ROMANS

The letter of the apostle Paul to the Christians in Rome is very important in understanding the revelation of the grace of God in the plan of salvation. We begin our study in chapter one, verse one: "Paul, a servant, of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God...."KJV

Here the writer identifies himself as: Paul who had the original given name of Saul, supposedly after King Saul, Israel's first king from Paul's tribe of Benjamin, a tribe which God had restored and blessed, although it had been nearly annihilated during the time of the conquest of the promised land.

He further identifies himself as a servant, "doulos" bondslave, belonging to Jesus Christ, who had purchased, and had prepared him with a special call and vision while on the road to Damascus, Syria to punish and persecute Jewish believers. This conversion account is found in Acts nine. In Acts nine Jesus spoke and called the apostle directly and clearly from a young life of persecution of believers to becoming the apostle to the Gentile world. The Greek word for called in Ro. 1:1 is "kletos" meaning called. When God by His Spirit calls, He speaks to our heart and being. We are impressed that God is speaking personally to us, when God confirms the calling, as He did in Paul's case by the appointment of Ananias to confirm Paul's calling in Acts 9:10-17. God's confirmation of His callings needs affirmation by the Holy Spirit's directing other believers to agree and to give the right hand of ordination and encouragement.

Christ/God called Paul to apostleship, a special position of being called and sent. Paul could say he had seen the light of our Lord's appearing and had heard the voice of His clear call. He joins the small circle of first century apostles who lived and observed the personal presence of Christ Jesus. Paul was uniquely called to his apostleship after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

The next word we note is the word "separated" from the Greek word aphorismenos, which is perfect tense passive voice. Therefore Paul's call is a settled event with continuing functional meaning throughout his earthly life. Our Lord called Paul. Paul did not call himself. He was passive and submissively yielded to the call. So he is set apart, from the original meaning of "to mark off," or "to separate by a boundary." Therefore, he is set apart to the gospel ministry of Christ Jesus and our God.

Verses two and three read: "Which He had promised before by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,...."NKJV. The prophetic utterances of the coming Messiah run throughout the Old Testament. The anointed king/deliverer was to be the descendant of King David, but virgin born as is noted in Luke chapters one and two.

Romans 1:4-7:... "And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:..."KJV. The word translated "declared" is "Horisthentos" from "horiszo" meaning to mark out the boundary, or to appoint. God had marked the Lord Jesus Christ as His only begotten Son, wholly divine and yet human in His physical body by His power "dunamei", the dynamite power which broke the bonds of death and hell by the resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the Father's testimony of the holiness "hagiosunes" (without sin in total righteousness) of Jesus of Nazareth. It is also testimony of the payment of our sin debt in full by the death of Jesus in our stead.

The Apostle Paul had received, along with the other Apostles, the gracious calling to minister the word of God. Paul wrote of himself the chief sinner who persecuted the church, yet was graciously called to preach the Holy Gospel of the redemption/forgiveness of sinners through Christ Jesus (I Tim. 1:15-17).

Paul had a calling for the special ministry to the Gentile world (the nations). This was a ministry which many of his fellow Jews would reject. Those Jews who rejected the Gentile ministry of the Apostle Paul along with the Messiahship of Jesus of Nazareth would persecute him severely throughout his missionary work. This is noted in the Acts of the Apostles.

Notice the words "obedience of faith" "Hupakoen pisteos" for their significance. To receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, who died for your sins in your stead, in obedience to God the Father, is to trust God for your personal salvation. Jesus saves you from your sins and the penalty of death. So, you can yield yourself to God for His work in and through you, just as the Apostle Paul yielded himself in faith to Christ for the work of preaching the Gospel to the nations in the blessed holy ministry of God. By the Gospel of Christ, individuals are called "kletoi" from the root word "kaleo", meaning to call, send for a person, or to give an invitation.

Verse seven speaks of the Romans also hearing the call of Christ for new life and wondrous peace. These Roman believers are also loved ("apagetois" beloved) of God and are graciously set apart as witnesses of God's saving power and peace to their countrymen.

Romans 1:8-10: Paul hopes to visit Christians of Rome to share the fellowship of the teachings of Christ, which the Lord had given to him through revelation. The Greek word for thanks is "euchiaristo." Paul is grateful for the committed believers in Rome whose profession of faith in Jesus Christ has been made known to many others in the whole world. His thanks is to God through Christ Jesus. This is the first order of his prayer: thanksgiving to God the Father for spiritual blessings which are made possible through Christ Jesus who is the "way" of salvation by His sacrifical death on the cross.

The specific blessing is the worldwide knowledge of the conversion of Roman Christians because of their open confession of faith in Jesus Christ. Christian prayer needs to be one of thanksgiving as well as making requests and petitions. Paul put thanksgiving first in his sacred thanksgiving (euchiatristia).

Prayer to God the Father through Jesus Christ is sacred as it refers to both the heavenly Father's throne, where Jesus Christ sits/stands to give an ear of intercession to our prayer beside our Father, and to the earth of our living.

Paul's unceasing prayer/request comes after thanksgiving and asks repeatedly for God's guidance and for the provision of an opportunity to visit the Christians in Rome.

Here we see Paul's main interest in his life was to be a witness/preacher of the truth of Christ to others and, specifically, to the Christians of Rome in order to fulfill his commission to go to the world near and afar to preach the gospel and to be a blessing to all believers.

Verses 11-12 affirm Paul's prayer to be led of the Lord in a prosperous journey to Rome to bless them and to be blessed by their witness of faith in Jesus Christ.

He would give to them a spiritual gift "charisma", freely and graciously given. God through Christ had given the Apostle great powers of spiritual gifts for his ministry to others. Through this sharing of blessing both Paul and the Romans would be encouraged/comforted and strengthened in their Christian walk/life. His desire was to share in the strength of Christ.

People of the world need, first, an opportunity to hear/learn of the coming of Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord of new life and, second, to be blessed by personal faith in Jesus Christ. We know that the Apostle Paul finished his work, but that work continues today through us Christians.

VERSES 13-15

Here the Apostle says he had desired to go to Rome and minister but had not yet been able to go. Rome was the center of the empire and many Jews were there in the midst of the Gentiles. Paul proclaimed his boldness in Christ to preach Christ the King of glory to the low and limited and also to the high and mighty.

Paul counted himself a debtor "opheiletens" under binding obligation to preach the Gospel to all people: the wise and learned as well as the foolish and unlearned. He was enthusiastically eager "prothumon" to proclaim the good message of the reality of Christ Jesus "euaggelisasthai" in Rome.

VERSE 16-17

Paul boldly declares his purpose to take the gospel of salvation to everyone, including Jews and Gentiles. He will stand, full of confidence and spiritual energy, to firmly, forthrightly tell the good news of how sinners can be saved through Jesus Christ. The risen Son of God was crucified by sinners for the sins of the world of mankind.

The Greek word "epaisikunomai" means to be unashamed in the face of ridicule and mockery from the unbelieving and stiffnecked persons, whoever they might be.

The righteousness of God is made known by the salvation message of Christ, the suffering servant of Isaiah 53. God has made Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, the sin bearer of our sins in His own body on Calvary (II Cor. 5:20,21).

Verse seventeen tells us that the righteousness of God is revealed (apokaluptetai). This righteousness of and from God to us, to justify us from our condemnation for sins, is made known in our individual lives. And, this is through our faith in the work of Christ.

The redeemed will bring their faith before others who will hear, see and believe. The power of the gospel to change lives is in itself an ongoing revelation/testimony of God's righteous saving work. "The just shall live by faith."

Verses 18-23 give the account of the wrath ("orge", anger, indignation) of God from heaven as being revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. Impious rejection of the truth of God is idolatry. Unrighteousness against others is violation of the holy law of God. Further this rebellion and opposition against the revealed will and commandment of God will fail to deter the fulfillment of God's wrath against sinners.

The goodness of the unseen merciful God, in His eternal power ("aidios" everlasting "dunamis" power, force, ability), now has been clearly made known.

The foolishness of unbelievers, as they deny God in His eternal power ("aidios" everlasting, "dunamis" power, force, ability), is shown by their attempts to reinvent God into their own images or the images of creatures including corrupible birds, beasts and reptiles. They had ignored God while failing to give Him glory and thanks. Further they had changed the glory of God eternal into temporal corruptible beasts and creatures in the foolishness of their self-proclaimed wisdom.

Verses 23-32 explain the resulting judgment of God giving these ungodly, unrighteous people up into uncleanness of lusts and the dishonoring of their own physical minds and bodies. As they have desecrated Almighty God in rejecting Him and His holy law, so God gives them up to their unclean lusts in dishonoring themselves in acts of immorality as these sinners change true affection between the man and woman into homosexual lusts/pleasures. Note they had changed ("ellaxan" from "allasso" to change, transform, exchange) the order of human sexuality in verses 24 and 26; therefore, God gave them up ("paredoken" from "paradosis" giving up,giving over) to the practice of evil lusts. Their total lives were given over to complete depraved living without God even as they chose to dispose of the true God in their minds and hearts. Finally in verse 32 God's judgment of these sinners and their practices ("prassontes" from "prasso" to practice, to do) is worthy of death. When people turn from God to serve and worship other things or interests they have shut off the living God from their lives and just judgment is sure. Chapter two brings us to the righteous judgment of God in truth.

CHAPTER TWO

In verses one through eleven God's just judgment in truth of our earthly lives is described as being without respect of persons (verse eleven). There is no excuse for sin or unrighteousness in view of our personal knowledge of right and wrong. People judge each other on this basis constantly in their courts of law. So why should God not judge us according to the law of righteousness? First, we cannot escape the judgment of God (verse 3). Second, God will judge according to our deeds ("erga" plural) works, deeds, actions from "ergon" work).

Our life is judged as either one of obedience and trust in well doing or one of disobedience and unrighteousness (verses six to eleven). Those who seek God and His righteousness can find encouragement in faithfully doing the Lord's will in the face of evil in a world of unbelief and unrighteousness.

We are promised the blessing of immortality ("apharsia" incorruption), glory, honor ("timen" from "timae" value, worth, verses 7 and 10) and peace. God will give glory, honor and peace to those who seek His way and will and follow in patience of faith (verse 7). But the disobedient and evil doers who reject God's law and way will receive a just judgment of wrath, tribulation and anguish. There is no peace in the sinful life, present or future.

Romans 2:12-16

God is a God of love but also a God of justice and holiness who desires justice and holiness from the people of His kingdom. In His justice He judges the failures of His chosen people and others as well. Everyone, therefore, is to be judged without respect of status, race, family history or any other worldly merits of standing. Verses 12 says sin is to be judged, whether the person sinned under the personal knowledge of conscience or under the known Law of Moses (including the Ten Comandments and royal law of loving our neighbor as ourselves); both condemn sin and disobedience. Christians have the law of Christ which guides them into all righteousness.

The law of conscience is that law written in the hearts of people as stated in verse 15. The Greek word for law here is "nomos" from "nemo" meaning to dispense, distribute, a law, a rule and standard of conduct.

Verse sixteen tells that there are no secrets of the heart and life which shall not be judged in Christ and by Christ. Also we find in this verse a day of judgment according to the plan and will of God the Father when this judgment is to occur. Does God the Father hold each one of us accountable for our choices and selected direction for our acts of living whether according to righteousness as revealed by the Law of Moses or by the law of conscience? Yes, God will judge our lives whether in Christ or without Christ Jesus as Lord of our lives.

Verses 17-29,

We need to remember that the Apostle Paul, at this point in his letter to the Roman Christians, is covering the singularly important point of faith in Christ Jesus as key to being in the spiritual family of God, whether Jew or Gentile (non-Jew). In verses 17 to 23 he notes the blessings and privileges of the Jews as the people of promise and the faith of Abraham. They were the recipients of the Law, the ones who would share the Law with the world about them by example and word. Therefore, they were to live according to the Law's instructions and demands as well as instruct and teach others of the greatness and the supreme nature of the Law.

When the Jewish person disregarded or changed the Law, then he no longer would receive the blessing even though he was ceremonially Jewish via circumcision. Their disobedience negated the fact of circumcision. On the other hand, whenever the non-Jew Gentile obeyed the law of conscience, and in a true sense the Law of Moses, their fleshly uncircumcision was credited as heart circumcision, and, therefore, they would be on equal status in God's sight as Jewish in character and obedience. Verse 26 says: "If, therefore, the uncircumcision (uncircumcised persons) keep the ...law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted ("logisthesetai" fut. pass. from "logizomai/lego" - to impute/account, deem/consider)as circumcision.

Praise the Lord. He is just and righteous in His dealings with all people, Jew or Gentile.

Verses 27-29 leads us to believe that our faith/work in and through Jesus Christ gives status to all true believers as Jewish through heart circumcision, which is not a ceremonial rite of the body of flesh. Verse 28 says:" for he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly ("phanero" from "phaino", to cause to appear, to be in appearance, to be visible) through the circumcision of the body/flesh. Verse 29 states: "But he is a Jew which is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart 'kardias', in the spirit 'pneumati'...." The truly Jewish persons who have the circumcision of the heart are those who are recognized of God and who receive the praise of God rather than praise of earthly men.

CHAPTER THREE

In verses one through eleven the Apostle states that even though Jews may not accept Christ Jesus, they were the ones to whom God gave the Torah law of Moses (the oracles of God). They had received circumcision as sign of the privilege of bearing the covenant name of Israel. Yet, it was one thing to receive the Torah law and another thing to obey it. To make their religion a living reality, they needed to share in the faith of Abraham who believed God would provide a lamb of sacrifice instead of his son, and would fulfill the promise of a nation and land to those of his family who would trust in God/Jehovah .

In verse five God takes vengeance upon sin in judgment of all who sin, both Jews and Gentiles. Verses nine through eleven state that all, Jew or Gentile, are guilty of missing the mark of righteousness in sinning.

In verses twelve through eighteen the fallen condition of the sinner, both Jew and Gentile, is marked by foul, ungodly speech, bitter fightings in anger against each other, and irreverence towards God. Sinners, whether Jew or Gentile, are equally condemned.

Verses Nineteen to Thirty-one

In verse nineteen we see that all people, those under the Law of Moses or without the Law of Moses, are found guilty of disobedience to God's standard of law. No one can truly say they have kept the Law without sin. In Galatians, chapters three and four, the Apostle Paul strongly declares that the just shall live by faith: "Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident..." (3:11 NIV). There are two points to be made here. First: no one except Jesus has kept the Law perfectly without trespassing its requirements of holiness; second: once sin has occurred the Law is powerless to redeem the sin of the sinner.

Therefore redemption must come from outside of the sinner's lost condition. A sinner must come by faith in the work of another person, Jesus Christ. In verse twenty-two, Paul writes: "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe...."

In verse twenty-six God is the just ("dikaios, dike", right, just) justifier of those who believe ("pisteos from pisteuo" to be fully persuaded with committed trust) on Jesus Christ. In the same way, God is the justifier of those who were under the Law (Jews) and those without the Law of Moses (Gentiles), verses twenty-seven through thirty-one. The requirements of the Law are, therefore, met in Jesus Christ, who took the penalty of our sins upon Himself and paid our sins' debt as required by the Law. The Law is thereby fully established/met.

CHAPTER FOUR

Abraham was justified by his faith/walk on God's promises, while going against his human inclination to avoid putting everything into God's hands and power, while trusting in his own fleshly abilities(verses 1&2). God always works righteousness when we go with Him. Abraham's going with Jehovah was accounted to/for him as righteousness. Grace brings justification to the sinner who obeys God's word and work by obedient trust in Jesus Christ. Without God's grace, works would only be seen as the obligation of the law. Fallen man/transgressor cannot by/in his fallen condition work the righteousness of God. Only God through grace justifies the ungodly (verses 3-5).

In verses six through eight Paul illustrates further the grace of God working to justify the ungodly sinner. David, the king, spoke in his time of the righteousness of God as standing above the bounds of human effort in fulfillment of the law's demand. The gracious blessing of God provides a deliverance of redemption for the sinner whose inquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. Happy ("makarismon" happy blessed) men through faith find their sins forgiven ("me logisetai" not accounted) by the gracious deliverance and salvation in Christ.

The reckoning/accounting of God regarding our sins is extremely important in our understanding of our redemption in Christ. This reckoning is further discussed in verses nine through twenty-five of Romans Four. The original Greek word for reckoning is "logizetai" and "logizomai" which is from the root work "lego." "Lego" has the meaning to say, to have the thought/words, to declare, to calculate, to impute. Therefore happy is the person whose sins are not accounted to him. This is true of the Jewish circumcised person as well as the uncircumcised Gentile person who has believed upon Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer. Abraham is father to both by his example of believing God when God/Jehovah provided a sacrifice instead of Isaac his son (verses 11f); see Genesis 22: 1-14. As believers in God's atonement through the sacrificed Son, Jesus, we become fellow heirs with Abraham, of God and Christ.

We have now been justified through the life blood of Jesus Christ who has obeyed the Father God by giving His life for us. Therefore we are free from our sin debt and have Jesus' righteousness accounted (logizomai) to us. We are accounted and made righteous through Christ. This is our present and continuing experience in our daily lives.

We need to understand that the Law pronounces judgment upon disobedience and the violation of its' requirements. The Law cannot justify, it can only show us our failures and sins. Thereby, we are hopeless without the payment/accounting of Christ's righteousness to us and our sin debt to Him (verse 15).

It is faith in the finished work of Christ in this world on the cross that brings deliverance and redemption into a new life of faith walking according to God's revelation to Abram (Abraham)(verses 17-25). Christ Jesus was delivered because of our offences/sins and raised (dia) for the sake of our justification ("dikaiosis" judicial vendication).

Being accounted righteous through the death of Christ, who was fully righteous and never knew sin and disobedience, is our unspeakably great blessing since it means the difference between a present life of hope, faith, love, peace, or a life of hopelessness and a depressing dark future without the joy of fellowship with God.

CHAPTER FIVE

While verse one tells of the believer's peace with God, verse two tells of his/her access ("prosagoge" Gk. from "prosasgo" meaning approach, access, admission to the presence of one)in the standing of constant grace ("karin" Gk. from "karis" meaning free favor or gift) with God. Therefore, we rejoice ("kaukiometha" Gk.from "kaukaomai" meaning to glory, boast, exultation") in hope of the glory of God. The believer is set on the road to heavenly glory with God through Christ from the moment of justification by faith into peace and fellowship with God the heavenly Father. We must understand that our peace and access with God (Theos) the Father is based upon the redemption ("apolutroseos" Gk. from "apolutrosis" meaning redemption, release, deliverance by paying the price) provided by Jesus Christ our Lord. See Romans 3:23-24. By our faith in the redeeming blood of the death of Jesus Christ for us we are accounted righteous by God in Christ. Herein is the unique work of Jesus Christ, by His coming into the world of lost sinners, who cannot be accounted righteous on any other basis, other than through the saving death/debt/work upon Calvary's cross. New life in Christ comes to us, not by our fleshly works, but by the grace of God which is freely given in Christ. By faith we stand in patience of trial and affliction, despite all the world brings upon us for our boasting in the risen living Lord Jesus Christ.

We make claim with praise to Jesus for God's gracious love toward us sinners who are/were condemned by the holy law of God's royal holiness. See verses 3-11.

Verses 12-21 explain the origin of the sin of sinners, who are descendants from Adam, through whom sin entered the world. But God's grace, acting in Christ Jesus, brings us, through our faith in Christ and God, into a gracious standing of righteousness, although we are/were sinners condemned to sin's death. But Jesus has taken our sin's debt of death on the cross and has given His righteousness for our sin.

All our transgression ("paraptoma" Gk. a falling along side, a false step) and our sin("hamartia" Gk. to miss the mark, to be guilty of wrong, proneness to sin) is accounted and laid upon Christ Jesus in our stead and we are accounted righteous and reconciled to God in Christ Jesus.

We are being saved in new life found in Christ Jesus day by day. New life in Christ reigns in us by our personal faith, giving victory over sin's death, here, now and forever.

CHAPTER SIX

In chapters six and seven of Romans the factor of sin is set forth in light of our justification through Christ. In 6:1 Paul asks: "shall we continue ("epimenomen" Gk. from"epimeno" present tense, subjective mood, active voice, third person, plural: to stay, to remain, to reside in sin) in sin. This is continuing to practice sin in our daily lives.

The Greek word used here for sin is ("hamartia"). Sin is both an act and a state of being. It is a failure, resulting from a condition of the heart. Ro. 7:14 reads: "I am carnal ("Sarkinos" Gk. the basic human nature of fallen mankind; Paul uses this word for fleshly/lustfulness here), sold ("pepramenos" Gk. perfect tense, meaning in a state/condition of being sold into/under the control of sin) under sin, as a bondslave of sin.

It refuses to hear ("parakoae" Gk. meaning not willing to hear, or to violate or to transgress) the known law of God. It misses the mark, and oversteps ("paraptoma" Gk. a side-step/slip, an offence and trespass). Jesus taught us to forgive our brothers their trespasses: Mt. 18:35.

Paul answers his question with "By no means ("mae genoita" meaning: not may it be)."

It is unthinkably out-of-mind; Christians should not continue to practice sin but should deny/resist temptations to sin and seek the strength to overcome any and all sin. We have been bought by Christ Jesus' atoning blood/death for our sins; therefore, we are no longer servants/bondslaves of sin, but have become the bondslaves of Christ Jesus.

Now we belong to Jesus, to walk in the light of His grace and love. When we walk with God, righteous godly living and faithfulness to God's will is our blessed condition of heart and life. We gladly resist Satan's deceptions and wiles in our spiritual wisdom, found under the Holy Spirit's guidance.

But, sin deadlocks and hardens us to the blessed sweet presence of fellowship with God in our hearts and lives. It, sin, only satisfies the temporal lust of our fallen earthly nature. It is not of faith and commitment to following God in Christ Jesus.

In Christ Jesus the humble is exalted, the lowly is lifted higher, the poor is made rich, the lame is made able, the dead is made alive. We know the wages/result ("opsonia" Gk. wages) of sin is death, but God's gracious gift to us, who are in Christ Jesus, is life, in living continuous fellowship with Him, Romans 6:23.

ROMANS SEVEN

In this chapter Paul writes of the binding conditions of Israel under the law of God as written through Moses. Moses wrote for the people of Israel in God/Jehovah's covenant with them as His particular people to bring the Christ/Lord into the world to save not only Israel but all who would believe upon God through Christ Jesus. Here, in verses one through six, Paul shows that the law was binding upon people until Christ Jesus died for the fulfillment of the law's demand. That is: the wages of sin is death. Christ died to pay sin's debt in our behalf/stead. Death and Hades/sheol ruled over all mankind from Adam until Christ Jesus. The problem with all of us, Jews or not, is our Adamic carnal/fleshly ("sarki" Gk. from "sarks" the human body, human nature, human frame). See 7:5-25. Our fleshly carnal nature is sinful in its works/life which cannot please God. The law of God condemns sin in our carnal lives. Our whole personal views are dictated by our Adamic nature, which is fallen and cannot truly please God in works of true righteousness. Only one sin proves the hold of sin upon us, as the law will condemn us in our sin. In our minds we agree that the law of God is good and holy, but within our sinful carnal nature we are fallen and unrighteous. Without Christ Jesus freeing us from this bondage of/to sin, we are in a miserable state/condition. See verses thirteen through twenty-four. Verse twenty-five leads into the blessedness of chapter eight. "Thanks ("karis"Gk. from "kairo" to be glad, to rejoice; our word grace "karis" Gk. also comes from this root word) be to God, through Christ Jesus...."

ROMANS EIGHT

The chord of rejoicing in 7:25 ties in with verse one of chapter eight. Through Christ Jesus there is presently no condemnation ("katakrima" Gk. from "katakrino"meaning to be condemned, to give judgment against) of the law's demand upon those who have been placed into Christ Jesus. Because of the new birth of the Holy Spirit into Christ, we are no longer condemned in our sin, but set free to live according to the Holy Spirit's rule in our lives. This is a pure rule of love's demand which in turn fulfills the law to love your brother and neighbor as yourself.

Paul contrasts the old life of living according to our fleshly carnal nature with our new life of walking in the Spirit's control. Our mental thoughts ("phronousin" Gk. from "phroneo" meaning to think, frame of mind/thought) spring from the love "agape" of God which has been poured out into our hearts. The thoughts of the Spirit are life and peace. We have true life in peace with God, Christ Jesus, and others in our hearts/beings. We now truly please God in our life's works. Note verses eleven through seventeen.

We have peace in our hearts and with God our Father (we cry "ABBA" father/daddy). See verse fifteen. Yet there is a suffering "pathemata" in the world as we are disciplined into Christlikeness, and buffeted. God wills for us to be like Him in nature of character and purity. See II Peter, chapter one. We have received witness of the sufferings of Jesus Christ in His life in this world, therefore, we can count/reckon "logizomai" ourselves to be like and with Christ in His sufferings while doing the will of His Father. See verse eighteen and following.

Glory in Christ Jesus lies ahead as we stand in Christ our Lord, for God in all His wondrous power and love "agape," is for us and He will see us through our fleshly sufferings in this world. If God is for us, who can be against us except Satan. See verse thirty-one and following.

CHAPTER NINE

Paul's lamentation over the Jewish people, which is expressed in his great sorrow of heart in verse two, brings this chapter of explanation of what has happened in the wisdom of God. God rejects human effort and works as unworthy of His kingdom of faith/obedience. Although the Jews had the law, the prophets, the covenants, the service and the ancestry of Jesus Christ the Messiah, they were rejected as unworthy of the praise and glory of God. God had raised them up in His own decision and plan. But, they were found to miss the mark of the righteousness of God which is by faith. See verses thirty-one and following. They had stumbled over the cross of Christ Jesus. Only a remnant of the Jews came to God through Jesus as the Messiah and the rest were given up to their unbelief. See verse twenty-seven.

Now, Paul says, believers are saved, both Jew and Gentile. See verses twenty-four, twenty-five, and thirty-three. The stumblingstone ("prosekopisan" Gk. from "proskopto" meaning to dash against, to stumble at, to take offence at) of Jesus, as the fulfilling Messiah, offended the blind guides and leaders of the Jews who together called for Jesus to be crucified. A small remnant read the Scriptures in their spiritual meaning and trusted in their Lord Jesus as the suffering Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world in His own body on the cross.

CHAPTER TEN

In this chapter Paul continues his cry and prayer for the Jewish people of Israel that they come to Christ Jesus as he had and be saved. The Jews needed to realize the failures and lackings of their efforts to be righteous in their fleshly/carnal works. The only righteousness which counts with God is that of faith's promise. It is imputed righteousness from Christ and God to sinners both Jew and Gentile. See verses six to thirteen. Through the ages the Jews/Israelites had shown a disregard of the covenants, had transgressed the Law/Torah, had slain Jehovah's prophets, and worshipped no-gods/idols. Yet, God had waited centuries upon them to fully believe and trust in His Word, not their independent works of righteousness.

Christ is the end and fulfillment of the Law. Jesus both kept the Law without offence and fulfilled the Law's demand upon the sins of sinners in dying for the sins of sinners on Calvary. See verses four, eight, nine and ten. Jesus is our full redeemer by our faith commitment to Him as Savior and Lord. See verse thirteen.

Because of the dullness of darkened sin-ladden hearts sinners must hear the piercing, conscience cutting, Word/Gospel in order to learn the lessons of judgment upon sin in the death of Christ Jesus for our sins and the forgivenness of sin through Christ Jesus. The sinner's victory over personal sin's condemnation is felt in his/her cleansed heart which is filled with love, joy, and peace upon believing and receiving Jesus Christ into his/her heart. See verses fourteen and following.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The Apostle Paul continues with the question of the Jewish unbelievers in Christ Jesus and the Jewish believers like himself who have accepted Jesus as the Christ of Jehovah. He shows how the Gentiles are called to be part of the big tree/family of God's people which began with believing Israel. Believing Israel produced Mary and Joseph acccording to God's holy plan of salvation from sin and redemption/adoption into the family of God. We Gentiles are joined with the Jews in Christ as our Lord. Paul calls this unveiling plan of salvation a mystery. Verse twenty-five says:"...I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery (musterion) Gk...." It was hidden in the past but is now made known by God. God had always found a remnant of Jews, such as in the time of Elijah, when God reserved 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal. This was not a majority but it was all God needed to continue the covenant of promise to Israel of deliverance and salvation ahead. See verse two and following.

This is God's election of grace which does not rest upon human works but upon the work of God through our faith in Him. Both Jewish sinners and Gentile sinners, who believe upon the Savior, are heirs to God's blessing of grace in the one Olive tree/family of God in Christ Jesus. See verse 22 and following.

So Paul concludes that all Israel will be saved in verse 25 and following. This is the true Israel which in faith trusts in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Lord of the Church 'ecclesia' Gk., the called out body of Christ. Although many people of the Jewish nation/family failed to accept Jesus as their Messiah in Paul's day, that does not take from them the continuing opportunity in the world of yesterday and today of turning to Christ Jesus. They can be regrafted into the original Olive tree (believing Israel) again and be saved in Christ. See verses 7-32.

Paul's hymn of praise and adoration completes this explanation of this great mystery. See verses 33-36.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The question of what is to follow after we have been forgiven of our sin by being cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and have been born again from above ("gegenemenon" from "gennao" meaning to be born from above "anothen Gk. from above found in John 3:3f) must be answered.

Growth in Christ, then, must occur to the newborn person through the ministry of the Holy Spirit to our hearts from the Word of the Scriptures. We have learned from the previous chapters about the new life of living in the Spirit; and not in fleshly ("sarks") works of our old worldly nature of evil lusts.

In verse one and following Paul exhorts each one of us to present ("parastasi" Gk. meaning to place beside in sacrificial service to God/Christ) our bodies ("Somata" Gk.); and this by the merciful kindness and acceptance of God. This is our reasonable ("logikos" Gk. meaning logical) personal handing over of our bodies to God. We are not our own, but we have been redeemed/bought by Jesus Christ from the slave market of sin, and further, have been delivered from the power of sin in our fleshly bodies. Our bodies now are the vessels of service to the church/body of Christ; and we are to give a pure and holy witness to the world. See Romans 6, Gal. 3.

We are one in the body of Christ and have received gifts for ministry to one another, equally, in the service of Christ Jesus. See verse seven and following.

Earlier, we saw the different and individual functions which we have as single members of the total body of Christ. Look back to verse four for the word office or practice or function (from "praxin" Gk. meaning action).

Although we are individually functioning in our place in the Body of Christ we are joined together in Christ's total body. The local church is to bear this image of the total body of Christ.

This is a ministry of love ("agape" Gk., purity and holiness), in the hope and blessed joy of our resurrection through Jesus Christ. See verses nine to sixteen.

We conquer the enemy through goodness, kindness and giving to him for his good. See verses nineteen to twenty-one. This is what Jesus Christ did on Calvary and what He is doing now in the world through individual believers and the unified Church to demonstrate God's mercy and grace upon sinners.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Paul continues his instruction for Christian living. The Christian is to be subjected, with due honor, to his/her civil authorities/rulers and those under them who are maintaining an orderly society. Notice verses one through seven. The Christian is to pay taxes which are due for the support of the government. This is considered as tax ("phoron" Gk.) and tribute ("telos" Gk. toll, duty, custom).

This ordering of earthly society under rulers, who rule justly and equitably, is God's plan for the people of the world. It gives the Christian the occasion to show his/her humility and proper reverence to the rules of society under God's rule in his/her life. The rulers and governors do not have to be Christians for Christians to show proper honor to them as their rulers. Verse six says: "...he is God's servant ..." NIV.

Verses eight through ten teach of the Christian's debt of love "agape". "Agape" is the highest kind of love. It is pure and unselfish in giving to God, our brothers and sisters, and our enemies. This debt is one that is endless. There is no time to cease loving in this world and life. We must be wide awake to the times of need all about us; rather than falling asleep in self-serving comforts and pleasures of intoxicated riotous living in immorality. See verses eleven through thirteen.

Many people in the USA are living sinful lives of lusts and carnal indulgences without fear of God, or hell on earth and through eternity, which is coming upon them. The entertainment industry is captivating our young and old by its images of high pleasure in drunkedness and loose living.

Christians need the armour of light and the fullness/likeness of Christ Jesus in order to fight through the wickedness of the world and its people. See verses twelve through fourteen.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

This chapter points to our judging each other and our accountability to God in Christ Jesus. Living in different places, under differing laws and rules for special days/feasts and for things eaten or drunk, meant that new Christians coming out of those differing backgrounds associated the evil of eating forbidden flesh which may have been slain for an offering/sacrifice to a false deity, or meat forbidden for Jews to eat in the O.T., and wine drinking which may have been a great player in debauchery/revilings, will need to learn to live together in support and kindness.

The rules for Christians are based upon love (agape) and faith as found in verses fifteen and thirty-one. Eating or drinking habits, and our religious living with regard to other Christians before God and Jesus Christ, is based upon our unity in Christ: as Jews, Gentiles, men, women, rich, poor, whoever we may have been in past years. We are not to judge one another but to surrender in subjection to one another in Christ's love. Paul writes in verse twenty-one: "It is better not to eat meat, or drink wine or to do anything else tht will cause your brother to fall."NIV

Both the strong in faith, who is able to eat any particular meat while praising and thanking God in his own heart and conscience and the weak brother in faith, who can only eat certain meat due to previous experiences, are important to the Lord and are accepted of the Lord because the kingdom of God is not food or drink but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit " pneumati hagio" ( Gk. for Spirit Holy). See verses fifteen through twenty-one.

Paul reminds the reader, in verse ten, that all are accountable to Christ in a final judgment of righteousness at Christ's bema or judgment seat.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Verses one through seven summarize the issue of judgment between Christians.

The strong support the weak for the edification and building up of the other. Paul uses a strong verb/infinitive here in verse one "bastazein"(Gk. meaning to bear). He also uses a strong verb/infinitive "areskein" (Gk. meaning to please) even as Christ chose not to please Himself in dying for sinners. Christ pleased God the Father in dying for sinners; remember His prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, Mtt. 26:36-46. See chapter fifteen verses two and three. All believers are equally one before God in Christ, whether a circumcised Jew in the flesh, or an uncircumcised, in the flesh, Gentile. Thus, we are to receive one another in one mind "phronein" (Gk. to have in mind, to think of), while glorifying God the Father.

Paul rejoices in the ministry given to him of God, to preach the Gospel among the Gentiles, although he always went to the Jews first, when going into a new area to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Jesus had said that the Gospel was to the Jews first and then to the rest of the peoples of the earth. The apostolic preaching was to start first at Jerusalem and Judea. See verses eight through twenty-one. This all was in direct fulfillment of O. T. prophesy.

Paul gloried in the ministry to the Gentiles which was given to him in a special call found in the book of Acts chapter nine. He asks that they in Rome pray for him as he hopes to come to them in this ministry to yet unreached places and, therefore, to be sent on to Spain by them. But he wants to return to Jerusalem first for ministry/service there, even though many Jews have opposed him and his ministry to the Gentiles. See verses 22 and following.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

In this final chapter of Paul's epistle to the Romans, he names about twenty-seven persons/saints ( "hagion" from "hagios" Gk. meaning the dedicated, pure, righteous, holy, or separate from common condition and use). He also mentions the churches ("ecclesiai" and church "ecclesia" meaning to summon forth, an assembly or congregation of Saints). All these, men and women, are beloved of the Apostle Paul and have helped him in ministering to the Jews and the Gentiles. In verses three and four he names Priscilla and Aquila, also tentmakers, like the Apostle, by trade. They had risked their own lives to help Paul.

In verses seventeen and following, Paul points out the division makers who are not faithful to the doctrines of Jesus Christ. These are most likely Judaizers, who came telling the Gentile believers that they must be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses in order to be saved, and the Hellenists who taught falsely about so-called mystical knowledge and practiced immoral living of fornications, adulteries, drunkenness, lewdness etc.

To the faithful and obedient believers, the God of peace will crush, ("suntripsi" Gk. from suntribo" meaning to rub together, to crush), Satan under their feet, shortly. See verses nineteen and twenty. Peace will be found in the total defeat of Satan. He (Satan) will not be around to entice, deceive and attack the Christian after going to his defeated place in Hell.

It is God's grace which goes with the saints to battle against Satan and evil. This grace sets the Saints in the strength ("dunameno" Gk. meaning power, strenght and ability), and firmness ("sterizai" Gk. meaning to make firm, to make stable, to establish) of standing in the Gospel of faith in Christ Jesus and is working to bring the full glory of God through the Church of Jesus Christ through the ages, forever and ever. See verses twenty through twenty-seven. END OF STUDY.

EPHESIANS

The Apostle Paul identifies himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus and an elder (presbeuo) in bonds/chains/imprisonment (desmios) for the ministry of the Gospel to the Gentiles (ethne). See 1:1, 3:1. 6:20. He prays for these believers, for their understanding of the greatness of God's grace found in Jesus Christ. He is concerned about their growth in Christian character/walk in the Lord and for their unified work in the Body of Christ the Church (ekklesia) of which Jesus Christ is the head. See 1:22,23. These Christians are part of the total body of Christ. They are sons/children of God through adoption grace. See 1:5.

This is God's preset plan (proorisas) for believers. This plan was made before the earthly birth of believers, 1:4 ("kataboles" cast down/preset/setforth) and the beginning of the world (kosmou). Glory, honor and praise to our Heavenly Father for this amazing grace of redemption in Christ from our trespasses and sins through the blood of Jesus Christ and our being destined to purity in and as the earthly body of Christ, 1:6-14. Our sealing (esphragisthete Gk. to set a mark upon, verb, indicative, aorist, passive, 2nd person plural complete in/for us) of guarantee (arrabon Gk. meaning a pledge) is done by/in the Holy Spirit, 1:13,14. When we place our trust/faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will guide and empower with instruction into the fruitfulness of Christ/God.

Although believing Gentiles were dead in sin, doing the carnal works of fleshly nature and under the wrath of God, they now are made alive in Christ by the grace of God, through their faith in Him, 2:1-9. This all is the doing of God and His will for us to be new creations (ktisthentes) who live new lives of good works, 2:10.

More CHAPTER TWO

We are taught here that the Church/Body of Christ is made up of sinners, who are saved by grace. See verses four through ten. First, we are found to be sinners who have sinned (nekrous tois paraptomasin Gk. meaning dead in trespasses and sins "hamartiais.") Paul, a circumcised Jew counts himself (hemeisas) a sinner in verses one through ten. By grace (chiriti) which is a freely given gift (doron) from God, through the blood of Jesus Christ, we are saved and being saved (sesosmenoi), verses five through eight.

This means God is showing his great merciful grace by giving new life from Christ to the believer through the ages (aiosin) forever.

The fact is: the Gentiles (ethne) in flesh (sarki) are joined with Jewish believers in Christ in a unity and oneness of peace (eirene). "He is our (hemon) peace "eirene"..." the wall of separation between the Jews and the Gentiles is made idle/powerless (phragmou lusas) through the body (somati) of Christ Jesus on the cross (staurou). We now have access together in one Spirit to the Father. See verses eleven through eighteen. He has made us into one new creation in peace, see verse sixteen.

Believers, both Gentiles and Jews are joined as one (heni) in peace (eirene) and oneness/unity as the temple of God. We are built (epoikodomethentes epi to themelio) upon the foundation of the Apostles and the Prophets, Jesus Christ being the head ("akrogoniaiou" cornerstone) for a Holy Temple (naon) for the Father's dwelling Spirit upon the earth. First, this is a growing (auxei) temple fitted together in every part, while each believer is a vital individual part, joined together as in a great structure/building, note verses nineteen through twenty-two. And the Church/Body of Christ is a present and eternal body, highly esteemed of God our Father. Look back to 1:20ff.

CHAPTER THREE

Paul continues to write of the oneness of unity in the Body of Christ, the Church. The Gentiles (ethnon "non-Jews") were outside of the nation of Israel, the covenants of the Old Testament, without hope and God in the world. The Gentiles had much religion, gods/idols and priests, but were in darkness, and separated from Jehovah God by sin. In Christ Jesus' blood and death all sinners Gentile and Jew find redemption and oneness in the new life and walk in Christ.

Paul was given special revelation of the mystery of the total salvation plan for all people both Jew and Gentile, in one body for Christ's witness in heaven and on earth.

The unsearchable riches of God's grace is revealed in Jesus Christ. The just authority of God's wrath in judgement of the world's sinfulness and rebellion is found in the totally atoning death of Christ Jesus on the cross. See 1:9, 3:3.

The Body of Christ, the Church, is full of wisdom, glory and the power of God. See 3:10-21. Remember it is Christ Jesus' blood and death which is for all sinful people. And it is the great power of God which was working in raising Jesus from the dead. Jesus is alive and we live by our faith in Him. With Jesus Christ victoriously seated in heaven and the Holy Spirit living in the Church, Body of Christ, each believer/Christian is quickened, made alive, to live a new life. In the inner person and then in the outer daily life of a Christian, holy love from God works marvelously/and enabling for humble fulness and glory to God. So, our prayers are greatly inspired by/upon the loving power of Father God through Christ Jesus. See verses 14- 21.

CHAPTER FOUR

In this section the Apostle exhorts and admonishes the believers, as he(PAUL) was one who was committed and bonded as a slave/servant to and in the Lord, to walk worthily in their calling. So the believers are to live humbly, and patiently, while sharing their Christian union and unity in pure love and truth. Their love (agape) gives unity in their one Lord, God, and Spirit as equal members/partners in the Body of Christ the Church. Thus in peace and unity of truth the believers (Gentiles and Jews) work together in harmony and grow in personal Godliness while showing forth the glory of God and Christ Jesus in the Church. Each BORN AGAIN/BELIEVING ONE, under the leadership of gifted, Holy Spirit endowed/gifted persons including apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers of the flock/assembly, IS PERSONALLY GRACED FOR SERVICE in the Body of Christ. Verse fourteen reads: "TO EQUIP (katartismon, Gk. to prepare, to complete, to knit together) THE SAINTS (hagion Gk. separated, pure, dedicate) FOR THE WORK OF MINISTRY (diakonias Gk. service, attend, assist, relieve) TO BUILD UP THE BODY (somatos Gk. as in a human body but here the working body of united gifted believers) OF CHRIST.

In the Body of Christ each believer is to imitate God as learned from the earthly life of Jesus Christ. See verses nineteen and then in chapter five, verse one. The holy life is one of walking away from the former life of lying, stealing, high anger and clamouring, coarse talk, bitterness, and basic evil living under and in Satanic corruption. Put off this behavior and put on the new person of God as directed of the Holy Spirit in righteousness, holiness/purity and truth. Giving in to fleshly lustful carnalities is the way of darkness and Satan. That old life grieves the Holy Spirit who has sealed us for the full final redemption in Christ. See verses seventeen through thirty-one. On the way of life in Christ, we are bound to be kind, forgiving and gracious to others as God in Christ has been gracious to us.

CHAPTER FIVE

Beginning with his exhortation to be imitators of God (mimetai Gk., strive to resemble, follow) as loved children, Paul continues his call for godly living in love (agape) as Christ has loved us, in freely giving Himself as an offering to God in His love for us.

In verses three through twenty-one Paul emphasizes the points of difference between the former lives of corruption and sin including: fornication (porneia Gk. sexual whoredoms, lewdness, adultery, uncleanness) coveteousness (pleonexia Gk. meaning grasping, overreaching, extortion, defrauding for gain, avariciousness) and our living as the Saints of God. Saintly talk/conversation is to be with blessing and thanksgiving rather than boastful foolishness and coarseness.

Ungodly carnal base living is not Saintly and does not lead to a gracious sharing of the kingdom of Christ and God.

Christians/Saints must work-out/look-out their individual way of living in full wisdom and understanding of the consequences of living in the fulness of the Spirit. Our hearts shall be full of praises and thanksgivings in the name of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ and our heavenly Father/God. We sing of Him as our main theme-song. See verses nineteen through twenty-one.

Submission (hupotassomenoi Gk.: to subordinate, arrange under) is our basic mode of relationship in our Christian fellowship and in our family relationship,; i.e., Christian brother with brother and wife to husband.

The husband is the spiritual head in a marriage, even as Christ Jesus is head of the Church/Body. As He loves the Church, His bride in her development/preparation, so the husband is to love (agape Gk. full love orginating in God) his wife. See verses twenty-two through thirty-three. In this way the husband is worthy of the reverence (phobetai Gk. meaning fear, reverence, affright, respect, deference) of his beloved wife and she lives in submission and full honoring of her husband, even as he submits to the will and fear of God and Christ Jesus in their family/home.

CHAPTER SIX

Obedience (hupakouete Gk. from hupakone meaning to hearken, obedience, submission) is key in the relationship of children to their parents and of servants/slaves to their masters (kuriois Gk. lords) in their daily living/work activities. This submission/compliance/yielding is to be from the inner person (psuchies Gk. spirit-soul, the seat of the will and desire). Note verses one through nine.

Finally to all Saints (Jew, Gentile, bond, free, man, woman, child), Paul calls for and urges a full preparation for spiritual battle against the wiles of Satan, with prayer for one another in support and cooperation in our Lord Christ Jesus.

Our Standing is not in fear and cowardice but in total boldness of truth, righteousness, and faith, while using the Word of God to defeat Satan and his demons.

We must rest and stand on our trust in Jesus Christ to our Father/God.

Peace, faith, love, and grace from God is our great strength, while serving our Lord, here in the world, in a great and demanding spiritual battle. See verses ten through twenty-four.

STUDY OF HEBREWS

This Book shows how Jesus Christ is fully the fulfillment of all prophecy and is therefore greater/better than anything which has been created for He is greater than the angels, Moses and the prophets, and all priests according to the order of God the Father after the example of Melchizedek.

CHAPTER ONE

God has spoken through Jesus Christ in those last days as the prophetic speaker and Son who is appointed heir of all Things.

KEY WORDS IN VERSES ONE TO FIVE

"escatou" from "eschatos" meaning farthest, last, latest; "hemeron" plural from "hemera" meaning day, twenty-four hours, a point or period of time; "elalesen" 3rd person, sing., aor.1, ind. active from "laleo" meaning to make vocal utterance, to speak, preach, talk. I understand this to mean: "Jesus, the Son of God has come to actively preach the final Word of God the Father to His people and to the world.

This prophecy He finished and completed by His speaking and living. He is the Word who has come in body/flesh to give and to bring to pass that which has been prophesied by lesser prophets before me.

Another key word is: "kreitton" meaning better, superior, higher, more excellent. In verses four/five He is better/superior than the angels. He is "hweos" Son and is the Son/Heir.

Jesus is better, higher, as the first born, first with God as the Son/heir of God ("hweion" Son). Who with victory and cleansing for sin sits at the right hand with great glory ("Dexia" right position/hand) in the highest. Verse six and following, chapter one , says that the angels are to reverence Him in worship and to serve Him in His work with the cleansed ones (Church, Saints). Jesus Christ continues to prevail at the right hand of God the Father until His victory over His enemies is complete, see 1:13. Verse fourteen implies that the angels under Jesus Christ are ministering spirits ("leitourgika Pneumata" Gk.) sent in service to those who will be the heirs of salvation (believers in Jesus Christ as Savior/Lord).

CH. 2 THE GREAT SALVATION MESSAGE

Verses one through three warns and calls for a careful attentive,( "prosechien" Gk. meaning to hold on to, to give yourself to) hearing and obeying of the message of salvation in Jesus Christ; and not to be moved away from your commitment. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has personally come and preached this Gospel message of His kingdom and glory to a people in sin's distress and hopelessness. God the Father has stamped His endorsement by signs, wonders and numerous mighty miracles. All heaven, through the Holy Spirit of God, including the holy angels have served in faithful holy labor in support of the earthly ministry of God's Son whom the angels worship. See 1:6ff.

God has invested the best and most valued of heaven in/by Christ Jesus to provide our great salvation.

"How shall there be any other way to flee/escape the wrath to come, if this great salvation is not accepted in faith and trust in Jesus Christ."

Verses six through nine explains how Jesus became flesh as a man, lower than an angel in form and position, and, as Holy Father sent, He became our redeemer by His redeeming death, in which He tasted "geusetai" death in God's grace for every one. There after He was crowned with glory and honor. Though He lived upon the earth which He created, He was exalted from His death for/by sinners to the right hand of Father God as the redeemer of repentant sinners. All things are be subjected to His authority and dominion, and He to the Father.

Verses ten through eighteen brings us the full meaning of the work of Jesus Christ for the "brethren" Christian believers. By His death in suffering on the cross for our sins He pays the value of our being cleansed from our sins and for us to be made holy/sanctified. This is in full and perfect completion of the will of God the Father, who has sent Christ Jesus to suffer in our instead for the price of our redemption and holiness.

He is higher than angels in His perfect work for Abram's people of faith. Jesus is our high priest with God the Father who is satisfied to receive us by His mercy as sanctifed in purity and righteousness.

Since Jesus was perfected by His suffering and trials/temptations he is fully able to help each one of us in our trials/temptations.

Two key words in chapter two are: "Pathaema" Gk. from "pasko" meaning to suffer, endure evil. In verses eight and ten; Christ Jesus suffer death and completed His suffering on our behalf for our sins. So, He became the total satisfaction and atonement for sin. He was lifted up to the Father's glorious presence with victory over death and its power (Satan). Satan cannot keep the believer, who trusts in Jesus as the only one who can reconcile him/her to God, from the Father.

Another key word is: "apallaxae" from "apallasso" meaning to set free, deliver. In verse fifteen Jesus has freed us from the penalty of sin: death, which we no longer fear. We are no longer in bondage to sin and its death-end. Christ Jesus as our only eternal high priest enables us to overcome the temptations and trials of the flesh, world, and Satan. I believe this is two fold: HE delivered us from the penalty of sin (death eternal) and a daily walk in/under sin's dominion. HIS POWER ENABLES US TO BECOME A PERFECTED part/individual in HIS HOUSE(church) OF HIS MAKING.

The high priesthood of Christ is in fulfillment of the priesthood of Aaron's temporal priesthood to the people of God in the O. T.

CHAPTER THREE

The believers/brethren are together called saints and joint partakers of the heavenly temple/tabernacle, where Jesus is our high priest over His own house, "oikou", of which He is the builder.

Moses was a servant, "therapon" Gk. meaning an attendant, servant, minister, to the people of Israel in their deliverance from Egyptian bondage.

Jesus is the Son, ("'uios",)over, ("epi" meaning upon, over, of authority), His house ("oikos"), which we are. We must boast/testify of our being partakers of the house of Christ, in hope so that we may be built up, individually and together, in HIM. Christians need to keep this hope/trust steadfastly in our builder/Lord,as faithful obedient hearers of the Gospel/Word of God in Christ Jesus. We need to set our hearts and total being on serving Him.

All people everywhere need to hear this Gospel so that they may become part of the body/house of Jesus Christ, that they may hope and rest in Jesus Christ, who has completed the plan for salvation for whoever puts his/her faith and trust in HIM, as the builder of his/her life, today and forever.

CHAPTER FOUR

A key word in this chapter is the Greek word "katapausin" from "katapauo" meaning to cause to cease, restrain, a place of final rest, place of abode, dwelling. Hebrews first introduced this word in chapter 3:11. Those who refused to trust and obey Jehovah were not allowed to go with Joshua into the promised land. Those who murmured and became stiffnecked in disbelief missed the rest of the land of Canaan. They died in their wanderings in the desert/wilderness. They had heard from Moses the sure Word of Jehovah but they balked to moving on in faith, when they were given the opportunity of rest in the land flowing with milk and honey. God's wrath and built up anger allowed them to die/perish in their unbelief. They had been given the manna, and the quail morning and evening but did not enter the Canaan land of rest with flowing milk and honey. See 4:1-11.

There is a rest of Christ for all who today will hear the Word of God/Christ and in faith receive the rest found in Jesus Christ for eternal living. In verse 12 the word of God is described as living, working, sharp to cut and to open/search the heart of the hearer. The person hearing realizes his personal sinfulness and accountability with God. The Word convicts the sinner of sin's judgement. No one can hide from the truthful judgment of God upon his life. All are naked, unhidden from the eyes of God. All have the same need for rest/trust in Jesus Christ, whom God the Father had ordained, before the creation of the world and mankind, to be our sin bearer and eternal high priest to bring us to God, as cleansed by His life giving blood on His cross for mankind's transgressions.

Again in verses 14-16 Jesus, is our high priest "archierea" with Father/God. We all. including Jewish believers who had the O.T. commandments, judgements, sacrifices, offerings, Levitical priesthood, which their fathers had practiced until Jesus Christ, who came to accomplish redemption in Himself, must come to Jesus as Savior/deliverer and rest in Him. Thusly, Jesus is the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world.

Today, again we are promised help in/by Jesus in our time of trial/test. Let us come boldly ( "parresias" Gk. from "parresia" freedom in speaking, freely, boldly, plainly, in confidence) to the throne of, not judgement, but grace "charitos" Gk. from "charis"= "chairo" meaning glad, full of joy, charm, beauty, free favor, generous gift.

God our Father and Jesus Christ gladly welcome our requests for care, strength and need. We will be helped in mercy and grace. We can rest in Jesus Christ for today and tomorrow. Remember the word of Jesus: "Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest" Mt. 11:28.

People do not have to live in their self-centered hell on earth, the lake of fire, and eternal hell separated from life and God. Come now, to the throne of grace. Those who reject the throne of grace in unbelief wll face the seat of their judgement without Christ whom they have rejected. Please hear the Word of God/Christ and come the throne of grace and rest in and upon Jesus Christ.

CHAPTER FIVE HEBREWS

Read verses 1-10. Jesus Christ is our high priest "archiereus" Gk. before/with God/Jehovah as His Son whom the Father sent by human birth into the world, to live as a suffering servant. See Isaiah 42. Although He was not a priest of the Levitical/Aaron family of priests who were taken from the priesthood by physical death, Jesus Christ through death provided the perfect sacrifice before the Father for all our sins of commission and weaknesses/ignorance. With His perfect offering of Himself in His physical body, Jesus Christ is able to help us in our weaknesses and trials. He eternally fulfills our need of high priest with Father/God, in an unchanging office of high priest after the order of Melchisedek.

In verses 11-14 our chapter remarks about the necessity of redoing earlier learnings about the Levitical priests and Jesus Christ our new high priest which is based upon His better-all- sufficient atonement for sin and His qualifications to be our daily high priest with God the Father.

The people had become dull, "nothroi" Gk. meaning dull, sluggish, in their hearing and speaking about important facts of the ministry of Jesus Christ. They should at this time be able with good understanding to teach and lead others in understanding the priesthood of Jesus Christ: how it is better than the Levitical/Aaron priesthood which is past, and completely meets the redemptive needs of sinners. They are set on the milk of God's work and word instead of being mature and able to eat strong meat.

So many people, likewise, get stuck on themselves and their human works; they must go back to the first doctrines of Christ and salvation by faith through grace, not works of the flesh. We all need to live under the power of Christ for today's living in spiritual victories over sin, the flesh and the world. We should be fruitful and more fruitful as we progress with God and the building up of Christ Jesus in our inner life/awareness of His empowering Spirit and our outer life in the world of spiritual Christ honoring work.

CHAPTER SIX

My understanding of this chapter is: it is unreasonable/unthinkable for a person to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord(born again/from above) and fall away from their Christian experience into sin and unbelief; then later be saved/born again, a second time/experience. This person would have, in a sense, spiritually crucified Jesus and rejected their Christian experience. In short a person cannot be saved from their sin, then reject that experience for a period of time and then, afterwards again repent and be saved or born again a second time. God's salvation plan is a secure work of the Holy Spirit in the heart and life of the true believer.

It is necessary/reasonable for believers to progress in their Christian walk in faith, patience and love. Verses one to eight admonishes the individual to rest in the confidence of Christ's Word "Logon" from logos" which has its initial point of beginning and its completeness/perfection "teliotaeta" Gk. from "teleo" meaning to bring to an end, finish, complete, by the work and power of the Holy Spirit in the Christian'sdaily life.

It is unthinkable for the believer to fall ("parapesontas" falling away, committing apostasy), after full possession of the Christian experience in Christ's Word, and Work of the Holy Spirit ( with the hope of the resurrection), and then to turn/fall aside and recrucify Christ Jesus in disbelief. But yet, afterwards, this person return to belief/trust in Jesus Christ in a second renewal of life.

That would be impossible "adunaton" Gk. from "adunatos" meaning powerless, impossible. See verses four to six.

Beloved, ("agapaetoi" loved of God and Christ), better ("kreissova" Gk. higher, better) things are involved in salvation (our being involved in God's saving plan). God will not forget the Christian's labor and ministry of service in Christ. This fellowship of work in Christ has a completion point and end. We must show diligence and hope in believing/moving/progressing towards the end goal, promised in Christ Jesus.

Listen and do not ignore, in dullness, the promises of God, even as Abraham believed God's promises. Christians, God is faithful to Himself and to His children in everything according to His oath of promise.

God has promised and cannot lie. This truth of His promises to us in found in Jesus Christ, who, not only arose from the grave, but is now at the right-hand of God the Father.

Look to Jesus who is our anchor, firm and certain. He has gone behind the veil of our sin's separation/condemnation before God our Father, with His life-giving blood into the holy sanctuary of God's presence to act as our high priest and offers His perfect work of salvation for each Christian believer. He is our eternal high priest, like Melchizedek. See verses nine through twenty.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Overview of chapter seven: Jesus Christ, the Son of God the Father, has been anointed as the one high priest who is likened unto Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God, and is the priest of righteousness and peace. See Psalms 110. Jesus, although not of the family of Aaron and Aaron's father Levi, but of the tribe of Judah, is the final eternal priest for His people.

Verse eleven states that perfection with God was not found in the priesthood of Aaron's family. But, Jesus is the priest of eternal holy perfection and therefore there was necessary a change of priesthood from Aaron's family to Jesus as high priest. Verse twelve points out this change. The Gk. word for change is "metatithemenaes" from "metatithaemi" meaning a removal, to transfer, to change over.

Verses twelve through seventeen explain this change from the fleshly command/law government to the real life giving power of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He only could offer/give the great sacrifice (BETTER "kreittonos" Gk. for better, higher nature, more excellent), of eternal hope and redemption, as the priest of righteousness and peace, like unto Melchizedek. This exceeds the temporal priestly work of the old covenant and Aaron's priestly family.

Verses 22 through 28 tell of Jesus bringing, not only better hope, but a better covenant of salvation based upon His offering of the perfect sacrifice, HIs undefiled self in His sinless life. God the Father therefore has exalted Jesus as high priest unto heaven. In heaven, He serves as our eternal high priest to bring us to heaven in His perfect salvation. This is by the oath/anouncement of Father/God that only Jesus is eternally perfect or satisfactory.

The basic truth is: only Jesus saves.

CHAPTER EIGHT, CHRIST THE HIGH PRIEST OF THE NEW, BETTER COVENANT

Jesus, the Christ, is the high priest for the people of God, " the faithful Israel." He is at the right, recognized authoritative, hand of Almighty God. Jesus has been lifted up in heavenly exaltation to where the true tabernacle stands.

This tabernacle was not made by the fleshly hands of man. It is the holy seat of the throne of majesty ("megalosunaes" Gk. from "megas" meaning great, wonderful, magnificent).

The earthly tent/tabernacle was patterned after this heavenly tabernacle as ordered of Jehovah/God to Moses. Israel, under the old covenant, which they failed to continuously honor and keep, was judged by Jehovah/God for their stiffnecked unbelief/disobedience. But, Instead of completely rejecting them, God in Christ Jesus gave a new, better covenant to them which would make them holy and consecrated to His service. This change of replacing the old covenant with the new and better covenant would make each believer, a personally cleansed of sin individual, who has a new standing, with a new heart tuned to God as one of God's people ( "Laon" Gk. from "laos" a people, a nation). See the prophesy of Jeremiah in Jer. chapter thirty-one.

CHAPTER NINE

Verses one through fourteen give a pointed comparison between the first temporal earthly tent/tabernacle "skaenaen" tent of meeting, where in the most holy place Jehovah met with the high priest, who represented the people's need for cleansing and remission of sins of ignorance and also his own sins, and the heavenly tabernacle of Jehovah's throne. The earthly tent of meeting was patterned after the heavenly. Sins were atoned ("kaphaer" Heb. to cover, to cover sin, to atone for an offence) covered by the blood of prescribed animal sacrifices brought by the people to the priests. See Leviticus chapters one through ten. Those animal sacrifices could not cleanse the conscience of sin but only served as a fleshly atonement. The awareness of sin was still present in the conscience. Only the sinless Jesus Christ could cleanse the conscious-heart of sin by His perfect sinless sacrifice. His blood is the sinless blood of the new and better covenant referred to in Jeremiah chapter thirty-one.

The present time referred to in verse nine is the time of Christ Jesus' entrance in the true heavenly tent/tabernacle of Jehovah/God with His own blood of redemption for all our sins, and that before God who accepts His sinless/undefiled and true sacrificial atonement on our behalf. Christ Jesus is the new high priest of the great "skaenaes" heavenly tabernacle not made with hands. See verses eleven through fourteen.

Jesus Christ is the mediator and testator of the new covenant for those ones who are called ("keklaemenoi" Gk. from "kaleo" meaning to call) to eternal inheritance. The blood of atonement is His own blood of the cross and His death for sin. Moses/Aaron (Aaron was designated high priest by Jehovah) in the first tabernacle/tent took the blood of animals, but Jesus took His own sinless undefiled blood of the eternal redemptive covenant into the heavenly tabernacle. See verses fifteen through twenty -two.

Verses twenty-three through twenty-eight clearly show that Christ Jesus' sinless life giving blood is the better "kreittosin" cleansing sacrifice. Only one time has Jesus made this greatly better sacrifice, ending the need for any further annual sacrifice like those of the old covenant. The "called" can now fully expect a complete salvation from sins past, present and future through the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. In His great salvation he takes/makes us into His own likeness by His Spirit.

Hallelujah, glory, honor and praise to our Priest and Lord who reigns over His church for today and forever. This is sweet heavenly music not just to our ears but to and from our hearts.

CHAPTER TEN

The Old Covenant, with its law for/of service and covering of sins, was based upon heavenly realities, afterwhich the earthly was patterned. The old system of sacrifices for sin's guilt and atonement/covering was not able to take away sin, but was a shadow ("skian" Gk. from "skia" meaning shade or shadow) of the coming perfectly atoning work of Jesus Christ. Note verses one through fourteen.. He is the sacrificial lamb of God whose death upon the cross, with the pouring out of His sinless blood, atoned (covered) sins. Jesus fulfills the LAW'S JUST REQUIREMENTS. See Gen. 4:4, Isaiah 40, 53, Psa. 40, 110, Ro. 5. In Christ Jesus' personal sacrifice, the way for full remission of sins, forever, was finished. See verse 14.

The Holy Spirit, in verse fifteen and following, prophesied/testified in the O. T. scriptures, and placed in the hands of Israel, the prophecy of New Covenant redemption through Christ.

Therefore each believer today has a personal relationship, directly with Jehovah through the Lord and Savior. See verses 16 and following. Believers, now, under the New Covenant, go directly to Jehovah in the boldness of Christ's redemptive work for pure, holy, fellowship, and support for earthly tests, trials, perils, and tribulation, which come because of evil in the world of Satan and those deceived by him.

Since we are justified by faith ("dikaios" Gk. meaning righteous, just) our new life in Christ is based upon our hope in the work/sacrifice of Jesus Christ; His victorious resurrection, and His exalted position as our heavenly (with Jehovah) high priest. In/by our patient enduring faith in God and Christ we look beyond our present trials and persecution/troubles, of living, as Christians, in the world of sin and denial/rejection of Christ Jesus the real truth.

There is no reason to fail and draw back from faith in/to God/Christ Jesus. Our eternal life of abundance in Christ is an every day new experience. We may suffer for Christ, but, we know the deepest joy, peace and hope through continued faithfulness to our faithful Lord, whose victory extends to each faithful, trusting, newly living, heir of God and Christ. See verses 32 to 39.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Belief and trust, in the Word and the great and perfecting promises of Jehovah, bring life and security. This chapter gives the meaning and living testimonies of those who have in the past trusted God in continuing patience of faith. These saints waited upon the Lord and His promises to them. While trusting and obeying Jehovah, they looked toward the completion of God's plan for their future in His kingdom. On the believer's part there is the hearing and the commitment to Him to obey Him in daily living and honor of His loving care.

Verse one defines faith ("pistis" Gk. from the root word "peitho" as to persuade, to be convinced, to follow, to trust in the faithfulness). The promises in God's word and work are joined together to give the basis ("pragmaton" Gk. from the root word "prasso" to do, perform, act) for faith. This is the basis upon which daily continuing faith is built. Verses two through thirty-two give a historical account of the great past believers who trusted in God's promises and were blessed with fulfillment and powerful acts of God in their lives.

Abram heard and obeyed the call and promises of Jehovah. At God's Word he left his people and land to go to the land of promise. Sarah, Abram's aged wife, gave birth to Isaac the child/son of promise. In verse nine it says he dwelt in the land as a stranger, living in tents, yet, he looked for a secure permanent city, whose builder is God.

Verse seventeen, Abram was tested ("peirazomenos" Gk. from "peira" meaning a trial, proof). In this great opportunity of faith he obeyed Jehovah and yielded his only heir/son Isaac as an offering to God. Isaac was a miracle child of faith. Abram willingly followed God's direction. And, God provided another sacrifice, a ram in the thicket, just as Abram was about to offer Isaac. See Genesis 22.

This great picture of Jehovah God intervening upon Abram's obedience of faith, shows how Jesus Christ, God's only Son, was really given to die for us on Calvary. God's promises don't just involve you and your faith but they involve Him in all of His mercy and grace. Faith looks ahead while building upon the past and God's words of promise. Faith endures the pressures of time and life, even though a trial of death of the believer may become reality. The resurrection of the dead is the believer's backstop that stops and turns everything around. See verse 35 for the better ("kreittonos" Gk. from "kreisson" meaning more useful, superior, more excellent, of a higher nature) resurrection. See I Cor. 15.

Yet, all these witnesses of faith are waiting for the final fulfillment of God's future promise of life in the totally completed (perfect "teleiothosin" Gk. from "teleiao" meaning complete, fully realized) kingdom in Christ. See verses 39,40.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Verses one and two look back to the many witnesses noted in chapter eleven and their looking to their Messiah/Christ promised of Father/God Jehovah. Witness "martus" means to testify, and give solemn declaration of the truth. The promised Christ came as promised and Hebrews now looks back to the crucified Jesus Christ, His resurrection and His promises for His body/Church or kingdom in the future. Today, Christians have a cloud "nephos" mass of witnesses made up of O. T. and N.T. Saints who have lived and died without completion and fulfillment of all of the promises of Christ, including His return and the catching up and resurrection of His body/Church.

Verses two to twelve encourage the current Christians to run "trechiomen" with patience "hupomones" the struggle "agona" remaining before them. Patient endurance is a major quest for all believers in the promises of Christ and Father/God. The believer is to look ("aphorontes" Gk. from "aphorao" meaning to view with singular vision) to Jesus Christ. He is the author and finisher of our faith. See His great joy "hiaras" at the seat of glory in heaven, in spite of the shameful death of the cross. He overcame death, hell, sin and Satan.

As Christ Jesus our Lord overcame, in His earthly life, so we through Him are to overcome sin and all encumbrances ("ogkon" Gk. from "ogkos" meaning bulk, weight, burden) in our lives. Remember the Words of Jesus to those who followed Him in discipleship: "become as a little child, sell your possessions, let the dead bury the dead, leave your family, etc. and follow me."

In verses seven through thirteen the discipline of the Lord is shown to lead the believer into godliness, holiness and righteousness. We learn, "Holy Spirit taught/given," patience and endurance by the correction and discipline in our struggle and race toward our goal in heaven with Father/God and Christ Jesus. Like our loving earthly father so much more our Heavenly Father correctly disciplines us ("paideian" Gk. from "paideia" "pais" meaning to teach, educate, correct, instruct as a child in need of discipline).

In verses fourteen through twenty-eight many of the ways of Christian living including: pursuing peace with everybody and purity/holiness ("hagiasmon" Gk. from "'agios" meaning: separate from, dedicated, pure, righteous, holy), are stated in exhortations. We need to beware of bitterness and fleshly lusts and not fail like Esau who gave away, in his lusts and carnality, his birthright as the firstborn son of Isaac.

Our new covenant is a final eternal covenant which Jesus Christ has made. It is the basis for new life and judgement. Our Father in Heaven will judge His children and His judgement is in consuming fire. See verses eighteen through twenty-nine and I Cor. 3.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

In verse one, Hebrews continues to exhort the Christians to live lives of brotherly love "philadelphia." The Apostle John emphasized agape/love among Christians in his epistles. See I, II, III John. The agape/love from/of God is our binding force which keeps us armed in the struggle with the world, the flesh and the devil. Our love will cause us to remember one another in our prayers, whether we are in trials, perils, and persecutions or imprisonment for the work of God in our town/nation/world.

Our Lord has placed some in leadership roles in His Church. We need to follow their lives as our examples of Godliness and holiness. Our marriages need to be honored as given of the Lord by His love for men, women, and the family unit. Fornication and debauchery are evils which believers must avoid. The love/friendship of money is not to be the believer's path/pursuit, we need to watch this; since wealth in the world may be sought greatly by Christians through differing means. It can become a snare of Satan as much as whoredoms or other lusts of the flesh.

In verses 7- 25 we are exhorted to remember that Christ Jesus is always the same and present in His Holy Spirit; and we need Him, every hour in every situation. We need to follow good God given leaders in prayerful support of their works. We need to test the doctrine/teaching of the many teachers, who declare themselves as teacher of special doctrine and new things. Remember: if it does not exalt Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who is coming again; the teaching is useless, no matter how "degreed" the teacher, or how much revelation or vision he/she professes."

Verses 10-16 emphatically state: Jesus Christ is our only sufficient sacrifice who was offered as holy and undefiled to cover and atone for our sin. He alone can bring us to Father/God through His "eternal" covenant. See verse twenty: for eternal covenant "diathekes aioniou." The new covenant is an eternal covenant and we are secure in Christ Jesus; and this is through His sinless atoning life's blood in our stead. Now, let us praise God and Jesus Christ with our whole life, heart and voice. He has equipped us for time and eternity. Finally, let us pray for one another, and for all our true leaders in the Lord's work.