The Scriptures —Study 27 — Romans 16:1-16

Study 27 From The Book of Romans Is: Romans 16:1-16

1.      What may we learn about Phoebe from her name and the place where she lived (see Note 1); from the description of her as ‘sister’ and ‘deaconess of the church’, and from the service which she rendered? What did Paul ask for her from the Christians at Rome, and on what grounds?

2.      Looking down the list of names, note the references to (a) diligent service; (b) sufferings borne for Christ; and (c) Christian character.  Cf. 2 Cor. 5:9, 10.

3.      How often do you find the phrase ‘in the Lord’ or ‘in Christ Jesus’ or ‘in Christ’? Notice also the different connections in which it is used. What significance do you attach to the phrase?

Notes

1.    Verse 1. The name Phoebe, being that of a goddess, suggests that Phoebe had a heathen background.  But now she is a sister in the Lord, one of the household of faith.  Cenchreae, the eastern port of Corinth, was not an easy place in which to live as a Christian.

2.    Verse 7. ‘My kinsmen’: this probably means ‘fellow countrymen’, fellow prisoners’; they may at the time have been imprisoned with Paul because of the gospel.

3.    Verse 13.  Rufus, possibly the same as in Mk. 15:21.

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The Scriptures —Study 26 — Romans 15:14-33

Study 26 From The Book of Romans Is: Romans 15:14-33

The Epistle from 1:16 onwards has been more like a treatise than a letter. Paul now resumes the epistolary form, and there are many links between this closing section and 1:1-15.

1.      How does Paul in verses 15-21 describe his work—in relation to its nature, scope, power and results? How far is the description applicable to our own work in connection with the gospel?

2.      What matters lay nearest to Paul’s heart at this time, as shown in verses 20-25? Also, what may we learn about the importance which he attached to intercessory prayer? Have we kindred spirit and outlook?

Notes

1.      Verse 16. The figure here is that of the sacrifices of the Old Testament ritual. Paul’s work was to bring the Gentiles to God as an offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.  

2.      The contributions of the Gentile churches to the poor of the church in Jerusalem were the result of much labour on Paul’s part, and he looked for important results in the drawing together of Jewish and gentile believers Cf. 2 Cor. 8 and 9, especially 9:12-15.          

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The Scriptures —Study 25 — Romans 15:1-13

Study 25 From The Book of Romans Is: Romans 15:1-13

1.      The counsel given in verses 1, 2 is by no means easy to follow. What three sources of help and encouragement are suggested in verses 3-5?

2.      What does following Christ’s example involve (verse 7-12)?  Why does Paul lay such emphasis upon the inclusion of the Gentiles?

3.      What should characterize the life of the Christian church? See verses 2, 5-7, 13.

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The Scriptures —Study 24 — Romans 14

Study 25 From The Book of Romans Is: Romans 14

1.      ‘A Christian man is a most free Lord of all, subject to none’ (Luther). What do verses 1-12 teach about Christian liberty?   

2.      ‘A Christian is a most dutiful servant of all, subject to all’ (Luther). For what reasons should Christian liberty be qualified? What are the most important things to be preserved at all cost, in the Christian community?

3.      If in doubt ourselves about the lawfulness of a thing, can we do it because we see other true Christian people doing it? If not, why not?

Notes

1.        Verse 1. Cf. NEB: ‘Accept him without attempting to settle doubtful points.’

2.        Verse 5.  There is no need to suppose that Paul was thinking of the weekly Sabbath here, but rather of Jewish holy days?  

3.        Verse 6.  There is an important principle here, akin to that of verse 23b. It is that if we can thank God in what we do, receiving it as His gift, it is right to do it; otherwise not.

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The Scriptures —Study 23 — Romans 13

Study 23 From The Book of Romans Is: Romans 13

1.      What three main reasons does Paul give in verses 1-7 why it is right to submit to the civil power?  How will this submission express itself in practice?

2.      What single guiding principle should control the Christian’s life in society? See verse 8-10.

3.      Verses 11-14. Paul gave in 12:1 one powerful motive for living the life set forth in these chapters, namely, ‘the mercies of God’.  What further motive does he present here?  What will wearing the armour of light mean for you, both negatively and positively?

Note.  Verse 2. “ The state can rightly command obedience only within the limits of the purposes for which it has been divinely instituted—in particular the state not only may, but  must be resisted when it demands the allegiance due to God’s alone” 

                            

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The Scriptures —Study 22 — Romans 12

Study 22 From The Book of Romans Is: Romans 12

In the second part of his letter now shows what quality of life should characterize those who believe in the gospel as set out in chapters 1-11. The close connection between belief and conduct in emphasized by the significant word ‘therefore’ in 12:1.

1.      What should be the believers’ attitude (a) to God, and (b) to the world? What results should such a right attitude produce?  

2.      It has been suggested that the teaching of verse 3-8 might be summed up in the word ‘humility’ and that of verses 9-21 in the word of ‘love’.  How far is this true? At what points do I particularly come short of these standards?

Notes

1.        Verse 2. ‘Transformed’: the same Greek word is used three other times in the New Testament, in Mt. 17:2   and Mk. 9:2 (‘transfigured’); and in 2 Corinthian 3:18 (‘changed’).

2.      Verse 20. ‘Burning coals’: a figurative emblem of severe pain, here the pain of shame and contrition.  

         

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The Scriptures —Study 21 — Romans 11:25-36

Study 21 From The Book of Romans Is: Romans 11:25-36

1.      What is God’s ultimate purpose for Israel, and how do the scriptures cited confirm that purpose?

2.      Consider the plan of God as revealed in chapters 9-11.  By what successive steps has God acted, and will He still act, to bring about the result stated in verse 32? Does the argument of these chapters lead you as naturally as it led Paul to the doxology of verses 33-36?

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