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 Beginning
with this issue, we will use the center spread for a series on
the Roman Letter. I have attempted to reduce Paul's letter to
direct statements and bite-size arguments, hoping this will
assist in the study of that complex epistle. 'The seriousness of
the undertaking, and my own inadequacies, team up to give me the
"willies," but it seems a needed effort. 'There is a
revival of interest in the Roman letter — no doubt the result
of the so-called "grace-fellowship" movement, and
neo-Calvinistic studies. We welcome more serious Bible study,
for whatever cause, and this is but a meager contribution.
PAUL,
TO THE ROMANS is in no sense a translation. It is not even a
loose rendering of the text. It is simply what one man believes
Paul is saying. No effort is made to repeat all of Paul's
thoughts. We limited ourselves to the main arguments, chapters
1-11. The King James version was used as chief guide, although
the American Standard, Marshall's Literal English, and various
word studies were freely applied. No effort was made to follow
any commentary. For better or worse, these are my own
conclusions.
The
Roman Letter is amazingly complete. Paul does his own
explaining, if we will give him half a chance, so I have tried
to state Paul's material without distracting notes.
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Perhaps in the future this can be
published with special attention given to cross-reference within
the letter; then a secondary reference made to Galatians,
Philippians, and other places where Paul discusses these same
matters. The series should take three issues.
The
Roman Letter says: (1) Mankind is Lost in Sin. We have
individually sinned, despite opportunities to do better. God
judges us individually, in keeping with our deeds. He is Just in
condemning each of us. (2) Law is Not the Remedy. It
emphasizes man's failure. Right doing can not correct
wrongdoing. (3) God's Plan for }Ian's Rightstanding is one of
Grace. It was promised through Abraham. It was perfected in
Christ's death, and resurrected life. Its operation is
forgiveness, the fruit of love and mercy. (4) "The
Condition is Whole-Hearted Faith. Man must individually give
himself, his heart, his spirit, unto God in complete trust, in
order to benefit from God's offer. Obedience "from the
heart" must be manifested both in coming to Christ, and in
living unto God. (3) God's Grace is Extended Invitation to
ALL Men. The true "Jew" is the individual, Jew or
Gentile, who submits himself to Christ. Paul deals repeatedly
with Jewish misunderstandings, and Jew-Gentile problems, which
this principle evokes.
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