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Romans - Lesson 50

Romans 12:9-21

Lesson 50
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Romans 12:9-21

V. The Transforming Power of the Gospel: Christian Conduct (12:1-15:13)

A. The Heart of the Matter: Total Transformation (12:1-2)

B. Humility and Mutual Service (12:3-8)

C. Love and Its Manifestations (12:9-21)

D. The Christian and Secular Rulers (13:1-7)

E. Love and the Law (13:8-10)

F. Living in Light of the Day (13:11-14)

G. A Plea for Unity (14:1-15:13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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  • This lesson offers a deep dive into Paul's Letter to the Romans, revealing its pastoral aims, Paul's intentions to visit Spain, Jerusalem, and Rome, and its relevance to early Christian dynamics and theological inquiries about the Law in Christ's time.
  • This lesson offers a fresh view of Paul's theology, focusing on Romans. It emphasizes the first-century context, highlighting Gentile inclusion and unity in Christ, challenging traditional views. Gain insights into Paul's message and its relevance today.
  • Explore the book of Romans for modern faith conflicts: balance tradition with contemporary practices, learn from history, and grasp Paul's ministry and Gospel's complexities.
  • Follow along with Dr. Moo as he begins a thorough review of Romans 1:2-5. You will learn how Paul emphasizes Jesus' earthly life, resurrection, and his appointment as the Son of God in power. This lesson examines the interconnectedness of faith and obedience, underscoring that while faith initiates salvation, genuine faith inherently entails obedience to Christ as Lord, maintaining a balanced Christian life.
  • By delving into Romans 1:16-17, you'll understand the Gospel extends beyond individual salvation, encompassing God's reign over creation and His establishment of justice. The Gospel challenges worldly powers, offering hope and transformation to all who embrace it.
  • Listen along as the class discusses questions and answers revolving around Romans 1:16-17.
  • In Romans 1:18-28, you learn that all people are held accountable by God, having knowledge of Him through natural revelation but some turn away. This passage highlights the manifestation of God's wrath against sin, the exchange of truth for falsehoods, and the absence of excuses for humanity's actions, ultimately emphasizing God's fair judgment.
  • Listen in as the class and Dr. Moo discuss aspects of Romans 1:18-28.
  • The lesson discusses Romans 2:1-11, it highlights the use of the diatribe device and the transition from focusing on Gentiles to Jews. It underscores the Jewish belief in their special status and their potential misunderstanding of God's judgment. The lesson reviews the focus of the text on key themes such as judgment, righteousness, and the relationship between faith and good deeds.
  • In this lesson, you'll review the significance of the Law, notably the Law of Moses, in God's judgment. Paul stresses that mere knowledge of the Law isn't sufficient for righteousness; obedience is key. The primary message is that salvation ultimately relies on God's grace and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as human efforts and consciences alone cannot secure salvation. This lesson highlights the importance of understanding these concepts in interactions with people of different religious beliefs.
  • The key takeaway in this lesson is that while being a Jew comes with a great heritage, it doesn't guarantee salvation. Obedience to God's law is crucial, and reliance on religious heritage or rituals won't save you. The lesson emphasizes the universal human condition of being under the power of sin, and people cannot be declared righteous in God’s sight by observing the Law or by the works of the Law. Only through faith in Christ are we made righteous.
  • This lesson explores the New Perspective on Paul, emphasizing that the Law was for Jewish covenant status, not just salvation. It promotes a holistic faith view, balancing vertical and horizontal aspects, Spirit-led obedience, and 1st-century Judaism diversity, enriching Pauline teachings in the church.
  • In exploring Romans 3:21-26, you'll gain insights into the relationship between righteousness, faith, and salvation. Paul highlights God's righteousness, which is accessible to all through faith in Jesus Christ. By weaving together themes of righteousness, faith, and inclusivity, Paul challenges conventional Jewish and Gentile perspectives, emphasizing the continuity of God's salvation plan while underscoring the centrality of faith in Christ for all believers.
  • In this lesson, you will gain insights into the potential challenge in translating Romans 3:23-24, particularly the term "all" and its connection to the debate on universalism in evangelicalism. Dr. Moo stresses the importance of coherence in biblical interpretation and explores the themes of God's righteousness, faith, and grace in justification. The lesson reviews the cultural background of redemption, drawing parallels with the Greco-Roman slave market and emphasizing the need to understand both the problem of sin and the Gospel solution.
  • Embarking on this lesson, you'll gain insight into the historical development and contemporary challenges surrounding the doctrine of justification. Through exploring classic Reformation principles and contemporary reassessments, you'll understand the tensions between Protestant and Roman Catholic perspectives, particularly regarding the infusion of righteousness and the role of grace.
  • The lesson explores the intricate connection between faith and works, justification, and sanctification in contemporary theological discourse. It delineates divergent views on justification, with scholars like Piper advocating for the preservation of biblical distinctions amidst modern theological trends. The lesson examines key questions regarding the meaning, basis, time, and means of justification.
  • Students in Dr. Moo's class ask multiple questions about justification.
  • By studying Romans 3:27-4:25, you gain insight into Paul's theology, where faith, exemplified by Abraham's righteousness, transcends works and ethnicity, emphasizing the universal scope of salvation through Christ.
  • Hear the questions the students ask regarding Romans 3:27–4:25. And discover Dr. Moo's answers to the questions posed.
  • In Romans 5 – 8, you gain insights into profound theological concepts like justification, identity in Christ, and the tension between present reality and future hope, guiding you to embrace your changed identity and hope for future transformation amidst life's trials.
  • Students as deep questions about Romans 5-8. Hear what Dr. Moo presents as answers to their questions.
  • Through Romans 5:1-11, you'll review the contrast between the Old and New Realms, understanding the essence of living in grace, finding hope amid suffering, and experiencing the assurance of eternal security rooted in Christ's sacrifice and God's love poured into believers' hearts by the Holy Spirit.
  • In Romans 5:12-21, Paul contrasts Adam's sin with Christ's redemptive grace, emphasizing humanity's hope and victory over death through union with Christ, while various interpretations of original sin underscore the universal need for redemption and Christ's pivotal role in restoring humanity to God.
  • Listen to the thorough questions the students ask regarding Romans 5:12-21.
  • The students ask excellent questions of Dr. Moo in this insightful discussion on Romans 6:1-14.
  • Through this lesson, you will gain a deeper understanding of the theological implications of Christ's death and resurrection as explained in Romans 6. You will explore different interpretations of Paul's language regarding the old self and the new self, considering the implications for the Christian life. Ultimately, you will be challenged to recognize your identity in Christ and to actively live according to that identity, rejecting the slavery of sin and embracing servitude to God.
  • Hear the questions the students ask of Dr. Moo regarding Romans 6:1-23.
  • In diving into Romans 7, you'll explore the Law's role in Christian life. Paul's discourse clarifies the distinction between law and gospel, emphasizing the Torah's significance in understanding divine commandments.
  • Class discussion on Romans 7:1-6
  • In Romans 7:7-12, Paul explores the Law's role in intensifying sin and contrasts it with Christ's liberation. His narrative prompts reflection on individual experience and collective identity, enriching understanding of Christian faith.
  • The class discusses the previous lesson on Romans 7:7-12.
  • This lesson covers interpretations of Romans 7:13-25; whether Paul's description is of pre- or post-conversion struggle with the Law.
  • In Romans 8:1-22, discover the Spirit's transformative power over sin, leading to a life free from condemnation, intimacy with God, and anticipation of future glory amid present sufferings.
  • Explore the theological insights on environmental stewardship, emphasizing Christian responsibility in light of Romans 8:19-22.
  • Gain insights into Romans 8:23-27, understanding destined glory despite present suffering. The Spirit intercedes, bridging current and promised futures, offering assurance amid weakness.
  • Romans 8:28 offers profound insights into the nature of God's providence and the believer's journey of faith. Beyond its surface meaning, the verse challenges misconceptions about 'good' and underscores the transformative power of God's grace. It invites believers to trust in God's unfailing love amidst life's trials, anchoring their hope in the assurance of His sovereign care and redemptive purposes.
  • Romans 9:1-5 highlights Paul's profound concern for Israel's salvation and the theological complexities surrounding God's promises. Reviewing salvation history, you'll learn that God's offer of salvation for both Jew and Gentile, fits within the Old Testament narrative.
  • Paul discusses Israel's role in God's plan, emphasizing grace over race. He illustrates divine choices and sovereignty, sparking debates on salvation.
  • Discover diverse views on election, Israel's struggle with faith, and the significance of overcoming theological narrowness in Romans 9:30-10:21. Gain insights into law versus faith in attaining righteousness and the importance of engaging deeply with Scripture for a comprehensive understanding.
  • Gain insights into faith versus works, Christ as the culmination of the Law, and the inclusivity of righteousness through Him. Embrace unity in Christ, transcending cultural divisions, and embodying love and holiness.
  • Gain insight into contrasting righteousness by law vs. faith in Romans 10:5-13. Accessibility of salvation through Christ bridges Old and New Testament teachings, emphasizing unity and continuity.
  • Gain insights into Romans 10:14-21, emphasizing faith, preaching, and Israel's reception of the message. Dr. Moo highlights Paul's use of Old Testament quotes and God's ongoing relationship with Israel, revealing the significance of faith and salvation.

Dr. Douglas Moo, from Wheaton College Graduate School, offers an exegetical examination of the book of Romans. This course was recorded during a D.Min. seminar at the Carolina Graduate School of Divinity in May 2012.

Please note that the audio mp3 file numbers on downloaded files are two greater than each lecture number beginning with number 15.

This transcript follows the main points of the speaker but is not always word-for-word.

Romans 12:9-21

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

A. Love Must be Sincere: This is a passage that sort of goes all over the place. It defies simply neat outlining as such. Paul is talking about a variety of manifestations of love. Paul is working with a certain structure in the Greek text that is somewhat difficult to bring out in the English. That structure is more grammatical than of any other substance. The point of the paragraph is seen in the opening words of Paul, ‘Love must be sincere.’ You could almost view this as a heading. So, what form does sincere love take; then Paul mentions a lot of different things after focusing on love within the Christian community and love for those outside the community.

 

Having introduced the subject of love, Paul moves to specific moral qualities: hate what is evil and cling to what is good. Paul might be suggesting that love has grounding in the will of God for us. There are certain things that are condemned by God as sinful and certain thing commended by God as good and love will recognize that difference and love will take the side of what is good. Paul may be giving us a word that undercuts the tendency of love in our day is a vacuous feeling that doesn’t have very specific content. One of the very interesting things about the passage is perhaps the place where Paul is most obviously picking up the teaching of Jesus. This comes out especially in verse 14, ‘bless those who persecute you; bless them and do not cruse and rejoice with those who rejoice, etc.’ this is language that clearly alludes to the teaching of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mound in Matthew 5. Paul doesn’t quote these as the words of Jesus, indeed Paul never does quote words of Jesus directly. Occasionally, he refers to the teachings of Jesus. A somewhat controversial absence in the letters of Paul is the clear references to the teachings of Jesus. You have the Gospels and Acts and when you come to the letters of Paul, you almost come to a different world. There is a long standing debate on how Jesus is related to Paul. Some say that Paul is the real founder of Christianity, almost independent of Jesus. We have the teachings of Jesus orally passed down. With Paul writing Romans, it’s unlikely that we don’t have a written Gospel yet. We have the teachings of Jesus that has been handed down in the churches in various ways which formed the community in which Paul is picking up indirectly as he does here in writing to the Romans.

 

B. Allusions to the Teachings of Jesus: One of the interesting things that is at least implied by this which is a bit controversial; Paul doesn’t think that quoting Jesus lends any significant authority to what he is saying beyond what he is saying himself. This is why we translators of the NIV detest red letter versions of the Bible. They give people the impression that those words in red are more important. This is contrary to the doctrine of Scripture. We go so far as to put in the very preface to the NIV this language beyond the formatting of the text such as lines of poetry, paragraphing and sitting up of lists and indenting letters and lengthy prayers of narratives. Headings have been the work of the committee. They are decisions that we make. However the choice between single column and double column formats has been left to the publishers. Single columns are important in regards to reading poetry. As mentioned the choice of red letter text is their responsibility of which the NIV committee doesn’t endorse. There are many red letter editions because that is what people want. But interestingly the oral world of ancient times was remembered and passed down; this was an important way of marking history. We try to represent the Hebrew poetry by carefully identifying the lines in how many lines there are; when you have a double column edition, you lose all of that. I personal prefer a double column edition in narrative and a single column edition in poetry. Following most contemporary Johannine scholars, we decided that John 3:16 is not the words of Jesus but instead the words of John the evangelist. Almost all the recent commentators on the Gospel of John think that by the end of verse 15 is where Jesus stops speaking and John starts commenting.

 

C. Coals of Fire: The third point to mention in the passage is the difficulty of understanding why Paul quotes the verse from Proverbs that he does in verse 20. This has become almost standard Christian vocabulary of heaping coals of fire on someone’s head. Paul is concerned about people not thinking they need to repay and take vengeance. What we are to do; he quotes from Proverbs here, if your enemy is hungry you are to feed him and if he is thirty give him something to drink. In doing this you will put burning coals on his head. What is this about? Try to disassociate yourself from the way that metaphor has been used in Christian circles. Pouring burning coals on someone’s head doesn’t sound like a very good thing to be doing. How does this fit into being kind and loving to somebody? What kind of image is that? John Piper wrote his dissertation on some of these passages about love and retaliation. He makes the case in typical Piper fashion that the burning coals consistently in Scripture is the image of judgement, and this is what this must mean here. Give your enemy food and drink and by doing you will indirectly increase the judgement that will come upon that person. In other words, we have a responsibility to love others in this way and in doing so, if they remain unrepentant in a sense our love for them provides more ammunition for God in regards to judgement. Piper’s argument is to look Biblically at the language of fire and coals and how it is used; it is fairly consistent with the imagery of judgement. I think this can work into a Biblical world view but it is a strain to do so. Most interpreters are not inclined to go that way. So the main option here is to think that the author of Proverbs is himself alluding to some Egyptian practices. Some of you will know that there are some fairly obvious connections between the wisdom that we find in Proverbs and certain Egyptian wisdom traditions. Solomon is writing a lot of the Proverbs; perhaps some of his wives communicated that or something. We do know of a practice in Egypt in the ancient world in which one would signal repentance by carrying a platter of burning coals over their heads. That might be what proverbs are referring to and therefore what Paul is picking up as well. By feeding your enemy and providing him drink you might stimulate that person to repentance. This is how this imagery is usually used in Christian circles. So, what Paul does in this passage is mixed together.

 

The obligations that we have as believers to other believers in the community and to those we have outside the community. The obligations are mixed and go back and forth which is perhaps part of the point that Paul wants to make here. When we think about our duty to love and to love sincerely, that love takes a lot of different forms. Both are relating to Christians and non-Christians in a way that we can’t neatly set out.