4:1-22

(1) What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?

M- Paul has been talking about being made right with God through grace by faith. Probably many of the people He’s writing to grew up with the Jewish roots. Paul here, seems to imagine them asking, ‘if this concept is valid, how did that work out with Abraham?’ (Abraham is referred to as their father because it was his family that received the promises of God and that the Jewish nation grew out of.)

(2) For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

M-The Jewish people knew from Genesis 25:5 that God said about him that He obeyed his voice and kept His charge, His commandments, His statutes and His laws. The Jews obviously then thought that Abraham earned his righteousness…and could boast about it. But Paul says He will not be able to boast before God, and the next verse will show why.

(3) For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’

M-The verse quoted is Genesis 15:6. It points out that Abraham believed God, and God gave him right standing not because of what He had done, but because of His truest.

A-Faith is not an emotion, or a mysterious feeling we should wait for. Faith, is putting our trust and confidence in God. Meaning, if He says something we believe it. If He promises something, we trust Him. We trust in who He is, what He does, and what He says.

(4) Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

M-When you give something to someone who has worked for it, that’s not grace, that’s just giving someone what they earned. Grace is giving someone something they didn’t earn.

(5) But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness

M-The person who doesn’t try to earn right-standing with God, but just believes God gets right standing with God because of His faith. He is ungodly, but God justifies the ungodly who choose to trust Him.

(6) just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

M-This principle of getting right-standing with God apart from works wasn’t just something that Abraham experienced. David also describes a similar thing.

(7) “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;

M-We all do have lawless deeds (meaning we’ve broken God’s laws), we all have sins. The blessed person (the person in the best place to be) is the one who’s had their sins forgiven.

(8) Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin”

M-These verses from David are quoted from Psalms 32:1-2. A similar statement is made here. The person who is blessed is the one who’s sin the Lord will never count against Him. This is like saying ‘Blessed is the guilty criminal who gets His fines paid and declared innocent.

A-God forgiving us doesn’t mean that our sin doesn’t matter, but because Jesus paid the cost of it, God will no longer hold our sin against us. He held them against Jesus.

(9) Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

M-Paul has been talking about how we can get right with God through faith like Abraham and David. Now, he asks a question probably because He knows it’s a question that will likely wonder about.

A-As we’re teaching people about God or the bible, it’s probably good to imitate the way that Paul thinks about what questions his listeners have and brings them up so they can fully understand.

(10) How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised.

M –Circumcision was the sign for the Jew that they belonged to God. But, this started with Abraham. After Him, every male Jew was to be circumcised on the eight day of their life. Paul points out that God gave Abraham righteousness because of his faith, and that was before He was ever circumcised.

(11) And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that He might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also.

M –It was after Abraham believed that God had him get circumcised. It was a sign that He had been made right with God. In a way, He is the father of all of us who choose to trust and believe in God and receive righteousness from Him.

A –Circumcision didn’t make anyone right with God, it was a sign that they were. In the same way, things like Baptism and Communion don’t make us right with God, they are just a sign that we have been brought into relationship with Him. Like Abraham the only way we can be made right with God is by believing His promises and trusting Him.

(12) and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.

M –The Jews loved to think of their ancestry (their relation to Abraham), but He is the father of the people who actually walk by faith, not who just get a symbol of walking by faith.

A –We are like Abraham if we walk in trust with God, just believing and doing what He says. We shouldn’t think that we’re Christians just because we go to church, have been baptized, take communion, or have a bible. We are Christians if we walk by faith.

(13) For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

M –Abraham was promised by God that his descendants would be numerous and all nations of the world would be blessed through them. But this was before the law was given by Moses several hundred years later. So, while the Jewish people prided themselves on having the law, Paul once again points out that Abraham was before Moses and the law and was made right with God by His trust.

(14) For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect,

M- If you could become an heir (the ones to receive the inheritance) by just following the law, then the promise that we can be made right by trust is pointless. Abraham was blessed by God because of His trust, not because He had followed a law.

(15) because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

M –You would blessed if you could keep the law. But no one has, so we’re all condemned and cursed by it. Where there is no law, there are no lawbreakers, but since there is a law and we haven’t kept it, it shows us that we’re under God’s wrath and in need of His grace.

A –The ten commandments sum up a lot of the Old Testament law, and it’s true, as we go through the 10 commandments (Exodus 20), it becomes clear that we’re lawbreakers and under God’s wrath on our own.

(16) Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

M –In Genesis 17:5 God said that Abraham would be the father of many nations. But the ‘nations’ who would be his offspring weren’t just the physical family line (seed), they were going to be spiritual children. Abraham is a type of spiritual father to everyone who chooses to believe God like He did. ‘Those who are of the law’ here would refer to the Jews…who would be the physical descendants.

A –This verse points to the fact that salvation was intended not just for the Jews (even though God used them in a special way). Salvation is for every one anywhere who puts their trust in God.

(17) (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed-God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as thought they did.

M –Abraham is in God’s eyes our Father since we’ve followed the same path of faith. Verse 19 will say that Abraham’s body was already dead since he was about 100 years old. Even though as far as making children, Abraham’s body was dead, God’s promise was bigger and would give life in the midst of death. God talked about his descendants who would exist even though they didn’t yet.

A –The bible says a lot about how a Christian is now righteous in God’s sight, how we’ll made perfect, and how we’re saints now. Those things are hard to believe since we know we’re not fully that yet. But God’s promise will come through just like it did for Abraham.

(18) who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that He became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “so shall your descendants be.”

M –In the Human sense, there was no hope the promise could happen, but Abraham had hope because of who had made the promise (God.)

A –If we are shown a promise of God, we should not look at the circumstances to see if it’s hopeful, we should look to God who is bigger than our circumstances and controls them. This is faith, not a mysterious emotion, but believing what God says whether we can see how it will work out or not.

(19) And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about 100 years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.

M –All the facts suggested that what God promised wasn’t going to happen. But Abraham was not weak in His faith (trust). We know from Genesis 17:17 that Abraham laughed when He first heard the promise. And we know that at one point He decided to have a baby through one of His servants instead of His wife. While Abraham faltered in His faith sometimes, He still did have a trust in God.

(20) He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God

M –He could have failed to believe, but He didn’t and He was strengthened in faith and praised God for what He didn’t have yet.

A –When we step in faith, God strengthens our faith. Choosing to trust God helps us to trust Him more. We should thank God for what He’s going to do according to His promises even before they are fulfilled.

(21) and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

M –This is part of faith, being confident that if God has said something, He is able to do it.

(22) And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

M –Because Abraham walked in a trusting relationship with God, the Lord gave Him a righteous standing with Him (based on the sacrifice Jesus would make.)

A –It’s the people who trust God who are given forgiveness. Going to church or saying prayers or calling ourselves Christians doesn’t make us right with God. The people who choose to walk in trust with God are given grace.

3:21-31

(21) But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets

M –Paul has been making the point through the book so far, that Jews and Gentiles both have the problem that they don’t meet the requirements of God. But now, Paul points out, a way of righteousness (getting right standing with God) is revealed apart from the law. There is a way to be right with God, even though we’ve failed to keep the law. This right-standing with God was hinted at and foretold in the law and prophets (The Old Testament.)

A –Christians don’t get right with God by keeping the rules, it is a righteousness that comes apart from the law.

(22) even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference.

M –This right standing with God, is from God himself. We get it through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith, is not just intellectual agreement or a mystical emotion. To have faith in something, means to put your trust and confidence fully in that thing. So, putting our trust and confidence in Jesus is how we get this right-standing with God.

A –Paul will go on through the letter to explain in more detail what it means to put our trust and confidence in Jesus. But here we see, this is the way (and the only way) that men and women can be made right with God.

(23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

M –The previous verse ended by saying ‘there is no difference’. Everyone has sinned and failed God’s law, so everyone who wants to be right with God, will have to take this righteousness from Him by faith.

A –There is not a sinless person on the planet…including every pastor, priest, monk, mother Theresa, the Pope…everyone is a sinner and everyone will have to come to God the same way.

(24) being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

M –To be justified means to be given the status of an innocent person. This is what Christ Jesus did for us freely...He openly made it available to all who would accept His grace. He gave us the gift of his good standing (since He had no sin) and took our guilty position on the cross to redeem us. To redeem something tells us that a payment has been made to get something back. Jesus paid the cost of our sins to bring us back to God out of the condemnation of sin.

A – It’s important for the Christian to remember they are not perfect because they became Christians, but they are justified. There is no more condemnation for them. They don’t stand as guilty people before God anymore.

(25) whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

M –God sent Jesus as a propitiation. A propitiation is an action taken to appease God…meaning Jesus’ sacrifice quenched God’s wrath and anger against our sin. He did this by His blood…by His death. And we receive it through faith.

God sent Jesus to do this, to demonstrate that He’s serious about sin (righteous). Guilt must be paid for. God does not look past sin. He is a good and right judge who punishes for wrong.

God was patient in dealing with the sins of the past (previously committed) knowing that Christ would pay the debt for them in future for all who would believe.

(26) to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

M –God apparently wanted to do two things: First, He wanted to maintain his justice by punishing for wrong. Second, He wanted people to be able to be made right with Him again. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, both of these things were made available…justice was served on Jesus, and grace was able to be offered to the sinner.

A –God doesn’t compromise any part of His nature. If He says He will punish for sin, He means it, and finds a way to do it. If He wants to save sinners, He finds a way without compromising anything He’s said. It shows us how serious God is about what He says. When He promises something, He will do it. When He warns of something, He will do it.

(27) Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.

M –Trusting in God eliminates the right to boast. We admit that we aren’t good inside and are fully dependent on God’s grace to save us.

A –When we catch ourselves boasting about anything we need to look at our heart to see if we’re living to see ourselves praised or God praised. The Christian realizes they aren’t good inside, and that they can’t get to heaven or change their lives unless God gives them these things.

(28) Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

M –The only we can be made right with God (justified) is by faith, all the things we do, even if they do line up with the law…will never cover over all of our unrighteousness.

(29) Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also.

M –God is the God of both the Jews and the Gentiles and offers salvation to both of them through faith.

A –God did the Jews special privileges of revelation…but that would not save them. The whole world belongs to God.

(30) Since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

M –The circumcised refers to the Jews and the uncircumcised to the rest of the world. Again, the only way either will be justified is through faith.


(31) Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

M –So since we’re justified by faith and not the law, is the law that God gave the Jews useless? No. People will end up being led to Christ by the law (realizing they can’t do it on their own) and then end up fulfilling the law as God’s Spirit changes them (Romans 13:10)

A –It’s important to know that we can’t be made right with God by following the law, but also, to know that the law has a purpose (the rest of the book will show us more) and Christians end up fulfilling it as they become more like Jesus.

3:9-20

(9) What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

M –Paul has just pointed out that the Jews really did have a special privilege in that they did have the words of God. So Paul says, are we (Jews) better than they (the gentiles)? Not at all. Both Jews and Gentiles are sinners.

(10-18) As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one.; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one. Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit’; The poison of asps is under their lips’; ‘Who’s mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.’ ‘Their feet are swift to shed blood; Destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known.’ ‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.’

M –Paul quotes several OT passages to show how often scripture speaks of the universal sinfulness of man. This would have been a powerful proof to the Jew that they also were guilty since most of the scriptures referred to the Jewish people.

‘There is none righteous, no, not one.’ –Sinfulness is a universal problem that every human has and has had with the only exception being Jesus.

‘There is none who seeks after God.’ –John 6:65 says ‘No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.’ No one seeks God without Him first drawing on them.

‘They have together become unprofitable.’ When we walk in sin, we become useless to serve God’s purpose and to truly bless each other. We are no good for the purpose we were created when we sin. To sin means ‘to miss the mark.’

‘Their throat is an open tomb.’ –Seems to paint a picture of the sinful person being dead inside. Ephesians 2 talks about how the unsaved person is dead in their sins.

“With these references from the Psalms, Paul calls virtually every part of man’s body into guilt: throat, tongue, lips, mouth, feet, eyes are all shown to be filled with sin and rebellion against God.” -David Guzik

‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.’ –Seems to be a summary of the sinfulness. People don’t fear God as they should and so they do what they want.

(19) Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

M –What the Jewish law says it said to those who were under it (the Jews). The law has a purpose –that every mouth would be stopped and it becomes clear that all the world is guilty before God. No one can brag about how good they are because the law proves that they can’t keep God’s standard.

A –When we see God’s standard in the law, it doesn’t make us better, but shows us how far off we are from God’s standard. The sermon on the Mount (matthew 5-7) makes it even more clear that we’ve failed to keep God’s standard because it shows that the thoughts are judged just as much as the actions by God.

(20) Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

M –No one is going to get on good terms with God by trying to keep the law because it is the law that makes people even more knowledgeable of their sin.

3:1-8

(1) What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?

M- Through the previous sections, Paul has pointed out that while the Jews are privileged people, they will be judged just like everyone else (if not even more because they knew more.) Paul presents a question that may have been going through the minds of the Jewish readers. Is there any advantage to the Jewish people.

(2) Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God

M –Paul says the big thing that the Jews were blessed with, is that they really did receive the words of God through Moses, the Prophets, and the other OT writers. But, as Paul explained earlier, this privilege didn’t mean they wouldn’t be judged on their actions like everyone else.

A –It is an advantage to have the words of God. Many people own bibles and don’t realize the advantage they have. But the true advantage is for the people who actually read God’s words and obey them.

(3) For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?

M- Some might point out, that while the Jews did have the words of God (oracles), most of them did not believe them. Will that spoil all the promises in the words that were given to them?

(4) Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: ‘That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.’

M –No, God’s word will be kept whether people believe them or not…the good ones and the bad ones. God is always true in what He says…it is men that are the liars. The quote is from psalm 51:4, this is the psalm where David is repenting from his sin with Bathsheba. He says it about God, and apparently means that He is agreeing with God’s judgment that He was in the wrong.

A –God is always right when He judges, and our lack of belief doesn’t change who He is.

(5) But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)

M –Some might say, ‘If our unfaithfulness makes it apparent God is faithful, isn’t that a good thing? And should we be receive wrath for something that produced a good result?

(6) Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?

M- The answer is, NO. God is not unjust even if our unrighteous brought Him glory. God can bring himself glory out of our wicked actions, but that doesn’t our actions not evil. God will judge justice, even though He can use wicked men’s plans to still accomplish His purpose.

A- God will judge people based on the rightness or wrongness of their actions, not on the outcome. He can always make the outcome work for His plan because He’s God. The end doesn’t justify the means. You cannot rob a bank because you want to give to the poor.

(7) For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?

M –The train of thought continues. If our falsehood makes God’s truth stand out more and therefore brings Him glory, should we be judged wrong in the matter? Again, of course we should, we will be judged on our actions, not on what God can make of them.

(8) And why not say “Let us do evil that good may come”? -as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.

M –Apparently some had even accused some Christians falsely of encouraging evil that good may come. Paul says their condemnation is right.

A –Even though Christianity is based in grace, it doesn’t excuse or encourage wrongdoing, but points to forgiveness that can be found for it. Some Christians may look at sins in their past and see how God brought good out of them and might be tempted to call those things good since God used them. But we cannot do this. Yes, God has brought good out of it, but it still would have been better to obey…God will always accomplish His goal.

2:17-29

We're trying to find a solution so Kajsa can keep translating to Swedish as we're having some computer issues. Until then, I guess we'll keep posting in English:

(17-20) Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.

M –These verses describe the high privilege the Jew had. They did have God’s law, a type of relationship with God, and even approved of what it said. They saw themselves as guides, a light, instructors, teachers…and they truly should have been that. They did have knowledge and truth in the law (the Old Testament.)

A –It is a privilege to be entrusted with the words of God. Having a bible is a great honor.

(21) You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?

M –Paul questions the mindset some of the Jews had. They were entrusted with the truth to teach others, but were they applying the truth to their own lives?

A –Any privileged person having the truth of God and teaching it (including bible teachers) should ask themselves a similar question. Do we obey what we teach or are we hypocrites?

(21) You who preach that man should not steal, do you steal?

M –Paul’s first example is that of stealing. These people preached it was wrong, but did they obey it? The tone of writing suggests clearly no.

(22) You who say “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery?

M –Paul gives another example. Even if someone might answer ‘No’, based on the sermon of the mountain, Jesus said that when a man looks with lust on a woman he commits adultery in the heart.

(22) You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

M –Those who say they are against worshiping things other than God, do they worship greed by robbing temples? Paul said in Colossians 3:5 that greed is idolatry. They dishonor God to get money.

(23) You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?

M –All of the previous questions here had an implied negative response…this last question carried an implied ‘Yes’ response. But the yes is confessing that while they boast in the law, they dishonor God because they break it.

A –There seems to be a parallel lesson here for those in the church. We may be excited about the truths of the bible and God, but do we actually do what God says? We will see as we go on that no one has done close to enough good to earn salvation.

(24) For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.

M –There are several Old Testament passages this could be quoting (Ezek. 16:27 / 2 Sam. 12:14 / Is. 52:5) The idea is that while the nation of Israel should have been a light to the nations because they were given God’s law and followed it, they ended up giving the nations an excuse to mock God because they did receive His law, but weren’t willing to follow it.

A –Again, there seems to be a lesson for the church here. We are supposed to be the light of the world, but does the world dishonor God, because we, who actually have His commands aren’t even doing them?

(25) For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.

M –Circumcision was something the Jews did, as a sign that they belonged to God and walked in purity. If they kept the law, the sign had value, but if they were breakers of the law (and all of us are) then they really weren’t clean, like the circumcision was supposed to represent.

(26) Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?

M-If a man didn’t have the physical sign of circumcision, but did what those with the circumcision were supposed to be doing, wouldn’t he be in reality more clean then them?

A-When I (Isaac) was a boy, we had a sign on our dishwasher indicating whether the dishes were clean or dirty. Obviously, if the sign said the dishes were clean, but they were dirty, the sign had no value. This is the Paul’s trying to make with the Jews. Also, it could be said that someone carries the label of a Christian, but inside are really not a Christian…the label is no good then.

(27) And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law?

M –Paul points out to the Jews, that if an uncircumcised (non-Jewish) person actually fulfilled the law (which non of them could do perfectly either), they would prove the Jews wrong.

(28) For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;

M –Paul says a powerful statement. That being called a Jew outwardly was not what made someone valid…real circumcision wasn’t just in the physical.

(29) but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

M –Having an outward sign, might have gotten praise from men, but the person God would praise is the one who would actually have a clean heart. Paul mentions a clean heart is from the Spirit, not the letter (the law.)

A –In the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) Jesus will tell his followers not to pray publicly for men’s praise, but in solitude with God. He will also say they shouldn’t give money to people for the praise of men or fast for the praise of men. People may think we’re a great person, but God knows the heart.

I & K

2:12-16

(12) For as many as have sinned without the law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law

M -Those without the law refers to the Gentiles and those with the law would refer to the Jews. The idea unfolded in this verse and the following ones seems to be that God will judge people based on what they know. The Gentiles don’t have the law, but will be judged by what they do know, and the Jews, knowing the law will be judged by that.

A –God judges us based on what we know. Chapter 1:20 told us that all men know God is there and powerful from creation, so none of us will have an excuse. Many people would claim more ignorance than they have, but God knows our hearts.

(13) (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;

M –Paul speaks as a quick side-note to illustrate his point that having God’s law isn’t enough. The Jews were privileged to have God’s law, but if they didn’t obey it, they are just as guilty before God as anyone.

A –While the Jew’s were God’s chosen people with some great privileges (such as having God’s law), they wouldn’t be judged less justly. Sometimes we assume that because we are around the good things of God (church, bible studies) we’re earning ‘brownie points’ with God, but that doesn’t get us anywhere. He is a righteous judge and pronounces sentence on all of us in justice.

(14) for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,

M –The side note continues. Paul says that although Gentiles don’t have the law, they show they still have a law operating in them that shows them right from wrong even if it hasn’t been spelled out to them.

(15) who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them.

M –The thought goes on. The non-Jews show that God’s law is written in their hearts…they know right and wrong by their conscience. The word conscience is made up of two words: CON –‘with’ and SCIENCE ‘knowledge.’ They do what they do with knowledge and this is why their conscience bears witness like in a court of law. It knows the truth and so it accuses them by it’s witness, or excuses them.

A –The conscience is a big evidence of the existence of God…why would we have a sense of right and wrong inside of us if there was no one to answer to? This is why we will all be without excuse for our sin when we face God…we can’t claim we didn’t know what was right because He’s written it on our hearts. The courtroom of God will be the only courtroom where not just actions are judged, but the thoughts are also known and judged.

(16) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

M –There is a day coming when the secrets of men’s hearts will be judged. Jesus Christ will be the judge in the courtroom, we will be the accused and our conscience will be a witness that we knew what was right and wrong. The gospel (good news) Paul preached included the warnings of the coming judgment.

A –It’s a good thing to know the judge who will judge you and to be honest about the secret darkness of your heart. If it will be brought into light then, you may as well bring it into the light now.

2:1-11

CHAPTER 2

Next week's verses: 2: 12-16

My apologies for not posting earlier. I have been out of town this last week along with some health problems (got an ulcer in my eye) so things have been a little slow. But here's the next chunk. Hope you're blessed.

Some people could read chapter one’s description of how sinful the world is and agree the world is immoral. But agreeing there is right and wrong isn’t enough, even if people seem more moral than others, they are still just as evil inside. This section seems aimed at the Jews and/or the moralist.

(1) Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

M -Chapter 1:20 pointed out that men are without excuse because of what creation tells them about God. Here, Paul says that men who judge others are without excuse because the very thing they judge others for is the very thing they do. Some people may be willing to call some things wrong, but when they do it means it’s wrong for them as well.

A –It seems like a part of our sinful nature is that it’s easier to see the faults in others than it is to see them in ourselves. Jesus said about judging: ‘For with what judgment you judge you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (Mt. 7:2). When you judge, you acknowledge an absolute standard which means it applies to you as well. Judging each other is something we often do but we forget to judge ourselves. Notice this category of person isn’t rebuked for judging, but for failing to judge themselves. (Mt.7:5 says we are to remove the log in our own eye THEN we can see clearly to help others remove their specks.)

(2) But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who do such things.

M –When God judges it is according to truth (fact, reality). Only God’s judgment is perfect because only God sees the heart. His judgment doesn’t condemn himself because He is the standard of righteousness. Paul affirms the sins are wrong, and God is against those who sin…which includes the people He’s talking about.

A –We should judge our own actions. 1 Corinthians 11:31 says that ‘if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.’ God’s standard is the measure we should use, it’s the truth. God opposes the proud and the self-righteous so we are wise to look at ourselves through His standard to see how short we fall of it.

(3) And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

M –People who hypocritically judge others should not think that they will escape being judged by God. He sees that they are willing to condemn others by the same standard that proves they themselves are wicked.

(4) Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

M –Apparently the thought is that people assume that just because God hasn’t judged them yet He isn’t going to. But He is good, and bears with them, and is patient so they can have time to turn from their ways. Repentance means ‘a change of mind’ and here would seem to mean that God’s goodness in being patient with people is with the desire that they would change their mind and direction from evil to serving Him.

A –God is just and will judge, but he is also patient and desires that people would turn to Him instead of having to judge them. But we shouldn’t think that the judgment will never come just because it hasn’t yet.

(5) But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God

M –God is being patient but because their hearts aren’t softening and they aren’t changing their mind and repenting (being impenitent) they should know they are going to be on bad terms with the Lord on the day of wrath when God will stop being patient and judge them.

A –If we never repent we should know that God tells us to expect His wrath in the future.

(6) who “will render to each one according to his deeds”

M -This is a quote of psalm 62:12 / or proverbs 24:12. ‘Render’ can mean to pay, or to give. God is a righteous judge and will give the wages for what’s been done. This is scary since Paul will tell us in 6:23 that the wages of sin is death.

(7) eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;

M –“Paul is not teaching salvation by works here, but emphasizing God’s impartiality as between Jew and Gentile.” –F. F. Bruce .

I think the point here is, God doesn’t judge Jews and Gentiles differently, if anyone could be found who was doing good and seeking the things of God (which 3:10-11 makes us question), God would reward them regardless of nationality. Also, a point could be made that while Christians aren’t saved by doing good, they do end up doing good in love and obedience to Christ.

A -I like the phrase ‘by patient continuance’. The Christian life isn’t a sprint but a marathon, it takes patience because for the most part, the rewards of eternal life, glory, honor, and immortality will be realized in a future tense.

(8) but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness-indignation and wrath,

M –While life is the payment for doing good, indignation (passionate anger) and wrath will be what God gives to the people who have lived their whole life being self focused and refusing to obey the truth. These people obey what’s not right.

A –Everyone is obedient to something, everyone is a slave of something. The world tells us that we should please our self and get everything we want, but here these people are those who should expect God’s wrath. As creatures made to serve God, the greatest insult we can give is to spend our lives serving ourselves. Jesus said ‘I am the way, the TRUTH and the life’ (jn 14:6) –we could rightly trace the conclusion that not obeying Jesus is not obeying the truth.

(9) tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;

M –God’s list of payment to the wicked on judgment day continues. Tribulation (‘a pressing together, affliction, distress) and anguish (narrowness of place, extreme affliction) will be on every soul of man who does evil. Again, this goes beyond people groups, Jews or non-Jews alike.

A –Men have souls. The body may die but there is the inner part of us that will still exist and will receive either eternal life or indignation, wrath, tribulation and anguish (hard choice of what we’d pick huh?) Our physical death will not mark our end, nor will it lead us to be re-incarnated, it will lead us to be judged by God. We are wise to give time to think about our soul and what this judgment will mean for us. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” –Mt 16:26a.

(10) but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

M –Paul flips back to what God gives the good, he gives them the things verse 7 said they sought for, glory and honor. Also, he gives them peace. And again, this applies first for the Jew and then the non-Jew.

A –It’s a striking picture that God gives the good what they were seeking for, and in a way gave the wicked what they were seeking for…a life against Him and apart from Him.

(11) For there is no partiality with God.

M –This seems to be one of the main points of this section. The Jews were God’s chosen people in the Old Testament times, but this doesn’t mean God judges men with partiality. The Jews had the honor of knowing more about God and so they will be judged and rewarded first apparently.

A –We could stretch the statement to point out that God is not partial in many other ways. He doesn’t care how respected we were on earth, or what our status was, He is a righteous judge.

1:26-32

NEXT WEEK'S VERSES: 2:1-11

So on we go. Paul has been talking about the wrath of God being revealed in the direction of the unbelieving world. They knew God was there and great but suppressed the truth and so continue on their destructive course and God eventually gives them over to the natural consequences of their choices. Paul continues to describe their path, what they become and what they do:

(26) For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

M –First, because man didn’t want to acknowledge God He ‘gave them up’ to live the lie they chose; they were unclean and dishonored in the foolishness of false worship. Now we have the second ‘God gave them up.’ This time He gives them up to vile passions (shameful, disgraceful passions.) These passions included women choosing what is un-natural instead of what is natural. The greek word translated ‘use’ here is literally in the greek lexicon ‘of the sexual use’.

A –Passions and desires can be natural and good, or against what’s natural and vile, shameful and disgraceful. Sexual relationships outside of the way we are created and outside the bible’s counsels are not right passions.

(27) Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

M –Paul adds that it wasn’t just the women but also the men who got involved in sexual sin. Even though it was contrary to everything that was natural, men burned in desire for one another instead of the opposite sex. And there are penalties for choosing this state.

A –Many people claim the bible doesn’t say anything against homosexuality, but here we have a very clear instance of it. Both sexual immorality and homosexual immorality are said to be a part of man walking away from the knowledge of God and into His wrath. This doesn’t mean we should hate homosexuals (Paul will go on to show that we are all sinners even if we haven’t committed this sin) but we should call homosexuality what the bible calls it: Un-natural and a walking into God’s judgment along with other sin.

(28) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

M –The third ‘God gave them over’ occurs now. Since they didn’t want to keep God in the picture, He abandoned them to their own evil minds. The word debased is a word that could mean metals and coins failing a test. If metal and coins don’t pass the test of quality or authenticity, they aren’t worth anything. A mind that throws God out is no longer worth anything because it can’t come to natural conclusions anymore. Because God lets these people shut off their minds, they end up doing things that are not fitting.

A –When we take God out of the picture, we end up doing foolish things because His presence is what gives us our existence, purpose, and obligations.

(29) being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil–mindedness; they are whisperers,

M -Now Paul begins a list of the things ‘which are not fitting’ which he mentioned above. The person who doesn’t like to keep God in their knowledge ends up doing these things:

‘Filled with all unrighteousness’ –These people aren’t just and don’t do what’s right

‘Sexual immorality’ –Sexual intercourse outside of God’s counsel

‘Wickedness’ –Evil purposes, desires

‘Covetousness’ –Greed, desiring what others have

‘Maliciousness’ –Shameless desire to rebel and injure others

‘Full of envy’ –Envious

‘Murder’ –Murder

‘Strife’ –Anger, fighting, contending

‘Deceit’ –Deceit

‘Evil-mindedness’ –obvious

‘They are whisperers’ –Slanderers, people who gossip and speak unrightly about them to paint a bad picture.

It’s interesting to see things like gossip and envy listed in the same category as Murder and Sexual Immorality. We may consider some sins worse, but they are all sin and the result of people not liking to retain God in their knowledge.

(30) backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

‘Backbiters’ –people who ‘speak against’ or ‘speak evil’. Seems to be a form of gossip.

‘Haters of God’ –people who hate God, and are exceptionally wicked

‘Violent’ –Rude and arrogant lack of respect in speech and actions

‘Proud’ –Arrogant and proud

‘Boasters’ –Pretenders, imposters, boastful

‘Inventors of evil things’ –Like it says

‘Disobedient to parents’ –Not submissive or compliant with parents

(31) undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;

‘Undiscerning’ -unintelligent, without understanding, stupid

‘Untrustworthy’ –covenant breakers, unfaithful

‘Unloving’ –without natural affection, unsociable

‘Unforgiving’ –one who won’t enter into a treaty or covenant,

‘Unmerciful’ –without mercy, never willing to let someone off the hook

A –We have been reading a list that describes the people who don’t like to retain God in their knowledge and what they do. What we become when we keep walking away from God is an awful thing. Who wants to be around people like those mentioned here? It’s hard to read this list without becoming aware that some of these describe parts of our own life. If we already have relationship with Christ and find these things present in our life, we need to throw them off, they are part of our old nature and way of living. We would like to blame our sinful actions on our past, our parents, or the circumstances of our life, but the truth is they are the result of our rebellion against God.

(32) who, knowing the righteous judgment that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

M -These people know these things are wrong and that they deserve punishment. The God who made and gave them everything has the right to take their life for walking away from Him. Knowing it’s wrong, they keep doing these things and even justify their actions and approve of people doing them.

A –There is a consequence for walking away from God and our heart knows that our sin deserves punishment. Even if someone is unwilling to admit it, they know right and wrong. It’s the natural progression of sinful man to get worse and worse and then attempt to define their sin as acceptable and the norm.

It’s worth noting that since our culture is so full of people behaving this way, we are seeing the wrath of God being revealed (1:18).The world has no excuse for the path we have taken and surely have no righteousness of our own. Fortunately, the gospel will reveal a righteousness from God (1:17). Looking at this should show each of our hearts that we need it.

Hope it made some sense and challenged you to think about the state of the world. We really do need to pray the gospel reaches out to turn people off the destructive path they are walking...and make sure we're not walking it with them.

His,

I & K

1:16-25

OK, Here's the notes on 1:16-25. NEXT WEEKS VERSES ARE: 1:26-32

Please forgive any spelling errors or bad grammar and other dumb things, limited time has not allowed for me to comb through the notes to make them perfect. Hope you're blessed going through it and comparing your notes, love to hear any thoughts if you have them. 

God Bless, I & K

(16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation

 

M –Paul isn’t ashamed of the good news. The reason being is that it has power for salvation. Some messages might encourage us, but don’t really carry the power to save us. If the news is true and can lead you towards something that can save you then it’s powerful. Save us from what? The rest of the book seems to make it clear that he’s referring to being saved from our sin and saved from wrath as a judgment of it (Romans 5:9 / 1 Thess. 5:9.)

 

A –The gospel may be something we’re tempted to feel ashamed of, but it’s the most valuable thing we can give people when it can save them. We wouldn’t be ashamed to tell people to leave a burning building because what we are telling them has the power to save them.

 

(16) for everyone who believes,

 

M –This is the description of who receives the salvation, not just the person who hears the message, but the person who believes it.

 

A –It’s not enough to just know the good news, we have to believe it. “The medicine prepared will not cure the patient if it be not taken.” –Matthew Henry. If you tell someone the building has started burning but they don’t believe you then they won’t leave and they won’t be saved.

 

(16) for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

 

M –Not sure what all Paul has in mind when He says this, but we know both Christ and His disciples went to the Jewish people before the non-Jews. The Jews were the people who received God’s special revelation and expectation of a savior to come. ‘Greek’ here seems to just imply anyone ‘non Jewish.’

 

(17) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith;

 

M –The word ‘righteousness’ will appear again and again in this letter. Most of the time it carries the idea of either God being ‘in the right’ or a person having a right-standing with God. Many would refer to this verse as the theme of the letter. When something is revealed it implies something that was hidden, and is now visible. In the good news, a right-standing with God is made visible. ‘From faith to faith’ can literally be translated ‘out of faith, into faith.’ Whatever this means it implies the centrality of faith (or trust) in the good news of God.

 

A –If we could focus on learning and walking in one thing it might be faith –or trust in God. If we’re going to have a right-standing with God it’s going to have to come from God.

 

(17) As it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

 

M -This is an Old Testament quotation from Hab. 2:4. Even before Christ came and the gospel revealed this righteousness, it was talked about in the O.T. (Old Testament.)

 

A –When I hear this verse, it points past just a one time act of faith, but a lifestyle of trust in God. Also, as Paul often quotes it, we have a lot to learn from the OT as it was authored by the same God of the New Testament and spoke in expectation and figures of the things that would come later.

 

(18) The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men

 

M –‘wrath’ has the idea of anger, often exhibited in punishment. The anger of God is revealed from heaven (where our Father is Mt.6:9.) His anger is against everything unlike Him or disrespecting of Him (ungodliness) and against everything not right. Some commentators point to the possible connection of ungodliness in reference to the Jews, who knew in the law what was godly and unrighteousness for the gentiles who knew from their consciences what was right.

 

A –Here, even in the New Testament, God is shown to be angry at sin. He hasn’t changed from the Old Testament, we just have a gospel to cling to now. We have to remember all that the bible says God is, He is loving but He also hates ungodliness.

 

(18) who suppress the truth in unrighteousness

 

M –Ungodly and unrighteous people suppress (hold back) the truth.

 

A –It’s part of our sinful nature to avoid the truth because it reveals that God has the right to be in charge and that we have sinned against Him.

 

(19) because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

 

M –What can be known about God is plain to man, because God has made it plain to plan.

 

A –While we can’t know everything about God, there are some things we can know about Him. And even if someone doesn’t have a bible to know more about God, there are some things about Him that should be obvious to man.

 

(20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.

 

M -Ever since the world was created, just by looking at creation, a couple things could be obvious to man.

 

1. His eternal power: Creation shows proof of a creator and one of great power. We cannot even fathom how big our galaxy let alone the universe. How powerful God must be to create all of this!
2. His Godhead (divine nature): I guess the thought here is that the creator is God, something higher than us that we owe our existence and everything to.

 

Man will never be able to use the excuse that He didn’t know of God and His power.

 

A –Even if someone has never possessed or read a bible, if they are honest, looking at creation points to the fact that there is a God out there and He is powerful. Someone can say and choose to not believe in God, but He has left enough evidence for them to know He’s there and He’s higher than us.

 

(21) because, although they knew God they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

 

M –Men will be without excuse, because even though they knew God was there and great, they didn’t honor Him for what He is. They weren’t thankful, even though He had given them everything. Futile means basically pointless or empty. Because they didn’t let the facts lead their minds to the natural conclusion (that God is there and should be honored and thanked) their thoughts became useless. Their foolish hearts being darkened seems to imply the confusion and aimlessness they walk into.

 

A - When we shut off the facts and look for other solutions to suit ourselves, our thinking is pointless because it leads to no real answers. When we try to explain away God we are always walking into darkness and foolishness, we know better.

 

(22) Professing to be wise, they became fools,

 

M –When people choose not to acknowledge and honor God, they may claim to be wise and have a wisdom from this world, but they become fools. They are unwilling to acknowledge the reality of God who built them and the world they live in. They’ve chosen ignorance.

 

A –Psalm 14:1 says ‘The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God.’’ True wisdom is found when we follow facts to their source.

 

(23) and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

 

M –Instead of worshiping the glorious God of eternity, sinful men choose to worship images of men and animals…things on the same and lower levels than themselves. They decided it would be easier to imagine a statue was God than to just acknowledge there was a God.

 

A –Whenever we aren’t thinking of God as who He really is, we end up worshiping a God of our own imagination or one presented to us differently. We don’t get to decide who God is, just discover who He actually is and worship Him.

 

(24) Therefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves

 

M –This section opened by saying ‘the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (18).’ The progression goes like this: Man chooses to hold back the truth –God now gives them up to uncleanness. He ‘seconds their motion’ and allows them to receive the natural consequences of their choice. ‘uncleanness’ is contrasted with holiness in 1 Thess. 4:7 so may be a general term for all ungodliness. God stops holding them back from the things they desire so much as a judgment. Man is made in God’s image and was put over the animals in Genesis, but he dishonors himself worshiping images of things He was made to rule over.

 

A –It is God’s grace when He confronts us with our sin so we can turn from it, it’s His wrath when He stops confronting us and lets us go our own way. Man is not inherently good, left to himself He will bring destruction and dishonor on himself.

 

(25) who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped an served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

 

M –Again, these people chose a lie instead of God. They worshiped and served created things instead of the one who created them. It’s like being infatuated with a basketball signed by Michael Jordan when He’s standing right there with you. God alone should be blessed (praised) forever and will be by some. ‘Amen’ means ‘truly’. God is the truth.

 

A –Proverbs 23:23 says we should ‘buy the truth and do not sell it.’ The intended meaning seems to line up with this verse: Nothing is worth selling the truth for. If you choose to turn away from reality and do your own thing you’re only kidding yourself. Only God should be worshipped.