Study of the Book of Romans A Theological Treatise

Transcription

1 Sunday, November 4 & 11, 18, 2012: Lesson #27 Christ Died for the ungodly (Continued) I. Reading Lesson: Romans 5:6-11 (Begins to express the reason why we are justified by faith and stand in the grace of God. It further strengthens our confidence in that Christ died and being reconciled we shall be saved by his life ) (REVIEW) II. Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. a. We were without strength 1. asthene ś; [Wordstudy] adj. from a (G1), without, and sthénos, strength. Without strength, powerless. Weak, powerless, without physical ability (Mat_26:41, "the flesh is weak," impotent, i.e., unequal to the task; Mar_14:38; 1Pe_3:7. Including the idea of imperfection (1Co_12:22;) [Strong] more feeble, impotent, sick, without strength, weak i. Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit ii. iii. indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 1 Corinthians 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 2. Mankind was without strength with regard to justifying himself or making an atonement to God for his sin. All of the arguments considered in chapter four concerning justification by faith confirm this. 3. This does not teach the false doctrine of Total Inability as taught by those who hold the Calvinistic view of Monergism. The teaching of Total Inability or Monergism says that man is totally unable to even respond to the Gospel or the drawing power of God, which bolsters their position concerning Election. Mankind is totally unable to appease God for their sin, but not unable to respond to the calling of God. 4. BARNES: The word used here α σθενω ν astheno n is usually applied to those who are sick and feeble, deprived of strength by disease; Mat_25:38; Luk_10:9; Act_4:9; Act_5:15. But it is also used in a moral sense, to denote inability or feebleness with regard to any undertaking or duty. Here it means that we were without strength in regard to the case which the apostle was considering; that is, we had no power to devise a scheme of justification, to make an atonement, or to put away the wrath of God, etc. While all hope of man s being saved by any plan of his own was thus taken away; while he was thus lying exposed to divine justice, and dependent on the mere mercy of God; God provided a plan which met the case, and secured his salvation. The remark of the apostle here has reference only to the condition of the race before an atonement is made. It does not pertain to the question whether man has strength to repent and to believe after an atonement is made, which is a very different inquiry. 1

2 b. In due time: at the proper time. 1. Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law (GOD devised the plan and put it in motion at the absolute correct moment!) c. Christ died: This is what Christ did that provided mankind with a plan that he can be justified by faith and have access to the grace of God wherein he stands! 1. The penalty of sin: Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 2. Man died SPIRITUALLY: Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. 3. In Adam ALL DIED: i. 1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. AT Robertson: All who die die in Adam, all who will be made alive will be made alive (restored to life) in Christ ii. Genesis 3:7-10 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (8) And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. (9) And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? (10) And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 4. CHRIST bore OUR SIN, paid the penaly of OUR SIN: i. READ ALL OF ISAIAH CHAPTER 53 ii. Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? iii. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. d. For THE ungodly: 1. For: hupér; Meaning for, in behalf of, for the sake of, in the sense of protection, care, favor, benefit. (CHRIST OUR SUBSTITUTE) 2. The UNGODLY: asebe ś; adj. from the priv. a (G1), without, and sébomai (G4576), to worship, venerate. Basically it means godless, without fear and reverence of God. It does not mean irreligious, but one who actively practices the opposite of what the fear of God demands. Asebe ś is one characterized by immoral and impious behavior. 3. Thus Christ died for the ungodly, not some or a select few, but THE ungodly. III. Romans 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 2

3 IV. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Note the harmony of the following scriptures): a. John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. b. John 15:13-14 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (14) Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. c. 1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. d. 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. e. GOD exhibited HIS LOVE for the WORLD as HE devised the means whereby THE WORLD could be reconciled to him by the death of his son Jesus Christ FOR ALL. f. **Brad Adams in opposition to the Calvinistic view: The death of Jesus Christ was FOR ALL. It s power and effect is realized in those who repent and believe in this life, in the true penitent believer. It s power and effect will be realized in all of those who reject him and fail to repent and believe in the hereafter upon their departure from this world! 1. Proof text for the unbeliever: Luke 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 2. Proof text for the believer: This LESSON! Begin November 18 th : ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE DEATH OF CHRIST? V. Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. a. Justified: to render (that is, show or regard as) just or innocent b. Return to Romans Chapter Four: Justified by FAITH, c. Romans 5:1 therefore being justified by FAITH d. The death of Christ was and is the means whereby we CAN be justified. The application of the redeeming work of Christ on the cross comes by repentance and faith. e. We shall be saved from wrath ; looking to a future consummation of complete salvation. Why? Because Jesus is ALIVE at the right hand of God! 1. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. 2. ***Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 3

4 3. ***Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 5. 1 Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 6. John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 7. The life of Christ Jesus at the right hand of God is the assurance of complete salvation, soul and body and deliverance from wrath on the day of judgment!! f. Matthew 25:31-33 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (32) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: (33) And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. g. Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. VI. Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. a. For if ; For: Assigning a reason and IF: assigning a CONDITION b. We were Reconciled: [Strong] to change mutually [Wordstudy] katallátto ; fut. katalláxo, from katá (G2596), an intens., and allásso (G236), to change. To reconcile. Used of the divine work of redemption denoting that act of redemption insofar as God Himself is concerned by taking upon Himself our sin and becoming an atonement. Thus a relationship of peace with mankind is established which was hitherto prevented by the demands of His justice. In katallásso, God is the subject, man the object. While hilasmós (G2434), propitiation (1Jo_2:2; 1Jo_4:10) and hiláskomai (G2433), to make reconciliation (Luk_18:13; Heb_2:17), aim at averting God's wrath; katallásso implies God has laid aside or withdrawn His wrath. In the NT, spoken of the change that God makes in man through conversion so that he may be reconciled to the holy God (2Co_5:18-19; 2d aor. pass. imper. katalláge te, "be ye reconciled to God," 2Co_5:20). In 1Co_7:11, katallásso is used in the matter of marital relationships. If a wife decides to leave her husband for reasons other than his unfaithfulness, she should remain unmarried. But in case there is the necessary change in him, she should then be reconciled to him. The change here is in the one at fault just as man is at fault in the case of the God-Man relationship (2Co_5:18-19). c. By the death of his son: The means of reconciliation d. We shall be (future) saved by his life: His resurrection! 4

5 1. Hebrews 7:15-16 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, (16) Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 2. **1 Corinthians 15:22-28 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (23) But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (24) Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. (25) For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. (26) The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (27) For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. (28) And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. VII. Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. a. We also joy in God ; Joy: to vaunt or boast b. Through our Lord Jesus Christ ; 1. Through: dee-ah'; A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act c. By Whom : By; same word as through above d. We have now ; nún; [Wordstudy] In reference to time just past, meaning now, just now, even now (Mat_26:65; Joh_11:8; Joh_13:31; Joh_14:29; Joh_21:10; Act_7:52; Rom_5:11). [Thayer] at this time, the present, now e. Received the atonement (note the word atonement, improper KJV translation.) 1. Atonement: katallage ; gen. katallage ś, fem. noun from katallásso (G2644),(verse 10) to reconcile. Reconciliation, restoration, exchange. A change or reconciliation from a state of enmity between persons to one of friendship. a. Occurs four times in NT: reconciliation, (2) 2Co_5:18-19 (2), atonement, (1) Rom_5:11, reconciling, (1) Rom_11:15 (all other translations = reconciliation) 2. BARNES: This is the only instance in which our translators have used the word atonement in the New Testament. As it is now used by us, it commonly means the ransom, or the sacrifice by means of which reconciliation is effected between God and man. But in this place it has a different sense. It means the reconciliation itself between God and man; not the means by which reconciliation is effected. It denotes not that. we have received a ransom, or an offering by which reconciliation might be effected; but that in fact we have become reconciled through him. This was the ancient meaning of the English word atonement - at one ment - being at one, or reconciled. 3. CLARKE: It was certainly improper to translate καταλλαγη here by atonement, instead of reconciliation; as καταλλασσω signifies to reconcile, and is so rendered by our translators in all the places where it occurs. It does not mean the atonement here, 5

6 as we generally understand that word, viz. the sacrificial death of Christ; but rather the effect of that atonement, the removal of the enmity, and by this, the change of our condition and state; from κατα, intensive, and αλλασσω to change; the thorough change of our state from enmity to friendship. God is reconciled to us, and we are reconciled to him by the death of his Son; and thus there is a glorious change from enmity to friendship; and we can exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have received this reconciliation. Though boasting is forbidden to a Jew, because his is a false confidence, yet boasting is enjoined to a Christian, to one reconciled to God; for, his boasting is only in that reconciliation, and the endless mercy by which it is procured. So he that glorieth (boasteth) must glory in the Lord. 4. GILL: atonement is not made, but received by us; which denotes the application of the atoning blood and sacrifice of Christ to the conscience f. THIS IS WHY WE STUDY THE WAY WE DO!!! VIII. QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK S STUDY: How is Adam a figure of Jesus Christ? Romans 5:14 (We will take up Romans 5:11-21 beginning next week) IX. 6