Introduction We're in that part of Romans where Paul has moved away from explaining the gospel to teaching us how we're to live as God's people. Chapters 1 to 11 are all about what God has done and is doing for sinners like us by his Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. And chapters … Continue reading Romans 12(09–13) →

Introduction We spent our time last time on verses 1 and 2 of Romans 12 where Paul urged his readers to offer themselves to God as a living sacrifice. We're not to offer him a dead sacrifice now. We're not to offer him a bull or a goat, as the people did in the days … Continue reading Romans 12(03–08) →

Introduction Romans can really be divided into two parts. There's chapters 1 to 11; and then there's chapters 12 to 16. In chapters 1 to 11 Paul explains the gospel of the grace of God to sinners like us. And in chapters 12 to 16 Paul outlines for us how we should live as those … Continue reading Romans 12(01+02) →

Introduction I want to mention chapter 8 again which is, of course, a great chapter. And it ended on a real high. It was as if Paul had led us up a mountain and at the end of chapter 8 we reached the top where Paul concluded with these marvellous words: For I am convinced … Continue reading Romans 11(25–36) →

Introduction The last time, I mentioned that Romans 11 is a difficult chapter. All of Romans is difficult. But Romans 11 is especially difficult; and the commentators discuss various words and phrases in this chapter and they try to make sense of Paul's words. And one commentator makes one conclusion: 'This is what Paul means.' … Continue reading Romans 11(11–24) →

Introduction Romans 11 is a difficult chapter. Most of Romans is difficult, which is one reason why we've had to go through it slowly. But Romans 11 is particularly difficult, and many of the phrases, indeed many of the words, are discussed at length by the commentators who are trying to make sense of what … Continue reading Romans 11(01–10) →

Introduction After the elation of chapter 8 -- which began with the promise that there's no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; and which ended with the promise that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord -- after the elation of … Continue reading Romans 10(14–21) →

Introduction I mentioned the last time these two ideas which are placed side by side in the Bible. On the one hand, there's God's sovereignty and his electing grace. He's the king who rules over all and who upholds and directs all his creatures and all their actions according to the purpose of his will; … Continue reading Romans 10(05–13) →

Introduction I have a book at home called 'Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God'. It was first published in 1961; and really, it's a very important book which is often quoted and referred to in other books I've read. In the book, the author presents these two idea which we find side by side in … Continue reading Romans 09(30)–10(04) →

Introduction In Romans chapter 9, Paul is answering some objections. First of all -- and this objection was unspoken -- but it's clearly in Paul's mind: Has God's word failed? Has God's word of promise to the Jews failed? And Paul answered by explaining that national Israel is not the same as spiritual Israel; and … Continue reading Romans 09(19–29) →