Sunday, May 12, 2013: Lesson #41 Romans Chapter Nine Introduction The ninth chapter of Romans begins at the end of Paul s discourse concerning the necessity of salvation, the scheme (plan) of redemption and the work of salvation within the saved person. He ends that discourse with a glorious affirmation of the purpose of God for his people, the absolute security of the believer in Christ Jesus and all of the wonderful privileges of being a child of God. At the end of what would (or should) have any believer rejoicing in the love of God and the knowledge of these things, Paul states in Romans 9:1 that he has great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart! Why? Because of his burden for his kinsmen in the flesh, Israel! He would even have wished himself accursed from Christ, if that would bring them into fellowship with God, through Christ. The subject matter of the entire book to this point has been God s purpose and plan of salvation for mankind. Even though it may appear that the subject shifts in chapter nine to Israel, the subject matter that Paul has on his heart is still the same, God s plan of salvation. In chapter nine, he begins to write about his people Israel and the major role Israel had in God s scheme of redemption and, their subsequent rejection of Christ as a nation. He makes a clear distinction between natural Israel (fleshly) and the true Israel of God, spiritual Israel whom he calls the children of the promise. Note here how this ties back into the latter verses of chapter two and the first few verses of chapter three. Paul here makes reference to the Jews and makes the same analogy. He then begins to expound upon the promise of God. How that God made choice of Israel in his purpose regardless of their righteousness or wickedness. God had a plan and he had determined HOW he would bring his plan to pass and Israel was a part of that plan. Even though they, as a nation rejected God s promise and plan, and were a disobedient and gainsaying people. (Romans 10:21) God carried out his purpose in Christ without wavering! He speaks of the power of God and the inability of anyone to control God or to question his choices. He writes of the longsuffering of God and the salvation of the Gentiles being brought to pass through the longsuffering of God with Israel s disobedience. He tells of the remnant of Israel that will be truly saved and in the end of chapter nine he tells us the reason that Israel as a nation failed to attain unto the righteousness of God. The reason was that they sought it not by faith but by the works of the law and in doing so, they stumbled over Jesus. Romans Chapter Nine Outline I. Romans 9:1-3: Paul s burden for his people Israel II. Romans 9:4-5; Israel s position in the God s plan of redemption III. Romans 9:6-9; The distinction between natural and spiritual Israel and the true meaning of the promise to Israel. (Spiritual Israel) IV. Romans 9:10-16; God chose Israel V. Romans 9:17-21; God all powerful, not able to be controlled VI. Romans 9:22-26; Through Israel s rejection of Christ, the Gentiles are the people of God VII. Romans 9:27-29; The true remnant within Israel VIII. Romans 9:30-33; The reason the Gentiles were received and Israel rejected (as nations) 1
IX. Did the context really change? No! X. References to the Israel several times throughout the book a. Romans 2:17-29 (Behold, thou art called a Jew) b. Romans 3:1-3 (What advantage hath the Jew?) c. Romans 4:1-25 (Abraham and how he was justified before God) d. Romans 7:1-3 (Reference to the law) e. Romans chapters 9-11 (The role of the nation of Israel in the plan of redemption) XI. XII. Romans 9:1-3 (Read. NOTE: This appears as a continuation of Chapter 2:28-29. Almost as though chapters 3-8 were an interjection!) a. This answers the question that has been asked, why the sudden change in context? b. Paul s burden: Continual sorrow! c. He could wish himself accursed from Christ! 1. an thema from anat th mi G, to place, lay up. A gift given by vow or in fulfillment of a promise, and given up or devoted to destruction for God's sake. [Thayer] a thing devoted to God without hope of being redeemed, and if an animal, to be slain; therefore a person or thing doomed to destruction d. Kinsmen : suggen s ad. from s n G, with, denoting fellowship, and génos (G1085), offspring, stock, nation, family. A kinsman or kinswoman, a relative, one of the same family. In a wider sense one of the same nation, a fellow-countryman, spoken by Paul of the Jews as being all descended from a common ancestor (Rom_9:3; Rom_16:7, Rom_16:11, Rom_16:21). Sunday, May 19, 2013 Romans 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. a. Paul states Israel s position in the scheme of redemption. The special favor of God that was upon them as a nation of people! We can relate this to ourselves today as being the church, the people of God and our relationship to God, our heritage, what God has done among us concerning his plan of redemption. Even to our nation, the United States of America, God has favored us! Paul will deal with this later in chapter eleven concerning the Gentiles! b. To whom pertaineth KJV [BARNES] It was their extended privilege 1. (YLT) Romans 9:4 who are Israelites, whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the lawgiving, and the service, and the promises, 2. (ESV) Romans 9:4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 3. JP Green Interlinear whose are and in the original text he says: of whom 2
c. The adoption: Considered by many commentators to be the adoption of Israel as a nation as God s special people. I am not so sure. The word adoption occurs seven times in the NT and in every instance it is used by Paul. In every other case he uses the word in relation to the spiritual adoption of a sinner into the relationship with God as a son or child and once concerning the adoption of the body at the resurrection. (See Romans 8:15, Romans 8:23, Ephesians 1:4-5, Galatians 4:5) 1. Adoption: huiothes a from hui s G, son, and t th mi G, to place. Adoption, receiving into the relationship of a child. 2. It was Israel s privilege to be called the sons of God: a. Deuteronomy 7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. b. Exodus 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: 3. Everything Paul mentions in verses four and five concern Israel and the things that God did among them that pointed to the coming of Christ. Their adoption as a nation was part of that, but also IN those things was displayed the spiritual adoption that Paul speaks of in all the other NT instances of the word adoption. I think he is actually speaking of the adoption as being the true adoption of sons unto God. That it was through Israel that God set forth the way of true adoption in Christ. That it pertained or belonged to them as a nation by extended privilege as did all of the other things mentioned. d. The Glory: The symbol of the divine presence (FAVOR) that attended them from Egypt, and that finally rested over the ark in the first temple. How many times did God manifest his glory to Israel? The favor of God was upon them. How many times has he manifested his glory to us? 1. Glory: d xa noun from dok G, to think, recogni e. Glory. A look at the root word of d xa, i.e., dok G, to think or suppose, is necessary. The word primarily means thought or opinion, especially favorable human opinion, and thus in a secondary sense reputation, praise, honor (true and false), splendor, light, perfection, rewards (temporal and eternal). Thus the dóxa of man is human opinion and is shifty, uncertain, often based on error, and its pursuit for its own safety is unworthy. But there is a glory of God which must be absolutely true and changeless. God's opinion marks the true value of things as they appear to the eternal mind, and God's favorable opinion is true glory. 2. Exodus 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 3. 1 Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 3
XIII. XIV. XV. e. The Covenants: The covenant God made with Abraham concerning Christ, the covenant god made with Israel concerning the land of promise. Various covenants God made with them. f. The law: That shows us our sin before God. 1. 2 Corinthians 3:7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: g. The Service of God: (Temple Worship, offerings and sacrifices) h. The Promises: The promised seed of Christ and many others. i. The Fathers: (heritage) The illustrious ancestry of Israel. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. This heritage was highly valued among the Jews. Great men of God. j. Christ came in the flesh via Israel! Through the heritage of Israel and by the favor of God. (Note: it was also by them he was crucified) Sunday May 26, 2013 (Natural Israel vs the True Israel (Spiritual Israel) Read Romans 9:1-5 from last week s lesson a. What advantage hath the Jew? (Look back to Romans 3:1) What advantage do we have? b. The position of Israel in God s plan. Romans : -5) What advantage hath the American? Now read Romans 9:6-9 (Note it seems that Paul knew that these people understood Israel s rejection of Christ, the reason for his sorrow) Romans 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: a. (ISV Romans 9:6 Now it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all Israelites truly belong to Israel, b. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect 1. Paul immediately answers the question that the Jew (or anyone for that matter) might ask concerning the promise made to the Jewish nation in Abraham or any doubt concerning the effectiveness of the Word of God as the reason for the spiritual condition of the Jewish nation. Has God forsaken Israel? 2. Adam Clarke: A Jew might have objected, as in Romans : Is not God bound by his faithfulness to continue the Jews as his peculiar Church and people, notwithstanding the infidelity of the major part of them? If they are brought to a level with the Gentiles, will it not follow that God hath failed in the performance of his promise to Abraham? Gen 17:7-8: I will establish my covenant between me and thee for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and thy seed after thee. To which it may be answered: This awful dispensation of God towards the Jews is not inconsistent with the veracity of the Divine promise; for even the whole body of natural born Jews are not the whole of the Israelites comprehended in the promise. Abraham is the father of many nations; and his seed is not only that which is of the law, but that also which is of the faith of Abraham, (Romans 4:16-17). The Gentiles were included in the Abrahamic covenant as well as the Jews; and therefore the Jews have no exclusive right to the blessings of God s kingdom. 4
XVI. XVII. 3. Read Romans 4:16-17 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (17) (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 4. Here we see the continuation of Romans 2:28 3:3 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 5. REMEMBER. God s word is never ineffective: Isaiah 55:10- For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. c. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel (Spiritual or True Israel vs Natural Israel) 1. Galatians 3:7-9 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Romans 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. a. The natural decent from Abraham could not be claimed as for salvation b. The TRUE Israel comes through the promised seed in Isaac: CHRIST! c. Galatians : Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Romans 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. a. How do we reconcile the usage of the same word seed in Romans : with Paul s statement in Galatians :? Paul clearly states that the seed was singular and referred to Christ in Galatians 3:16. This goes to God s purpose in Christ: b. God s PURPOSE: Ephesians 1:9-10 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times HE MIGHT GATHER TOGETHER IN ONE ALL THINGS IN CHRIST, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: c. WE ARE ONE IN CHRIST! It is all about Jesus our redeemer, brother and friend! AMEN!! 5
XVIII. XIX. Sunday, June 2, 2013 This is the word of promise (The true meaning of the promise) Paul s argument in verses 7 & 8 is opposed to the self-righteous boasting of the Jews concerning their natural decent from Abraham: a. My personal experience is that the Jewish people are still prideful of their heritage and being God s chosen people! b. Jesus discourse with the unbelieving Jews and their claims: John 8:33-59 1. Abrahams seed: John 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 2. Abraham is our father: John : They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 3. God is our father: John 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. c. Jesus response to the claims of the Jew: 1. John 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 2. John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 3. John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. d. John the Baptist preached Christ to the Jews: Matthew 3:9-10 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now the axe is laid at the root of the trees.. Paul is explaining the true meaning of the promise God made to Abraham! That the reason for Israel s position in the plan of God was not because of their merit but it was GOD S choice to use them to bring his purpose to pass! THEY COULD BE IN THIS POSITION AS A BELIEVER OR UNBELIEVER! AND THEY WERE JUST THAT! (Romans 9:6 for they are not all Israel which are of Israel ) a. The difficulty is to reconcile the rejection of the unbelieving Jews, with the word of God's promise, and the external tokens of the divine favour, which had been conferred upon them. (Romans 9:4-5) This he does in four ways: (1) By explaining the true meaning and intention of the promise, Romans 9:6-13. (2) By asserting and proving the absolute sovereignty of God, in disposing of the children of men to bring about his purpose, Romans 9:14-24. (3) By showing how this rejection of the Jews, and the taking in of the Gentiles, was foretold in the Old Testament, Romans 9:25-29. (4) By establishing the true reason of the Jews' rejection, Romans 9:30-33. In Romans 9:6-13 Paul explains the true meaning and intention of the promise. That promise was in Christ: (Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ ) When we mistake the word, and misunderstand the promise, it is no marvel if we are ready to 6
XX. quarrel with God about the accomplishment; and therefore the sense of this must first be duly stated. Now he here makes it out that, when God said he would be a God to Abraham, and to his seed (which was the famous promise made unto the fathers), he did not mean it of all his seed according to the flesh, as if it were a necessary accompaniment of the blood of Abraham; but that he intended it with a limitation only to certain ones. (Romans 9:8 the children of the promise are counted for the seed ) And as from the beginning it was appropriated to Isaac and not to Ishmael, to Jacob and not to Esau, and yet for all this the word of God was not made of no effect; so now the same promise is appropriated to believing Jews that embrace Christ and Christianity, and, though it throws off multitudes that refuse Christ, yet the promise is not therefore defeated and invalidated, any more than it was by the typical rejection of Ishmael and Esau. He states in verses & they are not all Israel who are of Israel, Neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children. Many that descended from Abraham and Jacob, and were of that people who were surnamed by the name of Israel, yet were very far from being Israelites indeed, interested in the saving benefits of the new covenant. They are not all really Israel that are so in name and profession. It does not follow that, because they are the seed of Abraham, therefore they must needs be the children of God, though they themselves fancied so, boasted much of, and built much upon, their relation to Abraham, Matthew 3:9; John 8:38-39. But it does not follow. Grace does not run in the blood, nor are saving benefits inseparably annexed to external church privileges, though it is common for people thus to stretch the meaning of God's promise, to bolster themselves up in a vain hope, which many Israelites did and still do today! Read again Romans 9:7-8: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.that is, They which are the children of the flesh, (Ishmael & Esau) these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise (those coming to God through Christ / Isaac & Jacob) are counted for the seed. XXI. Sunday, June 09, 2013 (This is the word of promise) For the word of promise is this; (YLT): Romans 9:9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. a. This IS the word of promise! b. Quotation from Genesis 18:10, 14 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. (The birth of Isaac) 1. Abraham thought it would be Ishmael: Genesis 17:18-19 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! (19) And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. 7
2. Paul is showing them that GOD formed his plan of salvation and that it did not come the way that the Jew thought it SHOULD have, much like Abraham in the beginning! God chose his plan and the way he would bring it to pass. It was well thought out and every choice had a purpose! 3. READ ALL OF GALATIANS 4:21-31!! a. Paul was writing to the Galatians concerning their being drawn back in to following the law. (Galatians 1:6) b. He states that the births of Isaac and Ishmael were an allegory. (figurative) c. They were representative of the TWO covenants: 1. Ishmael: Mount Sinai, bondage which is Hagar 2. Isaac: Jerusalem which is above. Isaac a child of the promise of God! 4. Notice the unwritten statement in verse nine that God made choice to bring Christ into the world through Isaac. I will come and Sarah shall have a son, In Isaac shall thy seed be called, and to thy seed, which is CHRIST. The choice of Isaac was about how GOD would execute his plan, not Isaac s personal relationship with God! Sunday June 16, 2013 (OUTLINE ALL OF THIS ON BOARD) (Continuation of this is the word of promise with a focus on how God chose Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob and Esau (see Romans 9:9) in the bringing to pass of the purpose of God in Christ Jesus. Notice again that what Paul is discussing is NOT the personal election or choice of God of a person to salvation but how he chose to USE that person in the execution of his PURPOSE in Christ. We will look at several people that God obviously appointed for a position in his purpose (which he does for each one of US by the way) and that in each case the scripture tells us that the person was chosen for a specific work or task, just as Israel was in our lesson. The choices were and are all of God and according to his will and forethought which includes him being omniscient, meaning, having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things ) (Also, answer to the question regarding John the Baptist) c. LAST WEEK: God determined that in Isaac shall thy seed be called. For the word of promise is this YLT : Romans : For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. 1. In this he had determined the path for Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca. God had declared what he would do through them! 2. WHY DID GOD CHOOSE ABRAHAM, SARAH, ISAAC AND REBECCA? 8
d. ABRAHAM: READ ALL OF Genesis 18:18:9-19; WHY DID GOD CHOOSE ABRAHAM? 1. The angels and the Lord visit Abraham before destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. 2. God restates to Abraham that Sarah shall have a son (Isaac) and Sarah laughs. 3. God states the character of Abraham and how Abraham s character was a part of the plan of God! Genesis 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. NOTE: ESV says I have chosen him. (Calvinistic) The word is yada to KNOW in Hebrew. YLT & JP Green says for I have known him all in past tense.) 4. (ESV) For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him." 5. YLT for I have known him, that he commandeth his children, and his house after him (and they have kept the way of Jehovah), to do righteousness and judgment, that Jehovah may bring on Abraham that which He hath spoken concerning him. e. Joseph: Matthew 1:18-23 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 1. Did God CHOOSE Joseph and Mary? YES. They were a part of God s purpose! f. Mary: Luke 1:26- And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. g. Zacharias, Elisabeth and John the Baptist: Luke 1:13-17 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, 9
and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 1. Note that John s birth was also a miraculous birth! h. Jeremiah: Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 1. {BARNES] Rather, Before I formed thee in the belly. I approved of thee as one fit for the prophetic office, and before thou camest forth from the womb I made thee holy (dedicated thee to holy uses); I have appointed thee (now by this public call to be a prophet unto the nations. i. God appointed Paul! (Galatians 1:15) But when it pleased God, who separated (to mark off from a boundary or line) me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 1. [BRANES] That is, who destined me; or who purposed from my very birth that I should be a preacher and an apostle. The meaning is, that God had in his secret purposes set him apart to be an apostle. It does not mean that he had actually called him in his infancy to the work, for this was not so, but that he designed him to be an important instrument in his hands in spreading the true religion. Jeremiah was thus set apart, and John the Baptist was thus early designated for the work which they afterward performed. j. Each one of these examples teaches us that God determined that each of these would fill a specific place in the purpose and plan of God. And that God made this determination based upon his forethought concerning his purpose in Christ, which includes his omniscience. It would be foolish of us to think otherwise as God is all powerful and is in complete control of all things. It would be equally foolish of us to think that God arbitrarily and randomly made the choices concerning his purpose and that they were NOT based upon any forethought, purpose or design and that the members of the human family are no more to God than the clay in the hand of the potter! (Romans 9:21) *Sunday June 23, 2013 k. **Question: As God sees the big picture and knows the beginning from the end, how did he see all of these that he appointed to these positions in his purpose in Christ? How does he view mankind both saved and lost? Does he view them and position them according to their merit? No, he sees us either in Christ or outside of Christ! The only place of mercy, grace and forgiveness is in Christ Jesus. He sees the saved person IN Christ and he sees the lost person OUTSIDE of Christ! 10
XXII. XXIII. 1. (Isaiah 46:9-10) Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure 2. Isaiah : Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? 3. (Romans 11:33- O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (34) For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 4. God s foreknowledge in no way changes the plan of salvation and the way of entrance INTO Christ! This too was declared of God. And though God is sovereign (not a word found in scripture meaning: Supreme in power; possessing supreme dominion; as a sovereign ruler of the universe. A supreme lord or ruler; one who possesses the highest authority without control ), he cannot LIE nor can he go contrary to that which he has declared. l. Not only did God choose Israel as a nation to be the vehicle for Christ and the plan of redemption, but he chose out specific people to bring his purpose to pass. Yet there is no mention in any of these cases that God CHOSE these people to salvation, however they were chosen to be a part of his purpose and plan! Romans 9:10-13 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. (The birth of Jacob and Esau) a. Read these verses without the parenthetical statement: Romans 9:10- And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 1. If the parenthetical statement was not there, how would we view these verses? We would say that God chose Jacob over Esau, to accomplish his purpose in a way similar as he chose Joseph, Mary and Elisabeth. b. Parenthetical statement: a qualifying, explanatory, or appositive word, phrase, clause, or sentence that interrupts a syntactic construction without otherwise affecting it, having often a characteristic intonation and indicated in writing by commas, parentheses, or dashes, as in William Smith you must know him is coming tonight. So, why the parenthetical statement? a. To explain what Paul has already been saying concerning Israel. That GOD purposed his plan. GOD foreordained it in his infinite wisdom and foreknowledge (forethought). GOD determined how Christ would come into the world and be the savior of men. That God had determined the position of Jacob and Esau in his purpose before they had an opportunity to do anything good or bad, but that the choice was all of God. That being said, it follows that God chose Israel before the nation as a whole had any opportunity 11
XXIV. XXV. to do anything good or bad! There was no righteousness on the part of Israel as a nation to be claimed for their position as the chosen people of God. They had done NOTHING to merit it, but that God simply chose them and used them to bring about his purpose! This goes to the claims of self-righteousness made by the Jews previously discussed! (REMEMBER, in verse 32 of this same chapter Paul is going to tell us WHY Israel did not attain to the law of righteousness! Because they sought it not by faith!) Note that this is concerning the birth of Esau and Jacob and their position in the purpose and plan of God. NOT their individual spiritual relationship with God. Esau and Jacob represent two nations: a. Genesis 25:21-23 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. Sunday June 30, 2013 That the PURPOSE of God according to election might stand: a. Notice again, God s PURPOSE: 2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 1. Purpose: [wordstudy] pr thesis noun from prot th mi G to purpose or plan A setting forth, presentation, an exposition, determination, plan, or will. It involves purpose, resolve, and design. A placing in view or openly displaying something. When used of the purpose of God, it exclusively refers to salvation. 2. Ephesians 1:9-10 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 3. Which he hath purposed: prot th mi (ROOT WORD OF PURPOSE IN 2 Tim 1:9) from pr G, before, forth, and t th mi G, to place. To set before someone. To propose, set forth or before the eyes, publicly, (Rom_3:25); to propose, purpose, design beforehand (Rom_1:13 with the inf.; Eph_1:9) 4. Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth (prot th mi) to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 5. What was/is the purpose of God? CHRIST! GOD S PLAN OF REDEMPTION! b. According to election : 1. Election: eklog from ekl g G, to choose, select. Election, choice, selection. 2. AT Robertson: According to election kat eklog n. Old word from ekleg, to select, to choose out. See note on 1Th_1:4. Here it is the purpose (prothesis) of God which has worked according to the principles of election. 12
3. Therefore, the election spoken of in Romans chapter nine is concerning how God chose to bring about his purpose and Israel s place in that purpose as a nation! c. Ephesians 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: XXVI. Romans 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. a. Hated: mise mis-eh -o From a primary word misos (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute); by extension to love less. b. Same word in Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. XXVII. Romans 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. a. Does ANY man have a right to quarrel with God or have a claim against God concerning how he chose to bring his purpose in redemption to pass? NO! 1. Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. b. XXVIII. Romans 9:15-16 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. (YES, GOD DOES CHOOSE WHOM HE WILL HAVE MERCY UPON AND WHOM HE WILL NOT! BASED UPON WHAT? MERCY IS ONLY FOUND IN CHRIST!!!!!!! NO MERCY OUTSIDE OF CHRIST! NO GRACE OUTSIDE OF CHRIST! THE ONLY WAY TO OBTAIN MEERCY AND GRACE WITH GOD IS TO BE FOUND IN CHRIST! SO, HOW DOES ONE GET INTO CHRIST?) a. Is God in complete control of the dispensing of his mercy and grace? ABSOLUTELY! b. Paul quotes from Exodus 33:19 (read Exodus 33:11-23) And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. 1. The reason that God would honor Moses request: Exodus 33:17 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. 2. How did Moses find grace in the sight of God? Hebrews 11:24-28 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; (25) Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (26) Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. (27) By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. (28) Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 13
XXIX. XXX. XXXI. c. How does God CHOOSE to be gracious to whom he will? IN CHRIST! According to his plan and by no other means! d. MOSES was in Christ: 1. John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 2. Hebrews 11:23- By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. (24) By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; (25) Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (26) Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. Will God use a lost person in his purpose? ABSOLUTELY! Romans 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. (Pharaoh s place in God s purpose even as a lost man!) a. Could God have used Pharaoh if he had turned in repentance and believed? ABSOLUTELY! b. Mankind has a choice to make! Be a part of God s purpose SAVED or LOST! One or the other! God WILL bring his purpose to pass in Christ Jesus! Romans 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Romans 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. a. [Barnes] This is not stated in what the Scripture said to Pharaoh, but is a conclusion to which the apostle had arrived, in view of the case of Pharaoh. The word hardeneth means only to harden in the manner specified in the case of Pharaoh. It does not mean to exert a positive influence, but to leave a sinner to his own course, and to place him in circumstances where the character will be more and more developed; see the note at Joh_12:40. It implies, however, an act of sovereignty on the part of God in thus leaving him to his chosen course, and in not putting forth that influence by which he could be saved from death. Why this is, the apostle does not state. We should, however, not dispute a fact everywhere prevalent; and should have sufficient confidence in God to believe that it is in accordance with infinite wisdom and rectitude. 1. Question: Did God just arbitrarily choose to harden Pharaoh s heart or was Pharaoh involved in that process? b. Note the scriptures that tell us God hardened Pharaoh s heart: 1. Exodus 9:12 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses. 14
2. Exodus 10:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him: 3. Exodus 10:20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go. c. Note the scriptures that tell us that Pharaoh hardened his own heart: 1. Exodus 8:15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. 2. Exodus : And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go. 3. 1 Samuel 6:6 Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed? d. We must harmoni e ALL scripture! Why was Pharaoh s heart hardened? Because he did not submit to God and rebelled against him! 1. Why was / is Israel in the position they were/are in? Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 2. Matthew Henry: It becomes us to submit to him, not to reply against him e. XXXII. Romans 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? a. Why doth he yet find fault? [BARNES] Why does he blame people, since their conduct is in accordance with his purpose, and since he bestows mercy according to his sovereign will? This objection has been made by sinners in all ages. It is the standing objection against the doctrines of grace. The objection is founded, (1) On the difficulty of reconciling the purposes of God with the free agency of man. (2) It assumes, what cannot be proved, that a plan or purpose of God must destroy the freedom of man. (3) it is said that if the plan of God is accomplished, then what is best to be done is done, and, of course, man cannot be blamed. These objections are met by the apostle in the following argument. (Note here that Barnes also appears very Calvinistic in his writings. Be careful in study that we do not jump to conclusions about what a man believes and take a position contrary to God s word!) b. Define WILL: bo l ma noun from bo lomai (G1014), to will. The thing willed, the intention, purpose (Act_27:43). It denotes plan or purpose, resolve, especially when it refers to God's purpose. c. Who hath resisted his will? [BARNES] That is, who has successfully opposed his will, or frustrated his plan? The word translated resist is commonly used to denote the resistance offered by soldiers or armed men. Thus, Eph_ :, Take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand (resist or successfully oppose) in the evil day: see Luk_ :, I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist see also Act_ : Act_ :, But Elymas 15
Sunday, August 11, 2013...withstood them, etc. The same Greek word, Rom_ : Gal_ :. This does not mean that no one has offered resistance or opposition to God, but that no one has done it successfully. God had accomplished his purposes in spite of their opposition. This was an established point in the sacred writings, and one of the admitted doctrines of the Jews. To establish it had even been a part of the apostle s design and the difficulty now was to see how, this being admitted, people could be held chargeable with crime. 1. We must harmonize this with that fact that the bible declares that people do resist God s will: Acts : Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. (Paul s response to the argument presented in verses 19-20. Again, all of this is concerning Paul s statement concerning Israel s lost condition and their place in God s purpose in Christ.) XXXIII. Review verse 19 XXXIV. Read Barnes on Romans 9:15; I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy XXXV. Read Barnes on Romans 9:21; Hath not the potter power over the clay? XXXVI. Romans 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? XXXVII. Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? a. [BARNES] It should be further remarked, that the argument of the apostle here does not refer to the original creation of people, as if God had then made them one for honor and another for dishonor. He refers to man as fallen and lost. His argument is this: Man is in ruins: he is fallen; he has no claim on God; all deserve to die; on this mass, where none have any claim, he may bestow life on whom he pleases, without injury to others; he may exercise the right of a sovereign to pardon whom he pleases; or of a potter to mould any part of the useless mass to purposes of utility and beauty. 16
Sunday August 18, 2013 XXXVIII. Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: a. ALL lost people are vessels of wrath fitted (AT Robertson: state of readiness) for destruction. Being lost and separated from God that person is under the udgment of God. They are only suited for destruction, they have no provision for eternal life! They abide in death! b. WHY are they vessels of wrath? (this we will see later in the chapter) c. FITTED: [Wordstudy] katart from kat G, with, and art n.f., to ad ust, fit, finish, from ártios (G739), fit, complete. The fundamental meaning is to put a thing in its appropriate condition, to establish, set up, equip, arrange, prepare, mend. [Strong] to complete thoroughly, that is, repair. (Also translated perfect, make perfect and mending) 1. [AT Robertson} state of readiness. Paul does not say here that God did it or that they did it. 2. [BARNES] This word properly means to restore to place in order to render complete to supply a defect to fit to, or adapt to, or prepare for see Mat_ : 1, Were mending their nets. Gal_ :, restore such an one, etc. In this place it is a participle, and means those who are suited for or adapted to destruction those whose characters are such as to deserve destruction, or as to make destruction proper. See the same use of the word in Heb_ :, Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed - beautifully suited up in proper proportions, one part adapted to another - by the Word of God. Heb_ :, a body hast thou prepared for me suited, or adapted to me; compare Psa_68:10; Psa_74:16. (NOTE** In this place there is not the semblance of a declaration that God had prepared them, or fitted them for destruction. It is a simple declaration that they were in fact suited for it, without making an affirmation about the manner in which they became so. A reader of the English Bible may, perhaps, sometimes draw the impression that God had suited them for this. But this is not affirmed; and there is an evident design in not affirming it, and a distinction made between them and the vessels of mercy which ought to be regarded. In relation to the latter it is expressly affirmed that God suited or prepared them for glory; see Rom_9:23, Which he had afore prepared unto glory. The same distinction is remarkably striking in the account of the last judgment in Mat_25:34, Mat_25:41. To the righteous, Christ will say, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you, etc. To the wicked, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels; not said to have been originally prepared for them. It is clear, therefore, that God intends to keep the great truth in view, that he prepares his people by direct agency for heaven; but that he exerts no such agency in preparing the wicked for destruction. 17
3. [Clarke] The apostle refers here to the case of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, and to which he applies Jeremiah s parable of the potter, and, from them, to the then state of the Jews. Pharaoh and the Egyptians were vessels of wrath - persons deeply guilty before God; and by their obstinate refusal of his grace, and abuse of his goodness, they had fitted themselves for that destruction which the wrath, the vindictive justice of God, inflicted, after he had endured their obstinate rebellion with much long-suffering; which is a most absolute proof that the hardening of their hearts, and their ultimate punishment, were the consequences of their obstinate refusal of his grace and abuse of his goodness; as the history in Exodus sufficiently shows. As the Jews of the apostle s time had sinned after the similitude of the Egyptians, hardening their hearts and abusing his goodness, after every display of his longsuffering kindness, being now fitted for destruction, they were ripe for punishment; and that power, which God was making known for their salvation, having been so long and so much abused and provoked, was now about to show itself in their destruction as a nation. But even in this case there is not a word of their final damnation; much less that either they or any others were, by a sovereign decree, reprobated from all eternity; and that their very sins, the proximate cause of their punishment, were the necessary effect of that decree which had from all eternity doomed them to endless torments. As such a doctrine could never come from God, so it never can be found in the words of his apostle. d. WHY was God longsuffering? What was he bringing to pass? HIS PURPOSE IN CHRIST! XXXIX. Romans 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, a. Afore Prepared: proetoim from pr G, before, and hetoim G, to make ready. To prepare beforehand. [Strong] to fit up in advance 1. Twice in NT. Here and in Ephesians 2:10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 2. 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Note: the word prepare here is not the same word in Romans : b. HOW? BY HIS PURPOSE IN CHRIST! XL. Read Romans 9:24-29: Who are the vessels of mercy? Both Jew and Gentile! a. Gentiles: He quotes from Hosea 2:23: And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. b. Jews: He quotes from Isaiah 10:22: For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. (And Isaiah 1:9) XLI. Romans 9:30-33: What shall we say then? What is the conclusion and the reason for the position of the wicked and the righteous? 18