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By Ed Longabaugh|Published Date: May 24, 2013
Romans 2:11
God shows no partiality.
Story: Ever since Abraham (Gen 12:3-4) it has been God’s intention to offer reconciliation to all people irrespective of ethnicity or gender or nationality or any other characteristic people use to separate themselves from others. You’ll find this theme gathering momentum through the Exodus, where there’s a large number of non-Hebrews leaving Egypt with the Israelites. There are references to “the nations” in the Psalms. And in the latter part of Isaiah these “nations,” or non-Jews, are mentioned over and over again as part of God’s future people.
The fusing together of all humanity as one takes place only in Christ. The New Testament writers in many ways and phrases speak of this: the body of Christ, the people of God, the church, the brethren, etc. As the Jews of the first churches learned, sometimes painfully, God makes no distinctions between people—or peoples. They’re all His.
Structure: In Romans you’ll find the phrase “the Jew first and also the Greek” any number of times. This merism, as it’s called, is a figure of speech that cites two extremes of something—in this case, humanity—to include the whole. As previously noted, the church at Rome was a mixture of Jews and Gentiles. This repeated phrase emphasizes that the Gospel is for all people, and that all stand on equal footing before God.
It’s easy for us to make artificial distinctions between us and others. Whether it’s on the basis of ethnicity or social class or accomplishment, God refuses to acknowledge these distinctions. Where do find yourself making them anyway?
For a deeper look at the book of Romans, order the book, Salvation by Surprise: A Commentary on the Book of Romans, by Earl Palmer, from our online store.
The Worldview Bible examines the teaching of Scripture according to the Story and Structure of Truth – the Framework of Christian Worldview – using only other Scriptures for illumination. Information about The Framework of Truth is available on this site. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
When you hear the phrase, "the gospel," what comes to mind? A presentation of the plan of salvation, perhaps? While this is true, it's not remotely the whole truth about all this word entails. Literally, it's "good announcement." It's news that's never been heard before. Perhaps in the ancient world there was a public square where people could assemble and hear news of the world from travelers. And if someone stood up and announced that he had this "gospel" to share, it really was new news. For never before in the history of the world had there been news of a God who had reached out to humankind with a free gift of reconciliation.
God was not requiring sacrifices, or obedience to laws, or secret knowledge, or arcane rites in order to win His favor. He was offering grace instead, also a piece of new news. Through the Gospel of his Son, God was offering something freely, something to gladden the heart, something that couldn't be bought or earned: Himself. Freely. That's the new news, the Gospel of grace. |
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By Ed Longabaugh|Published Date: May 23, 2013
Romans 2:6
[God] will render to each one according to his works…
Story: If ever a verse needed careful explanation, this one does. How can Paul say in one place that “by works of the law no human being will be justified” (3:20), and yet write Romans 2:6 above? Could he be saying that it’s possible for someone to be righteous enough on his or her own obedience?
Plainly he is not, given what’s said in chapters 1 and 3. This verse needs to be understood in light of what Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount: “Every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit … you will recognize them by their fruits” (Matt 7:17, 20). In other words, the fruit of one’s life, or his/her works, give evidence of their heart. One’s works will be given in evidence at the Judgment. Good works will reveal godly character based on the life of Christ in a person. And the reverse is true for evil works. Both types of works will be the outward indications of one’s heart, on which is based God’s judgment.
Structure: It is crucial to interpret a verse in its context, even if its context needs to be wide. One needs to grasp chapters 1 and 3 of Romans in order to understand, at the very least, what 2:6 is not saying. Based on the whole of Romans, as well as the New Testament, Paul is clearly not teaching salvation by works.
How might you present this “bad news” of the Gospel to someone whose confidence is their works?
For a deeper look at the book of Romans, order the book, Salvation by Surprise: A Commentary on the Book of Romans, by Earl Palmer, from our online store.
The Worldview Bible examines the teaching of Scripture according to the Story and Structure of Truth – the Framework of Christian Worldview – using only other Scriptures for illumination. Information about The Framework of Truth is available on this site. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
When you hear the phrase, "the gospel," what comes to mind? A presentation of the plan of salvation, perhaps? While this is true, it's not remotely the whole truth about all this word entails. Literally, it's "good announcement." It's news that's never been heard before. Perhaps in the ancient world there was a public square where people could assemble and hear news of the world from travelers. And if someone stood up and announced that he had this "gospel" to share, it really was new news. For never before in the history of the world had there been news of a God who had reached out to humankind with a free gift of reconciliation.
God was not requiring sacrifices, or obedience to laws, or secret knowledge, or arcane rites in order to win His favor. He was offering grace instead, also a piece of new news. Through the Gospel of his Son, God was offering something freely, something to gladden the heart, something that couldn't be bought or earned: Himself. Freely. That's the new news, the Gospel of grace. |
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By Ed Longabaugh|Published Date: May 22, 2013
Romans 2:5a
…on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
Story: Probably the most unpopular teaching of the Bible has to do with God’s judgment. And it’s as ignored, despised, and denied today as ever. “How could a God of love send anyone to hell?” many ask. It’s a fair question. Even those who embrace this doctrine rightly struggle with the awfulness of divine judgment. For if we grasp it even a little, we should be motivated at the least to pray for people who reject God’s forgiveness in Christ.
Beginning with Romans 1:18, God’s wrath is clearly taught as literal fact. However, that wrath can take one of two directions: either on the one sinning, or on Christ. God’s holiness requires judgment on sin; His love directs it on Christ. At least in human terms, the choice belongs to the individual. Either he will bear God’s wrath for his sin, or he will accept the substitution of Christ in his place.
It appears that there are some who want nothing to do with God, regardless of persuasive arguments or offers of grace. Would it be just of Him to require the presence of those people in heaven, where He is the main feature and most desired Person?
Structure: For those willing to see, God’s wrath, His judgment, and the reality of hell are plainly taught in scripture. Don’t believe Paul? Ask Jesus. See Matthew 25:31-46 for starters.
Is your belief in God’s judgment operational? In other words, are you prompted even to pray for those outside the Kingdom, let alone share the Gospel?
For a deeper look at the book of Romans, order the book, Salvation by Surprise: A Commentary on the Book of Romans, by Earl Palmer, from our online store.
The Worldview Bible examines the teaching of Scripture according to the Story and Structure of Truth – the Framework of Christian Worldview – using only other Scriptures for illumination. Information about The Framework of Truth is available on this site. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
When you hear the phrase, "the gospel," what comes to mind? A presentation of the plan of salvation, perhaps? While this is true, it's not remotely the whole truth about all this word entails. Literally, it's "good announcement." It's news that's never been heard before. Perhaps in the ancient world there was a public square where people could assemble and hear news of the world from travelers. And if someone stood up and announced that he had this "gospel" to share, it really was new news. For never before in the history of the world had there been news of a God who had reached out to humankind with a free gift of reconciliation.
God was not requiring sacrifices, or obedience to laws, or secret knowledge, or arcane rites in order to win His favor. He was offering grace instead, also a piece of new news. Through the Gospel of his Son, God was offering something freely, something to gladden the heart, something that couldn't be bought or earned: Himself. Freely. That's the new news, the Gospel of grace. |
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By Ed Longabaugh|Published Date: May 21, 2013
Romans 2:4, 5
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? 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.
Story: How often have we heard someone say, “May God strike me dead if …?” They’re saying, in other words, “I dare God to judge me for what I’m about to do.” It’s a safe dare—for now. For God, in the time between the cross and Christ’s return, is showing extraordinary patience with all humankind. He’s giving everyone all the opportunity he or she needs to come to their senses and ask God in Christ for forgiveness.
But God’s patience will run out eventually. After everyone has had more than a fair chance to repent, judgment will come. This will occur either at death, or at Christ’s return. God’s wrath will be fair, impartial, and deserved. In the meantime, it’s God’s kindness that gives people the courage to repent. He will turn away no one who comes to Him on the basis of Christ’s cross.
By way of application: God’s patience also requires patience of His people. We may live in deep angst over the world’s sin, or over our own; or we may even be suffering for the Gospel. God, however, is giving even the most evil people a gracious chance to repent, as His Holy Spirit engages in the ministry of conviction (John 16:8). Perhaps this is part of what Paul means by “filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body” (Col. 1:24). We suffer not for atonement for sin, but for its consequences. In this, our own patience parallels God’s.
Structure: In the Roman church were both Jewish and Gentile Christians. To the Jew Paul says, “the Law of Moses will condemn you,” and to the Gentile, “your own philosophy and moral system will condemn you.” But in the midst of this he also appeals to one of God’s core qualities: kindness. Someone coming under the Spirit’s conviction may feel his or her own sins are beyond forgiving. Never! says Paul—and Jesus too.
Does the certainty of God’s judgment lead you to intercession for those who remain unrepentant?
For a deeper look at the book of Romans, order the book, Salvation by Surprise: A Commentary on the Book of Romans, by Earl Palmer, from our online store.
The Worldview Bible examines the teaching of Scripture according to the Story and Structure of Truth – the Framework of Christian Worldview – using only other Scriptures for illumination. Information about The Framework of Truth is available on this site. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
When you hear the phrase, "the gospel," what comes to mind? A presentation of the plan of salvation, perhaps? While this is true, it's not remotely the whole truth about all this word entails. Literally, it's "good announcement." It's news that's never been heard before. Perhaps in the ancient world there was a public square where people could assemble and hear news of the world from travelers. And if someone stood up and announced that he had this "gospel" to share, it really was new news. For never before in the history of the world had there been news of a God who had reached out to humankind with a free gift of reconciliation.
God was not requiring sacrifices, or obedience to laws, or secret knowledge, or arcane rites in order to win His favor. He was offering grace instead, also a piece of new news. Through the Gospel of his Son, God was offering something freely, something to gladden the heart, something that couldn't be bought or earned: Himself. Freely. That's the new news, the Gospel of grace. |
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By Ed Longabaugh|Published Date: May 20, 2013
Romans 2:2b
For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the same things.
The Story: It’s conceivable that someone reading Romans 1:18-32 could say, “Yes, you’re right, those things are awful, they’re against God’s law, and should be punished!” Perhaps you’ve seen someone pound the table and exclaim in indignation, “What’s this world coming to?!” That’s the person Paul is addressing here: in case you hadn’t noticed, O self-righteous one, you’ve done the same things you condemn. Perhaps not to the degree mentioned in Romans. But could you honestly say that you have received all that God had revealed to you, and lived a lifestyle of worship and thanksgiving? (See 1:21.) And since no one can say that, even this self-righteous one here is guilty of at least some of the same things he or she condemns.
One of the consequences of sin is that we lose objectivity about it. In our desire to be justified, we rationalize what we do, minimize our sin, even calling it good and encouraging it (1:32). But God’s standards aren’t subjective; they’re absolute. Now, suppose by chance God’s right to judge were ever called into question as unfair. Well, it would be entirely correct to say that God didn’t judge this person—he judged himself. It was his own standards that judged his performance. Thus the verdict would read something like, “You knew right from wrong; by your words you set the standard; and now you’re being judged by those very words.”
Structure: It’s a matter of simple logic. If someone creates for himself a system of values, then his own life will be judged accordingly. It’s not God’s law that’s so unforgiving, it’s our own.
Do you see how rigid and harsh the law is, whether yours or God’s? Give thanks to God that if you are in Christ, you are not under law but under grace (6:15)!
For a deeper look at the book of Romans, order the book, Salvation by Surprise: A Commentary on the Book of Romans, by Earl Palmer, from our online store.
The Worldview Bible examines the teaching of Scripture according to the Story and Structure of Truth – the Framework of Christian Worldview – using only other Scriptures for illumination. Information about The Framework of Truth is available on this site. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
When you hear the phrase, "the gospel," what comes to mind? A presentation of the plan of salvation, perhaps? While this is true, it's not remotely the whole truth about all this word entails. Literally, it's "good announcement." It's news that's never been heard before. Perhaps in the ancient world there was a public square where people could assemble and hear news of the world from travelers. And if someone stood up and announced that he had this "gospel" to share, it really was new news. For never before in the history of the world had there been news of a God who had reached out to humankind with a free gift of reconciliation.
God was not requiring sacrifices, or obedience to laws, or secret knowledge, or arcane rites in order to win His favor. He was offering grace instead, also a piece of new news. Through the Gospel of his Son, God was offering something freely, something to gladden the heart, something that couldn't be bought or earned: Himself. Freely. That's the new news, the Gospel of grace. |
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By David R. Sincerbox|Published Date: May 19, 2013
Philippians 2:25-30
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
The Story: The second example Paul cites as a faithful servant who also has the mind of Christ (2:5) is Epaphroditus (“handsome”) who nearly died for the work of Christ. We know that he brought the gift that the Philippian church collected on behalf of Paul to him where Paul was in prison in Rome (4:18). By doing so, Epaphroditus almost perished from an illness. The phrase in v. 30, “risking his life” means “having gambled his life”, or “having little regard for his life”. Epaphroditus “nearly died for the work of Christ” doing what no one else in Philippi could or would do. He indeed deserved honor.
The Structure: Properly placed honoring of individuals means that we esteem their achievements, celebrate them, and emulate them. Hagiography is the name given to biographies of the saints. These biographies are well worth reading, but often these have to be read critically because there has been a tendency by some to embellish the lives of their subjects and make them more than mere humans who have served God well. The Scriptures do not embellish the lives of Timothy and Epaphroditus, but present them nonetheless as worthy of our honor.
Consider some of the honorable Christian men and women you know. What are some of their personal attributes that are worthy of emulation? Some of these attributes will be unique to them as individuals, but others will exemplify Christian virtues which can be attained by all. What are some of these attributes that you see in their lives that you can ask God to instill in your life?
For more insight to the book of Philippians, order the book, Philippians: Run the Race, by Bill Hybels, from our online store..
The Worldview Bible examines the teaching of Scripture according to the Story and Structure of Truth – the Framework of Christian Worldview – using only other Scriptures for illumination. Information about The Framework of Truth is available on this site. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
When you hear the phrase, "the gospel," what comes to mind? A presentation of the plan of salvation, perhaps? While this is true, it's not remotely the whole truth about all this word entails. Literally, it's "good announcement." It's news that's never been heard before. Perhaps in the ancient world there was a public square where people could assemble and hear news of the world from travelers. And if someone stood up and announced that he had this "gospel" to share, it really was new news. For never before in the history of the world had there been news of a God who had reached out to humankind with a free gift of reconciliation.
God was not requiring sacrifices, or obedience to laws, or secret knowledge, or arcane rites in order to win His favor. He was offering grace instead, also a piece of new news. Through the Gospel of his Son, God was offering something freely, something to gladden the heart, something that couldn't be bought or earned: Himself. Freely. That's the new news, the Gospel of grace. |
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By David R. Sincerbox|Published Date: May 18, 2013
Philippians 2:19-24
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
The Story: What a sad commentary of the ministers of the Gospel in Paul’s day! Yet how many pastors in today’s world are Timothys? How many instead seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ? Paul uses a phrase that literally means, “I have no one like-souled…” Paul and Timothy were “soul brothers” in the true Christian sense of that phrase. Timothy, like Paul, embodied the mind of Christ (2:5). Timothy possessed a genuine concern for the Philippians; his concern had been proven by his selfless, Christ-centered actions in his ministry to them. Timothy was not only Paul’s soul brother, but also was the spiritual son of Paul, serving Paul as if Paul were his beloved father as Paul established and nurtured new churches.
The Structure: The metaphor of a spiritual father-son relationship is used here to reaffirm Timothy’s bona fides to the Philippians. When Jesus tells us in Matthew 23:9 that we are to call no one “father” except our Father who is in heaven, He is warning us not to assume presumptuous titles for ourselves or to attribute presumptuous titles to others. This prohibition does not mean, however, that one cannot assume an almost paternal or maternal relationship in which a mature Christian takes a younger believer under his or her guidance and tutelage. One can thus become a spiritual father or mother to a younger believer by modeling the Fatherhood of our Father who is in heaven.
How are you to work out your salvation with fear and trembling? Are you following the example of Christ with the utmost reverence? If not, why not?
For more insight to the book of Philippians, order the book, Philippians: Run the Race, by Bill Hybels, from our online store..
The Worldview Bible examines the teaching of Scripture according to the Story and Structure of Truth – the Framework of Christian Worldview – using only other Scriptures for illumination. Information about The Framework of Truth is available on this site. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
When you hear the phrase, "the gospel," what comes to mind? A presentation of the plan of salvation, perhaps? While this is true, it's not remotely the whole truth about all this word entails. Literally, it's "good announcement." It's news that's never been heard before. Perhaps in the ancient world there was a public square where people could assemble and hear news of the world from travelers. And if someone stood up and announced that he had this "gospel" to share, it really was new news. For never before in the history of the world had there been news of a God who had reached out to humankind with a free gift of reconciliation.
God was not requiring sacrifices, or obedience to laws, or secret knowledge, or arcane rites in order to win His favor. He was offering grace instead, also a piece of new news. Through the Gospel of his Son, God was offering something freely, something to gladden the heart, something that couldn't be bought or earned: Himself. Freely. That's the new news, the Gospel of grace. |
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