SpiritualHelp.iPrance.ca   Daily Bible Study

 Daily Bible Study  March 22, 2002 


Scripture and Footnotes, and Summary:

Online Bible courtesy of Gospelcom.net
See Romans 2 in the New King James Version
See Romans 2 in the New American Standard Bible
 

Beginning study on Romans Chapter 2

Part 1

1   Therefore, thou art inexcusable, O man -- every one who is judging -- for in that in which thou dost judge the other, thyself thou dost condemn, for the same things thou dost practise who art judging,
2   and we have known that the judgment of God is according to truth, upon those practising such things.
3   And dost thou think this, O man, who art judging those who such things are practising, and art doing them, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
4   or the riches of His goodness, and forbearance, and long-suffering, dost thou despise? -- not knowing that the goodness of God doth lead thee to reformation!
5   but, according to thy hardness and impenitent heart, thou dost treasure up to thyself wrath, in a day of wrath and of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
6   who shall render to each according to his works;
7   to those, indeed, who in continuance of a good work, do seek glory, and honour, and incorruptibility -- life age-during; (note: eternal life)
8   and to those contentious, and disobedient, indeed, to the truth, and obeying the unrighteousness -- indignation and wrath,
9   tribulation and distress, upon every soul of man that is working the evil, both of Jew first, and of Greek;
10   and glory, and honour, and peace, to every one who is working the good, both to Jew first, and to Greek.
 
In this passage, in verses 7 to 10, Paul makes it clear that the ones who in continuing the good work started in them seek glory, honour and incorruptibility will reap eternal life.

In contrast, those who are contentious (self-seeking) and disobedient, who only obey unrighteousness, will obtain a judgement against themselves, of indignation and wrath.

Continuance (perseverance, endurance) (Strong's word 5281, hypomone)  -This word is variously translated perseverace, endurance and patience; it has two roots, hypo - by means of, and meno, suggesting continuing in a state, abiding (in Christ.). meno is the word abiding in John 15.


How do you see it?

Is Paul speaking to the saved or the unsaved in this passage?

If to the saved, then he is teaching that salvation is conditional to those who "by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality."

Something to think about.


Summary of Today's Study:

We see here the need to continue abiding in Christ (sorry, that is a redundant statement).

This passage is also a warning to believers about judging others, because by the same measure we judge, we will be judged.  Jesus gave a parabble about a man who was forgiven a great big debt, who then turned on a man who owed him a very small debt, but who could not pay.  Do you remember the details? It fits with today's message.

Romans Study: Questions, Commentary, and more:

I invited your participation by email the other day.  So far, there are none to report, but when they come in, I will link to this page.


Romans is a primer on the relationship of the Believer to The Lord Jesus Christ.

Today we are continuing with our study on Chapter 2 of Romans.

Keep in mind, as we study, that we want to address:

  • 1. How am I saved?
  • 2. Can I lose my salvation (that is, if I commit a sin, will I find I am no longer saved)?
  • 3. If I keep on sinning, will I be saved?
  • 4. Is there victory over sin? 
  • 5. If I neglect my relationship with the Lord Jesus, what happens to my salvation? 
  • 6. Once I am saved, do I have license to keep on sinning? 

  • The further issues are: 
  • 7. Once I am saved, how do I keep from sinning?
  • 8. Is it something I do, and thus it becomes an issue of pride? Or is it a work that God does in our lives? 
  • 9. Can we ever expect to overcome sin? If we do, how does it happen? How are we set free? 
  • 10. If a person backslides in his faith, and doesn't come back to vibrant Christian faith, is he saved if he is in that condition when he dies? 



  • My notes today are over here completely

    verse 1 has a qualifier regarding the person who
    Paul is talking to in this passage.  He is talking to "every one who is judging."  Even to God, we are known by our fruit. (Matt 12:33, Luke 6:44, John 15:8)
    verses 4 through 6 state that just because God is good to us now, he will yet judge us. 
    verse 4 also shows that God is good to us so that we will come to Him and trust Him.
    verses 7 through 10 show what judgement God will give, and to whom He will give it.  Those who persevere or continue (very closely related to the word abide used in John 15).

    In answering my basic questions number 1 and 10, it is by obedience and continuing with Christ that we are saved.  The abiding here is in the sense of continuing in the mode in which you were saved.  When you were saved, you trusted Christ to forgive your sins; to abide means to continue to trust Him to forgive your sins. 

    What has not been said is anything to do with being without sin.  Did you read any such thing here?


    Note that on different days, the placement of the commentary on the page will vary.  Sometimes, I will use the left pane and sometimes the right pane.


    I would encourage you to do something that helped me greatly.  Pick a version of the scriptures and start to type it out or to write it longhand, whichever you feel more inclined to do.  As you do so, you will learn the scriptures at the tip of your fingers!


    Scripture is quoted today from Young's Literal Translation.  We work with various versions, because we believe that being well studied in the scripture will enable us to rightly divide the word of truth. We encourage you to do likewise, because of the insights we have gotten. Familiarize yourself with one, and then go on to use others.  My commentary is copyright Rick Galbraith, March 18, 2002.  It is my "daily devotions," my own study of the Scriptures, and you are invited to share it with me.