1st Chapter of Romans

replaced. When an apostle has died as faithful, he continues to be an apostle in Heaven, not needing replacement on Earth, for their words continue to testify to the commission assigned by Jesus. In Joh 17:6-21 Jesus illustrates the commission given to these apostles, and how they were to impact others who were not apostles. In Mat 19:28 Jesus teaches how they will continue to be apostles even in Heaven, so nowhere do we see the church practicing a replacement for them, not even after James is martyred (Act 12:2).

Why is Paul an apostle? He was not one of the original 12, nor was he chosen after Judas was replaced! Paul himself describes how he became an apostle by the will of God when he was on his way to Damascus. We know the Lord gave Ananias the reason why he chooses Paul in Act 9:15.

At one time, scholars thought that New Testament Greek was a special "divine" language. However, since scholarship proved in the early 1900s that the Greek of the New Testament was commonly spoken by the average businessman in the Roman Empire, the focus on Greek vocabulary in the New Testament has changed. Instead of looking at the entire language as being "special," scholars now look at individual words to see if they have been commandeered for theological or ecclesiological meanings. This happens often enough in the New Testament to discuss a word or two.

Two such words that have been lifted from common discourse to have special ecclesiological meanings are the words DIAKONOS and APOSTOLOS, transliterated deacon and apostle, respectively. Each of these words has both an ordinary sense and a special, unique sense in which they are used in the New Testament. In their ordinary sense, DIAKONOS means "a servant" and APOSTOLOS means "one who is sent." Each word has corresponding verb forms as well: DIAKONEW (to serve, wait, or minister) and APOSTELLW (to send away, dispatch, dismiss). DIAKONOS is found thirty-one times in the Greek New Testament. In the authorized version, it is translated "minister" twenty times, "servant" eight times, and "deacon" three times (1Ti 3:10 and 1Ti 3:13 are from a different Greek word). APOSTOLOS is found eighty-one times in the Greek New Testament. In the authorized version it is translated "apostle" 78 times, "messenger" two times, and "he that is sent" once. This last translation is found in Joh 13:16, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him."

Some examples of the non-special usage of APOSTOLOS are found in such passages as Luk 11:49, "Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute;" also Joh 13:16, which we have already discussed, and Act 14:14 where both Paul and Barnabas are described as apostles because they were sent by the Holy Spirit from the church at Antioch (see Act 13:2). Of course, the vast majority of the usage of this word in the New Testament is in the specialized sense of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus. See Mat 10:2, Luk 6:13, Luk 22:14, etc.

Paul describes his work and himself now as "set apart for the Gospel (euaggelion: Good News; good message) of God". He sees himself and what he does and thinks as it relates to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Is that the way you view your life, goals and thoughts; as they relate to the Gospel of Jesus?

To be set apart means to be holy (Grk. hagios), which is to be different. Different from the common things. The church are the called out (Grk. ekklesia), or assembly of God. Called and set apart for a divine task - speaking the Gospel of Christ (1Pe 1:14-17; 2Co 6:16-17).

1- Under the Old Covenant some were set apart as Nazirites (Num 6:1-8)

a- They were consecrated (holy) to the Lord

b- They were to abstain from many of the things others enjoyed

c- They had special missions to bring about God's plan

2- Some who were separated to the Lord from birth:

a- Samson - Judges 13

b- John the baptizer - Luk 1:12-16

3- God called Paul to be set apart for the Gospel and Paul responded

a- Act 26:19 - Paul was not disobedient to the vision of Jesus

b- Act 9:15-22 - He was to preach to the Jews and Gentiles.

4- Paul's life was all about the Gospel of Jesus!

a- His main objective was to make known the love of Jesus for mankind

1Co 2:2 - He only wanted to preach Jesus and Him crucified

b- Paul did not live for himself, nor did he have his own agenda. Everything was for Christ and because of Christ! He truly crucified himself (Gal 2:20)!

c- His goal was to finish the task Jesus gave him (Act 20:24).

We know the Gospel is the Good News. The Good News is summarized in 1Co 15:1-4.

The Good News:

1. Is Preached

2. Is Received

3. You take your stand on it

4. You are saved by it

The Good News saves you if you hold fast to the true Gospel as it is in the original message of God's prophets and apostles; otherwise whatever you believe in is in vain - that is, of no use to you or others.

The Gospel is:

1. The death of Jesus on the Cross for payment of man's sins

2. The burial of Jesus, which is where we can join Him when we are baptized (Rom 6:3-4)

3. The resurrection of Jesus which gives us the hope of eternal life, declares Him as Sovereign Lord and brings us the Holy Spirit.(Rom 1:4; 1Pe 1:3; Joh 16:7)

This is the message that everyone needs to hear and so be saved (Mat 28:19-20; Mar 16:15-16). If this message is ignored it will cost you eternity away from God and Jesus (2Th 1:7-8).

To truly be a Gospel carrier, you have to die to self and live for the Gospel and be set apart for the Gospel.

1- If we are not bond-servants of Jesus, we are bond-servants of sin.

2- A bond-servant of Jesus is totally sold out to Jesus

a- Luk 14:31-33 - You have to renounce all that you have!

i- Do you have to sell your home and your car and live on the streets?

Phm 1:2 - Philemon had a home. So did Priscilla and Aquila (1Co 16:19).

b- You need to consider ahead of time whether or not you are willing to become His disciple

i- It will take everything you have

ii- It will affect every future decision you make

iii- His Kingdom and righteousness will be your first priority, not just a top priority.

iv- Halfway measures will not get you there. It is all or nothing!

v- You must surrender all!

vi- Instead of thinking about yourself as an owner, you need to think as a steward of God, using all you have in service of the Kingdom of God

3- Phi 2:5-8 - description of a bond-servant.

a- A bond-servant is humble and obedient, even unto death!

b- Who is your master? Who or what are you serving? What's your agenda? Is it all for God or for yourself?

c- For the answer look at your heart and look at the fruit of your life and your decisions

d- You can change the course of your life by choosing to be God's slave instead of Satan's.

e- 1Pe 2:15-17 - Use your life and your mind to serve the Lord!

Romans 1:2

the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures

The Gospel was prophesied long ago in the Scriptures (Jer 31:31-34; Heb 8:10-11), as Peter tells us (1Pe 1:10-12) it was a mystery which was revealed to the apostles and prophets and now to us through their word (Joh 17:20). The promise of the Gospel, the Good News concerning Jesus, God's Son, and our salvation in Him (Act 26:22-23; Isaiah 53; Act 2:24-32) was first prophesied in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:15); and subsequently fulfilled through Abraham (Gen 12:3; Gen 18:18; Gen 22:18; Act 3:25).

These promises and messages can be followed and confirmed through the Holy Scriptures (Holy Write; writings; inspired of God [2Ti 3:14-17]). Only the sacred (special; different) writing of God contain the true message of the Gospel. God used His prophets to deliver these messages, but chose a very special messenger to bring about these prophecies to fruition: His Son (Heb 1:1-3)!

Romans 1:3

regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David,

Jesus, God's only Son, fulfills two promises mentioned here: In his human nature he was to fulfill the inheritance of David's throne. Jesus is a descendant of David, the actual descendant who was to take over the Kingdom of God as promised in the Scriptures (Mat 1:1, Mat 1:6, Mat 1:20; Luk 1:27; Joh 7:42; Act 13:23).

This argument presents to us the absolute humanity of Jesus. He was fully in the flesh as a man (Phi 2:5-8).

Romans 1:4

and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

The resurrection is what proves the deity of Jesus; being the true Son of God. His authority was confirmed publicly and irrefutably by that fact to the whole universe. It was the power of the Holy Spirit that allowed Him to defy death and be victorious over it, since He was in the flesh (1Pe 3:18; Rev 1:18).

What happened to him is a preview of what awaits the saints of the Most High (1Co 6:14; 1Co 15:43; 2Co 13:4; Col 2:12). When we died with Him and were buried in water with Him, we were raised to live a new life! We have been raised from the dead life of the flesh and will certainly be raised in a new body when Jesus returns!

The power of the Holy Spirit is what gives the power to the Gospel of Jesus!

Romans 1:5

Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

Grace is given to bring about obedience

It is through the Lord and His work of salvation that we have received the grace of the ministry we partake of; particularly for Paul, the apostleship. Our new work is to make the Gospel known to bring about obedience in mankind; the obedience that comes from true faith; a response of obedience by faith in the work of God. We know that those who don't obey are among the condemned when Jesus is revealed from Heaven (2Th 1:8-9).

Right from the beginning the Holy Spirit wants to make it clear that the faith we will we talking about here is an obedient faith (see also Rom 6:17; Rom 16:26). We know there is no such thing as a "faith only" creed in the Scriptures. True faith, the faith that saves, is an obedient faith - obedient to the Gospel (Jam 2:14-24)! Even Jesus needed to learn obedience (Heb 5:8-9)!

This obedient faith is what will save the entire world! Jesus Gospel is an all inclusive Gospel, not an exclusive one!

The world will have you believe that the Gospel of Jesus is only for some people, that it is a cultural or ethnic thing, But God's covenants were never so. They are meant to be all inclusive, not to exclude anyone other than those who wish to be excluded! The choice is given to each man and woman. The Gospel supersedes and demolishes any other creed or religion among man through the power of the spirit of holiness.

It's saving grace is extended on God's part to all nations for the salvation of their souls through the name of His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, who's deity and inheritance was proven through the power of the Spirit when He was raised from the dead.

Romans 1:6

And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

We are all called to belong to Jesus! How do we belong to the called? By obedient faith! In order to belong we need to forsake the world and obey God's righteousness; to be a friend to the world means to be an enemy to Christ (Jam 4:4).

Joh 6:44-45 (NIV)

44 "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

45 It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.

Mar 16:15-16

15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

All are called to belong to Jesus! Jews and Gentile alike!

Romans 1:7

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

SALUTATIONS

The letter specifically is addressed to all in Rome who are loved by God. Now God loves everyone and calls everyone to repent (Joh 3:16; 1Ti 2:4). However, he has a vested interest in those who are called to be saints, called to belong to Jesus Christ, for God so loved the world... (Joh 3:16)

He addresses those specifically who are in Rome and have been joined unto the body of Christ by their obedience to the Gospel. They are called to be saints - all Christians are saints. just like all Christians are disciples. To be a saint means to be sanctified (Joh 17:17) or set apart (Col 1:13). Set apart from what? From the rest of the disobedient world. The brethren were called saints while they were living! Even though they had many problems and had to be corrected and rebuked (as those in Corinth - see 1Co 1:2) they were still known as the saints, those sanctified in Christ Jesus! You don't have to perform miracles or be perfect or be dead and canonized to be saint - quite the opposite. Just be obedient to Jesus' teaching!

In this letter you will see their obedience explained and detailed in chapter 6. Many who use this letter to justify false doctrine do so without knowing the premise that this letter addresses saints, in other words, those who have already obeyed the Gospel by joining Jesus through baptism (Romans 6).

Only those who've put their sinful nature to death and have been joined to Jesus can enjoy the grace and peace that comes from the Father through our Lord Jesus. "Peace" or "Shalom" was the customary greeting for the Hebrews. "Grace" or "God's favor, goodwill and kindness" was the one for the Greeks. Paul combines both in his salutations: "Grace and Peace".

Romans 1:8

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

The I's of Paul in the Holy Spirit begin here

Jesus is our mediator (1Ti 2:5). Christ is a mediator by nature, as partaking of both natures divine and human; and mediator by office, as transacting matters between God and man.- it is through Him we always give thanks and make prayer and supplication before our God (Joh 14:13-14; Joh 16:23; Col 3:17). It is His name that precedes every name (Act 4:12; Phi 2:9-11) - Paul always had to mention that he was thankful because of and through Jesus (Rom 7:25)!

We are not to make any other person, created thing or doctrines mediate between us and our Heavenly Father (Joh 14:6).

What was Paul being thankful for? Apparently the Roman church was preaching the Gospel fervently and news of their faith was known throughout the world at that time:

a. They embraced the Gospel

b. The impact of the Gospel was shown in their conduct

c. Romans 16:19, “Everyone has heard about your obedience…”

d. They were doing as Christ commanded in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

i. Our example in our homes, in our job, in the world should be that of a light that shines!

ii. People ought to be envious of who we are in spirit and deed!

e. In a city filled with wickedness and Satanic distractions, their faith proved genuine and strong!

The I's of Paul

1. I thank my God - v. 8 (He was full of gratefulness)

2. I long to see you - v. 11 (He sought fellowship)

3. I want you to know - v. 13 (He was transparent/open)

4. I am obligated - v. 14 (He had a sense of duty towards unbelievers)

5. I am eager - v. 15 (He was zealous for the Gospel)

6. I am not ashamed - v. 16 (He was bold)

Romans 1:9

God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you

We can see here Paul's consummation with the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He had given himself wholly to do this task: physically, emotionally and spiritually! Emphasis here on the spirit (pneuma: spirit; life; mind). Only the NIV uses "heart". He also constantly interceded for the saints in prayers (1Th 5:17).What a servant!

Can you in all good conscience call on God as your witness in interceding for the saints on a constant basis?

Romans 1:10

in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

Paul's desire was to meet the Roman saints face to face

Paul was incessant when praying for the churches. He is always bringing them up to the Lord for various reasons and in many different ways. His prayer concerning the Romans was to be able to see them again and be among them.

Notice how Paul wants it first to be God's will that this happens. He doesn’t want to do it by his own might, but by dependence on God, as our Lord Jesus did (Mat 26:39); therefore that is his prayer, to align himself to God's will about this and every other matter. Little did he know that it was God's will for him to go to Rome, only in chains, after surviving a ship wreck and a snake bite (Act 23:11)!

Romans 1:11

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong--

Paul's desire was to also impart to them more spiritual gifts. He is most likely talking about the laying on of the hands to impart a miraculous gift of the Spirit (Act 8:18). Apparently the Roman church had some members who had some of the gifts of the Spirit (Rom 12:6-7), but Paul wanted them to be even more prepared and encouraged with more gifts he wanted to impart. Perhaps they were not complete since the list of the gifts mentioned is not as complete as the one mentioned in Corinthians (1Co 12:7-10). Remember the purpose of the miraculous gifts of the Spirit was to confirm the word (Mar 16:20).

Romans 1:12

that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

The gift Paul wanted to impart was for the purpose of making them stronger in Jesus, Paul explains -- "that they may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith".

Not only did he want to go to give them something, but Paul also emphasizes that he had something to gain from them as well, as the Scriptures teach (Heb 10:24-25), having a common faith and a common love leads to a common bond (Eph 4:5).

Romans 1:13

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

Here Paul explains that he wanted to come to them sooner, but was unable to. I can deduce that the brothers in Rome were eagerly waiting for Paul's arrival, not only to be encouraged by the spiritual gifts but to be able to see him again and be encouraged by his faith. There was perhaps some discouragement as to his tarrying and this is why Paul needs to assure them of his intentions.

You know how sometimes people may tell you they are going to do something for you, but that time never comes around. People used to say, "When I get around to it I'll do this, that or the other..." If you take people at their word you could become quite discouraged, because as easy as they told you they were going to do something, like visit you or give you something, as easily they forget. We need to be careful not to cause discouragement and suspicion on our person in this way. We need to be people of our word, as Jam 4:13-14 says, don't say things you cannot guarantee or fulfill, since it destroys your credibility before the Lord.

Paul explains that he also has an interest in going, not only to encourage them but also to continue preaching the Gospel in Rome, making more disciples for the Lord among the Gentiles (ethnos: that is, a tribe; specifically a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by implication pagan): - Gentile, heathen, nation, people) in that city as he had done in other cities throughout the nations. Paul was truthfully carrying out the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus!

Romans 1:14

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.

Paul's mission directive is made obvious here again: his commitment to spread the Gospel of Jesus and to present it among the Gentiles and Jews alike. He saw it as an obligation (a binding contract independent of God's promise of eternal life). When we see to it to fulfill our obligations we are responsible; able to give a response from the position given to us. Do you treat preaching the Gospel to all as an obligation, or as something you just do when you have the time? How responsible do you think you are to let others know about the Gospel?

Opportunity + Ability = Responsibility

Paul wishes to let the Romans understand that this obligation to preach the Gospel was to all people. Romans classified people as Greeks (Romans) or barbarians; wise or foolish. Similar to how we use race, and also means to classify our countrymen. Sometimes we may favor the preaching of the Gospel to a particular class or type of people, perhaps because we can relate better to them or because they may have no bias against us. However we need to remember that God is not a respecter of persons (Act 10:34-35), in other words, He doesn't show favoritism; He is not partial to any one class of people.

Interesting to note is the inclusion of the wise and the foolish. Perhaps some thought that only wise people could accept the Gospel or understand it? Some sort of elitism (The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources) amongst the church in Rome which crept in from the attitude of those around them? Perhaps, since Rome was known as the seat of civilization back then and there was much talk of them being better than those barbarians whom they were trying to conquer! Or perhaps the Jewish Christians in Rome thought of themselves better to the Lord than the Gentile Christians and vice-versa?

More so than the distinction between the wise and the foolish, the Roman church had a bias problem between the Jews and the Greeks, which we will witness as Paul addresses them in the following chapters. Obviously there was a sort of cultural clash between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians in this great congregation.

Romans 1:15

That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.

Paul is eager to preach the Gospel

The first part of this verse literally is, “Thus the according to me affair is ready”, which can be translated as: "So, as much as in me is, I am ready..."-KJV. Basically means he was going to preach the Gospel (euaggelizo: literally to evangelize, announce good news; declare glad tidings) to the best of his ability and resources given to him by the Lord God. We see a similar idiom used in Rom 12:18. Basically we need to be prepared with everything God has given us to fulfill our responsibility to preach. It is what God expects from the church!

Paul is not only ready, but eager (prothumos: forward in Spirit, willing, predisposed) to get there to do only one thing: Preach that Gospel! Paul was not ready to preach:

1. Creeds

2. Opinions

3. Feelings

4. Ideas of others

5. What his parents believed

6. Some man-made denominational faith

Many brethren never get to teach anyone simply because they aren't ready, and many more because they aren't willing. 1Pe 3:15 teaches us we need to be ready always, whether someone asks us or not we need to want to be eager to preach the Gospel! The Great Commission is given to all those who obey the Gospel (Mar 16:15-16, Mat 28:19-20).

It is the Gospel that will break down any man-made barrier across cultural lines (Eph 2:11-15) and set us all straight before the Lord! It is dynamite, the power of God!

Romans 1:16

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

THE POWER OF GOD - THE GOSPEL

Paul is not ashamed of the power (dunamis: strength, mighty work, e.g. dynamite) of God in the Gospel (Good News). It has the power to save people, no matter who they are or what they have done or what they have believed before! But to everyone who believes (pisteuo: puts their faith, trusts) and takes their stand in this Gospel, it has the power to save them (1Co 15:1-2). It is the dynamite of God which can break through the barrier of sin you've put between yourself and God (Isa 59:1-2). It is this dynamite that can break the bonds of sin and truly set you, the captive, free (Joh 8:31-32)! He bore it all that I may live! That's the Gospel!

Don't be ashamed to present it though some may think it foolishness (1Co 1:18). Don't be ashamed to present it though some may think it a stumbling block (1Co 1:23). Remember, it is God's wisdom and God's power, proven through the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord (1Co 1:25-31)! Don't be ashamed - boast in the Lord and in His mighty power through the Gospel! Remember what happens to those who are ashamed (Luk 9:26).

No one can be saved without the power of God; no one can be saved without the Gospel.

The Gospel is composed of:

1. Facts to be believed (1Co 15:3-4)

2. Commandments to be obeyed (1Co 7:19; 1Jo 2:3-5)

3. Promises to be accepted (2Co 1:20; 2Co 7:1; Gal 3:14; Eph 1:13; Eph 3:6)

To have the Good News of the Gospel apply to you:

1. You must receive it as the Word of God (Act 17:11; 1Co 15:1-2)

2. You must believe it (Rom 1:16; Eph 1:13; Joh 3:16; Mar 16:16; Act 15:17)

3. You must obey it (2Th 1:8; Act 5:32; Rom 2:13; Rom 6:17; Rom 15:18; 1Jo 2:5)

Keep this in mind as you study Romans since many have used Romans to teach the heretical doctrine of salvation by faith only.

The Gospel promise was made to the Jews first, the people of God, and then for the rest of the world (Joh 4:22-23; Luk 24:46-47; Act 1:8; Rom 11:17-24).

Romans 1:17

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

The righteousness of God revealed in the Gospel

What is the power in the Gospel? We know it is the power of God, not of man. The only way man could save himself would be to be perfect before his God. Man is not perfect, therefore only the power of God can save him: the righteousness of God! God's power is in His great and awesome mercy toward His creation. The power of the righteousness (dikaiosune: equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification: - the condition acceptable to God; integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting) of God was seen in the mighty work of the incarnation, suffering and resurrection of our Lord Jesus (Rom 1:4), which provided for our cleansing that comes by His imputed righteousness, and the regeneration that comes by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:19-20). God's power is especially witnessed in the mighty work of the Holy Spirit that is able to regenerate man (Tit 3:5-7; Eph 6:10). This is how the Gospel saves (Col 2:11-12)!

All this is by faith (pistis: persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity), as it is written, the righteous will live by faith! They live by faith since their righteousness is imputed by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, not by their works which are not righteous, but sinful. For even the righteous deeds that we do are alike a filthy garment before our Lord (Isa 64:6). Therefore God's work is to believe in the One He sent to work on our behalf (Joh 6:29).

God's Working + Man's Faith = THE GOSPEL = SALVATION

This circle of faith (from first to last/from faith for faith-ESV. from faith to faith-KJV), is a growing spiral of conviction that elevates us onto the upward calling in Christ Jesus (Phi 3:14; 2Co 3:18). God's righteousness revealed and received from faith for the continued growth of faith. This represents spiritual growth, not a faith that stagnates or degenerates, but one that is continuously regenerated through the working of God in us through His Holy Spirit.

The Plan of God to Restore mankind to Himself

1- God so loved the world that He gave His only Son (Joh 3:16)

a- Jesus became a man to offer himself as a sacrifice of atonement (Rom 3:25; Heb 2:17)

b- This is the only way we could have been cleansed from sinful works (Tit 2:14)!

2- After he provided for our cleansing He sat down at the right hand of God and sends us the Holy Spirit (Heb 1:3; Joh 16:7; Joh 15:26)

a- The work of the Spirit is to regenerate us and give us life by the power of God (Tit 3:5)

b- This is how the Spirit guarantees our deposit on the life to come (2Co 1:22; 2Co 5:5; Eph 1:14) - He keeps us regenerated and keeps us from falling back in to the world! (2Pe 1:8-10)

With man it is impossible but with God all things are possible! (Mar 10:26-27)

Those who are saved (the righteous) can only live by true faith! Their faith will show by their obedience to God (Heb 11).

Romans 1:18

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

GOD'S WRATH CAUSED BY SIN

The wrath of God is coming because of sin. It will be received by those who have rejected the ways of our Lord

Paul is beginning to make a case for all people to be in need of a Savior because of their sin

The doctrine of the Wrath (orge: violent passion (ire, or [justifiable] abhorrence); by implication punishment: - anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath) of God is fully addressed in Romans. Here is where we first begin to learn about it. It is caused by the universal problem of sin. It is coming against all godlessness and wickedness, regardless of race, color, religion or social status. It's not talking about God's wrath coming in the future, it is talking about God's wrath being revealed in the present continuing tense. We know of it since Adam and Eve sinned.

Notice that as God's righteousness is revealed in the Gospel to eradicate sin in those who love Him, God's wrath is revealed from Heaven against all who reject Him (Heb 10:26-31).

God's wrath comes because of sin: godlessness (ungodliness-ESV: asebeia: want of reverence towards God, impiety, ungodliness: these have to do with a wrong heart and mind) and wickedness (unrighteousness-ESV: adikia: a deed violating law and justice, act of unrighteousness, iniquity or wrongdoing of men: this has to do with the deeds themselves, which is wrongdoing) of men.

The people we are talking about here are those who know the truth, since they are suppressing it (holding the truth in unrighteousness - ESV). You cannot suppress the truth unless you already know it. So the wickedness we are talking about here is coming from men and women who have come to a knowledge of the truth but instead of saving themselves they suppress it (Act 13:8-11); and despite knowing the truth they refuse it and act against it. The following verses in the chapter make that very clear.

How is the truth suppressed by the their wickedness? Since it is by preaching and living the truth that we save both ourselves and our hearers (1Ti 4:16), then those who do not preach it and certainly those who do not live it will refuse that truth so it can't become the source of salvation for others.

Romans 1:19

since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

God has made His truth to be known plainly by anyone

This verse confirms that the people who's unrighteousness is hastening the wrath of God are people whom God showed the truth and opened their heart to see it and perhaps even understand it, both Jews and Gentiles alike.

God showed Himself plainly in many different ways:

1. Through Noah God preached to the entire antediluvian world against sin

2. Through Melchizedek, the high priest and king of Salem (Gen 14:18-24)

3. Through Jonah preaching to the Ninevites

4. Through Lot's daughters and Ruth's family the people of Moab and the Ammonites could have known the Lord.

5. The Lord manifested Himself mightily to the Pharaoh and the Egyptians at that time

6. The whole of Israel, through Moses' Law was known throughout the entire world, especially during Solomon's reign. They testified to the love of God and His holiness.

God made it His truth plain for them to be able to see it and grasp it, yet these people denied the truth and choose to continue in wickedness and ungodliness, refusing to love the truth and salvation (2Th 2:9-10).

Romans 1:20

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

How is God's truth plain? Can anyone come to know about God's existence? Absolutely! Even through nature, through what God has made (natural revelation as opposed to special revelation), men can deduce of His existence and qualities.

We can learn about His invisible qualities (divine attributes - ESV):

1 - Eternal Power - God's eternal power is shown in His Omnipotence (All powerful), Omniscience (All knowing) and Omnipresence (Everywhere). Only Deity has these. The word Godhead is attributed to those persons who are divine in their nature, with the power to create (Heb: bara).

2 - Divine Nature - Godhead (KJV) (theiotes)

Many believe God is a Trinity, which is a word that is not in the Bible. In its strictest definition, the Trinity ascribes 3 different tasks or work to God, but that there is only one personality in the Godhead (Trinity). However, if there was only one person, why does the Greek imply a multitude of personalities in the use of the word theiotes (Rom 1:20) and theotes (Col 2:9), which means Godhead? The Hebrew word for God, Elohim, also implies multiple persons since it was a plural word, like our word for marriage. God is spirit, as Jesus says (Joh 4:24), not flesh. The nature of divinity is that of a spiritual one, invisible and all powerful.

There is a word used in English to translate this concept: Deity, or Godhead, as opposed to Trinity. Theotēs is Divine Personality; theiotēs, Divine Nature and properties

These qualities of divinity are clearly seen (distinctly apprehended in the Gk) from what has been made, that is, the universe and everything in it (Psa 19:1-3). Which is why anyone who refuses God is without excuse! (anapologetos: indefensible, without defense).

Paul uses the argument of intelligent design and cause and effect (Law of Causality) to testify in favor of God's invisible qualities (natural revelation).

Intelligent Design: the argument for intelligent design is one always favored by Paul (Act 17:28-29; Heb 3:4). The mind cannot help but logically conclude that what it sees must have been made by someone else, particularly if it exhibits properties in keeping with intelligent design. A man on a desert island cannot help but conclude that someone else has been there if he finds evidence of a tent, fireplace or other things made by man. In the same way, when we see our own eye, can we not conclude that it shows intelligent design when the camera we use has been modeled after it? Nature is too thin a screen for us not to see God bursting through it.

Law of Causality: It follows that for every effect there has to be an initial cause. You look at the many craters of the moon. What do you conclude? There had to have been many meteors hitting the moon. You look at a dented car, what do you infer? That it has been in an accident. The mind's powerful ability to infer is inherent from faith.

Only someone stupid (without faith) and without reason will conclude there is no God (Psa 14:1).

Romans 1:21

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

The people rejected the knowledge of God and turned to their own passions

Again, these people knew God! It doesn't say they knew of Him, it says they knew Him! But they didn't glorify (honor - ESV) Him or gave thanks to Him. We must continually exalt the Lord our God in our lives! Mat 6:33 - He must be first in everything and our lives must be lived relative to the Gospel of Jesus!

When you are not thankful to God and refuse to honor Him by obedience, your mind and heart will be forever closed to reason and decency (Jer 10:23). You will go down. Here's what happens:

1- Their thinking (dialogismos: discussion, that is, (internal) consideration (by implication purpose), or (external) debate: - dispute, doubtful (-ing), imagination, reasoning, thought.) became futile (mataioo: to render (passively become) foolish, that is, (morally) wicked or (specifically) idolatrous: - become vain.) (became vain in their imagination - KJV) You will turn to your own thoughts and imaginations! Your machinations will lead you to live a vain life! You will be completely deceived and in turn deceive others as well. You will be a vessel of the devil.

2- Their foolish (asunetos: unintelligent; by implication wicked: - foolish, without understanding.) heart was darkened. No longer being able to be enlightened and gather useful knowledge. You will be chained to useless knowledge and information that will keep you down. Examples of this are all the vain ideologies and philosophies that have sprung from these idle minds that lack illumination since they have departed from the knowledge of God: ecumenism, scientism, Darwinism, denominationalism, spiritualism, rationalism, liberalism, etc.

This sounds like the same process described in Ephesians that Satan uses to trap souls into perdition (Eph 4:17-19).

The Plan Outlined:

1. (vs. 17) Warning: Don’t live like the Gentiles (people who don’t know God) do

2. (vs. 17) The way you think must be changed (Don’t conform to the world! Rom 12:2)

a. It is ineffective and vain (useless)

b. It is morally futile; depraved; transient

3. Why? (vs. 18) They refuse to be transformed! (Rom 12:2)

a. Because the heart has been hardened by sin!

b. This makes them ignorant about God’s will

c. Their understanding becomes darkened (cloudy judgment, weak conviction)

d. They are separated from the life of God

4. How? (vs. 19) They don’t have a conviction that leads to repentance (worldly sorrow) 2Co 7:9-10

a. They lost all sensitivity (apalgeō: (to smart); to grieve out, that is, become apathetic: - be past feeling) A similar process is described in 1Ti 4:1-2, where these people’s consciences are seared as with a hot iron (kautēriazō: to brand (“cauterize”), that is, (by implication) to render unsensitive (figuratively): - sear with a hot iron).

b. They continue to expose themselves to the lust of the senses [sensuality (aselgeia: licentiousness (sometimes including other vices): - filthy, lasciviousness, wantonness)]

c. They willingly choose to give themselves completely to their heart’s desire [indulge (ergasia: occupation; by implication profit, pains: - craft, diligence, gain, work) in every kind of impurity (akatharsia: impurity (the quality), physically or morally: - uncleanness)]

d. They are driven and enslaved by their desires [they lust for more (pleonexia: avarice, that is, (by implication) fraudulency, extortion: - covetous (-ness) practices, greediness)]

Romans 1:22

Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

Many describe themselves as wise merely because of the amount of knowledge they have gained, not necessarily by how they have learned to apply that knowledge or interpret it rightly. To be a fool (morainos: to become insipid; figuratively to make (passively act) as a simpleton: - become fool, make foolish, lose savour; like salt that has lost its strength and flavour - be moronic) is to be godless.

Out of the foolish and darkened hearts of wayward men and women have sprung countless silly religions, cults and denominations. Wanting to become wiser than God's revelation they have plunged themselves and those who blindly follow into foolishness that can cost their salvation (1Co 1:20-25)!

Those who depend on their own justifications or other's "science" for their "right thinking" are just as handicapped as those who depend on themselves for salvation. If you think you are something be careful! (1Co 10:12; 1Co 8:1-3;