ROMANS ROAD
to
RIGHTEOUSNESS |
Romans
1:18-3:20
|
Romans
3:21-5:21 |
Romans
6:1-8:39 |
Romans
9:1-11:36 |
Romans
12:1-16:27 |
|
SIN
|
SALVATION
|
SANCTIFICATION |
SOVEREIGNTY |
SERVICE |
NEED
FOR
SALVATION |
WAY
OF
SALVATION |
LIFE
OF
SALVATION |
SCOPE
OF
SALVATION |
SERVICE
OF
SALVATION |
God's Holiness
In
Condemning
Sin |
God's Grace
In
Justifying
Sinners |
God's Power
In
Sanctifying
Believers |
God's Sovereignty
In
Saving
Jew and Gentile |
Gods Glory
The
Object of
Service |
Deadliness
of Sin |
Design
of Grace |
Demonstration
of Salvation |
|
Power Given
|
Promises
Fulfilled |
Paths Pursued |
Righteousness
Needed |
Righteousness
Credited |
Righteousness
Demonstrated |
Righteousness
Restored to Israel |
Righteousness
Applied |
God's
Righteousness
IN LAW |
God's
Righteousness
IMPUTED |
God's
Righteousness
OBEYED |
God's
Righteousness
IN ELECTION |
God's
Righteousness
DISPLAYED |
|
Slaves to Sin |
Slaves to God |
Slaves Serving
God |
|
Doctrine |
Duty |
|
Life by Faith |
Service by
Faith |
|
Modified from Irving L.
Jensen's excellent work "Jensen's
Survey of the NT" |
FOR THE REPORT OF YOUR OBEDIENCE
HAS REACHED TO ALL:
e gar humon hupakoe eis pantas aphiketo (3SAMI)
eph humin: (cf
Ro 1:8 1 Thes 1:8,9)
Your loyalty to the principles of the Gospel is known everywhere, and that
gives me great joy. (Phillips)
Obedience
(5218)
(hupakoe
from hupó = under +
akoúo =
hear) (Click word study of
hupakoe)
literally means to "hear under".
Hupakoe conveys picture of listening or
hearkening
to and submitting to that which is heard and involves a change of attitude
of the hearer. Paul uses hupakoe 6 times (out of 14 total uses in
the NT) in Romans (see notes
Romans 1:5;
Romans 5:19;
Romans 6:16;
Romans 15:18;
Romans 16:19;
Romans 16:26)
The Greek word for obedience
pictures one who listens and submits to that which is heard. It is in marked
contrast to the unsaved attitude of rebelliousness and self will. The
obedience of the Romans was wonderful news to Paul, because it was an
indicator that their faith was genuine.
If one
says they have believed in the gospel of God and yet continually are
disobedient to God, then that individual needs to be wary and should
prayerfully look at Paul's warning in (2Cor
13:5). On the other
hand, Paul is not saying that works gain God's favor, but he is saying that
a "working" faith produces a change in one's behavior. For a "summary" of
the relationship of salvation to works study see notes on
Ephesians 2:8;
2:9;
2:10. Man is saved by grace
alone but the faith that saves is never alone, but brings forth fruit in
keeping with repentance.
Paul is not speaking of a perfect obedience (that would be the state
of glorification), nor is he speaking of rigid "obedience" to a set of rules
and laws like the Pharisees which would be legalism or work's righteousness. Instead he is speaking of that
obedience
motivated by love (not legalism) that flows forth from a new heart (Ezek 36:27,
2Cor 5:17; see notes
Philippians 2:12;
2:13) that now
desires and is empowered to be obedient to the Master's voice.
J Vernon McGee adds that...
Obedience to the faith is very
important to God. God saves us by faith, not by works; but after He has
saved us, He wants to talk to us about our works, about our obedience to
Him. I hear many people talk about believing in Jesus, then they live
like the Devil and seem to be serving him. My friend, saving faith makes
you obedient to Jesus Christ. (McGee,
J V: Thru the Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson
or
Logos)
(Bolding added)
If you have some questions regarding this
issue Pastor Ray Pritchard has an interesting sermon you might want to read
entitled
What is Saving Faith?
Note that it is widely
taught that "once saved, always saved" and I agree with that,
with the caveat that the initial salvation is genuine! Some (even in
evangelical circles) teach that a man or a woman can simply pray a
prayer to accept Jesus into your heart, and then live the rest of their
life just as they did before they obtained the "fire insurance" policy.
These teachers conclude that such a person is still saved. This website
respectfully disagrees with that teaching. And I think Paul would
likewise disagree for the faith that genuinely saves, is the faith that
results in obedience.
Albert Barnes explains that
"the obedience of faith"
means
"in order to produce, or promote
obedience to the faith; that is, to induce them to render that obedience
to God which faith produces. There are two things therefore implied.(1)
that the design of the gospel and of the apostleship is to induce men to
obey God. (2) that the tendency of faith is to produce obedience. There
is no true faith which does not produce that. This is constantly
affirmed in the New Testament..." (Barnes Notes on the Bible)
Augustine said
Let the acts of the offspring
indicate similarity to the Father
John Piper
True, God-exalting OBEDIENCE comes
from FAITH. Any other kind of OBEDIENCE is not true OBEDIENCE at all. "
It should be clear from a study of
the Word that God has wedded faith and obedience so that
they are related much like two sides of a coin. Dr. H. A. Ironside was
told by a lady that she expected to get to heaven by faith plus her good
works, explaining to Pastor Ironside...
It's like rowing a boat. It takes two
oars to row a boat; otherwise you go around in a circle.
Dr. Ironside replied
That's a good illustration except for
one thing: I'm not going to heaven in a rowboat!
The faith that saves is the faith
that proves itself in good works (See notes
Ephesians 2:8;
2:9;
2:10;
Titus 2:14;
Titus 3:8;
3:14).
Abraham was saved by faith (Genesis 15:6; see notes
Romans 4:1;
4:2;
4:3;
4:4;
4:5;
Hebrews 11:8),
but his faith was made evident by his obedience (James 2:21-24).
Was not
Abraham our father justified (shown to be righteous - see below)
by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? (James is not
at odds with Paul - if you think he is then read verse 23 below which is
the only way any man or woman is declared righteous -- it has always
been by faith in the Messiah - Abraham looked forward to the Cross,
while believers today look back to the same Cross. Both are justified
[declared righteous] by faith and both are justified [shown to be
righteous - this is other way this verb is used in the NT and is clearly
the meaning in this context] by works)
22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result
of the works, faith was perfected (was shown to have reached its goal or
to have matured)
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM
BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was
called the friend of God. (This clearly teaches that God's righteousness
is credited to sinners by faith not by works - works only demonstrate
that one is righteous)
24 You see that a man is justified (shown to be righteous) by
works, and not by faith alone. (James 2:21-24).
John MacArthur
adds that...
The best protection against falsehood is
adhering to God’s truth, just as the best protection against sin is holding
on to His righteousness. Believers in Rome were protected against false
teachers by their obedience to Christ and the truth of His gospel. Not only
did their obedience protect themselves, but it also helped believers
elsewhere who knew of and were encouraged by the Roman church’s reputation
for godliness. Early in this letter, Paul commended them for their
faithfulness. “I thank my God through Jesus
Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the
whole world”
(Ro
1:8).
He therefore had good cause for
rejoicing over them. The godliness of that church brought encouragement and
joy to Paul, although he had never visited Rome and did not know most of the
believers there."
Has reached (864)
(aphikneomai) means first to to come from, then to arrive
at. This is the only use in the N.T.
THEREFORE I AM REJOICING OVER YOU:
oun chairo (1SPAI)
thelo (1SPAI)
de humas: (Eph
1:15-17 Col 1:3-9 1Th 1:2,3 3:6-10)
I am rejoicing over you - upon
you because your desire to live practically according to godly wisdom
unadulterated by evil.
John
expressed a similar cause for joy...
"I have no greater joy than this, to
hear of my children walking in the truth." (3John
4)
Walking in the truth was clear
evidence to John that they were genuine believers, ones who were obedient to
the faith, for only men and women possessing a new heart (2Cor 5:17, Ezekiel
36:26-27) and a new power (the Spirit - see note
Romans 8:9)
can walk in the truth.
Would those who led you to the Lord receive the joyful report that you are
walking in the truth? If not, why not?
BUT I WANT YOU TO BE WISE IN WHAT
IS GOOD AND INNOCENT IN WHAT IS EVIL: sophous einai (PAN) eis to agathon,
akeraious de eis to kakon: (Matt
10:16 Lu 10:3 1Co 14:20 Eph 1:17-18 Eph 5:17
Php 1:9 Php 2:15 Col 1:9 3:16 2Ti 3:15-17 Jam 3:13-18)
Be practically wise in relationships
with others. Earlier Paul had instructed the saints to
Abhor
what is evil; cling to what is good. (see note
Romans 12:9)
Paul's desire was similar to that of our Lord Who gave
His disciples the following instructions...
Behold,
I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd (thoughtful, sagacious or
discreet and implying a cautious character) as serpents, and innocent (akeraios - see
below) as doves.
(Mt
10:16)
Good
(18)
(agathos)
(Click word study of
agathos)
means intrinsically good, inherently
good in quality but with the idea of good which is also profitable,
useful, benefiting others, benevolent (marked by or disposed to doing
good).
Agathos is that which is good
in its character, beneficial in its effects and/or useful in its action.
William Newell echoes the desire
of every person who is blood bought and heaven bound declaring...
Oh, for such a habit of mind—to be
constantly wise unto that which is good! (Romans 16)
The believer should not mix with evil;
rather, he should be knowledgeable about good things. We will not be free
from the allures of sin until Christ takes us to be with Himself. It is
therefore necessary for Christians constantly to “abhor what is evil [and]
cling to what is good” (see note
Romans 12:9), to "be shrewd as
serpents and innocent as doves" as Jesus instructed His disciples.
Innocent
(185)
(akeraios
from "a"
= without +
keránnumi
= mix) refers literally to that which is without mixture and thus is pure.
The basic meaning is being unmixed or unadulterated.
Figuratively it refers to that which is
without admixture of evil, which is free from guile and is translated as
innocent, harmless or simple.
Like a
"little child". ("...in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature."
1
Cor 14:20).
The believer’s
life is to be absolutely pure, unmixed with sin and evil. The KJV translates akeraios as harmless (twice) and simple.
Other than this verse and (Mt
10:16 quoted above),
akeraios
is used only one other time in the NT, Paul exhorting
the saints at Philippi to...
Do
(present
imperative = as your
habitual practice, your lifestyle) all things without grumbling or
disputing so that (they might) prove (themselves) to be blameless and
innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and
perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, (see
notes
Philippians 2:14;
Philippians 2:15)
Vincent (commenting on use of akeraios in Mt 10:16) writes that
akeraios meant...
unmixed, unadulterated. Used of wine
without water, and of metal without alloy. Hence guileless. So Luther,
without falsity. Compare Rom. 16:19; Philip. 2:15. They were to imitate
the serpent’s wariness, but not his wiliness. “The
presence of the wolves demands that ye be wary; the fact that ye are my
apostles (compare “I send you”) demands that ye be guileless” (Dr.
Morison on Matthew).
Vine adds that akeraios
was used of wine unmingled with water, of unalloyed metal, etc. Hence it
means “without admixture of evil.” Here, then, it would mean that his
desire for them was that they might be untainted by the influences of
evil teachers and the divisions and stumbling blocks caused thereby.
Thus would they be wise in adherence to the truth. If we are to be kept
from admixture of what is baneful we must be steadfast in the faith,
abiding in the truth. (Vine,
W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson
or
Logos)
Barclay has a similar description
writing that akeraios was
used of metal which has no suspicion
of alloy, of wine and of milk which are not adulterated with water. It
describes something which is absolutely pure of any corruption. The
Christian is a man whose utter sincerity must be beyond all
doubt....When used of people, it implies motives which are unmixed.
Christian purity must issue in a complete sincerity of thought and
character." (Barclay,
W: The Daily Study Bible Series. The Westminster Press
or
Logos)
Denney says,
The fundamental idea of (akeraios)
is that of freedom from alien or disturbing elements. What Paul here
wishes for the Romans—moral intelligence, not impaired in the least by
any dealings with evil—does suggest that
antinomianism (lawlessness, antagonism
against law) was the peril to be guarded against. Integrity of the moral
nature is the best security: the seductive teaching is instinctively
repelled.
The idea in this verse is to keep your doctrine (the teaching you
believe to be true) unmixed with false teachings; do not let yourself
get “all mixed up” in your thinking (see note
Ephesians 4:14). Also, keep your
moral life unmixed with sin and even the appearance of sin; stay as
far away from evil as possible. Be so sensitive to it that the moment
you suspect something is evil, flee from it at once. Phillips’s
translation sums this thought up well: “I want to see you experts in
good, and not even beginners in evil.” for as Paul writes in (see note
Ephesians 5:12)
"it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in
secret."
MacArthur warns:
"Many Christians rationalize watching degrading movies and TV
programs by claiming they need to be familiar with the ways of the world
in order to better analyze secular culture and be better prepared to
witness to those who are worldly. But it is not necessary to sift
through garbage to recognize it for what it is, and the more we are
around it the more we pick up its stench. The more willingly we
associate with evil, the more it will drag us down to its level. To be
innocent in what is evil is not to be ignorant of it or to disregard it.
We cannot abhor evil unless we have some idea of what it is. But, to use
a popular analogy, the only reliable way to recognize a counterfeit bill
is to be completely familiar with the genuine bill. The only reliable
way to recognize evil is to be thoroughly familiar with the good, and
the only reliable way to learn what is good is to learn God’s Word."
.htm_cmp_bars010_bnr.gif)
