Prophecy Podcasts
book of romans
by Lyn Mize This Epistle of Paul to the Romans contains three distinct parts. The first eight chapters consist of the gospel of God pertaining to salvation, including justification, sanctification and glorification. Justification pertains to the spirit; sanctification pertains to the soul; and glorification pertains to the body. In spirit salvation a Christian is delivered from the guilt of sin. In soul salvation a Christian is delivered from the power of sin. In the salvation of the body, a Christian is delivered from the presence of sin. Every Christian is delivered from the guilt of sin and placed in the family of God when the Holy Spirit spiritually regenerates him. The spiritually regenerated person hears and believes the gospel of grace that Jesus Christ died for him. The faith for believing this simple message comes from God and not the Christian. When the person hears and believes this message of the substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross, that person receives the imputed righteousness of Christ, and he is placed in the family of God. This aspect of the Christian’s salvation can never be altered or remanded by the actions of the believer. The Christian did no work to receive this salvation, and he can do no work to nullify it.
Once a person has been spiritually regenerated, and becomes a believer in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, he is commanded by God to repent and be baptized. Repentance and baptism come after spirit salvation, and they pertain to the salvation of the soul. The Christian can then be delivered from the power of sin in his life by putting away sin and receiving with meekness the engrafted Word of God (James 1:21). This is simply reading and studying the Word of God and becoming obedient to it by making it a part of his life. The Christian who decides to do this is delivered from the power of sin in this life, and he will realize the salvation of his soul or his life at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Unfortunately, many Christians are satisfied in this life to be delivered from the guilt of sin, and they are never delivered from the power of sin while in their present bodies. Their souls or their lives will be lost or wasted when they are judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ. They will still be saved spiritually and they will still be in heaven, but they will lose their reward of reigning and ruling with Jesus Christ. Spirit salvation is necessary for entrance into heaven. Soul salvation is necessary for entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Heaven is a place. The kingdom of heaven is a position of authority in the coming kingdom of Jesus Christ. The following Scripture passage describes the loss of the soul or the life at the Judgment Seat of Christ:
(1 Cor 3:11 KJV) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
(1 Cor 3:12 KJV) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
(1 Cor 3:13 KJV) Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
(1 Cor 3:14 KJV) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
(1 Cor 3:15 KJV) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
The soul is a man’s life. It is his work while on earth. If a man’s soul or work abides coming through the fire, then he shall receive a reward. If his soul or work is burned, then he will suffer loss, but he will still be saved. If the Christian is not delivered from the power of sin in this life, then his life or soul will perish at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and he will be delivered from the power of sin at that time. However, his inheritance in the kingdom of heaven will be lost. Please read my dissertations To Perish Or Not to Perish and Heaven vs. the Kingdom of Heaven for an in-depth description of the difference between spirit and soul salvation.
NOTE: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPIRIT SALVATION AND SOUL SALVATION IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GRACE AND WORKS.
Glorification is the redemption of the body and pertains to the deliverance from the presence of sin. The salvation or redemption of the body is future. In brief, spirit salvation is a past salvation; soul salvation is a present salvation and body salvation is a future salvation. The great majority of Scripture pertains to the salvation of the soul. Numerous Scriptures used in evangelistic messages are actually addressing the salvation of the soul, and not the salvation of the spirit. This is why there is so much confusion and disagreement over whether a Christian can lose his salvation. The truth is that a Christian can lose his soul salvation at the Judgment Seat of Christ, but he cannot lose his spirit salvation.
NOTE: EVERY CHRISTIAN IS GUARANTEED A NEW SPIRIT, A NEW SOUL/LIFE AND A NEW BODY. SOME CHRISTIANS WILL RECEIVE THEIR NEW SOUL/LIFE IN THIS LIFE AND WILL BE REWARDED FOR THEIR WORK. OTHERS WILL RECEIVE THEIR NEW SOUL AT THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST AND WILL LOSE THEIR REWARD BECAUSE OF SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE.
The second part of Romans is chapters 9-11 and describes the sovereign dealings of God with Israel. These three chapters have a parenthetical character, and they describe the election, rejection and coming restoration of Israel.
Chapters 12-16 make up the third part of this epistle, and we find exhortations for the justified believer to realize sanctification in this life and watch for the coming glorification. All Christians will eventually realize justification, sanctification and glorification, but it may require the destruction of the soul at the Judgment Seat of Christ for many Christians. Soul salvation or the loss of soul salvation at the Judgment Seat of Christ is a primary topic in the Scriptures. The basic fact is that the soul or life of every Christian must perish—either in this life or at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The old man must die in order for the new man to be manifested. Some additional facts about soul salvation follow:
1. Soul salvation can be lost at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The Christian still goes to heaven, but he loses his position in the kingdom of heaven. It is the reward that is lost. Spirit salvation cannot be lost.
2. Eternal life throughout the Scriptures pertains to the soul and not the spirit. The Biblical definition of eternal life is given in Romans 2:4-11.
3. The “sin unto death” pertains to the soul and not the spirit (Romans 6:16; 1 John 5:16). It is the Christian who commits the sin unto death, but the death is the death of the soul at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Please see my exegesis of 1 John for an in-depth understanding of soul salvation..
4. The unpardonable sin, which is blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, pertains to the soul and not the spirit (Matt. 12:31; Lk. 12:10). The sin unto death and blaspheme against the Holy Spirit are the same. Please see my article on “Impossible to Bring to Repentance—Hebrews 6:1-12”.
5. The Five Points of Calvinism are true, and they pertain to the spirit of man. The Five Points of Arminianism are also true—when they are applied to the soul and not the spirit.
6. Spirit salvation is the free gift of God and requires no works—including repentance, which is a work. Soul salvation requires repentance from dead works and obedience to the Word of God. (James 1:21)
7. Phrases in Scripture that pertain to soul salvation are “enter into life” (Matt. 18:8-9, 19:17, Mark 9:43), “unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16, 10:10, 1 Tim. 3:15, Heb. 9:28, 1 Peter 1:5) and “hope of salvation” (1 Thess. 5:8).
8. The use of the term “salvation” in the Scriptures can apply to the spirit, the soul or the body. It is used most often in the Scriptures in connection with the soul.
9. A Christian will not be able to understand the Scriptures until he has a grasp of the difference between spirit salvation and soul salvation. The failure of Christians to understand the difference between spirit salvation and soul salvation is the reason for the numerous rifts in the Church. Examples of such rifts are a) Arminians vs. Calvinists, b) Free Will Baptists vs. Hard Shell or Primitive Baptists, c) Lordship Salvation vs. Salvation by Grace, d) the argument over Eternal Security, and e) the argument over whether repentance is a condition for salvation.
Jesus described soul salvation in the following passage of Scripture:
(Mat 16:24 KJV) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
(Mat 16:25 KJV) For whosoever will save his life (i.e., psuche or soul) shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life (i.e., psuche or soul) for my sake shall find it.
(Mat 16:26 KJV) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul (i.e., psuche or life)? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul (i.e., psuche or life)?
(Mat 16:27 KJV) For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
NOTE: Please note the summation in verse 27 that soul salvation pertains to the reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ—and not the issue of entrance into heaven.
Part I
We will now begin our verse-by-verse exegesis of the book of Romans. This book cannot be understood without a proper understanding of spirit, soul and body, and the potential for a Christian to lose his soul at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
(Rom 1:1 KJV) Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
The Epistle of Romans was written by Paul who was appointed an apostle and separated unto the good news of God, which pertains to the redemption provided by Jesus Christ unto his elect.
(Rom 1:2 KJV) (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
The coming redemption was promised in the Old Testament by the prophets of God. The primary theme of the Bible is the coming of the Messiah to provide redemption for his people. This is the thin red line that runs through the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation. This is clarified in the following verses.
(Rom 1:3 KJV) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
This verse speaks of the human nature of God the Son—Jesus Christ our Lord. The Greek word for “made” means to come into existence. The human nature of Jesus Christ came into existence at the birth of Jesus, which is the name for his human nature. His human nature had a beginning but his God nature is co-eternal with the Father. The name of his God nature is Christ. The combining of his God nature with his human nature is described as hypostasis or the hypostatic union of Jesus Christ. His human nature is in the genetic line of David through the genes of Mary. The blood of Jesus Christ contains 24 chromosomes, 23 from his mother Mary and the Y-chromosome from the Holy Spirit. The Y-chromosome made him male and kept him from having the sin nature, which is passed through the blood. The virgin birth of Jesus is not only true, but necessary for Jesus to avoid the sin nature passed down through the male. The blood of Jesus Christ is the pure and untainted blood from the Y-chromosome provided by God the Holy Spirit. The flesh nature of Jesus was pure and undefiled until He took upon himself the penalty for our sin on the Cross of Calvary.
(Rom 1:4 KJV) And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
The Greek word for “declared” means that Jesus was ordained, decreed or appointed to be the Son of God. This means that the undefiled human nature of Jesus was combined with the God nature of Christ to be the “Only Begotten Son of God”. Jesus Christ is unique! He is God in a body! He is God Incarnate! He is One in essence with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Even though his human nature had a beginning two thousand years ago, his God nature has existed forever along with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ became the “Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead”. “According to the spirit of holiness” means that the defilement of Jesus Christ that He experienced on the cross by becoming sin for us was nullified by his own blood, which was the evidence of his death. This occurred when Jesus Christ was resurrected on the Feast of Firstfruits three days after his death on Passover. Simply stated, Jesus Christ was the First-Born from the dead in that He was the First One saved by his own death on the Cross.
Skeptics have stated that if Jesus Christ really was the substitute for us and took our penalty for us, then why did He not go to hell for all eternity. This verse answers this question. After Jesus Christ took our defilement upon himself, he was made pure and holy again (i.e., according to the spirit of holiness) at the time that He was resurrected from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was absolutely necessary for him to be granted total and complete power and authority in the coming kingdom. The death of Jesus Christ on the cross was physical, soulical and spiritual, but his resurrection was also physical, soulical and spiritual. As Head of the Church, He was the First to experience the total and complete salvation provided by his own life and death. His resurrection is the guarantee that we all shall also be resurrected with a new spirit, soul and body. Christians that have already been born again have already realized a new spirit, and some have already realized a new soul or life. All Christians will eventually realize a new soul or life at the Judgment Seat of Christ, but the souls of many must perish at this judgment in order to have this new soul or life. All Christians will also realize new bodies at the time of the Judgment Seat of Christ. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is confirmation of the promise that we shall also be resurrected with a new spirit, soul and body. All Christians will be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, many will lose their inheritance in the kingdom of heaven just as the nation of Israel lost it by disobedience.
(Rom 1:5 KJV) By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
It was through the death and resurrection of Jesus that we received the free gift of spirit salvation and the command from Jesus for us to be apostles (i.e., sent ones), so that we can be obedient to the faith among the Gentiles. When Jesus came He came to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” After the Jews rejected Jesus Christ, Paul was called as an Apostle to the Gentiles. The kingdom of heaven was taken away from the Jews, and it was being offered to another nation (i.e., the Church).
(Rom 1:6 KJV) Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
Paul was an Apostle or “sent one” to the Gentiles, but the Roman Christians were also “apostles” to the Gentiles under the name (i.e., power & authority) of Jesus Christ.
NOTE: I used a capital “A” for Paul as an Apostle, since he became the 12th Apostle who was sent by Jesus Christ in Person. I use a little “a” for all other Christians who are also “sent ones” to the Gentiles. Jesus did not send us in person as He did the original 12 Apostles, but we are nevertheless sent ones to the Gentiles to preach and teach salvation by grace and the Word of the Kingdom.
The term “called” is a term for all born-again Christians regenerated by the Holy Spirit to a living hope. The “living hope” is for the salvation of our souls at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and that we will reign and rule with Jesus Christ in the coming kingdom. The “prize of the high calling” is to be the bride of Christ. Not all Christians will qualify for the living hope and only a small percentage of Christians will realize the “prize of the high calling”. There are definitely levels of reward in the coming kingdom, and many Christians refuse to see this in the Scriptures.
(Rom 1:7 KJV) To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This epistle to the Romans is clearly a message to born-again believers who are “beloved of God, called to be saints.” All of the warnings and exhortations in this epistle are to Christians and not to the unsaved. It is grave error for Christians to apply all of these warnings and exhortations to the unsaved, since these Christians miss the primary purpose and intent of the message, which is soul salvation and the realization of our inheritance in the kingdom of God. For example, the following verse applies to Christians:
(Rom 6:23 KJV) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The majority of pastors and teachers apply this verse to the unsaved, but it is a warning to Christians. This will be explained in detail when we get to these verses.
The salutation in verse 7 above actually begins the message of Paul to the Roman Christians.
(Rom 1:8 KJV) First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
Paul first thanks God that the faith of the Roman Christians is known throughout the Roman world. Rome was the center of the Roman Empire and the faith of the Roman Christians had reached to all parts of the empire. Paul was thankful to God for this spread of the faith throughout the Roman world.
(Rom 1:9 KJV) For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
Paul declares that God is his witness in his service with his spirit in the good news of his Son, and that Paul prays for the Romans regularly and without ceasing. The gospel or good news of “his Son” is more than just getting saved spiritually. It is the realization of the inheritance in the kingdom of heaven. The “gospel of God” in verse 1 above refers to the whole plan of salvation, but the “gospel of his Son” refers to entrance into the kingdom of heaven, which is not the same as entrance into heaven. The kingdom of heaven refers to a position of authority in the coming millennial kingdom, while heaven refers to a place. All Christians enter heaven, but only the faithful ones enter the kingdom of heaven. Works do count and are very important!
(Rom 1:10 KJV) Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
Paul prays that God will allow him to make a journey to see the Roman Christians. He states his desire for the Romans in the following verse:
(Rom 1:11 KJV) For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
Paul desires to make a trip to see the Roman Christians so that he can “impart some spiritual gift” to them, and the purpose of this spiritual gift is for them to be established. Paul wants to help the Roman Christians be firmly established in the faith. This means that he wants them to be unwavering and firmly set on the right path. Many Christians walk on the path for a period of time, but they never become firmly grounded or established in the faith. It takes time and effort and a deep knowledge of the Bible to become firmly established in the faith. Many Christians walk unsteadily in the faith and are tossed about by every wind of doctrine.
It is very important to note here that Paul is writing to Christians and he wants to impart a “spiritual gift” to them so that they “may be established”. This is conditional and not a certainty. The Greek word for gift is charisma. The “ma” means it is the result of grace (i.e., charis). Even though being established in the faith is the gift of God and the result of grace, it does not apply to every Christian, simply because not every Christian receives or lays hold onto this gift. Eternal life is also the gift of God, but it is a gift that must be attained to by fighting the good fight of faith and laying hold on it. This is confirmed in the following verses:
(1 Tim 6:12 KJV) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
(1 Tim 6:19 KJV) Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
We will discuss this gift of eternal life more in detail later in this dissertation on Romans when we get to the definition of eternal life in Romans 2:7. It is a sad truth that very few pastors and Bible teachers know the definition of “eternal life” as given in this verse.
(Rom 1:12 KJV) That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Paul desires that he and the Romans would be strengthened (i.e., comforted) or exhorted together by their mutual faith. Faith in the Christian is something that should grow and get stronger as we study and abide by the Word of God. If a Christian’s faith does not grow and get stronger or established, then the likelihood is greater that the Christian will be overcome at some point in time, and fail to lay hold onto eternal life. Eternal life pertains to the soul and the reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ. It has nothing to do with entering heaven, but it has everything to do with entering the kingdom of heaven.
(Rom 1:13 KJV) Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
Paul desires to visit the Romans for the purpose of increasing their fruit bearing. This is his desire for the Roman Christians and other Gentile Christians. Fruit bearing pertains to the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This fruit of the Spirit comes as a result of being established and well grounded in the faith. It comes to the Christian who grows in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and lays hold onto eternal life.
(Rom 1:14 KJV) I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
As the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul felt a strong sense of obligation to them. He describes himself as a “debtor to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians”. The word “Greeks” refers to the Greek-speaking Gentiles or the cultured Gentiles, and the word “Barbarians” refers to all other Gentiles, and signifies those Gentiles who are uncultured. Thus, Paul felt obligated to the cultured, uncultured, wise and unwise Gentiles in his apostleship.
(Rom 1:15 KJV) So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
As fulfillment of his obligation to the Gentiles, Paul was ready to “preach the gospel” to the saints in Rome. The next verse specifies this gospel as “the gospel of Christ.” The gospel of Christ is a special aspect of the gospel of God mentioned in verse 1. The gospel of God (vs. 1) pertains to our justification, sanctification and glorification, while the gospel of Christ refers to our sanctification. The gospel of Christ is a message to the saints. It is a message to believers and specifically refers to the salvation of the soul. This is clearly stated in the following verse, but the verse is greatly misunderstood as a message to the unregenerate. Paul desires to preach the “gospel of Christ” to the saints in Rome, and he states the purpose of this gospel in the following verse.
(Rom 1:16 KJV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Paul states that he is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, and then states that it is the “power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth”. The Greek word for “unto” means into, unto or toward salvation and the salvation is soul salvation. This salvation is for Christians or “everyone that believeth”. The Christian who believes is the one who entrusts his spiritual well-being unto Christ. Soul salvation pertains to growing in grace and knowledge of Christ, and it manifests the righteousness of God in a progressive manner, as confirmed in the following verse:
(Rom 1:17 KJV) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
The power of God unto salvation pertains to the “righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith”. This is stating that the “power of God unto salvation” is a progressive salvation that manifests itself in one act of faithfulness unto another act of faithfulness and so forth. Paul then nails down the message as pertaining to Christians by the statement “The just shall live by faith.” These acts of fidelity or faithfulness are specifically for the justified (i.e., just) believer.
In simple language the gospel of Christ pertains to the Christian’s deliverance from the power of sin in his life by crucifying the old nature and allowing the new nature to reign in his life. This is accomplished by the power of God operating in the believer who dies to self and allows the life of Christ (i.e., righteousness of God) to be manifested. Thus, the faithful Christian who operates in the power of the Holy Spirit reveals the righteousness of God in his life when he lives by faith.
Note: It is crucial that the Christian understand that the gospel of Christ is for Christians, and that the following warnings about the wrath of God coming down on ungodliness and unrighteousness are for Christians.
(Rom 1:18 KJV) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
This verse addresses the Judgment Seat of Christ when the punishment of God will be revealed against ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (i.e., Christians) “who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” The Greek word for “hold” means that they possess the truth (i.e., Jesus Christ) securely, but they possess it while living unrighteously. Only spiritually regenerated believers possess the truth. The “unrighteousness” is the unrighteousness of heart and life and refers to deeds of unrighteousness. These “men” are Christians that possess the imputed righteousness of Christ, but they are not living in practical righteousness. Strong’s Concordance refers to the imputed righteousness of God as absolute righteousness, and the practical righteousness of Christians as relative righteousness. Relative righteousness refers to equity of character and deeds of righteousness. For example, giving a cup of cold water to someone in the name (i.e., power and authority) of Jesus Christ is an act of practical or relative righteousness.
Jesus was addressing relative righteousness pertaining to soul salvation in the following passage of Scripture:
(Mark 10:17 KJV) And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
(Mark 10:18 KJV) And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
(Mark 10:19 KJV) Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
(Mark 10:20 KJV) And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
(Mark 10:21 KJV) Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
(Mark 10:22 KJV) And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
(Mark 10:23 KJV) And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
(Mark 10:24 KJV) And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
(Mark 10:25 KJV) It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
(Mark 10:26 KJV) And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
(Mark 10:27 KJV) And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
(Mark 10:28 KJV) Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
(Mark 10:29 KJV) And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
(Mark 10:30 KJV) But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
(Mark 10:31 KJV) But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
NOTE: The above passage is not addressing entrance into heaven but entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Heaven is a place. The kingdom of heaven is a position of authority. Verse 26 is addressing the salvation of the soul and not the spirit. The whole context of this passage is being a disciple and inheriting eternal life. Eternal life pertains to soul salvation and not spirit salvation. The Christian who receives his inheritance of eternal life receives the Crown of Life. Thus eternal life pertains to our reward and NOT entrance into heaven. Many Christians will fail to receive the crown of life, but they will still be in heaven. Jesus warns Christians about the possibility of losing the Crown of Life in the following verse:
(Rev 3:11 KJV) Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
(Rom 1:19 KJV) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.
The NIV translates this verse very well as follows:
(Rom 1:19 NIV) since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
No unregenerate person has the knowledge of God made plain to him. The unregenerate person is spiritually dead, and does not understand the things of the spirit, in accordance with the following Scripture:
(1 Cor 2:14 KJV) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
(Rom 1:20 KJV) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
The invisible things are spiritual things and they have been revealed to those who have been spiritually regenerated. The Christian looks at creation and understands that God made all the things that exist. It has been made clear to him. The Christian understands the everlasting power and the divine nature of God, and he is without excuse for not glorifying God.
(Rom 1:21 KJV) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Paul is speaking of believers who know God but do not glorify him. They are unthankful and vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart has been darkened. The heart pertains to the soul, as it refers to the mind, will, emotions and intellect. The heart is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors. The heart has special reference to the soul and determines whether a Christian is wise or foolish.
Note: It is very important for the reader to see that nothing in this passage of Scripture assigns these people to the ranks of the unregenerate, but several statements confirm that they are definitely regenerated or born again believers.
(Rom 1:22 KJV) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
These Christians profess to be wise but they have become foolish in their hearts. At the time of this writing by Paul, many Christians in Rome had been caught up in the decadence and immorality of Rome. Homosexuality and sexual orgies were commonplace. Older men having sex with younger men was an accepted practice and was not even considered perverted. Many born-again believers were caught up in the profligacy of Rome as described in the following verses. It is no doubt that they touted the grace of God as many Christians are doing today, but they overlooked the accountability for their lifestyles at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The following chapters in Romans address these actions by the Roman Christians and the consequences for this behavior. A Christian can be a wise one or he can be a foolish one. The Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25 divides Christians into the wise and the foolish, just as shown in this verse.
The Greek word for foolish refers to salt that has lost its strength or flavor. Christians who have lost their saltiness or savor will be cut asunder or separated at the Firstfruits Rapture, and thrown out to be trampled down (i.e., underfoot) during the first half of the tribulation period. Salty Christians serve as the restrainer of evil in the Church. When the firstfruits Christians are removed from the earth in the Firstfruits Rapture, evil will run rampant and the unsalty Christians will be trampled underfoot by Antichrist and his minions. This is addressed in the following Scripture, which speaks of the Separation, or the Firstfruits Rapture of the faithful Christians:
(Mat 5:12 KJV) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
(Mat 5:13 KJV) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
(Rom 1:23 KJV) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Idolatry in Rome was rampant and Christians were caught up in this practice. The worship of many gods was acceptable in Rome, as long as a person was also open to worshipping Caesar. The refusal to include Caesar in the cadre of gods was unacceptable. The use of the dove to symbolize the Holy Spirit is part of this exchanging the “glory of the uncorruptible God into an image…and to birds….” The dove is still used today to represent the Holy Spirit—contrary to The Ten Commandments. Idolatry in the Church has remained and is rampant at this time. Numerous churches hang so-called pictures of Jesus in classrooms, and the dove is conspicuously hung over many baptisteries out of ignorance.
Idolatry using images of God is most prevalent today in the church of Thyatira, which is the Catholic Church, but the church of Sardis (i.e., Protestant churches) and the church of Laodicea (Pentecostal & Charismatic churches) are also guilty of this practice. I once attended a Southern Baptist church that had a stained glass image of Jesus over the baptistery. Another Southern Baptist church that I attended had a large dove hung over the baptistery. In addition, there is one very popular “picture” of Jesus that is found in the classrooms of many churches. It is God’s elect who are guilty of idolatry.
(Rom 1:24 KJV) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
In addition to idolatry being rampant in the Church, immorality became commonplace because of the lusts of the heart. Therefore, God gave them up to uncleanness and the impurity of lustful, luxurious and profligate living. These Christians dishonored their own bodies in their sexual immorality. Sexual immorality is rampant in the Church today with numerous pastors having affairs with their secretaries and other members of the church. Sexual activity among young Christians is epidemic in the Church today. The reason for this is the failure of pastors and Christians to understand their accountability at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Pastors and other Christians have failed to understand the importance of practical righteousness, as well as imputed righteousness. Christians have exchanged the truth of God about the Judgment Seat of Christ into a lie. This is addressed in the following verse:
(Rom 1:25 KJV) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Christians at this time in Rome were caught up in Gnosticism, which separated the spiritual from the physical. It was thought that spiritual things were separate from the body, so it was okay to live promiscuously in the body and there was no accountability. This was actually worshipping and serving the creature more than the Creator. This same practice abounds today as Christians are more concerned about the desires and wants of the old nature than they are of living holy and separated lives. We see how far this immorality had progressed in the Church at Rome in the following verses:
(Rom 1:26 KJV) For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
The behavior and actions of these Christians caused God to give them over to their vile affections. It got to the point that even the women began to practice lesbianism. It was acceptable in Rome for men to commit homosexual acts with slaves, but it was unacceptable, and even got to the point where women committed indecent acts with each other.
Note: Part of the lie mentioned in verse 25 above is that a Christian cannot commit homosexual acts, if he is truly a Christian. This is absurd as a Christian can commit any sin common to man, including homosexual acts and even blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. This whole section of Scripture is addressing Christians who have defiled themselves—grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit.
(Rom 1:27 KJV) And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
Homosexuality among men got so bad among the Romans that they abandoned heterosexual acts with women and chose homosexual acts with men over the natural use of the women. Up until this point many men were bisexual, and this was acceptable behavior and did not detract from one’s masculinity. Being exclusively homosexual was even considered perverse among the decadent Romans.
Doing those things that are “unseemly” is doing those things that are shameful. Please remember that these are Christians doing shameful things. This is why they will shrink back in shame at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The recompense of their error will be meted out at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Christians who live like this are foolish to think that they will escape the judgment of God. This is seen in the following verse that will be addressed later in this study:
(Rom 2:3 KJV) And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
(Rom 1:28 KJV) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
This verse confirms that Paul is addressing Christians who are committing these lewd and perverse acts. They knew God but did not wish to retain God in their knowledge. They preferred to live their lives in decadence without being convicted by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, so they could do the things that were inappropriate for Christians. God will deal with them at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The Greek word for “reprobate” means to be disapproved, rejected or to become a castaway. Paul uses the very same Greek word in regard to himself in the following passage of Scripture:
(1 Cor 9:24 KJV) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
(1 Cor 9:25 KJV) And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
(1 Cor 9:26 KJV) I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
(1 Cor 9:27 KJV) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
The Greek word for “mind” in verse 28 above refers to the intellect, the understanding, the feelings and the will. These are terms for the soul or mind and not the spirit of man. A Christian can be born again spiritually and not have his mind renewed in accordance with the following exhortation that we will discuss later in Romans:
(Rom 12:1 KJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
(Rom 12:2 KJV) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The renewing of the mind is necessary for soul salvation, or the Christian will become disapproved and become a castaway, as Paul feared in the Corinthian passage shown above. Paul was very clear that even he could become a castaway—even though he had preached this message to others.
(Rom 1:29 KJV) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Paul continues to describe Christians that have been turned over to a disapproved, rejected or reprobate mind. He describes them as being filled or controlled by the following:
1) Unrighteousness—They are controlled by moral wrongfulness in character, life or action. They lack the practical righteousness in their lives that is necessary for soul salvation. Paul is talking about the practical righteousness that many Christians lack even though they possess the imputed righteousness of Christ. Imputed righteousness comes with spirit salvation. Practical righteousness is necessary for soul salvation. Please read my dissertation on “The Sermon on the Mount” for an in depth look at practical righteousness.
2) Fornication—Literally, the Greek word for fornication means adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, incest or any illicit sexual intercourse. Figuratively, it means the worship of idols. We know from the previous verses that Paul is using the term literally.
3) Wickedness—The Greek word for wickedness means depravity in general and malice specifically. Since the other words in this series are all depravity in general, Paul is clearly using the specific meaning of the word. Malice is a desire to harm others or see others suffer. It includes extreme ill will or spite towards our fellow Christians. Malice is a common sin among Christians. We must all guard against having ill will or spite in our hearts toward other Christians.
4) Covetousness—The Greek for covetousness means avarice or greed. Paul is referring to the excessive or immoderate desire for wealth. This is probably the most common sin for Christians in America. Many churches actually substitute Biblical teachings with teachings on how to manage money and acquire wealth. If Christians spent as much time on studying the Bible and seeking practical righteousness as they do on getting wealthy, then the Church would be in great shape, instead of being wretched, miserable, poor, naked and blind. The end time church of Laodicea emphasizes the accumulation of wealth as a sign of faithfulness. In truth, the accumulation of wealth will be a testimony against Christians at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
5) Maliciousness—The Greek word for maliciousness means malice carried to the intense form of being active hatred. It is malice put into action, which entails actual injury to another person or persons. This injury may be mental, emotional or physical. It is one thing to feel malice toward our fellow Christians, but it becomes more serious when we actually do things to cause mental, emotional or physical harm to our fellow Christians. The tongue and the pen can inflict great mental and emotional harm to our fellow Christians. All Christians should strive to control not only maliciousness, which is malice in action, but all thoughts or feelings of malice toward other Christians. Feelings of malice can become a bitter root that results in active hatred with malicious activity.
6) Full of envy—There are two Greek words that define this sin. The two words together mean Christians whose thoughts and emotions are filled with envy. Envy entails the feelings of discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with the desire for the possessions or qualities of another. The Ten Commandments expressly forbids us from coveting anything that belongs to our neighbor.
7) Murder—The Greek word for full also applies to this sin. This means the thoughts and emotions of these Christians were filled with thoughts and emotions that pertain to murder. The Christian whose thoughts and emotions are filled with murder is guilty of the same, even if actual murder has not been committed.
8) Debate—This Greek word means that the thoughts and emotions of these Christians are filled with contention and strife. Contention is the act of striving in controversy or debate. It is the desire to prove oneself right out of pride and arrogance. It is okay to strive for the faith to produce faithfulness in other Christians, as long as it is done in love with the right motives. It is an entirely separate matter to strive in controversy for the purpose of “being right”. The difference between striving for the faith correctly and simply being contentious is in the motives.
9) Deceit—The Greek word for deceit means craft, guile or deceit. It is the opposite of truth, honesty and sincerity. These Christians had their thoughts and emotions filled with deception, dishonesty and craftiness.
10) Malignity—The Greek word for malignity means their thoughts and emotions were filled with worthlessness. Their manners and habits were blameworthy instead of praiseworthy.
11) Whisperers—The Greek word for whisperers means Christians who communicate false or slanderous statements about other Christians in secret.
(Rom 1:30 KJV) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
12) Backbiters—The Greek word for backbiters means Christians who slander other Christians openly. I know of one web site that is devoted to the open slander of other Christians. The difference between a “whisperer” and a “backbiter” is the manner is which the slander is communicated. The whisperer slanders secretly while the backbiter slanders publicly.
13) Haters of God—The Greek word for this is used only once in Scripture. It means being hateful to God. It refers to Christians who turn against God after some heavy calamity has befallen them. It has been stated that a terrible tragedy in a Christian’s life can turn him toward God or against God. These Christians are those who have turned against God. A modern day term for these Christians who have turned against God is atheists. Most atheists today are Christians who have turned against God. Ask any loud and obnoxious atheist if he ever believed in Jesus Christ, and most—if pressed for the truth—will confess that they once believed in Jesus, but they have now “been enlightened”. Ted Turner is a prime example of this. He was saved at a Billy Graham crusade as a teenager, and he turned away from God when his mother died. I offer as evidence of this the fact that atheists frequently curse God, take God’s name in vain, and even take the name of Jesus Christ in vain. Why would someone who denies the existence of God curse him and take his name in vain. Most—if not all—atheists are simply Christians running away from God. Something has happened in their lives to turn them against God and they have become hateful to God. This is why they curse God and take his name in vain. God will deal with them at the Judgment Seat of Christ. True unbelievers have no desire to go into Christian chat rooms and slander and put down the beliefs of Christians. True unbelievers have no knowledge of God, so they do not hate him or act hatefully toward him. They are indifferent to him.
14) Despiteful—The Greek word for despiteful means to abuse, insult or entreat shamefully. This is exactly the attitude and behavior of Christians who have turned against God. It is the evil servant who mistreats (i.e., smites) his fellow Christians.
15) Proud—The Greek word for proud refers to Christians who act haughtily or treat other Christians with contempt. The atheist who has turned against God looks down on his fellow Christians and treats them with contempt. He sees himself as being above Christians and considers himself as the enlightened one.
16) Boasters—The Greek word for boasters means a braggart or one who boasts. It refers to arrogant Christians. It is the opposite of humility.
17) Inventors of evil things—The two Greek words here mean that these Christians contrive, improvise or invent ways of performing evil. Since they are Christians who have turned against God, they go to great efforts to treat God and his people despitefully.
18) Disobedient to parents—The two Greek words here mean that these Christians are obstinately rebellious toward their parents.
(Rom 1:31 KJV) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
19) Without understanding—The Greek word here means that these Christians are foolish and without understanding. They have been born again spiritually, but their minds have not been renewed with wisdom and understanding.
20) Covenantbreakers—This Greek word means someone in covenant but he does not live up to the agreement. This refers to Christians who have been born again spiritually, but they do not live up to the inheritance to which they have been called. This one word nails it down that Paul is referring to Christians who have been untrustworthy in their commitment to God. They are Christians who have turned against God.
21) Without natural affection—The Greek word here means that they are hard-hearted toward their kindred. These are Christians who treat their brothers and sisters in Christ with contempt and disrespect. When someone treats me disrespectfully and contemptuously, I immediately suspect that this person is a brother or sister in Christ who has turned against God. This is usually the case.
22) Implacable—This Greek word is not in the earliest manuscripts. Therefore, it is not in the ASV-1901, NASB or the NIV. It means they cannot be persuaded to enter into a covenant. It cannot refer to the Covenant of Grace, since all that the Holy Spirit regenerates have or will enter into the Covenant of Grace. Also, number 20 above has already confirmed that these people are in covenant relationship with God. Therefore, this refusal to enter into covenant means that these Christians refuse to enter into the Covenant of Works, as given in Ephesians 2:10. The Covenant of Grace is given in Ephesians 2:8-9. Please read Chapter 2 “The Judgment Seat of Christ” in The Open Door for an understanding of the relationship between the Covenant of Grace and the Covenant of Works. These Roman Christians obstinately clung to the Covenant of Grace, but refused to acknowledge and abide by the Covenant of Works so clearly addressed throughout the Bible. Many Christians today are “implacable” in that they refuse to distinguish between imputed righteousness (Covenant of Grace) and practical righteousness (Covenant of Works).
23) Unmerciful—This Greek word refers to Christians void of compassion and mercy for their fellow Christians. The Christian who has received mercy but refuses to show mercy to his fellow Christians will be judged severely at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
(Rom 1:32 KJV) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
These Roman Christians were aware of the Judgment Seat of Christ, and this verse indicates that they were even aware of the fact that the wages of sin is death, and this refers to Christians who sin without confession of these sins. Even knowing the righteous judgment of God, these Roman Christians continued to commit sins worthy of the death of the soul, and even had pleasure in doing them. It boggles my mind that Christians knowledgeable of the Judgment Seat of Christ and the sin unto death would continue in sin that leads to death. However, in the last few months I have personally witnessed an individual knowledgeable of these things, but still chose the sin of being a drunkard. His final parting words were “I am going to party until I die.” I cannot imagine the terror this individual will face at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The same will be true for many Christians who commit sins worthy of death, and even take pleasure in other Christians committing these same sins. The old adage “misery loves company” is appropriate for these Christians.
(Rom 2:1 KJV) Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
This verse warns those Christians who judge these Christians as unsaved reprobates. The same situation exists in many churches today where Christians assign drunkards, homosexuals, promiscuous Christians and the like to hell as being unsaved. One of the biggest errors in churches is to believe that a Christian cannot be an alcoholic, a homosexual or a promiscuous person. Church leaders and church-going Christians with false piety routinely assign these Christians to hell as unsaved reprobates. I have seen and heard 300-pound gluttonous pastors say that a drunkard and a homosexual cannot possibly be saved. I have seen and heard gossipy women in churches (i.e., backbiters & whisperers) consign fellow Christians to hell because of their immodest dress. I even heard one of these gluttonous pastors say in his sermon, “If you are not interested in what I am saying, then you are probably not saved.” It is common in Sardis and Laodicean churches for Christians to judge other Christians as “unsaved” based on the sins that they commit, while the Christians making this judgment are committing the same or similar sins worthy of death at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The following verses after the NOTE confirm that both will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
NOTE: IT IS OKAY TO JUDGE THAT DRUNKENESS, HOMOSEXUALITY, GLUTTONY, GOSSIP AND ADULTERY ARE SINS, BUT IT IS NOT OKAY TO JUDGE THE PEOPLE COMMITTING THESE SINS AS UNSAVED REPROBATES BECAUSE OF THESE SINS. THIS JUDGMENT IS RESERVED FOR GOD, AND THE CHRISTIANS WHO MAKE THIS JUDGEMENT ARE USURPING GOD’S AUTHORITY, AND WILL BE SEVERELY JUDGED FOR IT AT THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST.
(Rom 2:2 KJV) But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
Christians who are drunkards, homosexuals and promiscuous will certainly be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ, as stated in this verse.
(Rom 2:3 KJV) And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
This verse clarifies that the Christians who judge the drunkard, the homosexual and the promiscuous as unsaved are in fact condemning them to hell. The Christians making these judgments about their fellow Christians are committing the same sins, and they shall also be judged. We must all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to be judged for the things that we have done in the body. The prideful, arrogant Christian who judges his fellow Christian as unsaved because of actual sins or some legalistic, manmade doctrine is going to be greatly surprised at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
It is very easy to see other Christians committing the same sins that we commit. I have often looked scornfully at a fellow Christian committing a sin, and the Holy Spirit immediately convicted me that I have committed the same sin. The only correct response at this point was to confess my sin of judging (i.e., condemning) my fellow Christian. It is very important for a Christian to be extremely merciful in making judgments of the sins of other Christians. The reason for this is seen in the following Scripture verses:
(Mat 5:7 KJV) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
(James 2:13 NASB) For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
It is very important for Christians to be compassionate, kind and merciful toward our fellow Christians. It is okay to make a judgment that a particular behavior is sin, but it is totally inappropriate for us to make judgments about a person’s salvation because of his behavior. This includes spirit and soul salvation, as only God has the necessary knowledge of all the facts to make this judgment. I believe it is a certainty that all Christians commit sins on a daily basis. The important point is whether we confess these sins to God and get cleansed of them. This is the only way that we will be able to stand blameless and worthy at the Judgment Seat of Christ. All Christians should remember and heed the following lesson from Jesus:
(Luke 18:9 KJV) And he (i.e., Jesus) spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
(Luke 18:10 KJV) Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
(Luke 18:11 KJV) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
(Luke 18:12 KJV) I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
(Luke 18:13 KJV) And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
(Luke 18:14 KJV) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
(Rom 2:4 KJV) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
This verse also confirms that Paul is addressing regenerate Christians. Only believers have “the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering”. It is the Holy Spirit who provides us with “the riches of his goodness”, which is the practical or relative righteousness described earlier in this exegetical discourse. The Greek word for riches refers to “an abundance” and the Greek word for “goodness” refers to moral excellence in character or demeanor. The Christian who “despises the riches of his goodness” is the Christian who regards it as unworthy of his interest or concern to seek after the relative righteousness of God. These are Christians who tout the imputed righteousness of Christ and denigrate the relative or practical righteous of God. These Christians frequently quote the following verse:
(Isa 64:6 KJV) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
This verse is definitely addressing relative righteousness (i.e., righteous acts or righteousnesses), but it is addressing righteous deeds in the power of our own flesh nature. It is true that the acts we do in the power of our flesh nature are as filthy rags, but the things we do in the power and authority (i.e., in the name) of Jesus Christ are righteous and worthy of reward. The following verse addresses righteous acts in the power and authority of Jesus Christ:
(Rev 19:8 NIV) Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)
Christians can and do perform righteous acts and deeds in the power of the Holy Spirit, and it is these righteous acts that will qualify Christians for the Firstfruits Rapture and to be the bride of Christ. The Christian who denigrates works of righteousness by Christians is the Christian who “despises the riches of his goodness”. He regards works of righteousness as unworthy of his attention. A Southern Baptist pastor made the following comment to my mother: “I am saved and that is all that matters!” In essence, he was stating that spirit salvation is all that matters, and that seeking after the righteousness of God and soul salvation was unimportant. This pastor “despises the riches of his goodness.”
The great majority of pastors today have no idea that soul salvation and entrance into the kingdom of God are things the Christian must seek after in seeking after the righteousness of God. Jesus commanded us to seek after the kingdom and this practical righteousness in the following verse:
(Mat 6:33 KJV) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Please note that seeking after the kingdom of God and his righteousness (i.e., moral excellence of character) should be the first priority in the life of the Christian. Unfortunately, most Christians today see spirit salvation (i.e., imputed righteousness) as the end rather than the beginning of a life devoted to achieving moral excellence. This is why we have so few Christians today that reflect the life of Christ. Many Christians are going to be greatly shocked when they experience the “terror of the Lord” and the wrath of God at the Judgment Seat of Christ, as seen in the following verse. But first, the last clause in verse 4 above, “not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance”, means that the things furnished by God (i.e., the goodness of God) is what leads the Christian to repentance and a life that reflects the life of Christ. God has made all the necessary provisions for us to live godly lives, as we crucify the old flesh nature, and are filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit. When we do fail and commit sin, we can “be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23) by confessing our sin in accordance with 1 John 1:9. The Christian can live a life of moral excellence and be preserved blameless until the return of Jesus Christ, but it is something the Christian must seek after with all of his heart, mind and soul. He must keep his lamp trimmed (i.e., confess his sins) and have the extra measure of oil (i.e., be filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit). The Christian who does this is among the five wise virgins who will be taken in the Firstfruits Rapture when the Separation occurs. Please read Chapter 1 of The Open Door and my article on “The Separation” for a detailed explanation of these events. These are located on our web site www.thefirstfruits.org .
(Rom 2:5 KJV) But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Christians who are hard-hearted and unrepentant toward God are the ones who are storing up or heaping together for themselves the anger and punishment of God at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Christians will be punished at the Judgment Seat of Christ for their unrighteous deeds, as stated in the following verse:
(Rom 2:6 KJV) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Every Christian will receive a just recompense of reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ, whether his deeds are good or evil. This is seen in the following Scripture:
(2 Cor 5:9 KJV) Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
(2 Cor 5:10 KJV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
(2 Cor 5:11 KJV) Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
NOTE: ONLY CHRISTIANS WILL BE AT THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST, AND ONLY CHRISTIANS WILL EXPERIENCE THIS TERROR OF THE LORD.
(Rom 2:7 KJV) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
The Christian who is patient and steadfast in performing acts of righteousness will receive “glory and honor and immortality” at the Judgment Seat of Christ. “Glory and honor and immortality” are the REWARD for faithfulness. Glory and honor is the result of entrance into the kingdom of God, and immortality is soul salvation. The Christian who lives a life of moral excellence in the power and authority of Jesus Christ will have this life preserved to carry over into the kingdom of God. This Christian who attains to “glory and honor and immortality” is the Christian who receives “eternal life” at the Judgment Seat of Christ. “Eternal life” is in apposition to “glory and honor and immortality.” In simple words, “eternal life” is an explanatory equivalent to “glory and honor and immortality” as a result of patient endurance in living righteously. “Eternal life” is the same as soul salvation at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Please read my dissertation “To Perish or not to Perish” for a detailed explanation of eternal life.
NOTE: CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, NOT ALL CHRISTIANS WILL ATTAIN TO ETERNAL LIFE AT THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST. ALSO, ETERNAL LIFE IS NOT THE SAME AS GOING TO HEAVEN. ALL CHRISTIANS GO TO HEAVEN, EVEN IF THEY DO NOT ATTAIN TO ETERNAL LIFE. ETERNAL LIFE IS A REWARD FOR FAITHFULNESS. THE CHRISTIAN WHO RECEIVES ETERNAL LIFE IS THE CHRISTIAN WHO RECEIVES THE CROWN OF LIFE. THE CHRISTIAN WHO RECEIVES THE CROWN OF LIFE WILL NOT HAVE HIS NAME BLOTTED OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE. THE BOOK OF LIFE PERTAINS TO SALVATION OF THE SOUL AND NOT TO SALVATION OF THE SPIRIT. PLEASE READ VERSE 6-11 TOGETHER A FEW TIMES.
(Rom 2:8 KJV) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Christians who are contentious and disobedient to the Word of God live unrighteous lives, and they will suffer the indignation and wrath of God. The Greek word for contentious means that these Christians are inclined to self-seeking, and they have a fractious, selfish and self-promoting heart. The Greek word for “obey” in “obey the truth” means that they refuse to be persuaded of the truth. These are Christians who are willingly ignorant concerning the Judgment Seat of Christ, the salvation of the soul, and other deeper truths in the Word of God. The Greek word for “indignation” refers to the anger of God that boils up but soon subsides. The Greek word for “wrath” linked with the word for God’s anger refers to the punishment that will be meted out at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The word is used for punishments inflicted by magistrates. Jesus is the magistrate at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and He will be angry and punish Christians. His anger will then subside and all Christians will be completely and totally redeemed in spirit, soul and body. These Christians will still lose their inheritance in the kingdom of God as a result of their unfaithfulness.
Note: Part of the refusal to believe the truth of the Word of God is the refusal to believe that these Scriptures apply to Christians. Pastors who love to tickle the ears of their congregations commonly teach that these verses refer to unsaved reprobates.
(Rom 2:9 KJV) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
The Greek word for tribulation refers to afflictions or punishments at the Judgment Seat of Christ for disobedience, and the Greek word for anguish refers to extreme afflictions or dire calamity at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Some Christians will receive mild punishment at the Judgment Seat of Christ, but some will be punished severely at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
(Rom 2:10 KJV) But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
On the contrary, those Christians who perform good works during their Christian life will receive “glory, honour and peace” as their reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
(Rom 2:11 KJV) For there is no respect of persons with God.
Jesus will be perfectly just in meting out rewards and punishments at the Judgment Seat of Christ. He will not favor the Jews or the Gentiles at this judgment of Christians at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Note: The use of the statement “to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile” twice in consecutive verses about punishment and reward was done to emphasize the fact that he is referring to members of the Church, which is made up of both Jews and Gentiles. Only Church members will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
(Rom 2:12 KJV) For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Those “without law” in this verse refers to saved Gentiles in the Church, and those “in the law” refers to saved Jews in the Church. This is confirmed in verse 14 below. Both Gentiles and Jews in the Church will be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ in accordance with the lives they have lived. Those in the Church who never experience power over sin in their lives will receive an adverse judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ, whether they are Gentiles or Jews.
(Rom 2:13 KJV) (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
It is not the “hearers of the law” that are justified by works, but it is the “doers of the law” that are justified by works. Please read my exegesis on James for a detailed explanation of the difference between hearers and doers. The hearers have been justified by faith, and the doers have been justified by works. The hearers have received spirit salvation, but the doers have realized soul salvation.
(Rom 2:14 KJV) For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Even though the saved Gentiles in the Church have not technically received “the law”, they follow the things given in the law because of the new spirit nature within them. The phrase “by nature” refers to the new spiritual birth of these Gentiles. These Gentiles have crucified the old flesh nature and abide by the new spirit nature within them—even without knowledge of the law.
(Rom 2:15 KJV) Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
These born-again Gentiles have the requirements of the law written on their hearts, and their consciences function as their witness. Their own thoughts serve to convict them when they sin and acquit them when they have power over sin. The Christian who is filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit knows the difference between that which is righteous and that which is evil.
(Rom 2:16 KJV) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Now Paul refers to the Judgment Seat of Christ and he provides a stern warning to the Jews, who apparently see themselves as being “better” than the Gentiles, since they were the recipients of the law of God. “According to my gospel” has special reference to the good news message that Gentiles are now the recipients of the offer of the kingdom of heaven. However, just as the Jews as a nation forfeited this inheritance, Gentiles in the Church can also fail to qualify for this inheritance. This is seen in the following passage of Scripture, which will be addressed in detail later in this study:
(Rom 11:17 KJV) And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
(Rom 11:18 KJV) Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
(Rom 11:19 KJV) Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
(Rom 11:20 KJV) Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
(Rom 11:21 KJV) For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Paul is warning the Roman Christians against being proud and arrogant about the Jews losing their inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, with the inheritance now belonging to Christians. It is possible that these Christians can also lose their inheritance in the kingdom of heaven at the Judgment Seat of Christ. It is a common, mistaken belief in the Church that all Christians will realize their inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, but THIS IS NOT TRUE. It is also a mistaken belief that all Christians will be in the group known as the bride of Christ, but THIS IS ALSO NOT TRUE. All Christians are part of the body of Christ, but not all Christians will be part of the bride of Christ. Just as Adam’s bride was a small portion of his body (i.e., small portion of bone & flesh from his side), the bride of Christ will be a small portion of the Church, which is the body of Christ.
(Rom 2:17 KJV) Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
Paul is rebuking Jewish Christians for their attitudes of thinking of themselves as being better than the Gentile Christians. They were depending on their status as Jews to carry them through at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and Paul is about to set them straight on this matter.
(Rom 2:18 KJV) And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
Paul tells them that they boast that they know God’s will and are able to judge the more important spiritual matters, since they were taught out of the law. These Jewish Christians had apparently studied the Old Testament, especially the Torah—the first five books of the Bible—before they became Christians. They now felt that they were somehow better than the Gentile Christians, and they were qualified as teachers since they knew about the law. In the next several verses, Paul upbraids these Jewish Christians by clearly establishing that a mere knowledge of the commandments of God does not qualify one as a teacher. Paul clearly explains that the teacher should be one who practices the commandments of God, rather than one who merely knows the commandments of God.
(Rom 2:19 KJV) And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
Paul continues to state to these Jewish Christians that they were confident that they were guides or teachers of the Gentile Christians who were spiritually blind and walking in darkness. Apparently, based on the following verses, these Jewish Christians were also spiritually blind and walking in darkness—in spite of their knowledge of the Torah (i.e., the Pentateuch).
(Rom 2:20 KJV) An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
The Jewish Christians felt they were qualified as instructors to the foolish Gentile Christians, and teachers of these immature Christians, because they had been instructed in truth and the law. We have the same situation today in Christian pastors and teachers who have attended certain prestigious seminaries. It is commonly thought among these pastors and teachers that Christians who have not attended seminary cannot possibly understand the Scriptures well enough to be a teacher or a pastor. Paul confirms in the following verses that the teacher is one who is a doer of the Word of God, and not one who is merely a hearer of the Word of God. These are not Paul’s words in explaining this, but this is the meaning that Paul is attempting to convey to these Jewish Christians.
(Rom 2:21 KJV) Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
Paul continues to upbraid these Jews by asking them rhetorical questions. Paraphrased, Paul is asking those who teach others if they have taught themselves. Do you who teach against stealing steal?
(Rom 2:22 KJV) Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
Do you who teach against adultery commit adultery? Do you who detest idolatry defile your own bodies?
(Rom 2:23 KJV) Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
Do you who brag about your knowledge of the law dishonour God by breaking the law?
(Rom 2:24 KJV) For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
Paul sums up his rebuke by stating that the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles, and the blame is against these Jews. These Jewish Christians are the reason that the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles. It must be remembered that the majority of the early Church was Jewish, and they were the ones preaching the gospel of God to the Gentiles. Paul is now blaming them for the unfaithfulness of the Gentiles in the church at Rome.
(Rom 2:25 KJV) For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
Paul now sums up the matter by stating that physical circumcision does have meaning—if the circumcised Jews keep the law, but if they do not abide by the law, then their physical circumcision is meaningless. This is the same as a Christian who is baptized, but continues to sin against God and live a life that is dishonoring to God. Just as the physical act of circumcision is meaningless without a change of heart, baptism is also meaningless without a change of heart. The change of heart is the conversion that takes place in the Christian who is realizing the salvation of his soul.
(Rom 2:26 KJV) Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
Paul then turns the tables on them by stating that if the Gentiles who have not been circumcised have a change of heart and keep the law, then they are accounted as being circumcised. Paul is stating that it is the circumcision of the heart that matters and not the actual physical act of circumcision. The physical act of circumcision simply pictures the cutting off or the crucifying of the old flesh nature. The physical act of circumcision is meaningless, unless the person’s heart and life is replaced by the new man in Christ.
(Rom 2:27 KJV) And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
The NIV translates this verse very well as follows:
(Rom 2:27 NIV) The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
(Rom 2:28 KJV) For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Paul states that it is the attitude of the heart that determines a person’s relationship to God and not the lineage of birth.
Note: It is very important to note the fact that Paul is addressing Jews in the church at Rome who think that their identity as Jews give them special insights and privileges. Paul is debunking this attitude by emphasizing that it is the purity of life that one lives and not his lineage of birth.
(Rom 2:29 KJV) But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
It is the inside of a person that counts, and the circumcision of the heart via the spirit that matters. These are the ones who will be praised by God at the Judgment Seat of Christ. I have often heard men talk about how godly some men are, but men cannot look upon the heart and judge rightly. Only God has this ability, so we should not be surprised when we get to the Judgment Seat of Christ and the ones praised by God are not the ones praised by men. Conversely, there will be some Christians that were praised by men who will be destroyed at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The following verse refers to this situation:
(Mark 10:29 KJV) And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
(Mark 10:30 KJV) But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
(Mark 10:31 KJV) But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
This passage is referring to the most important leaders in the Church on earth that will be least in the kingdom of heaven, and ones who are completely unknowns in the Church on earth will be the greatest in the kingdom. D. M. Panton stated it as follows:
“The Church knows nothing of her brightest stars, for she moves beneath the glory of their heavenly orbits.”
(Rom 3:1 KJV) What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
Paul asks if there is any advantage to being a Jew and having been physically circumcised. Paul answers this question in the following verse.
(Rom 3:2 KJV) Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
Paul answers his rhetorical question by stating that there is much advantage to the Jews, because they were the recipients of the commands and revelations of God.
(Rom 3:3 KJV) For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
Paul asks if the unbelief of some Jews renders the faith of God as useless. From the text this unbelief is in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Many Jews have not yet believed in the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ. Paul is asking if this means that the faith granted by God in the death of his Son is nullified because these Jews do not believe it—even though they were the recipients of the commands and revelations of God
(Rom 3:4 KJV) God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Of course, the answer as to whether the unbelief of some Jews nullifies the “faith of God” is emphatically no. God always speaks the truth—even if every man contradicts what God says. God is still telling the truth even if every man contradicted this truth.
The clause “That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged” means that we are to vindicate the righteousness of God regardless of the expense to ourselves. We should do this so that we might be found justified at the Judgment Seat of Christ and be found as an overcomer. The following Scripture explains the meaning of this clause:
(Prov 3:5 KJV) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
(Prov 3:6 KJV) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
The Christian should never depend upon his own reasoning when the Scriptures clearly contradict this reasoning. If our ideas conflict with Scripture, then we must abandon our ideas in favor of Scripture. A primary example of this is the un-Scriptural idea that God wants every human being on earth to be saved spiritually. There are numerous Scriptures that contradict this idea, but Christians still lean to their own understanding instead of depending upon God’s Word. Please see my discourse “The Doctrine of Election—Commonly Called Predestination” for the Scriptures that conflict with this idea of universal salvation. Predestination is also explained in more detail in this exegesis of Chapter 8.
The Scriptures are not always palatable, but we must always trust in them and believe them, even if their taste is not to our liking.
(Rom 3:5 KJV) But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)
In this verse Paul is stating that when Christians live unrighteously while they have the imputed righteousness of God, they are actually demonstrating, revealing or amplifying the grace of God. Paul then asks a question based on the resulting reasoning of man based on this axiom: Is God unrighteous in punishing us for our unfaithfulness, since our unfaithfulness makes the righteousness of God more illustrious? Paul answers the question in the following verse.
We know that Paul is talking about the unrighteousness of believing Christians because he includes himself as one being unrighteous. Please note in verse 3 above that Paul does not include himself in the group of Jews that are unbelievers. Since Paul includes himself in this unrighteousness, he is speaking of practical righteousness and not imputed righteousness. This also confirms that the next verse is addressing the judgment of the Church at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
(Rom 3:6 KJV) God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
Paul states absolutely not, for otherwise how can God judge the Church for its actions and deeds. The Greek word for “world” is kosmos and is speaking of the Church. Paul confirms that he is speaking of Christians who sin by using himself as an example in the following verse.
(Rom 3:7 KJV) For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
Paul gives the example of him lying and this causing the grace of God to abound, and then asks why he would still be judged as a sinner at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
(Rom 3:8 KJV) And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
Paul rebukes this lie that Christians should continue to sin while under grace, so they can reveal the grace of God. Paul then confirms that the “damnation” of these Christians is just. The Greek word for “damnation” is krima and refers to the condemnatory sentence of the destruction of the soul that unfaithful Christians will receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Christians cannot sin presumptuously in this life without the cleansing through the blood of Jesus, and get off without punishment at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Christians will be taken to the woodshed at the Judgment Seat of Christ for corrective punishment. The following Scripture passage addresses Christians at the Judgment Seat of Christ:
(2 Cor 5:9 KJV) Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
(2 Cor 5:10 KJV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
(2 Cor 5:11 KJV) Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
Please note that this is at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and Christians will receive a just recompense for the bad things that they do. Thus, unfaithful Christians will experience “terror” at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The Scriptures are very clear that Christians will reap what they sow This is confirmed in the following Scripture:
(Gal 6:7 KJV) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
(Gal 6:8 KJV) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
(Gal 6:9 KJV) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Sowing is working, and verse 8 clearly establishes that Christians that sow to the old flesh nature will reap corruption or destruction of the soul at the Judgment Seat of Christ. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth at the Judgment Seat of Christ for many Christians who spent their lives sowing to their own flesh natures. In contrast, there will be Christians that sowed to their spirit nature who will reap eternal life. “Life everlasting” and eternal life are translations of the same Greek phrase aiones zoe. “Eternal life” or “life everlasting” always refers to soul salvation in the Scriptures and never to spirit salvation.
(Rom 3:9 KJV) What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
Paul compares Christians with the Jews who are unbelievers mentioned in verse 3 above. He asks if the Christians (“we”) are better than the Jews. Of course, the answer is “NO”, and Paul continues to iterate that both Jews and Gentiles are “all under sin”. Note that Paul does not include himself in being “under sin” because he is no longer “under sin”, since he has been born again and received the imputed righteousness of God. This verse confirms the three classes of people in the world: Church, Jews and Gentiles. Paul also confirms that those in the Church are no better than the Jews and Gentiles who are still “under sin”. Paul is saying that there is nothing good in him and his fellow Christians that caused God to choose them for salvation.
(Rom 3:10 KJV) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Paul declares that of both Jews and Gentiles that none are righteous—not even one. No person on earth is righteous until he is spiritually regenerated and made a part of the family of God by faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He then receives the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ and is no longer “under sin”. This Christian has then escaped the penalty of sin, as explained in the introductory section of this discourse. The born-again Christian has not yet escaped the power of sin or the presence of sin in his life. He can escape the power of sin in this life by realizing soul salvation, but he cannot escape the presence of sin until he receives his glorified body.
(Rom 3:11 KJV) There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Paul continues to declare that neither Jew nor Gentile understands the things of God and not even one Jew or Gentile seeks after God. Of course, Paul is talking about Jews and Gentiles before the new birth experience. Until a Jew or Gentile is regenerated spiritually by the Holy Spirit, he will never understand the things of God or seek after God. A person must be born again in order to be able to understand the Scriptures and seek after the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
(Rom 3:12 KJV) They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
All unsaved Jews and Gentiles are on the wrong path. They are all worthless and useless in character. There is none that can do anything good—not even one. This verse and the following verses describe unsaved reprobates, whether Jew or Gentile. Many times in Scripture Paul describes the actions and behavior of unfaithful Christians, but in these verses he is describing unsaved Jews and Gentiles.
(Rom 3:13 KJV) Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
Paul is referring to the speech of unsaved individuals in this verse. The throat as an open grave refers to the speech coming out of a spiritually dead person. The speech is deceitful, malicious, and deadly as the poison of asps.
(Rom 3:14 KJV) Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Cursing refers to the speaking of evil about others, and bitterness refers to evil actions against others. The unsaved person can never be trusted in regard to his words or his actions.
(Rom 3:15 KJV) Their feet are swift to shed blood:
The unsaved person is quick to shed the blood of others. We have seen this verse played out in our newspapers where depraved, sexually perverted individuals shed the blood of innocent children. We have also seen serial killers murder numerous people simply for the thrill of it.
(Rom 3:16 KJV) Destruction and misery are in their ways:
The paths of these unsaved individuals are strewn with calamity, ruin and misery.
(Rom 3:17 KJV) And the way of peace have they not known:
These spiritually dead individuals have not known either peace with God nor the peace of God. They have not been reconciled with God.
(Rom 3:18 KJV) There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Since they do not know God, they have no fear of him.
(Rom 3:19 KJV) Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Now we know that the things stated in the Scriptures as a law of duty were stated to them under the law, which are the Jews. The law of duty was given to the Jews so that their mouths opened in self-justification would be silenced, and the whole world—all of humanity—would be seen as guilty and deserving of condemnation. Simply stated, the purpose of the Scriptures was to assist all kinds of individuals—Jew and Gentile—in seeing their depravity before God.
(Rom 3:20 KJV) Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Obedience to the commandments of God will not provide for the justification of anyone, but the commandments of God will help individuals come to the knowledge of their sin. Of course, they must be spiritually regenerated first, or they will not have the ability to recognize sin in themselves. The spiritually dead person is unable to see his own depravity.
(Rom 3:21 KJV) But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
The law of God was first revealed in the Old Testament, but the imputed righteousness of God through grace in the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ has been manifested in the New Testament. The prepositional phrase “by the law and the prophets” is a reference to the Old Testament Scriptures. Thus, the imputed righteousness of Christ is presented and fully disclosed in the New Testament, but it was predicted and foreshadowed in the Old Testament. This is true for many of the mysteries of God, and the statement “the New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed” refers to this truth of God in the Scriptures.
(Rom 3:22 KJV) Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
The imputed righteousness of God comes through faith or belief in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. This righteousness by faith is not only for the Jew, but it is also for the Gentiles. There is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile in regard to this faith, which puts one into the family of God as a member of the Church. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile in the Church. The Church is one group of the elect of God that will live in the New Jerusalem. Two other groups of the elect of God are saved Jews outside of the Church Age, and saved Gentiles outside of the Church Age. The home of the Church during the millennial age will be the New Jerusalem. The home of saved Jews and Gentiles during the millennial age will be the earth. Those in the Church who realize their inheritance in the kingdom of heaven will be in the heavenly aspect of the kingdom. Those saved Jews and Gentiles saved outside of the Church Age and who are found faithful at the sheep and goat judgment will be in the earthly aspect of the kingdom.
(Rom 3:23 KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Paul is speaking of the Church Age, and it matters not whether one is a Jew or Gentile, for both are under the penalty of sin, and are incapable of spirit salvation through the works of the law.
(Rom 3:24 KJV) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Spirit salvation is a free gift of God and comes to the individual, whether Jew or Gentile, by the grace of God through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Spirit salvation is by grace through faith in the death of Jesus Christ as a substitute for the penalty of sin. The penalty of sin is eternal separation from God because one remains spiritually dead. Every person born is born spiritually dead, and remains so until the Holy Spirit regenerates them and makes them spiritually alive. The person that is spiritually regenerated receives the gift of faith and believes in the death of Jesus Christ. The following Scripture confirms that man has absolutely nothing to do with his spiritual rebirth:
(Eph 2:1 KJV) And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:
(Eph 2:2 KJV) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
(Eph 2:3 KJV) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
(Eph 2:4 KJV) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
(Eph 2:5 KJV) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
(Eph 2:6 KJV) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
(Eph 2:7 KJV) That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
(Eph 2:8 KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
(Eph 2:9 KJV) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Verses 1 and 5 above confirm that every Christian was dead in sins until God made us spiritually alive (i.e., quickened us). We were made alive and given the faith to believe in Jesus Christ. EVEN THE FAITH WAS A GIFT FROM GOD. This is confirmed by verse 8 above. The phrase “that not of yourselves” refers to the “grace” and the “ faith” that a believer receives. THE WHOLE WORK OF SPIRIT SALVATION COMES FROM GOD AND THIS INCLUDES THE FAITH.
The Laodicean church age that began around the beginning of the twentieth century has exchanged the above truth that salvation comes from above and is a work of God, into the lie that man effects his own salvation by working up his faith to believe in Jesus Christ. This lie has now even been ingrained into the Sardis churches, which began with Martin Luther. Even the Southern Baptist denomination has now been leavened with the false idea that one can effect his own spirit salvation by working up the faith to believe in Jesus Christ by his own will. This whole issue is the freedom of the will. The Sardis churches believed—accurately—for hundreds of years that the will was in bondage to spiritual death and a person did not have the power to will himself to be saved. The Arminian belief that one can will himself to be saved has now worked its way into thousands of churches and throughout the Southern Baptist denomination. This false idea is clearly contradicted by the scriptures:
(Eph 1:1 KJV) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
(Eph 1:2 KJV) Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Eph 1:3 KJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
(Eph 1:4 KJV) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
(Eph 1:5 KJV) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
(Eph 1:6 KJV) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
(Eph 1:7 KJV) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
(Eph 1:8 KJV) Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
(Eph 1:9 KJV) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
(Eph 1:10 KJV) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
(Eph 1:11 KJV) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
(Eph 1:12 KJV) That we should be to the praise of his gl