Understanding The Bible |
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BY THE AUTHOR
Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.
Philadelphia College of Bible
1965
THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS
The Epistle falls into
THREE MAJOR DIVISIONS, with an INTRODUCTION and a CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION Personal 1:1-17 |
I. DOCTRINAL
(1:18-8:39) The Righteousness of God Revealed |
CONCLUSION: Personal and Personnel 15:8-16:27 |
II.
DISPENSATIONAL (9-11) The Righteousness of God Harmonized with His Dispensational Ways |
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III.
EXHORTATIONAL (12:1-15:7) Divine Righteousness Producing Practical Righteousness in the Believer |
EXPOSITORY ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION: Personal, 1:1‑17
Paul and his gospel, 1:1‑7
Paul‑‑his
credentials and occupation, 1:1a‑b
"Paul"‑‑the writer, NOT the author. The Holy Spirit was the author.
("Paul" means "asked for"; "Saul" means "little, " Acts 13:9.)
"servant"‑‑not hired servant, but bondservant, bound servant
of Christ. This is his VOLUNTARY position. Cp. Exodus 21:2,5‑6 with Psalm
40:6‑8 and Hebrews 10:5. Set free by Christ from the slavery of sin and
Satan, he voluntarily makes himself the love‑slave of his Deliverer. Now he
is safe, for now only his Master can release him; he cannot release himself.
Note: (1) A servant must implicitly obey, but (2) a servant has the right to
implicit guidance and command!
"of Jesus Christ"‑‑"Jesus" is the Greek for the Hebrew "Jehoshua"
(shortened to "Joshua") which means "Jehovah is Salvation" (Mt. 1:21). This
is His personal, human name. "Christ" is Greek for the Hebrew "Messiah"
which means "Anointed" (Acts 10:38; Heb. 1:9). This is His official tide or
name.
"a called apostle"‑‑a paradox, lit. "a called sent‑one." One must
COME to God for salvation, before he is prepared to GO for God to tell
others. This is Paul's OFFICIAL position and tide. Contrast VOLUNTARY
position above (under "servant"),
"separated"‑‑lit. "railed off, placed apart," Separated from sin unto
God and His gospel. He is not preaching reform, but regeneration; not his
original thoughts, but Someone else's message. We can't preach the gospel
without preaching Christ; it is "WHOM we preach" (Col. 1:28). What a worthy
occupation!
The gospel Paul represents, 1:1-7c (cp. section 3)
Its source‑‑"from God" (Gal. 1:15), 1c
Its channel‑‑"through the prophets", 2
Its contents‑‑"concerning His Son", 3‑4
His humanity‑‑"seed of David" 3
His deity‑‑"Son
of God" 4
"Declared" means "set forth distinctly, ""marked out"; "from the
dead" may read "of dead ones, " i.e., "by resurrection of such as were
dead" (i.e., Jarius' daughter, Lk. 8:54; widow's son, Lk. 7:14; Lazarus,
Jn.11:43‑44).
Its objects‑‑"all nations" 5
Its subjects‑‑"all
saints" 6‑7a
The
opening salutation, l:7b
Paul and his readers, 1:8‑15
Thanksgiving for them all, 8
Prayer for them all, 9
"without ceasing"; read "how unceasingly"
Petition concerning
coming to them, 10
"if by any means" is an idiom, "I don't care how, just so I arrive in the
will of God.
"prosperous... in the will of God" (shipwreck, Rom. 8:28; Acts 27‑28).
Desire to minister to
them, 11‑13
"I long"; emphatic, "I greatly desire. "
Obligation to all men, 14 (CONSCIENCE)
Readiness to preach to
them, 15 (HEART)
The THEME of the book,
1:16‑17
The righteousness of God in the gospel of Christ (CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE)
Note the three "I am's" of w.14‑16 (cp. section 1B)
He is "not ashamed" because of:
Its power‑‑"the power of God" (cp. dynamite).
Its purpose‑‑the "salvation" of men; "unto" = gets men clear through to salvation. It NEVER FAILS. IT EVER AVAILS (Heb. 7:19‑25, 27).
Its availability and universality‑‑"to everyone.. .Jew and Gentile (whole race).
Its easy terms‑ ‑only "believe."
Its character‑‑a "revelation" (not a reasoning).
Its content‑‑"a righteousness of God" (not man's)
Its operation‑‑progressive... "from faith to faith" (faith‑wise) / practical... "the righteous shall LIVE by (his) faith"
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