Session 48 | Romans: A Post Analysis, Part 2 | Romans Rightly Divided

Download a PDF outline here: (Note: this is a continuation of session 47 and is the same outline as session 47.

011124 Session 47 Post Analysis.pdf

Romans: An Overview

This segment is a review from session 47

Israel was under the Law prior to Paul's revelation of the mystery, requiring faith and obedience for righteousness and justification.
Both Jews and Gentiles were under condemnation for sin due to the Jews' failure to keep the Law and the Gentiles' rejection of God's knowledge in creation.
Paul received the revelation of the mystery gospel, which emphasized salvation by grace through faith, independent of the Law.
The Jewish nation rejected Jesus as their Messiah and King, resulting in their spiritual blindness.
God temporarily set aside Israel and ushered in the "dispensation of grace," extending salvation to all people.
Salvation is now offered freely to all through grace by faith in Christ, without distinction between Jew and Gentile.
Paul anticipated the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel, expecting their spiritual blindness to end following the extension of salvation to the Gentiles.
Paul was eager to impart the revelation of the mystery gospel to the Roman believers to establish them in the new gospel of grace.
Paul affirmed that nothing, including Israel's current unbelief, could thwart God's faithfulness to His promises, anticipating Israel's ultimate salvation and glory.

Evidence Of The Dispensational Transition In Romans

There are those who insist that there was not a Pauline transition. These individuals are typically either covenant theologians or dispensationalists who have not fully thought their position through. I believe that Romans can be used to show the incompatibility of such an idea with the book of Romans.

The Book of Romans, as taught by Paul, reflects a significant theological shift or transition in the way God interacts with humanity, particularly in the context of salvation. This shift is seen as moving from a focus on the Law and Israel to a more universal approach that includes Gentiles and emphasizes faith over works.

Distinctiveness of Paul’s Gospel:
- Romans 16:25-26: "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith." This passage undeniably express that the gospel Paul preached was a 'mystery' that had been hidden but was now revealed through Christ.
Justification by Faith, Apart from the Law:
- Romans 3:21-22: "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference." Paul emphasizes a righteousness that comes apart from the Law, a key distinction which Paul addresses at length, showing that this is a new thing in the working of God with man. If “righteousness of God without the law” had always been available, then why does Paul go to such lengths to say that it is “now” been revealed?
The Role of the Law:
- Romans 7:6: "But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." Here, Paul speaks of a transition from the Law that frankly would have been heretical in the synoptic Gospels and all of the Hebrew scriptures.
Salvation Extended to Gentiles:
- Romans 11:11-15: "I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?" Paul discusses how Israel’s rejection has opened the way for Gentile inclusion, displaying a new phase in God's redemptive plan. If salvation had always been available to the Gentiles, why does he speak of its new arrival?
Contrasting Faith and Works:
- Romans 4:4-5: "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." This passage contrasts the principle of faith with works, particularly works of the Law. It contradicts earlier passages from the Law and Prophets, such as
  - Leviticus 18:5: "Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD." This verse from the Law teaches that life and righteousness are attainable through obedience to the Law.
  - Deuteronomy 6:25: "And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us." Here, righteousness is directly linked with obedience to the commandments.
  - Ezekiel 18:9: "Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD." This again ties living a just life with adherence to God's statutes and judgments.
  These Old Testament passages emphasize righteousness and life through adherence to the Law. Paul's statement in Romans 4:4-5 represents a significant shift in understanding, where righteousness is attributed to faith, not to the works of the Law. This shift highlights the emphasis on grace and faith as the means of righteousness, contrasting with the old covenant's focus on law and works.
The Universal Scope of Salvation:
- Romans 10:12-13: "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." This passage emphasizes the universality of the gospel message, clearly stating that salvation is available to everyone, regardless of ethnic background. The passage is also at odds with previous revelations from God in the Old Testament and the Gospels, such as:
  - Exodus 19:5-6: "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." These verses indicate a special covenant relationship between God and Israel, distinguishing Israel as a chosen nation.
  - Deuteronomy 7:6: "For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth." This passage emphasizes the unique selection of Israel as God's chosen people.
  - Matthew 15:24: "But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." In this verse, Jesus describes His mission as being specifically to the people of Israel, highlighting a focus on Israel in His earthly ministry.
  These passages from the Old Testament and the Gospels reflect a particular focus on Israel as God's chosen people and the primary recipients of His covenant and revelations. In contrast, Romans 10:12-13 represents a significant expansion of this scope, declaring that salvation through Jesus Christ is available to all people, Jews and Gentiles alike, without distinction. This marks a key development in the understanding of God's plan for salvation as being inclusive and universal, extending beyond the ethnic and covenantal boundaries of Israel.

The Right Roman Road

The Right Roman Road.png

Promised Path: God's National Salvation for Israel
- Romans 11:26: "And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob."
- Explanation: Paul affirms the future salvation of all Israel, fulfilling God's longstanding promises, symbolizing restoration and redemption.
Gentile's Gaze Averted: Rejection of God's Revelation
- Romans 1:20: "For the invisible things of him... are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, so that they are without excuse."
- Explanation: This highlights the Gentiles' failure to recognize and honor God despite His clear revelation in creation, leading to their accountability.
Law and Lapses: Jewish Righteousness and Disobedience
- Romans 2:23: "Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?"
- Explanation: Paul points out the irony of Jews priding themselves on the Law, yet failing to uphold it, highlighting the gap between law and practice.
Altogether Now: Since both Gentiles and Jews have rejected God, everyone is in the same condition.
- Romans 3:9: "What then? Are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin."
- Explanation: This verse succinctly states that both Jews and Gentiles are equally under the power of sin, emphasizing that all humanity shares the same condition of sinfulness and the need for salvation.
Messiah's Mission: Salvation and Restoration Sent
- Romans 15:8: "Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers."
- Explanation: Jesus' role is emphasized as fulfilling God's promises to the Jewish forefathers, underscoring His mission among the Jewish people.
Jewish Jeopardy: Messiah Rejected, Gentiles Grafted
- Romans 11:11: "Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles."
- Explanation: Israel's rejection of Christ paradoxically paves the way for Gentiles to receive salvation, expanding God's redemptive plan.
Grace's Gift: Salvation Beyond the Law
- Romans 6:14: "For ye are not under the law, but under grace."
- Explanation: This marks a shift from law-based righteousness to grace-based salvation, accessible to all through faith in Christ.
Israel's Interval: Temporary Blindness before Glory
- Romans 11:25: "Blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in."
- Explanation: Paul explains Israel's partial spiritual blindness as temporary, suggesting a future phase where Israel will be fully included in God's plan.
Calling to the Chosen: Israel's Future Faith and Salvation
- Romans 10:13: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
- Explanation: This verse underlines the universality of salvation through faith, extending the promise to all, including Israel in the future.
Grace's Golden Opportunity: Salvation for All in the Present - Romans 5:1: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." - Explanation: Paul highlights the current opportunity for all individuals to obtain salvation and peace with God through faith, emphasizing the grace available now.

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