The Scriptures —Study 6 — Romans 3:21-31

Study 6 From The Book of Romans Is: 3:21-31

1.      The answer to the question how guilty man can be saved is found in the revelation of a righteousness of God, i.e., a righteousness provided by God (see Study 1, Note). It will help greatly to clarify what is said about this righteousness in this all-important paragraph (verses 21-26) if the various points are written down and appreciated one by one. There are twelve to fifteen of them.

2.      What two inferences follow? See verses 27, 28 and verses 29, 30. Cf. 1 Cor. 1:29-31; Gal 3:28. What is Paul’s answer to an objector who might say that the gospel of salvation by faith, which Paul preached, made the law of no account?  

                                        

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The Scriptures —Study 5 — Romans 3:1-20

Study 5 From The Book of Romans Is: 3:1-20

     1.      In verses 1-8 the apostle answers four objections which he found that men raised against the gospel. (The objections are stated in verses 1, 3, 5 and 7, 8a; the answers are given in verses 2, 4, 6 and 8b). These will repay careful study;  in particular note how Paul describes the Old Testament Scriptures, to what two attributes of God he holds fast, and what kind of conduct the strenuously repudiates. 

     2.      In verses 10-18 Paul gives the general verdict of Scripture upon man in his fallen condition.  What does Scripture say (a) about the general trend of human life (verses 10-12, cf. Is. 53:6a); (b) about man’s speech (verses 13, 14) and (c) about his conduct and inner attitude to God (verses 15-18)? How does this witness confirm the verdict of experience already given in 1: 18-32 and 2:17-29 and lead to the conclusion of 3:19, 20?

3.      Do you assent to the truth that it is impossible for any man, by his own efforts, to escape condemnation at the bar of God’s judgement?

Notes

1.       Verse 20. ‘Works of the law’: a phrase which occurs also in verse 28.  It denotes conduct achieved by a man’s own efforts in obedience to a divinely given statute. Cf. Gal. 3:10-12.

2.      Verse 20. ‘Justified ‘ means ‘declared’ or ‘pronounced righteous’.     

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The Scriptures —Study 4 — Romans 2:17-29

Study 4 From The Book of Romans Is: 2:17-29

1.      In verses 17-20 Paul enumerates a number of privileges upon which the Jews of his day, were inclined to congratulate themselves. If you make a list of them you should find ten in all. Racial and religious pride are by no means confined to the Jews only, however. Substitute ‘Christian’ for ‘Jew’ and ‘the Word’ for ‘the law’, and show how the argument could be applied to professing Christians today.

2.      Verses 25-29.  The Jews rested upon circumcision as the seal for God’s covenant with them.  What else does Paul show here to be required without which  the outward sign ceases to have value? Cf. 1 Sa. 16:7. How would you frame the argument in relation to Christian ordinances?

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The Scriptures —Study 3 — Romans 2:1-16

Study 3 From The Book of Romans Is: 2:1-16

1.      What four things are said about God’s judgement in verses 22, 6, 11 and 16? What else do you learn about it in this passage?

2.       By what general test will God judge men? See verse 7:10. How will this bring condemnation on (a) the self-righteous person, (b) the Gentile, and (c) the Jew? Why  does God delay the day of wrath?

Notes

1.        Verses 7 and 10 in no way contradict the truth that salvation cannot be earned by works. Paul is not dealing at this point with the method of salvation but with the nature of the test in the Day of Judgment. The test is righteousness (cf. 1 Jn.3:7, 10). If a man is not righteous in heart and life, he will be condemned. Later Paul will show that the only way to become righteous in God’s sight is through faith in Christ.

2.      Verses 12-15. The meaning is that men will be judged by the light they have had. If they have been under the law of Moses they will be judged by that; if not, they will be judge by the standards they possess by nature through reason and conscience.

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The Scriptures —Study 2 — Romans 1:18-32

Study 2 From The Book of Romans Is: 1:18-32

1.      How does Paul show the sin of man to be (a) deliberate, and (b) inexcusable? How did it begin, and what spiritual, mental, moral and physical effects does it have.

2.      How is God’s wrath said to manifest itself?   Notice the three stages in verses 24, 26, and 28. Cf. Ps. 81:12; Acts 7:42. In what ways do you see God’s wrath at work in the world of today?  Cf. Rom. 12:19; 13:4.

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The Scriptures —Study 1 — Romans 1:1-17

Study 1 From The Book of Romans Is: 1:1-17

1.      What does the apostle say in these verses about himself? See verses 1, 3 and each verse from 9 to 16.  With verse 14, cf. 1 Cor. 4:1-9:16, 17.

2.      What does Paul say about the gospel, its origin, content, purpose, power and propagation? Have you any eagerness or sense of obligation to preach it?

Note. Verse 17. The phrase ‘the righteousness of God’, here and in 3:21, means a righteousness provided for man by God in Christ. It should be distinguished from ‘the justice of God’ (3:5) or ‘righteousness’ (3:25) which means God’s character as righteous.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — The Book of Roman’s Introduction

Study 0 From The Book of Romans Is: The Introduction of the Book

The letter to the Romans was written by Paul from Corinth during three months which he spent in the province of Achia, as described in Acts 20:2, 3. Its purpose is to present to the Church in Rome (which he had not founded, but which he hoped soon to visit) a reasoned statement of the gospel which he preached, together with a discussion of the great problem of Jewish unbelief and of the relation of both Jews and Gentiles to Jesus Christ and His salvation.

From 15:23, 24 it would seem that the apostle to the Gentiles felt that he had some everything possible to carry out his task in the east. The time had now come to put into operation his plans for extending his work westwards. In such a task it would no doubt be an advantage to have the prayerful support and practical fellowship of the church in the metropolis. Rome was a strategic centre and the church there would seem to have been as cosmopolitan as the city. A clear statement of the gospel which he would be preaching would be the best means of clearing up any misunderstandings which might arise through Jewish-Gentile tensions or through other causes, and of gaining for Paul the fellowship and co-operation he desired.

At the outset Paul declare that the gospel is he power of God for salvation to everyone that believes. The great themes of the Christian gospel are dealt with in turn: human guilt; redemption by grace; righteousness which comes from God; justification by faith; the new life in Christ; the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer; the certainty of the final triumph of the Christian; the divine sovereignty; and the inclusion of ‘the nations’ in God’s purpose of mercy.  These are followed by a section on the practical outworking of the gospel in all spheres of life.  Little wonder that this Epistle, with its comprehensive treatment of the gospel and the compelling logic of its argument, is regarded by many as the most remarkable book on volume of remarkable books. 

The Scriptures —Study 21 — Proverbs 31

Study 21 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 31

With this lesson we end the book of Proverbs and tomorrow we will dive into the book of Romans.

1.      What three virtues did King Lemuel’s mother urge upon him (verses 1-9)? Are they any less necessary for all who will occupy positions of responsibility?

2.      Make a list of the qualities of the ideal housewife as depicted in verses 10-31.

Notes

1.        Read verses 6, 7 in the light of verses 4, 5, ie., as ‘a cutting reminder that an administrator has better things to do than anaesthetize himself’

2.        Verse 10, ‘Good’: the Hebrew word includes both moral word and practical efficiency. Cf. 12:4.  Ruth was such an one. See Ru. 3:11.

3.      Verse 18b.  This does not mean that she worked all night, but that her house was well ordered and ready against emergencies. Cf. 13:9.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 20 — Proverbs 30

Study 20 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 30

The last two chapters of Proverbs are appendices.  Chapter 30 gives the words of Agur, of whom nothing further is known. Agur first looks Godward, and is humbled by the mystery of the divine being and power. Later he looks out upon the world of men and animals and notes a number of striking facts which the records.

1.      Notice the definiteness, urgency, content and motive of Agur’s prayer.  Compare with it the prayer which our Lord taught His disciple to pray.

2.      Are the classes of men mentioned in verses 11:14 still present? State in four words the sins of which they were guilty.

3.      What four lessons may the four creatures mentioned in verses 24:-28 teach us?                          

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The Scriptures —Study 19 — Proverbs 28 and 29

Study 19 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 28 and 29

1.      Gather out in these chapters the verses which present a contrast between the righteous and the wicked. How do these differ in character and conduct? Consider also their influence for good or evil on society, especially if they hold positions of authority.

2.      What is said about the importance of keeping the law, and about a right attitude to the poor? There are four references to the first and at least five to the second.   

3.      Put a mark against verses in these two chapters that you feel to be specially incisive and memorable.         

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