“But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an […]
High Privilege and Bitter Condemnation
“But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an […]
Turning Blessings into a Reproach
“But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an […]
Written on Men’s Hearts
“For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They […]
With and Without the Law
“For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.” -Romans 2:12 Here Paul clearly affirms that a written law is unnecessary for the just condemnation of a sinner. Since God is impartial when he judges, he […]
No Partiality
“He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and […]
To Each One According to His Works
“He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and […]
The Equity of God’s Judgment
“He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and […]
Laying Up Cursed Treasure
“But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.” -Romans 2:5 This passage is remarkable in that it emulates the similar process of Romans one where the outwardly unrighteous are continuously hardened by their further rejection of […]
Presuming on God’s Grace
“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” -Romans 2:4 Not only do self-righteous hypocrites suppose they will escape God’s judgment because they perceive they are of a favored class, but their prosperity further deceives them. Though […]
The Hypocrisy of Religion
“Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?” -Romans 2:3 From verse one to verse five, Paul is presenting a single argument about the hypocrisy of those who believe they are safe from the judgment of God because of […]
The Difference Between Introverts and Extroverts
A psychologist, H. J. Eysenck, and his colleagues at the University of London have spent years studying the differences between extraverts and introverts and have concluded that the primary distinction between the two is due to differences in arousability. Eysenck notes that “extraverts may be characterized by low cortical arousal levels, introverts by high cortical […]
You Condemn Yourself
“Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.” -Romans 2:1–2 In order to demonstrate, in fact, that […]
A Letter on a Piece of Paper
Tis the season for grades, grading, and graduation. The academic year for most educational institutions has come (or is soon coming) to a close, elevating thoughts of education for everyone, even those who have long since been in school. With graduations to attends, scholarships to apply for, and television ads focused on graduates, the question […]
Ultimate Culpability
“Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” -Romans 1:32 We have been following Paul’s argument that by refusing to acknowledge God and glorify him as such, man’s path is a downward spiral, accelerating faster […]
What Man Is Filled With
“They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.” -Romans 1:29–31 As we have been following Paul’s logic, God gave up those who refused […]
A Debased Mind
“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” -Romans 1:28 For the third time, Paul explains that “God gave them up” but this is the finale. Colin Kruse notes, “Paul makes a play on words here. He […]
Book Review: Survival and Resistance in Evangelical America: Christian Reconstruction in the Pacific Northwest by Crawford Gribben
The structure of this review will begin with a short bio on the author, move to a summary and analysis of the book’s thesis and salient points, and conclude with some personal reflection on both the book and its subject matter. For the quick summary (cliff notes version), scroll all the way down to Conclusions […]
Abandoned to Dishonorable Passions
“For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for […]
God Gave Them Up
“Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” -Romans 1:24–25 At this stage of Paul’s argument, he […]
Exchanging Glory for Idols
“Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” -Romans 1:22–23 The result of their futile thinking is a tragic irony. The gave up the glory of the immortal God, not just for images (idols) resembling mortal […]
They Knew God
“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” -Romans 1:21 The word for reminds us that Paul is laying out his argument logically. That is, one thing follows another. One choice has consequences […]
Without Excuse
“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” -Romans 1:19–20 No […]
Christian Schizophrenia
I wrote parts of this weeks back and never posted it. And even though many things appear to be getting back to “normal” at this point, I thought it might still be worth sharing. Originally, I was prompted by two events–on their face seemingly unrelated–to write this; but, the more I have thought about it, […]
Unrighteous Men Who Suppress the Truth
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” -Romans 1:18 Having introduced himself and his purpose for writing—the gospel of Jesus—Paul immediately turns to show man’s need of God’s righteousness before showing what it is and how it works in […]
Three Qualities of a Good Teacher
There are many qualities a parent should look for in a teacher they want to hire. (And speaking of hiring teachers, did you know I lead an education company that helps homeschooling families and private schools find quality teachers? I do but I have also digressed. Sorry. I left the link so you could check […]
Not Ashamed of the Gospel
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”” -Romans 1:16–17 […]
Writing as an Exercise in Wisdom
Flannery O’Connor once quipped something to the effect, “I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.” There is a truth to this statement that extends beyond one’s personal journal, though that is often a great place to start writing. This is also true of stories, poems, and essays. […]
Under Obligation to Preach
“I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.” -Romans 1:14–15 As theologians are often divided about nuances of meaning in words and the construction of language, various theories abound about […]
Providentially Hindered
“I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.” -Romans 1:13 Paul had often intended to go to Rome to be […]
Spiritual Gifts and Mutual Encouragement
“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” -Romans 1:11–12 Paul here is indicating why he longs to go to Rome and see the believers there; and, he gives […]
The Gospel of His Son
“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.” -Romans 1:9–10 Paul here makes a solemn affirmation of the truth, literally […]
Thanking God for Faith in Rome
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.” -Romans 1:8 The use of the word first is sort of a trademark of the Apostle’s writing. It’s possible he means that before he addresses anything else, he wants to start with thanksgiving. But […]
Loved and Called by God
“including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” -Romans 1:6–7 Right out of the gate, in Paul’s introduction and greeting, readers are met with […]
Grace and Apostleship
“through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,” -Romans 1:5 Another way to say this is Through [Christ] (vss. 3-4), we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for […]
Concerning God’s Son
“concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,” -Romans 1:3–4 It is well argued and probably accurate that Paul is using an early church […]
Promised Beforehand
“which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,” -Romans 1:2 In his introduction to the Christians in Rome, he is establishing his office as one who has been entrusted with the gospel, the good news that the children of Israel had been waiting for. And it was not just for them, but […]
A Statement About Self-Identity
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,” -Romans 1:1 How a person introduces himself is telling. Since the Apostle Paul had never been to Rome, in the introduction to his letter to the church organized there, his descriptors needed to give them some idea […]
A Token of Delight
“By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.” -Psalm 41:11–12 The Psalmist’s closing prayer recognizes that victory over his enemies—or their lack of victory over him—serves as a token […]
Righteous Vengeance
“But you, O Lord, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them!” -Psalm 41:10 Verse ten is technically the end of the Psalmist’s direct dialogue with God that began in verse four. The expression, “But you,” is stated in contrast with “My enemies say of me,” in verse five. To […]
A Heel Lifted
“My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die, and his name perish?” And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers iniquity; when he goes out, he tells it abroad. All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me. They say, […]
Personal Responsibility
“As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!”” -Psalm 41:4 “As for me,” is translated from the pronoun,אֲֽנִי־ (ani), and is used for emphasis. The Psalmist is emphasizing personal responsibility in the situation at hand—much like Joshua did when he covenanted before Israel to […]
Consider the Poor
“Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him; the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you […]
The Lord Cares!
“As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!” -Psalm 40:17 These words of encouragement, comfort, and petition are a suitable close to the Psalm that opened with a patient and hopeful anticipation of the Lord’s […]
Great is the Lord!
“But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!”” -Psalm 40:16 The Psalmist offers a general petition for all who find salvation in the Lord to also find their joy in him so that they will not be able to […]
Rejoice Not Over Me, O My Enemy
Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me! Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt! Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to […]
The Weight of Sin
As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me! For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me. -Psalm 40:11–12 Back […]
No Restraint on Mercy
As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me! -Psalm 40:11 Though the tone changes, the Psalmist is optimistic because the Lord is good. It is not because he (the Psalmist) is good (as he will confess), and not because all […]
To Hold Nothing Back
“I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord. I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great […]
The Law of God
“Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”” -Psalm 40:7–8 The New Testament writers have a high view of the verse before us, as a prophecy concerning Christ, and therefore […]