ROMANS CONTINUED

I. SUMMARY OF CHAPTERS 1, 2 AND 3

1. Chapter One
 
• Gentiles are sinners
• Shows immorality of Gentiles due to sin

2. Chapter Two
 

• Jews are also sinners
• 2:13: “not hearers of the law are just, but the doers of the Law.”

3. Chapter Three
 

• no “doers of the Law” existed
• 3:10 “There is none righteous, no not one.”
• 3:20 “by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight.”
• so if one is going to have righteousness (which we all must have), the only way to obtain it is for God to “grant” it to us.
• God gave us His own righteousness.
• The New Testament plan of salvation is not antagonistic to Old Testament Law.
• Moses’ Law was required to prepare man for God’s grace
• Grace agreed with Law’s verdict of judgment
• Grace imparted God’s righteousness to man because the Law showed that man could not get his own righteousness.

EMPHASIS IS PLACED UPON THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

• We will find that Romans 1 through to 5:11 speaks about “sins” (plural)
• from 5:12 to 8:39 it emphasizes “SIN” (singular).
• “sins” are acts
• “SIN” is a principle
• we must not try to stop sinning, but get rid of “sin”
• sin is the root of sins

II. CHAPTER FOUR

VERSE I.

1. The idea of righteousness by faith is not new. Paul uses Abraham to prove it.

• Paul is saying this idea to get righteousness by faith is not new. Abraham experienced it.
• It was not works that made Abraham righteous.
• If the Jew denies this then we must consider something.

2. Let us produce a hypothetical situation with Abraham to deal with that question.
 
• Let us say the Jews argued that Abraham was circumcised, proving we should be saved by works of the Law.
• If Abraham was justified by works, we could say Abraham could boast before God.
• God demands a righteousness higher and more perfect than fleshly, human righteousness. We know Abraham did not work for righteousness because the Old Testament says:

And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Gen 15:6

• Belief made Abraham righteous

3. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. Rom 4:4
 

• One who works receives payment and not a “gift.”
• Debt is the reason one is paid
• The employer is indebted to the employee or worker
• Abraham did not earn righteousness
• He “believed”, and that accounted him to be righteous.

4. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Rom 4:5
 

• Those who simply believe God to receive righteousness, as Abraham is said to have received it, are people whose faith causes this to occur.
• the Old Testament distinctly said righteousness came to Abraham due to his belief.
• It did not say he “worked” to get righteousness.
• His full faith and belief were credited to him for righteousness.
• God knows we could never do good enough to be righteous.
• The only way He could possibly see us hold righteousness is to grant it on the basis of total trust in Him
• That trust must be directed to a work God would do.
• This verse says a work is necessary, but not on man’s part.
• man could never do such a work.
• Keep “trust” in mind throughout Romans.

5. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Rom 4:6
 

• David is another great Israelite hero
• Paul is really catching the Jews’ attention with these men.
• He formerly said that grace is witnessed by the law and prophets in 3:21.
• here are the prophets witnessing of grace
• Abraham then David
• David agreed with the idea that faith as opposed to works grants one righteousness.
• David referred to the man who is given righteousness by God without that man’s need to work.

 
6. Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Rom 4:7

• David is quoted in Psalm 32:1
• Law does not forgive
• David must have referred to something other than Law.
• Sins are not “covered” by Law. KACAH (kaw-saw): to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
• Law only told us what sins were
• And here David says something can cover sins
• What was David talking about?
• It is a blessing outside of Law!
• David did not outrightly say what that blessing was
• But the prophets were talking about something besides Law
• You must understand that Jews think there is nothing other than Law from God. Paul was proving there is!
• How can there be a blessing besides Law which does not break the Law?
• God is just. If He throws out the Law and does something contrary to Law and okays a person who breaks the law, then He is unjust.
• So, whatever this “blessing” is besides Law it cannot break the Law.
• David prophesied of New Testament grace.

7. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Rom 4:8
 

• Paul continues quoting Psalm 32:1-2

8. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. Rom 4:9
 

• So, since David did indeed speak of a blessing that is outside of works and Law, who is it for?
• Abraham received this blessing
• What does that imply?
• Can gentiles receive this?
• Does the fact that Abraham received it mean that Gentiles cannot receive it?
• Abraham was made righteous by faith
• Is that faith honoured in Gentiles as it was Abraham?
• The Jews might argue that Abraham was circumcised so one must be a Jew to receive righteousness by faith.
• And circumcision is a work, therefore one must still work.

9. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. Rom 4:10
 

• So Paul asks when was that righteousness reckoned to Abraham?
• Did this happen before or after he was circumcised?
• This needs to be asked since if it happened before he was circumcised, then it is for uncircumcised Gentiles, too.
• And Paul answers himself, not in circumcision.

10. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:  Rom 4:11
 
• Circumcision was only a token or sign of that righteousness he already had before he was circumcised.
• It symbolized the righteousness he had.
• So it is clear that Abraham was a forerunner of people who are not circumcised and who believe.
• Father here means forerunner.
• He was the first man made righteous by trusting God alone.
• He is the father of them that believe in order to be righteous.

11. And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. Rom 4:12
 

• And he is the father of the circumcised Jews, too.
• But not just to any circumcised person.
• He is only father to the Jews who exerted FAITH as he did before he was circumcised.
• Both Jews and Gentiles can have this grace!
• So gentiles can be righteous without Law.

12. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. Rom 4:13
 

• This is available for uncircumcised people since the scriptures say it is: the world

As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. Gen 17:4-6
 

• Abraham is father of many nations.
• Only one nation keeps Law. Israel.
• Only one nation is circumcised. Israel.

And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Gen 22:16-18
 

• All nations be blessed in Abraham’s seed.
• This inheritance was not said to come through obeying laws of one nation.
• Otherwise many nations would have to become one  nation , Israel.
• The Law demanded that one become a citizen of the nation Israel.
• Law focused upon the called-out people of Israel only.
• But God said many nations would be blessed.
• This was the blessing David  referred to.
• So the title “Father of many nations” is proven to refer to the father of the Faithful. How else could many nations be the children of Abraham?
• And if it is faith that is required to have many sins covered, then gentiles fit that category.
• Abraham had one son, Isaac
• Jesus came through that single son.
• Jesus brought grace and truth to all humanity.
• The only way many nations could become blessed in one single seed...

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.Gen 22:18
 

• ...was for Christ to be born of that seed and for Him to bless all humanity!
• There is no other way for that to work!!!
• Grace alone can fulfill the prophecy that many nations be blessed in his single Seed and yet have them remain many nations rather than one nation, Israel.
• If that blessing came by Law, then only one nation could be blessed.
• Only grace sees God give man righteousness and yet not break the Mosaic Law!!!
• Abraham's faith qualifies us to be heirs of his promise
• We need the faith that God can do so much that He can wipe out our past sinful history and make us new creatures.
• If Law was in effect, it would ruin that promise and make it of none effect. It would not be a "promise" if we had to keep Laws to receive it.

13. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:  Rom 4:14
 

• Abraham had strong faith
• If we will be heirs of Abraham we need that faith

14. Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.  Rom 4:15-17
 

• a. Law cannot provide the promise because the Law works wrath.
• Law induced man to sin to show man he was sinful
• It worked wrath because when man sins, judgment or wrath must occur.
• Law was not intended to bring the promise
• Because Law was created to bring wrath we know that Abraham's promise comes by faith.
• Through faith all can receive it.
• Law came in temporarily to prove that man cannot make himself righteous until faith was to enter the picture.
• Abraham had the faith in God who can quicken the dead.

15. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.  Rom 4:18-21
 

• Abraham hoped when facts stated there was no hope.
• Physically, Abraham's body was as good as dead as far as being a father was concerned.
• Sarah's womb was dead.
• But Abraham knew God would keep His word and make him a father, so Abraham believed God was just going to have to "raise the dead"

16. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.  Rom 4:22
 

• Due to that kind of faith, Abraham was considered as righteous by God.
• We need that kind of faith which believes in a God who can raise the dead.
• Abraham was first to believe in resurrection towards righteousness.
• Jesus Christ was resurrected, and faith in that kind of God is the faith of Abraham.
• Faith in resurrection from the dead towards righteousness is faith of Abraham.
• Paul is proving that the faith in the Gospel is truly the faith of Abraham. It all fits!
• Abraham believed in resurrection power of God which moved God to reckon him as righteous.
• The Gospel teaches that faith in the resurrection of Jesus for our sins is faith that moves God to reckon us righteous.

17. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.Rom 4:23-25
 

• Notice the parallels with Abraham's faith and our's

ABRAHAM 

..before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, ROMANS 4:17

CHRISTIANS

-if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead ROMANS 4:24

ABRAHAM

And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Rom 4:22

CHRISTIANS

-Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Rom 4:25

• Abraham's whole success was continually shown in that he had strong faith.
• If we need Abraham's faith to receive his promise, we must repeat that faith he had.
• Believe like he did.
• Do not think you must earn the promise. You must exert faith and believe God. That makes you an heir.
• Both Abraham's faith and our faith involve resurrection from the dead. - Something we cannot do but God alone.
• Faith in the operation of God saves us:

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Col 2:11-12
 

VERSE 21 SUMS UP THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM:

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Rom 4:21
 

• NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCE LOOKED LIKE, ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD'S WORD WAS TRUE.

Chapter five and onward are key chapters in the whole book of Romans.
 

CHAPTER FIVE

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Rom 5:1

1. We are not at war with God any longer
• We have "peace".
• this peace came Through Jesus Christ alone.
• this means due to what He accomplished for us on the cross, we have peace.
• No other reason puts us at peace.
• Not doing good deeds.
• Not going to a church.
• Only one thing makes peace with God.
• Faith in Jesus' death as being our deaths so that God can make us righteous.
• If you  believe Jesus died in your place so that you could be saved from sin and made righteous, and no amount of good deeds can save you, then you truly have peace with God.
• wrath falls on those who are at odds with Jesus
• Being at odds with Him is simply not believing Christ died in your place and not living for Him.
• First you must believe Jesus died in your place so you would be freed from being "in Adam"
• All in Adam shall die.
• So you had to get out of Adam.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor 15:22

2. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Rom 5:3-5
 

• The above teaches us how Paul had victory
• Learn these points carefully and do not forget them.

A. Tribulation works patience patience is "endurance"

B. Endurance/patience is necessary for experience

• it takes time to get experience
• a company asks for an experienced mechanic
• experience means time has been endured for the purpose of perfecting skill.
• experience here means character and skillfulness
• experience in serving God means you are skilled at handling life's circumstances by faith
• you do not go frantic over troubles
• you know God is handling the picture.
• Abraham had experience
• he knew God handled the situation although he could not physically have a son
• experience said, "God can do it again!"
• experience is spiritual maturity.

• you do not lose hope if you are experienced in using faith.
• you have a character about you that is confident when it comes to God handling your problems
• we know  the answer is coming
• we hope.
• when we doubt needs will be met, we lose hope .
• doubters have no experience at how to handle time going by while we wait for help from God.
• experience means you are strong in faith.
• Hope here means you know all is being taken care of by God.
• we need experience in being able to keep our minds on God and Heaven throughout life's problems.
• picture an old saint with experience in faith
• the saint is calm and assured that God is taking care of things despite appearances.

• when you hope in God you will not be let down
• "ashamed" here means disappointed.
• If you can be confident that God will pull you through anything, you will not be disappointed.
• but how do we get that kind of hope
• you need hope to get through life's troubles.
• Tribulation  is where it began
• Tribulation (troubles) helped Paul get that kind of hope.
• Troubles forced him to forget about complaining
• Troubles matured him
• gave him experience
• and when you are spiritually mature, you can easily rest your mind so that you can Hope
• those who cannot hope are frantic in their minds
• YOUR MIND RACES WHEN YOU ARE IMPATIENT
• tribulation works patience in you.
• you cannot be victorious if you cannot even hope. Those who are defeated saints, are those who lost hope
• they forget about heaven and future glory!
• to keep in mind that all troubles will be worth it all if we hold on and not quit is to have hope.
• those who lose out threw away all consciousness of glory to come! They forgot about Heaven! You must have your mind on God and glory if you want to remain strong.
• but how can you have your mind on God is trials are messing up your mind?
• MATURITY/EXPERIENCE keeps mind open in trials

• now, we know his word concerning originally getting saved is true.

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  Rom 5:5
 
• God already showed His love to us in the past by giving us the Holy Ghost
• realize the degree of Love God has for you.
• we are not disappointed in hoping for salvation, since God gave us the Holy Ghost when we exerted proper faith
• "shed abroad" is past tense
• those who have spoken in tongues have experienced that already.

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Rom 5:6-8
 

• We already experienced great love when God saved us while we were enemies!
• People might die for a friend, but that is not likely
• But Christ died for us when we were ungodly!
• That is love that no human has.
• So we can look back and realize how God loves us
• This gives us HOPE regarding any problem ahead

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.Rom 5:9-10

• THE HOPE PAUL IS DISCUSSING IS HOPE OF FUTURE GLORY AND ESCAPE FROM WRATH
• YOU NEED HOPE TO STAY SAVED
• REMAIN VICTORIOUS NOW THROUGH CONSTANT REMINDER OF FUTURE GLORY AND SALVATION

LET'S DISCUSS HOPE

• So if He loved us that much when we were enemies, can you imagine how much He loves you now that you are His child?????? and His friend??
• He loves you much more now!
• It was unbelievable love that caused Him to die for you when you were a sinner.
• but it is even much more now that you are His child!
• we have been saved from sin by great love when we were sinners
• but we shall much more be saved from wrath that is yet to come
• His death saved us from sin
• His life will save us from wrath to come.

Being already reconciled by his death due to His great love for us allows us to realize He loves us even more now! And that means we can have great hope for He will save us from wrath that is yet to come to the world! He loves us even more now!

• Our future is more solid and secure than our past
• and yet our past experience of salvation is certainly solid truth.
• so if our past salvation was solid, and our future is even more solid, why doubt God???? He will take care of you!!!
• Paul is giving us an example of what to know in order to have strong hope.

• Not only do we have hope for the future - (heaven) - but we joy right now in God through Jesus!
• in other words, we can have victory today no matter what is going on in your life!
• all through the work Jesus did for us on the cross.
• "Through Christ" means because of His work in dying for us on the cross.

(Rom 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

("MUCH MORE" is mentioned again in the verse above.)

SO WHY WORRY ? WHY NOT HOLD ON TO HOPE IN HARDSHIPS YOU GO THROUGH ?