Paul's Prayer

Lesson 3 - Romans 1_8-15

Sunday, January 20, 2019

4:10 PM

Apostle Paul's King James Bible Up For Auction

U.S.—A new eBay listing confirmed Tuesday that the Apostle Paul’s leather-bound edition of the King James Bible—the only translation he was known to use—is at long last up for auction.

The $10 million reserve was quickly exceeded as excited Christians from around the world began frantically driving up the price in hopes of owning a little piece of church history.

“Here’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to read the very same archaic English that the Apostle Paul did in his daily personal studies,” the auction listing reads. “You can own the majestic text of the 1611 Authorized Version used by the church fathers to found the Christian church. Free economy shipping, no returns.”

The owner of the historic heirloom also stated that the Bible is in used but good condition, with all of Scofield’s study notes still clearly visible at the bottom of the page.

From <https://babylonbee.com/news/apostle-pauls-king-james-bible-auction>

Before I continue I wanted to clear up something from last session - I don't know what was going on with my notes and my mind but they could not agree and I said somethings that I think brought more confusion than anything -

Romans 1:4 (KJV)

4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

Declared - some translations use the word "appointed" here

NIV words it like this:

Romans 1:4 (NIV)

4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

While the NIV is not my favorite translation - I think they got it right with this one. I love the "Declaration at the end."

Please forgive any confusion or heresy you may have thought I was teaching.

b. Paul's Interest in the Church at Rome (1:8-15) In these opening verses, as in almost all of Paul's letters, he begins with a reference to his prayers of thanksgiving for his readers Wesleyan Bible Commentary - Wesleyan Bible Commentary – Romans.

Paul's prayer for them (1:8-12) Paul's thanksgiving (1:8) People reveal by their priorities what is genuinely important in their lives. Paul wrote, “First,New American Commentary - New American Commentary – Volume 27: Romans.

There is no second, next, or finally in this section. Either Paul forgot his next point, lost his train of thought or Jewett argues First probably intends no more than From the very outset or Above all; not that he meant to make a further point but did not. This is Paul’s “main point,” his reason for writing (Jewett 2007, 118). Greathouse, W. M., & Lyons, G. (2008). Romans 1-8: A commentary in the Wesleyan tradition (50). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City.

Consequently ten of his thirteen epistles open with some form of “I thank my God” (Rom 1:8; 1 Cor 1:4; Phil 1:3; Col 1:3; 1 Thess 1:2; 2 Thess 1:3; 2 Tim 1:3; Phlm 4) or “Praise be to God” (2 Cor 1:3; Eph 1:3). New American Commentary - New American Commentary – Volume 27: Romans. Notice Paul's Thanksgiving was THROUGH JESUS CHRIST - even our thanksgiving is because of Him!!! Only in Romans, however, does Paul offer his thanks "through Jesus Christ." Although this might mean that Christ, as High Priest, is the mediator of his thanks before God, it is better taken as an indication that Christ is the one who has created the access to God for such thanks to be offered.[ New International Commentary, The - The New International Commentary on the New Testament – The Epistle to the Romans.

Notice the two things he is thankful for Thankful for "You ALL" You all: consequently throughout the epistle we have no reproof or correction. Beet, J. A. (1999). Beet's Commentaries: Romans (electronic ed.) (Ro 1:8). Albany, OR: Ages Software. Thankful that "Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." What type of faith was he speaking of we are not sure. Dr. Douglas Moo an expert on the Book of Romans says it is the testimony of their coming to faith that is being heard through all the world. - Although as far as I can tell there is no record of this - I suppose it could also be a faith that produced miracles - although I would think the Bible would record those either. What do people in your sphere of influence hear about your church, your Bible study group, your mission organization—or about you? Much is said about Christians and their ministries today. Word spreads rapidly about increased attendance, about innovative programs, about multimedia presentations, about new facilities, about conferences and seminars. But how often does one hear about a church that is known for its faith, as were the Christians in Rome?

Holman New Testament Commentary - Holman New Testament Commentary – Romans.

Paul's Intercession (1:9-12) Notice Paul's choice of wording - "God is my witness." God knows this is true - Paul appeals to the ultimate source of truth - What he is getting ready to say must really be true and genuine - " That he makes mention of them in his prayers without ceasing" This is quite a statement - Paul obviously was a man of prayer - I also want to point out another phrase in verse 9 - The God who is his witness is the God Paul serves with his spirit in the gospel of his Son." Paul seems to digress just for a moment for a personal testimony - perhaps this was to make sure they were all on the same page - We've all been there you meet someone who says they are a Christian but you sometimes will still poke around to see if what they mean be being a Christian is the same thing you mean by being a Christian. Verse 10 - Paul's prayer wasn't just toward the Roman church but also toward his safe arrival there - Verse 11 - He uses the word "Long" to see you - A great burning desire to visit them. He wants to see them that he may impart spiritual gift - that to the end ye may be established.

Paul's Purpose vising them (1:13) Here Paul gives his reason for wanting to visit them - Paul's Perspectives which includes them (1:14) Paul's preparedness to come to Rome (1:15)

Next Time we will look at Verses

Paul's Epistle Theme (God's Righteousness in the Gospel) (1:16-17)