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11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift (does not mean, as some think, that Paul could impart one or more of the nine Gifts of the Spirit, but rather speaks of explaining to them more perfectly the Word of God), to the end you may be established (spiritual Gifts, as valuable as they are, do not establish anyone; it is the Truth of the Word which establishes, and that alone [Jn. 8:32]);
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18 For the Wrath of God (God’s Personal Emotion with regard to sin) is revealed from Heaven (this anger originates with God) against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (God must unalterably be opposed to sin), who hold the truth in unrighteousness (who refuse to recognize Who God is, and what God is);
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28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge (carries the idea of the human race putting God to the test for the purpose of approving or disapproving Him), God gave them over to a reprobate mind (Light rejected is Light withdrawn), to do those things which are not convenient (which are not fitting);
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6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds (we reap what we sow!):
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11 For there is no respect of persons with God (literally translated, the Verse reads, “for there is not a receiving of face in the Presence of God”; it means that God doesn’t receive or accept anyone’s face, irrespective as to whom they might be).
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16 In the day when God shall Judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ (lays to rest any idea that Judgment will be on any other basis; while many other things, such as conscience, may be a witness, still Jesus Alone is the criteria) according to my Gospel (Jesus Christ and Him crucified).
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6 God forbid (once again serves as Paul’s answer to the preposterous question of the previous Verse): for then how shall God Judge the world? (This is the Great White Throne Judgment [Rev. 20:11-15]. The fact that this Judgment cannot be avoided means the hypothesis of man is foolish indeed.)
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23 For all have sinned (presents all men placed in the same category), and come short of the Glory of God (the Greek Text infers that even the most Righteous among us continue to come short of the Glory of God on a continuing basis);
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3 For what says the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for Righteousness ([Gen. 15:6] if one properly understands this Verse, he properly understands the Bible; Abraham gained Righteousness by simple Faith in God, Who would send a Redeemer into the world [Jn. 8:56]).
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1 Therefore being Justified by Faith (this is the only way one can be justified; refers to Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross), we have peace with God (justifying peace) through our Lord Jesus Christ (what He did at the Cross):
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6 For when we were yet without strength (before we were saved), in due time (at the appointed time) Christ died for the ungodly (the entirety of humanity fell into this category). 7 For scarcely for a Righteous man will one die (not many would do such): yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die (some few might). 8 But God Commendeth His Love toward us (Christ dying for the ungodly is a proof of Love immeasurable), in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Jesus died for those who bitterly hate Him). 9 Much more then (if Christ died for us while we were yet sinners, how much more will He do for us now that we are Redeemed and, thereby, reconciled to Him!), being now Justified by His Blood (we are justified now, and the Blood of Christ stands as the guarantee for that Justification), we shall be saved from wrath through Him (the Wrath of God, which is always manifested against sin). 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the Death of His Son (the only way we could be reconciled; this Verse shoots down the “Jesus died spiritually doctrine”), much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (does not speak of His Perfect Life, but rather the pouring out of His Life’s Blood at Calvary). 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ (we are to boast of our Reconciliation to God, for it is a true confidence [I Cor. 1:31; II Cor. 10:17]), by Whom we have now received the Atonement (Reconciliation).
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14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses (because of the sin nature that was in all men due to Adam’s Fall), even over them who had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression (irrespective that all did not in essence commit high treason against God, as did Adam, they were still sinners), who is the figure of Him Who was to come (Adam was the fountainhead of all sin and death, while Christ is the Fountainhead of all Redemption and Life).
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17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one (Adam’s Fall); much more they which receive abundance of Grace (not just “Grace,” but “Abundance of Grace”; all made possible by the Cross) and of the Gift of Righteousness (Righteousness is a Gift from God which comes solely through Jesus Christ, and is received by Faith) shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ.) (This proclaims the Believer “reigning,” even as death had reigned, but from a position of much greater power than that of death.)
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19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners (the “many” referred to all), so by the obedience of One (obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross [Phil. 2:8]) shall many be made Righteous (“many” refers to all who will believe).
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3 Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ (plainly says that this Baptism is into Christ and not water [I Cor. 1:17; 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:11-13]) were baptized into His Death? (When Christ died on the Cross, in the Mind of God, we died with Him; in other words, He became our Substitute, and our identification with Him in His Death gives us all the benefits for which He died; the idea is that He did it all for us!)
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23 For the wages of sin is death (speaks of spiritual death, which is separation from God); but the Gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord (as stated, all of this, without exception, comes to us by the means of what Christ did at the Cross, which demands that the Cross ever be the Object of our Faith, thus giving the Holy Spirit latitude to work within our lives and bring forth His Fruit).
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3 So then if, while her husband lives, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress (in effect, the woman now has two husbands, at least in the Eyes of God; following this analogy, the Holy Spirit through Paul will give us a great truth; many Christians are living a life of spiritual adultery; they are married to Christ, but they are, in effect, serving another husband, “the Law”; it is quite an analogy!): but if her husband be dead (the Law is dead by virtue of Christ having fulfilled the Law in every respect), she is free from that Law (if the husband dies, the woman is free to marry and serve another; the Law of Moses, being satisfied in Christ, is now dead to the Believer and the Believer is free to serve Christ without the Law having any part or parcel in his life or living); so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man (presents the Believer as now married to Christ, and no longer under obligation to the Law).
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7 What shall we say then? (In Verses 1 through 6 of this Chapter, Paul has shown that the Believer is no longer under Law; in the remainder of the Chapter, he shows that a Believer putting himself under Law, thus failing to avail himself of the resources of Grace, is a defeated Christian.) Is the Law sin? God forbid (man’s condition is not caused by the Law of God, for the Law is Holy; rather it is exposed). No, I had not known sin, but by the Law (means that the Law of Moses defined what sin actually is, but gave no power to overcome sin): for I had not known lust, except the Law had said, You shall not covet (tells us that the desire for what is forbidden is the first conscious form of sin; this is the sin nature at work!).
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15 For that which I do (the failure) I allow not (should have been translated, “I understand not”; these are not the words of an unsaved man, as some claim, but rather a Believer who is trying and failing): for what I would, that do I not (refers to the obedience he wants to render to Christ, but rather fails; why? as Paul explained, the Believer is married to Christ, but is being unfaithful to Christ by spiritually cohabiting with the Law, which frustrates the Grace of God; that means the Holy Spirit will not help such a person, which guarantees failure [Gal. 2:21]); but what I hate, that do I (refers to sin in his life which he doesn’t want to do, and in fact hates, but finds himself unable to stop; unfortunately, due to the fact of not understanding the Cross as it refers to Sanctification, this is the plight of most modern Christians). 16 If then I do that which I would not (presents Paul doing something against his will; he doesn’t want to do it, and is trying not to do it, whatever it might be, but finds himself doing it anyway), I consent unto the Law that it is good (simply means that the Law of God is working as it is supposed to work; it defines sin, portraying the fact that the sin nature will rule in man’s heart if not addressed properly). 17 Now then it is no more I that do it (this has been misconstrued by many! it means, “I may be failing, but it’s not what I want to do”; no true Christian wants to sin because now the Divine Nature is in his life and it is supposed to rule, not the sin nature [II Pet. 1:4]), but sin (the sin nature) that dwells in me (despite the fact that some preachers claim the sin nature is gone from the Christian, Paul here plainly says that the sin nature is still in the Christian; however, if our Faith remains constant in the Cross, the sin nature will be dormant, causing us no problem; otherwise, it will cause great problems; while the sin nature “dwells” in us, it is not to “rule” in us). 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing (speaks of man’s own ability, or rather the lack thereof in comparison to the Holy Spirit, at least when it comes to spiritual things): for to will is present with me (Paul is speaking here of his willpower; regrettably, most modern Christians are trying to live for God by means of willpower, thinking falsely that since they have come to Christ, they are now free to say “no” to sin; that is the wrong way to look at the situation; the Believer cannot live for God by the strength of willpower; while the will is definitely important, it alone is not enough; the Believer must exercise Faith in Christ and the Cross, and do so constantly; then he will have the ability and strength to say “yes” to Christ, which automatically says, “no” to the things of the world); but how to perform that which is good I find not (outside of the Cross, it is impossible to find a way to do good). 19 For the good that I would I do not (if I depend on self, and not the Cross): but the evi l which I would not (don’t want to do), that I do (which is exactly what every Believer will do no matter how hard he tries to do otherwise, if he tries to live this life outside of the Cross [Gal. 2:20-21]). 20 Now if I do that I would not (which is exactly what will happen if the Believer tries to live this life outside of God’s Prescribed Order), it is no more I that do it, but sin (the sin nature) that dwells in me (this emphatically states that the Believer has a sin nature; in the original Greek Text, if it contains the definite article before the word “sin” which originally did read “the sin,” it is not speaking of acts of sin, but rather the sin nature or the evil nature; the idea is not getting rid of the sin nature, which actually cannot be done, but rather controlling it, which the Apostle has told us how to do in Rom., Chpts. 6 and 8; when the Trump sounds, we shall be changed and there will be no more sin nature [Rom. 8:23]). 21 I find then a Law (does not refer in this case to the Law of Moses, but rather to the “Law of sin and death” [Rom. 8:2]), that, when I would do good, evil (the evil nature) is present with me (the idea is that the sin nature is always going to be with the Believer; there is no hint in the Greek that its stay is temporary, at least until the Trump sounds; we can successfully address the sin nature in only one way, and that is by Faith in Christ and the Cross, which Paul will detail in the next Chapter). 22 For I delight in the Law of God (refers to the moral Law of God ensconced in the Ten Commandments) after the inward man (refers to the spirit and soul of man which has now been regenerated): 23 But I see another Law in my members (the Law of sin and death desiring to use my physical body as an instrument of unrighteousness), warring against the Law of my mind (this is the Law of desire and willpower), and bringing me into captivity to the Law of sin (the Law of sin and death) which is in my members (which will function through my members, and make me a slave to the Law of sin and death; this will happen to the most consecrated Christian if that Christian doesn’t constantly exercise Faith in Christ and the Cross, understanding that it is through the Cross that all powers of darkness were defeated [Col. 2:14-15]). 24 O wretched man that I am! (Any Believer who attempts to live for God outside of God’s Prescribed Order, which is “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified,” will, in fact, live a wretched and miserable existence. This life can only be lived in one way, and that way is the Cross.) Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (The minute he cries “Who,” he finds the path to Victory, for he is now calling upon a Person for help, and that Person is Christ; actually, the Greek Text is masculine, indicating a Person). 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord (presents Paul revealing the answer to his own question; Deliverance comes through Jesus Christ and Christ Alone, and more particularly what Jesus did at Calvary and the Resurrection). So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God (the “will” is the trigger, but it within itself can do nothing unless the gun is loaded with explosive power; that Power is the Cross); but with the flesh the Law of sin (if the Believer resorts to the “flesh,” [i.e., “self-will, self-effort, religious effort”] which refers to his own ability outside of Christ and the Cross, he will not serve the Law of God, but rather the Law of sin).
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1 There is therefore now no condemnation (guilt) to them which are in Christ Jesus (refers back to Rom. 6:3-5 and our being baptized into His Death, which speaks of the Crucifixion), who walk not after the flesh (depending on one’s personal strength and ability or great religious efforts in order to overcome sin), but after the Spirit (the Holy Spirit works exclusively within the legal confines of the Finished Work of Christ; our Faith in that Finished Work, i.e., “the Cross,” guarantees the help of the Holy Spirit, which guarantees Victory).
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8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God (refers to the Believer attempting to live his Christian Life by means other than Faith in Christ and the Cross).
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10 And if Christ be in you (He is in you through the Power and Person of the Spirit [Gal. 2:20]), the body is dead because of sin (means that the physical body has been rendered helpless because of the Fall; consequently, the Believer trying to overcome by willpower presents a fruitless task); but the Spirit is life because of Righteousness (only the Holy Spirit can make us what we ought to be, which means we cannot do it ourselves; once again, He performs all that He does within the confines of the Finished Work of Christ). 11 But if the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of Him (from God) Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you (and He definitely does), He Who raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies (give us power in our mortal bodies that we might live a victorious life) by His Spirit Who dwells in you (we have the same Power in us, through the Spirit, that raised Christ from the dead, and is available to us only on the premise of the Cross and our Faith in that Sacrifice).
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13 For if you live after the flesh (after your own strength and ability, which is outside of God’s Prescribed Order), you shall die (you will not be able to live a victorious, Christian life): but if you through the Spirit (by the Power of the Holy Spirit) do mortify the deeds of the body (which the Holy Spirit Alone can do), you shall live (shall walk in victory; but once again, even at the risk of being overly repetitive, we must never forget that the Spirit works totally and completely within the confines of the Cross of Christ; this means that we must ever make the Cross the Object of our Faith, giving Him latitude to work).
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14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God (the Spirit will always lead us to the Cross), they are the Sons of God (we live as Sons of God, which refers to total Victory within every respect of our lives; if the sin nature is dominating a person, he certainly isn’t living as a son of God).
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15 For you have not received the spirit of bondage (to try to live after a system of works and laws will only succeed in placing one in “bondage”) again to fear (such living creates a perpetual climate of fear in the heart of such a Believer); but you have received the Spirit of Adoption (the Holy Spirit has adopted us into the Family of God), whereby we cry, Abba, Father (the Holy Spirit enables the Child of God to call God “Father,” which is done so because of Jesus Christ).
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16 The Spirit itself (Himself) bears witness with our spirit (means that He is constantly speaking and witnessing certain things to us), that we are the Children of God (meaning that we are such now, and should enjoy all the privileges of such; we can do so if we will understand that all these privileges come to us from God, by the means of the Cross): 17 And if children (Children of God), then heirs (a privilege); heirs of God (the highest enrichment of all), and joint-heirs with Christ (everything that belongs to Christ belongs to us through the Cross, which was done for us); if so be that we suffer with Him (doesn’t pertain to mere suffering, but rather suffering “with Him,” referring to His Suffering at the Cross, which brought us total Victory), that we may be also glorified together (He has been glorified, and we shall be glorified; all made possible by the Cross).
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24 For we are saved by hope (means that the greater part of our Salvation is yet future): but hope that is seen is not hope (proclaims in another way the great Truth that all Salvation affords is not yet given unto the Believer): for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for? (In effect, this bluntly tells us that what is coming is so far beyond that which is here at the present, as to be no comparison.)
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26 Likewise the Spirit (Holy Spirit) also helps our infirmities (the help given to us by the Holy Spirit is made possible in its entirety by and through what Jesus did at the Cross): for we know not what we should pray for as we ought (signals the significance of prayer, but also that without the Holy Spirit, all is to no avail): but the Spirit itself (Himself) makes intercession for us (He petitions or intercedes on our behalf) with groanings which cannot be uttered (not groanings on the part of the Holy Spirit, but rather on our part, which pertains to that which comes from the heart and cannot properly be put into words). 27 And He Who searches the hearts (God the Father) knows what is the Mind of the Spirit (what the Spirit wants done, and not what we want done), because He (Holy Spirit) makes intercession for the Saints according to the Will of God (the overriding goal of the Spirit is to carry out the Will of God in our lives, not our personal wills; in other words, the Spirit is not a glorified bellhop).
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28 And we know that all things work together for good (but only if certain conditions are met) to them who love God (the first condition), to them who are the called according to His purpose (this means it’s “His Purpose, and not ours,” which is the second condition; otherwise, all things will not work together for our good).
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29 For whom He (God) did foreknow (God’s foreknowledge), He also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of His Son (it is never the person that is predestined, but rather the Plan), that He (Jesus) might be the Firstborn among many Brethren (doesn’t mean that Jesus was Born-Again as a sinner, as some teach, but rather that He is the Father of the Salvation Plan, having paid the price on the Cross, which made it all possible). 30 Moreover whom He (God) did predestinate (to be conformed to the Image of His Son), them He also called (without that “Call,” man cannot be saved; sadly, many refuse the “Call” [Prov. 1:24-33]): and whom He called, them He also justified (those who responded faithfully to the Call): and whom He justified, them He also glorified (shall glorify at the Resurrection; Justification guarantees it will be done).
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35 Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ? (This speaks of the Love of Christ for the Believer, instead of the Believer’s Love for Christ.) shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (We are protected against all outside influence, but not from ourselves. If a person so desires, he can separate himself from the Love of Christ by rejecting the Cross.)
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25 As He said also in Hosea (Hos. 2:23), I will call them My people, which were not My people; and her beloved, which was not beloved (is used by Paul in the context of the Gentiles, even though it was originally meant for the Jews). 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them (Hos. 1:9-10), You are not My people; there shall they be called the Children of the Living God (once again, the Apostle is taking a Passage that was given exclusively to Israel, and broadening it in order that it cover the Gentiles).
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28 For He will finish the work (which He did at the Cross), and cut it short in Righteousness (God’s Righteousness demands such! however, what is short to Him is not necessarily short to mankind): because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth (by comparison to Eternity, the six thousand years we have now seen constitute a short time).
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8 But what does it say? (In other words, it says how to be saved!) The Word is near you (the Word of God), even in your mouth (speaks of the confession which must come from the mouth in order for one to be saved, even as Paul will say in the next Verse), and in your heart (proclaims the part of man in which Faith begins): that is, the Word of Faith, which we preach (presents the declaration by Paul that Justification is on the Faith-Principle, as opposed to the Works-Principle; it speaks of Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross; in other words, every Preacher should “Preach Christ and Him Crucified”);
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9 That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus (confess that Jesus is the Lord of Glory, and the Saviour of men, and that He died on the Cross that we might be Saved), and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead (pertains to the Bodily Resurrection of Christ, as is obvious), you shall be Saved (it is that simple!). 10 For with the heart man believes unto Righteousness (presents the word “believing” in a mode of “thinking,” not of feeling; the “believing” has to do with believing Christ, and that His Sacrifice of Himself Atoned for all sin); and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation (when Faith comes forth from its silence to announce itself and proclaim the Glory and the Grace of the Lord, its voice “is confession”). 11 For the Scripture says (combining parts of Isa. 28:16 with 49:23), Whosoever believes on Him (proclaims the fact that Salvation is reachable by all) shall not be ashamed (in essence says, “shall not be put to shame,” but rather will receive what is promised). 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek (should read, “between the Jew and the Gentile”; all must come the same way, which is by and through Christ and what He did at the Cross on our behalf): for the same Lord over all is rich unto all who call upon Him (the riches of Grace will be given to all who truly call upon the Lord). 13 For whosoever (anyone, anywhere) shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be Saved (speaks of the sinner coming to Christ, but can refer to any Believer and with whatever need; the Cross is the means by which all of this is done).
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14 How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? (The great sin of mankind is the sin of “unbelief.”) and how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? (Ignorance is not Salvation. It is the business of the Church to take the Gospel to the world.) and how shall they hear without a preacher? (This reveals God’s Method of proclaiming His Message.) 15 And how shall they Preach, except they be sent? (Those who send the Preacher are just as important as the Preacher.) as it is written (Isa. 52:7), How beautiful are the feet of them who Preach the Gospel of Peace (presents the Message which, if accepted, will make things right between the sinner and God), and bring glad tidings (Good News) of good things! (It’s all made possible by the Cross.)
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17 So then Faith comes by hearing (it is the publication of the Gospel which produces Faith in it), and hearing by the Word of God (Faith does not come simply by hearing just anything, but rather by hearing God’s Word, and believing that Word).
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20 But Isaiah is very bold, and said (Isa. 65:1-2), I was found of them who sought Me not; I was made manifest unto them who asked not after Me (as Moses, the Prophet Isaiah predicted that the Gentiles would hear and receive the Gospel). 21 But to Israel He said, All day long I have stretched forth My hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people (by their rejection of Christ and the Cross, the majority of Israel fashioned themselves into vessels of wrath through their self-will and unbelief; is the Church presently doing the same?).
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8 (According as it is written (Isa. 29:10), God has given them the spirit of slumber (that’s what they wanted, so that’s what they got!), eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) (This refers to not being able to “see” even though the evidence is plainly visible, or to “hear” even though the words are plainly spoken.) unto this day (refers to a condition that will not correct itself, but will actually grow worse). 9 And David said (Ps. 69:22), Let their table be made a snare (refers to their prosperity), and a trap (pertains to the end result of the “snare”), and a stumblingblock (Israel stumbled over the very blessings which were intended for her betterment), and a recompence unto them (a negative end result): 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see (they didn’t want to “see,” so the Lord gave them what they wanted), and bow down their back always (refers to them coming under the burden of captivity, which is exactly what happened).
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16 For if the Firstfruit be Holy (refers to the Patriarchs of Israel, who were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), the lump is also Holy (does not refer to personal attributes, but simply that Israel has been Called of God, and set apart by God for a special task which will ultimately be performed): and if the root be Holy, so are the branches (this pertains to their work, their reason for being; they are even now in the beginning stages of being brought back “from the dead”). 17 And if some of the branches be broken off (not all the branches, but some; referring to the fact that Israel will ultimately be brought back), and you (refers to the Church, i.e., “the Gentiles”), being a wild olive tree (inferior), were grafted in among them (presents the inferior being grafted into the superior, which is totally against nature), and with them partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree (means that the Church derives its life from the common Root that was originally given to Israel of long ago); 18 Boast not against the branches (the Church has not replaced Israel in the Plan of God, even though the Church is included in the Plan of God due to Israel’s rejection of Christ). But if you boast, you bear not the root, but the root you (as stated, the Church was grafted in, and is built upon the Promises originally given to Israel, which still apply to Israel and one day will be fulfilled). 19 You will say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in (the Church must ever know and understand that it was and is second choice). 20 Well; because of unbelief they (Israel) were broken off (unbelief respecting Christ and the Cross), and you stand by Faith (proclaims that the Church was brought in because of Faith and not merit, and stands in its present position by Faith and not merit). Be not highminded, but fear (the reason is given in the next Verse): 21 For if God spared not the natural branches (Israel), take heed lest He also spare not you (again refers to the Church, as is obvious). 22 Behold therefore the Goodness and Severity of God (don’t mistake the Goodness of God for license): on them which fell, severity (speaks of Judgment which came on Israel, God’s chosen People); but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His Goodness (proclaims the condition; the continuing of that “Goodness” pertains to continued Faith in Christ and the Cross): otherwise you also shall be cut off (is the modern Church on the edge of that even now? Rev. 3:15-22 tells us this is the case!). 23 And they also (Israel), if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in (Israel’s unbelief will end at the Second Coming): for God is able to graft them in again (and that He will do!). 24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature (refers to the Gentile world, and in this case the Church), and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree (the inferior into the superior): how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? (Israel failed, but the Plan did not fail. Israel will ultimately be brought back and will Evangelize the world as originally planned. This will take place in the coming Kingdom Age [Isa. 66:19].)
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28 As concerning the Gospel, they are enemies for your sakes (refers to the Gospel of Jesus Christ): but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes (speaks of their Calling).
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29 For the Gifts and Calling of God are without Repentance (the Gifts and Calling of God are not subject to a change of mind on God’s Part).
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33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! (This depth is beyond our comprehension.) how unsearchable are His Judgments, and His Ways past finding out! (They cannot be found out by the intellect, only by Revelation which comes by the Spirit.)
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1 I beseech you therefore, Brethren (I beg of you please), by the Mercies of God (all is given to the Believer, not because of merit on the Believer’s part, but strictly because of the “Mercy of God”), that you present your bodies a Living Sacrifice (the word “Sacrifice” speaks of the Sacrifice of Christ, and means that we cannot do this which the Holy Spirit demands unless our Faith is placed strictly in Christ and the Cross, which then gives the Holy Spirit latitude to carry out this great work within our lives), holy (that which the Holy Spirit Alone can do), acceptable unto God (actually means that a holy physical body, i.e., “temple,” is all that He will accept), which is your reasonable service. (Reasonable if we look to Christ and the Cross; otherwise impossible!) 2 And be not conformed to this world (the ways of the world): but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind (we must start thinking Spiritually, which refers to the fact that everything is furnished to us through the Cross, and is obtained by Faith and not works), that you may prove what is that good (is put to the test and finds that the thing tested meets the specifications laid down), and acceptable, and Perfect, Will of God (presents that which the Holy Spirit is attempting to bring about within our lives, and can only be obtained by ever making the Cross the Object of our Faith).
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9 Let love be without dissimulation (real, not feigned or hypocritical). Abhor that which is evil (the Christian is to express his hatred of evil by a withdrawal from it and a loathing of it); cleave to that which is good (fasten, and firmly). 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love (speaks of the Brotherhood of Believers, which is even closer than the blood ties of relatives who aren’t saved); in honour preferring one another (the respect shown another, which is measured by one’s evaluation of another); 11 Not slothful in business (must be done with fervency, diligence, and attention to detail, with responsibility); fervent in Spirit (should have been translated, “fervent in the Holy Spirit”; looking to the Spirit constantly for leading and guidance); serving the Lord (serving Him in everything we do); 12 Rejoicing in hope (constantly rejoicing in the sphere of hope, always believing God); patient in tribulation (to remain under the test in a God-honoring manner; not seeking to escape it, but eager to learn the lessons it was sent to teach); continuing instant in prayer (the idea is that we pray about everything continually, and be quick to do so); 13 Distributing to the necessity of Saints (pertains to concern and generosity); given to hospi tality (kindness toward all, even strangers). 14 Bless them which persecute you (speak well of such a one): bless, and curse not (the Christian is to only bless, and not pronounce judgment on others, even our most strident enemies; we must leave judgment to the Lord). 15 Rejoice with them who do rejoice (speaks of the Believer being sincerely glad for the Blessings of others), and weep with them who weep (expresses the Believer being sincerely sorry for and with those who experience tribulation and sorrow). 16 Be of the same mind one toward another (have the same mind toward all, whether great or small, rich or poor). Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate (the manner in which a Believer treats a person who occupies the lowest station of life [whatever that might be] when no one else is seeing or hearing shows what you are). Be not wise in your own conceits (proclaims the antipathy felt by the Apostle to every sort of spiritual aristocracy, and to every caste-distinction within the Church).
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17 Recompense to no man evil for evil (we are not to repay evil in like kind, but rather with the very opposite). Provide things honest in the sight of all men (the Christian is exhorted to take careful forethought that his manner of life and his outward expression conforms to, and is honestly representative of, what he is, a Child of God). 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (the Believer has no control over the conduct of another, but the idea is that the initiative in disturbing the peace is never to lie with the Christian). 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves (proclaims action respecting fellow human beings), but rather give place unto wrath (speaks of God’s Wrath, and means to leave room for it and not take God’s proper Work out of His Hands): for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord ([Lev. 19:18] the righting of wrong is to be committed to the Lord). 20 Therefore if your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink (we should treat our enemies with goodness): for in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head (coals of fire were taken from the Brazen Altar, a Type of the Cross, and placed on the Altar of Incense; the Cross diverted judgment to intercession, of which the Altar of Incense was a type; by showing kindness to an enemy, we are diverting judgment, and showing mercy which God has shown us). 21 Be not overcome of evil (don’t meet evil with evil, which only breeds more evil), but overcome evil with good (the initiative has changed from evil to good).
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1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers (refers to Human Government). For there is no power but of God (refers to the fact that God has ordained Government): the powers that be are ordained of God (refers to Human Government being a permanent institution, brought into being by God for the regulation of human affairs). 2 Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the Ordinance of God (anarchy is not of God): and they who resist shall receive to themselves damnation (the Law of the Land is always to be obeyed, providing it does not offend our conscience or the Word of God; the “damnation” mentioned here does not necessarily refer to such coming from God, but rather from men).
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7 Render therefore to all their dues (means that it is proper and right for all people to pay taxes, Christians as well!): tribute to whom tribute is due (refers to that which is owed, and should be paid); custom to whom custom (addresses hidden taxes, which we should pay as well); fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour (Government is an Institution to be respected, extending to all Civil servants from the lowest to the highest).
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8 Owe no man any thing (carries the idea that Christians do not “owe” their Brethren in the Lord the same obedience that is owed Civil Rulers), but to love one another (proclaims the only requirement between Believers): for he who loves another has fulfilled the Law (pertains to what the Law of Moses intended, but wasn’t able to bring about; it can be done under Christ, and Christ Alone).
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9 For this, You shall not commit adultery (sex in any form outside of marriage is unlawful [Gen. 2:23-24]), You shall not kill (should have been translated, “murder”), You shall not steal (don’t take what’s not yours), You shall not bear false witness (don’t lie), You shall not covet (do not try to unlawfully take that which belongs to another); and if there be any other Commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbour as yourself (Divine Love produced by the Holy Spirit is self-sacrificial in its nature). 10 Love works no ill to his neighbour (will not hurt his neighbor): therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law (proclaims the fact that this is all the Law formally requires, but can only be done in Christ).
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12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand (refers to everything up until the coming Resurrection as “night”; all after the Resurrection is referred to as “day,” with both day and night used as symbols): let us therefore cast off the works of darkness (could be translated, “let us therefore cast off the clothes of darkness”; former bad habits of life are here, as elsewhere, regarded as clothing once worn, but now to be put off), and let us put on the armour of light (could be translated, “and let us put on the clothes of Light”).
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14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ (avail yourself of all that Christ has accomplished at the Cross, which is available to all Believers), and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof (Faith in the Cross will give the Holy Spirit latitude within our lives, which alone gives us victory over the flesh).
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1 Him who is weak in the faith receive ye (refers to the Believer not understanding the Cross as he should), but not to doubtful disputations (is directed toward the strong Believers and those “weak in the Faith”; it means that the strong, who welcome those of weak Faith into the fellowship of the Church, are to do so unreservedly and not with the purpose of judging and attempting to rule their minds).
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4 Who are you who judges another man’s servant? (This actually says, “As for you, who are you to judge God’s Servant?”) to his own master he stands or falls (the Lord Alone is to be the judge). Yes, he shall be held up: for God is able to make him stand (has reference to the fact that God Alone can hold us up, and He is able to do so; the idea is that brow beating an individual will never help the person!).
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5 One man esteems one day above another (is actually referring back to the Jewish Sabbaths): another esteems every day alike (subject every day to scrutiny; this is the proper course). Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind (the Apostle is not speaking of things here that are morally wrong and which the Word of God has already condemned; he is speaking of Rituals only).
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8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord (everything in our lives is to be, “unto the Lord”): whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s (reflects the Lord having total control over our lives and deaths, which we must desire He use to the fullest).
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10 But why do you judge your brother? (Is any Believer qualified to judge another Believer? “Your Brother” is another reason for not judging. It is inconsistent with the recognition of the Brotherhood of Believers.) or why do you set at nought your brother? (There is only one reason for refusing fellowship, and that reason is unconfessed, unrepentant, habitual sin in a person’s life [I Cor., Chpt. 5].) for we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ (we will be judged there, not for our sins, those having been handled at the Cross, but as it regards our stewardship and our motives, etc.; gain or loss of reward will be the result). 11 For it is written (Isa. 45:23), As I live, says the Lord (God cannot die), every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God (to make a confession of God’s Honor, and as well, to praise Him). 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (each is responsible, meaning that the blame cannot be shifted elsewhere).
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17 For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink (actually refers to rules, regulations, ceremonies, or rituals, etc.); but Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit (a right spirit, which refers to a spirit that is controlled by the Holy Spirit, will always produce Righteousness, Peace, and Joy, not argument, etc.).
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22 Have you faith? (This is addressed to the strong.) have it to yourself before God (don’t run the risk of injuring a Brother’s conscience merely for the sake of exercising in a special way the spiritual freedom we have the happiness to possess). Happy is he who condemns not himself in that thing which he allows (refers to this being joy enough, without us taking our liberty further and, thereby, hindering a weaker Brother or Sister).
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23 And he who doubts is damned if he eat, because he eats not of faith (Faith, that is proper Faith, is the criteria for all things): for whatsoever is not of faith is sin (the type of Faith addressed here is Faith in “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified”; any other type of faith is “sin”).
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1 We then who are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak (has the end result in mind of these weaker Brethren also becoming strong in Faith and knowledge of the Lord), and not to please ourselves (pleasing self ruins our Christian fellowship). 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification (refers to the Believer foregoing a legitimate act because a weaker Christian thinks it to be wrong). 3 For even Christ pleased not Himself (the entirety of the Life and Ministry of Christ was to do the Will of the Father); but, as it is written (Ps. 69:9), The reproaches of them who reproached You fell on Me (Christ suffered this reproach for our sakes, and surely not to please Himself; this should be our example).
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13 Now the God of Hope fill you with all Joy and Peace in believing (that which the Lord imparts to Believers rests on Faith), that you may abound in Hope, through the Power of the Holy Spirit (the Holy Spirit will help us have all these things if we place our Faith exclusively in Christ and the Cross [I Cor. 1:18]).
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20 Yes, so have I strived to Preach the Gospel (speaks of his earnest zeal), not where Christ was named (means that Paul never sought to Evangelize where Christianity was already established), lest I should build upon another man’s foundation (Jesus, as the Head of the Church, gives direction through and by the Holy Spirit to particular workers; that “direction,” must not be impugned by others): 21 But as it is written (Isa. 52:15), To whom He was not spoken of, they shall see: and they who have not heard shall understand (refers to the Message of Redemption going to the Gentiles, as is obvious).
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commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the Church which is at Cenchrea (the word “servant” in the Greek is “diakonos,” with our words “Deacon” and “Deaconess” derived from it; this shows that it is Scriptural for a woman to serve in this capacity as well as a man; Cenchrea was the Port of Corinth, about nine miles from that city):
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20 And the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly (all who trust Christ and what He has done at the Cross are guaranteed victory, and in every capacity). The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen (presents the standard Benediction of Paul, which he uses in one form or the other in all of his Epistles, even Hebrews).
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25 Now to Him Who is of power to stablish you according to my Gospel (Paul’s Gospel was, “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified”), and the Preaching of Jesus Christ (Paul Preached the Cross [I Cor. 1:23; 2:2]), according to the Revelation of the Mystery, which was kept secret since the world began (proclaims that which is now revealed in his Gospel, the story of Redemption), 26 But now is made manifest (the actual Greek reads, “but now has been made known through Prophetic writings”), and by the Scriptures of the Prophets (refers to the Old Testament, which Scriptures constantly pointed to the coming of Christ), according to the Commandment of the Everlasting God (actually means that, according to the appointment of God, the “Mystery” should now at last be made known), made known to all nations for the Obedience of Faith (it must be Preached to the whole world):