THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS
\nThe Gospel In Its Fullness<\/p>\n
By Dr. David L. Cooper, Th.M., Ph.D., Litt.D.
\nBiblical Research Monthly<\/p>\n
Installment 15
\nRomans 13:1-15:13<\/p>\n
Immediately following the Flood, God issued the „Magna Carta“ for civil governments (Gen. 9:1-16), which clearly reveals that they are to keep law and order and to punish evildoers. This thought concerning the functions of civil governments is set forth by Paul in Rom. 13.<\/p>\n
Taking a glance through the Old Testament, we see that whenever any one government went beyond the prescribed limits of its function, the Lord used another to punish and suppress it, as illustrated by the Assyrian nation under Sennacherib (Isa. 10:5-34), and by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in the days of Jeremiah and King Zedekiah (Jer. 27). God plays one nation against another in carrying out His righteous plans and furthering His purposes among men.<\/p>\n
„Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: 4 for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing“ (Romans 13:1-6).<\/p>\n
Rulers are not a terror to those who practice good works, but to those who do evil. If Christians engage in corruption and wicked deeds, they must suffer the chastisement of civil government, the same as any other person. We should be subject to the ordinances, always maintaining a clear conscience with reference to political matters and never attempting to cheat or defraud the government in tribute, customs or taxes: „Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.“<\/p>\n
„Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law“ (Romans 13:8-10).<\/p>\n
Here Paul asserts that Christians should love one another, for love is the fulfillment of the law. But what is love? It is a spiritual influence and power which is „shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us“ (Rom. 5:5). It is evident that the love which Paul had in mind is that which the Lord bestows upon regenerated, saved people through the indwelling Holy Spirit. One cannot simply decide to love others in the Scriptural way–this power and ability is a gift from God. Paul, in enumerating the fruit of the Spirit, listed „love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law“ (Gal. 5:22, 23). Of all the fruit which the Spirit produces in the life of the regenerated person, the first is love.<\/p>\n
In I Cor. 12-14, Paul discussed spiritual gifts conferred by the Spirit upon the people of God. While other gifts of the Spirit were given to certain individuals, the gift of love was and is for every Christian. The one who has yielded to the Spirit is enabled by love to live and deport himself to the glory of God and thus adorn the doctrine of the Lord in the fulfillment of the law.<\/p>\n
„And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof“ (Romans 13:11-14).<\/p>\n
Each day brings us closer to the time when our summons will come–whether by death or by the appearance of the Lord for His saints. The night is far spent and the day is at hand. „Day“ is the result of the light from the sun; „night“ comes with the sun’s disappearance beneath the horizon. When God associated with man in the Garden of Eden, his spiritual day was full-orbed. When God withdrew, man’s spiritual night began and has continued to the present day, but when Jesus returns to earth to reign for a thousand years, the day will again dawn. If that event was very close at hand in Paul’s day, how much nearer, after nineteen hundred years, is it in our day and time? Because we are approaching the end of the age, we should lay aside everything that is of a fleshly, carnal nature and serve the Lord with fervency of Spirit, allowing Him to work out His plans and purposes through us.<\/p>\n
When converts were brought from heathenism into the church of Jesus Christ, they brought with them many of their old customs and habits of conduct. Some of these involved principles that are covered in the Scriptures. Others had no moral or ethical principle and were therefore matters of indifference–those who were taught in the Word and understood the fundamentals of the faith could continue the practice of these without disobeying the Word of God or violating their consciences. Some of the weaker Christians, however, were not sufficiently rooted and grounded in the Word of God to be able to partake of these things without being conscience-stricken. For them, these were matters of great importance. Consequently, among the brethren in the Gentile churches, the question arose as to whether or not Christians could continue the practice of such matters. In Rom. 14:1-19 the apostle speaks of this problem.<\/p>\n
„But him that is weak in faith receive ye, yet not for decision of scruples. 2 One man hath faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4 Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord: and he that eateth, eateth unto the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, unto the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and none dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling. 14 I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 For if because of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died. 16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men. 19 So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another“ Romans (14:1-19).<\/p>\n
Let us note in vs. 2 the matter of eating meat or of being vegetarian: „One man hath faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs.“ Throughout history, there have been those who have concluded that eating meat is contrary to the will of God and detrimental to the spiritual development of the child of God. Others understand God’s command to add flesh to the diet (Gen. 9:1-16) to be in force today. Despite the clear instructions of this primitive command, there have always been those who see evil in the eating of animal flesh. It is easy to see how first-century Christians could be bothered by this question since practically all meat sold in the markets had been sacrificed first to some pagan deity and was purchased by the customer with that thought in mind. If not careful, the Christian could fall into the idea of trying to win the favor of the god to whom the meat had been offered. Thus the danger of becoming idolatrous was an ever-present evil. Those who understood that the pagan gods were nothing at all could, with a clear conscience, purchase the meat without any compunctions, eating it simply for the nourishment that it gave. But others could not do so. What then should the mature Christian do in light of this? The apostle laid down the rule in his first Corinthian letter (ch. 8) that if his eating the meat sacrificed to idols would be the occasion of causing a brother who did not understand to stumble, he, Paul, would refrain from ever taking another mouthful of meat. Paul had a very high regard for the influence one Christian exerts on another and exhorted that all things should be to the edification or upbuilding of others. On the other hand the Christian who was a vegetarian should not disrespect those who could eat meat without violating their consciences or any principle in the Word of God. He should be very careful to suppress any spirit of criticism and unjust censure toward those who do not agree with him in all matters. Both weak and strong belong to the Lord and are to be considerate of each other. Christians are not to pass judgment upon, criticize or censure others unduly. However, a tree is known by its fruits, which is a different thing from judging.<\/p>\n
We are saved by the grace of God through faith–not by works–and are to be rewarded according to the quality of work as indicated in the parable of the talents, Matt 25:14-30; the quantity of works as seen in the parable of the pounds, Luke 19:11-27; and the spirit in which we serve as taught in Matt. 20:1-16.<\/p>\n
In II Cor. 5:10 Paul said that we all shall appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Romans 14:10-12 says that we are to come before the judgment seat of God. Are these two different judgments or are they one and the same tribunal? Some think they are different because in the one instance the judgment seat is said to be Christ’s, whereas in the other it is God’s, but is not Christ God the Son? Of course He is. When one examines the context from which vs. 11 is taken (Isa. 45:23), he will see that the original prophecy refers to Christ sitting upon the throne, rewarding His servants and governing the world. Therefore we believe that this judgment seat is none other than the judgment seat of Christ. Further confirmation is seen in Phil. 2:9-11, which undoubtedly refers to Christ and is an echo of Isaiah’s passage.<\/p>\n
In 13-18 the apostle emphasizes the spiritual aspect which reaches in, around and through every act of our lives. We are not to judge other Christians, but we are to sit in judgment of our own spiritual lives and conduct. The Scripture teach that if a brother is overtaken in a fault those who are spiritual should endeavor to assist him, but only in the spirit of Christ. Everything must be evaluated as to its bearing and effect upon the spiritual nature. „Let not then your good be evil spoken of: for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit“ (vss. 16, 17).<\/p>\n
„Overthrow not for meat’s sake the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21 It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth. 22 The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before God. Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approveth. 23 But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin“ (Romans 14:20-23).<\/p>\n
Life should be a walk of faith for the enlightened Christian. All of us should be willing to surrender our own personal desires when that which we do would lead others not having our knowledge into sin. We should walk circumspectly toward all men, giving no offense to the Jew, the Gentile or the church of God (I Cor. 10:32,33).<\/p>\n
„Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying. 3 For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me. 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope“ (Romans 15:1-4).<\/p>\n
We have seen that the weak Christian is one who has very little conception of the teachings of Christ. The strong are those who clearly understand His teachings and have had opportunities the others did not enjoy. Paul urged them to be patient and to deal with the less fortunate in a sympathetic and understanding manner: „We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak.“<\/p>\n
„Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying,“ Paul continued. He was willing to forego his privileges in Christ for the good of his brother, and so should we today. To enforce this lesson he called attention to the fact that „Christ also pleased not himself,“ but was solicitous of others and, as prophesied in Ps. 69:9, allowed the reproaches of others to fall upon Himself. Are we willing to endure suffering or reproach for the benefit of others? If so, we will be walking in the footsteps of our Lord.<\/p>\n
„For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope,“ he continued. By examining the Scriptures we can see how God rules and overrules, making everything work together for good to those who know and love Him. This comforts our hearts, helping us to be patient and to have hope.<\/p>\n
„Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus: 6 that with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore receive ye one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God“ (Romans 15:5-7).<\/p>\n
God patiently deals with us despite our shortcomings and failures. Unfortunately, all believers in Christ do not realize the importance of the unity of the Spirit, maintained in the bonds of peace. The fact that the apostle had to urge the Roman Christians to be of one mind is proof that they were not bound together in love. This reminds me of Paul’s command in I Cor. 1:10: „Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.“ No one should sacrifice his honest convictions, but we should be tolerant toward others who have not had our advantages and who cannot see everything just as we do. May the Lord lead us into a closer fellowship with one another and with Himself. I might add that, the closer our fellowship is with the Lord, the closer and nearer our fellowship will be with all who have been born again.<\/p>\n
„For I say that Christ hath been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given unto the fathers, 9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, Therefore will I give praise unto thee among the Gentiles, And sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; And let all the peoples praise him. 12 And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be the root of Jesse, And he that ariseth to rule over the Gentiles; On him shall the Gentiles hope. 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit“ (Romans 15:8-13).<\/p>\n
God made of one man „every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though He is not far from each one of us“ (Acts 17:26, 27ff). All peoples, according to this passage, are descended from one great ancestor, Adam. There is no room in the Christian system for racial prejudice. Each individual has an immortal soul that must spend eternity somewhere. Christ died for all–„God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life“ (John 3:16). According to Rom. 15, Christ is the minister of the righteousness of God for the Jew as well as for the Gentile.<\/p>\n
The Lord made provision when He delivered His law to the children of Israel for the Gentiles to worship and serve Him in an acceptable manner as well as for the Jews. Again, in that inspired prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the Temple, we see that the Gentiles who wished to worship and serve the true and living God could become proselytes to the Jewish faith. Notwithstanding, most of the Jews developed a spirit of self-righteousness, thinking they had a monopoly on the grace of God, on His service and upon His revelation. Of course, this was a misinterpretation of God’s will, for His desire was that every honest-hearted person should have the privilege of worshiping Him in the beauty of holiness at His Temple in Jerusalem.<\/p>\n
When Christ became the minister of the righteousness of God in behalf of both Jews and Gentiles, He purchased redemption for all. This plan of God will come into full fruition when Jesus comes back and establishes His reign of righteousness. The Gentiles too will be acceptable to God at that time, and have the same spiritual privileges and advantages as the Jews. This was made known by the apostle in vs. 9, which is quoted from Ps. 18:49. When examined in the light of its context, we see the prophet discussing the time when Messiah will reign over all nations and the Gentiles will enter into fullest fellowship with God. Again in vs. 10, the apostle quoted Deut. 32:43: „Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people,“ which is an exhortation for Gentiles to rejoice along with the Jewish people when Messiah comes, establishes Israel in her own land and restores her to fellowship with Him. Following this is a quotation from Ps. 117, in the first verse of which is a prediction that the Gentiles will worship God along with Israel: „Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and let all the peoples praise him.“ Once more the apostle quotes from Isaiah (11:10), showing that he foresaw the time when Messiah, the Root of Jesse, would reign in Jerusalem, and that the nations at that time will lean upon King Messiah, enjoying fellowship with Him equally with the Jews: „There shall be the root of Jesse, and he that ariseth to rule over the Gentiles; on him shall the Gentiles hope.“ From these quotations the apostle shows that the Jews are not to have a monopoly on the grace of God and the purposes of the Almighty. In the great Kingdom Age, wonderful things await both Jews and Gentiles.<\/p>\n
Having discussed this question so very fully, the apostle prays in vs. 13: „Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.“ God is indeed the God of hope. He will fill His people with peace and joy if they will only believe; then hope will abound through the power of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
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THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span> \nWe are now approaching a very important passage of Scripture, replete with divine wisdom and instruction concerning the deportment and conduct of the people of God. Sparkling forth throughout this entire portion are gems of great spiritual power and beauty.<\/p>\n In Romans 15:14-21, the Apostle Paul showed great boldness and confidence in the Roman Christians in their relation to the Master:<\/p>\n „And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 But I write the more boldly unto you in some measure, as putting you again in remembrance, because of the grace that was given me of God, 16 that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 I have therefore my glorifying in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ; 20 yea, making it my aim so to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already<\/i> named, that I might not build upon another man’s foundation; 21 but, as it is written, They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came, And they who have not heard shall understand“ (Romans 15:14-21).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Paul had confidence only in those that were in the Lord and in fellowship with Him, realizing that in the flesh there is no good thing (Rom. 7:18). Even some of the very best of God’s people have been tricked into error and sin by Satan, who takes advantage of our human weaknesses. But the power of God is accessible to even the least of God’s children. Paul could say that he was fully persuaded that, because their goodness and knowledge were of God, they were able to admonish one another. He wanted the Roman Christians to recognize that everything was of grace, given to them in Christ.<\/p>\n Paul called attention to the fact that his was a ministry to the Gentiles. The twelve original apostles were called to minister among the Jews. Whether or not they all went out among the Gentiles toward the latter part of their ministry is a question answered only by tradition, which is not always reliable. Though Paul was sent to the Gentiles, whenever he visited in any place where there were Jews he first gave them the opportunity of hearing the Gospel. Then, when they refused it, he turned to the Gentiles of the community. This practice continued through all his missionary journeys (Acts 13-28) and even after the Gospel had gone out to the entire world, Paul still said that it was to the Jew first–so long as it is the power of God unto salvation–and so it is today.<\/p>\n Thinking in terms of the Jewish high priest who was always very careful that the offering of the atonement on Yom Kippur might be acceptable, Paul said that his job was to minister the Gospel of God „that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable“ in God’s sight. It is a marvelous thing that poor mortal men, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ and regenerated by the Holy Spirit, are granted the exalted privilege of ministering in the things of God and like the Jewish high priest of presenting people to God. In leading them to such a life of self-sacrifice and service Paul was, in his own language, making the offering up of the Gentiles acceptable. Each individual Christian is urged to offer his body a living sacrifice to God (Rom. 12:1).<\/p>\n Paul was forced through circumstances to speak of that which he had accomplished, since there were those who discredited his ministry. But he was very careful to give God all the credit, pointing out that what he did was being done by Christ. His ministry, he declared, was confirmed „in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit.“ He not only preached from Jerusalem, but went into Greece and as far as Illyricum, proclaiming the message of the risen Lord.<\/p>\n Paul’s ambition was to make it „my aim so to preach the gospel, not where Christ was <\/span>already<\/i><\/span> named, that I might not build upon another man’s foundation.“ It is proper and right to have an ambition–provided it is legitimate. Paul was willing to work with his own hands and serve the Master. He was a pioneer, telling those who had never heard it the message of redeeming love. He wanted this scripture from Isa. 52:15 to be fulfilled in his ministry: „They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came, and they who have not heard shall understand.“<\/p>\n Paul’s great ambition was to thus preach in the imperial city of Rome. He then planned to go on into Spain, as far westward as he could go, proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Christ to those who had never heard. He reminded the Roman Christians that when he did come he hoped they would be sympathetic toward his plans, and that they would assist him, so that they might have a reward for the service which he would accomplish in the regions beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n „For it hath been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem. 27 Yea, it hath been their good pleasure; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to minister unto them in carnal things. 28 When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by you unto Spain. 29 And I know that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ“ (Romans 15:26-29).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Paul was at Corinth when he wrote this letter. An offering had been gathered among the Gentile churches in Greece for the poor saints at Jerusalem and he intended to carry it to them. Having partaken of the riches of the Gospel sent forth from Jerusalem, it was proper and right that the Gentiles reciprocate by assisting them in their need. Paul expressed the hope that after it had been delivered, God would grant him the privilege of going on to Rome and then into Spain. He wanted to come in the fullness of the Spirit of God, to assist the Romans in every way possible.<\/p>\n Paul was a great believer in the power of prayer–in united prayer, especially. In writing the churches, he invariably spoke about having prayed for certain things, frequently urging them to join him at the throne of grace: „… Strive together with me in your prayers to God for me“ (vs. 30).<\/p>\n Paul was apprehensive lest the Jewish Christians, being prejudiced against the Gentiles, might reject the offering from the Macedonian churches. He also knew that attempts would be made against him personally in Jerusalem. He urged the church at Rome to pray „that I may be delivered from them that are disobedient in Judaea and that my ministration … for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints“ (vs. 31). While the gift was accepted, the petition for deliverance from enemies in Jerusalem was not answered in the sense in which they prayed. God sometimes answers our petitions in a way that seems exactly opposite to what we thought they would be. Nevertheless, we must consider that Paul’s petition was answered in the way that would bring the greatest good to all concerned and that would result in the greatest glory to God.<\/span><\/p>\n „I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church that is at Cenchreae: 2 that ye receive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever matter she may have need of you: for she herself also hath been a helper of many, and of mine own self“ (Romans 16:1-2).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The doctrinal portion of Romans concluded with chapter 11 and the practical aspects of Christianity were set forth in chaps. 12-15. But in chap. 16 we find Paul speaking of more personal matters and making his final salutation.<\/p>\n As we saw at the very beginning of this series of articles, the probabilities are that Paul wrote the Roman Letter from Corinth when he was on his third and last missionary tour. This position is strengthened by the fact that the one who bore the letter to the church at Rome was „Phoebe our sister,“ a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae which was a seaport near Corinth. The apostle was eager that those saints at Rome should recognize Phoebe and treat her in a manner worthy of the saints, assisting her with whatever she might need, and saying that this good woman had been a helper of others. (16:1,2)<\/p>\n In vss. 3-16 the apostle urges the Romans to salute various ones who were engaged in full-time Christian service.<\/span><\/p>\n „Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles: 5 and salute the church that is in their house. Salute Epaenetus my beloved, who is the first-fruits of Asia unto Christ. 6 Salute Mary, who bestowed much labor on you. 7 Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me. 8 Salute Ampliatus my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute Urbanus our fellow-worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Salute Apelles the approved in Christ. Salute them that are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute them of the household of Narcissus, that are in the Lord. 12 Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren that are with them. 15 Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them. 16 Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you“ (Romans 16:3-16).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n He mentions Prisca and Aquilla, his fellow-workers who had „for my life laid down their own necks.“ They were willing to suffer or, if it would help the cause of Christ along, to die in Paul’s stead. This certainly evidenced Christian faith and fortitude. Paul states in vs. 7 that Andronicus and Junia were „of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me“–they had received Christ before the Apostle’s conversion.<\/p>\n Passing by the numerous names and the wonderful things said about them, we note in vs. 16 „Salute one another with a holy kiss.“ Kissing in the Orient was and is a form of greeting. He said they should let their method of salutation be a holy thing, without hypocrisy and on the high plane of holiness. Today Paul might say, „Let it be with a handshake of holiness.“<\/span><\/p>\n 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil. 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you“ (Romans 16:16-20).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n This exhortation is very necessary for us today. Paul counseled Christians to avoid such divisive persons that are not serving the Lord Jesus, but their own belly. Paul felt confident in giving such instructions to the Roman Christians because he had heard of their obedience: „For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you.“ He felt it necessary to urge them to be „wise unto that which is good,“ to understand and evaluate properly every situation and to act accordingly, but to be „simple unto that which is evil.“ He realized that all temptations come from Satan, but that „the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.“ The word <\/span>shortly<\/i><\/span> carries the thought of swiftness or dispatch, rather than brevity of time. When the time arrives for the falling of God’s judgment upon the guilty, it will come with speed and thoroughness.<\/p>\n The regular apostolic benediction is found in the latter part of vs. 20: „The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.“ Again, in vss. 21-23, the apostle mentioned certain Christian workers. Attention is called to Tertius, the secretary to whom Paul dictated the epistle to the Romans, as led by the Holy Spirit in selecting that which was to be written.<\/span><\/p>\n „Timothy my fellow-worker saluteth you; and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. 22 I Tertius, who write the epistle, salute you in the Lord. 23 Gaius my host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the treasurer of the city saluteth you, and Quartus the brother. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.<\/p>\n 25 Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, 26 but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith: 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen“ (Romans 16:21-27).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n This is one of the great doxologies of the Bible. The Apostle commends those Christian brothers unto Him who is able to establish them in the faith and in the Christian life. He does it according to God’s Gospel, the preaching of Jesus Christ. Neither Paul nor anyone else composed the Gospel story. The record of Christ’s life and message to the world was given to the apostles by the revelation of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n The mystery regarding Christ and the church, which God had purposed from the foundation of the world, was made manifest in the Scriptures by the prophets. It was made known that men might accept the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ in obeying Him.<\/p>\n In his concluding statement, the apostle again pronounces the benediction in these words: „To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.“ Thus in a most glorious manner this epistle, one of the richest in the entire Bible, is brought to a close.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/center><\/center><\/center> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS The Gospel In Its Fullness By Dr. David L. Cooper, Th.M., Ph.D., Litt.D. Biblical Research Monthly Installment 15 Romans 13:1-15:13 Immediately following the Flood, God issued the „Magna Carta“ for civil governments (Gen. 9:1-16), which clearly reveals that they are to keep law and order and to punish evildoers. This … <\/p>\n
\nThe Gospel In Its Fullness<\/p>\n
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