Teaching Notes HEBREWS Chapters 1 and 2

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Teaching Notes HEBREWS Chapters 1 and 2

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                           HEBREWS 

        Chapter 1:1-4. Deity of Jesus 

This opening sentence is one of the most magnificent passages 

in the Bible, for grandeur taking its place alongside the opening 

sentences of Genesis and John's Gospel. Jesus, "His Deity, His‚

Ineffable Glory, Creator, Preserver and Heir of the Universe. 

By an Eternal Act of God, Once For All, Jesus made Purifi- 

cation of Man's Sin, and brought him Eternal Salvation. 

         Chapter I :4-14. Jesus Compared to Angels 

The main argument of the Epistle is that Christ is the Fulfil- 

ment, rather than the Administrator, of the Mosaic System. 

Christ is compared to Angels, through whom the Law was given. 

Acts 7: 53; and to Moses, the Law-Giver; and to the Levitical 

Priesthood, through whom the Law was Administered. 

The language seems to indicate that Human Beings are a Higher 

order of Creation than Angels.  Human Spirits and Angels are not 

the same. We do not become Angels when we die. Angels are 

now, and in Heaven will be, our Servants. 14. Angels Worship 

Christ, as we do, 6. 

      Chapter 2:1-8. Man, Not Angels, Lord of Future World 

In verse 7 Man is spoken of as a little Lower than Angels, although 

in 1:14 Angels are called Servants of Heirs of Salvation. In 

2 Pet 2:11 Angels are spoken of as Greater in Might and Power.

In verse 9  Jesus - was made a Little Lower than Angels. The marginal 

rendering in RSV, in - verse 7 and verse 9, is, For a Little While Lower than 

Angels. Whatever the nature of Angels, by way of comparison 

with Man, the passage is a sidelight on the Ultimate Grandeur 

of God’s Redeemed Human Creation. 

Note the Fearful Warning, in verses 2 and 3, that if Disobedience to 

the Word of Angels was Dangerous. How Much More Dangerous 

to be Neglectful of Words Spoken by Jesus. 

     Chapter 2:9-18. Christ's Unity with Man 

God Created Man to have Lordship Over All Things, verses 6-8. But 

Not Yet. Meantime Christ has become One with Man, sharing 

with Man his Temptations, and Sufferings, even Death itself, 

that He might Enable Man to Become one With Him, to Share 

With Him His Nature and His Dominion. And because of this, 

Christ has now been Crowned with Glory and Honor. 

And now Man, in his effort to become One With Christ, and 

thus Qualify for his Glorious Inheritance, yet to be, has Assur- 

ance that Christ is Gracious, and" Kindly, and Understanding, 

and will be Helpful to those who Love Him.  Verses 17,18. 

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Chapter 1

Hebrews 1 New International Version (NIV)

God’s Final Word: His Son

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

The Son Superior to Angels

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;

    today I have become your Father”[a]?

Or again,

“I will be his Father,

    and he will be my Son”[b]?

6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c]

7 In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,

    and his servants flames of fire.”[d]

8 But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;

    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

    by anointing you with the oil of joy.”[e]

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,

    and the heavens are the work of your hands.

11 They will perish, but you remain;

    they will all wear out like a garment.

12 You will roll them up like a robe;

    like a garment they will be changed.

But you remain the same,

    and your years will never end.”[f]

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand

    until I make your enemies

    a footstool for your feet”[g]?

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Footnotes:

Hebrews 1:5 Psalm 2:7

Hebrews 1:5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13

Hebrews 1:6 Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)

Hebrews 1:7 Psalm 104:4

Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 45:6,7

Hebrews 1:12 Psalm 102:25-27

Hebrews 1:13 Psalm 110:1

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CHAPTER 2

Hebrews 2 New International Version (NIV)

Warning to Pay Attention

2 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Jesus Made Fully Human

5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified:

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,

    a son of man that you care for him?

7 You made them a little[a] lower than the angels;

    you crowned them with glory and honor

8     and put everything under their feet.”[b][c]

In putting everything under them,[d] God left nothing that is not subject to them.[e] Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.[f] 9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.[g] 12 He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;

    in the assembly I will sing your praises.”[h]

13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”[i]

And again he says,

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”[j]

14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[k] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Footnotes:

Hebrews 2:7 Or them for a little while

Hebrews 2:8 Psalm 8:4-6

Hebrews 2:8 Or 7 You made him a little lower than the angels;/ you crowned him with glory and honor/ 8 and put everything under his feet.”

Hebrews 2:8 Or him

Hebrews 2:8 Or him

Hebrews 2:8 Or him

Hebrews 2:11 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 12; and in 3:1, 12; 10:19; 13:22.

Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22

Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17

Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18

Hebrews 2:17 Or like his brothers

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New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Some content adapted from Halley, Henry H., Bible Handbook, Grayson Publishing, Minneapolis, MN.  © 1927 - 1959.

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Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia

END

Teaching Notes HEBREWS Background of Book

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Teaching Notes HEBREWS Background of Book

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BOOK OF HEBREWS 

God’s Final Message to Judaism

Christ the Author of a New Covenant

The Glorious Destiny of Man

To Whom is the Book Addressed

This Epistle does not name the Persons to whom it is addressed.

Its unmistakable tenor is to Jews, inasmuch as it is a discussion

of the Relation of Christ to the Levitical Priesthood and the

Temple Sacrifices. It continually quotes the Old Testament to

confirm its affirmations. The traditional, and commonly accepted,

view is that it  was  addressed  to the Jewish  Christians  of

Palestine, especially those in Jerusalem.

Author

Martin Luther and F.F Bruce assert that the author is probably 

Apollos of Alexandria - an Alexandrian Hellenistic Jew who

traveled with Paul.  The Alexandrian characteristics of thought,

style, word usage and syntax point to Apollos - as opposed to Paul.

Erasmus (author of Textus Receptus (Latin: "received text") is an 

edition of the Greek texts of the New Testament 1516) thought 

that Apollos wrote Hebrews.  

citation: F.F. Bruce. The New International Commentary on the 

New Testament, Hebrews. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. (1991)

at 14 - 20.

In the King James Version it is called, in the title, The Epistle

of Paul. In the American Revised Version it is anonymous, be-

cause in the oldest manuscripts, found since the King James

Translation was made, its Author is not named.  The NIV

does not name the author of Hebrews.

Early Church Fathers Guess at Authorship

The Eastern Church accepted its Pauline Authorship from the

beginning. Not until the 4th century did the Western Church

accept it as the work of Paul.  Eusebius considered Paul the

author, Tertullian called it the Epistle of Barnabas. Clement of

Alexandria thought that Paul wrote it in Hebrew, and-that Luke

translated it into Greek (it is written in most excellent Greek).

Origen considered Paul as the probable author. Luther guessed

Apollos, for which opinion there is no ancient evidence. Ramsey

suggests Phillip. Harnack and, Rende] Harris suggest Prisca.

Ferrer Fenton thinks nobody but Paul could have written it,

and that he wrote it originally in Hebrew, and had it translated

by one of his helpers into Greek.

On the whole, the traditional view, held through the centuries,

and still widely held, is that Paul was the Author.

Date of Writing of Hebrews

Unmistakably it was written before the Destruction of" Jerusa-

lem, which occurred 70 A D. If Paul wrote it, it seems likely that

it must have been written from Rome, 61-63 A D.

The natural, though not necessary, meaning of “They of Italy

salute you", 13:24, is that it was written from Italy.

Timothy was with the writer, 13:23. He had gone with Paul

to Jerusalem, Acts 20:4, from whence he had accompanied Paul

to Rome,  Col  1:1. He had just been released, and Paul was

sending him back east, Pps 2:19,24; and hoping soon to come

himself. And it looks as if he and Timothy were planning to

return to Jerusalem, 13:23,19.

It happens that that was just about. the time that James the

Overseer of the Jerusalem Church was killed, 62 AD, see page

546. Paul and James were beloved friends. Paul, some three-years

before, had been in Jerusalem. It' is thought, possibly, that, on.

hearing of the Death of James, Paul wrote this Epistle to the

Leaders of the now pastorless Judean Church, to help them

steady their flock for the terrible times ahead.

If this is correct, then there was reason for the Epistle being

sent without Paul’s name; for Paul was not very popular in

Jerusalem. While the Leaders knew who wrote it, the Epistle

would have more weight if it were read in the Churches without

Paul's Name. New Testament Epistles were written to be read

in the churches, a practice now generally overlooked.

Purpose of Book of Hebrews

One of the objects of this Epistle was, we think, to Prepare

Jewish Christians for the approaching Fall of Jerusalem. After

accepting Jesus as their Messiah, they continued to be zealous

for the Temple Rites and Sacrifices, thinking, we suppose, that

their Beloved City, under their Messiah’s Reign, was about to

become Capital of the World. Instead, they were to receive the

shock of their lives; By one stroke of the Roman Army the Holy

City was to be wiped out, and the Temple Rites cease.

This Epistle was written to explain to them that Animal Sacri-

fices, to which they were so zealously attached, were no longer

of any use, that the killing of a bullock or a lamb could never

take away sin; that those Sacrifices had never been intended to

be Perpetual; that they had been planned to be a sort of Age-

Long Picture of the Coming Sacrifice of Christ; and now that

Christ had come, they had served their purpose.

A Counterpart to the Epistle Io Romans

Romans was addressed to the Capital of the Gentile World;

Hebrews, to the Capital of the Jewish Nation. God had founded,

and nourished the Jewish Nation through long centuries, for the

purpose of through the One Nation Blessing All Nations, through

a Great King who would arise in the One Nation, and Rule

over All Nations. But now the King had come. Romans has to

do with the relation of the King to His Universal Kingdom, the

Basis of their Allegiance to Him. Hebrews has to do with the

relation of the King to the One Nation out of which He came.

 Its Literary Excellence

Whoever the Author, as a Literary Gem, it is superb; orderly

and logical; “in balanced and resonant sentences of remarkable

precision, rising to wonderful heights of eloquence”.

The Destruction of Jerusalem

Jewish Wars. in revolt against Rome, began 66 A D. Titus with

his Roman Army arrived before the walls of. Jerusalem on the

day of Passover, 70 A D. Banks of earthwork were built, batter

ing rams were placed, and the siege began.

The Roman Army numbered 30.000; the Jewish Army, 24,000.

The city was crowded with 600,000 visitors, according to Tacitus.

After 5 months the walls were battered down, the Temple burned,

and the city left ruined and desolate, except Herod’s three great

towers at the N W corner, which were left standing as a memorial

 of the massive strength of the fortifications which Titus had de

molished.

The Roman Army moved down to Caesarea. Over 1,000,000 Jews

were killed. 95,000 captives were taken, among them Josephus.

Eusebius says that Christians, on the appearance of the Roman

Army, through Prophetic warning fled to Pella.

Later History of Jerusalem

For the 50 years following, Jerusalem disappeared from his

tory.   In 135 A D, Barcocheba, (Bar-Kochba) a pretended Messiah, 

led a revolt,

got possession of the city, and attempted to re-build the Temple.

The revolt was suppressed by the Roman Army. 580,000 Jews

were killed, and Judah desolated. Jews were forbidden to re

enter Jerusalem, on pain of death. A temple to Jupiter was

erected where the Temple of. God had stood.

Under Constantine, 326 AD, the temple of Astarte was torn

away from the site of the present Holy Sepulchre; and the city

 again became a leading Christian center.

In the 5th century it became the seat of one of the Five

Patriarchs who quite largely dominated Christendom, the other

cities being Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria.

In the year 637 A D Jerusalem fell to Islams, and re

mained an Islamic city, except for about 100 years in the

Crusade Period, till 1917 it returned to control of Christendom.

The Balfour Declaration was a public statement
issued by the British government in 1917 during the
First World War announcing support for the
establishment of a "national home for the
Jewish people" in Palestine, then an Ottoman
region with a small minority Jewish population.
Wiki.



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New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Some content adapted from Halley, Henry H., Bible Handbook, Grayson Publishing, Minneapolis, MN.  © 1927 - 1959.


& & &

Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia

END

Teaching Notes ROMANS Chapters 15 and 16

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Teaching Notes ROMANS Chapters 15 and 16

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Chapter 15:1-14. Brotherly Unity

A continuation of the exhortations of the previous chapter.
We rather suspect, from 16:17, and the discussion about Days and
Meats in Ch 14, that Paul had learned, some way or other, that
some of the Jewish Christians in Rome were determined to
force Jewish habits on Gentile Christians;

Chapter 15:15-33. Paul’s Plan to Come to Rome

If Paul had been like some people, as soon as he received his
commission from Christ as Special Apostle to the Gentiles, he
Would have immediately set 'out for Rome, Capital of the Gentile
World, and made it his headquarters for the evangelization of
the Roman Empire. One reason he did- not. probably, Was because,
from the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:10, .a Church had been
Rome. And Paul’s mission was to carry the Name of Christ to
His plan was to take regions where Christ was not yet known

The territory as it came, working his way gradually westward.
 planted the Gospel in And now, after 25 years, having firmly
Asia Minor and Greece, he is ready to press on to Spain, stopping
about 3 years after at Rome on the way, 24. He got to Rome
he wrote this. Whether he got to Spain, see on Acts 28.


Chapter 16.  Personal Matters

This is a chapter of personal greetings. 26 names of church
leaders Who were Paul's personal friends.
Phoebe, 1—2, was bearer of the Epistle, probably on a business
errand to Rome. Cenchreae was the E port of Corinth.
Prisca and Aquila, 3-5, had formerly lived in Rome, Acts 18:2,
had been with Paul in Corinth and Ephesus, and had now
returned to Rome. A church met in their house.

Epaenetus, 5, first convert of Asia, now in Rome.
Mary, 6. Note how many of them are women.
Andronicus, Junias, 7, Paul’s kinsmen, now old men, for they
had been Christians longer than Paul, and in prison with him.
Ampiiatus, Urbanus, Stachys, Apelles, 8-10, Paul's friends.
Household of Aristobulus, 10, and of Narcissus, 11, probably
churches in their homes. Herodia'n, another of Paul’s kinsmen.

Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Persis, 12. names of women.
Rufus, 13, probably the son of Simon who bore Jesus’ cross.
Mk 15:21, whose mother had taken a motherly interest in Paul.
Asyncritus, 14, and brethren with them, their congregation.
Philologus, 15, and the saints with them, their congregation.
Tertius, 22. wrote what Paul dictated, his amanuensis.
Gaius, 23, in whose home Paul was living at the time, and Which
was a general meeting place for Corinthian Christians.
Erastus, 23, must have been a man of considerable influence
being treasurer of the city of Corinth.


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Romans 15 New International Version (NIV)
15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[a] 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[b] on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
    I will sing the praises of your name.”[c]

10 Again, it says,

“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”[d]

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
    let all the peoples extol him.”[e]

12 And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
    one who will arise to rule over the nations;
    in him the Gentiles will hope.”[f]

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles
14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written:

“Those who were not told about him will see,
    and those who have not heard will understand.”[g]

22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.

Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome
23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Footnotes:
Romans 15:3 Psalm 69:9
Romans 15:8 Greek circumcision
Romans 15:9 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49
Romans 15:10 Deut. 32:43
Romans 15:11 Psalm 117:1
Romans 15:12 Isaiah 11:10 (see Septuagint)
Romans 15:21 Isaiah 52:15 (see Septuagint)

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Romans 16 New International Version (NIV)
Personal Greetings
16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[a][b] of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

3 Greet Priscilla[c] and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.

Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among[d] the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.

9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.

Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.

11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.

Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.

Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.

13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.

14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.

15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

All the churches of Christ send greetings.

17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

21 Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.

22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.

Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings. [24] [e]

25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from[f] faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Footnotes:
Romans 16:1 Or servant
Romans 16:1 The word deacon refers here to a Christian designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in Phil. 1:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8,12.
Romans 16:3 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
Romans 16:7 Or are esteemed by
Romans 16:24 Some manuscripts include here May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen.
Romans 16:26 Or that is

& & &

New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Some content adapted from Halley, Henry H., Bible Handbook, Grayson Publishing, Minneapolis, MN.  © 1927 - 1959.

& & &

Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia

END

Teaching Notes ROMANS Chapters 12, 13 and 14

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Teaching Notes ROMANS Chapters 12, 13 and 14

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               Chapter 12. The Transformed life

A Magnificent Chapter. In tone, it reminds us of. Jesus Sermon
on the Mount. Paul invariably closed any theological discussion
with an earnest exhortation to a Christian Manner of Life. And
so here. In previous chapters he has been insisting that our
standing before God depends wholly on the Mercy of Christ, and
not on our "own Good Works. Here he is equally insistent that
that Mercy, which so graciously Forgives, is the very thing that
supplies us with a« powerful and irresistible Urge to Good Works,
and Transforms our Whole Outlook on Life.

Humility of Spirit, 3-8.‘This is specially for Church Leaders.
So often position of Leadership, which should make us Humble,
puffs us up. And so often a person with a certain Talent is
inclined to disparage the value óf different Talents possessed by
others. See more fully on I Cor 12-14.

Heavenly  Qualities,  9-21.  Brotherly  Love. Hatred  of  Evil,
specially within ourselves. Diligence. Joyfulness, Patience. Prayer-
fullness. Hospitality. Sympathy. Concern for that which is Honor—
able. Peaceable. Without Resentment.

            Chapter 13. Obedience Io Civil Law

Civil Governments are ordained of. God, 1, even though often
run by evil. men„to restrain the criminal elements of human
society. Christians should be law-abîding citizens of the Govern-
ment under which they live, in all their attitudes and relations
of life, governing themselves by the principles of the' Golden
Rule, 8-10, making special effort to be Honorable in all things,
and always Considerate of others.

Approaching Dawn, 11-14. The Night is Far' Spent, and the Day
is At Hand. This refers to Individuals who have been Christians
for some time, or to the Christian Era "moving on toward its
consummation, or» both. The Lord’s Coming in Glory, or our
Going to Him, in Death.

              Chapter 14. Judging One Another

In such things as the eating of Meats and the observing of
Days; The Meats referred to, though it is not so specified, must
be Meat that had been offered in sacrifice to Idols, see on I Cor 8.

As for Days, reference must be to Jewish insistence that Gen
tiles observe the Sabbath and other Jewish Festival Days. The
Lord’s Day, first day of the week, was the Christian’s Day. If,
in addition, a Gentile Christian wanted to .observe  a Jewish
Sabbath, it was his privilege. But he must not insist on others,
doing it.

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Romans 12 New International Version (NIV)

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 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,”[d] says the Lord. 20 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.”[e]

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Footnotes:
Romans 12:6 Or the
Romans 12:8 Or to provide for others
Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work
Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22

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Romans 13 New International Version (NIV)

Submission to Governing Authorities

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Love Fulfills the Law

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

The Day Is Near

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.[c]

Footnotes:
Romans 13:9 Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deut. 5:17-19,21
Romans 13:9 Lev. 19:18
Romans 13:14 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.

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Romans 14 New International Version (NIV)

The Weak and the Strong

14 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.’”[b]

12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.[c]

Footnotes:
Romans 14:10 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in verses 13, 15 and 21.
Romans 14:11 Isaiah 45:23
Romans 14:23 Some manuscripts place 16:25-27 here; others after 15:33.

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New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Some content adapted from Halley, Henry H., Bible Handbook, Grayson Publishing, Minneapolis, MN.  © 1927 - 1959.

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Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia

END