{"id":1124,"date":"2012-08-24T00:20:44","date_gmt":"2012-08-23T18:20:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intelligent-torvalds.74-208-171-134.plesk.page\/?p=1124"},"modified":"2023-10-07T19:45:59","modified_gmt":"2023-10-08T00:45:59","slug":"romans-part-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/?p=1124","title":{"rendered":"Romans, Part 14"},"content":{"rendered":"

But if our <\/em>(\u1f21\u03bc\u1ff6\u03bd<\/a>) unrighteousness demonstrates <\/em>(\u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u1f77\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac\u03c9<\/a>) the righteousness of God<\/em>, Paul continued, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is he?\u00a0 (I am speaking in human terms.)<\/em>1<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 This is similar, though not identical, to a concern Paul addressed later in his letter to the Romans (Romans 9:22-24 NET):<\/p>\n

But what if God, willing to demonstrate (\u1f10\u03bd\u03b4\u03b5\u1f77\u03be\u03b1\u03c3\u03b8\u03b1\u03b9<\/a>, a form of \u1f10\u03bd\u03b4\u03b5\u03af\u03ba\u03bd\u03c5\u03bc\u03b9<\/a>) <\/em>his wrath and to make known (\u03b3\u03bd\u03c9\u03c1\u1f77\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9<\/a>, a form of \u03b3\u03bd\u03c9\u03c1\u03af\u03b6\u03c9<\/a>) <\/em>his power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath prepared for destruction? \u00a0And what if he is willing to make known (\u03b3\u03bd\u03c9\u03c1\u1f77\u03c3\u1fc3<\/a>, another form of \u03b3\u03bd\u03c9\u03c1\u03af\u03b6\u03c9)<\/em> the wealth of his glory on the objects of mercy that he has prepared beforehand for glory \u2013 even us, whom he has called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In the latter example there is no question about God\u2019s righteousness when inflicting wrath, but these two are joined in my opinion as some of the implications of faith comes by hearing<\/em> (\u1f00\u03ba\u03bf\u1fc6\u03c2<\/a>, a form of \u1f00\u03ba\u03bf\u03ae<\/a>), and hearing comes by God (or Christ) uttering, \u201chear,\u201d<\/a> that Paul worked through in this letter.\u00a0 Paul\u2019s differentiation of the objects of wrath<\/em> from the objects of mercy<\/em>, whom <\/em>[God] has called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles<\/em>, and the caveat in Romans 3:5\u2014I am speaking in human terms<\/em>\u2014leads me to the conclusion that our unrighteousness<\/em> is an example of Paul identifying with every human being<\/em> from Romans 3:4 (NET),2<\/sup><\/a> in particular those who have not yet been told to \u201chear.\u201d<\/p>\n

And I seriously question the translation of \u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u1f77\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd<\/a> (a form of \u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac\u03c9<\/a>) as demonstrates<\/em> here.\u00a0 It seems to me the translators are trying to make the question as obtuse as possible.\u00a0 To demonstrate<\/em> is to \u201cclearly show<\/a> the existence or truth of (something) by giving proof or evidence,\u201d or to \u201cgive a practical exhibition and explanation of\u201d something.\u00a0 Clearly the unrighteousness of those who have no faith because they do not hear the message of Christ because He has not yet uttered \u201chear\u201d to them will never show the existence or truth of the righteousness of God by giving proof or evidence.\u00a0 Neither will their unrighteousness give a practical exhibition and explanation of God\u2019s righteousness.<\/p>\n

In the King James translation<\/a> the word commend<\/em> was used for \u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u1f77\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd.\u00a0 One of the definitions of commend is to \u201cpresent<\/a> as suitable for approval or acceptance.\u201d\u00a0 Now, the unrighteousness of those who have no faith because they do not hear the message of Christ because He has not yet uttered \u201chear\u201d to them might very well commend the righteousness of God if the two are presented side by side for comparison and contrast.\u00a0 So then I have a real question:\u00a0 If the unrighteousness of those who have no faith because they do not hear the message of Christ because He has not yet uttered \u201chear\u201d to them commends the righteousness of God, is God unrighteous when he inflicts wrath on them?<\/p>\n

Absolutely not!<\/em> Paul said unequivocally. \u00a0For otherwise how could God judge<\/em> (\u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03bd\u03b5\u1fd6<\/a>, a form of \u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03bd\u03c9<\/a>) the world?<\/em>3<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Paul already stated that there is no partiality<\/em>4<\/sup><\/a> with God. \u00a0For all who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law<\/em>.5<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0None of that changes because the hearing<\/em> that is so crucial to faith in Christ comes from God rather than from some special insight or intelligence or virtue in those who hear and believe the message.<\/p>\n

For if by my lie<\/em>, Paul continued, the truth of God enhances<\/em> (\u1f10\u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u1f77\u03c3\u03c3\u03b5\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c3\u03b5\u03cd\u03c9<\/a>) his glory<\/em> (\u03b4\u1f79\u03be\u03b1\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u03b4\u03cc\u03be\u03b1<\/a>), why am I still actually being judged <\/em>(\u03ba\u03c1\u1f77\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9<\/a>, another form of \u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03bd\u03c9 ) as a sinner?<\/em>6<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 I think it is safe to assume that Paul was still speaking in human terms<\/em>.7<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 But I want to entertain the question.\u00a0 After all, one of the reasons Paul gave for the wrath of God in the first chapter of Romans was they did not glorify<\/em> (\u1f10\u03b4\u1f79\u03be\u03b1\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u03b4\u03bf\u03be\u03ac\u03b6\u03c9<\/a>) him as God<\/em>.8<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 And here is God\u2019s glory (\u03b4\u1f79\u03be\u03b1\u03bd, a form of \u03b4\u03cc\u03be\u03b1) being enhanced by the truth of God in juxtaposition to the lie of one who has no faith because he does not hear the message of Christ because He has not yet uttered \u201chear.\u201d<\/p>\n

I criticize the NET translators often without any standing to do so.\u00a0 So I want to make a point of saying I think they have it exactly right here.\u00a0 It is the truth of God which enhances his glory, not the lie.\u00a0 The answer is in the question.\u00a0 The one who has no faith because he does not hear the message of Christ because He has not yet uttered \u201chear,\u201d is judged as a sinner precisely because of the truth of God, for sinner he is.<\/p>\n

Paul was laying the groundwork for a statement that occurs later in his letter to the Romans: But the gracious gift is not like the transgression.\u00a0 For if the many died through the transgression of the one man, how much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man Jesus Christ multiply<\/em> (\u1f10\u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u1f77\u03c3\u03c3\u03b5\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd, a form of \u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c3\u03b5\u03cd\u03c9) to the many!<\/em>9<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0The fact that God is gracious does not alter the fact that the one who has no faith because he does not hear the message of Christ because He has not yet uttered \u201chear,\u201d is a sinner.\u00a0 And it certainly doesn\u2019t mean that sinning is a good way to enhance<\/em>\u00a0(\u1f10\u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u1f77\u03c3\u03c3\u03b5\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd) or multiply<\/em> (\u1f10\u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u1f77\u03c3\u03c3\u03b5\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd) the grace of God.<\/p>\n

And why not say<\/em>, Paul continued, \u201cLet us do evil so that good may come of it\u201d? \u2013 as some who slander us allege that we say<\/em>.10<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Paul switched roles abruptly here, from identifying with those who have no faith because they do not hear the message of Christ because He has not yet uttered \u201chear,\u201d to those who have faith because they hear the message of Christ because He has uttered \u201chear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Apparently there were Jews, slanderers or blasphemers of the believers in Christ, who alleged that the Gospel message was, Let us do evil so that good may come of it<\/em>.\u00a0 The Jewish leaders assumed<\/a> that Jesus was not of God because He healed on the Sabbath and called God his Father.11<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 A disciple is not greater than his teacher<\/em>, Jesus said, nor a slave greater than his master. \u00a0It is enough for the disciple to become like his teacher, and the slave like his master.\u00a0 If they have called the head of the house \u2018Beelzebul,\u2019 how much more will they defame the members of his household!<\/em>12<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Paul answered those slanderers or blasphemers curtly but factually, Their condemnation is deserved!<\/em>13<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

What then? Are we better<\/em> than they?<\/em>14<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 I quoted from the New King James translation for a reason.\u00a0 I believe Paul was saying, \u201cWhat then?\u00a0 Are we, who have faith because we hear the message of Christ because He has uttered \u2018hear,\u2019 better than they whose condemnation is deserved?\u201d\u00a0 The NET renders it, What then?\u00a0 Are we better off?<\/em>15<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0It may seem nitpicky but I would say, \u201cYes, those who have faith because they hear the message of Christ because He has uttered \u2018hear\u2019 are much better off than those whose condemnation is deserved, because they won\u2019t receive the condemnation they also deserve.\u201d\u00a0 But are they better, holding themselves before those whose condemnation is deserved?\u00a0 Certainly not, for we have already charged that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin<\/em>\u202616<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Now, some translations17<\/sup><\/a> that use better off<\/em>, also assume that Paul was identifying with Jews here and add that to the text: Does it mean that we Jews are better off than the Gentiles?<\/em>18<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0In that case, better<\/em> and better off<\/em> are essentially equivalent.\u00a0 But then the slanderers or blasphemers would have been Gentiles who accused Jews of preaching \u201cLet us do evil so that good may come of it.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>Granted Paul did write Jews and Greeks<\/em>, but I assume that to be a literary way of saying all<\/em> (or, no one<\/em>) like the Old Testament quotations that follow (Romans 3:10-18 NET):<\/p>\n

\u2026just as it is written: \u201cThere is no one righteous<\/em><\/strong>, not even one<\/strong>, there is no one who understands<\/strong>, there is no one who seeks God<\/strong>. All have turned away<\/strong>, together they have become worthless<\/a>; there is no one who shows<\/a> kindness<\/strong>, not even one <\/strong>[Table<\/a>].<\/strong><\/em>\u201d\u00a0 \u201cTheir throats are open graves<\/em><\/strong>, they deceive with their tongues<\/strong>, <\/em>the poison of asps is under their lips<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em>\u201d \u00a0\u201cTheir mouths are<\/em><\/strong> full of cursing and bitterness<\/strong>.<\/em>\u201d \u00a0\u201cTheir feet are swift to shed blood<\/em><\/strong>,<\/em> ruin and misery are in their paths<\/em><\/strong>,<\/em> and the way of peace they have not known<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em>\u201d \u00a0\u201cThere is no fear of God before their eyes<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em>\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

Addendum:<\/strong> March 24, 2021
\nA table comparing Romans 2:11<\/a> in the NET and KJV follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n

<\/a>Romans 2:11 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Romans 2:11 (KJV)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

For there is no partiality with God.<\/td>\nFor there is no respect of persons with God.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n
\n

NET Parallel Greek<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Stephanus Textus Receptus<\/a><\/td>\n\n

Byzantine Majority Text<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\u03bf\u1f50 \u03b3\u1f71\u03c1 \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c3\u03c9\u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u03b7\u03bc\u03c8\u1f77\u03b1<\/a> <\/strong>\u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u1f70 \u03c4\u1ff7 \u03b8\u03b5\u1ff7<\/td>\n\u03bf\u03c5 \u03b3\u03b1\u03c1 \u03b5\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c3\u03c9\u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u03b7\u03c8\u03b9\u03b1<\/a> \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1 \u03c4\u03c9 \u03b8\u03b5\u03c9<\/td>\n\u03bf\u03c5 \u03b3\u03b1\u03c1 \u03b5\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c3\u03c9\u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u03b7\u03c8\u03b9\u03b1 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1 \u03c4\u03c9 \u03b8\u03b5\u03c9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n
Paul’s OT Quotes – Romans 3:10-18<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Romans, Part 15<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Romans, Part 9<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to A Shadow of the Good Things, Part 2<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to The Lost Son of Perdition, Part 2<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n

1<\/sup><\/a> Romans 3:5 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

2<\/sup><\/a> \u2026every human being shown up as a liar<\/em>\u2026 Table<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

3<\/sup><\/a> Romans 3:6 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

4<\/sup><\/a> The NET parallel Greek<\/a> text and NA28<\/sup><\/a> had \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c3\u03c9\u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u03b7\u03bc\u03c8\u1f77\u03b1<\/a> here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus<\/a> and Byzantine Majority Text<\/a> had \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c3\u03c9\u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u03b7\u03c8\u03b9\u03b1<\/a> (KJV: respect of persons<\/em>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

5<\/sup><\/a> Romans 2:11, 12 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

6<\/sup><\/a> Romans 3:7 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

7<\/sup><\/a> Romans 3:5 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

8<\/sup><\/a> Romans 1:21 (NET)<\/a> Table<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

9<\/sup><\/a> Romans 5:15 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

10<\/sup><\/a> Romans 3:8 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

11<\/sup><\/a> John 5:18 (NET)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

12<\/sup><\/a> Matthew 10:24, 25 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

13<\/sup><\/a> Romans 3:8 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

14<\/sup><\/a> Romans 3:9a (NKJV)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

15<\/sup><\/a> Romans 3:9a (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

16<\/sup><\/a> Romans 3:9b (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

17<\/sup><\/a> The New American Bible is interesting in that the translators recognized the problem of better off<\/em> and addressed it in the verse by changing the answer:\u00a0 Well, then, are we better off?\u00a0 Not entirely, for we have already brought the charge against Jews and Greeks alike that they are all under the domination of sin<\/em>\u2026 Romans 3:9 (NAB)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

18<\/sup><\/a> Romans 3:9 (CEV)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

But if our (\u1f21\u03bc\u1ff6\u03bd) unrighteousness demonstrates (\u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u1f77\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd, a form of \u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac\u03c9) the righteousness of God, Paul continued, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is he?\u00a0 (I am speaking in human terms.)1\u00a0 This is similar, … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[713,20,6],"tags":[1096,635,1093,1098,1090,1092,1094,1095,1097,726,1091],"class_list":["post-1124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chapter-3","category-romans","category-section-two","tag-matthew-1024-25","tag-romans-121","tag-romans-211-12","tag-romans-310-18","tag-romans-35","tag-romans-36","tag-romans-37","tag-romans-38","tag-romans-39","tag-romans-515","tag-romans-922-24"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1124"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22070,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1124\/revisions\/22070"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}