by admin | Oct 30, 2012 | Chapter 8, Romans, Section Two
So then, brothers and sisters, Paul continued, we are under obligation (ὀφειλέται, a form of ὀφειλέτης), not to the flesh (σαρκὶ, a form of σάρξ), to live according to the flesh (σάρκα, another form of σάρξ)…1 The word translated obligation above is also found in...
by admin | Oct 27, 2012 | Section Two
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, James, Jude and the writer of Hebrews managed to expound on the Gospel without recourse to Areté (ἀρέτη),1 Greek virtue. Paul used it once in a way that seems to question its existence or value: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,...
by admin | Oct 19, 2012 | Chapter 8, Romans, Section Two
There is therefore now no condemnation (κατάκριμα) for those who are in Christ Jesus (ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ),1 Paul continued. I want to list some of the things that are true for those in Christ Jesus: In Christ Jesus… 1) …born of water and spirit [Table]…What is born of...
by admin | Oct 19, 2012 | Gentle, Section Two
Alexander in Ingmar Bergman’s film “Fanny and Alexander” encouraged the ghost of his “good” father (who looks disconcertingly like Adolf Hitler) to stop haunting him, to go on to heaven and convince God to kill his stepfather. The ghost of his “good” father...
by admin | Oct 18, 2012 | Chapter 7, Romans, Section Two
Did that which is good, then, become death (θάνατος) to me?1 Paul continued. It is a reasonable question considering that the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good,2 and that Paul found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life...
by admin | Oct 17, 2012 | Chapter 7, Romans, Section Two
Or do you not know, brothers and sisters, Paul continued, (for I am speaking to those who know the law [νόμον, a form of νόμος]), that the law (νόμος) is lord over a person as long as he lives?1 Thus Paul introduced another value of the death of those who were...
by admin | Oct 16, 2012 | Chapter 6, Romans, Section Two
Therefore, Paul continued, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey1 (ὑπακούειν, a form of ὑπακούω) its desires (ἐπιθυμίαις, a form of ἐπιθυμία).2 This is clearly Step #2 how to experience the credited righteousness of God apart from the law,3...
by admin | Oct 15, 2012 | Chapter 6, Romans, Section Two
What shall we say then? Paul continued. Are we to remain (ἐπιμένωμεν, a form of ἐπιμένω) in sin so that grace (χάρις) may increase (πλεονάσῃ, a form of πλεονάζω)?1 This is a reasonable question considering what Paul wrote earlier: Now the law (νόμος) came in so that...
by admin | Oct 8, 2012 | Chapter 5, Romans, Section Two
Much more then, Paul continued, because we have now been declared righteous (δικαιωθέντες, a form of δικαιόω) by his blood, we will be saved through him from God’s wrath (ὀργῆς, a form of ὀργή).1 I had a tendency to think of this as present or future wrath. That may...
by admin | Oct 7, 2012 | Chapter 5, Romans, Section Two
Not only [do we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory],1 but we also rejoice in sufferings (θλίψεσιν, a form of θλίψις),2 Paul continued. I’ve already written about the feedback loop that fosters this apparent masochism in believers and won’t do so again. The word...