.28-30).
C.
Men’s
sins in the second aspect ---- unrighteousness… in unrighteousness:
1.
“In
the lusts of their hearts vile passions” (V.24
26-27);
2.
“A
debased mind…do those things which are not fitting” (v.28-31);
3.
“Not
only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (v.32)
The
Proof of God’s Existence
A.
Men’s
hearts proves God’s existence (v.19).
B.
The
creation of the world proves God’s existence (v.20).
The
Sins of Men
A.
The
basic reasons for men’s being condemned ---- reject God:
1.
Men
denied God’s manifestation in them (v.19).
2.
Men
denied God’s manifestation in the creation of the world (v.20).
3.
Men
ignored God’s true and glorious nature (v.21-25).
B.
The
sinful facts of men in conduct ---- sin against God:
1.
The
vileness of lusts (v.26-27);
2.
The
debasement of mind (v.28-29);
3.
The
corruption of conduct (v.30-31);
C.
The
result of men’s sins ---- being judged by God (v.32);
The
Sins of Ungodliness
A.
The
first time ---- because men changed the glory of the incorruptible God into
idols ---- God gave them up to the lusts of their hearts (v.21-24);
B.
The
second time ---- because men did not worship or serve the Creator
---- God
gave them up to vile passions (v.25-26).
C.
The
third time ---- because men did not like to retain God in their knowledge ----
God gave them over to a debased mind (v.28).
The
Sins of Unrighteousness
A.
Between
men and women ---- the vileness of lusts (v.26-27);
B.
Among
men themselves ---- the debasement of mind (v.28-29);
C.
In
one’s conduct ---- the corruption of deeds (v.30-32);
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou