The Will of God – Jesus, Part 3

Jesus trusted his Father so completely that the flesh of Adam was much more subjugated in Him than in me.  Still, I can think of two incidents where the flesh made an appearance and was recorded by the Gospel writers.  Matthew and Mark had different opinions as to...

Young, Virginal or Single

In Romans, Part 30 I said that sexual desire for someone other than my wife was like a distant early warning system, alerting me to which I was asserting control.  Things may not be so clear, however, for the young, virginal or single.  Simply put, how does one...

Romans, Part 30

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...

Peter’s Way?

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,...

Romans, Part 29

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...

You Must Be Gentle, Part 1

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...

Romans, Part 28

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...

Romans, Part 27

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...

Romans, Part 26

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...

Romans, Part 25

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...