seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Well, here's the commentary.To all who are in Rome: Paul had never been to Rome, and he did not found the Roman church. This makes the Book of Romans different because most of Paul’s letters were to churches he founded. It seems the church in Rome began somewhat spontaneously as Christians came to the great city of the Empire and settled there. There is also no Biblical or historical evidence that the Apostle Peter founded the church in Rome.
Called to be saints: “You notice that the words ‘to be’ are put in by the translators; but though they are supplied, they are not really necessary to the sense. These believers in Rome were ‘called saints.’ They were not called because they were saints; but they became saints through that calling.” (Spurgeon)
I am not ashamed of the gospel: This reveals Paul’s heart. In a sophisticated city like Rome, some might be embarrassed by a gospel centered on a crucified Jewish Savior and embraced by the lowest classes of people — but Paul is not ashamed.
For it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes: This is why Paul is not ashamed of a gospel centered on a crucified Savior. He knows that the gospel — the good news of Jesus Christ — has inherent power. We do not give it power, we only stop hindering the power of the gospel when we present it effectively.
Paul was in trouble with the Jews because of "eternal life" and "circumcision". Paul also believed in eternal life. Paul was a Pharisee not a Sadducee. The Sadducees believed there was no life after death. They believe you are born to this life, it's the only life you get and then you die. Period. Paul might as well have been producing some kind of zombie apocalypse movie as far as the Sadducees were concerned. The Sadducees considered Paul to be a liar and a fool if he thought there was "life after death". "One and done" was their motto.
The Jews were called to circumcise male babies when they were only days old. The Jews wanted the Gentiles to be circumcised as well, even though they were adults. Paul took a stance against that circumcision. Paul said it was unnecessary to require circumcision of the converts. Nowadays just about all male children are circumcised at the hospital. Jew and Gentile, everyone gets the snip. Jews enjoy a little ceremony... Gentiles just get snipped.
The Jews considered Paul's teaching dangerous. Now he was talking to the Gentiles. If they didn't have to get their things snipped, the Gentiles were curious. If they had to have something snipped to join.... well, that was just insane. Forget zombies.... It's about snipping. If God wanted the thing snipped, He would have snipped it Himself.
Paul had been looking forward to passing the Word along to the Gentiles in Rome. He had to take the long way around... and enter Rome as a criminal.
Might I interject here.... Paul entered his town as a criminal... while Jesus rode into Jerusalem as a "king".
OK... my question.... Why did Paul have to say "I'm not ashamed of the Gospel."? Even though he held the coats while his buddies murdered Stephen, he isn't ashamed of the Gospel. Is he not ashamed that he, as a member of the Sanhedrin, voted to have Jesus murdered on a Roman Cross?
Now, after "seeing the light" he's ready to travel the world and tell everyone how great Jesus is, but he's not ashamed for his part of the Gospel?
Oh well.... Paul was not a criminal because of what he did in Jerusalem. Paul was in trouble because of his stance on zombies and snipping.
Zombies and Snipping!
