Romans 1:8-18, Commentary
May 23rd, 2009 by Micah Tillman | Start the Discussion |
[ Romans 1:1-7, 8-18, 19-25, 26-27, 28-32, Summary | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 ]
[ Doctrine of Total Depravity: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 ]
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Continuing to work through Romans, looking for issues relevant to Reformed theology along the way.
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Romans 1:8-18 (NRSV)
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. 9 For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers, 10 asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as I have among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish 15 —hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith.” 18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth.
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1:8 – Paul, like someone who is both a teacher and a movement leader, is ecstatic when his students/followers perform admirably. The fact that the Romans are famous for their faith makes him feel like his mission is succeeding.
Even though he himself has never been to Rome, the Romans are nevertheless part of the movement among the Gentiles, which is Paul’s baby.
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1:9-10 — Paul evidently really wanted to see the Romans. Interesting that he calls God as his witness. Seems like something Jesus wouldn’t have approved of. But it’s not a promise, so maybe it’s okay.
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1:11-12 — It must have really made the Romans feel good to think that Paul wanted to see them so much, and thought that they could help him.
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1:13-15 — I don’t know what he means by “reaping a harvest among” people who are already converts, by bringing them the good news they already have.
Unless, that is, there’s more to Christianity and the Gospel than just “getting people saved.” Which I think is indeed the case. (Remember what Paul said about bringing a message in order to get people to live differently, in v. 5.)
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1:16 — I’m not sure why Paul would think anyone would think he should be ashamed of good news. But he links it to power, and thus maybe he has the issue of the effects the Gospel has on people in view. Namely, the Gospel does have effects. Perhaps?
The “Jew first, and also the Greek” hints at what Paul will spend most of the letter discussing: How the Gentiles have come to receive the promise God gave the Jews, and how the two groups are related to each other.
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1:17 — Honestly, I’m not sure what Paul is saying here, or in much of v. 16. What is God’s power “for salvation”? Why not “to save” instead?
And What does it mean that “in [the Gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith.” How is God’s righteousness revealed through the Gospel (rather than God’s grace, love, mercy, etc.)?
And what does it mean to say that God’s righteousness is revealed through the Gospel and through faith? And why is God’s righteousness revealed through the Gospel and faith “for faith”? Why not for some other purpose?
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Furthermore, what does it mean to “live by faith.” Does it mean to live according to faith (that is, according to a set of beliefs), to live on faith (like one lives “on bread and water”), to live a life whose predominant character is having faith, etc.?
The quotation is of Habakuk 2:4. I believe the point in Habakkuk is that some people (evil people) try to assure their own prosperity and safety by amassing power and wealth (to the detriment of others), while other people (righteous people) simply rely on God for their protection.
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1:18 — After reading Habakkuk, this verse seems much less out of place. Habakkuk is worried about evil oppressors who worship in idols. And those are the kind of people you might expect one of the Prophets to speak of “[God's wrath being] revealed from heaven against.”
What, then, would the “truth” be, the “suppress[ing]” of which by “ungodliness and wickedness” would call for such a Prophet-esque outburst on Paul’s part?
Perhaps the truth that God is supposed to be what we rely on for security and prosperity, the one we recognize as God (rather than some idol)?
And what, pray tell, does “suppressing” truth mean? Keeping it from rising up? But in your own mind or in the minds of others?
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[ Romans 1:1-7, 8-18, 19-25, 26-27, 28-32, Summary | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 ]
[ Doctrine of Total Depravity: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Romans 4 ]
