Romans Introduction

Transcription

1 Romans Introduction As I mentioned previously, Sha ul (Paul) is often very difficult to outline, others may not think so, but I do. This is because as Paul moves from topic to topic, his next topic is still part of the entire package, which is kind of like an owner of a mansion showing you the home. The mansion owner can show you from one room (topic) to another, and you feel like you have seen (discussed) so much, but we are still in the mansion, on their property which makes the living area functionally connected to the kitchen area, and all the other rooms. In a home, the wall separates one room from another, but the wall serves both rooms not just one this is the difficult with Paul. Our first section seems rather short, kind of like an entry way into a home. Sha ul opens his letter with greetings then his statement of not being ashamed of the Gospel serves to move him from his opening statements, crossing the threshold into the remainder of the letter. For me, Romans 1.16 is the theme for the Epistle. Every spiritual application mentioned in Romans is a specific reason for not being ashamed of the Gospel. His next section is a major section is rather large, going from Romans 1.16 through to the end of Romans Eight, which we will examining in our next study, but please begin reading that major section. However, our first textual study will end with Romans 1.16.

2 Romans Our Text from The Scriptures: 1Sha ul, a servant of יהושע Messiah, a called emissary, separated to the Good News of Elohim, 2which He promised before through His prophets in the Set-apart Scriptures, 3concerning His Son, who came of the seed of Dawiḏ according to the flesh, 4who was designated Son of Elohim with power, according to the Set-apart Spirit, by the resurrection from the dead: יהושע Messiah, the Master of us, 5through whom we have received favour and office of the emissary for belief-obedience among all the nations on behalf of His Name, 6among whom you also are the called ones of יהושע Messiah. 7To all who are in Rome, beloved of Elohim, called, set-apart ones: Favour to you and peace from Elohim our Father and the Master יהושע Messiah. 8First, I truly thank my Elohim through יהושע Messiah for you all, that your belief is spoken of in all the world. 9For Elohim is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the Good News of His Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, 10always asking in my prayers, if at all possible, I shall be blessed by the desire of Elohim, to come to you. 11For I long to see you, so as to impart some spiritual gift to you, for you to be established, 12and that is, to be encouraged together among you, each by the other s belief both yours and mine. 13And I do not wish you to be unaware, brothers, that I often purposed to come to you, but was hindered until now, in order to have some fruit among you, as also among the other gentiles. 14I am a debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to wise and to foolish. 15That is why I am so eager to bring the Good News also to you who are in Rome. 16For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Messiah, for it is the power of Elohim for deliverance to everyone who believes, to the Yehuḏite first and also to the Greek.

3 Romans Questions 1. (1.1) How does The Scriptures (TS98) use of the term Sha ul influence your perception of Paul? 2. (1.1) How does TS98 s phrase יהושע Messiah affect your perception of Jesus Christ? 3. (1.1) How does TS98 s term emissary affect your understanding of an apostle? 4. (1.3-4) What do you think of Sha ul s description of Jesus sonship? 5. (1.7) Who makes up the Church at Rome? 6. (1.8) How does TS98 s use of the term Elohim affect your perception of God? 7. (1.8) How do you think that their faith had become known? 8. (1.11) What spiritual gift do you suppose Sha ul wanted to give them? Did Sha ul ever specify this gift (these gifts) in Romans? 9. (1.12) How do we encourage each other s faith? 10. (1.13) Knowing that Sha ul has his stern moments, if he communicated that he wanted to visit your church, how does that make you feel? 11. (1.14) What does it mean that Sha ul was a debtor to people? What does it mean for you? 12. (1.15) Since, Rome already had believers in the Good News, why does Sha ul need to bring Good News? Could this mean there is additional Good News within the Good News, especially knowing that Sha ul wanted to impart a spiritual gift? 13. (1.16) Provide your thoughts (in a sentence or two) about not being ashamed of the Good News. 14. Our situation is significantly different that Sha ul s, most of the world had not heard of the Messiah, but today Christianity is a worldwide force. So, how do you suggest we take the Good News today? Specifically, place your focus on your community.textual Discussion Romans

4 Romans My Answers 1. (1.1) How does The Scriptures (TS98) use of the term Sha ul influence your perception of Paul? Paul has a Greek feel, where as Sha ul has more of a Hebrew feel. This minor change in the representation of Saul (Paul s) name helps to bring out his Jewishness. Philippians 3.5 Sha ul states how Hebrew he really is, but centuries of Christian Doctrine seem to negate how much Sha ul is Jewish. 2. (1.1) How does TS98 s phrase יהושע Messiah affect your perception of Jesus Christ? This feels similar to question one, but seeing the Hebrew letters for Yeshua s name helps solidify the reality that the savior is Jew. 3. (1.1) How does TS98 s term emissary affect your understanding of an apostle? The KJV uses the word apostle is an English Transliteration of the Greek word apostolos. The English word apostle has been used for so long, that is has been interpreted as a Title (like the word Captain), but TS98 s use of emissary seems to better carry what Strong s identifies as the meaning of apostolos : a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ. 4. (1.3-4) What do you think of Sha ul s description of Jesus sonship? There are two major parts to Sha ul s description. One, Yehsua was a descended from the Davidic Line. Two, that Yeshua was designated TO BE the Son by being resurrected from the dead. Part One seems fairly straight forward. This is the riddle that Yeshua asked and no one dared answer (Matthew ). But Part Two is powerful and, in my mind, truly stands out. Yeshua became THE son with POWER because of being resurrected. Both the KJV and the NIV carry the same idea in their translation, except TS98 uses the phrase was designated whereas the KJV uses declared and the NIV uses the phrase was appointed. It seems, for Sha ul and his portrayal of the Gospel, the resurrection is *the proof* positive that Yeshua is the designated/declared/appointed one of God. This is congruent with what Sha ul writes in 1 Corinthians and then with verse five, he goes on to itemize those who witnessed the event. The resurrection seems to be *the* power point

5 for Sha ul, the Pharisaic teaching of the resurrection was proven true and this part of Scripture has been fulfilled by Yeshua being the first fruits from the dead. TS98 3concerning His Son, who came of the seed of Dawiḏ according to the flesh, 4who was designated Son of Elohim with power, according to the Set-apart Spirit, by the resurrection from the dead: יהושע Messiah, the Master of us, KJV 3Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: NIV 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5. (1.7) Who makes up the Church at Rome? As discussed in the study The Church at Rome, the church at Rome consisted of Jewish believers, and probably a combination of proselyte Gentile believers and non-proselyte Gentile believers. The major difference in the Gentile believers is that the proselyte had been a convert to Judaism prior to coming to believe that Yeshua was the promised Messiah, which means the proselyte would be far more familiar with the Torah and Jewish life than the non-proselytized Gentile believer. This makes for, at least, three major distinct groups that believe in Jesus, all three would have significantly different biblical understanding, yet all must learn how to live as one in this new body of believers and learn how to get along with regard of what the disciple may eat and what the disciple may drink (Sha ul will be touch upon the importance of this issue in Romans Chapter Fourteen). 6. (1.8) How does TS98 s use of the term Elohim affect your perception of God? It almost makes me feel that God is the god of the Hebrews, but I have to push that notion aside. Elohim is the God of all nations, not just the Hebrews/Jews. But the term Elohim also helps solidify the issue that God is not God s name, God is what he is, whether Elohim or God, Jehovah is Deity, but the Deity of all deities. 7. (1.8) How do you think that their faith had become known? This is pure speculation, as I suppose everyone s is. But I believe that someone from Jerusalem either traveled to Rome, or someone from Rome traveled to Jerusalem, either

6 way, news of the growth and unity of the Roman Jewish and Gentile believers became known to Jerusalem and the world. 8. (1.11) What spiritual gift do you suppose Sha ul wanted to give them? Did Sha ul ever specify this gift (these gifts) in Romans? I am not certain the gifts are specified. And my memory does not recall if Sha ul mentions the gifts, or any gifts for that matter, in his letter to the Romans. But, you see, the beauty of e-sword word searches is that I do find that Sha ul mentions gifts in Romans. 6Now having different gifts, according to the favour which was given to us, let us use them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of belief; 7if serving, in the serving; or he who is teaching, in the teaching; 8or he who encourages, in the encouragement; or he who is sharing, in sincerity; he who is leading, in diligence; he who shows compassion, joyously. But, perhaps our study will reveal a better answer to this question. 9. (1.12) How do we encourage each other s faith? This seems to be carried out uniquely from individual to individual and from ecclesia to ecclesia. Sometimes encouragement is a kind word, others times it is being there as support during a trying time. Sometimes encouragement comes through prayers, bible studies, but I must also include the specific gifts Sha ul gives in Romans : prophecy, serving, teaching, encouragement, sharing, leading, and compassion. 10. (1.13) Knowing that Sha ul has his stern moments, if he communicated that he wanted to visit your church, how does that make you feel? Up front, I am not so certain I would want to have him visit because my perception is that he is fervently stern in his presentation, old habits die hard (cf. persecution of the church). But, since he is in Messiah then his heart of stone, should be a heart of flesh, and in keeping with his other letters he should demonstrate his love, but knowing that Sha ul confronted Kefa (Peter) to his face, then I would not want to cross Sha ul. 11. (1.14) What does it mean that Sha ul was a debtor to people? What does it mean for you? For Sha ul, he and his ministry simply would not be where it was without the generosity of the people, irrespective of the people.

7 For me, sometimes I have expressed my situation like this, except for the grace of God, I would not be. That is true, but that is only partially true, because the Greatest Commandment is to love God and people. That statement only recognizes God s Love. We must also learn to recognize Humanity s Love. Recognizing God s Love without recognizing Humanity s Love is giving credit to only one part. Recognizing Humanity s Love without recognizing God s Love is giving credit to only one part. We must learn to give credit to both parts, because both Divinity and Humanity help us in what we do. 12. (1.15) Since, Rome already had believers in the Good News, why does Sha ul need to bring Good News? Could this mean there is additional Good News within the Good News, especially knowing that Sha ul wanted to impart a spiritual gift? My question is loaded with what I perceive to be a seeker sensitive gospel that aims only at conversion of the sinner. While there are church programs and functions that help mature the converted, these programs are not generally understood or promoted as good news for the believer. Because conversion from sinner to saint is considered, by many, to be the ultimate good news little effort seems to be given to continuing the good news for the believers. The good news is not a one-time event, the good news is good news for the life of the believer, in order for the believer in Yeshua to have life and have it more abundantly (John 10.10). 13. (1.16) Provide your thoughts (in a sentence or two) about not being ashamed of the Good News. It seems in our culture, we have this natural assumption that because people exist and function in a Christian culture, they should be aware of Jesus and the truth. This is not always the case. The longer I pay attention to the events and happenings around me, the more I am convinced that the Good News is cluttered, hidden, misrepresented to those around us. The Good News is cluttered because in our country there is lots and lots of Good News, even in our sluggish economy. Our country is fairly stable, our wars rarely affect us on an immediate personal level, and we basically travel in safety and security. The Good News is hidden because our culture is riddled with things that grab our attention: music, media, sports, school, work, the sensual experiences, personal problems. These enter our daily lives and serve as road blocks obscuring the most valuable thing we can have. The Good News is misrepresented because non-believers slander believers, yet believers insult each other and believers malign non-believers. This scenario is true. From nonbelievers to believers, what else should we expect? Non-believers have not covenanted themselves to being a sacrifice for humanity s betterment. But when believers insult each other and believers malign non-believers, how can the Good News be seen? Even if I, or

8 you, do not insult and malign, so many other Christians do, that they are effectively misrepresenting the Good News inflicting a thousand wounds by foolish tongue lashings. 14. Our situation is significantly different that Sha ul s, most of the world had not heard of the Messiah, but today Christianity is a worldwide force. So, how do you suggest we take the Good News today? Specifically, place your focus on your community. As many know, I currently live in the San Antonio area. The city is large and vast. Not only does it take about three hours to drive 1604, the outer loop around San Antonio, the city is filled with many different languages and cultures. I have been meeting people who are stifled by the events of life, burdened with worries, burdened with a lack of occupational skills, and burdened with a spirit that questions. These plights exist in the big city, and in the small town. Both, you and I must be willing to have God lead us out of our comforts. Sitting at church and worshipping is comfortable. Giving to the contribution is comfortable. Interacting with the downtrodden, the weary, the sorrowful, and the smelly is uncomfortable. But I am thinking that this is because we mainly are not acquainted with sorrow. Sometimes we have the attitude pick yourself up. This is not the Good News. The Good News is that God s reached out with his mighty right hand to save. Because He reached out, we reach out. As such, Yeshua was acquainted with sorrow (Isaiah 53.3) and when we are also acquainted with sorrow we will be better servants, having walked in the shoes of those who suffer. We must accept that we need to have a focus on the health and beauty of the Good News, but not be so prim and proper that we neglect to get our hands dirty in carrying out the Good News.