All Scripture text will be presented in normal cased lettering, and all notes within the text will be in TRUE TYPE FONT, as shown. This (I hope) will allow you to avoid confusion between God's Word and my notes. As I update this website, I will continue to embellish the text so that anyone using NETSCAPE 3.0 or MICROSOFT 3.0 will be able to read the document easier. Greek tenses are abbreviated as follows:
Through Christ, Who taught us the way to Love: David Buffaloe, Didaskalos Ministries
Romans 2:25-29 "For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep (PRASSO = practice)
the law: but if thou be a breaker (PARABATES = a transgressor)
of the law, thy circumcision is made (GEGONEN, Perfect Tense = has become with the result that it has been settled)
uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep (PHULASSO = to guard, {Present Subjunctive} to guard habitually, to continually guard)
the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted (LOGIZOMAI = to count, compute, calculate, put to ones account)
for circumcision? And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; (PHANEROS = apparent, manifest, evident, known)
neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; (KRUPTOS = hidden, secret, concealed)
and circumcision is that of the heart, in (Locative of sphere = in the sphere of the Spirit)
the spirit, and not in (Locative of sphere = in the sphere of the letter)
the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."
I can imagine the stir that Paul made when he expounded this doctrine to his Jewish audience. The Jews were fond of teaching that their birthright, regardless of their application of the Law, was Heaven. Paul took this myth and threw it out the window! In fact, many people, even Christians, are confused when it comes to the Jew and salvation. God never taught anywhere in Scripture that the Jew (or anyone, for that matter) was physically born to inherit the joys of Heaven. The Scriptures do teach that Israel (the Nation) is a chosen nation, and that the nation will be saved. Being a Jew doesn't make you of Israel no more than being a Baptist makes you a Christian. As Paul states, he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly. Being merely born a Jew doesn't guarantee salvation, but, as Jesus said:
John 3:3-7 "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
Ye must be born again.Without the New Birth that comes by faith in Jesus Christ the Jew has nothing, and will never inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. The Jews were fond of saying that once they were circumcised they were saved. But no outward act (like circumcision, or for that matter, baptism) ever saves a man from his sins. The Jews felt that, once a child was circumcised, he became a member of Israel. And as a member of Israel, he was automatically saved. Thus they began to equate salvation with circumcision. Paul cut to the heart of the matter when he said, if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. That is, if there was no change in your behavior pattern after your alleged salvation, if you are still a law breaker, then your circumcision is worthless.
Circumcision (as with the Christian water Baptism) is an outward sign of an inner covenant relationship with God. Those who were circumcised were, by this outward physical marking, stating that they would do their best to uphold the Laws which God gave them.
Genesis 17:10-14 "This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant."
The outward circumcision reflected the inward covenant that the Israelite was making with God. In the beginning Israel understood this distinction, but as they grew more carnal, their perceptions began to grow hazy. Paul attempts to blow away the haze by stating, he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter. The emphasis is "What's more important, keeping the covenant Law or keeping the outward sign of circumcision?" Naturally the answer is, "Keeping the covenant Law". If the uncircumcised of flesh (the Gentile) keeps the Covenant Law, and the circumcised of flesh (The Jew) refuses to keep the Covenant Law, then it is the Gentile rather than the Jew that is justified in God's sight. This doctrine would certainly surprise the Jews, especially when they considered the ramifications: It is very possible that there will be more uncircumcised (but believing) Gentiles in Heaven than there will be Jews.
Romans 3:1-2 "What advantage (PERISSON = surplus, prerogative, preeminence)
then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much (POLU = much)
every way: chiefly, (PROTON = first, primarily)
because that unto them were committed the oracles (LOGIA = "the contents of the revelation having God as its Author" {Denney})
of God."
After reading the last section, foremost in the mind of the Jew would be the question, "Well, what does it benefit me to be a Jew?". The Jews had a lot of privileges, the chief one being they were the oracles of God. Oracles is the Greek LOGION, which means "utterances". The writer of Hebrews recognized this privilege:
Hebrews 5:11-14 "Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
The Jews had an advantage in that, as a nation, they were chosen by God to carry His truths to all other nations. Israel was the first steward of the Gospel, and should have been the Teacher of the world. Yet the nation, in rejecting God's Word, became ineffective in that stewardship. This is a cautionary lesson for us all. Many Churches throughout Christianity today have fallen into the same trap: by rejecting God's Word, by failing to spread the Gospel message, these Churches have become ineffective stewards of that which God entrusted. Some Christians, falling into sin without repentance, have so trampled that stewardship until God has taken their lives under the sin unto death:
1 John 5:16 "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it."
Faithlessness has led to individual believer death, faithlessness
on a larger scale has caused local Churches to become ineffective, stagnant,
mere shells of what Christ wanted the Church to be. It is for this reason
that some Christian denominations have turned to ordaining homosexuals
and women to the ministry in blatant disregard to Scriptural teaching.
The following is from an Australian Gospel magazine called
Fair
Dinkum!:
Six hundred thousand children, between the ages of 3 and 18, are involved in child pornography. Twenty thousand of them will disappear each year, never to be seen again. And 300,000 pulpits are silent.
The networks make a mockery of Christians, the Christian faith and Christian values with nearly every show they air. Greed, materialism, violence, sexual immorality are standard fare. Program after program, movie after movie contains anti-Christian episodes and plots. News articles condescendingly refer to the "fundamental, right wing Christians". Those who speak out for the sacredness of life are branded as extremists. And 300,000 pulpits are silent.
Teenage suicide is the highest it has ever been. The number of teenage alcoholics and drug addicts is the highest ever. Christian morality cannot be taught in schools but atheistic immorality can. Divorce is taking approximately one of every two marriages. The number of children living in broken homes is fast becoming a majority. And 300,000 pulpits are silent.
Rape has increased 700 percent in the last fifty years, and that takes into consideration the population growth. The FBI says one in four 12-year-old girls will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime. Pornography has become an eight billion dollar business, with some of the largest companies in America involved -- CBS, RCA, Coca Cola, 7-Eleven, Time, Inc. And 300,000 pulpits are silent.
Rock music fills the airways and our children's minds with music which legitimizes rape, murder, sado-masochism, adultery, satanic worship, etc. And 300,000 pulpits are silent.
A majority of states now have lotteries. We have eliminated that crime by making it legal and putting it under the control of the state. And 300,000 pulpits are silent.
What important matters are being dealt with in our churches? The church bulletin says there will be a meeting to plan the church-wide supper. We are raising money to put a new floor cover in the kitchen. (The old one doesn't match the new stove and refrigerator.) The sermon subject last Sunday was "How To Have A Positive Attitude." We are organizing a softball team. At a meeting of church officials a program was announced to recruit new members. We need the new program because we are losing membership. The new program was worked out by some of the very top professionals, people who have had success in gaining new members for the Lions Club, and other organizations. We really need professionals to do the job. (Donald E. Wildmon)
The Church's Stewardship, our stewardship, is a precious gift from God. Never forget that!
Romans 3:3-4 "For what (TI GAR = for how)
if some did not (APISTEUO = without faith) believe?
|>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>|
shall their unbelief make
the faith of God without (AKATERGAZOMAI
= to make inefficient)
effect? God forbid: (ME GENEOITO = may it never come to pass)
yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified (literally "be acknowledged as righteous)
in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."
Though Israel fell into apostasy and unbelief, the promises of God stand sure. The Davidic Covenant was filled in Christ, giving the line of David an eternal throne over Israel (Matthew 1.1-17). Though Israel has fallen there will be a faithful remnant that will be saved, will accept Jesus Christ as Savior. God will fulfill every covenant promise He ever made, regardless of their faithlessness.
Romans 3:5-6 "But if our unrighteousness commend (SUNISTEMI = to place together, to put together with a view toward showing, proving or establishing)
the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (EPIPHERO ORGEN = brings holy anger to bear)
(I speak as a man) God forbid: (ME GENOITO = away with the thought, let not such a thing be considered)
for then how (POS = how is it possible)
shall God judge the world?"
Just as you can always see a light color more prominently when displayed on a dark background, it is easier to see the purity of the righteousness of God when displayed in contrast to the sinfulness of this world. Our unrighteousness commends, SUNISTEMI, that is, introduces or better illustrates the righteousness of God. Though the unrighteousness of man better illustrates God's righteousness, there is no reason to believe that He will forsake judging the wicked. God in His righteousness must judge the wicked, bringing punishment to them for their offenses against Himself. taketh vengeance is the Greek EPIPHERO, meaning "To bring anger to bear". God's judgment against the wicked is His action of bringing His Divine anger to bear against an unrepentant mankind.
Hebrews 10:30-31 "For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
2 Thessalonians 1:4-6 "So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;"
Romans 12:19-21 "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
All vengeance is to be left up to God, the Holy Judge. God is always just, always fair in His distribution of punishment to the unrighteous. If the believer takes vengeance against someone who brings offense, effectively "taking God's place", then our Father will not act. It is never our place to take the place of the Avenger. As Christians we are called to do only good toward our enemies while trusting in the righteousness of God to repay all offenses. It is a matter of faith, believing that He will do what He said.
Romans 3:7-9 "For if (EI, a particle of fulfilled condition = since, in view of the fact)
the truth of God hath more abounded (PERISSEUO, to be in affluence, be increased, to have more)
through my lie (a reference to moral falsehood. Refers back to vs 4)
unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 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. What then? (TI OUN = how are we to understand the situation?)
are we better (PROECHO, to have before or in advance of another, to excel, to surpass)
than they?
Note: the negative ME is used here, which shows that the answer "NO" is expected.
No, in no wise: (OU PANTOS = absolutely in no way)
for we have before proved (PROAITIAOMAI = to previously bring a charge against)
both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;"
Let us do evil, that good may come The Christian must be careful that he doesn't fall into the Gnostic trap that was so prevalent in Paul's day. The argument went like this: "Since I am saved then I am free to do as I want. Thus I am free now to sin with impunity.". Gnosticism is a dangerous mind set, a trap of Satan, and a delusion of the mind. All Christians, Children of the Promise because of belief in Christ, have value only because of their relationship with Whom they have believed:
1 Corinthians 1:25-29 "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence."
We who have come to the light of Christ were base, we were weak, we were despised. Yet God chose to present the Gospel message to us, and upon our acceptance, translated us into Disciples of Light. The transformed Christian must never use his secure salvation as a license to sin. The thought of even doing this, using that which God so graciously bestowed for evil, should make you question your position in Christ.
Romans 3:10-18 "As it is written, (GREGRAPTAI, Perfect Tense = it has been written with the result that it is still on record)
There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after (EKZETEO = to seek out or search for. This word is used for determined searching for something)
God. They are all gone out of the way, (EKKLINO = to lean out, to turn aside, deviate from the right way)
they are together become unprofitable; (ACHREIOO = to make useless, render unserviceable)
there is none that doeth good, (CHRESTOTES = moral goodness, integrity, benign, kindness)
no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; (DOLIOO = to deceive)
the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes."
Paul now begins to illustrate the universality of sin, what John Calvin called the "Total Depravity" of mankind. There is none righteous, no, not one We often use the expression, "He's a good boy", or "What a good man". Maybe just a little saying, but the Scripture clearly teaches that no human has inherent goodness. Jesus Himself, when in His earthly ministry was called "good", rejected this title:
Matthew 19:16-17 "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."
Mark 10:17-18 "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? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God."
Luke 18:18-19 "And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God."
Jesus didn't reject the title because He wasn't good (He was pure, good, and holy). He rejected the title because the one who addressed Him regarded Him as only a good human teacher, not as sinless man and God in the flesh. If He was to be regarded as only a human teacher then He rejected the appellate of good. Christ, unlike the rest of humanity, was virgin born, born of a sinless Father. The rest of us are born under the sin of Adam, born of parents sold into the slavery of sin by a careless forefather. This sinful state makes us physically alive yet spiritually dead. It was to redeem us out of this spiritual death that Christ came, suffered, died, and rose again:
Ephesians 2:1-9 "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 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: 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. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
All who have rejected that salvation offered through Christ are still, even now, dead to God, spiritually dead. Just as a corpse has no understanding or communication with the living, the spiritually dead have a barrier of sin that prevents them from having communion with God. Paul illustrated the spiritual death and lack of understanding of the unbeliever:
1 Corinthians 2:14-15 "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. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man."
Those who are spiritual corpses can no more understand the teachings of Our Lord than a physical corpse can understand the conversation of the living. If it were not for the Spirit of God calling and enabling those dead to Christ to hear the Gospel message, none would be saved.
The phrase gone out of the way is the Greek EKKLINO, which means "To turn aside or deviate from". Not only do the spiritually dead quantified as none that seeketh after God, but the spiritually dead go out of their way to deviate or turn from God at every opportunity.
Ephesians 2:15-16 "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:"
Before accepting Christ as Savior we were all at enmity, that is, the enemies of God. It was for this reason that we did not seek after God, but He sought us out by sending His precious Spirit to call us, woo us to the Cross. Were it not for our Father's ceaseless Love we would yet be dead in our sins, blissfully ignorant of our lost state. Yet some, even when called, rejected the Cross of Christ. They prefer to remain in their dead state, hopelessly lost, believing that their own "good" works are enough to get them into Heaven. Yet God says:
Titus 1:15-16 "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."
The clear teaching of Scripture is that you cannot work your way to Heaven. There is nothing you can do to merit entry into the Presence of Our Holy Father. The only hope, only chance that any person has, is to accept that Spiritual calling to repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior.
Romans 3:13 "..The poison of asps is under their lips.."
The Egyptian asp is one of the most poisonous snakes in the world. With venom stored in a sack directly under it's lower lip, to be bitten is to be certain of a sure and certain death. Paul uses this illustration to hammer home the point that nothing good comes out of the mouth (or mind) of man. By the words of his mouth the unsaved sows death and destruction, leading others as far away from God as possible.
Romans 3:14-15 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood "
Again, a powerful picture drawn to show that the unsaved can do no good. An inability to do good, poisonous and cursing mouths, an inherent ability to destroy rather than to build, or to build without regard for God's Will: these are the works of the natural (unsaved) man.
Romans 3:16-18 "Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes."
The unbelieving are foolish, lacking a normal reverential respect for the Almighty.
Proverbs :9:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. "
Psalms 14:1 "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."
Psalms 53:1 "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. "
Some unbelieving even go so far as to proclaim that "there is no God". What a foolish, stupid statement. Can you not see Him in the design of nature? Can you not see Him in the beautiful craftsmanship of the heavens? Is He not evident at every turn. Yet many turn away from His calling, reject His Gospel, and seek instead to make a monkey our creator, an ameba the progenitor of the human race. How foolish, stupid, and utterly lost are these sad souls, these Atheists, Evolutionists, Agnostics.
Let's take a break, reflect on what we've studied so far, and return in the next study. God Bless!
Please feel free to E-mail me your questions, comments, and any difficulties you experienced accessing this study at DIDASKALOS Ministries
Return
to the beginning of this study!
Return
to DIDASKALOS MAIN MENU