Romans 6:3-4 - Baptized into His Death

3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

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- - - Walk in Newness of Life - - -
In Him	In Christ	In God	In You
John 1:4; 6:56; 15:5; Acts 17:8	Rom. 6:23; 8:1; 12:5;  1 Cor. 1:2, 30; 15:22;  2 Cor. 2:14; 5:17, 19	Col 3:3;	John 14:20; 15:4, 11; 17:21; 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 4:12; 13:5
2 Cor.5:21; Eph. 1:7; Phil. 3:9; Col. 2:6, 7, 10; 2 Thess. 1:12	Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:10, 13; Col. 1:28	-	Gal. 4:19; Col. 1:27; 2 Thess. 1:12
1 John 3:6, 9, 24; 4:13, 15; 5:20	1 Thess. 4:16; 2 Tim. 1:1, 9; 2:10	-	1 Pet. 3:15; 1 John 2:24, 27; 4:4

V. 3 - “Do you not know” - The writer of Hebrews says almost the same thing: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.” (Heb. 5:12) You should know and understand the following:

“all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus” - This verse gave me pause. A cursory reading could lead us to think that only by water baptism are we added to or included in Jesus’ family and church. I do not believe that baptism is a prerequisite for salvation. Baptism is an outward demonstration of your commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

From “Systematic Theology”, the following paragraph: "Baptismal Regeneration is Contrary to Grace. The belief that baptism brings regeneration is inconsistent with scriptural teaching on God’s grace. Salvation came “by grace through faith,” and not by any “righteous works” (including baptism). Jesus called baptism a work of “righteousness” (Matt. 3:15), and Paul declared that it was “not because of righteous things we have done, but because of His mercy” that God saved us (Tit. 3:5); “By grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast” (Eph. 2:8-9 NET). So baptism is not more necessary for being saved than is any other work of righteousness.”
(See note 1, below)

This verse emphasizes that being a Christian is not a spectator event. We don’t just know information about Jesus. We don’t gather data. It is more than a friendship, more than a relationship - it is all of those and more. Jesus is in us, each one. We, each one, are in Jesus. (See: John 14:18-21; 17:20-23). In this case, ‘baptized’ means or implies ‘total immersion’. That we are in Jesus, or that Jesus is in us, is throughout Jesus’ teachings, and throughout the teachings of the apostles. I did a search of the NT for the word combinations “in Him”, “in Christ”, “in Jesus”, and “in you” - looking for scripture showing believers are joined with Christ and God. There many other verses which refer to ‘believing in Jesus’ or Him or Christ, and several that are ‘faith in Jesus’. The phrase “in Christ” is first mentioned in Acts, and then throughout the letters by the apostles - about 60+ times; “in you” about 80+ times.

“have been baptized into His death” - I want eternal life with Jesus. Being in heaven, worshipping God and Jesus, walking the streets of gold in New Jerusalem on this new earth, is more wonderful than I can completely imagine. I want to be there.

But this - immersed in His death - this sound serious. It does not mean, as far as I can tell, that I will have to suffer a death like Jesus for salvation to count. It does mean just as Jesus physical human body died, His new resurrected body is now alive in Heaven.
Jesus said we must be born again (See: John 3:3-8).
This body we live in, beset and infected with sin cannot be part of eternal life. (See: 2 Cor. 4:16)
We must receive new perfect, unblemished bodies. We will receive bodies just like His. (See: 1 John 3:1-2)
Jesus died to or for sin. We also must die to sin. When we accept Jesus as Savior, we become “dead man walking”. Supposedly, in some prisons, a convicted criminal slated for execution, would be designated ‘dead man walking’ when he moved outside his cell. These bodies are condemned, they will not be allowed in Heaven. When we worship at the throne of God, when we are displayed as the bride of Christ, or children of God it will be in our new incorruptible bodies.These are given to us by God, through the grace of Jesus Christ.

Watchman Nee explains this quite well. “When the Lord Jesus was on the Cross all of us died - not individually, for we had not yet been born - but, being in Him, we died in HIm. ‘One died for all, therefore all died’ (2 Cor. 5:14). When He was crucified all of us were crucified with Him... All references to it [His crucifixion, death] are in the Greek aorist, which is all the ‘once-for-all’ tense, the ‘eternal past tense’... That we have died in Christ is not merely a doctrinal position, it is an eternal and indisputable fact.” (See note 2, below).

V. 4 - "Therefore we have been buried with Him” - This may be read “since” we have been buried with Him. We are immersed with Christ in His death. Our bodies die, just as His body died. We will be raised in new bodies, just as He was raised to new life.  

In Romans 6:4-11, Paul presents a case for believers to know that if they share in Christ’s death, they will also share in Christ’s life. This is a magnificent passage, almost a prayer song, a celebration song. For me it ranks up there with 1 Corinthians 13. When you confess that you believe in Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, you have been immersed into His death. (Confession is more than just saying, “I believe.” Saying you believe is important, but making the commitment, turning over your self and life to Him, that you will be His, and He will be yours is the key.) There are eight key statements in these verses showing that when you have Jesus’ death you also have Jesus’ life eternal.  

Paul states that when you are baptized, after confessing Jesus as Lord in your life, you have died to this present existence, and raised to new life, a new existence in Christ. Although you do not physically die when baptized, that moment of immersion is a sign to the spiritual realms you no longer are what you once were, you are a new person. It is physical point in time to which you can anchor yourself. You can know you are Christ’s because you can look back at the baptism. It is a physical act that cannot be imagined, it really happened. On that day you became a child of God. If you do not get baptized, it is too easy to deny anything changed in your life. You could tell yourself you just imagined it. Baptism gives a starting point for our new life - we died with Christ, we are raised up to new life with Christ. 

The following chart summarizes Paul paean to life in Christ Jesus our Lord:

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Death and Life in Christ
Baptized into His Death	V. 4	Raised to walk in His Life
United in His Death	V. 5	United in His Resurrection
Crucified with Him	V. 6	No longer Slaves to Sin
Died, therefore -	V. 7	Free from Sin
Died with Him	V. 8	Live with Him
Raised from Dead	V. 9	Never Die Again
Christ Died to Sin	V. 10	Christ Lives to God
Dead to Sin	V. 11	Live to God in Christ Jesus

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Note 1: Norman Geisler; “Systematic Theology, Vol. 4, Church, Last Things”; (Bethany House; 2005).
Note 2: Watchman Nee; “The Normal Christian Life”; (Gospel Literature Service; 1957).
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Romans 6:1-2 - Are We to Continue in Sin?

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?
2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

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CHAPTER 6
6:1-2 - Continue in Sin?
6:3-4 - Buried / Baptised
6:5-8 - Know - Identify with Jesus Christ 
6:9-11 - Reckon/Consider
6:12-14 - Yield
6:15-18 - Obey
6:19-23 - Slaves vs. Free
***

V. 1 - “Are we to continue in sin?” - This is not a facetious question. In Rom. 5:20-21 (see above) we see as sin increased so did the grace to meet it. God’s grace is greater than all our sin. A logical progression could go like this:
  Don’t you want grace from God?
  Don’t you want as much grace as you can get?
  Didn’t Paul just say the grace grew to match the sin? (See also: Rom. 3:5, 8)
  Therefore, why not sin as much as possible in order to get as much grace as possible?

V. 2 - “May it never be!” - NO! A thousand times, No! The question is asked by someone who does not understand what Paul has said. Someone who does not want to understand.
Nothing you have done in your life is beyond the forgiveness and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is that simple.

However, when you accept Him as you Savior, your relationship with God changes - fundamentally.

Before Christ	After Christ
Sin reigns in your life.	Sin need not reign.
Death and fear control you.	No fear of death
Helpless	No longer helpless
Enmity with God	Now a child of God
Condemnation	Justified
Guilty before God	Reconciled with God
You were on your own	You have the Holy Spirit
Hell is your future	Heaven is yours!

You do not need to do anything to garner “more grace”. You have been given all you will ever need. The partial list (above) of the way your life has changed is not theoretical, or only spiritual in nature. The changes in your life will have ramifications in your daily life. The next couple of chapters of this letter tells us why we are “more than conquerors!” (See: Rom. 8:37-39)

“How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” - This powerful question leads into how our union with Christ changes the way we live now. Accepting Christ as Savior guarantees our future with Him. Somehow, that is too nebulous for us to grasp and cling to as a reason to live differently.

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Romans 5:20-21 - Grace reigns

20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Grace Abounded All the More

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V. 20 - “The Law came in so that the transgression would increase” - Not that the Law caused people to sin more or worse. People were now aware of what actions were sinful, because they were spelled out. For example, you probably were not very aware of what a speed limit is (other than your mother telling your father he is driving over the speed limit). But when you were ready to get your own drivers license you found there are speed limits everywhere! In towns, 25 MPH; on highways, 55 MPH; on freeways, 65 MPH; around schools, 20 MPH. Now you know, and you know when you are breaking that law.

“but where sin increased” - As people were made aware of sin, the realization of their lost condition became more profound. If you think you have only sinned a little bit, then you tend to think you only need a little bit of grace. When you begin to see how vast and how deep are the breadths and the depths of you sin nature, you begin to realize all is lost and hopeless. If you owe the bank $20 for a bounced check, that’s one thing. If you owe $20 million, how do you pay that? If you owe God your life because of your sin, what can you do? God’s grace is there for the little white lie. Grace is there for the anger and hate. Grace is there for the rebellion against Him. God gave Himself to cover all the sin of the world. His grace is greater than all our sin.

Marvelous, infinite matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive?

Chorus
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!
Hymn by Johnston & Towner

V. 21 - “So that, sin reigned in death” - This verse echoes verse 17, above. Death commands our attention and fears. Death is the result of sin. Sin is the driving factor in all of our activities and life on earth. Sin reigns. James Madison (one of the authors of the U. S. Constitution) said, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary... “ Laws are necessary to control the government and the actions of men.

I am a big fan of science fiction (as mentioned another time), and also of mystery stories. The science fiction writers are peering into the future and speculating on the condition and actions of mankind. Not many of the authors have a positive outlook on the behavior of humans. Likewise, there are almost no Christian protagonists. Finding other planets, or other sentient life forms, does not change the anger, hate, greed, jealousy, rebellion - sin - in mankind. The future is no better than the present - because sin reigns. The authors will not acknowledge that sin is the problem. Likewise, there is no solution to the sin. Sin reigns. Death reigns as a result.

The outlook for mystery writers is much the same. There are no believers in the fictional private investigator professions. Sin reigns, Death follows.

“even so grace would reign” - As sin and death grow and spread, God’s grace is there. It is always greater than sin and death. You and I see the grace for us - as little or as much as we need. I am not sure we are aware of how much greater is God’s grace than our need.

God’s Grace is greater than sin and death. God is greater than all - men, women, angels, planets, stars, galaxies, the universe.
God’s righteousness is greater than all. God’s righteousness is given through His grace to us.
God’s righteousness is demonstrated by the gift of His Son who died for us. He was the sacrifice that paid the penalty for all sin.
God’s righteousness is in you when you have Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. That gives you the gift of eternal life. No second death; no eternal separation from God’s glory.
Grace reigns. Righteousness and eternal life are yours in Jesus Christ. There is no other way.
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) 
 Grace Reigns!
***
End of Chapter

Romans 5:15-19 - Transgression vs. Gift

15 But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.
16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.
17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.
19 For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

On the Other Hand...

Paul lays out four ways Adam’s act of disobedience affects us, contrasted to the ways Christ’s obedience affects us.

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V. 15 - “the free gift is not like the transgression” - Adam may foreshadow Christ Jesus. Despite the similarities, the differences are HUGE. Both are ‘firsts’ - first human and first in the church. In Adam we have received the inheritance of death. In Christ we receive eternal life. In Adam, you have no say on whether you want the sin nature - you have it by being born. His transgression bequeathed it to you. Death is not a gift to mankind. However, eternal life in Jesus Christ is a gift. Unlike the inheritance from Adam, humans get the opportunity to accept or reject the gift of life Christ offers. Because Jesus Christ lives, we are bequeathed life through Him.

“by the transgression of the one” - This is the explanation of ‘original sin’. Adam’s sin and the sentence pronounced is visited on all his descendants. (See: Gen. 2:16-17 and Gen. 3:1-21) The verse says the results is ‘the many died’. What an amazing understatement! Not just many die - we all die.

“the grace of God and the gift of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.” - It is simple. All sin and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23) Therefore, all die in their sin. We are lost. We are doomed. What shall we do? God has done it for us. By grace and by gift - we are blessed by Jesus! For the next few verses, the one man, Adam, is compared to the one Man, Jesus. More accurately, the results of Adam’s disobedience is compared to Jesus’ obedience and sacrifice. I think these verses provide the most thorough analysis of this topic in scripture.

V. 16 - “The gift is not like...” - Two men, two different results. “One thing is not like the other..” (Song from Sesame Street). The gift came from the man who did not sin. The other result is directly the result of sin.

“for on the one hand” - God handed down His judgment on Adam. That first disobedience, that ONE rebellion resulting in condemnation for all who followed. The condemnation, separation from God, is referred to as the second death. Also, the curse was placed on the world, which would become Satan’s princedom. “Life is hard, and then you die” is a snarky way of saying don’t expect anything good out of this life. Corruption and decay of the world and mankind reigns until Christ returns to establish His eternal kingdom.

“but on the other hand” - Adam sinned - we all die. Jesus died - so we may live. The free gift restores the world, the universe, to the “as designed” condition. The many, many sins of the world required a perfect sacrifice to cover them all. Anything less than perfect means some were missed. The treatment protocol for  cancer may involve chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery. The goal is to eliminate all of the cancer cells in your body. One cancer cell may begin to grow and spread, which may be fatal.

All sin must be eliminated in order to purify the world. I do not think the phrase “from many transgressions” means that sins piled up, and when a sufficient number occurred an alarm is triggered. Klaxons go off in heaven; God springs into action. Based on the context, “from many” probably includes the sin of other humans - all the other humans.

V. 17 - “death reigned through the one” - Looking back into Genesis, we can see that death started very soon after they left the Garden of Eden. Abel was killed by an angry Cain (Gen. 4:4-11). Mankind is corrupt and God brings on the Flood, saving Noah and his family (Gen. 6 & 7). Next, the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9). Abraham appeals to God for Sodom and Gomorrah - in vain as it turns out (Gen. 18 & 19). And so it goes, all the way to today.

Death is all around us, whether from natural causes - illness and accidents - or criminals and terrorists. Murder, rape, robbery and thievery. Abortion clinics have killed more than 80 million babies - and we are told it is a good thing. Churches in Europe and America are being desecrated, but we are warned not to suspect Islam, but it is a religion of peace. All around us people are calling good as evil and calling evil as good. (See: Isa. 5:20-21)
Because death is the monarch of this world, much of what we do is to hold death at bay.

Benjamin Franklin told us, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” We fear death far more than taxes. Beyond this life is a mystery. We cannot see through that veil. We dread the process of dying, and dread what may lurk on the other side. Our physical deaths are frightening enough.

Jesus told us that belief in Him will result in life, even if we die. (See: John 11:25, 26). How can this be? How do we die, yet retain eternal life? This body which now houses my soul and spirit will pass away, but my soul and spirit lives on. The question is whether the soul and spirit lives on with God, or separated from Him. The people around Jesus understood eternal life. (See: Matt. 19:16; 25:46; Luke 10:25-26) Jesus warned us to fear Him who could kill our soul and spirit. (See: Matt. 10:28) God is loving, but there will come a day when His judgement will be meted out. That is the day when those who reject Him will experience eternal separation - the “second death”. Fear that! (See: Rev. 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8) There death reigns. In Dante’s “Divine Comedy”, the entry to hell has this inscription, “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.“

“righteousness will reign in life through the One” - What a contrast! In Jesus Christ life reigns! No more death. No more pain. No more shame. No more guilt. The grace is given freely and abundantly through Jesus Christ. There is righteousness. There is life with God. There is praise. There is worship.

Through Adam death reigns; we have sin, condemnation, and death.
Through Jesus Christ righteousness reigns; we have joy, and life.
It is your choice. I can’t make it for you.

Jesus Christ is the King of Glory. He loves us! We need not fear Him. He died in our place. Joy and peace is there with Him.

***

V. 18 - “there resulted condemnation to all men” - All that have followed Adam are under condemnation. The wrath of God remains on them (See: John 3:36). Wrath does not mean out-of-control rage and anger (think: Hulk from the comic book movies). Wrath is the action required to execute God’s sentence against sin. It cannot be pretty or meek and mild because sin is not pretty. It is the natural consequence of rejecting God and His commandments. It is the penalty sentenced and delivered. Condemnation leads to death.

“there resulted justification of life to all men” - Jesus’ sacrifice breaks that link to death for us. Righteousness and eternal life is now available to us all. This does not mean that all will benefit from the righteousness of Jesus. I have heard a story of an immigrant who came on a steamship from Europe. On the trip across the ocean, he ate what little food he had brought in his luggage. He didn’t realize until he landed that his ticket included room and meals on the ship.

Death is penalty we all must face. We have no say in it, because it is in our blood, inherited from Adam. Life is a gift we can choose. We’ve done nothing to deserve life. It cannot be earned.

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V. 19 - “one man's disobedience the many were made sinners” - Adam’s sin is ours. Through our self-will, either “active rebellion or passive indifference” (see note 1) we are sinners. Notice this is in past tense - the many were made sinners. That one act, in the beginning, is passed down to us all.

“obedience of the One the many will be made righteous” - Jesus’ obedience is the vehicle that transports us to a right relationship with God. The similarity for these two ‘ones’ - we did not earn them, both were given to us. The big difference between these two “ones” - we can choose or reject the gift of life! You don’t get to choose death - it is yours because you are human. God does not force you to choose life. Not all people will choose Jesus. Why? Self-will and pride; rebellion; indifference to what God is offering.
The phrase "the many" is repeated in verse 15 and here. It does not mean 'a lot of people' were infected with sin, which would imply that some escaped the penalty of sin beause they were not part of the 'many'. No. All people, every person, anyone who has ever lived - except of course for Jesus Christ - falls under the penalty of sin. Jesus Christ, because He was both God and man, lived without sin. He voluntarily took the penalty of sin - death - upon Himself on the cross. His death consumed all the death for all those who believe and accept Him.

Have you beleived and accepted Jesus Christ as your savior? If not, you can do it right now! You can pray to God. The following is a suggested preayer:
"Lord Jesus, I need You. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for Forgiving my sins. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be."
(see: Note 2)

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Note 1: ‘Law 2’ of Four Spiritual Laws; Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright.
Note 2: Prayer from Four Spiritual Laws; Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright.
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Romans 5:10-11 - Reconciliation

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

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If... Then

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V. 10 - This verse is an “If-Then” statement. Simply, the sentence is “If we have been reconciled, then we shall be saved.” The prepositional phrases, ‘while...’, ‘to...’, ‘through...’, ‘by...’ add depth and clarity but do not change the basic message.

“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God” - Starting a sentence with “For” should get us thinking that the following is based on a previous statement or conclusion. (The late Dr. J. Vernon McGee used to say something like, “We need to see what the for is there for.” ) The conclusion in verse 9 is that we are saved from the wrath of God - that is, we are saved from serving the sentence against us for sin. That sentence is eternal separation from God - the scripture calls this the ‘second death’.

How is it that we were, or are, enemies of God? Do we think we can reject God and His offer of salvation through Jesus and still be His friends? Can we decide to not believe in God, and be either neutral to Him, or not enemies? Can we be agnostic, theoretically neutral towards God?
I think the problem is we don’t take God seriously. Because He is not “in-your-face”, we imagine everything is OK. We deceive ourselves! God is a jealous God, unwilling to share His glory with any other. (See: Exo. 20:5, 34:14; Deut. 4:24) There is no neutral. Jesus phrased it, “For he who is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9:40) It is black or white, with no shades of grey. This is part of the spiritual battle that continues around us. Satan opposes God, even tried to supplant Him. (See: Acts 13:10) Satan’s domain is the world. To be friends of the world means to be against the Lord. (See: Jam. 4:4) The flesh (world) is hostile to God. (Rom. 8:7) The hostility goes both directions: our mind and actions are hostile to God, death and separation from God is hostile to us. (See: Col. 1:21, 2:14)

“Reconciled to God” - When you get into a disagreement with a family member or a friend, and then resolve the issue, it can be said you have been reconciled. You have gone from “enemies’ to “friends”. This is being “reconciled with...” God has reconciled us to Him.

“through the death of His Son” - We did not do this. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son did it. See: “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). Also: “knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.“ (1 Peter 1:18-19 ) And, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 )

“we shall be saved by His life” - Both Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection are necessary for our salvation. These two cannot be separated; they are inextricably connected. Just as the sacrificial rules cannot be separated from the Old (Mosaic) Covenant, the resurrection is as vital to our faith as is the crucifixion. It is possible, if not easy, to understand the sacrifices of the OT are a ‘type’ pointing to the New Covenant. It is not our efforts that turn back sin, but the blood of the sacrifice that is effectual. Resurrection as a fundamental is more difficult to see.

The resurrection of Jesus to life is our proof that His death was THE acceptable sacrifice for the sins of the world. Think on this: if Jesus is not resurrected to eternal life, how would we KNOW? That is: if Jesus is not resurrected and witnessed, what proof do we have that we can join Him to live with God the Father? Does it make a difference if we KNOW or not?

Did it make a difference to His disciples?

• They were denying him and hiding in a locked room (See: Matt. 26:70; John 20:19).
• After Easter Morning, they were told He is Risen, yet they were doubtful (See: Matt. 28:17; Mark 16:10-14; Luk. 24:11).
• The reality started to sink in (See: Mark 16:20; Luk. 24:36, 43-46)
• They believed, were filled with Holy Spirit, and preached with great joy, sometimes in defiance of the authorities. (See: Luk. 24:52; Acts 1:3; 2:22-25, 38-39; 4:18-20)
• John reminds us he witnessed these things. (John 21:24)

What a turn-around; what a difference! Quaking and cowering to “We must obey God rather than men!”

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V. 11 - “And not only this” - God has given us reconciliation and eternal life. We get to give glory to God, because what our Lord Jesus Christ did, and because He lives in us. We can rejoice, for His joy is ours (See: John 15:11; 16:24; 17:13).

“we have now received the reconciliation.” - We received it. We did not earn it. Reconciliation is a gift, not wages earned.

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Romans 5:12-14 - One Man and Death

12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--
13 for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

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- One-on-One: Adam vs. Jesus -

This paragraph, verses 12-21, Paul compares Adam and Jesus. The key words in this paragraph are “sin - includes sinned, transgression, disobedience” - (14x); “one” (13x); “many” (5x); “all” (4x); “death” (5x); “gift” (5x); “grace” (5x). The theme of the verses: one man brought sin and death into the world, likewise one man brought the gift of righteousness and life into the world.

V. 12-13 - “Therefore” - The beginning of the sentence refers back to Rom. 3:23 - “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

“just as through one man sin entered into the world” - A visual image may help explain: think of the Russian nesting dolls - a big doll when opened up reveals a slightly smaller doll. When that doll is opened, there is another doll inside. There are many smaller dolls inside the biggest one.
Adam, he of the original sin, is the biggest doll. All the rest of humanity resides within that one doll. Adam was infected with the sin. We carry the sin and death within us. DNA testing seems to be very popular now (at least if you watch the number of ads on TV), to determine ‘where you are from’. Whether it is Central Europe or darkest Africa, you will now be able to tell who you are (according to the ads).
You are human. You were born with a sin nature. You inherited it from Adam. That is ‘who you are’. Because Adam was disobedient - he chose to disobey God - sin is baked into our genes. (See: Gen. 2:16-17 and Gen. 3:1-21). It is important to realize this is not just a ‘spiritual’ problem. This physical body which houses our soul, our spirit, and our mind has been corrupted by sin, it will die. God is not going to repair these bodies. At resurrection or rapture we are reborn, given a new body. We will be just like Jesus. (See: 1 John 3:1-2).

“death through sin” - This has been known from the beginning of humanity. See: “Then the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat fruit from every tree of the orchard, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will surely die.’ " (Gen. 2:16-17). See also: Ezek. 18:4, 20; Jer. 31:3. I am not sure if physical death was part of the Eden experience, but we know for sure that physical pain and death is part of the curse. Even more, the “second death”, eternal separation from God, is the penalty of sin, and is inherited from Adam and Eve. All creation suffers from that sin.

“so death spread to all men” - The conclusion and heart of this sentence. Paul used two-and-one-half chapters to show that ALL are lost - Jews and Gentiles alike. The last part of chapter 3 and all of chapter 4 showed us that our path to the Lord is through faith, not works.

The premise of 5:1-11 is that we are helpless to save ourselves. The last ‘half’ of chapter 5 is to help us see we have inherited our ‘sin condition’ - just as you have inherited your skin color, eye color, face structure. These are a given to you by your parents and ancestors. You had no choice in any of these physical traits. Similarly, it is the same for your sin nature.

“because all sinned” - See: Rom. 3:23.

“for until the Law sin was in the world” - Sin has always been in the world (always since the Fall in Eden). Even without the Law to identify it as such, sin was here.

“sin is not imputed when there is no law” - This does not mean sin does not exist without the Law identifying it. Sin exists, but without the law it is not enumerated. The murder of Abel by Cain (Gen. 4), the corruption of mankind and the flood (Gen. 6-9),the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18-19), etc., shows that sin was throughout the world long before the Law was given to Moses and the nation Israel. Sin can not be blamed on the influence of the Law. Sin is the natural law of the world.

V. 14 - “death reigned from Adam until Moses” - So, without the Law specifying or identifying sin, its corrupting influence was felt and seen from Adam up until now. From Moses on, ignorance of sin is no longer a valid excuse. Perhaps it never was a valid excuse, but after the Law was given no one could say, “No one told me!”

“Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come” - Adam was the first to sin, no one else could make that claim. Adam disobeyed God, all others copied his rebellion. Adam had specific instructions from God. He violated them. After Adam, no one needed to hear God’s instruction to violate it. Sin is in our DNA. We commit sins because we are sinners, just we are humans because we were born to human parents.

How is Adam a ‘type’ of Jesus? From a dictionary, “A figure, representation, or symbol of something to come, such as an event in the Old Testament that is believed to foreshadow another in the New Testament.” Adam was the first human. Likewise, Jesus is the first resurrected of His church. There were other people were were raised from the dead, both in the OT and NT, but these were not born again to eternal life.
Jesus is the first who was dead, separated from the Father and then resurrected to eternal life, to His glory and honor. For this reason every knee shall bow and every tongue confess He is Lord! We who believe in Him will also be raised to eternal life with Him. We are His church. The life that is His is given to us - baked in to our new bodies, just as sin is baked into these old bodies.

*** 

Romans 5:6-9 - Christ Died for Ungodly

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

***

We Were Helpless!

V. 6 - “For while we were still helpless” - What a good description of our spiritual condition - we are helpless. Building your eternal life on anything that is not God - Greek or Roman mythological gods, the pagan gods of the Philistines and others, your personal efforts, the Mosaic Law, secular philosophies and religions, etc., - is ineffectual. No matter what you do, you are lost.
Work harder! Useless.
Believe stronger!  Hopeless.
There is no way to be right with God based on what you do. Jesus was very specific: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’” (John 14:6) He is the only way to be righteous before God. Man is not righteous, is not pure before the Lord. (See: Job 15:14)

It is not by working to achieve it, but receiving a new life from Him. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' “ (John 3:6-7)

The apostles echoed this plan for salvation: "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12 )

“at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” - Only God knows why the advent of Jesus Christ during the Roman Empire was the ‘right time’. There are many guesses, which include Pax Romana, and the ‘universality’ of Greek culture in the Roman Empire. It did not come to Asian nations, nor African nations, nor the barbarians of Europe, or the Indians of the Americas. It came through the Israelites, as a fulfillment of the promise to Adam, Abraham, and David. Why then? I don’t know. God does, and that is all that matters. “... So that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:15-18)

***

V. 7 - “For one will hardly die for a righteous man” - I do not think this implies that righteous or good people do not need salvation. Paul just said “Christ died for the ungodly” (v. 6).Of course He died for the lost. It is obvious that the sinners need it. From the human point of view, there may be people who don’t need the saving grace of Jesus. That is not the view from God’s throne.
This verse seems to be a sarcastic aside, sort of a parenthetical comment. (I visualize an actor on stage turning to the audience and giving them information that no one else on stage is supposed to hear.) I think this sarcastically implies that since a righteous man already has a relationship with God there is no need to die in his place in order to bring him to God. However, the Biblical view is the person who is right with God is 'righteous' - it is God's judgement that counts, not our opinion of our righteousness. Jesus warns us that it is possible (maybe even likely) we believe we are more righteous than we actually are. (See: Matt. 5:20; 6:1; 23:28, 29; Luk. 18:9) However, there is no person who is ‘so right’ with God by dint of personal effort who meets God’s standard of absolute perfection and holiness - that is, other than Jesus Christ our Lord. 

“perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die” - This seems to assume that a “good” man is less righteous than the righteous man (again, I think Paul is being sarcastic). Jesus came to save sinners, not the righteous (although scripture also points out there are no good or righteous people). See: Psa. 14:3; Matt. 5:6; 9:13. Remember, the first four-and-one-half chapters in this letter demonstrates that we are all lost without God’s grace.

***

V. 8 - “Christ died for us” - This is the heart of this verse, perhaps the heart of this letter. See: “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit” (1 Pet. 3:18) We were lost, with no hope for having a relationship with God. He saved us from that. (Luk. 19:10) Also, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3)

“while we were yet sinners” - We were (or should that be ‘are’) ungodly, therefore were sinners. We were lost to God, and need salvation. Christ came so that we, who do not deserve this, might be declared righteous. He was the perfect sacrifice.

Note that this act of redemption was done before we were declared righteous. It seems intuitively obvious, but the point is important. If you could be acceptable to God by your efforts, then Jesus’ death would simply be icing on the cake - you would have achieved the goal already. Since righteousness comes to us after Christ’s death and resurrection, then we were sinners and ungodly before He paid the price. Now for all those of us who have lived after 33 AD, the “before” and “after” have this meaning: before we believe and accept Christ as Savior we are lost sinners, after that point we are saved and are children of God.

“God demonstrates His own love toward us” - The reason, or driving force, for saving us - God’s love. See: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.” (1 John 4:7-9)

***

V. 9 - “Much more then” - There is more to this than it might first seem. Yes, we are sinners, maybe even depraved. Yes, we are helpless in the face of God’s glory and perfection. And yes, God knowing we are without hope provided the remedy in Jesus Christ. He has redeemed us and pronounced us justified. We are “delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Col. 1:13). But wait! There’s more!

“we shall be saved from the wrath of God” - The glorious truth of Jesus Christ as Savior is that we do not suffer the sentence of death we deserve. This thought is the central message of this sentence. (See also: John 3:36) There is an interesting thought in Jer. 7:19, in which God points out that people who reject Him are being spiteful towards Him. The problem is they are being spiteful to themselves, for their rejection guarantees God’s judgement will be executed against them. This defiance is not even a Pyrrhic victory.

Side Note: I suspect that as our society has become more and more scientific, relying on reason and logic and the scientific method we have become somewhat immune to the concept of transcendence. The death we face in this physical life is scary enough, and we do not want to face the possibility of a ‘second death’ - one that we cannot see or feel or measure. The Bible is fairly clear there is a death that separates us from God for eternity which is labeled the ‘second death’. That is the death Paul mentions in 1 Cor. 15:55, 56. These verses include a quote from Hos. 13:14.

*** 

Romans 5:1-5 - Justified by Faith

The first three chapters show that all have sinned, and cannot work their way into salvation.

Chapter four shows that even our ‘spiritual father’ Abraham did not work. His faith and belief enabled him to be considered righteous.

In chapter five Paul continues the theme ‘Justified by Faith’. He expands this and begins to show that death came through sin and life comes through faith. He compares and contrasts Adam and Jesus Christ. Sin and death through Adam; faith and life through our Lord Jesus Christ.

***

OUTLINE
5:1-5 - Justified by Faith
5:6-9 - Christ Died for Ungodly
5:10-11 - Reconciliation
5:12-14 - One => Death
5:15-19 - Transgression vs. Gift
5:20-21 - Grace Reigns

***

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

***

Led into Grace by Faith

***

V. 1 - “Therefore” - Which refers us back to chapter four: Christ was sacrificed because of our sin; Christ was resurrected as proof the sacrifice was sufficient - Justification! Based on the conclusion in 4:24-25, we are justified by faith.

“having been justified by faith” - We are justified, that is declared righteous. We did not work for it. From many years ago, there was a mnemonic for “justified” - “Just-as-if-I-had-never-sinned.” This word has a legal sense in that God declares the believer to be righteous and acceptable because Christ took our sins upon Himself on the cross. We are now declared righteous. (See: 1 Cor. 1:30; Rom. 3:24, 25.) The ‘mechanism’ we exercise to access justification is faith.

That answers the question, “What must I do to be saved?” (See: Acts 16:29, 30) Note: Justification and salvation go hand-in-hand. You cannot be saved without being justified. Conversely, if you are justified you are saved.
This is not a purely New Testament (or New Covenant) concept, In the O.T., God is shown as pleading the case of the sinner and executing the justice for the sinner. The accusers are put to shame, for the sinner has seen the light and lives! (See: Mic. 7:9-10) The judgement against the sinner has been executed. The sentence does not fall on the sinner, but on God Himself.

“we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” - We often think of sinning against God as a “legal” issue - we are guilty of sin. He executes justice for us. We are now free from the penalty of death. That is totally valid. “Peace” implies some type of conflict.

The concept of spiritual warfare is throughout the NT - both in Jesus’ teachings and that of the apostles. Look at: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12) Also: “and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds...” (Col. 1:20, 21)
In our natural sinful state we are at war with God. He is Holy, we are not. Satan is the leader and commander of the “forces of darkness”. He is the center and the plotter of evil against the Lord. To be an ally of Satan is to be an enemy of God. The world is Satan’s domain. We cannot love the world and love the Father at the same time. (See: 1 John 2:15-16)
Jesus Himself said He is giving us peace. (See: John 14:27) Paul also emphasizes peace in Phil. 4:7, 9 - “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus... The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

V. 2 - “through whom also” - Wait! There’s More! In Jesus Christ we have peace (v. 5:1) - ALSO, we are the recipients of grace. Every one of Paul’s letters start with a blessing of ‘grace and ‘peace’ (Example: Rom. 1:7, and others.)

“we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand” - We are ushered into God’s grace by faith. Again the emphasis on is on the gift of grace - by His will, and His decision, driven by His love and justice - we are offered salvation in Jesus Christ. There is no other way. Jesus said it, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6). The apostles emphasized it, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.“ (Acts 4:12) Paul says it again here. Paul is not standing on the Law, nor his obedience to the Law. He is standing firmly in grace - God’s gift to us.

“we exult in hope of the glory of God.” - Our joy, our celebration is centered in what God has done. You may know that I am a die-hard Oregon State Beaver fan. OSU had 28 years of losing seasons in the 1970’s and beyond. I was at the game against the University of California when the long losing streak was broken. If the Beavers won that game, they would have a winning season record - for the first time in decades! Near the end of the fourth quarter, the Beavers clinched the game. I stood there with tears in my eyes - finally, finally the Beavers were not losers! There wasn’t a lot of jumping around, just a lot of joy the long wait was over.

Our joy in Jesus our Lord, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit is so much more! By His glory we are saved! We will bask in His glory! We will see His glory and rejoice! Our hope is in the realization the resurrection of Jesus Christ guarantees we will be in His glory. This better than anything we experience - marriage, birth of a child, seeing our children grow - all of that pales in the fact of God’s glory and grace.

V. 3-4 - “And not only this” - Now, if you think that is cool, there is even more for us. Even so, it seems hard to see how tribulation could possibly be a good. How we deal with stressful situations is a common theme, especially in the NT. The subjects here: Tribulation, perseverance, proven character, and hope are linked from Genesis to Revelation.
This verse is echoed in James 1:2-4, and 1 Pet. 1:6. Jesus warned us there will be tribulation, but not to worry, He has overcome the world (John 16:33). We will face persecution because we follow Jesus, because He is not of this world. (See: John7:7, 15:20; Luke 21:12) We are to persevere through all these things (1 Tim. 4:16).
See also: Rom. 8:25, 15:4; Eph. 6:18; 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 3:10; 2 Pet. 1:6; Rev. 13:10, 14:12.

V. 5 - “hope does not disappoint” - From a hymn, “Our hope is in nothing less than Jesus Christ and His righteousness.” Hope is one of those interesting words, so simple yet so fraught with meanings we bring to it. See comments made on Rom. 4:18. We often think of hope in terms of expressing a wish or desire. The biblical view of hope is “desire with expectancy”. We can desire to be with Jesus in eternity; we can expect it will happen because of His resurrection from the dead and ascension to the Father. If your faith is not in Jesus; if you have not accepted Him as Lord and Savior, your ‘hope’ is a wish.

“Because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts” - We do not need to just grit our teeth and bear up under trial or tribulation. Our desires are confirmed as viable - God’s love in us is the evidence. Jesus confirmed this with His teachings: "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him." ... If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” (John 14:21-23) Jesus’ commandment? Believe in Him and the Father who sent Him.

“through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” - We are not alone. We have the Holy Spirit, who Jesus promised. He is to help us and teach us. The Holy Spirit empowers us. (See: Rom. 15:13; 1 Thess. 1:5; Acts 10:44-45; 1 Cor. 12:3; Titus 3:5; Heb. 2:4; 1 Pet. 1:12; 2 Pet. 1:21; Jude 1:20)

*** 

Romans 4:22-25 - Abraham Gets Credit

22 Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him,
24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,
25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.

***

-  -   Credited as Righteousness  -  -

V. 22 - “Therefore” - Based on Abraham’s faith, the following happens, quoted from Gen. 15:6.
I am not sure this is saying Abraham was actually righteous, but he is now treated as being righteous by God. Looking at the Biblical record of Abraham, we can see he was not perfect. He lied about Sarah (or Sarai) being his sister because he feared for his life. Had either of the kings actually had sex with her, all three would have sinned against the Lord. He questioned the Lord when told Sarah and he would have a son. Yet, like David later on, Abraham trusted the Lord, confessed to the Lord, and obeyed Him. Because Abraham acted on his belief in what the Lord told him, he is considered righteous.

V. 23-24 - “Now not for his sake only was it written” - The record was not written for Abraham, but for us. We need to know this (being treated as righteous) is possible for you and me.

This has massive implications for you and me as believers in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! As we stand before God the Father, Jesus steps up and says “This person is mine. My righteousness is his.” God acknowledges that Christ’s sacrifice paid the price, and indeed we are acceptable to a God as righteous.

Wowsers!

V. 25 - “He who was delivered over because of our transgressions” - Jesus was handed to the Romans to be executed. He was handed over to death. That is the penalty for sin. The example for this in Leviticus chapters 4, 5, and 16.
He was not forced to do this. “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2:5-9)
Our sin ‘sent’ Him to the cross to be the sacrifice. He did this from love, not coercion. My sin, your sin, separated me and you from God. In our sin, we cannot be with Him in eternity. 

“Was raised because of our justification.” - There is no Old Testament “type” or model of resurrection we can call on. We have prophecy, but not examples. In Abraham, Melchizedek, Moses, and Leviticus Priests we have as “types” of Christ in the Old Testament. The resurrection is a “mystery” - a truth of God revealed in the NT for our benefit. See: (Acts 2:31, 4:2, 33, 26:23; 1 Cor. 15:21; 1 Pet. 1:3) Christ, the perfect sacrifice, died on the cross. His death paid the penalty for our sin - NOT HIS, but OUR SIN.

His resurrection is the proof the sacrifice was completely satisfactory, and the debt paid. God the Father has accepted Jesus’ sacrifice, and now no longer sees the believer as a sin-stained wretch. When God looks at each of us, as individuals (not as a group), He knows the basis for our presence before and with Him is His Son and His Son’s resurrection. It is all the proof, the only proof He needs. I am saved in Christ alone. Praise God. Praise the Son. Praise the Holy Spirit.

*** 

End of chapter

Romans 4:18-21 - Hope Against Hope

18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE."
19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb;
20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,
21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.

God Said It. That Settles It.

***

V. 18 - “hope against hope he believed” - This is an odd phrase. The NLT translates it: “Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping-believing...” Because Abraham believed God, he could continue to hope the promise given would remain true. He and Sarah were old, but the LORD had told him.
He had several options: 1) believe his body (and Sarah’s) were beyond hope of having a child;
2) rationalize that even though they were beyond child bearing years, it might be possible;
3) believe that God would do what He said, and place his hope in that promise.
Options 1) and 2) show no faith in God’s word. The third indicates faith that God can do what He says in spite of the physical circumstances or evidence.
The quote, “So shall your descendants be”, is from Gen. 15:5.

“so that he might become a father of many nations” - Many ‘nations’ means great-grand-children, and great-great-grand-children, etc. You know Abraham had to be contemplating the implications.

V. 19 - “Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body” - We see on the news that someone just collected $40 million because they had the ‘Powerball’ winning numbers on their ticket. There is precedent - if the person won, it is possible I, too, could win the lottery. (Good luck with that!) There is no precedent for Abraham to draw upon. No way to say, “Well, it happened to ...” He is 100 years old! Sarah, 99! And yet, he believes God’s promise! 

V. 20 - “he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith” - James tells us, “But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.” (Jam. 1:6-8) He also warns us, “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.” (Jam. 4:10) Abraham was NOT unstable in his relationship with the LORD.

V. 21 - “being fully assured” - God said it. That settled it.

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Romans 4:13-17 - The Promise to Abraham

13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified;
15 for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.
16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,
17 (as it is written, "A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU") in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

***

- -  It Is By Faith  - -

V. 13 - “the promise to Abraham ... that he would be heir of the world” - Not that Abraham would inherit the world; one of Abraham’s descendants would rule the world. All the world, and the people in it would be his.

“was not through the Law” - There is no promise of a Messiah in the Law - Ten Commandments, Sacrifices, Ceremonies, or Festival laws, nor in the Civil portions of the Mosiac Law. These showed the price was blood - but some else’s blood. The sins were placed on another, an innocent, and cast away into the outer darkness.

“through the righteousness of faith” - Does Paul think this concept, righteousness through faith, is vital? He has only repeated it six times in this chapter alone. (v. 3, 5, 6, 9, 11, 13). Faith is mentioned over 30 times in the Letter to the Romans!

V. 14 - “For if those who are of the Law are heirs” - On the other hand - IF following the Law, doing the WORKS without faith can EARN you a place in God’s family - THEN... 

“faith is made void and the promise is nullified” - You don’t need faith!
That is: if faith is void, it is useless.
And, if faith is useless, then the promise made to Abraham based on his faith cannot be true.
Even more, the promise of eternal life on the basis of our faith in Christ is not true.
Get back to work! And work some more! And never KNOW if you have done enough!

Compare that line of thought to “but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31)
It may be obvious, but here it is anyway:  BELIEF = FAITH = LIFE.

V. 15 - “for the Law brings about wrath” - The end result of living by the Law is the judgement of God falls on you - mostly because you cannot obey it perfectly. Our image of wrath is anger run wild, uncontrollable destruction. Wrath is vengeance writ large. However, the Biblical view is God handing out judgement against sin.

“but where there is no law... no violation.” - In this half of the verse, ‘law’ is not capitalized, so Paul is making a point using governmental laws rather than Mosaic Law. When you come to an intersection and it has no STOP sign, you won’t get a traffic ticket for not stopping.

The point is this: salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. The Law no longer has any jurisdiction, therefore no penalty can occur as a result of breaking a part of the Law.

V. 16-17 - Verses 16 and 17 are one long sentence. Now, that is a mouthful! I think that sentence can be diagrammed, and broken down - which for me makes it simpler and clearer.
The promise is guaranteed to the descendants of Abraham.
This guarantee is done by God’s grace, and accessed by our faith. Both physical and spiritual descendants of Abraham are recipients of the promise given by God, whom Abraham believed.

***

Romans 4:9-12 - Before or After

9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, "FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."
10 How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised;
11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them,
12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

***

- -  Whence the Blessing? - -

V. 9 - “Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also?” - Good question. “How blessed is the man...” (See: Psa. 32:2) - Is that for the Jew, or for the Gentile, or for both?
Remember: Abraham is considered righteous based on his faith! God declares him to be so, despite his obvious failures. Where he did not fail was in his faith and belief in God and God’s promises. “And He took him outside and said, ‘Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” (See: Gen. 15:6)

V. 10 - “How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised?” - The question is not necessarily “How was it done?”, but “When did this happen?”
Asked and answered.

V. 11 - “He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness” - See the following timeline:

• God promises land to Abraham (Gen. 13:14-17; 15:7, 18).
• God promises Abraham an heir and descendants (Gen. 15:6).
• God establishes a covenant between Him and Abraham (Gen. 17:2-5).
• God sets circumcision as a symbol of the covenant (Gen. 17:9-12).

“so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised” - Abraham is shown here to be the forefather of the Israel nation, and the spiritual forefather of believers. While being an actual ancestor of the Jews, he is a model for Christians. A person can inherit Jewish ethnicity - be part of the Abrahamic bloodline. You cannot inherit his faith, you must have your own. You can copy his example. You can share in the blessings from God, as you exercise your faith in Him.

V. 12 - “the father of circumcision to those... who also follow in the steps of the faith” - All is not lost because you are a Jew. Paul, in Rom. 3:1-2,  emphasizes the Jews have definite advantages. A Jew can be faithful just as Abraham was. Likewise you need not be a Jew to benefit from God’s loving forgiveness.  Believe God’s promises and live accordingly. Jesus died for ALL people, not just Jews. Everyone, anyone, can receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by faith and belief in Him. Paul emphasizes this later in this letter - see Rom. 10:9-11.

***

Romans 4:4-8 - David, our Forefather

4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.
5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,
6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 "BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED.
8 "BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT."

***

- - What David Said  - -

V. 4 - “his wage is not credited as a favor” - We can see from the OT that workers deserve to be paid when they work. (See: Exo. 22:14, 15; Lev. 19:13; Deut. 24:15). Wages are not a gift, but payment for work done. You have earned it. God commanded fairness to workers. He will execute fairness to us as well.

It is necessary to emphasize that whatever work you do, none of it is sufficient to pay off your ‘sin-debt’. Jesus took the guilty verdict against you, a certificate of death, and had it nailed to the cross that killed Him. (See: Col. 2:14). By His death you have been saved from death.

V. 5 - “the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly” - If you don’t work, you don’t get paid. Right? If you work, you receive the agreed upon amount. (See: Matt. 20:1-13b)
Jesus was asked directly by the crowd around Him, “What must we do, to work the works of God?” Their questions indicated they wanted to know what tasks had to be done to please and satisfy God. Their understanding was if they ‘work’, then they ‘receive’ stuff from God.  His answer, “Believe”. (See: John 6:27-29). The work has been done - by Jesus Christ. Faith in Him moves us from ungodly to justified.

It is important - See: Mark 16:16; John 1:12, 3:18, 6:69, 14:11, 20:31; Acts 16:31, 19:4; 1 Pet. 1:8.

“his faith is credited as righteousness” - The his faith here is yours and mine. God is consistent, and impartial. If belief works for Abraham, it has to work for me! Does this mean I am actually righteous? Well, yes, and no. As long as I am in this fleshly body, I will always be plagued with sin. When I die, or Christ comes again, I will be completely transformed, given a new sinless body. I will be just like Him. He will declare that I am His own, and His sacrifice has made me righteous. The only thing I have done to “deserve” this is place my faith and life in His hands. I will finally be righteous. Not progressively (i.e., on the way to being) righteous. Not just positionally righteous - instantly, (i.e., the moment I accept and believe in Christ).

V. 6 - “David also speaks of the blessing on the man” - David would know first-hand about this kind of relationship. David was impetuous, faithful, violent, loving, flawed in many ways. Yet God saw in him the person who could lead the nation Israel. God looks at the heart of the man. ‘Works’ is an external, not an internal way of living - we do not want to acknowledge that. Faith and trust in Jesus must come from within the mind, will, and heart.

V. 7-8 - This is a quote from Psalm 32:1-2. The transgressions are covered, the sins are forgiven, God does not characterize the man as evil - this man is blessed. The second verse of this quote ends “and in whose heart is no deceit”. This is a person who has a right relationship with God.
There is another side of man seen in Psa. 36:1-4 “An evil man is rebellious to the core. He does not fear God, for he is too proud to recognize and give up his sin. The words he speaks are sinful and deceitful; he does not care about doing what is wise and right. He plans ways to sin while he lies in bed; he is committed to a sinful lifestyle; he does not reject what is evil.”

***

Romans 4:1-3 - Abraham our Forefather

Paul concluded that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (3:23) to show that no one - no Jew, nor any Gentile - is sufficiently righteous within themselves to meet God’s perfect standard. No works, no effort, no striving will make you perfect and holy.
We can almost hear people stammering, “But... But... But...”, and “But what about Abraham, the ‘father’ of our nation? But, what about David, our king? Doesn't that prove the Jews and their Law please God?”

***

1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
3 For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."

What Is Said About Abraham?

***

V. 1 - “What then shall we say that Abraham... has found?” - What do you think Abraham would say about faith versus works? Would Abraham claim to be righteous because of the things he did?

V. 2 - “For if Abraham was justified by works” - This is the discussion question: What did Abraham DO? Which of Abraham’s actions prompted God to honor him with the promises?
A brief run-down of Abraham’s history:

• God tells Abraham to pick up everything, to leave his home country and go where God will show (Gen. 12:1-4). He and Sarah go to the Canaanite lands west of the Jordan River.
• Because of a famine in the land, Abraham goes to Egypt, where he passes his wife off as his sister (she’s beautiful, and he’s afraid for his life) (Gen. 12:11-17). The famine theme is repeated later in Genesis (Gen. 41:54ff)
• They return and settle near Bethel (much richer than when they left, by the way), where Abraham builds an altar and worships God (Gen. 13:4).
• God promises all the land Abraham can see. Abraham again offers worship to God (Gen. 13:14-20).
• Abraham defeats kings who captured Lot, then offers sacrifices with Melchizedek, giving him a tithe. (Gen. 14:14-20).
• God promises an heir to Abraham, and lots (no pun intended) of descendants (Gen. 15:4-6).
• Abraham believes this promise, which results in him being called ‘righteous’. Sarah is more impatient, and so convinces Abraham to use their slave girl, Hagar, to ‘help’ God in fulfilling the promise (Gen. 16:2ff). This one proves to create long-term problems.
• Abraham turns 100 years old, and Sarah gets pregnant bearing a son, despite being over the age of 90. (Gen. 21:2).

“He has something to boast about, but not before God” - Which of these incidents deserves such high praise - lying about Sarah being his sister? Using Hagar as a surrogate heir which God had promised to Abraham (Gen. 15:4-6)? Hagar has a son, and Abraham treats her callously? I would propose those were not Abraham’s better moments.

V. 3 - “For what does the Scripture say?” - Abraham’s response of faith was proof of genuine loyalty (See: Gen. 15:6) and followed the promise of an heir to Abraham and Sarah. It was not just that single response though. Abraham believed God would show where he was to go, so he was obedient and went. Abraham believed God was giving him the land where he was standing, so he offered a sacrifice on an altar. Abraham believed God was merciful and pleaded for Sodom and Gomorrah. He rescued Lot from four kings, and used only 318 soldiers. He honored God, and was blessed by a ‘Most High Priest of the Most Holy God’.

What is harder to believe: (1)God would actually show you where He wants you to settle, how ever much land you can see is yours because God is going to give it to you? Or: (2) God is blessing you through a priest, and you are going to have a son now that you are over 90 years old?
Which makes more sense? Does either seem reasonable? Abraham believed God’s promises and commands, and showed that belief by obedience and worship.

Abraham was a complicated human: not standing up for his wife. Fighting to rescue his nephew. Accepting the gift of land from God, and giving part of it to Lot to avoid conflicts with their sheep herds. Defeating enemy kings, but taking no tribute from another king. Believing God, but “helping” God by having a child by a slave girl.
For me, Abraham’s biggest, most impressive display of faith in God is when he obeyed God in offering his son as a sacrifice. He believed that if Isaac was offered, God would recompense. His promise would be fulfilled even if it was not to be Isaac! God stopped Abraham, confirming Isaac as the promised heir of blessing and of nations.

Side note: Several of the heroes of the OT were flawed men, yet were “God’s men”. As mentioned above, Abraham was not perfect. Moses led the nation Israel out of Egypt, but was an imperfect leader, sometimes whiny, sometimes stubborn, but still overall doing God’s will. King David was impetuous, violent, lustful and yet a man after God’s heart. (See: 1 Sam. 13:14; 1 Cor. 16:7, 13)

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Romans 3:27-31 - Justified by Faith

27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.
28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,
30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.
31 Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.

***

Does Faith Nullify the Law?

V. 27 - “Where then is boasting?” - Who can brag of the amazing their feat of satisfying the requirements of God? Absolutely no one. (Other than Jesus Christ, the LORD.) This is not exactly a new idea. “Thus says the LORD, ‘Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the LORD.” ( Jer. 9:23-24)

“By what kind of law?” - Which part of the law followed exactly, without fail, justifies us to God? What part from Genesis through Deuteronomy? What about working through ALL of it? Not works, but faith. 

Placing our trust in our own efforts encourages us to say, “Look! I did this!” However: “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (Titus 3:5-6)

V. 28 - “A man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law” - This message had to be distressing to the Jews for they had based their whole existence on doing the Law. They were operating by rote, not by trusting God. We must be careful to not sneer at the Jews for their failure. It is far too easy to ‘love God’ by habit. We are drifting into the area of ‘works’ if our relationship with God and Jesus is founded on singing worship songs, going to church on Sunday mornings, baptism or communion, or any other of the things we do as Christians,. 

The Jewish leaders wanted to know what to do, so they asked Jesus. "'What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?'  Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.' " (See: John 6:28-35) His answers was, “Believe.”

V. 29-30 - “Is God the God of Jews only?” - This is a rhetorical question. Paul wants you to know faith in the Law means only Jews can be saved, hence: “God of the Jews only.” But God’s plan of salvation was not just for a few, but to be offered to all - both Jews and Gentiles. God's plan is to save all humans. Judaism was not designed for all, but for the chosen descendants of Abraham.
Perhaps that statement is too simplistic. It would seem to imply that only if you were born a Jew did you have any hope. After all were not the Jews God's chosen? But we can see in the laws God gave them that a Gentile who follows all of the Law - from circumcision through offering sacrifices and obeying holy days and festivals, and following His laws could be 'Jewish'. So it was not the birth that made you a follower of God, but obedience. For me, the understanding that the Jews were God's own special people is based on the fact that Jesus Christ, the savior of the world who took all of our sin upon Himself was to come from the Jewish nation. The Jews were to be tutors for the world, so the world would know that following God and His rules leads to salvation, blessing and mercy.

“God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.” - There is one God, the LORD. He is God of all creation. He has bridged the sin chasm between His Holy Being and sinful man, sinful Jews, sinful Gentiles.
Salvation does not come from a system of works. Salvation comes by knowing and believing in Jesus Christ - accepting His death as payment for your failure.

V. 31 - “Do we then nullify the Law through faith?” - Does faith in Jesus invalidate God’s Law? Does belief that Christ died for sin counteract the effectiveness of the Law?
No!
The Law was not given to provide salvation, but to teach us what sin is, and to teach us that we needed God to save us. We need to know that we cannot save ourselves. The act of sacrificing a lamb, a bull, a goat, or a bird did not save. The belief and faith in God and His command provided the cleansing power. Doing the act without the faith, in escence by rote, would be as effective as playing a round of golf.

“we establish the Law.” - Other translations use “we uphold the Law.” The Law has not lost its value. We still need to be reminded what sin is. I am not referring to the “civil” or “ceremonial” parts of the Mosaic Law, but to the “moral” laws, including the Ten Commandments.

***
End of Chapter

Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness by Faith

21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;
26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

***

God's Righteousness is Shown

V. 21 - “the righteousness of God has been manifested” - God’s righteousness has been clearly shown (See: Rom. 1:17-21), and then testified to (“witnessed”) by the Old Testament scriptures. This is echoed in Heb. 2:3,4. God told us, and others saw what He has done and also told us.

V. 22 - “through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe” - His righteous nature is demonstrated again for our benefit in the advent, life, sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If no one can be justified by their actions or following the Law there is no hope to come to God. Working your way to God is more impossible than jumping across the Grand Canyon on a motor cycle. 

In His righteousness, God does not require you to do the impossible. He has provided the way - Christ Jesus. Our only access to God is through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus. "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved... " (Acts 16:31) Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.“ (John 14:6 )

“for there is no distinction” - This the first part of a parenthetical statement, second part is in verse 23. When it comes to meeting God's standards there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles. "No distinction" equals you cannot tell them apart, both are lost.

V. 23 - “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” - The last half of the parenthesis. Paul spent the majority of the letter to this point on this subject. The world is depraved. The chosen people of God have fallen short. There is no excuse because we know what sin is. “There is none righteous, not even one.” (See: Rom 3:10)

V. 24 - “being justified as a gift by His grace” - This part of the sentence is tied to the first half of verse 22. All who believe will be justified. When I committed my life to Christ, a mnemonic I learned was “Justified = Just-As-If-I-had-Never-Sinned.” This does not mean I have never sinned. It means the penalty is paid - Jesus is my advocate and sacrifice. The penalty, death, has been paid; God considers that I have not sinned. It is a gift from God to me. The gift is given by His grace, not by obligation.

“through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” - In the Old Covenant, a person indentured to another could be purchased or redeemed by a relative (this is the concept of a ‘kinsman redeemer’) by making the payment of the debt. When the payment was made, the person was free from the debt. In the New Covenant the debt is our sin. That sin debt was described by as a certificate which was nailed to the cross. (See: Col. 2:14)

V. 25 - “whom God displayed publicly” - The sacrifice that satisfied God’s justice, in paying for our sin, was not done in secret. In truth, Jesus’ life and ministry was public. The trial, in the Sanhedrin, at Pilate’s palace, the torture, the execution and death were horribly public. A significant reason for the Roman method of execution was the humiliation of the criminal and his family. The crucified were often left for days after death as a grim reminder and lesson. Interestingly, even though Jesus was despised by the Jewish leaders, they were adamant that Jesus would be taken down and buried before that day was finished, so Jewish rules and customs would not be violated.

Jesus was executed on Friday, was taken down and buried before sundown (this made it possible for Him to be buried before the Sabbath day started). The high priest asked Pilate to guard the tomb so Jesus’ body wouldn’t be stolen. The Jewish leaders did not believe Jesus was the Messiah, nor that He would be resurrected, but they were taking no chances. If his body disappeared from the tomb by nefarious means His followers could falsely claim resurrection.
What irony! The very thing they guarded against - an empty tomb - happened anyway, and with credible witnesses. (Who in their right mind would accuse the Roman soldiers of lying? Think of the trouble the Roman guards were in, when the very thing they were assigned to guard against happened!)

“as a propitiation in His blood through faith” - The image here is the sprinkling of blood on the mercy-seat of the Ark of the Covenant by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement. (See: Lev. 16:14-15, 30.)
His blood cleanses us from all our sins when we through faith believe in Jesus. His death paid for all sins, but is only efficacious for those who accept the gift. Compare these two verses from Isaiah: “All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him...” (Isa. 53:6) “As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities.“ (Isa. 53:11b) The emphasis: all versus the many. All of human sin fell upon Jesus on that cross. "Many", but not all will be justified because they believe in Him.

“in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed” - God shows His patience. See: “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Tim. 1:16 ) God "passed over"; i.e., the sins were still there, but He does not see them.

God did not ignore sins committed. God withheld execution of His judgement on sin until after the crucifixion. In Hebrews, in the “Heroes of Faith Hall of Fame” we can see rewards delayed, so to speak: “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.” (Heb. 11:13) And, “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Heb. 11:39-40)
The faithful believed God would honor their faith. Note that they will be made perfect when we are made perfect. We are not perfect as yet, and must wait until Christ returns and all is completed. Likewise, judgement for sin is certain, but not yet completely executed. Sins committed before the advent of Christ, will be judged on the basis of belief and faith in God, for Jews and Gentiles. After Christ’s death and resurrection judgement is based on belief and faith in Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior.

V. 26 - “demonstration... of His righteousness at the present time” - I repeat, God shows us His righteousness through Christ. He shows us now. Not ‘now’ as in 17-Mar-2019, nor in the year 67 A.D. He has done it this one time, and it counts for all time - one sacrifice one time for all. It never will need to be repeated. He has done it for me, and it is effective now, the moment I believe and accept Him.

“He would be just and the justifier” - We want an honest legal system. We do not want a criminal to go free if they have committed the crime. We reject the idea of an innocent person being convicted because the jury is rigged. God commanded that judges rule fairly. (See: Lev. 19:15; Deut. 1:16-17) We also want that the Law is applied with no regard to class, race, wealth, or political affiliation - no respecter of persons. This same desire is even more true when applied to eternal matters.
God has also solved the other problem that faces us - we are incapable of meeting God’s righteousness with our own. We are as dirty rags when compared to His holiness. We are doomed. Payment must be made for sin. God therefore provided the payment. We do not need to do it; we cannot do it.
Justice must be served. God satisfied the penalty. He is the justifier. As noted above, Faith in Jesus Christ is the means. The lyric to a hymn says it well:
Living he Loved Me, Dying he saved me
Buried carried my My sins far away
Rising he justified me, Freed me forever
One day he's coming back. Glorious day.

***

Romans 3:19-20 - Bound by Law

19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;
20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

***

The Law is Still There. But, We Are Under a New System

V. 19 - “Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;

“whatever the Law says” - Gentiles are not responsible to follow the commands of the Law. The Law was provided to the Jews. The Gentile world does not need to complain about the Law, and the difficulty of following the Law - it does not apply to Gentiles. This does not mean that Gentiles may live and do as they please, violating all principles of the Law, getting away scot-free. 

all the world may become accountable to God” - How can the world be held responsible if the Law does not apply? It could be argued that people may not know and understand what God requires of us if the Law was not written down. That may be weak, but it will be used. Now there is no excuse, so shut your mouth, quit complaining. The information is available to any who would look for it. “The truth is out there.” (See note 1) What it, the Law, does show is that God has standards of behavior and living for humans. Only in the Law is it clearly spelled out. 

V. 20 - because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

“through the Law comes the knowledge of sin” - We see the foundation of moral law, starting with the 10 commandments . We see how to relate to people through the ‘civil’ portion of the Law. Sin has been defined as active rebellion or passive indifference to God’s laws. There could easily be a warning at the beginning of the Law: “Sins include, but are not limited to the following:”. 

Sinful acts are shown to be lying, murder, adultery, stealing, respect, false worship, etc.
Now you know.
If you want to say, “But, what about...” you are trying to parse the commands to rationalize your behavior.

Dr. Toussaint from Dallas Theological Seminary points out the Law has three (3) parts:
Ceremonial - sacrifices, offerings, etc.;
Civil - governing the nation of Israel;
Moral - the 10 Commandments (he calls this ‘theonomic reconstruction’).
This is the Old Testament system. Even though nine of the Ten Commandments are written in the New Testament, we are not under any of it. The New Covenant is a different system. The Old Covenant offered no enablement. What the Law could not do was provide a way to flee to grace. We flee to grace through the cross to eternal life.

***
Note 1: quoted from “X Files” TV series.
***

Romans 3:9-18 - No Fear of God

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;
10 as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE."
13 "THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING," "THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS";
14 "WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS";
15 "THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
16 DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,
17 AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN."
18 "THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES."

***

All Are Under Sin

***

V. 9 - “Are we better than they?” - I struggled for a while with this statement. Who is the ‘they’? Who is the “we”? Look at the line of argument in 1:18 - 2:29. The world (Gentiles) is depraved. The Jews are without excuse. Their history, their Law and circumcision are of no benefit. The last statement is hyperbole - The Law cannot and does not save your soul for eternal life. The Law does emphasize that God's grace is needed - grace provided Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Does that make Christians better than Gentiles or Jews? Are Jews better than Gentiles?

“Not at all.” - That was simple. Does it matter if someone is Jewish or not? No. Does it matter if you are an American, or Canadian, or German, or Arab, or Hispanic, or Indian, or Black, or Asian? Of course not. We all stand before God without hope except for Jesus Christ.

Verses 3:10-18 are all quotes from the Old Testament, Psalms and Isaiah, to show that no one is innocent of sin.

V. 10 - Quoted from Psa. 14:1-3, 53:1-3. No one does good. No one understands God.

V. 11-12 - Quoted from Psa. 14:2, 3. Everyone turns away from God. All their efforts to meet God’s standards are useless.

V. 13 - Quoted from Psa. 5:9, and Psa. 140:3. Because they do not understand God, they are lying to themselves and others. Nothing good comes from an open grave.

V. 14 - Quoted from Psa. 10:7.

V. 15-16 - Quoted from Isa. 59:7. Like marauding bandits, they cause people to die. Because of their teachings, we are led away from saving grace.

V. 17 - Quoted from Isa, 59:8. In Christ we have the peace of God and peace with God. There is no other path.

V. 18 - Quoted from Psa. 36:1. They do not understand God (v. 13, above) They do not know they are in danger. Not recognizing their impending doom, there is no fear. If you step to the edge of the Grand Canyon there is a slight frisson, for you know a misstep would lead to a fall and death. For some reason they do not sense the danger.

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