Category Archives: Romans, Letter to the

“Propitiation: The Most Important Word Sinners Should Know” (Romans 3:25-26)

What is the most important passage in the Bible?  Now ask that question again, only substitute verse for passage.  Then consider whether any particular word stands out among all others.  Have you located the most important word in the Bible? … Continue reading

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7 Reflections After Preaching Through Romans

Last week I finished preaching through Paul’s letter to the Romans.  This verse-by-verse journey took me through 77 messages in order to thoroughly deal with each chapter.  Here are 7 reflections after preaching through the letter: (1) I am more … Continue reading

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God Revealing Himself to the Gentiles in Romans 10:20

In Romans 10:20 Paul quotes God’s words from Isaiah 65:1, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”  Displaying this verse in two parallel lines is most … Continue reading

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The Glorious Truths of Romans 8:29-30 and Romans 10:14-15

Have you ever noticed the complementary truths expressed by two passages in Romans, namely, 8:29-30 and 10:14-15?  Paul says, “For those God foreknew he also predestined…and those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he … Continue reading

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Who Prepares the Vessels of Wrath and Vessels of Mercy?

In Romans 9:22-23, Paul mentions “vessels of wrath” that were “prepared for destruction” (9:22) and “vessels of mercy” that were “prepared for glory” (9:23).  The question is: Who is the doing the “preparing”?  Is it the same person in both … Continue reading

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Paul’s Answers to Two Predestination Objections

Objections to predestination are nothing new.  While writing to the Romans, Paul brought up predestination in order to demonstrate how God’s promises did not fail when not every Israelite embraced the Messiah (9:3, 6, 11).  But the classrooms of seminaries … Continue reading

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The Greater Weight of Glory

Paul said, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”  2 questions strike me from this verse: (1) what are the “present sufferings,” and (2) what is “the glory … Continue reading

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Who is the “I” of Romans 7:7-25? Part 5 of 5

I think that the “I” in Romans 7 is Paul, identifying with unbelieving Jews under God’s law.  Paul is recalling the true state of every Israelite under God’s law.  Though Paul is a Christian Jew, he writes in words that are … Continue reading

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Who is the “I” of Romans 7:7-25? Part 4 of 5

As previously argued, the “I” of Romans 7 cannot be Paul telling the story as Adam in the Garden, and the “I” cannot be Paul speaking about his post-conversion struggle with sin.  This brings us to the third view that … Continue reading

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Who is the “I” of Romans 7:7-25? Part 3 of 5

Throughout church history, the “I” of Romans 7 has been variously identified.  This post moves onto the second option: from (1) Adam in the Garden of Eden telling the entrance of sin into the world; to (2) Paul as a … Continue reading

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