Paul's letter to the Romans |
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(This commentary was co-written with Hilda Bright)
Romans is probably the greatest book of doctrine that has ever been written. Paul works slowly through his subjects, carefully and precisely explaining each point in turn.
Paul's aim is to demonstrate that good works cannot take a person to heaven. In fact, as he stresses so strongly, everyone has rebelled against God. Not only have people neglected God, many people have chosen to live in a manner that is deliberately wicked. But there is nobody who deserves God's forgiveness by their own efforts.
That is why Jesus came, and it is why he died. Because God showed such great love, a person who trusts God can know God's forgiveness. It is by trusting (that is, by faith) that a person receives a right relationship with God.
This is no new idea. Paul quotes Abraham and David to show how they had faith in God, and how they received righteousness because of that faith. And that is God's promise to us, too.
The result of our sin is death. But the result of Jesus' death for us, is life. So we receive new lives, freed from the power of sin, because Jesus died. We are no longer under the control of sin - instead, we are led by God's Spirit. And that has been God's plan ever since men and women first sinned. That is the purpose of God's creation. God will transform us, spirit and body, when in the future, we will take our proper place, adopted as sons and daughters of the living God.
That is how God will save the remnant of Israel. When they turn in faith to him, God will take away their sins. And they will join with the people from all the nations who have trusted God. They are like branches grafted into the same tree with Israel.
So Paul urges his readers in some practical matters. They must be led by love; caring for people, but especially for those who are weak.
This is a book to study a section at a time, taking care to understand each passage before moving onto the next. Be especially careful to observe the flow of reasoning at each point. Paul's explanations rise up into oratory at times, and can be very beautiful. The letter to the Romans is a book that deserves deep thought and careful attention.