Romans 10 SS lesson

Our lesson starts in Ch 10, vs 8. However, I think it does us good to add part of Chapter 9, as it builds up to chapter 10.

Really, chapters 9-11 form a unit of thought. Our lesson starts in Ch 10 vs 8, and the conditions of salvation are laid out. However, The thought really starts in chapter 9. In fact, one commentator pointed out you can skip from the end of chapter 8 (Edward, last week) to chapter 12, and it would flow smoothly.

Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Chapter 12 starts 12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

If chapters 9-11 had been lost, we would not know! Chapters 9-11 tell how Israel as a nation has rejected the gospel they were offered, and how it was given to the Gentiles. Paul also firmly states that Israel’s rejection is not complete, and Jews and Gentiles may be saved, but not by law (which the Jews clung to). In chapter 4, Paul informed us that people of faith are Abraham’s true descendents. He is now going to build on this in much more detail.

Chapter 9 starts out really as a lamentation of Paul for his fellow Jews.

The New King James Version Chapter 9

9 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

One commentator noted Paul states “I could wish” I were accursed from Christ. Not I did wish, or I do wish. He says “I could wish”. It is obviously not possible to accept Christ for someone else. The work translated “accursed” is “Anathema” In Jewish ritual, this meant it was consecrated to God, and no longer mans, and must be destroyed. It was not redeemable. For example, the city of Jericho was Anathema when it was conquered by Joshua. It had to be destroyed. Also, at the cross, Christ became “Anathema” for us. Paul is not saying here that he wants to commit their sin, carry their guilt any more that Christ did for us, but that he would be willing to suffer for his countrymen, if it would bring them to Christ. Moses had a similar prayer for the Israelites when he asked God to “blot his name out” as well. Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.”

There is an interesting way of looking at this. The way Paul states this, it almost reads as if he is willing to be sent to Hell if it would save his fellow Jews. However, some feel it is an expression of “Christ likeness” from Paul. To understand this, we have to remember that Romans was written without “chapters”, it is one continuous letter. In other words, chapter 9 has to be read in light also of chapter 8. (obviously, we are not going to go into all of that, as Edward taught it last wee). At vs 35, Paul asks the famous question, “who shall separate us from the love of Christ......?” He then lists all the things we have already read, (height, depth, etc.). He then continues into chapter 9 (remember, no chapter breaks), and says if it would help, he WOULD “accursed from Christ” or separated. How are these statements reconciled? We have to remember, how was Christ separated from the Father? This is obvious. The crucifixion separated Them, but it was temporary. Christ knew it would be temporary when He died. Paul may be demonstrating his own “Christ likeness” here, and indicating that he would also be willing to be crucified, die, and experience a temporary separation, if it would save the Jews. This was obviously not possible.

Ultimately, Paul is expressing extreme sorrow that his kin have rejected Christ. I remember the way we all felt on 911. We were all “Americans”. There were no democrats, republicans, Easterners, etc that day. We were all Americans, and we felt great sorrow as we watched what is now ground zero. Paul was feeling this same kind of sorrow for the Jews.

In vs 4-5, Paul then lists the privileges of his people. (WBC) Briefly, he lists them as A: adoption (they were heirs through Abraham), B: the glory of God (His visible appearance in their midst), C: the covenants D: the law itself E: the correct order of service, so they could worship God properly, and F: The promises of God which related to them. To these six privileges, we can even then add the the great promise of the Messiah Himself, as He came through the Jewish people. The bottom like here, is that the Jews were a privileged people!

In fact, the religious leaders looked at the Jews as the only people who could be “saved” (sons of God). In fact, if they weren’t the sons of God, then many would have considered that God had failed. In vs 6, Paul refutes this idea.

Rom 9:6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;

we won’t go through all the examples for the sake of time, but Paul begins to point out many examples of the true “sons of promise”, vs just genetic heirs of Abraham.

The New King James Version Chapter 9

7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” 8 That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.

There is an entire history/genealogy here. We all remember the story of Isaac and Ishmael. Genesis 25 also lists 6 sons of Abraham and Keturah. Only Isaac was the “son of promise”. Also, Jacob was the heir of promise, not Esau.

In the next several verses, Paul defends God’s justice. In vs 24, he makes it clear that the children of faith can be Jews or Gentiles. Rom 9:24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? Paul gent gives us some OT verses to back this up.

The New King James Version Chapter 9

25 As He says also in Hosea:

“I will call them My people, who were not My people,

And her beloved, who was not beloved.”

The New King James Version Chapter 9

27 Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:

“Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea,

The remnant will be saved.

So, Paul has shown that Israel has rejected what God offered. Chapter 9 concludes in this manner.

The New King James Version Chapter 9

30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,

And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

Some feel that the artificial chapter divisions should have really been placed before vs 30, as Ch 9 vs 30-33 and all of chapter 10 really are one unit of thought. Israel (as a nation) had been rejected by God, as the prophets had predicted. WBC divides the next few verses into three reasons for their rejection. First, Israel rejected the Messiah, Second, Israel substituted human effort, and third, Israel’s neglect of their ample opportunities.

First, Isreal rejected the Messiah. WBC describes it as a three fold error. They failed to achieve the purpose of the law (to bring man to God). They failed to accept the method of salvation (faith). Finally, they rejected God’s Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Paul points out that the Gentiles, who were not looking for God,found Him by faith. Conversely, the Jews were striving for righteousness, but missed it. Why? They were striving for it by the works of the law, and NOT by faith. The OT makes it clear that righteousness comes by faith. Unfortunately, the Jews tried to earn it by the works of the law, and therefore they rejected their Messiah.

The Messiah is described as the “stumbling stone and rock of offense”. There are several references the “the Stone” in the OT. Paul is citing Isaiah in these verses. Jesus Himself referred to Himself in this way. Matthew 21:42 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Jesus is actually quoting Psalm 118:22 in this instance.

So, Paul closes chapter 9 by informing us that the Jews stumbled and rejected their Messiah.

Second, Isreal substitutes human efforts instead of faith. Barclay describes it this way. “The aim of the Jew was to set himself right with God and he regarded a right relationship with God as something which could be earned…fundamentally, the Jewish ideas was that a man, by strict obedience to the law, could pile up a credit balance. The result would be that God was in his debt and owed him salvation”. When we hear it in this way, it seems ridiculous. How can an imperfect man put a perfect God in debt to him? It is not possible.

However, do we not sometimes live our lives this way? Not just us, but many Christians have. During the middle ages, much of “Christianity” had once again become a religion of works. This is what Martin Luther reacted against. In the early 1500s, he was also caught up in “works”.

Martin Luther climbed the steps on his knees in 1510. As he did so, he repeated the "Our Father" on each step. It was said that by doing this work one could "redeem a soul from purgatory." But when Luther arrived at the top he could not suppress his doubt, saying "Who knows whether this is true?"

Luther finally did come to realize that “the just shall live by faith”. In our minds, we understand this already. However, do we not sometimes think we earn God’s favor by our good deeds? For example, several of us have gone on mission trips from this church. It is easy to think “God will bless me, because I have done something for Him”. It is true that God does supply our needs, (and often our wants), but this is because He has promised to do so for His children, NOT because anything you or I have done could ever put God in debt to us! We can NEVER come close to giving back to God what He has given to us! Whether life is easy or hard, (it fluctuates), God is still good, and always faithful.

Moving into chapter 10,

10 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

He again reiterates his love and compassion for the Jews (note Paul does not upbraid the Jews, he deals with them in love. He then admits that they have a “zeal” for God. There was really no question as to the zeal they showed for the law. Here are some examples.

Sabbath laws: The distance a man could walk was set. If you had to lift something, it could not be heavier than two dried figs. No cooking on the Sabbath. If someone is sick, you could prevent then from getting worse if possible, but you could NOT do anything to make the patient better. Even today, some strict orthodox Jews will not “flip a light switch on”, as this could be work. If they can, they will have a timer installed so it comes on automatically.

Barclay gives an account from 4th Maccabees about a priest dying, rather than to eat pork.

It is undeniable that the Jews had real zeal for the law, and, in their mind, for righteousness. Unfortunately, that zeal was misdirected. It goes back to the idea that man can earn credit with God. In fact, the Jews often divided people into three classes.

Those who were good: their balance was toward good deeds.

Those who were bad: their balance was toward evil.

Those in between: those who could get on the “good list”, by just doing a few more good deeds, and keeping the laws a little better.

While this idea of life may make for good citizens, it is all about what man can do, not God. (I think the world often looks at life like this today).

What does Paul say about this? vs 4 says “Christ is the end of the law”. What does he mean? Because of Christ, the relationship between God and man is no longer that of Creditor and debtor. As Barclay puts it, “Because of Jesus Christ, man is no longer faced with the task of satisfying God’s justice; he need only accept His love. He has no longer to win God’s favor; he need simply take the grace and love and mercy which he freely offers.”

In vs 5, Paul then quotes from Leviticus 18:5 to make his point.

The New King James Version Chapter 10

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.”

Moses pointed out that life is through the law if a man can keep the whole law. The problem, of course, is that no one (Other the Jesus Himself), was ever able to keep the whole law. It is humanly impossible.

Moving to vs 8 (Our lesson starts here), Paul gives us some of the most important verses in Christianity.

The New King James Version Chapter 10

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Barclay makes three points about these verses.

First, We must accept Jesus as Lord. The Greek word for Lord is “kurios”. It has important implications for Christianity. It can be used in 4 ways. It can be a normal title of respect as in saying “Sir” in English, “Monsieur” in French, etc. It was also used as a normal title of the Roman Emperors. It was used as the title of the Greek gods. For example, Kurios Serapis, would be “Lord Serapis”. In the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures, it is translated as the divine name of “Jehovah”. Therefore, confessing Jesus as “Lord” (kurios), was making Him King, Emperor and God of your life. Making Christ “Lord” of ones life is to pledge your worship and obedience to Him.

Second, one must believe that Christ rose from the dead. This is true for ALL Christians, regardless of denomination, etc. We must not only believe that He lived, but that He lives. We do not worship only a historical figure (such as Buddha), but we worship a very real Divine Man/God, who is alive and with us today. As Barclay put it, a Christian “…must know not only Christ the martyr: he must know Christ the victor, too”

Third, we must confess with our mouth. We are NOT secret Christians. Those of us that work in the world know very quickly what this means. We are not ashamed to let others know we are Christians. It is very obvious. We don’t go to the same places they go, we dress different, we talk different. In short, we ARE different. (How many times have the nurses apologized for using profanity in my presence), and each of you are different as well.

So, we see that the Jews would first of all had difficulty believing that the way to God was NOT through the law (it had failed). They also would have had difficulty believing that reconciliation to God was open to everyone, including gentiles. In the next three verses, Paul address these beliefs.

11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

In these verses, Paul cites two OT verses to back him up. He quotes from Isaiah and Joel. Note, “whoever believes” is a matter of faith, not of law. Also, “whoever calls”, would include “whoever”, or anyone. With these two quotes, Paul shattered the Jews’ idea of salvation being exclusively offered to Jews, and the idea it can be earned by the law (or works).

Back to WBC, Paul faults the Jews for 1: rejecting the Messiah, 2: substituting human effort, and finally,

3. Israel neglected their opportunities. The rest of the chapter addresses this. It is set up almost as question and answer.

Paul basically sets up arguments for the Jews unbelief, then refutes the argument.

The New King James Version Chapter 10

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,

Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

argument, how could they belief if they didn’t hear? Paul points out they DID hear (the prophets DID bring God’s message.

The New King James Version Chapter 10

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed:

“Their sound has gone out to all the earth,

And their words to the ends of the world.”

Once again, the argument is did they not hear? Did they not understand and believe? Paul tells us again they DID hear. It is not God’s fault they did not believe. He gave them Moses and the prophets.

To finish chapter 10, Paul quotes from Moses and Isaiah to show this had all been predicted.

The New King James Version Chapter 10

19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says:

“I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation,

I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.”

20 But Isaiah is very bold and says:

“I was found by those who did not seek Me;

I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”

21 But to Israel he says:

“All day long I have stretched out My hands

To a disobedient and contrary people.”

Jews can not rely on their heritage or lineage. Gentiles also have no excuse, as salvation has been offered to us as well. Sadly, most Jews and Gentiles have rejected Gods plan and method of salvation by faith. However, it is still open both to Jew and Gentile by faith in Jesus Christ.