{"id":7914,"date":"2017-04-09T19:59:03","date_gmt":"2017-04-09T13:59:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intelligent-torvalds.74-208-171-134.plesk.page\/?p=7914"},"modified":"2026-05-09T13:47:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T18:47:57","slug":"romans-part-86","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/?p=7914","title":{"rendered":"Romans, Part 86"},"content":{"rendered":"

But I myself am fully convinced about you, my brothers and sisters<\/em>, Paul continued, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another<\/em>.[1]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Though it may sound as if Paul commended Roman believers for their peculiar goodness and knowledge, I will maintain that his confidence was in the God of hope<\/em> and the power of the Holy Spirit<\/em>: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit<\/em>.[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The Greek word translated am fully convinced<\/em> was \u03a0\u1f73\u03c0\u03b5\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9 (a form of \u03c0\u03b5\u03af\u03b8\u03c9<\/a>).\u00a0 For I am convinced <\/em>(\u03c0\u1f73\u03c0\u03b5\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9, a form of \u03c0\u03b5\u03af\u03b8\u03c9), Paul wrote, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord<\/em>.[3]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 I know the one in whom my faith is set<\/em>, he wrote Timothy, and I am convinced<\/em> (\u03c0\u1f73\u03c0\u03b5\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9, a form of \u03c0\u03b5\u03af\u03b8\u03c9) that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day<\/em>.[4]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 And he characterized himself as one who put no confidence<\/em> (\u03c0\u03b5\u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03b8\u1f79\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2, another form of \u03c0\u03b5\u03af\u03b8\u03c9) in the flesh<\/em>, Roman or otherwise: For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God<\/a> by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh <\/em>(\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f10\u03bd \u03c3\u03b1\u03c1\u03ba\u1f76 \u03c0\u03b5\u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03b8\u1f79\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2)…[5]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The goodness <\/em>Paul was fully convinced<\/em> that Roman believers were full of<\/em> was \u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u03c9\u03c3\u1f7b\u03bd\u03b7\u03c2 (a form of \u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u03c9\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7<\/a>) in Greek.\u00a0 Again, it was not that Romans were peculiarly full of goodness<\/em> in Paul\u2019s estimation while citizens of Thessalonica needed to rely on God: we pray for you always<\/em>, Paul wrote believers in Thessalonica, that our God will make you worthy of his calling and fulfill by his power your every desire for goodness<\/em> (\u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u03c9\u03c3\u1f7b\u03bd\u03b7\u03c2, a form of \u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u03c9\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7)\u2026[6]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Walk as children of the light<\/em>, he wrote believers in Ephesus, for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness<\/em> (\u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u03c9\u03c3\u1f7b\u03bd\u1fc3), righteousness, and truth<\/em>\u2026[7]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 And, of course, goodness <\/em>is delivered daily to believers as an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness<\/em> (\u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u03c9\u03c3\u1f7b\u03bd\u03b7), faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control<\/em>.[8]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The knowledge <\/em>with which believers in Rome were filled <\/em>was \u03b3\u03bd\u1f7d\u03c3\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2 (a form of \u03b3\u03bd\u1ff6\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2<\/a>) in Greek.\u00a0 Once again, I don’t think Paul meant that Romans were peculiarly filled with all knowledge<\/em>.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t even claim knowledge for himself or the other apostles beyond what was given by God: For God, who said \u201cLet light shine out of darkness,\u201d<\/em> he wrote believers in Corinth, is the one who shined in our hearts to give us the light of the glorious knowledge <\/em>(\u03b3\u03bd\u1f7d\u03c3\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2, a form of \u03b3\u03bd\u1ff6\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2) of God in the face of Christ<\/em>.[9]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, <\/em>he wrote the Colossians, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches that assurance brings in their understanding of the knowledge<\/em> (\u1f10\u03c0\u1f77\u03b3\u03bd\u03c9\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03c0\u03af\u03b3\u03bd\u03c9\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2<\/a>) of the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge<\/em> (\u03b3\u03bd\u1f7d\u03c3\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2, a form of \u03b3\u03bd\u1ff6\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2).[10]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Christ\u2019s love, in fact, surpasses knowledge: to know<\/em> (\u03b3\u03bd\u1ff6\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9, a form of \u03b3\u03b9\u03bd\u03ce\u03c3\u03ba\u03c9<\/a>) the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge<\/em> (\u03b3\u03bd\u1f7d\u03c3\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2, a form of \u03b3\u03bd\u1ff6\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2), so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God<\/em>.[11]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 For Paul the value of<\/em> knowing <\/em>(\u03b3\u03bd\u1f7d\u03c3\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2, a form of \u03b3\u03bd\u1ff6\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2) Christ Jesus my Lord<\/em> was far greater <\/em>than all human honor.[12]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

But I have written more boldly to you on some points so as to remind you<\/em>, Paul continued his letter to believers in Rome, because of the grace given to me by God to be a minister<\/em> (\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u03c1\u03b3\u1f78\u03bd, a form of \u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u03c1\u03b3\u03cc\u03c2<\/a>) of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles<\/em>.[13]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Paul had not yet been to Rome<\/a>.\u00a0 His self-consciousness about all that he had written to believers there intrigues me.\u00a0 I can easily see this letter as the culmination of Paul\u2019s working through his own issues, from the Jerusalem Council<\/a> to Athens<\/a> to Corinth<\/a> and on to Ephesus<\/a>.\u00a0 Did he recognize the importance the Roman Church would assume once the Jerusalem Church was scattered?\u00a0 Surely the Holy Spirit did.<\/p>\n

<\/a>I don\u2019t think Paul intended to write a treatise on the Gospel but a letter to Roman believers.\u00a0 Still, by the Holy Spirit a Gospel treatise is what he wrote.\u00a0 Without altering a word Paul wanted to explain his boldness (\u03c4\u03bf\u03bb\u03bc\u03b7\u03c1\u1f79\u03c4\u03b5\u03c1\u03bf\u03bd<\/a>; translated more boldly<\/em>).\u00a0 I serve\u00a0the gospel\u00a0of God\u00a0like a priest<\/em>,\u00a0he continued, so that\u00a0the Gentiles\u00a0may become\u00a0an acceptable\u00a0offering,\u00a0sanctified\u00a0by\u00a0the Holy\u00a0Spirit<\/em>.[14]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 So that the Gentiles may be sanctified by their own obedience or by adding their own works to their faith?\u00a0 No, so that the Gentiles may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit<\/em> (\u1f21\u03b3\u03b9\u03b1\u03c3\u03bc\u1f73\u03bd\u03b7\u00a0\u1f10\u03bd\u00a0\u03c0\u03bd\u03b5\u1f7b\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b9\u1f01\u03b3\u1f77\u1ff3).<\/p>\n

The Greek word translated sanctified <\/em>was \u1f21\u03b3\u03b9\u03b1\u03c3\u03bc\u1f73\u03bd\u03b7 (a form of \u1f01\u03b3\u03b9\u03ac\u03b6\u03c9<\/a>).\u00a0 Now may the God of peace himself make you completely holy <\/em>(\u1f01\u03b3\u03b9\u1f71\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9, another form of \u1f01\u03b3\u03b9\u03ac\u03b6\u03c9), Paul wrote believers in Thessalonica, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. \u00a0He who calls you is trustworthy, and he will in fact do this<\/em>.[15]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify<\/em> (\u1f01\u03b3\u03b9\u1f71\u03c3\u1fc3, another form of \u1f01\u03b3\u03b9\u03ac\u03b6\u03c9) her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious \u2013 not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless<\/em>.[16]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Sanctify <\/em>(\u1f01\u03b3\u1f77\u03b1\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd, another form of \u1f01\u03b3\u03b9\u03ac\u03b6\u03c9) them by the truth<\/em>, Jesus prayed to his Father, your word is truth<\/em>.[17]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 For them<\/em>, Jesus continued in prayer, I sanctify<\/em> (\u1f01\u03b3\u03b9\u1f71\u03b6\u03c9) myself, that they too may be truly sanctified <\/em>(\u1f21\u03b3\u03b9\u03b1\u03c3\u03bc\u1f73\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9, another form of \u1f01\u03b3\u03b9\u03ac\u03b6\u03c9).[18]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>For indeed he who makes holy<\/em> (\u1f01\u03b3\u03b9\u1f71\u03b6\u03c9\u03bd, another form of \u1f01\u03b3\u03b9\u03ac\u03b6\u03c9) and those being made holy<\/em> (\u1f01\u03b3\u03b9\u03b1\u03b6\u1f79\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9, another form of \u1f01\u03b3\u03b9\u03ac\u03b6\u03c9) all have the same origin, and so he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters<\/em>\u2026[19]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 As I\u2019ve written before,[20]<\/sup><\/a> it is axiomatic to me that Jesus\u2019 holiness was from the Holy Spirit rather than his own divine nature.\u00a0 Otherwise, his command and invitation, Follow me<\/a><\/em>, would be meaningless to sinful human beings.\u00a0 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles<\/em>, Jesus promised Paul, to whom I am sending you to open their eyes so that they turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified<\/em> (\u1f21\u03b3\u03b9\u03b1\u03c3\u03bc\u1f73\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9\u03c2, another form of \u1f01\u03b3\u03b9\u03ac\u03b6\u03c9) by faith in me<\/em>.[21]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>Luther\/Graebner<\/a> called the religious mind <\/em>\u201cthat monster called self-righteousness\u201d:[22]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

This is the principal purpose of the Law and its most valuable contribution. As long as a person is not a murderer, adulterer, thief, he would swear that he is righteous. How is God going to humble such a person except by the Law? The Law is the hammer of death, the thunder of hell, and the lightning of God’s wrath to bring down the proud and shameless hypocrites. When the Law was instituted on Mount Sinai it was accompanied by lightning, by storms, by the sound of trumpets, to tear to pieces that monster called self-righteousness. As long as a person thinks he is right he is going to be incomprehensibly proud and presumptuous. He is going to hate God, despise His grace and mercy, and ignore the promises in Christ. The Gospel of the free forgiveness of sins through Christ will never appeal to the self-righteous.<\/em><\/p>\n

This monster of self-righteousness, this stiff-necked beast, needs a big axe. And that is what the Law is, a big axe. Accordingly, the proper use and function of the Law is to threaten until the conscience is scared stiff.<\/em><\/p>\n

The awful spectacle at Mount Sinai portrayed the proper use of the Law\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

The Law is meant to produce the same effect today which it produced at Mount Sinai long ago. I want to encourage all who fear God, especially those who intend to become ministers of the Gospel, to learn from the Apostle the proper use of the Law.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This could explain Jonathan Edwards\u2019<\/a> \u201cSinners in the Hands of an Angry God<\/a>.\u201d\u00a0 It was not based on his own experience of eternal life, knowing God<\/a>, but on a preaching technique derived from a metaphorical reading of the events at Sinai. \u00a0But when I approach those events with Jesus\u2019 key<\/a> to understanding the Old Testament I can\u2019t hear it as a metaphor, only as a literal demonstration of the absolute limits of fear-based righteousness.\u00a0 With theatricality and pyrotechnics beyond any human preacher\u2019s bellicose pulpit pounding ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h<\/em> got forty days of obedience to the law out of fear<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To be fair Luther\/Graebner didn\u2019t expect preaching designed \u201cto threaten until the conscience is scared stiff\u201d to produce righteousness (or even obedience to the law) directly, but to foster a hunger and thirst for righteousness:[23]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The proverb has it that Hunger is the best cook [<\/em>Fames est optimus coquus<\/a>]. The Law makes afflicted consciences hungry for Christ. Christ tastes good to them. Hungry hearts appreciate Christ. Thirsty souls are what Christ wants. He invites them: \u2018Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.\u2019 Christ’s benefits are so precious that He will dispense them only to those who need them and really desire them.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I understand precious <\/em>here\u00a0as scarce <\/em>and conclude that this last statement is essentially false.\u00a0 Christ\u2019s benefits are not scarce.\u00a0 They are as omnipresent[24]<\/sup><\/a> as the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 Everyone needs them: Do not be amazed that I said to you, \u2018You must all be born from above.\u2019<\/em>[25]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 And God Himself provides the desire for them as well as their accomplishment: for the one bringing forth <\/em>(\u1f10\u03bd\u03b5\u03c1\u03b3\u1ff6\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03bd\u03b5\u03c1\u03b3\u03ad\u03c9<\/a>) in you both the desire<\/em> (\u03b8\u1f73\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03bd, a form of \u03b8\u03ad\u03bb\u03c9<\/a>) and the effort<\/em> (\u1f10\u03bd\u03b5\u03c1\u03b3\u03b5\u1fd6\u03bd, another form of \u1f10\u03bd\u03b5\u03c1\u03b3\u03ad\u03c9) \u2013 for the sake of his good pleasure \u2013 is God<\/em>.[26]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 There is no cause to add conditions to sanctification beyond faith in Christ.\u00a0 Faith\u00a0comes\u00a0by hearing, and hearing by the word of God<\/em>.[27]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 But how are they to hear without someone preaching to them?<\/em>[28]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Or how are we to hear if preachers preach something other than the truth that we are sanctified by the Holy Spirit<\/em>?<\/p>\n

On the one hand Luther\/Graebner seemed to grasp this:[29]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

\u2026the Holy Ghost is sent forth into the hearts of the believers, as here stated, “God sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts.” This sending is accomplished by the preaching of the Gospel through which the Holy Spirit inspires us with fervor and light, with new judgment, new desires, and new motives. This happy innovation is not a derivative of reason or personal development, but solely the gift and operation of the Holy Ghost.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Though they did a yeoman\u2019s job demonstrating that justification is by faith in Christ apart from the works of the law, any law, when it came to sanctification Luther\/Graebner let the whole wretched works religion in through the back door:[30]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

If we think of Christ as Paul here depicts Him, we shall never go wrong. We shall never be in danger of misconstruing the meaning of the Law. We shall understand that the Law does not justify. We shall understand why a Christian observes laws: For the peace of the world, out of gratitude to God, and for a good example that others may be attracted to the Gospel.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

First, I want to be perfectly clear that a believer in Christ merely appears <\/em>to observe laws.\u00a0 That appearance <\/em>does not result from attempting to \u201cobserve laws\u201d but from hearing with faith<\/a> and receiving the fruit of the Holy Spirit<\/a>, the love that is the fulfillment the law<\/a>.\u00a0 The peace of the world, my gratitude to God and desire that others may be attracted to the Gospel is not up to the task of righteousness.<\/p>\n

At times Luther\/Graebner seemed to comprehend the fruit of the Spirit:[31]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The Word of God falling from the lips of the apostle or minister enters into the heart of the hearer. The Holy Ghost impregnates the Word so that it brings forth the fruit of faith.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Yet when Luther\/Graebner addressed the \u201cfruit of faith\u201d directly it reads:[32]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

FAITH<\/em><\/p>\n

In listing faith among the fruits of the Spirit, Paul obviously does not mean faith in Christ, but faith in men. Such faith is not suspicious of people but believes the best. Naturally the possessor of such faith will be deceived, but he lets it pass. He is ready to believe all men, but he will not trust all men. Where this virtue is lacking men are suspicious, forward, and wayward and will believe nothing nor yield to anybody. No matter how well a person says or does anything, they will find fault with it, and if you do not humor them you can never please them. It is quite impossible to get along with them. Such faith in people therefore, is quite necessary. What kind of life would this be if one person could not believe another person?<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In fact every detail of every aspect of the fruit of the Spirit in the Luther\/Graebner commentary reads like a definition of a virtue, an ideal or a rule to be pursued by my desire for \u201cthe peace of the world, out of gratitude to God, and for a good example that others may be attracted to the Gospel.\u201d\u00a0 In contrast I will quote Paul once again (Romans 15:15, 16 NET):<\/p>\n

But I have written more boldly to you on some points so as to remind you, because of the grace given to me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. \u00a0I serve the gospel of God like a priest, so that the Gentiles may become an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Anything less than being sanctified by the Holy Spirit is a human attempt to be perfected by the flesh.\u00a0 Are you so foolish?<\/em> Paul asked struggling believers in Galatia.\u00a0 Although you began with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort <\/em>(\u03c3\u03b1\u03c1\u03ba\u1f76, a form of \u03c3\u03ac\u03c1\u03be<\/a>)?<\/em>[33]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 We of this generation risk being judged by skeptics or some future apostle of some future dispensation with the words:<\/p>\n

For if grace had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by \u00a0grace.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n
Romans, Part 87<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Fear – Deuteronomy, Part 7<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Who Am I? Part 6<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to To Make Holy, Part 5<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Justice and Mercy Revisited, Part 5<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

<\/a>[1]<\/sup> Romans 15:14 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[2]<\/sup> Romans 15:13 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[3]<\/sup> Romans 8:38, 39 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[4]<\/sup> 2 Timothy 1:12b (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[5]<\/sup> Philippians 3:3 (NIV) Table<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[6]<\/sup> 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[7]<\/sup> Ephesians 5:8b, 9 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[8]<\/sup> Galatians 5:22, 23a (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[9]<\/sup> 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[10]<\/sup> Colossians 2:2, 3 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[11]<\/sup> Ephesians 3:19 (NET); See: Ephesians 3:14-21<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[12]<\/sup> Philippians 3:3-11<\/a>, cf. verse 8<\/p>\n

<\/a>[13]<\/sup> Romans 15:15, 16a (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[14]<\/sup> Romans 15:16b (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[15]<\/sup> 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[16]<\/sup> Ephesians 5:25b-27 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[17]<\/sup> John 17:17 (NIV)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[18]<\/sup> John 17:19 (NIV)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[19]<\/sup> Hebrews 2:11 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[20]<\/sup> The Righteousness of God<\/a><\/em>; Romans, Part 50<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a>[21]<\/sup> Acts 26:17, 18 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[22]<\/sup> Commentary <\/em>on Galatians 3:19<\/a>, \u201cThe Twofold Purpose of the Law\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/a>[23]<\/sup> Commentary <\/em>on Galations 3:21<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[24]<\/sup> Psalm 139:1-18 (NET)<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[25]<\/sup> John 3:7 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[26]<\/sup> Philippians 2:13 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[27]<\/sup> Romans 10:17 (NKJV)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[28]<\/sup> Romans 10:14b (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[29]<\/sup> Commentary <\/em>on Galatians 4:6<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[30]<\/sup> Commentary <\/em>on Galatians 4:4, 5<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[31]<\/sup> Commentary <\/em>on Galatians 4:19<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[32]<\/sup> Commentary <\/em>on Galatians 5:22, 23<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[33]<\/sup> Galatians 3:3 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

But I myself am fully convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, Paul continued, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.[1]\u00a0 Though it may sound as if Paul commended Roman … 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":[3562,20,2719],"tags":[3794,3791,3789,508,3798,2243,3792,3795,3790,410,415,3797,2917,3796,3026,543,3788,3331,3799,1057,2918,3786,3793,2449,3787],"class_list":["post-7914","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chapter-15","category-romans","category-section-three","tag-1-thessalonians-523-24","tag-2-corinthians-46","tag-2-thessalonians-111","tag-2-timothy-112","tag-acts-2617-18","tag-colossians-22-3","tag-ephesians-319","tag-ephesians-525-27","tag-ephesians-58-9","tag-galatians-33","tag-galatians-522-23","tag-hebrews-211","tag-john-1717","tag-john-1719","tag-john-37","tag-philippians-213","tag-philippians-33","tag-philippians-38","tag-romans-1014","tag-romans-1017","tag-romans-1513","tag-romans-1514","tag-romans-1515-16","tag-romans-1516","tag-romans-838-39"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7914","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=7914"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7914\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29748,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7914\/revisions\/29748"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7914"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7914"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7914"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}