(11) “FOR BOTH HE THAT SANCTIFIETH AND THEY WHO ARE SANCTIFIED ARE
ALL OF ONE: FOR WHICH CAUSE HE IS NOT ASHAMED TO CALL THEM
BRETHREN,”
1. Christ is the Sanctifier.
2. Everyone who is sanctified is sanctified by Christ, or else they aren’t sanctified.
3. All, the Sanctifier and the Sanctified, are all out of one Source, God the Father.
Consequently, He is not ashamed to call us Brethren.

CHRIST THE SANCTIFIER

The phrase, “For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified,” refers to Christ
Who puts the Believer on the path to glory, and then through the Ministry of the Holy
Spirit leads him on that road through the process of progressive Sanctification and finally
through Glorification into the eternal conditions where all through the eternal ages
will grow more and more like the Lord Jesus and approach toward His likeness; however,
will not in the infinite years of eternity, ever become in an absolute sense just like Him,
for finiteness (that which is limited) can only approach toward infinity (that which is unlimited, Who and Which is Christ), never equal it (Wuest).

SANCTIFICATION

The words “sanctify,” or “Sanctification,” or “holy,” or “holiness,” all come from the
same Greek root “hagiazo,” or “hagios.” It means “to purify or consecrate, to set apart
solely for God.”

The moment the believing sinner comes to Christ, at that moment he is instantly and
totally sanctified (I Cor. 6:11). In fact, the believing sinner must be sanctified (made
clean) before he can be justified (declared clean). All of this is a legal work which actually
takes place in Heaven upon the believing sinner exhibiting Faith in Christ, and what
Christ did at the Cross on his behalf. This is what we refer to as “Positional Sanctification,”
meaning that this is one’s position in Christ, and is gained totally by Faith.

However, there is also that which we refer to as “Progressive Sanctification.” Paul said,
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and
soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thess.

5:23).

The idea is, at the time of conversion, the actual, spiritual “condition” of the new convert,
is not up to his actual, spiritual “position,” which is all in Christ. Consequently,
the Holy Spirit sets about, to bring the “condition” up to the “position.” Actually, it is a
lifelong work, and that is the reason it is referred to as “Progressive Sanctification.”

The actual position is that of total Christlikeness, which can only come by Faith
in Christ. In Truth, Progressive Sanctification functions in the same manner — by
Faith, which we will explain more fully momentarily. While it is impossible for the Believer
to become 100 percent Christlike, and for all the obvious reasons, to be sure, the
Holy Spirit definitely brings us as close as He can to this exalted position, which is His
chief work in the heart and life of the Believer — to make one Christlike! In fact, the
type of Sanctification of which Paul here speaks, is “Progressive Sanctification.” It
speaks of a process, which is actually carried forth as stated, all the days of our lives.

HOW DOES CHRIST CARRY FORTH THE SANCTIFICATION PROCESS?

This question is extremely important, and if it’s not answered properly, which means it
is understood improperly, the Believer can accrue to himself great spiritual difficulties,
which will have a negative fallout in every other aspect of life as well.

In point of fact, it is the Holy Spirit Who actually performs the work in the heart and
life of the Believer. So, the meaning is that Christ sanctifies the Believer through the
Office and Person of the Holy Spirit. However, the Holy Spirit is able to carry forth this
excellent work solely on the basis of whatChrist did at the Cross on our behalf, hence
it being said that it is Christ Who sanctifieth!Two things must be carried forth in order
for the Holy Spirit to perfect this work withinour lives. They are as follows:

1. The Holy Spirit must have the cooperation of the Saint of God. To be sure, none of
this is automatic, despite the fact that many Christians erroneously think it is. Self-will
is the greatest hindrance. The Spirit of God cannot work and function in a climate of self-
will, which always leads to works of the flesh, i.e., “sin.” So, the will of the Believer must
“hunger and thirst for Righteousness.”
We must understand that the work of Sanctification can never be carried out by our
own abilities or religiosity. All of the things which we do, which we think bring us merit
with God, in fact, have no place at all. So, the Believer must understand that Sanctification
is beyond his grasp, and can only be done by the Holy Spirit. Actually one might
say, that Sanctification is not an activity but rather a position.

Understanding this, we come to the second point:

2. Realizing that we cannot sanctify ourselves, and that it can only be done by the Holy Spirit, we must come to understanding as to how the Holy Spirit works (Rom. 8:12, 11, 13). The Holy Spirit only asks that we exhibit Faith in the Cross of Christ, understanding
that it was there that all victory was won. That’s why Paul here said that Christ is the
Sanctifier. He is the One Who made all of this possible through His Death and Resurrection on the Cross. We are to understand that, believe that, and place our Faith in that.

With the Cross ever as our object of Faith, the Holy Spirit, Who works strictly within the
parameters of the Finished Work of Christ, can then do mighty things in our hearts and
lives. As stated, He only demands that we exhibit Faith in the Cross of Christ, and continue to do so, in fact, all the days of our lives. So, the criteria is Faith, but it must ever be understood, that it’s always Faith in “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified” (I Cor. 2:2).

THE CHRISTIAN AND THE CROSS

Most Christians have an understanding of the Cross as it pertains to the initial Salvation
experience. In other words, in order to be saved, they place their Faith in Christ, understanding that He died for them on the Cross. But regrettably, most Christians park
the Cross after the initial Salvation experience, attempting to go elsewhere with their
Faith. Please let the following be clearly understood:

The Cross of Christ, i.e., “the Finished Work of Christ,” has just as much to do with
your everyday walk before the Lord, with your everyday victory, with your everyday progress in the Lord, as it did your initial Salvation experience. Regrettably, most Christians don’t know that!

And that’s the reason we have Christians running all over the world chasing one fad
after the other, attempting to find victory. They don’t know anything about the application of the Cross within their lives on a daily basis; therefore, they walk in defeat.

One of my associates sometime back was in a particular meeting where God was moving.
The Evangelist specialized in laying hands on people, with them being “slain in
the Spirit,” etc. They asked my associate to help catch the people when they fell, etc.

He told me that many of them upon coming up to be prayed for, whispered in his ear,
“Please pray that the Lord will move mightily upon me, for I’m hooked on pornography,”
or whatever!

Not knowing the great Word of the Cross, which incidentally is the only source of victory,
these individuals, whomever they may have been, were hoping that the Lord would
use this particular Evangelist to lay hands on them, and they would be delivered.

While the “laying on of hands,” is certainly Scriptural, and definitely beneficial if
it’s carried forth Biblically, used in this manner, however, it is wrong, which means, that
the individual will not find the victory for which he seeks. In fact, at that particular time they might be mightily moved on by God. They may in fact be “slain in the Spirit,” or some such thing, but they still will not receive deliverance. But yet, that’s where most Believers presently are. They’re trying to get the Preacher to deliver them by the laying on of hands, or something of that nature.

DELIVERANCE

Jesus never really said anything about Preachers delivering people, at least in this
manner. He did say that we are to “preach deliverance to the captives” (Lk. 4:18). What
did He mean by that?

He meant that Preachers should do exactly what I’m doing right here, tell you the
way of deliverance, which is the Cross of Christ, and that only I might quickly add!

When Jesus died on the Cross, He atoned for all sin by the giving of His life. He as well
satisfied the curse of the broken Law, which in effect, hung over every human being. In
the doing of this, He handled the claims of the Law against us (the Law of God, Ex., Chpt.
20). The Scripture plainly says, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was
against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His Cross”
(Col. 2:14).

However, when He did that, He also destroyed Satan’s legal claim on humanity,
which is sin. Having atoned for all sin, Satan now has no more claim, at least as it regards
those who place their Faith in Christ and what He has done for us at the Cross.

In doing that, He “spoiled principalities and powers (all fallen angels and demon spirits),
and made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:15).

This means that every single demon spirit and Satan himself for that matter, were totally
defeated at the Cross. This also means that every individual in the world, at least if
they will only believe, is already delivered. In fact, “deliverance” is the great Message of
the Cross. It’s the great hallmark of Christianity. Jesus sets men free (Jn. 8:32). However,
for deliverance to be carried out in the heart and life of any individual, such comes,
and in fact can only come, by one having Faith in what Christ did at the Cross. The
moment we attempt to deliver people by laying hands on them, or something else of this
nature, whether we realize it or not, we are trying to add to the Finished Work of Christ,
which God can never honor, and in which the Holy Spirit can never function. In fact,
such is an insult to Christ of the highest order, as should be obvious.

Due to its great significance, please allow me to say it again:

Every single person in this world has already been delivered, which was carried out
at the Cross, which is effected within their hearts and lives by simple Faith in what
Christ did there. When Faith is exhibited accordingly, the Holy Spirit then works
mightily, guaranteeing to us all that Christ did there (Rom. 8:1-2).

Now it’s not wrong to lay hands on Believers respecting deliverance, if the Believer
and the Preacher understands what is taking place. In other words, I’m to understand
that my performing this act will never set anyone free, that having already been done
at the Cross; however, the laying on of hands can definitely be a blessing as it is intended
to be, and can even help one’s Faith, doing so as a point of contact. But if I believe that
this particular action will set people free, then I’ve just made something else other than the
Cross of Christ, the true object of my Faith, which God can never honor.

FAITH

In every single thing as it pertains to the Child of God, it is Faith! It really doesn’t
matter what we need from the Lord, it is all gained by Faith, and never by works. Now
what do we mean by that?

Whether it’s Salvation for the sinner, or the Baptism with the Holy Spirit for the
Saint, whether it’s healing for the Believer, prosperity, or Blessing, etc., it is all generated
by Faith and exclusively by Faith. However, if we leave it there, we’ve really not said
enough, which will leave the Believer hanging so to speak.

For Faith to be Faith, at least that which God will recognize, which is anchored solely
and squarely in the Word of God, it must always be Faith in the Cross. Whenever Faith
is mentioned, it is always in that capacity. It always has as its object, the Cross of Christ,
for it is there that every victory was won by Christ.

So, just saying that we have Faith in God, or Faith in Christ, or Faith in the Word, is
really not quite enough. We must understand what all of that means, and to make it brief, it
means that we are having Faith in what Christ did at the Cross of Calvary on our behalf.

The Cross made possible every single thing that we possess from the Lord. Absolutely
nothing has ever come to the Believer except it came through the great Sacrifice of Christ.
In fact, the entirety of the Bible and in every capacity, points toward the Cross of Christ.
The Cross is the centrality of the Gospel.

WILLPOWER

While the will of the Believer is definitely a factor (Rev. 22:17), it within itself cannot
bring about the desired results. Unfortunately, that’s where most Christians are.

I had a man say to me the other day, “Now that I’m a Christian, I have the willpower to
say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to sin,” etc.

The dear Brother is totally wrong!

The will of the Believer can only flow successfully in one channel, and what is that?

You as a Believer are to use your willpower in the sense of placing your Faith and Trust
in Christ and what He did at the Cross on your behalf. That is where the will of man is
to be. If you bring your will outside of the great Sacrifice of Christ, thereby attempting
to bring about desired results outside of those parameters, which actually refers to your
own strength, you will quickly find that your willpower is not able to bring about the desired
results. In fact, in that capacity, which is the capacity outside of the Cross which God
can never honor, Satan can literally override one’s will. Now I realize that comes as a
shock to most Christians, but it just happens to be true.

Paul said “For to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not”

(Rom. 7:18).

Please understand, that this is not Paul’s experience before conversion as some claim,
but rather after he was saved and Baptized with the Holy Spirit. At that particular time,
the time of Romans, Chapter 7, he did not know or understand the Message of the
Cross; therefore, he attempted to bring about victory in his life by his own strength and

willpower,
which are impossible. But yet, that’s where most modern Christians presently
find themselves.

Thankfully, the Lord gave Paul the great answer to this dilemma, which is actually the
meaning of the New Covenant. We find it in Romans, Chapters 6 and 8, which gives us the
meaning of the Cross, and how the Holy Spirit functions according to our Faith in the Cross.
So, Paul plainly says that “willpower” within itself is not enough! And as stated,
the Holy Spirit aids and abets our wills, and Satan respects our wills, only as that will is
anchored firmly and totally in the Cross of Christ, understanding that the Cross is the
means by which all Blessings come from God to the Believer.

YIELD

Paul said, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness
unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your
members as instruments of Righteousness unto God.”

He then said, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the
Law, but under Grace” (Rom. 6:13-14).

There are millions of Christians right now who read these words in the Bible, and
try with all their might and strength to do what the Holy Spirit through the Apostle
demands to be done, but are unable to do so. So, in their hearts the great question is,
“How do I yield the members of my body to Righteousness?”

They try to do it with willpower, their own strength, their own ability, by making up
rules, laws, and regulations, and find that not only do all of these things fail, but despite
all the efforts, the situation is gradually getting worse. So, how does one yield
one’s members to Righteousness instead of unrighteousness?

Once again, we go back to the “will” of the individual.

Notice that Paul said, “we are not under the Law but under Grace.” What did he mean
by that? Before we address ourselves again to the “will,” let’s look at this “Law/Grace”

issue!

When he said “ye are not under the Law,” he was speaking of the Law of Moses, or any
type of law that we might make up, or that our Church might make up, or our Denomination,
etc. In other words, as it regards the problem of sin, the Believer is not going to
get out of this dilemma, and I speak of failing over and over again in some way, by

subscribing
to a set of rules and regulations, hoping that by keeping them, that victory will
be his. It just doesn’t work that way. That is law, and law never has any power.

Whenever the Believer attempts to find victory in this manner, the Holy Spirit will
not help him, and he is left on his own. To be sure, his own strength and ability are not
able to overcome sin. I don’t care if you’re saved, Baptized with the Holy Spirit, speak
in Tongues everyday of your life, and have all nine Gifts of the Spirit. There is no way
that you within your own ability, even though having all of these great things, can overcome
sin. You have got to have the Power of the Holy Spirit to help you, and how does this
come about?

When Paul said that you are “under Grace,” he is meaning that Christ has already
done all of these things for us, and I speak of victory in every capacity. As stated over and
over again, it was all done at the Cross.
When we place our Faith in that great Sacrifice of Christ, understanding that it is
from this Source that all Blessings come, and we speak of victory in every capacity, then
the goodness of God is extended to us, which is actually the Grace of God, and all guaranteed
by the Holy Spirit. In other words, the Holy Spirit strictly on the merits of the Grace
of God, brings about victory within our lives, making it possible for us to properly “yield”
our members to Righteousness, instead of unrighteousness.

Grace means that it’s not done by our works or abilities or efforts, but that it has already
been done in Christ, and we receive it by simply believing in what He has already done.

In fact, if we attempt to add our own efforts to the Finished Work of Christ, we frustrate
the Grace of God, which guarantees thatwe’re going to fail (Gal. 2:20-21).

“Yield” in the Greek is “paristemi,” and means “to stand beside, to exhibit, to
present.” It does not appear as a struggle orbattle. So, if the Believer is struggling and
battling in this capacity, and I speak of trying to yield the members of his body to

Righteousness,
that shows that he’s not doing it by the Grace of God, but rather by Law, which
will guarantee his failure. He might succeed for awhile, but down the road, and without
exception, he is going to fail. I’ve said it many, many times:
“If one is fighting and winning, after awhile one is going to fight and lose.”

THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH

The only fight that we are called upon in which to engage ourselves, is “the good fight
of Faith” (I Tim. 6:12). This is always the center of the struggle, whether we realize it or

not.

And let us quickly state, that the Faith he mentions here is Faith exclusively in the
Cross of Christ. The fight centers up on Satan trying to move our Faith from the Cross
of Christ to some other object. In fact, he really doesn’t too much care what the other
object might be, just so it’s not the Cross of Christ.

In other words, Satan is perfectly willing for you to spout Scripture all day long, providing
that you have no understanding that all Scripture in one way or the other, points
to the Cross of Christ (Jn. 3:16). So, one can say the following:

Whether the attack comes in the physical sense, material, financial, domestical,
mental, or spiritual, it is all for but one purpose, and that is to destroy your Faith in
Christ and His Finished Work, or at least, to seriously weaken your Faith in that capacity.
That is the center and core of all the struggle!

In fact, Satan has been very successful in steering the Church away from Faith in the
Cross of Christ to something else. In the last 50 or more years, the Church has had so little
teaching on the Cross of Christ, that it little more knows its true foundation. In other
words, in most Church circles, Satan has won this battle.

Actually, the Message of Paul is identical in all his Epistles, even though he approaches
the subject in different ways. We actually have the Apostle saying the same thing over
and over again, and I speak of the great Finished Work of Christ, but saying it in different
ways in order that individuals may understand.

Likewise, I realize that I’m being very repetitive in my statements regarding the Cross;
however, I have found out that Satan fights this more than anything else; consequently,
we are forced as well to say the same thing over and over again although in different
ways, praying that this great Truth will ultimately get into your spirit.

The Message of the Cross of Christ, which in effect is the Gospel, is the simplest Message
there is. Man is lost and Jesus Christ is the solution; however, due to the fact that
the human being is a very complex creature, this Message is at the same time complex as
well. The problem is, to understand the Message of the Cross we have to think spiritual,
when our first nature is to think carnal.

If the Believer will understand, that he has to look to the Cross for everything, at least
he will then have the foundation in order.
Our problem is, oftentimes we think our Faith is in the Cross of Christ, and in reality,
it’s in something else. The flesh is so subtle, so tricky, so deceitful, that’s where we have
our problem.

OF ONE

The phrase, “Are all of one,” definitely has earing in the fact that it is all of one Father;
however, it as well means that Christ and the many sons are all a unity in human nature.
In fact, this is the great argument of the entire Passage.

Most commentators, supporting themselves upon John 20:17, understand the
words “are all of one” as meaning only that “are all of one Father.” But did it mean this
only? Christ could not possibly have been ashamed to call us Brethren. In fact, He
could not do otherwise. But guided by the argument of the Chapter it appears more reasonable to believe that the greater focus of the unity intended is His association with humanity.

Such an association might well cause Him shame, for “the many sons” with whom He
became One were by nature sinful — He Himself being sinless — and had been redeemed
from the lowest depths of vice and shame. But still, He calls us “Brethren,” and
because of His Cross, which addressed all the negative factors, and our Faith in that Finished Work.

The thought of all this is that Jesus is qualified to be our Priest and Saviour because
He shares our nature, which means He is not some remote being, but is truly “one of us.”
Since the entire universe, Angels, as well as men have their origin in God, it is merely a
truism to say that we all come from Him. However, that gives no reason for Christ being
qualified to save. The fact that He shares with us a descent from Adam does, one might
say, enable Him to call us “Brothers.”

BRETHREN

The phrase, “For which cause He is not ashamed to call them Brethren,” refers to
the fact that He became one of us. However, He does not call every man His Brother, He
is such only to the sanctified. He and we appear before God in the nature and position
of men. He sanctifies us, and this means we are sanctified, and on this account He is
not ashamed to call us Brothers.

However, this proclamation of union is brought about, due to the change effected in
the hearts and lives of Believers — a change incidentally, which could only come about
through Faith in what Christ did on the Cross, and the great price there paid. This
exalted position did not come easily or cheaply. Consequently, the worth of something
is derived from the price paid regarding the item in question.

Jesus has paid for us with His Own Blood, which refers to the Sacrifice of His Life. Our
Faith in that has brought about the great change, making it possible for us to literally
be a “Child of God,” i.e., “Heir of God, and joint-heir with Christ” (Rom. 8:17).

There is no shame on the part of the Son of God in referring to Believers coming into
this exalted position; however, such is done only through His merits and not at all
through the merits of man.

(12) “SAYING, I WILL DECLARE THY NAME UNTO MY BRETHREN, IN THE
MIDST OF THE CHURCH WILL I SING PRAISE UNTO THEE.”
The exposition is as follows:

1. Christ declares that this great work on the Cross will make it possible to address all
Believers as “Brethren.”
2. This statement is taken from Psalms 22:22, and due to the fact that this is the great
Passion Psalm of Christ on the Cross, we are here told, that it is the great Sacrifice of
Christ which made all of this possible.
3. Due to what Christ has done on the Cross, the Church is to praise Him forever.
 
THE DECLARATION OF
PERSONAL SALVATION

The phrase, “Saying, I will declare Thy Name unto My Brethren,” presents this Passage,
as stated, as being found in Psalms 22:22. These words, “I will declare Thy
Name unto My Brethren,” were actually uttered on the Cross by the Lord Himself.
While the Psalm has its background in David’s own experience, yet the final and full
application of its Truth is to the Son of God. In Verses 19 through 21, He prays to be
raised out from among the dead. In Verses 21 through 31, He gives thanks for answered
prayer even before His prayer is actually answered.
In view of the fact that God will raise Him from the dead, He will declare His name
to His Brethren (Wuest).

In Psalm 22 we see Him hanging on the Cross, the forsaken One, drinking the wormwood
and the gall, bearing the judgment due to our sins. In Verses 1 through 21 of that
Psalm He is seen alone, suffering at the hands of God, what, in fact, our guilt deserved.
Then from Verse 22 on He is no longer alone, but as the Risen One is surrounded by

multitudes
who owe their Salvation to His sufferings on the tree, and it is in Resurrection
He exclaims:

“I will declare Thy Name unto My Brethren (meaning that Christ will declare the
Name of God to all the Brethren, in effect owning them); in the midst of the congregation
will I praise Thee (meaning that Christ will praise God because of this great
victory which has brought many sons into the Kingdom).” This is the Passage that is
quoted in the Verse of our study; but for “congregation” we have the word “Church,”
a translation, as we know, of the Greek word “ekklesia,” which was the Septuagint

rendering
(Old Testament translated into Greek) for the Hebrew term translated “congregation.”
It is the assembly of the redeemed, and in the midst of that assembly the Risen
Christ takes His place as the Chief Chorister leading the praises of His people’s hearts

(Ironside).

THE CHURCH AND PRAISE TO GOD

The phrase, “In the midst of the Church will I sing praise unto Thee,” refers to Christ
in the midst of this congregation of redeemed Saints, singing praise to God, as it regards
the great victory won at the Cross.

The idea is, we are “Brethren,” which means “Brothers of our Lord,” only because
of what was done at the Cross. This is borne out by the Holy Spirit having Paul use this
particular quotation from Psalm 22, which is the great Crucifixion Psalm.

If Christ can praise God for this great thing, how can we, who have actually been
the recipients of this Blessing of all Blessings, not do the same!

In the mind of God, every single Blood-washed Believer stands supreme with Christ
in our midst, praising God for this great victory won, and if He does this, and He definitely
does, then how can we as His Brethren, do less!

This Passage, among many others of similar nature, places the seal of approval by the
Holy Spirit upon the worship of the Lord as it regards singing and music. In fact, the
Book of Psalms, which is Earth’s first songbook, is the largest Book in the Bible.
This should tell us the priority which the Holy Spirit places on worship and praise.

In fact, let me hear the music of a Church, and I can pretty well tell what kind of Church
it actually is. If it’s stilted and formal, as it is with most Churches which have denied the
Holy Spirit, this portrays the fact that He is not present.

If it’s the contemporary flavor, which characterizes many modern Churches, this tells
me that “another spirit” is actually being engaged, instead of the Holy Spirit (II Cor. 11:4).

If it’s the true worship of God, it will be obviously evident in the music and the singing.
It will glorify Christ and not man. It will be generated by the Holy Spirit and not
“another spirit.” In fact, Churches, Radio Programs, and Television Programs, which claim

to be
Christian, which promote so-called Contemporary Christian Music are pure and simple
operating in the realm of the powers of darkness.
As stated, all of this is by “another spirit.” Most Churches have no true worship
at all, and because the Holy Spirit is not present. With many others, and I speak of
those who function in the genre mentioned, they have a form of worship, but it’s definitely

not of God.

The idea that this style of music draws in young people to Christ is so facetious as to
be absurd. In the first place, it is only the Holy Spirit Who can draw anyone to Christ.
And to be sure, He does not use the ways of the world, and the word “contemporary,” at
least in this capacity, speaks of music which is similar to or identical with that in the
world. Music either glorifies God, or it glorifies self. And if it glorifies self, it is actually
glorifying Satan! So, let me say it again:

One can gauge the spiritual barometer of a Church by the style of music it promotes.
If that in fact is the case, and it definitely is, then “the Church” is in sad shape spiritually.

(13) “AND AGAIN, I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM. AND AGAIN, BEHOLD I
AND THE CHILDREN WHICH GOD HATH GIVEN ME.”
The exegesis is:

1. The key to all life and victory is trust in the Lord.
2. More particularly, it is trust in what Christ did at the Cross, all on our behalf.
3. Because of what Jesus did at the Cross, there will be many brethren, i.e., “Children of

God.”

TRUST

The phrase, “And again, I will put my trust in Him,” is derived from II Samuel 22:3.
This particular Chapter is the same as Psalm 18, with but little change in the wording.

“Trust” is the very theme of Psalms, actually being mentioned some 50 times in Earth’s
first songbook. The entirety of this Book is a portrayal of Christ in one way or the other,
in His Mediatorial and Intercessory roles. The idea is His Incarnation, i.e., “Humanity.”

Christ puts His trust totally in God, providing an example for us to follow, and of course,
the greatest example of all! So human is He that, conscious of other weakness, He leans
on God, as the feeblest of His Brethren. This fulfills Isaiah, Chapter 53 perfectly, “A Man of
sorrows, acquainted with grief. . . .” Proper trust in the Lord requires proper
relationship. The Holy Spirit, Who abides within us, will lead us perfectly according to
the Will of God, if we will only strive after that perfect Will. To have the type of relationship
which can generate such trust, is the most wonderful life and living there could
ever be. As stated, Christ was the greatest example of all concerning this.

Frances and I began in Evangelistic Work in 1956. Donnie was only two years old at the
time. To be sure, it was not at all easy. Finances were in very short supply, along with
what seemed to be about everything else as well.

It was 1958 if I remember correctly. My cousin Jerry Lee Lewis was vying with Elvis
Presley for the number one spot in the nation regarding the new craze of rock-‘n’-roll.

At this particular time, I was preaching a Meeting at my home Church in Ferriday,
Louisiana. It was a Sunday, and we were having a dinner on the ground, which was quite
common in those days, and which took place immediately after the morning Service.

The table was spread in the open space in back of the little Church. The Church was
small, with the attendance that day probably being 25 or 30.

We were in the midst of this particular meal, when I looked up and saw my Uncle,
Jerry Lee’s dad driving up, in his brand-new Cadillac. He got out of the car, greeting

everyone,
and then came over to me, and with a twinkle in his eye, said, “Jimmy I have great
news for you!”

He then continued, saying, “Sam Phillips has sent for you. Sun Records is starting
a Gospel line, and you will be the very first artist.”

Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records, had started Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash,
Charlie Rich, Carl Perkins, along with Jerry Lee and a host of others. At that particular
time, Sun Records, jumping on the rock-‘n’roll bandwagon, was fastly becoming one of
the biggest record labels in the world.

I remember my Uncle looking around and finally spotting my car. I can still hear his voice.

“Jimmy in 30 days you can buy a new car. And to be sure,” he continued, “you sure need

one!”
He was certainly right about that!

I opened my mouth to say, “I’ll be ready to go immediately,” when deep down inside
me, the Spirit of God spoke to my heart, saying, “You cannot do this!”

I’m sure I must have looked somewhat startled, because my Uncle looked at me very
closely, and said, “Jimmy, did you hear what I just said?”

“Yes,” I answered, “and I appreciate the offer so very, very much. I’m sorry,” I continued,
“but I cannot accept.”

My Uncle looked at me very puzzled for a few moments and then said, “But Jimmy, it’s

Gospel music!”

“I know it,” I answered, “but I can’t do it.”

My eyes filled with tears, because I didn’t really understand myself. My Uncle looked at
me for a few moments, and then put his arms around me and said, “Jimmy I think you’re
making a mistake, but I’ll accept your answer.”

My Uncle was a very tall, angular man, always friendly, always personable, a man whom
everybody liked. He always had a smile, and he was still smiling as I saw him walk away,
get in that new Cadillac and drive off.

I remember hearing one lady standing nearby, who obviously had overheard the short
conversation, saying to another lady standing nearby, “Did you hear what he just did?”
She continued, “He turned down that offer!”

There were a hundred questions in my mind, of which the Lord had provided no
answers. As stated, our financial picture was very near desperate. We badly needed a new
car, plus about everything else as well.

I wanted to be alone for a few moments, so I walked away from the crowd, going into
the little Church. There was a small broom and mop closet in one corner, and I walked
in it, shutting the door.

I stood there for a few moments and then through tears asked the Lord, “Why couldn’t
I accept this offer? It’s Gospel music. What’s wrong with that?”

The Spirit of the Lord came upon me, with the Lord saying one thing to me. He simply
said, “Trust Me!”

That was all, no more, no less! “Trust Me!”

However, it was enough to ease my mind, and to know that I was in His direct Will, which
was the only thing that really mattered. To be sure, that story has not ended yet.
Not long after that, I made my very first Recording. And from that time until now, and
without the help of Record companies and such like, the Holy Spirit serving as my company,
my distributor, and everything else for that matter, has helped me to sell some 15
million Albums. Had I taken the lure offered by Satan, I know in my heart that the Blessings
that the Lord gave me, would not have been given.

As it regards Satan’s lure, I do not in any way mean to implicate my Uncle in that. He
was trying to help, for which I was very grateful. However, that particular direction, even
though seemingly right to the natural eye, was not right, and would have turned out to
great loss.

To be led by the Lord is the greatest thing there could ever be. And to be led by Him,
one must learn to trust Him. Again I state, Jesus was the perfect example!

THAT WHICH GOD HAS GIVEN ME

The phrase, “And again, behold I and the children which God hath given Me,” is derived
from Isaiah 8:18.

The idea of this statement from Isaiah is that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, and that He
is such in order to go to the Cross where Redemption will be effected for all of mankind.
As a result, many will be born into the Kingdom of God; consequently, the idea is:

Paul is addressing this to Jews who had accepted Christ as their Saviour, but now
through discouragement, or for whatever reason, were contemplating going back into
Temple worship, which would necessitate a denial of Christ as the Son of God. No doubt,
some had already done this, with many others thinking of following suit.

He is in effect telling them, that the only way that one can be a Child of God is to accept
Christ. And if He is rejected, God in totality is as well rejected. In other words, Israel
could not have God if they rejected Jesus Christ. Rejecting Him, they in effect would
be rejecting all things, even their history. Regrettably, that is exactly what happened.

(14) “FORASMUCH THEN AS THE CHILDREN ARE PARTAKERS OF FLESH AND
BLOOD, HE ALSO HIMSELF LIKEWISETOOK PART OF THE SAME; THAT
THROUGH DEATH HE MIGHT DESTROY HIM THAT HAD THE POWER OF DEATH,
THAT IS, THE DEVIL;”

1. This speaks of the Incarnation, God becoming man.
2. The Incarnation was necessary in order to redeem humanity. The great Plan of
Redemption demanded death, and God cannot die; consequently, He would have to become
man, thereby becoming the Last Adam, to carry out this great work.
3. His death on the Cross would destroy Satan and his powers.
 
FLESH AND BLOOD

The phrase, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood,” refers
to the fact that this creation has a human and not an Angelic nature. Since we
are men, He became a man. There was a fitness and propriety that He should partake
of our nature, which He did!

“Partakers” in the Greek is “koinoneo,” and means, “to have a share in common
with someone else.” Thus, all of the human race have in common with one another, flesh
and blood.

There is evidence in the coming Resurrection of Life, that the glorified bodies of all
Saints, will be made up of flesh and bone, but no mention is made of blood (Lk. 24:39).
The idea is this:

Whereas at the present time, the life of the flesh is in the blood, in the Resurrection,
the life of the flesh will be the “Spirit,” i.e., “the Holy Spirit!”

THE INCARNATION

The phrase, “He also Himself likewise took part of the same,” speaks of the Incarnation
of Christ, God becoming man.

“Likewise” would have been better translated “in like manner.” It means that the
Lord Jesus, in His Incarnation, took His place alongside and nearby the human race.

The words “took part of” are the translation of a different Greek word from that translated
“partakers.” It is “metecho,” and means, “to hold with.” Thus, our Lord took
hold of human nature without its sin in the Incarnation, and held it to Himself as an
additional nature, thus associating Himself with the human race in its possession of flesh
and blood. He took to Himself, something with which by nature He had nothing in common.
Human beings possess human nature in common with one another. The Son of
God united with Himself, something that was not natural to Him.

God, as to His nature, is Spirit, that is, incorporeal Being (Jn. 4:24) (Wuest).

Westcott says that the word “partakers” marks the characteristic sharing of the common
fleshly nature as it pertains to the human race at large, whereas the words “took
part of” speak of the unique fact of the Incarnation as a voluntary acceptance of humanity.
This throws great light on the dual nature of our Lord as “Very (True) God and
Very (True) Man.”

DEATH

The phrase, “That through death He might destroy him that had the power of
death,” refers to the Cross and what it did.
As the “Last Adam” (I Cor. 15:45), Christ had to come into this world similar to the
first Adam, which refers to being without sin. Consequently, He was born of the Virgin
Mary, thereby, not incurring original sin brought on by Adam’s Fall.

As the “Last Adam” He also had to keep the law of God (Law of Moses) perfectly,
thereby rendering a perfect obedience, which the first Adam did not do.

However, for all His perfection, and all His miracles and healings, even to the raising of
the dead, not one soul was truly saved until He went to the Cross. While in fact there
definitely were people saved before the Cross, still, they were saved by looking forward to
that coming Redemption. There has never been but one Salvation, and it has always
come by Faith, which pertains to Faith in the Cross (Gen., Chpt. 4).

THE POWER OF DEATH

Satan held the power of death over humanity by reason of man’s failure, i.e., “sin.”
The legal claim upon humanity by the Evil One is sin and transgression. Inasmuch as
the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23), this constituted Satan’s power.

HOW DID THE DEATH OF CHRIST
DESTROY THE DEVIL?

When Verse 14 says that Satan is destroyed, it doesn’t mean that he is dead, but
rather that his power is broken. In fact, Satan is an angel, albeit fallen, and cannot die.

When Adam and Eve fell in the Garden of Eden, which they did by disobedience to God
and His Word (Gen. 2:15-17), at that time, they spiritually died, exactly as God said they
would. Spiritual death means “separation from God.” Man’s life-support system was
intended to be his Creator, and with man dead to God through disobedience, the life-support
system was severed. Consequently, spiritual death ultimately led to physical death,
and in fact, the death of all things. God had decreed that the “wages of sin would be
death,” once again meaning separation from God, and so it was and so it is (Rom. 6:23).

When Adam and Eve did this, they in effect changed Lords. Where God had been
their Lord, now Satan is their lord, which he is regarding all of mankind who doesn’t know
Christ Jesus (Jn. 8:44). As a result, the total God-consciousness which man had before
the Fall was now lost, with man sinking down to the far lower level of self-consciousness,
and beside that, being literally possessed by the evil nature, or as some call it, the “sinful
nature.” This means that man’s every passion and attitude, instead of being turned
toward God, is rather turned toward that which is evil, which is the cause of all the
problems and difficulties in the world today.
Satan’s legal claim upon mankind is sin and transgression. As a result of sin and in
fact, all being born in sin, which is referred to as “original sin,” which actually stems
from the first Adam, Satan literally holds man in captivity.

Concerning this captivity, that’s what Jesus was speaking about when He said, “How can
one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the
strongman? And then he will spoil his house” (Mat. 12:29).

And that’s exactly what Jesus did at the Cross! By being made a curse for sin (Gal.
3:13-14), which He did by dying, the terrible sin debt owed to God by man was then paid.
Consequently, Satan then lost his legal hold upon humanity, at least for those who will
believe (Jn. 3:16). Satan’s power of death is sin, because the wages of sin is death, and so
decreed by God (Rom. 6:23). With sin removed, which it was at the Cross, as stated,
Satan’s legal claim upon humanity is lost, which means that the power of death is broken
as well.

This power of death before the Cross, extended even to Hell itself. In other words,
when the righteous died before the Cross, due to the blood of bulls and goats not being able
to take away sin, even though these individuals were saved, and we speak of Old Testament
Times, that sin debt was still hanging over their heads. Hence, Satan still had a
claim upon them; consequently, when they died, and I speak also of the greats such as
David, Abraham, Moses, etc., they were taken captive by Satan down into Paradise.

To be sure, this was not the burning side of the Pit, that being separated from them
by a great gulf (Lk. 16:19-31); however, due to the sin problem not being yet settled, and
because the Cross was yet in the future, they were still captives of Satan.

In fact, after Jesus died on the Cross, thereby settling the terrible sin debt, which
destroyed the power of death held by Satan, He liberated these righteous souls from

Paradise,
which Paul addressed in Ephesians 4:8
10. Due to the sin debt being settled at the Cross, when a Saint of God now dies, their
soul and spirit immediately go to Heaven to be with Christ (Phil. 1:23), which means the
power of death is broken.

HOW WERE PEOPLE SAVED BEFORE THE CROSS?
They were saved in the same manner then as we are now, by Faith. Their Faith was centered
in the Cross which was coming, and our Faith is centered in the Cross which has
now been accomplished. They were saved by looking forward to a prophetic Jesus, while
we are saved by looking backward to a historic Jesus. Both ways, however, centered
up at the Cross.

As stated, the sacrificial system of Old Testament Times, which consisted of the deaths
of certain types of animals such as lambs,
goats, rams, etc., was only a stopgap measure, until “the Sacrifice” could be offered,
which would be God becoming man, and then offering up Himself (Isa. 7:14; Chpt. 53).

Even though the Old Testament Saints were definitely saved, and by Faith exactly as
we are now, still, their system at that time was woefully inferior to the New Covenant,
in that “the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins” (Heb. 10:4). That’s the
reason that Paul in Hebrews, keeps stressing the fact that we now have a “Better Covenant
. . . established upon Better Promises” (Heb. 8:6).

JESUS CHRIST AND HIS CROSS, THE SOURCE OF ALL VICTORY!

When Jesus died on the Cross, He atoned for all sin and for all time (I Jn. 1:7). So that
means that theoretically, every single person who has been alive since the Cross, has been
set free from all sin; however, to reap such benefits, God requires that the sinner place
his Faith and confidence in Christ and what He did at the Cross on his behalf, which
means to accept Christ as one’s Lord and Saviour (Jn. 3:16). If Faith in Christ, and
Christ only, is not enjoined, the individual retains his sins, and is thereby eternally lost
(Jn. 16:8-9).

As we’ve said previously, God does not hold man nearly as accountable for his condition,
a condition incidentally over which he had no control, as He does man’s rejection of Christ,
Who is God’s Solution to man’s dilemma.

Going back to before the Cross, even though the death of Christ atoned for all sin
during that period of some 4,000 years, still, it could only apply to those who had placed
their trust in Christ, or in other words, the One Who was to come. God honored their
Faith in that coming Finished Work, even as He now honors our Faith in that completed
Finished Work.

Death then (before the Cross) ended the opportunity to be saved, even as death now
(after the Cross) ends all opportunity to be saved. In fact, all opportunities for Salvation
are on this side of the grave, with there being no more opportunity after death. This means
there is no such thing as purgatory, reincarnation, etc. The Scripture plainly says:

“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the Judgment” (Heb. 9:27).

CAN THE BELIEVER LIVE FREE FROM SIN?
The Bible doesn’t teach sinless perfection, and for all the obvious reasons, but it definitely
does teach victory over sin, in that “sin shall not have dominion over you” (Rom.
6:14). So, that means that no Believer should ever be bound by sin in any capacity, should
ever be overcome by sin, should ever practice sin, but should live victorious, overcoming,
Christian lives, which Jesus paid for at the Cross.

Now the great question should be asked, if such victory is actually the case?

To be sure, it definitely is with some few, but not many. The Truth is, most Christians
are bound by sin in one way or the other.

Considering what Jesus did at the Cross on our behalf, why is this the case?

It is the case, because the Church for all practical purposes, has abandoned the Cross.
Most of the Church world no longer even believes that what Jesus did at the Cross addressed
the sin problem, so they recommend humanistic psychology, which is actually
of Satan. Even the most elementary Sunday School child ought to know that if the
terrible sin problem, with all of its perversions and aberrations, can in fact, be solved
by the prattle of pitiful man, then Jesus needlessly came down here and died on a
cruel Cross.

The great problem in the modern Church is unbelief and Scriptural ignorance. Let’s
deal with unbelief first.

UNBELIEF

We either believe that Jesus at the Cross addressed every sin, every perversion, every
aberration, every nuance of which one could think, and in every manner, or else we don’t
believe. One cannot have it both ways.

If we claim to believe that He in fact did address all sin at the Cross, then we know
instinctively that man has no solution to this problem. As stated, that’s actually elementary!
So, for Preachers to recommend humanistic psychology, must mean they have
weighed the evidence, and they have come to a conclusion of unbelief in their own
minds, that Calvary did not answer it all. As stated, one cannot have it both ways. Either
He did, or He didn’t!

I happen to believe that He did, and I have proven in my own life that He did, and so
have untold millions of others. In other
words, the evidence is so overwhelming as to be undeniable. Every single heart and
life that’s been set free, has its freedom today, simply because of what Jesus did at the

Cross.

On the other hand, the world of humanistic psychology, cannot show me one single
individual anywhere, at any time, that they have set free. So, for Preachers to believe
this “wisdom of the world” which is “earthly, sensual, and devilish” (James 3:15), simply
says, that they do not believe the “wisdom of God” which is the Cross of Christ (I Cor. 1:21).

“Unbelief” is the most dangerous place and position of all, in that the bottom line is,
that men simply do not believe that “Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sins: and
not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (I Jn. 2:2).

IGNORANCE

However, Scriptural ignorance is probably almost as big as unbelief. In fact, that’s why
Paul said over and over again, and to Believers, “I would not have you to be ignorant”
(Rom. 1:13; 11:25; I Cor. 10:1; 12:1; II Cor. 1:8; I Thess. 4:13).

As we’ve also said over and over again, even to the point of being overly repetitive,
the Church, at least for the most part, has had so little teaching on the Cross in the last
50 or more years, that this great foundational Truth has all but been lost. Let the Reader
understand, that the Cross of Christ is not a Doctrine. It is in fact, the foundation on
which all Doctrine is built. And if doctrine is not built on that foundation, then in some
way it is spurious. And that’s where the Church is presently!

While the foundational Truth of the Cross is possibly buried in its constitution and bylaws,
as far as living out its practical applications, that regarding the Church has long
since ceased to be. So, the Christian stumbles along in failure, not nearly living up to his
or her potential in Christ.

SIN

Even though most in the Church, I think, are so lifted up with spiritual pride that they
are loathe to admit it, the problem of the Church is sin, as the problem of the Church
has always been sin! And when we say “the Church,” we’re speaking of its individual
members, namely you and me. The Truth is, the Church treats sin, at least for the most
part, in one or two ways:

1. The part of the Church world which doesn’t believe in the Baptism with the Holy
Spirit with the evidence of speaking with other Tongues, mostly claim that we as Believers
are merely “sinners saved by Grace.” In other words, we were sinners before we
got saved, and we continue to be sinners after we are saved, and are saved only because
of our trust in Christ. In fact, they place very little confidence in victory over sin, claiming
that Christians have to sin a little bit or a whole lot each day, etc.
Paul addressed this error by asking the question, “Shall we continue in sin, that
Grace may abound?”

His answer was instant, “God forbid. How shall we (Believers), who are dead to sin, live
any longer therein?” (Rom. 6:1-2).

2. The part of the Church world which claims to believe in the Baptism with the
Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking with other Tongues, for the most part, claims
that sin is no problem. Claiming to be Spirit-filled, and, therefore, mighty men and women
of Faith, the idea that they could be overcome by sin, or that sin is a problem, is for
all practical purposes denied. In other words, they address the problem by claiming that it
doesn’t exist.
The Truth is, that’s about like trying to ignore a 2,000 pound elephant that’s sitting
in one’s living room. Due to having almost no knowledge of the Cross, most Pentecostals
and Charismatics are living lives of spiritual failure, the same as their non-Pentecostal
and non-Charismatic Brethren.

In fact, in much of the Charismatic world, they claim that Preachers should not even
address the problem of sin. In other words, it should not even be mentioned, because to
do so, only creates a “sin-consciousness,” they say! That in effect is “a spirit of denial,”
which of course is spurious. Denying reality doesn’t change things.

This doctrine of the denial of sin is strange, especially considering that the Holy
Spirit through Paul as well as the other writers, addressed this thing in every way and in
every capacity. In fact, victory over sin in the heart and life of the Believer is the main
topic of Paul’s Epistles. The same would go for Peter and John as well!

But again, much of the Charismatic world completely denies the Cross of Christ, claiming
that it was the worst defeat in human history; consequently, they say, the Cross, or the
Blood, or the Crucifixion of Christ, or anything of that nature, should never be mentioned.
Pure and simple, this is “another gospel, fostered by another spirit, presenting another
Jesus” (II Cor. 11:4). Regrettably, this part of the Spirit-filled Church world, but not
Spirit-led, must be placed in the ranks of unbelief, and not Scriptural ignorance.

Scriptural ignorance regarding the Cross, on the other hand, does not register unbelief,
but rather a lack of knowledge on the subject. And that’s where much of the
Church world stands presently. It simply doesn’t know what the Holy Spirit gave to
Paul, as it regards the victory of the Cross. And let it be clearly understood:

A proper understanding of the Cross, and Faith in that Finished Work of Christ, are the
only means of overcoming sin. There is no other sacrifice for sin! So, if the Believer
doesn’t know or understand, this all-important Truth, then irrespective as to how sincere
the Believer might be, how dedicated the Believer might be, in one way or the other,
that Believer is going to live a life of spiritual failure. While they definitely are saved, at the
same time, they definitely aren’t victorious.

TYPES OF SIN

There are sins of passion and there are sins of pride. Sins of passion, which are works of
the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21), are very obvious, while sins of pride are not so very obvious.
Sins of passion include all the vices, and of course, are very evil.
Sins of pride function in another category altogether. When Stephen addressed the religious
leaders of Israel, just before they stoned him to death, he said to them, “Ye stiffnecked
and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51).

Many of these men would not have dreamed of associating themselves with any of the
vices; nevertheless, their evil hearts were filled with murder, in that they did crucify
the Lord and stoned to death His servant.

Even though all sin is deadly and horrible, the sin of “resisting the Holy Spirit,” which
many religious people, and especially religious leaders fall into, is the worst sin of all. It

presents
a face of piousness to the world, and most of the time has an excellent reputation;
however, its character, which God Alone knows, is grossly evil.

WHAT DOES RESISTING THE HOLY SPIRIT ACTUALLY MEAN?

Even though much is said on the subject, to make it simple in order that we may fully
understand, “resisting the Holy Spirit” is resistingthe One to Whom the Holy Spirit always
points as the Deliverer from all sin, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is resisting God’s solution
for dying humanity, the Cross of Christ.

Israel wanted Jesus the conqueror of Rome, but they didn’t want Jesus the conqueror of
sin. They were so lifted up in their own self-righteousness, that they couldn’t admit that
they were sinners and desperately needed a Redeemer. Their sin was in rejecting God’s
Solution for their dilemma, a dilemma incidentally which they refused to admit.

So, just because a Christian is not mixed up in one of the vices, doesn’t mean they are living
a life of victory over sin. In fact, there are millions of so-called Christians who the world
thinks of as very moral, but in reality, are trusting in their own self-righteousness, instead
of the Righteousness of Christ, which refers to Faith in what Christ did at the Cross. These
people are obvious by their “works religion,” which they attempt to add to the Finished

Work
of Christ, of which the latter is all but ignored.

VICTORY!

Defeat is “walking after the flesh,” while victory is “walking after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1).
To “walk after the Spirit,” simply means to trust in what Christ did at the Cross, in which
parameters the Holy Spirit always works.

Paul said, “For the Law (an unbreakable Law) of the Spirit (the Holy Spirit) of life
(this Law, which is the Law of the Cross, gives life) in Christ Jesus (refers to what Jesus did
at the Cross and the Resurrection, all on our behalf) hath made me free from the law of
sin and death (also a law, and impossible to overcome, other than by the Law of the
Spirit)” (Rom. 8:2).

So, if one wants to have total victory in one’s life, which in fact Jesus paid for at the
Cross, one must abide by “the Law of the Spirit.” And what is that Law? Paul tells us
in the next Verse.

“For what the Law (Law of Moses, not the Law of the Spirit) could not do, in that it
was weak through the flesh (the Law of Moses had no power to give man to help him to
obey), God sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh (the Incarnation), and for
sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (Rom. 8:3).

As an aside, if our Word of Faith friends are right, in that sin should never be mentioned,
Paul is sure speaking of the subject an awful lot.

This Verse means that God became man, in order to die on a Cross that the terrible
sin debt would be paid, and in so doing, overcame sin in the flesh, all on our behalf. In
other words, everything that Jesus did, was done totally and completely for us, and not
at all for Himself.

To be more specific, the Law of the Spirit which is in Christ Jesus means the following:

BAPTIZED INTO THE DEATH OF CHRIST

The Holy Spirit through Paul said, “Know ye not (and regrettably many Christians don’t
know), that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His
death?” (Rom. 6:3).

First of all, understand that Paul is not speaking here of Water Baptism, as many
think. He is speaking of the death of Christ on the Cross. So, that being the case, how
were we baptized into His death, when we were not even there?

Whenever the believing sinner exhibits Faith in Christ, in the Mind of God this legal
work of the sinner being baptized into Christ at His Death, was carried out. Christ, as the
“Last Adam” (I Cor. 15:45), did all of this as our Substitute, which means that we couldn’t
do such for ourselves.

The wages of sin being death, Christ had to die in order to pay this debt. If I had died
upon a Cross, or if you had died upon a Cross, our hearts and lives being polluted by sin, such
would have been a sacrifice which God could not accept. But His Son dying on the Cross,
and doing so by offering to God a Perfect Body and a Perfect Life, was a Sacrifice which
God could accept, and in fact, did accept. As stated, it was all done on our behalf. What
we couldn’t do for ourselves, He did for us.

To acquire the benefits of what He did, all we have to do is to register Faith in this great
Finished Work (Eph. 2:8-9).

BURIED WITH HIM

We were not only crucified with Him, but as Paul also said, “We are buried with Him
by baptism into death” (Rom. 6:4).

This means that our “old man,” as Paul refers to in Verse 6, which pertains to our
old life before conversion, had to die. To be sure, that death was accomplished in the
Crucifixion of Christ, which we gain by Faith.

So, the old Jimmy Swaggart was not only crucified with Christ, but was also buried with
Him. This means all the old transgression, sin, iniquity, old ways, and old life, all and without
exception, were buried with Him, which means, none of this can ever be held against
you or me, anymore. It is dead and buried!

This also means, that the Lord doesn’t attempt to rehabilitate the sinner, or to patch
him up so to speak, but rather does away altogether with the “old man,” and then brings
forth a “new man.”

NEWNESS OF LIFE, THE NEW MAN

Paul said as well, “That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Glory of the
Father (all on our behalf), even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4).
In other words, as we were crucified with Him, and buried with Him, we were also
raised with Him in “newness of life,” i.e., “the new man.” That’s the reason that the Apostle
said, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, heis a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new” (II Cor. 5:17).

He said as well, “Having abolished in His flesh (the Crucifixion) the enmity, even the
Law of Commandments contained in ordinances (the Law of Moses which had condemned
us); for to make in Himself (through what He did at the Cross and the Resurrection)
of twain (by His death being our death) one new man (what we are in Christ), so
making peace” (Eph. 2:15; 4:24).

So, every Believer is a “new man” in Christ Jesus, which means that the “old
man” doesn’t live there anymore (Rom. 6:6).

HOW DOES THE CHRISTIAN CONTINUE TO WALK AS THE NEW MAN?

Paul tells us how in Romans, Chapters 6 and 8.

First of all, and as stated, we must understand that when we were saved, in the mind
of God, we were baptized into the death of Christ, we were buried with Him, which means
that our “old man” died with Him and was buried, and that we were raised in newness of
life (Rom. 6:3-4, 6). Understanding this, there are several things we must now continue to
do as it regards Faith. If these things aredone, we can stay free from every bondage of
iniquity, or we can get free, whatever the case might be. These things are as follows:

RESURRECTION LIFE

Paul said, “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall
be also in the likeness of His Resurrection” (Rom. 6:5).

The idea here is, that it is intended by God that we walk and live in Resurrection Life.
Of course, that means victory over the world, the flesh, and the Devil. This is that for which
Jesus died, and it is that which we can have, if we will only follow His prescribed order.

However, to have this “Resurrection Life,” we must ever understand the first part of this
Verse, which refers to “being planted together
in the likeness of His Death.” In other words, our Faith must never leave the Cross. We must
understand that we have this Resurrection Life, which gives us all things, because of what
Jesus did at the Cross. Understanding and knowing this, the Cross of Christ must ever
be the object of our Faith, understanding that this is the Source of all Blessings. Now this
is very, very important!

Satan will do everything within his power to move your Faith to something else. He
will probably do so by getting you to direct your attention to other things which are good.
And because they are good, we are deceived. But please understand, Satan doesn’t really
care what you believe, just as long as it’s not Faith in the Cross. So, you must not allow
your Faith to be moved to anything else. And by that I mean the following:

The Church belongs to Christ, but the Church didn’t die on the Cross for you. Consequently,
millions of Christians have their Faith in the Church or some particular Denomination.
That is Faith that God will not honor.

As well, other Christians have their Faith in other types of good works such as, fasting,
praying, the giving of money, witnessing to souls, etc. All these things we have
mentioned, plus many we haven’t mentioned, are wonderful, great, and good, and should
be the staple of all Believers; however, we must never put our Faith in these things,
thinking that such will grant us favor with God, etc. It won’t!

Again I emphasize, these things mentioned, should be practiced daily by every
Child of God, but rather because of what Jesus has already done for us at the Cross,
and not in order to get Him to do things for us. The Faith of the Child of God must ever
be anchored in the Cross of Christ, not allowing it to be moved elsewhere, understanding
that what Jesus did at the Cross provides us all things.

DEAD TO SIN

The Holy Spirit through Paul also said, “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be
dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:11).

The word “reckon” means “to account.” In other words, you are to conclude yourself
as being what the Holy Spirit says you are. And what does He say?

He says that you are “dead unto sin, and alive unto God through Jesus Christ your Lord.”
Remember? You died with Christ! So that means you died to all of Satan’s wares,
all sin, and everything held by the Evil One. It has no more hold on you. And please
understand, when a person is dead to something, that means “dead!” Now please consider
the following:

That doesn’t mean that now you have the power to say “no” to sin, but rather that you
have the power to say “yes” to God. While you are dead to sin, at the same time, you
are alive unto God. What am I saying?

I’m saying that you don’t hold conversations with something to which you are dead.
As stated, dead means dead! So, it’s not a question of me saying no to anything the
Devil has, for the simple reason that I’m not even supposed to get that far with such a
thing in my thinking. I’m alive unto God, and not unto Satan or anything he has.

As well, the word “reckon” in the Greek also has as its root, the word “logos,” which
means “Word,” or “Word of God.” In other words, you are to understand, that God says
of you that you are dead to sin and alive unto Him. You are to believe that, understand that,
act upon that, realizing, that God cannot lie.

BUT WHAT IF I HAVE DONE THIS AND FAILED ANYWAY?
When the Believer starts out on the road of victory, which is the road of the Cross
(Lk. 9:23), this doesn’t mean that Satan is going to fold up. To be sure, he will test your
Faith in every way possible, making every attempt to get you to look to other than the
Cross. Regrettably, he usually succeeds in some manner.

If you fail in some way, and irrespective as to what it is, ask the Lord to forgive you, which
He has assured us that He shall (I Jn. 1:9). And then understand, that you have failed
because your Faith failed in some manner. In other words, your Faith is not quite as
strong as it ought to be. To be sure, the Cross cannot fail, and because Jesus cannot fail.

Now that you’ve asked the Lord to forgive you, ask the Lord also to help you as it regards
your Faith being anchored in the Cross. Please understand that the Lord is not trying
to find ways to wash us out, but rather to help us make it through. He has invested
the Precious Blood of Jesus in our hearts and lives, in our very souls, and to be sure, if He
loved us enough to die for us while we were yet sinners, think how much more He loves
us now, in that we are serving Him (Rom. 5:8).

Now don’t let the Devil lie to you, trying to tell you that due to your failure, that the
Cross of Christ simply doesn’t work. To be sure, the Cross works and works perfectly.
But unfortunately, we as poor human beings are very prone to failure. In fact, the very
purpose of the Cross is to address this weakness in our hearts and lives. The more we
understand this, and I speak of our weaknesses, then we will begin to understand the
Cross, and what Jesus did there.
No human being who has ever lived is able to live this life as one ought to live, at least
by his own efforts and machinations. It simply cannot be done. That’s the very reason
that Jesus had to come down here and die on a Cross. He had to do for us what we could
not do for ourselves, in order that in Him we might be able to live the life we ought to live.
And as stated, it can only be done “in Him” (II Cor. 5:17).

So if you stumble, get up, understanding that the Lord will never let you down, zero
your Faith once again in the Cross, understanding that you are now on the road to victory.
So what am I saying?

I’m saying, that no matter your weaknesses, if you’ll keep your Faith in the Cross
of Christ, you are guaranteed of victory. The very word “reckon” which is the “Word of
God,” guarantees this to be so. You will ultimately have victory and I speak of total victory,
over the world, the flesh, and the Devil.

HOW TO YIELD

Paul said, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto
sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members
as instruments of Righteousness unto God” (Rom. 6:13).

Even as I dictate these words, there are millions of Christians at this very moment,
who are attempting with all their strength and might to yield themselves to Righteousness,
but are rather yielding themselves otherwise. In other words, in some manner, they are
bound by sin. And please understand, this doesn’t refer only to new converts, but also
to Pastors of some of the largest Churches in the world; also, to Evangelists who are
drawing some of the largest crowds. The Truth is, if the Believer, whomever that Believer
might be, doesn’t understand the Cross of Christ, in some way, in some manner, that
Believer is going to walk in defeat. It cannot be otherwise! Victory is found only in the
Cross, and if the Believer doesn’t understand that, which most don’t, there can be no other
outcome but failure.

Please understand, that for every one failure you hear about, there are probably a hundred
or even a thousand, that you don’t hear about. Irrespective, God knows the situation,
and to be sure, the person involved knows the situation as well.

So, how does a Believer obey this admonition to yield ourselves unto Righteousness?

Even as we’ve explained some pages ago, yielding pertains to willpower. The Scripture
plainly says, “Whosoever will . . .” (Rev. 22:17). However, it must be understood, and
understood clearly, that the will of the Believer is not free to say “no” to sin, even to
which we have just alluded. That is not the position in which the Believer ought to be.

Many Christians erroneously think that now that they belong to Christ, their willpower
has been greatly strengthened, and they are free to say “yes” or “no” to anything
they like. That’s not true!

You as a Believer are free to say “yes” to the Lord. In other words, you are free to put
your Faith in the Cross of Christ, which means to “will” your self in that direction.
Satan cannot stop you from doing that, and God guarantees your freedom in this respect.

However, if you drift outside of the Cross of Christ, attempting to depend on something
else other than the Cross, you as a Believer, despite the fact that you are saved and
even Spirit-filled, will quickly find yourself being overcome by Satan. Let me say it again:

It comes as a shock to many Christians for them to realize, that Satan can actually
override their wills. Think about that for a moment!

But it definitely is true. As long as you will to trust Christ, and by that I mean to
trust in what He did at the Cross, all the powers of Hell cannot stop you, in fact, cannot
even touch you. But if you drift outside the parameters of the Finished Work of
Christ, depending on something else, and irrespective as to how good that something
else might be, you will find Satan overriding your will. In fact, He’s doing it right now to
millions of Christians. They are doing things they don’t want to do, and are trying with all
their strength and might not to do these things, but despite all their efforts, they are
failing anyway. And that’s where some of you holding this Book in your hands are at this
very moment.

But please understand that it doesn’t have to be this way. You are failing, because your
Faith is in something else other than the Cross of Christ, and when this happens, the
Holy Spirit, Whose help you must have, simply will not function. He functions totally
and completely within the parameters of what Christ did at the Cross. He only asks
that we have Faith in the great Sacrifice of Christ, and then He will do His work (Rom.
8:1-2). In other words, He guarantees a free flow of Grace if our Faith is in the Cross.
Otherwise, we frustrate the Grace of God, and we are guaranteed of defeat (Gal. 2:20-21).

When one anchors their Faith in the Cross of Christ, one then is guaranteed the help of
the Holy Spirit, and one can then easily yield oneself unto Righteousness. But it can be
done only in this manner.

DOMINION, LAW, AND GRACE

The Holy Spirit through Paul now says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you:
for ye are not under the Law, but under Grace” (Rom. 6:14).

If it wasn’t possible for “sin” or rather “the sin nature” to have dominion over a Believer,
then Paul wouldn’t have made this statement. The Truth is, the sin nature is dominating
every single Believer in this world in some way, in some manner, who doesn’t understand
their victory in the Cross of Christ. And that’s the shame of it all. Jesus died on the Cross,
which of course speaks of such great price; consequently, it’s a terrible shame for any
Believer not to be able to enjoy the benefits for which He paid such a price. But if the
Christian doesn’t understand the Cross, and precious few actually do, in some way sin will
dominate that individual. What do we mean by that?

I’m speaking of Christians who cannot control their temper. I’m speaking of Christians
who are eaten up with jealousy, or envy! I’m speaking of Christians who are drinking

secretly,
or taking drugs. I’m speaking of Christians who are involved in immorality in some
manner. In fact, the list is very, very long!

The facts are, the far greater majority of these Christians aren’t hypocrites. They love
God. And as previously stated, they are trying with all their power to yield to Righteousness,
but are not successful.

Many of these Christians have gone to their Pastor, confessing their problem. He
has instructed them to “try harder,” or “pray more,” or “get in the Altars!” Or if he is the
of the modernist type, he has referred them to a Psychologist, stating that they need

“professional help.”

Even though the former certainly pertains to good things, in fact, what every Christian
ought to do; still, those things mentioned will not bring victory. And it is for certain,
that the world of psychology has no answer whatsoever.

This is the reason that untold thousands of Christians are running all over the world,
trying to find a Preacher who they think God is using, who can lay hands on them and solve
their problem. While the “laying on of hands” is definitely Scriptural, and will definitely
help and bless, still, there is no deliverance whatsoever in this method. Despite
all the manifestations, and they definitely will be of help, that is if they are from the Lord,
no victory will be assured whatsoever in this capacity. Think about it a moment:

If these things could give Believers victory over sin, and to be sure it is sin of which
we speak, then Jesus would not have had to come down here and die on a Cross. He could
have rather just trained Christians to confess properly, or Preachers to rebuke demon
spirits, and the problem would be solved. However, we know that these things solve no
problems whatsoever.

To be sure, a good confession is Scriptural and proper and will definitely help. As well,
demon spirits definitely get involved in every failure. But the answer for that Believer,
is not rebuking demons, but rather knowing the Truth.

THE TRUTH

Jesus said, “And ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32).

And what is the Truth?

The Truth is, that man is in such a terrible dilemma that he cannot help himself.
To address this terrible problem, God became man, and as the “Last Adam” (I Cor. 15:45),
did for man what man could not do for himself. “He gave Himself for our sins, that He
might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the Will of God and our Father”

(Gal. 1:4).

That is the Truth, and the only Truth! Man only has to believe in what Christ did at the
Cross, and that for which Jesus died will be gloriously his.

This is the Truth which we must tell the entirety of the world. This is the Truth which
we must ever cling to as it regards our own personal lives and victory. As one of my

associates
said, “The Church needs the Truth, a whole lot more than it needs a touch.” It
could not be better said.

As long as the Church believes anything other than the Cross, the Church will continue
to walk in defeat. And to be sure, and I say this sadly, the Church presently, knows little

victory.

When the Lord gave me this Revelation of the Cross, beginning in 1997, to be sure,
it wasn’t something new. In fact, the Cross is the oldest Message known to man. It actually
had its beginning in the Garden of Eden, and has been the only Source of life
and victory from then until now.

In this Revelation given to me, which actually continues to expand unto this hour,
the Holy Spirit has grandly informed me that this Message is not for me only, but for the
entirety of the Church.

Paul said, “But we preach Christ crucified” (I Cor. 1:23).

He also said, “For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but
unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (I Cor. 1:18).
Actually, “preaching” should here have been translated “Word,” because in the Greek
it is “Logos.” Therefore, it should read, “For the Word of the Cross. . . .”

This gives it a much broader meaning, actually covering every aspect of Christianity.
In fact, the “Word of the Cross” is the Gospel.

The Apostle also said, “It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching (the Cross) to
save them that believe” (I Cor. 1:21).

So, the Church must live the Cross, preach the Cross, proclaim the Cross, ever hold up
the Cross as the answer to dying humanity.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

It is the Holy Spirit Who makes real within our hearts and lives all the benefits of the
Cross. In other words, the Spirit of God delivers to the Believer all the product of the
Finished Work of Christ. To be sure, it is the Holy Spirit Alone Who can do these things.
And as we’ve stated, He works 100 percent within the parameters of the great Sacrifice
of Christ. He will not veer outside of those parameters, and if we go outside of them,
which refers to having Faith in anything other than the Cross, we will find ourselves
without the help of the Spirit, which means that we’re on our own, which spells defeat.

Concerning this, Paul said, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them
which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1).

In this statement, the Holy Spirit through Paul plainly tells us, that it is quite possible
for a Believer to “walk after the flesh,” and not “after the Spirit.”

How can one know after which one he is walking?

If one is failing, then one is “walking after the flesh.” If one is walking victoriously,
one is then “walking after the Spirit.”

“Walking after the flesh” simply refers to trusting in anything and everything, other
than the Cross of Christ. This means that if you are trusting in your Church, you’re walking
after the flesh. It also means, if you’re trusting in your prayer life to give you victory
over sin, you are walking after the flesh.

That may seem strange to Believers, considering that prayer is the highest and holiest
thing in which a Believer can engage; however, it’s all a matter of Faith. Do you have
your Faith in your prayer life, or do you have your Faith in what Christ did at the Cross.

No! We’re not demeaning prayer by any means. In fact, we have two prayer meetings
a day at the Ministry, and have done so since the Fall of 1991. In fact, the Lord told
me to do this, which we have kept up unto this hour, and by the Grace of God will continue
until Jesus comes.

But to be sure, it’s not these prayer meetings that guarantee us victory of any nature.
While they are of definite, immeasurable help, it is not prayer or my prayer life that
defeated the powers of darkness, but rather what Jesus did at the Cross.

So, if I exhibit Faith in the Cross of Christ, and continue there with my Faith, I am then
“walking after the Spirit.” As we’ve said over and over again, the Spirit of God works

exclusively
within the parameters of the Finished Work of Christ, which we will see in
the next Verse.

THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT

Paul said, “For the Law (an unbreakable Law) of the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of life (the
only means of victory) in Christ Jesus (what Jesus did at the Cross and the Resurrection
on my behalf) hath made me free (the only manner in which one can be made free) from
the law of sin and death (another Law which is so strong that it cannot be overcome,

without
the power of the Spirit)” (Rom. 8:2).

Notice the two “Laws” mentioned here. The first one is “the Law of the Spirit,” while
the latter is “the law of sin and death.” The only thing that’s going to overcome the latter,
is the former.

Now understand, these things are “laws,” which means that first of all, they were designed
that way by God, which means they cannot be broken. They are set in concrete,
so to speak!

As a Believer, I want this great “Law of the Spirit” working within my heart and life.
Especially considering, that I cannot have victory without this which the Holy Spirit
Alone can do, it is imperative that I know here what is being said.

What is this “Law of the Spirit”?Please notice, it is “the Law of the Spirit
of life in Christ Jesus.” This means, that this “Law” is wrapped up totally and completely
in Christ Jesus, and more particularly, what He did at the Cross, and in His Resurrection,
all on my behalf. In other words, what Jesus did there, makes it possible for the Holy Spirit
to do great and mighty things with us and for us.

Paul plainly said, that “Christ was made a curse for us . . . that the Blessing of
Abraham (Justification by Faith) might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ.” And
then he said:

“That we might receive the Promise of the Spirit through Faith” (Gal. 3:13-14).

In other words, it took what Christ did on the Cross to settle the terrible sin debt. When
this was done, with the believing sinner exhibiting Faith in Christ and what He did for
us at the Cross, the Holy Spirit could then come into our hearts and lives to abide forever

(Jn. 14:16-17).

To say it a better way, before the Cross, the Holy Spirit could not come into the
hearts and lives of Believers to abide. The terrible sin debt had not yet been settled,
because the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin. But due to what Jesus did
at the Cross, all sin was removed, thereby making it possible for the Holy Spirit to come
in and to abide forever.

Consequently, all that He does for us and with us are done exclusively according to
what Jesus did at the Cross. As we have stated repeatedly, all He requires of us, is that we
exhibit Faith in the Cross, and continue to do so, and then He will do great and mighty
things for us and with us. This “Law of the Spirit,” is all in Christ Jesus, meaning that it
functions totally according to what Christ did at the Cross, and our Faith in that.

Now let’s see what this “Law of the Spirit” does!

MAKING ALIVE OUR MORTAL BODIES

The Apostle said, “But if the Spirit of Him (God the Father) that raised up Jesus from
the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken our
mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Rom. 8:11).
 

In this Verse, we are given a most amazing Truth. We’re told, that the same Holy
Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead, which proclaims a power that is beyond our

comprehension,
also dwells within us. And also, we are told, that this same power that raised
Jesus from the dead, can be used, and in fact, will be used, to “quicken our mortal bodies,”
which means, to make our mortal bodies alive unto God.

The reason that the Holy Spirit quoted this in this manner is because the physical body is
the weak link in the makeup of the Believer. We are created, “spirit, soul, and body” (I
Thess. 5:23). Also, even though our souls and spirits have been redeemed, our physical body
has not yet been redeemed (Rom. 8:23). That awaits the coming Resurrection of life, “when
we shall be changed” (I Cor. 15:50-54). In
other words, at that time, the physical body will be “glorified,” whereas now, it is only

sanctified
(I Cor. 6:11). In fact, the Sanctification process, as a continued progressive work, is carried
on constantly by the Holy Spirit, as it concerns the entire man, which speaks of “spirit,
soul, and body.” Hence, Paul would pray that “the very God of Peace sanctify you wholly;
and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thess. 5:23).

Actually, the word “Redemption” in Romans 8:23, doesn’t refer to the fact that the
physical body isn’t saved, for it definitely is. It is merely speaking there of the coming
Glorification. Salvation always includes the whole man, hence Paul’s statement in I
Thessalonians 5:23.

This means that there is no such thing as a part Salvation. We are saved “spirit, soul,
and body.” And as well, if a Believer sins, he also sins “spirit, soul, and body.” One cannot
be divorced from the other. In fact, the spirit and the soul cannot be separated from
the body, until death. Even then, the separation will only last for a time, awaiting the
Resurrection, when a glorified body will then be reunited with the soul and the spirit. As
stated, the physical body is merely the weak link, through which Satan carries out his

perfidious designs.

Even though temptation includes spirit, soul, and body, and even though sin begins in
the heart, and this refers to the seat of one’s passions, and not the physical organ, that sin
is carried out, as we know and understand, through the physical body, as it regards the
five senses.

That’s the reason that in the Middle Ages, many Monks, and others, tried to conquer
sin, by torturing their physical bodies. This of course, was a fruitless task.

In fact, the physical body is actually neutral. That means it’s not inherently evil, or
inherently good. Paul used the word “instruments,” referring to the fact that our body
members can be used for sin or Righteousness (Rom. 6:13).

The physical body is somewhat like for example, a gun. The gun can be used to kill
poisonous serpents, or used in crimes against society. It’s not really the gun that does the
doing, but actually the man or woman holding the gun and willing that it do certain
things. As the gun is an instrument, the physical body is also an instrument, hence
Paul telling us that we should “yield our members (body members) as instruments of
Righteousness.” It is the spirit and the soul which puts the body into operation. And it
is the Holy Spirit, Who will give us the power and strength to use the members of our bodies
as “instruments of Righteousness.” He has the power to do it, and He will readily
expend that power on our behalf, and do so constantly, providing we place our Faith in
the Cross of Christ, and do so totally and completely.

WHY MUST WE PLACE OUR FAITH IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST?

The facts are, all of the things which we need to do in order to be what we ought to be,
we can not do. By that, I do not mean that it’s difficult to do, or even impossible for some to
do, but rather, that which God requires, is impossible for any human being to do, due to the

Fall.

It’s somewhat like a car that’s supposed to run a race. It can little do such with three flat
tires and only about three cylinders hitting.

And it must be quickly added, that what God demands, is the least which He can demand.
A thrice holy God cannot tolerate imperfection or sin in any manner. Consequently,
He would totally and completely do for us, what we could not do for ourselves. And I
might quickly add, He did it at a frightful price.

Consequently, one can hardly fault God for demanding what He did, considering that
He paid the price. So, in all of this, all that God demands of us, is that we exhibit Faith
in what He did in order to assuage this terrible situation. That’s why we have to exhibit
Faith in the Cross, and Faith in the Cross alone.

So, why wouldn’t man want to do this, considering that God is asking so little?

The world hates the Cross, because it portrays in glaring detail the Love of God, and
at the same time, the terrible depravity of man. For if man was so bad, that God would
have to become man and die on a Cross in order to redeem fallen humanity, then man
was bad indeed!

As stated, the world doesn’t agree with that. While they admit that there is a problem,
they claim that it is only slight, and can be adjusted with proper education or psychological
therapy. Never mind that they never succeed! They keep trying!

There is only one answer for man’s dilemma, and that is the Sacrifice of Christ.

When it comes to the Church not believing the Cross, that’s another story entirely.
In fact, Satan does his best work inside the Church.

Even though the problem of the Church is totally different than the world, and for that
reason much worse; still, in many ways the problem is very similar.

As the problem is unbelief as it regards the world, it is unbelief, at least for the most
part, as it regards the Church; however, with the world it is unbelief in the realm of

darkness,
while in the Church it is unbelief in the realm of light, which as stated, makes it
much worse. It is one thing to not know and thereby, not believe. It is something else

altogether,
to be shown the light, which means that one knows, and then to reject that light
with purpose and intent. That is unbelief of which Paul will address in Chapters 6 and 8
of this Epistle. Concerning the unbelief of the Church, the Holy Spirit through him
said, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God” (Heb. 10:31).

THROUGH THE SPIRIT

The Apostle said, “For if you live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit
do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live” (Rom. 8:13).

Paul plainly says here, that it’s possible for a Christian to “live after the flesh.” If
this happens, and regrettably, it is happening in the far greater majority of Christians,
the end result and without fail, is defeat. This happens because of looking elsewhere other
than the Cross.

As well, and as we’ve been saying, the text here plainly tells us, that we can “mortify
the deeds of the body,” which refers to evil deeds, only “through the Spirit.” It cannot
be done any other way.

This means that the powers of darkness are so strong, meaning that sin is so strong, that
only the Spirit of God can bring that monster to bay. And again let us reiterate, that
the Spirit of God functions in our hearts and lives only on the basis of what Christ did at
the Cross, and our Faith in that Finished Work. The problem is, many Christians think
just because they are saved, and even Spirit-filled, that they can do whatever needs to be
done. The Truth is, despite these things we’ve mentioned, the Christian cannot do
anything within himself. He must have the leading, guidance, direction, anointing, and
power of the Holy Spirit. He must understand that, and do so without fail!

And as well, in order for the Holy Spirit to work within our lives, we must understand,
even as we have repeated over and over again, that the object of our Faith must ever
be the Cross (Rom. 6:3-5, 11, 14).

THE DEVIL

The phrase, “That is, the Devil,” portrays this archenemy of God, this despot of darkness,
this fallen angel, as being the head of the kingdom of darkness.

Most of the world denies the existence of the Devil, and regrettably, so does much of
the Church. Nevertheless, Satan is a real person, an angel as stated, who in fact, was
originally created by God.

However, let it be understood, that God did not create Lucifer originally in this manner,
for that is his name (Isa. 14:12).
 

Sometime in eternity past, Lucifer led a revolution against God, which drew away a
third of the angels with him (Rev. 12:4). Exactly why he did this we are not told, and
exactly why a third of the angels followed him, of that we have no knowledge either.

Some may ask the question as to how Satan, being a mere creature while God is the
Creator, turned evil and thought he might have a chance to succeed as it regards his

revolution.

While not being all-knowing as God, still, Satan knew that God would work and function
within a prescribed set of Laws — Laws incidentally, which God had Himself made.
As well, sin, which incidentally Satan himself invented one might say, has a terrible
power of deception connected with its precepts; consequently, Satan is very much deceived,
even as are all his dupes.

Knowing that Satan can read the Bible, and knowing that the Word of God foretells
his doom (Rev. 20:10-15), and considering that we’re coming down to the very end, what
must his thoughts be presently?

That question is easy to answer. Satan doesn’t believe the Bible, the same as most
of the world doesn’t believe the Bible. He still thinks he will pull it off, with in fact, his
greatest effort yet to come.

He has refused to admit the supremacy of Christ, at least in the overall picture. But
the Second Coming, will handle this situation, and without a doubt. Jesus will come
back as “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16). At His Coming, He will “lay
hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and will bind him a
thousand years, casting him into the bottomless pit, shutting him up, and then setting a
seal upon him” (Rev. 20:2-3). There will be no doubt then as to Whom the Master actually is.

While Satan does recognize the Cross, he only does so if forced.

CHRIST

Incidentally, Verse 14, the Scripture of our study, overthrows the Gnostic and Christian
Science doctrine that Christ had no physical human body, and that He never died in that

body.
Concerning Christ Himself taking part of flesh and blood, we must understand, that
even though He did this, the humanity of fallen men, was not His. Here there must be
strict limitation. We must add, as the Apostle does afterwards with regard to His temptation,
“sin apart.” In other words, sin, and the consequences of sin, He could not take and
did not take. Consequently, death could have no power over Him, except as He might submit
Himself voluntarily to it, and this He did; but it was obedience to His Father’s Will, and
no necessity of His condition, as it is of ours.
And if it be remembered that sin is not inherent in human nature as such, but that
it is a foreign thing brought in through the Fall, it can be readily understood how it
could be said that our blessed Lord “took part of the same” without involving full

participation
in all that had come in through man’s failure.

It must be ever understood, that He had to be the Unblemished One if He would make
satisfaction for sins.
Having thus become Man, though sinless, our Lord became man’s Champion and went
forth as our David to destroy or annul the great Goliath who had terrorized the world
ever since the Fall, “him that had the power of death, that is, the Devil.”

The Cross was for Christ a Valley of Elah where He met our cruel foe and put an end
to his authority over the souls of all who believe the Gospel, thus delivering us even now,
who in times past through fear of death were held in bitter bondage all our lives.

Satan is a conquered foe and no Believer need now fear him, that is, if we maintain
our Faith in the Cross of Christ which was brought about, in order that this great victory
might be carried out.

(15) “AND DELIVER THEM WHO THROUGH FEAR OF DEATH WERE ALL THEIR LIFETIME SUBJECT

TO BONDAGE.”

1. Christ had to deliver mankind, for all of humanity due to the Fall was held captive by

Satan.
2. As is here clearly portrayed, death is an aberration. In other words, it was never originally
intended by God. Inasmuch as it is an aberration, there is a terrible fear as it regards
this monster, and rightly so. However,that fear was taken away, by what Christ did
at the Cross. He conquered death!

3. The fear of death was and is a bondage, and perhaps, the greatest bondage of all, and
a bondage incidentally, from which Christ Alone can deliver.

DELIVERANCE

The phrase, “And deliver them,” speaks of mankind held in captivity, and by Satan at that!

The word “deliver” proclaims the fact that these souls were taken captive by force, held
by force, and then delivered by force, with the latter being of greater power. Once again
we go back to what Jesus said about Him being stronger than the strong man (Satan),
so much stronger in fact, that He would bind Satan, enter into his house, spoil his goods,
and in fact, the entirety of this evil house, which Jesus did at the Cross (Mat. 12:29).

However, that which was done had to be done in a legal manner, which legality satisfied
the Laws of God, which the Master did at the Cross. If we’re speaking merely of
strength, then we have no contest. God is almighty, and only has to speak the word and
it is done. Satan being a creature, in fact, is at the Mercy of God. So, we’re not speaking
here of strength as one normally defines such. We’re speaking of strength which
comes about as a result of the Law of God being carried out in totality.

Jesus didn’t go to the Cross because of Satan, but rather because of God. The Righteousness
of God had been grossly insulted; consequently, the righteous demands of God
had to be satisfied. By Jesus offering up Himself as a Perfect Sacrifice on behalf of lost
humanity, which incidentally, mankind could not do, this Offering satisfied the demands
of Heavenly Justice. In the giving of Himself, all sin was atoned, i.e., “paid in full.” In
the doing of this, Satan, even as we’ve already stated, lost his legal claim on humanity, and
was, therefore, defeated. This is what Jesus meant by binding him, entering into his
house, and destroying his goods.

As well, this deliverance is of such capacity, so final, so complete, that one of the
Greek words used to define Redemption (lotroo), carries forth the meaning that such
a price was paid, that no created being in eternity future will ever be able to say that the
price was insufficient. In other words, we definitely have a “great Salvation.”

FEAR OF DEATH

The phrase, “Who through fear of death,” concerned itself with much more than the
fact of dying. Is there life beyond the grave? What is there awaiting the departed soul on
the other side? In fact, of what does the other side consist?

In the First Century this fear was very real. The Philosophers urged people to be calm
in the face of death, and some of them managed to do so. But to most people this brought
no relief. Fear was widespread, as the hopeless tone of the inscriptions on tombs clearly

illustrates.

If this fear has been alleviated somewhat in modern times, and it definitely has, it is
because of the power of the Gospel which has addressed this terrible question, and in fact,
it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ alone which addresses this question.

It has been well said that the two terrors from which none but Christ can deliver men
are guilt of sin and fear of death. The latter is the offspring of the former. When the
conscience of sin is no more, meaning that Jesus has taken its penalty and washed away
its stain, the dread of death yields to peace and joy.

BONDAGE

The phrase, “Were all their lifetime subject to bondage,” presents slaves of fear; and
it must be remembered, that all slaves have a master. In this case, it is Satan himself! Such
people have no freedom; no comfort; no peace. From this miserable state Christ comes to
deliver man.

The unredeemed, having no spiritual perception whatsoever, cannot comprehend the
glory and the beauty of Salvation in Christ.
In fact it is impossible for one to know and understand such, until one makes Christ one’s

Saviour.

So, when the Holy Spirit convicts of sin, and of Righteousness and of Judgment, He
never does so on the basis of what one will gain by accepting Christ. It is impossible for
even the Holy Spirit to grant such knowledge to a person who is dead in trespasses and sins.

Men are saved, as the Holy Spirit convicts them of sin, referring to their terrible condition,
with some of course much worse than others, and that Jesus is the only solution, of
Righteousness which none have, and yet which God demands, which at the same time
lays waste their own brand of righteousness (self-righteousness), and of Judgment, referring
to the fact that all will one day answer to God. It is either accept Christ now as Saviour,
or face Him tomorrow as Judge. One way or the other, men will face Christ!

When the Holy Spirit gets through with an individual, they are thoroughly undone.
And if they accept Christ, thereby being Born-Again, then and then only, do they
know and understand the tremendous life force they now have. To explain such beforehand,

is impossible!

Satan is very successful at getting the unredeemed to believe that if they come to
Christ, they will go into bondage. In other words, they’ll never have anymore fun, never
have another good time, and to be sure, in the unredeemed state, there’s nothing in the
world more boring than Church. They don’t realize that after they come to Christ, they
will be so changed, that old things will pass away and all things will become new (II Cor.
5:17). But once the sinner comes to Christ, a glorious new world opens up, a world of
such staggering proportions and dimensions that it literally defies all description. Instead
of the person going into bondage, they actually now are free, and for the first time in
their lives. The “bondage” is always with Satan. In fact, all unredeemed individuals
are slaves more or less; and of course, we speak of slaves of Satan.

“Subject to bondage,” means that one is subject to all that the bondage implies, such
as fear, doubt, unbelief, error of every description, wild fantasies and thoughts, all wrong,
all in error, and all a fabrication of Satan. He is truly a hard taskmaster.

To know Christ, is to know life; it is to know freedom; it is for the first time, to know
what the future brings, for only the Lord holds the future in His hands.
“All their lifetime,” concerns the entirety of their existence. In fact, almost all the
world, at least all who do not know Christ, live a life of fear, privation, and want, and we
speak of these things in the spiritual. That’s the reason that money and power can never
satisfy the hunger and the thirst of the soul. Only God can do that, and He does it totally
and completely, through Christ.

(16) “FOR VERILY HE TOOK NOT ON HIM THE NATURE OF ANGELS; BUT HE
TOOK ON HIM THE SEED OF ABRAHAM.”
The exegesis is:

1. Jesus Christ is God; consequently, anything else He would become, would have to
be less than what He is.
2. He did not take upon Himself the nature of Angels, because it was not Angels that
He was redeeming.
3. He took upon Himself the Seed of Abraham, which, of course, refers to humanity.
It was necessary that this be done for many reasons; however, one of the greatest
reasons of all was that He might be a “merciful and faithful High Priest,” Who would
serve as a Mediator between God and Man (Heb. 7:24-28; I Tim. 2:5).
4. This was the only way that Redemption was possible.
5. The phrase “Seed of Abraham,” refers to the fact that in order for men to be saved,
they have to come in under the order of the Abrahamic Covenant, which is “by Faith”
(Gen. 15:6; Gal. 3:6).
6. This speaks of Faith exclusively in the Cross, i.e., “that which Jesus did in the Atonement
in the giving of Himself as a Perfect Sacrifice, in order to pay the terrible sin debt.”

JESUS IS GOD

The phrase, “For verily He,” refers to the fact that Jesus Christ was God, is God, and
ever shall be God. While He definitely laid aside the expression of His Deity in order to
become man, He never for a moment lost possession of His Deity. On this one fact
hinges the argument of the world concerning Christ. Was He merely a good man? a
great healer? a great miracle worker? even a great philosopher? some might muse.

The Jews, His Own people, have denied Him. Some few in the world, and by that I
speak of the unredeemed, will admit that He was and is God, but the far greater majority
deny that fact, or else they meet the question with a shrug of the shoulders.

After Napoleon was banished to the Island of St. Helena, the man incidentally who
came very close to conquering the world, he was asked the following question by a reporter
during a particular interview.

“Do you believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and actually rose from the
dead?” or words to that effect.

After the question was asked, Napoleon stood for a long while looking out over the
waters of the ocean, so long in fact, that the reporter thought he was not going to answer.

But then he finally turned and looked at the questioner and said, “Yes I believe that
Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and that He really rose from the dead.” He then followed
that statement by these remarks:

“You can go to the poorest of the poor anywhere in the world, and if they have heard
that Name ‘Jesus,’ when it is mentioned, their eyes will light up. You can go to the
crowned heads of Europe, and at the mention of that Name, it is instantly recognizable
and they bow to Him.” He paused for a moment, and then being the soldier he was, said:

“At His Name mighty armies march. For His Name millions have died.”

And then with another pause, finally concluding, he said, “Sir, no dead man could
command that type of respect. I will soon be dead and mostly forgotten, and if He
were dead, He would have long since been forgotten. And because He lives, He has not
been forgotten, but is more revered today than ever.”

The word “verily” means “truly” or “doubtless.” So we might say, “Doubtless” He was
and is God, and became man, and did so for a specific purpose, that purpose being the

Redemption
of lost humanity, which He carried out by His atoning work at the Cross.

NOT OF ANGELS

The phrase, “Took not on Him the nature of Angels,” would have probably been better
translated, and using the entirety of the phrase from the beginning of the Verse, “For
truly He taketh not hold of Angels, but of the Seed of Abraham He took hold.”

That is, Christ did not come to be the Saviour of fallen angels. They are of another creation.

While it is true that one third of the angels threw in their lot with Lucifer at his revolution
against God, carried out sometime in eternity past, but of any effort to redeem
them, of that we aren’t aware.

The general idea is that of seizing upon, or laying hold of anyone or anything — no
matter what the object is — whether to aid, or to drag to punishment, or simply to conduct.
Here it means to lay hold with the reference to “aid” or “help”; and the meaning is,
that He did not seize the nature of Angels, or take it to Himself, with reference to rendering
them aid, but He assumed the nature of man in order to aid “him.” He undertook
the work of human Redemption, and consequently it was necessary for Him to be a man.

The words in the Authorized Version “Him the nature of,” are in italics indicating that
they are not in the original Greek Text, but are supplied by the translators in an effort to
translate the Passage. They probably would have been better left off, for they in essence
say too much.

The idea here is that the Lord Jesus, in His work on Calvary’s Cross, did not provide
for the Salvation of fallen angels but for the Salvation of fallen human beings. In Perfect
Righteousness He passed by fallen angels, and in infinite mercy and condescension,
stooped to provide Salvation for man. In man’s fallen condition, now inferior to the
angels, He passed by those superior beings in order to save inferior beings. Consequently,
He gets more glory in taking an inferior being and raising him to an exalted
position in Himself, i.e., “in Christ Jesus,” than in saving a superior being and raising
him to those heights of blessedness, although “glory” was not at all His purpose.

As stated, there is no Biblical proof that attempts were made to redeem fallen angels.
That is not to say that no attempt was made, but is meant to say that we have no

information
regarding such. However, there is the hint of the following in Paul’s reference to angels.

THE SPIRIT WORLD

In the Fall, man dropped from such exalted heights, heights which included the
image of God, even the very nature of God, in fact able to bring sons and daughters of
God into the world, down to the far, far lower level of the very nature of Satan himself, so
far lower in fact, that quite possibly it was wondered in the spirit world, if man was actually
worth saving. Concerning the righteous Angels and man’s Redemption, we are
told, “which things the Angels desire to look into” (I Pet. 1:12). The idea is, Satan had so
wrecked man, so destroyed him, had made him so worthless, so useless, even beyond that,
so destructive even to himself and to all that which are righteous and holy, that the question
may well be asked, as to why God would even desire to bother as it regarded his

Redemption?
However, as we have previously said, love created man, and love must redeem
man. As well, in Satan’s fallen condition, he can no longer understand such love.

Moved by a profound love for man, and by that motive alone, the Son of God — became
the Son of Man — humbled Himself to all the circumstances of man in order to deliver
him, and was fully equipped to redeem and bring to glory His Brothers, the many sons;
and, as a Priest, having made propitiation, He presents them before God in all the beauty
and perfection of His Own Person and Work (Williams).

THE SEED OF ABRAHAM

The phrase, “But He took on Him the Seed of Abraham,” refers to His humanity, which
He became, and to the manner in which Redemption would be brought about.

Why is the name of Abraham used? What did he have to do with all of this?

The Salvation of all humanity comes in under the Abrahamic Covenant.

God promised a Redeemer immediately after the Fall, with the Promise being given
to Satan through the serpent more so in the form of a threat than anything else. It spoke
of the Seed of the woman bruising the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15).

God immediately gave the sacrificial system to the first family, with Abel obeying in
the offering up of the proper sacrifice (Gen., Chpt. 4). Unfortunately, due to the anger of
his brother Cain, who would not offer up the correct sacrifice, Abel lost his life; however,
he didn’t lose his soul.

The sacrificial system continued for the next 1,600 years, despite the terrible evil of
mankind. We know this from the sacrifices offered by Noah immediately after the Flood
(Gen. 8:20-21). It is certain that it was only a few who offered up these sacrifices during
the intervening 1,600 years. And they were saved by having Faith in the Seed of the
woman Who was to come, of which the Sacrifices were a symbol.

Abraham lived about 400 years after Noah, about 2,000 years after the Fall in the Garden
of Eden. How God revealed Himself to Abraham, we aren’t told; however, the entirety
of this Revelation would necessitate him leaving his home country and his family,
going to Canaan, the appointed place directed by God. The account of this Revelation
began in Genesis, Chapter 12, and continued through Genesis 25:11. However, the
core of what God gave him can be found in Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the Lord;
and He (God) counted it to him for Righteousness.” It is what we refer to as the “Blessing
of Abraham” (Gal. 3:14), or “Justification by Faith” (Rom. 5:1).

All of this simply meant, that Abraham believed that God was going to send a Redeemer
into this world, and Faith in Him, and I might quickly add, Faith without works
of any kind, would guarantee Salvation, and to anyone (Rom. 3:27).

A NATIONAL OR GENERATIONAL SALVATION?
Unfortunately, the Jews by the time of Christ had come to believe that by simply
being a Jew, which referred to their natural descent from Abraham, that this meant they
were saved. In response to that, John the Baptist said to them, “And think not to say
within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able
of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham” (Mat. 3:9).

This means that Salvation does not come by descent, by generation, by heritage, by
nationality, by race, or by works of any nature but rather by Faith, and more particularly,
Faith in what Jesus did at the Cross and in His Resurrection, all on our behalf (Jn. 3:16).

So, the Holy Spirit here through Paul, speaks of Abraham for the following reasons:

1. It was to Abraham that the great word of Justification by Faith was given. In fact,
Jesus said of this situation, “Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad”

(Jn. 8:56).
2. This makes Abraham the father of us all, both Jews and Gentiles, at least all who
will believe (Gal. 3:6-9).
3. Salvation is entirely by Faith, and not at all by works (Eph. 2:8-9).
4. More particularly, it is Faith in what Christ did at the Cross and in His Resurrection.
This was graphically portrayed to Abraham in the offering of Isaac (Gen. 22:1-14).
5. The “Seed of Abraham,” actually refers to Christ (Gal. 3:16). As well, it refers to
all Believers, due to the fact of being “in Christ” (Rom. 8:1).

(17) “WHEREFORE IN ALL THINGS IT BEHOVED HIM TO BE MADE LIKE UNTO
HIS BRETHREN, THAT HE MIGHT BE A MERCIFUL AND FAITHFUL HIGH PRIEST
IN THINGS PERTAINING TO GOD, TO MAKE RECONCILIATION FOR THE SINS
OF THE PEOPLE.”
The exposition is:

1. God would have to become man, that is if man was to be saved. And this means fully
man, in other words, “very man,” while at the same time, never ceasing to be “very God.”
2. He was to be, and was a “High Priest,” Who would serve as a Mediator between God
and the people. A Priest must always partake of the nature of the one for whom He
officiates. Thus, the Incarnation was a necessity in the nature of this case.
3. He was to be a “merciful” High Priest, which speaks of the feeling of sympathy with
the misery of another that leads one to act in his behalf to relieve that misery.
4. The word “Faithful” proclaims the fact that He would do whatever it was that
was necessary, to carry forth Redemption. The word is linked to the phrase “in things
pertaining to God,” which in effect refers to the satisfying of the Justice and Righteousness
of God, which He Alone could do.

5. “Reconciliation” in the Greek is “hilaskomai,” and is translated in Romans
3:25, “propitiation.” It refers to the act of our Lord offering Himself on the Cross to
satisfy the righteous demands of God’s justice so that His Government might be maintained,
and that mercy might be shown on the basis of justice satisfied.

THE INCARNATION

The phrase, “Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His Brethren,”
refers to the fact of our Lord laying hold of the human race for the purpose of saving
those in it who would accept Salvation by Faith (Wuest).

“It behoved” or “it behooved,” are in the Greek Text “opheilo.” It speaks of an obligation
imposed upon one by reason of a certain consideration. Here the consideration is that
of the position of our Lord assumed as the One Who would come to the aid of lost sinners.
The obligation arising out of this position was that in order to provide a Salvation
for the human race, He had to become like the human race, namely, Man, for a Priest
must always, as stated, partake of the nature of the one for whom he officiates (Wuest).
Thus, the Incarnation was a necessity.

He became “like unto His Brethren.”

Vincent says regarding this connection: “Likeness is asserted without qualification.
There was a complete and real likeness to humanity, a likeness which was closest just
where the traces of the curse of sin were most apparent — in poverty, temptation, and violent and unmerited death.”

In respect to His Body; His Soul; His rank and Character, there was a propriety that He
should be like man, and should partake of man’s nature. However, by that statement,
we do not refer to the sinful nature, but rather human nature. The meaning is, that
nothing should be wanting in Him in reference to the innocent propensities and sympathies of human nature.

Going back to the words “it behooved Him,” presents the sense of moral obligation.
It actually could mean, “He owed it.” The nature of the work Jesus came to accomplish
demanded the Incarnation.

So, how can we say that He owed such a thing to the human race?

The question asked in that manner is not actually proper. In fact, God owed or owes
nothing to the human race, or anyone or anything else for that matter. The idea is
that if He was going to redeem lost humanity, He would have to become man. The fact
of Redemption, and the satisfying of the righteous demands of God’s justice, demanded
the Incarnation, that is if it was to be done right. Consequently, in that light, Christ
“owed” to the human race, the best that Heaven could give. And naturally, God does
things in no other way but the very right way. By the use of the word “Brethren,” several
things are said:

First of all, even though the seed of Abraham included the entirety of the human
race, it especially pertained to the Jews, of whom Jesus would come, and of which Jesus
would be.

Also, if He refers to them (the Jews) and us (the Gentiles) as Brethren, and He definitely
does, then it was proper that He should show that He regarded them and us as such
by assuming our nature.

HIGH PRIEST

The phrase, “That He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining
to God,” presents the term “High Priest” as being unique to this Epistle. In fact, it is
used 15 times in Hebrews (2:17; 3:1; 4:1415; 5:1-10; 6:20; 7:1, 26-27; 8:1, 3; 9:11, 25;
10:21; 13:11).

With the Law of Moses, God had set up the Jewish Priesthood, headed up by the High
Priest, who would serve as go-betweens or Mediators between God and the people.
Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the very first High Priest of Israel, when actually the people were in the wilderness, instituted almost immediately after being delivered from Egyptian bondage. Consequently, all Jewish High Priests were the successors of Aaron, and stood at the head of the Levitical ceremonies.

When he came into this position, he was set apart with solemn ceremonies — clad in
his sacred vestments — and anointed with oil (Ex. 29:5-9; Lev. 8:2). He was by his office
the general judge of all that pertained to the great Mosaic institution, and even, of the
Judicial affairs of the Jewish nation (Deut. 17:8-12; 19:17; 21:5; 33:9-10).

He had the privilege of entering the Most Holy Place once a year, on the great Day of
Atonement, to make Atonement for the sins of the whole people (Lev. 16:2).

He was as well the oracle of Truth — so that, when clothed in his proper vestments,
which was the Ephod, which contained the Urim and Thummim, he made known the
Will of God in regard to future events.

Somewhat in this capacity the Lord Jesus became, in the Christian dispensation, what
the Jewish High Priest was in the old; and an important object of this Epistle is to show
that He far surpassed the Jewish High Priest, and in what respects the Jewish High Priest
was designed to typify the Redeemer. Paul, therefore, early introduces the subject, and
shows that the Lord Jesus came to perform the functions of that sacred office, and that
He was eminently endowed for it (Barnes).

IN THINGS PERTAINING TO GOD

Man was helpless to perform these tasks, so God would have to become man and do
such for Him.

For Mercy and Grace to be properly shown to mankind, it could only be done on the basis
of justice satisfied. There was no way, however, that man could satisfy this justice.

In Old Testament times, a picture of this was the offering up of sacrifice in order to
make intercession for the people. In fact, of all the many duties of the Priesthood, this
was the great purpose. But the difference in this High Priest and those under the Aaronic
institution was, they offered up clean animals in sacrifice to God, but He would offer up
Himself. In fact, all the old Jewish sacrifices, and down through the centuries they numbered into the untold millions, all and without exception, pointed to this one great Sacrifice which was coming. In fact, God based all Mercy and Grace, all forgiveness and
cleansing from sin, at least as far as it could be done under the old economy, not on those
animal sacrifices, but rather on what and more particularly, Who they represented. In
fact, for those in Israel, which numbered the vast majority, who failed to see this, but trusted rather in the ceremony itself, they lost their way and couldn’t be saved. Salvation has always been on what this great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, would do on our behalf in the offering up of Himself in Sacrifice.

Actually, this staggers the imagination! It is of such moment, such consequence, of
such power, such Grace, such glory, that the mind of man literally beggars its implications.
That God would become man, in effect the Creator becoming a creature, and
then even above that, taking upon Himself the punishment for our sins, punishment
that we should have taken, literally boggles the mind. We dare not make less of this than
it actually is, and it is impossible to make more of it than it is. In fact, this Sacrifice of
Christ, this momentous work, this staggering implication, this greatest display of love
and Grace that the world has ever known, is of such magnitude, that the Holy Spirit
through Paul refers to it as “The Everlasting Covenant” (Heb. 13:20). It is so perfect,
so fashioned, so without exception, so entire, so total, that it will never need an amendment, but will rather serve forever.

When the Lord began to open up to me this great Revelation of the Cross, I soon realized
that I had only scratched the surface. In fact at the very beginning, I knew what
was being given to me, incidentally in answer to over five years of seeking the Face of
God, and quite possibly a lifetime, was far larger than I could even begin to know.

THAT WHICH THE LORD SHOWED ME

As someone has well said, desperation usually precedes Revelation. Perhaps all of
us, at least in one way or the other, have to come to the end of ourselves before we can
properly look to Christ as we should.

In the Fall of 1991, at a desperate, even crisis time in my life and in this Ministry, I
began to cry to the Lord as I had never cried to Him before, as it regards the ways and
means of living a victorious, overcoming, Christian life. In fact, the Lord instructed
me to begin two prayer meetings a day, which we immediately set out to do, and continue
unto this hour. In this, the Lord told me, that I was not to seek Him so much for what He could do, but rather for Who He is. As stated, that began in the Fall of 1991.

Through the nearly next six years, the Lord would give me promise after promise,
which of course, were of tremendous encouragement. But yet, I knew that the answer
had not yet come. And then in 1996, it began to come, and I will never forget the beginning of that most momentous time.

The Lord took me to Romans, Chapter 6, with the Holy Spirit actually explaining it to
me. However, it was really in 1997 that the full brunt of this Revelation began to take
place, at least to the extent that I felt it was complete at least as far as the foundation was
concerned. Of course, the Lord has built on that foundation from then until now.

The following three statements, although very brief, are what the Lord told me, and
which I have built upon. They are as follows:
1. The answer to every question which I had sought, the solution to every problem
for which I had asked, the Lord informed me, are all in the Cross (Rom. 6:3-6, 11, 14).
2. Understanding that, my Faith must ever be in the Cross of Christ. In other words,
the Cross must ever be the object of my Faith, and not something else (Jn. 3:16).
3. With my Faith properly placed, the Holy Spirit is then able to do His great Office work
within my heart and life, which He has beautifully done since, and continues to do (Rom. 8:1-2, 11).
Now that which I have just given is very brief, and requires much explanation, which
we are attempting to give in these Commentaries. But this I know, if you the Reader
will heed the Message of the Cross, which is the Message of the Bible, which in reality is
Christ, you will find that which He has promised, which is glorious indeed (Rom. 6:3-5, 11, 14; 8:1-2, 11, 13).

MERCIFUL

The High priest was meant to be the representative of men to God; without such likeness
He could be no true High Priest for man. The order of the Greek words throws an
emphasis on “compassionate” which is in full harmony with what we have seen to be
the pervading tone of the Chapter.
 

One who has not so understood the infirmities of his Brethren as to be “compassionate,”
cannot be their “faithful” representative before God. The nature of the work Jesus came
to accomplish demanded the Incarnation. This meant that this great thing was not aimless; it was for the specific purpose of Jesus’ becoming a High Priest, another way of saying that it was to save men. “Merciful” receives emphasis from its position as being first.

By the time of Christ, the Jewish Priesthood had become cold and calloused, and in
the words of Philo, a Jewish historian, “men without pity.”

Not so our great High Priest. He is One Who is first and foremost merciful. He is
this that He might know how to pity us in our infirmities and trials, by having a nature
like our own.

FAITHFUL

The way the word “faithful” is used, it can refer to the Faith that relies on someone or
something or that which on one can rely.
Jesus is, of course, both. But here the emphasis is on His relationship to God the Father,
and so the first meaning is more probable (Rev. 1:5; 3:14; 19:11).

Only in Hebrews, as we have stated, is the term “High Priest” applied to Jesus in the
New Testament. In fact, this is the first example of its use, and Paul does not explain
it. He may want us to see Jesus as superior to all other Priests. Or he may be using the
term because He sees Jesus’ saving work as fulfilling all that is signified by the ceremonies
of the Day of Atonement, for which the High Priest’s Ministry was indispensable.
Sometimes in this Epistle Paul calls Jesus simply a “Priest,” but there seems to be no
great difference in meaning.

By the time of Christ, the Office of the High Priest in Israel was bought and sold like
so much merchandise. Consequently, there was not a shred of faithfulness left to the
Word of God in this capacity. The people were poorly served to say the least, and God was not served at all!

So, Christ was faithful in totality, in the way that it was always meant to be, but of
course to an even greater degree, because of Who He was.

RECONCILIATION

The phrase, “To make reconciliation for the sins of the people,” would have probably
been better translated “propitiation.” The word means, “to make an Atoning Sacrifice
in order to regain the favor and goodwill of God.” In effect, “reconciliation” is what
“propitiation” actually does. With the Sacrifice offered and accepted, then God and man
can be reconciled. Propitiation relates to putting away the Divine Wrath. When people
sin, they arouse the Wrath of God (Rom. 1:18); they actually become and are, enemies
of God (Rom. 5:10).

One aspect of Salvation deals with this wrath, and it is to this that Paul is directing
attention at this point. Christ saves us in a way that takes account of the Divine Wrath
against every evil thing, in effect removing the evil thing which is sin.

In order to do all of this, it was necessary that Christ should be made like unto His
Brethren, as we have already seen, that thus having passed sinlessly through all human
experiences, He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God,
to make — not “reconciliation,” as in the Authorized Version text, but — Expiation or
Atonement for the sins of the people, which would then reconcile believing mankind.

In this we see the fulfillment of the type of the Great Day of Atonement when the High
Priest first offered the Sacrifice at the Altar and then presented the Blood in the Holy of
Holies. So our Lord, at the close of His pilgrim path, on our behalf offered up Himself
upon the Cross to make Expiation (to pay the penalty), Atonement (a satisfaction), or
Propitiation (offer sacrifice), for our sins. The original Greek Word is that used in the Greek Version of the Old Testament to translate the Hebrew word for Atonement. As we have stated, reconciliation is the result of all of this, but it is we who are reconciled to God, not He Who has to be reconciled to us. We are the ones who have sinned, and not Him.

SIN IS THE PROBLEM

The reason for the Cross is the problem of sin. It could only be handled in this way.
So that should tells us just how powerful and destructive that sin actually is.

The Church bounces from one extreme to the other as it regards sin. For the most
part, the non-Pentecostal side of the Church, functions in the realm of a “sinning Salvation,” so to speak. In other words, they little teach that Salvation actually changes one’s life. In the thinking of many of these teachers in this realm, the only difference between the saved and the unsaved is, that the saved trust Christ, while the unsaved don’t! As far as lifestyle is concerned, there is no difference, they say!

Of course, this is ridiculous, inasmuch as the very foundation of the Gospel of Christ
is that it changes our lives, and dramatically so. In fact, if the life of the proposed Christian is not changed, that simply says the person isn’t saved.

No, that doesn’t speak of sinless perfection, because the Bible doesn’t teach such.
But it definitely does teach victory over sin (Rom. 6:14).

The Truth is, many of these people aren’t actually saved, and the few who actually are,
are saddled with an erroneous doctrine that gives them little chance or opportunity for
Spiritual Growth.

Regarding the Pentecostal and Charismatic worlds, the problem is the very opposite.
Many in this realm deny sin, in fact claiming it is no problem, and if it is, it’s only
a problem with a minute few, and only now and then.

The so-called Faith Ministry has been more instrumental in this erroneous direction
than probably any other group. The climate is such, that if anyone admits to any
type of problem, they’re automatically hailed as a person without Faith. Faith giants don’t
have problems with sin, etc., they say! So, the Truth is, untold millions lie about their
situation, and for two reasons:

1. To admit sin or failure of any type, in this element, is admitting weakness, and to
admit that is not to be in the privileged class, etc. So they lie!
2. To admit to any type of sin or failure, is a display of a lack of Faith, they say, and considering that the “Faith level” is the barometer of one’s experience with God, to admit to any type of problem, automatically puts one in the position of being inferior. So they claim victory over a problem they also claim doesn’t exist. Cannot one see the ugliness of flesh in all of this? Self is supreme here, not Christ!

The Truth is, despite this segment of the Christian population claiming to be Spirit-
filled, there is as much failure in these ranks as in the non-Pentecostal ranks. However,
to be sure, the fault is not in the Holy Spirit, but rather in erroneous doctrine.

While problems abound on every side as it regards all of this of which we’ve mentioned,
the core problem, in other words the worst and biggest problem of all is, that there
is precious little understanding of the Cross of Christ.

A great part of the Church claims that the problem is a lack of Faith, with others
claiming something else, but the real problem is “sin!”

WHAT IS SIN?

Whenever we think of sin, we almost always think of acts of sin. While of course
those things definitely constitute sin, they are more the result of sin than the cause.

The cause of sin is the trusting in self instead of Christ. Man’s only hope, is a total
and complete trust in Christ, and what He did at the Cross on our behalf. If we venture
away from that in any capacity, such an act constitutes rebellion against God and His
Way, which is the highest form of sin there is. In other words, that’s what sin is all about.

When this takes place, then acts of sin in every capacity are going to follow. But too
often, the Church looks at the symptom instead of the cause itself. The cause is not
trusting in what Christ has done at the Cross, but rather trusting in self. We may not understand it in that fashion, but that’s what is happening.

However, it’s very difficult for individuals to trust in the Cross, when they know very
little about the Cross and because it’s seldom preached and taught behind most modern
pulpits. Consequently, the people perish for a lack of knowledge.

Everything hinges upon Christ, with Satan doing everything within his power to
pull us away from that Source, to efforts or machinations of our own making. To be
sure, Satan doesn’t really care what direction we take, just as long as he can pull us
from the Cross. And the tragedy is, most Christians have been away from the Cross
almost from the moment they got saved, so the task of the Evil One is not too difficult.
Unfortunately, most Christians have been led to believe that the Cross of Christ pertains
to their initial Salvation experience, and has no further significance. Such thinking could
not be more wrong, and, therefore, more destructive to our spiritual experience.

The Christian cannot live a victorious, overcoming life, unless he understands that his
victory is totally and completely in the Cross of Christ. It is literally impossible to have
victory otherwise. And considering that most Christians don’t know this, and in fact look
to other things, lets us know what state that the modern Church has actually come to.

So what are we doing?

The Church has mostly succumbed to the world of humanistic psychology. In other
words, we treat symptoms instead of the real cause.

Having the erroneous idea that Christians fail simply because they make a decision to
do so, we then summarize that this being the case, the Christian must be punished.

While some few Christians might want to do something wrong, the far greater majority
don’t. They fail not because they want to fail, but because they’re trusting in something
other than the Cross. Consequently, they do not have the help of the Holy Spirit,
even though He resides within their hearts and lives. Considering that He will not function
outside of the Finished Work of Christ, which demands that we have Faith in that
Finished Work, the Christian in such a state, is left on his own, which automatically
spells defeat.

No, most of Christendom is not failing because they want to fail, in fact, most are
fighting with all their strength not to fail, but failing anyway, reliving Romans, Chapter
7 all over again. In fact, that’s where most Christians actually are, Romans, Chapter 7!

Punishing such Christians is not the answer. And this goes for preachers who fail as
well. Christ doesn’t have two solutions, one for the Laity and one for Preachers. Such
thinking is silly!

People fail God, because they have left the secret place of the Most High, which is the
Cross of Christ. It doesn’t matter that most left it in ignorance, the results are the same.
But something else is taking place at this present time, which is probably the most
dangerous of all.

ENEMIES OF THE CROSS

Paul said, “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even
weeping, that they are the enemies of the Cross of Christ:

“Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame,
who mind earthly things” (Phil. 3:18-19).

First of all, of whom was Paul speaking, and second, what did he mean by “enemies
of the Cross”?

As to whom these false teachers were, it would have included anyone who attempted
to present any other type of Salvation other than that afforded by Christ and what He did
at the Cross. More particularly, the Apostle was speaking of the Judaizers. These were
individuals, who claimed to accept Christ as the Son of God and the Messiah of Israel, but
who claimed that the Law of Moses had to be added to Faith in Christ, in order for one to
be saved. Consequently, the Cross entered into their thinking not at all (Acts 15:1).

However, let it be understood, that irrespective as to the so-called Gospel being promoted, if the Cross is lessened or ignored, one can only conclude such teachers as being “enemies of the Cross.” In other words, the Salvation they promote, is not of Faith
in the Finished Work of Christ, i.e., “the Sacrifice of Christ,” but something else entirely.
And again, it doesn’t matter what else it might be, or even how much Truth it might contain in some ways, if it’s not Salvation according to Faith in Christ and what He did for a lost world on the Cross, then it’s not Salvation. And let it be quickly understood, when we speak of “Salvation,” we are not speaking only of the initial Salvation experience, but the entirety of the Work of God as it relates to the individual Believer, which takes in the entirety of our walk before God. Now where does that leave the modern Church?

The Gospel that Paul preached, which was the Gospel of the New Covenant, which is
actually the meaning of the Cross, and which God gave to the Apostle (Gal. 1:11-12), is
preached but little in the modern Church. In virtually all of the major religious Denominations, both Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal, humanistic psychology is held up as the answer to the sins and aberrations of mankind. The big word in the modern Church
is, and has been for several decades, “you need professional help!” And let it be quickly
understood, it is not possible to espouse the wisdom of this world, which is “earthly, sensual, and Devilish,” which is humanistic psychology, and at the same time, espouse the
Cross. Psychology is actually the religion of Satan, and claims to hold the answer to the
ills of mankind, while the Cross which is diametrically opposed to humanistic psychology,
also claims to hold the only answer; therefore, it is impossible to hold up both as
the solution to man’s dilemma. So, that which espouses the wisdom of this world can
be none other than an enemy of the Cross of Christ (James 3:13-15).

Many in the modern Faith Movement openly demean the Cross, claiming that it is
“past miseries.” Their followers, which number into the hundreds of thousands, if not
millions, are told to leave the Cross, as it was the greatest defeat in human history.

Money being the driving force behind this popular teaching, Paul’s description, “whose
end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind
earthly things,” fits them exactly! These are open, blatant, avowed enemies of the Cross
of Christ. What they preach and teach are pure and simple “another Jesus,” promoted
by “another spirit,” which is “another gospel” (II Cor. 11:4).

Consequently, at least as it concerns those Preachers and Teachers who are full-bore
into this error, no one is saved, no one is Baptized with the Holy Spirit, no one is
healed, and no one is delivered. The reasons should be obvious, the Holy Spirit cannot
bless or condone the gross error of a blatant denial of the Cross, which is the only means
whereby man is saved and whereby he receives from God.

There are untold numbers of Preachers, however, who do not preach the Cross as they
should, but are not enemies of the Cross. They just simply don’t have the proper light on the subject. However, let it be known that to what degree such light is lacking, to that degree they will suffer loss in some way. God is merciful and patient; however, if a road is going east, and we are on that road, when in reality we want to go north, even though we might sincerely think we’re going right, our sincerity will not make up for the wrong direction. In other words, despite our sincerity, we will not come out at the right destination.

That’s one of the reasons I plead with you the Reader to obtain some of these Commentaries for Preachers of your acquaintance. If they understand the light of the Cross, then they will be able to enlighten those who sit under their ministries.

HOW DEFICIENT IS THE CHURCH AS IT REGARDS THE SUBJECT OF THE CROSS?

Regrettably, the deficiency is so widespread and so deep, that it is almost total. As I’ve
said any number of times, in the last halfcentury or more, the Church has had so little
teaching on the Cross of Christ, that anymore it little knows its true foundation.

While all true Christians know and understand that the Cross played an extremely
important part in their initial Salvation experience, beyond that, with some few exceptions, they know almost nothing. Consequently, the Church walks in defeat.

It’s a tragedy for a person to love God supremely, and even to be used of God which
many are, and not know and understand God’s prescribed order of victory, which is
the Cross; consequently, despite the fact of that man or woman being used of God, and
despite the fact that these particular individuals love God, not knowing God’s Way, they
will be deficient in their own everyday lives and living. In fact, it’s impossible for it to be
any other way.

I personally know what the Word of the Cross (I Cor. 1:18) can do in one’s life. I know
what it is to love God with all of one’s heart, and to work for Him diligently, and
be consecrated totally and completely, at least as far as is possible for one to do so without
the light of the Cross, and because of that, not be able to walk victoriously. And regrettably, almost all of Christendom is in that particular situation at present. Naturally,
there are exceptions, but not many!

God’s prescribed order for a victorious, overcoming, Christian life, is the Cross of
Christ. And what do we mean by that? We mean that when Jesus died on the Cross, He died not only to save man from sin, but as well, to keep man from sin. This is found in Romans, Chapters 6 and 8, and in fact, in all of Paul’s writings, for the simple reason, that it was to Paul that the answer to this great question was given. In fact, the New Covenant is pure and simple the meaning of the Cross, in other words what the Cross afforded.

Most Christians understand the initial Salvation part, but they do not understand
the Cross as it regards keeping one from sin, in effect, in victory, and doing so on a perpetual basis. Not understanding that, Christians cast about for other means of help and support, and never really find it, simply because there is no help other than the Cross.

Once the Believer understands that all that he receives from God, and in every capacity,
comes entirely through the Cross of Christ, which of course includes His Resurrection
as well, they are then to make the Cross the object of their Faith. And this is the secret!
Everything hinges on Faith, but it’s always Faith in the Cross of Christ. If it’s any other
type of Faith, God simply will not honor the particular effort, and the Christian is left
holding the bag, proverbially speaking.

FAITH

As we’ve already stated, everything hinges on Faith, but it has to be Faith in the proper
object, and that object must ever be the Cross of Christ.

The Believer must understand and without fail, that the Cross is the Source of all
blessings from God, and we mean “all blessings!” If the Believer doesn’t understand
that, then his Faith is deficient, and he will suffer negative consequences. Let me say it another way: If the Believer is divided in his Faith, which means that he somewhat believes what we are saying here, but as well tries to add something else, he is then double-minded, and as the Holy Spirit through James said, “Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord” (James 1:7-8).

Such Faith is called “wavering Faith” (James 1:6). And that’s where the problem
is with many Christians.

Since the Lord began to open up to me the Revelation of the Cross, which incidentally is
not something new, but is rather the foundation of all that God gives us, I have had, and
continue to have, a number of people who say, “I’ve tried it, and it doesn’t work,” or
words to that effect. That’s “wavering Faith.”
In the first place, one doesn’t “try the Cross!” One must understand, that the Cross
is the only way, the only road, there being no other. If the Believer is in doubt about that,
then the admonition is plain and simple, he’s not going to get anything from the Lord.

One doesn’t try the Cross! One rather anchors his Faith there, understanding that what
he seeks comes from no other source. While we may fail in our Faith, and that’s always
where the failure is, the Cross does not fail. So if we want to blame the Cross, instead of placing the blame where it rightly belongs, which is on ourselves, then we’re in deep trouble.

When the Lord first began to open up to me this great Revelation, after a period of
time, I asked him as to why there was apparent failure in hearts and lives, from those who claim to be placing their trust in the Finished Work of Christ?

This was early one morning, and if I remember correctly, sometime in early 1999.
I was sitting behind my desk, writing Commentary on Ephesians. I was pondering this
question, and had been actually seeking the Lord about the situation for some time.

Very distinctly the Lord spoke to my heart that morning, saying, “It’s the individual’s
Faith. Anytime there is failure, it’s always a failure of Faith.”

And then He said, “Your Faith is never as strong as you think it is.”

It was just that simple! But I knew the Lord had spoken to my heart, and of course,
I knew this was right. First of all, if the Believer’s Faith is anchored in the right source, which is the Cross, and it’s not a wavering Faith, meaning that it’s divided with other things, even if there is failure of some sort, that particular Believer will not quit, but will get up, start back out, with his eye ever toward the goal of perpetual victory. In other words, true Faith won’t quit!

The Believer is to then ask the Lord to show him as to where his Faith is deficient,
and to be sure that prayer will be answered.

While the Lord definitely gives to every Believer “a measure of Faith” (Rom. 12:3),
the development of that Faith is always a process. That’s why the Holy Spirit through
Peter said, “But grow in Grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”

(II Pet. 3:18).

This I can guarantee:

If the Believer will understand and believe that every Blessing comes through the Cross
of Christ, and that his Faith must at all times be anchored in the Cross, which will then
guarantee the help of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:1-2, 11, 13), and not allow his Faith to be
moved from that source, total and complete victory over the world, the flesh, and the
Devil, will be realized in one’s life. It might take awhile for total victory to be brought
about, but it is guaranteed that it will come.

THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT

If one is to notice, over and over again, the word “promise” is connected in some way
to the Holy Spirit. In fact, Paul said, “That the Blessing of Abraham (Justification by
Faith) might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ (through what Jesus did at the
Cross and in His Resurrection); that we might receive the Promise of the Spirit
through Faith (meaning that it cannot be earned, but can only be received as a Gift from
God)” (Gal. 3:14). Now what does that phrase mean, “the Promise of the Spirit”?

“Promise” in the Greek is “epaggelia,” and means “an announcement or pledge, to
engage to do something, to assert.” Consequently, the meaning is twofold:

Before the Cross, the Promise was given by God, that all of this was coming (Gen. 15:6;
Isa. 28:9-11; Joel 2:28-29; Mat. 3:11; Jn. 1:3134; Acts 1:4-8; 2:33-39; 11:14-18; 15:7-13).

When Jesus died on the Cross, due to the sin debt now being paid, the Holy Spirit could
now come and dwell in the hearts and lives of Believers, in fact to abide forever (Jn.
14:16). However, the word “Promise” has another aspect:

All the things that Jesus did at the Cross, i.e., “the Atonement,” are promised by the
Holy Spirit to the Believer, that is, those things which are now possible to have. Paul
referred to this as a down payment, “the earnest of the Spirit” (II Cor. 1:22; 5:5). The
balance will come at the Resurrection.

However, the Holy Spirit has promised us, that if we will properly place our Faith in the
Cross of Christ, that He will do certain things within our lives. In fact, every single thing
that the Believer receives from the Lord, is all and without exception, brought about, by
the work, operation, and Person of the Holy Spirit. He is the only One Who can do these
things, which means we cannot do them ourselves. Of us, Faith alone is required for Him to do this great work. And I said all of that to say this:

If you will anchor your Faith properly in the Cross of Christ, the Holy Spirit has promised
that He will give you total and complete victory over the “world, the flesh, and the
Devil.” It doesn’t matter who you are, how weak you may think you might be, how many
failures you’ve had in the past, or how much in bondage at present you might be to a particular vice, the Holy Spirit can rid you of all of these problems. It may take a little time, and not because of Him, but because of us, but if we will keep our Faith anchored in the Cross of Christ, not allow it to waver, the Holy Spirit without fail, will perform His great work of victory within us.

The whole conflict you are going through, and blaming God for it, really has to do with your personal Faith and not with how people in a Church or Denomination act. The enemy of your eternal soul wants you to stop believing and loose your Faith in Christ Jesus Alone, who is your Savior and Eternal Life. If Satan uses the Church to do this through it´s leaders and self-righteous people, don´t think it strange…that´s his oldest tactic to get your eyes of faith off of the only source of your victory, Christ Jesus (Who, by the way, still loves you! and remember He died for you and me!) and what He did on the Cross for You and Me.

Please, please, I beg you read the following which explains what has just happened to you from the Book of Romans (which has nothing to do with the Apostate Church you were in) and turn your eyes of Faith back to JESUS and experience the wonderful victory and peace that awaits you and your loved ones (and believe me, your later end will be more than twice blessed than your beginning!):

The epistle of paul the apostle to the

romans

CHAPTER 1

(A.D. 60)

INTRODUCTION 

PAUL (the only Bible writer who discarded his Jewish name [Saul] for his Gentile name [Paul]), a servant (a voluntary Bondslave) of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle (he puts “Bondslave” ahead of Apostle), separated unto the Gospel of God (means that Paul was separated by God from all mankind for his Apostleship),    2 (Which He (God) had promised afore by His Prophets in the Holy Scriptures,)  (He promised the Redeemer, Who would be the Lord Jesus Christ.)    3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord (speaks of Jesus being the Core Message of the Old Testament), which was made (signifies entrance into a new condition) of the seed of David (through the family of David) according to the flesh (the Incarnation, God becoming man);    4 And declared to be the Son of God with power (he was the Son of David regarding His Humanity, and the Son of God regarding His Deity), according to the Spirit of Holiness (presents another Name for the Holy Spirit), by the Resurrection from the dead (the Jews Crucified Jesus because He claimed to be the Son of God; God Resurrected Him because He was the Son of God):    5 By Whom (by God) we have received Grace (unmerited favor) and Apostleship (the Call), for obedience to the Faith (Jesus Christ and Him Crucified) among all nations (one Gospel for the entirety of the world), for His Name (He is the One Who has purchased our Redemption, by and through the Cross of
Calvary);    6 Among whom (all Believers) are you also the called of Jesus Christ (every person who is saved has been called of the Lord from something to something):    7 To all who be in Rome, Beloved of God, called to be Saints (“to be” was improperly supplied by the Translators; every person who is saved is a Saint, and made so by Jesus Christ and what He did at the Cross):  Grace to you (which comes through the Cross) and peace (Sanctifying Peace) from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ (presents the Trinity, with the Holy Spirit inspiring these words to be written). 

THANKSGIVING 

    8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world (speaks of the
Roman Empire).    9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit (his human spirit) in the Gospel of His Son (Jesus Christ and Him Crucified), that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers (Paul had a strong prayer life);   10 Making request (has to do with seeking the Lord about a certain thing, in this case the privilege of ministering to the Church at Rome), if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the Will of God to come unto you (Acts, Chpts. 27 and 28, record that journey; it was very prosperous spiritually, but not prosperous in other ways).   11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift (does not mean, as some think, that Paul could impart one or more of the nine Gifts of the Spirit, but rather speaks of explaining to them more perfectly the Word of God), to the end you may be established (spiritual Gifts, as valuable as they are, do not establish anyone; it is the Truth of the Word which establishes, and that alone [Jn. 8:32]);   12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me (carries the idea of a mutual strengthening brought about by his Ministry among them, and their Love shown to him).   13 Now I would not have you ignorant, Brethren (a phrase often used by Paul), that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) (something hindered) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles (he knew that his teaching concerning the Cross would help them to grow in Grace).   14 I am debtor (true of every Believer) both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise (to all people, whomever they might be, and wherever they might be).   15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you who are at
Rome also. 

THE POWER 

   16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ (is said in reference to the Cross):  for it is the Power of God unto Salvation to every one who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (through the Cross, and the Cross alone, man is reconciled unto God).   17 For therein (through the Cross) is the Righteousness of God (Right with God) revealed from faith to faith (“from Faith” relates to God as the Provider and “to Faith” relates to man as the receiver):  as it is written, The just shall live by Faith (proclaims Paul showing that Righteousness by Faith is no new idea, but found in the Prophets [Hab. 2:4]). 

GUILT 

   18 For the Wrath of God (God’s Personal emotion with regard to sin) is revealed from Heaven (this anger originates with God) against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (God must unalterably be opposed to sin), who hold the truth in unrighteousness (who refuse to recognize Who God is, and What God is);   19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them (speaks of the universal objective knowledge of God as the Creator, which is more or less in all men); for God has showed it unto them (means that His Signature is in Creation).   20 For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen (explains Verse 19), being understood by the things that are made (Creation demands a Creator), even His Eternal Power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse (the Creation tells us of the Eternal Power of God, and is obvious to all): 

APOSTASY 

   21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God (if men do not understand God in the realm of Creation, they will not understand Him in anything else), neither were thankful (refusing to honor Him resulted in a lack of gratitude for His Gifts); but became vain in their imaginations (presents the only direction that fallen man can go, considering he has rejected God), and their foolish heart was darkened (speaks of the rejection of Light).   22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools (lays waste to all so-called wisdom which is not of God),   23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God (presents the sin of the ages, and points not only to the heathen of old, but also much of modern Christendom) into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things (proclaims the degeneration of man, which is the opposite of evolution). 

RESULTS OF APOSTASY 

   24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts (not merely permissive, but God judicially delivered them over), to dishonour their own bodies between themselves (speaks of every type of immorality):   25 Who changed the Truth of God into a lie (refers back to Verse 23, which speaks of spiritual and sexual uncleanness), and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator (this refers to man worshiping the creation of his own hands, which means that he is worshiping something less than himself), who is blessed forever.  Amen (should have been translated “Bless-ed” [two syllables], because it refers to the One doing the blessing, in this case the Lord).   26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections (the Lord removed His restraints and, therefore, gave them unimpeded access to their desires):  for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature (in short speaks of Lesbianism):   27 And likewise also the men (homosexuality), leaving the natural use of the woman (speaks of the sex act which is performed between the man and his wife), burned in their lust one toward another (raging lust); men with men working that which is unseemly (specifies its direction, which is total perversion), and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet (refers to the penalty attached to wrongdoing).   28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge (carries the idea of the human race putting God to the test for the purpose of approving or disapproving Him), God gave them over to a reprobate mind (Light rejected is Light withdrawn), to do those things which are not convenient (which are not fitting); 

APOSTATES 

   29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,   30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,   31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful (these things listed are the end results of forsaking God, which is the reason for all the strife in the world):   32 Who knowing the judgment of God (in essence saying, “do your worst, and it will not stop us”), that they which commit such things are worthy of death (Divine Judgment is implied), not only do the same, but have pleasure in them who do them (proclaims the result of the “reprobate mind”). 

Chapter 2(A.D. 60)CRITICS 

THEREFORE you are inexcusable, O man, whosoever you are who judges (presents this segment as directed to the Jews):  for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself (in effect, says that God judges one who judges another in the same manner in which he himself has judged, hence, “condemning himself” [Mat. 7:1-2]); for you who judge do the same things (in effect, says that the Jews were no better than the Gentiles, whom they constantly berated). 

GOD’S JUDGMENT 

    2 But we are sure that the Judgment of God is according to Truth (proclaims that which is never of presumption) against them which commit such things (proclaims a perfect Judgment, because it comes from Truth).    3 And do you think this, O man, who judges them which do such things, and do the same (you, the Jew), that you shall escape the Judgment of God?  (Many Jews thought the privilege of birth as a Jew would of itself insure his entrance into the Kingdom [Mat. 3:8-9].)    4 Or despise you the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering (presents the Jew as holding these things in contempt, thinking that they were worthy of such); not knowing that the goodness of God leads you (trying to lead you) to Repentance?    5 But after your hardness and impenitent heart (speaks of a hardness toward God, with a refusal to repent) treasured up unto yourself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the Righteous Judgment of God (Judgment was building up, and ultimately exploded over the Jews; we speak of A.D. 70);    6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds (we reap what we sow!):    7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing (portrays those who are not trusting in place or position for their Salvation, but rather in Christ) seek for glory and honour and immortality, Eternal Life (this speaks of that which comes exclusively from God):    8 But unto them who are contentious (carries the idea of contending with God), and do not obey the Truth (attempt to devise a way other than Christ and Him Crucified), but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath (the opposite of Truth),    9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man who does evil (presents the natural results of the unnatural act of sin), of the Jew first (held more responsible), and also of the Gentile (will answer as well!); 

NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS 

   10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man who works good (presents God’s logic, which proclaims if certain things are done, certain things will follow), to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile (is given again to show the place of prominence respecting the Jew, but which they forfeited):   11 For there is no respect of persons with God (literally translated, the Verse reads, “for there is not a receiving of face in the Presence of God”; it means that God doesn’t receive or accept anyone’s face, irrespective as to whom they might be).   12 For as many as have sinned without Law shall also perish without Law (while the Lord will not hold the Gentiles accountable to the Law of Moses regarding Old Testament times, this in no way means that He will not hold them accountable for their sin; the fact of sin is not abrogated in any case respecting ignorance):  and as many as have sinned in the Law shall be judged by the Law (in effect, places the Jew in a more responsible and even fearful situation);   13 (For not the hearers of the Law are just before God (the mere having of the Law, or even hearing the Law, saves no one), but the doers of the Law shall be justified (is used by Paul in this manner to make a point; he is not meaning that the keeping of the Law of Moses could actually bring Justification; in fact, due to man’s fallen condition, he could not keep the Law).   14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the Law (Law of Moses), do by nature the things contained in the Law (their conscience told them some semblance of right and wrong), these, having not the Law, are a Law unto themselves (at the Great White Throne Judgment, God will Judge the Gentile world which existed before the Law according to that which they did know; once again, this has nothing to do with Salvation; ignorance has never brought Salvation):   15 Which show the work of the Law written in their hearts (means that no one, whomever they might be and wherever they might be, is absent of all Light), their conscience also bearing witness (but which can be seared), and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another (conscience does not prove a reliable guide, as is proclaimed here)    16 In the day when God shall Judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ (lays to rest any idea that Judgment will be on any other basis; while many other things, such as conscience, may be a witness, still Jesus Alone is the criteria) according to my Gospel (Jesus Christ and Him crucified). 

GUILT 

   17 Behold, you are called a Jew (implying special favor from God), and rest in the Law (presents the picture of a blind and mechanical reliance on the Mosaic Law which could not save, and had never been meant to save), and make your boast of God (glorying in who they were),   18 And know His Will (
Israel had the literal Word of God, which no other Nation in the world had at that time), and approve the things that are more excellent (they had proved the Word over and over), being instructed out of the Law (in essence means that they were instructed by the very Mouth of God);   19 And are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind (the Jews were meant by God to be the guides of the Gentiles, to lead them to the Lord), a light of them which are in darkness (it was always God’s Will that His Word, Will, and Way, be given to the entirety of mankind),   20 An instructor of the foolish (the Gentile world was foolish in their worship of their gods of human invention), a teacher of babes (presents the Holy Spirit looking at Greek Philosophers as no more than infants), which have the form of knowledge and of the truth of the Law (the Jews had the Word of God, which put them light years ahead of the balance of mankind).   21 You therefore which teach another, do you not teach yourself? (The Jews made fun of the Gentile world, but little applied themselves to the Law, at least as they should have.) you who preach a man should not steal, do you steal?  (Most of them did!)   22 You who say a man should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? (Many did!)  you who abhor idols, do you commit sacrilege?  (In a sense, the Holy Spirit through Paul is placing
Israel in the same state as the Gentile world.)   23 You who make your boast of the Law, through breaking the Law you dishonor God?  (In other words, due to having the Law and not keeping the Law, they were dishonoring God, even more than the Gentiles were.)   24 For the Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you (proclaims the Jews bringing reproach upon the Lord by living in open contradiction to their own profession), as it is written (Isa. 52:5).   25 For Circumcision verily profits, if you keep the Law (in other words, Circumcision profited nothing if they were breaking the Law of God):  but if you be a breaker of the Law, your Circumcision is made uncircumcision (proclaims the fact that religious rites, no matter how much God-given, contain no properties of Salvation).   26 Therefore if the uncircumcision (Gentiles) keep the Righteousness of the Law (through Jesus Christ), shall not his uncircumcision be counted for Circumcision?  (This proclaims that one’s trust in Jesus satisfies the demands of the Law and, thereby, secures the “Righteousness of the Law,” which, in fact, is the only way it can be secured.)   27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the Law, judge you (proclaims the obvious results of the changed life upon Faith in Christ), who by the letter and Circumcision do transgress the Law?  (This speaks of the Jews who, outside of Christ, try to keep the letter of the Law by engaging in all of its Rituals, but continue to transgress the Law.  In other words, what they are doing doesn’t change their lives.) 

DEFINITION 

   28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly (completely destroys national Salvation); neither is that Circumcision, which is outward in the flesh (the mere Ritual is no true Circumcision at all, and spiritually affords nothing):   29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly (it is only the work carried out by Christ inwardly which constitutes Salvation); and Circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit (refers to the “heart” of the individual being changed, which is done in one’s spirit and speaks of being “Born-Again”), and not in the letter (refers to the rules and regulations of the Law of Moses, or even such in the Church); whose praise is not of men, but of God (keeping religious Rituals garners the praise of men, but not of God; men can truly praise God only when they truly accept Christ, which means to truly trust Christ and not men’s religious Rituals). 

Chapter 3(A.D. 60)THE JEW 

WHAT advantage then has the Jew? (This proclaims the Apostle asking such after he has shown that the mere possession of the Law does not exempt the Jew from Judgment.) or what profit is there of Circumcision?  (The rite of Circumcision symbolizes the entirety of the Law.)    2 Much every way (proclaims tremendous advantages, but none which could save their souls, other than simple Faith in Christ and the Cross, which all the Sacrifices of the Law symbolized):  chiefly, because that unto them were committed the Oracles of God (presents the title for the Old Testament as given by the Holy Spirit).    3 For what if some did not believe? (This proclaims the unbelief which rejected the Bible, but by no means nullified its Truthfulness.) shall their unbelief make the Faith of God without effect?  (The unbelief of Israel in no way affected the Great Plan that God has provided for humanity, which is built on the premise of Faith.)    4 God forbid (proclaims Paul’s answer to the questions of Verse 3):  yes, let God be true, but every man a liar (shows us that the problem is always of man, never of God); as it is written, That you might be justified in your sayings, and might overcome when you are judged ([Ps. 51:4] this statement is from David’s Repentance regarding the matter of Uriah, in which David absolves God from all blame and takes the blame on himself; this is a pattern for True Repentance).    5 But if our unrighteousness commend the Righteousness of God, what shall we say? (In no way does this mean that God places an approval upon sin of any nature.) Is God unrighteous Who takes vengeance? (The answer is “No!”) (I speak as a man) (This is meant apologetically in that only a foolish man would ask such a question.)    6 God forbid (once again serves as Paul’s answer to the preposterous question of the previous Verse):  for then how shall God Judge the world?  (This is the Great White Throne Judgment [Rev. 20:11-15].  The fact that this Judgment cannot be avoided means the hypothesis of man is foolish indeed.)    7 For if the Truth of God has more abounded through my lie unto His Glory (is meant to be answered in the negative, for such a thing cannot be done); why yet am I also judged as a sinner?  (This is meant to portray the foolishness of such thinking.)    8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? (This presents the reason Paul is addressing this subject.  Because of his strong teaching on Grace, his detractors were slandering him by claiming he was teaching something he wasn’t.) whose damnation is just (proclaims the Apostle saying that those who report such slander are liable to a just damnation). 

GUILT 

    9 What then? are we better than they?  (Are Jews better than Gentiles?)  No, in no wise:  for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin (points to the supposed claim of the Jews of superiority, which is refuted);   10 As it is written (Ps. 14:1-3), There is none righteous, no, not one (addresses the complaint of the Jews and clinches the argument with the Scriptures, which the Jews could not deny):   11 There is none who understands (proclaims total depravity), there is none who seek after God (man left on his own will not seek God and, in fact, cannot seek God; he is spiritually dead).   12 They are all gone out of the Way (speaks of the lost condition of all men; the “Way” is God’s Way), they are together become unprofitable (refers to the terrible loss in every capacity of wayward man); there is none who does good, no, not one (the Greek Text says, “useless!”).   13 Their throat is an open sepulcher (the idea is of an open grave, with the rotting remains sending forth a putrid stench); with their tongues they have used deceit (speaks of guile, deception, hypocrisy, etc.); the poison of asps is under their lips (man cannot be trusted in anything he says):   14 Whose mouth is full of cursing (wishing someone evil or hurt) and bitterness (bitter and reproachful language):   15 Their feet are swift to shed blood (the world is filled with murder, killing, and violence):   16 Destruction and misery are in their ways (all brought about by sin):   17 And the way of peace have they not known (and cannot know until Christ returns):   18 There is no fear of God before their eyes (there is no fear of God, because unbelieving man does not know God).   19 Now we know that what things soever the Law says, it says to them who are under the Law (is meant first of all to inform the Jews that Verses 10 through 18 apply to them as well as the Gentiles):  that every mouth may be stopped (the Gentiles were claiming ignorance, while the Jews were claiming exception from Judgment), and all the world may become guilty before God (states the case exactly as it is, meaning all need a Saviour).   20 Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight (should read, “by works of the Law”):  for by the Law is the knowledge of sin (the Law in itself was only meant to define sin, it in no way delivered from sin, nor was it designed to do so!). 

THE REMEDY 

   21 But now the Righteousness of God without the Law is manifested (should read, “apart from Law”, i.e., “from works of merit”), being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets (Testimony of the Law to the Divine Principle of Justification by Faith is found in Gen. 15:6; the Testimony of the Prophets in Hab. 2:4);   22 Even the Righteousness of God which is by Faith of Jesus Christ (concerns Imputed Righteousness, and tells how it is obtained) unto all and upon all them who believe (the criteria is believing, and believing in Christ and Him Crucified):  for there is no difference (Salvation is by Faith, whether the person is a Jew or a Gentile):   23 For all have sinned (presents all men placed in the same category), and come short of the Glory of God (the Greek Text infers that even the most Righteous among us continue to come short of the Glory of God on a continuing basis);   24 Being justified freely by His Grace (made possible by the Cross) through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus (carried out at the Cross):   25 Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation (Atonement or Reconciliation) through Faith in His Blood (again, all of this is made possible by the Cross), to declare His Righteousness for the remission of sins that are past (refers to all who trusted Christ before He actually came, which covers the entirety of the time from the Garden of Eden to the moment Jesus died on the Cross), through the forbearance (tolerance) of God (meaning that God tolerated the situation before Calvary, knowing the debt would be fully paid at that time);   26 To declare, I say, at this time His Righteousness (refers to God’s Righteousness which must be satisfied at all time, and is in Christ and only Christ):  that He (God) might be just (not overlooking sin in any manner), and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus (God can justify a believing [although guilty] sinner, and His Holiness not be impacted, providing the sinner’s Faith is exclusively in Christ; only in this manner can God be “just” and at the same time “Justify” the sinner).   27 Where is boasting then? (This refers primarily to the Jews boasting of themselves as a result of the Law of God given to them, but the principle is true for modern Christians as well!)  It is excluded (not only means that God will not accept such boasting [outside of Christ], but that it actually serves to keep one from Salvation).  By what Law? of works? (In a sense, this tells us where and how the boasting, God will not accept, originates). No:  but by the Law of Faith (refers to trust exclusively in Christ and what He did at the Cross; Faith in Christ and Him Crucified is more than a principle; it is a Law, meaning that God will not deviate at all from this proclamation).   28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by Faith (and only by Faith, with the Cross ever being the Object of such Faith) without the deeds of the Law (faith in works is out).   29 Is He the God of the Jews only? is He not also of the Gentiles?  Yes, of the Gentiles also (it is one Salvation for all, and all gain this Salvation by Faith):   30 Seeing it is One God, which shall justify the Circumcision by Faith (places the Jew on the same level as the Gentile), and uncircumcision through faith (Jews and Gentiles are all saved alike, through Faith in Christ and what Christ has done at the Cross).   31 Do we then make void the Law (Law of Moses) through faith? God forbid:  yes, we establish the Law (the Law ever pointed to Faith in Christ). 

Chapter 4(A.D. 60)ABRAHAM 

WHAT shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, has found?  (Having stated that the Old Testament teaches that God justifies the sinner on the Faith principle as opposed to the merit principle, the Holy Spirit now brings forward Abraham.)    2 For if Abraham were justified by works (which he wasn’t), he has whereof to glory; but not before God (the boasting of Salvation by works, which God will not accept).    3 For what says the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for Righteousness ([Gen. 15:6] if one properly understands this Verse, he properly understands the Bible; Abraham gained Righteousness by simple Faith in God, Who would send a Redeemer into the world [Jn. 8:56]).    4 Now to him who works (tries to earn Salvation) is the reward (Righteousness) not reckoned of Grace (the Grace of God), but of debt (claiming that God owes us something, which He doesn’t!).    5 But to him who works not (doesn’t trust in works for Salvation), but believes on Him Who Justifies the ungodly (through Christ and the Cross), his faith is counted for Righteousness (God awards Righteousness only on the basis of Faith in Christ and His Finished Work).    6 Even as David (both Abraham and David were progenitors of the Promised Messiah, and as such they held a unique place in the Faith and veneration of the Work of God) also describes the blessedness of the man (a blessed man), unto whom God imputes Righteousness without works (works will never gain the Righteousness of God),    7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven ([Ps. 32:1-2] iniquities can only be forgiven by Faith in Christ), and whose sins are covered (the Cross made this possible).    8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin (the Lord will not impute sin to the person who places his Faith solely in Christ and what Christ did at the Cross).    9 Comes this blessedness then upon the Circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? (It comes on all alike!) for we say that Faith was reckoned to Abraham for Righteousness (presents Faith alone as the ingredient).   10 How was it then reckoned? (This may be the greatest question of all time.) when he was in Circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in Circumcision, but in uncircumcision (because of his Faith, Abraham was declared Righteous by God before the Covenant of Circumcision [Gen. 15:6]).   11 And he received the sign of Circumcision (Gen. 17:9-14), a seal of the Righteousness of the Faith which he had yet being uncircumcised (plainly states that his Righteousness was by Faith, and was received long before Circumcision):  that he might be the father of all them who believe (Jews and Gentiles), though they be not Circumcised (places the ground or Foundation of Salvation squarely on Faith instead of works); that Righteousness might be imputed unto them also (Righteousness has never been imputed on the ground of works, but always on the ground of Faith):   12 And the father of Circumcision to them who are not of the Circumcision only (presents Abraham as being the father of all Believers, whether Jews or Gentiles), but who also walk in the steps of that Faith of our father Abraham (refers to him simply believing God, and God accounting his Faith to him for Righteousness [Gen. 15:6]), which he had being yet uncircumcised (clinches the argument and opens up Salvation to all who come by Faith in Christ, irrespective as to whom they may be). 

THE PROMISE 

   13 For the Promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the Law (the Law of Moses, which had not even been given during the time of Abraham), but through the Righteousness of Faith (when Paul uses the word “Faith,” without exception, he is speaking of Faith in Christ and what Christ did at the Cross; in fact, Christ must never be separated from the Cross, as it regards His Redemptive Work).   14 For if they which are of the Law be heirs (only those in the Law), faith is made void (Salvation cannot exist in both works and Faith; either one cancels out the other), and the Promise made of none effect (faith in works cancels out Christ and all that He has done for us):   15 Because the Law works wrath (Law has a penalty, so it must work wrath):  for where no Law is, there is no transgression (Christ has satisfied the Law, thereby, taking away all transgression).   16 Therefore it is of Faith, that it might be by Grace (Grace functions only on Faith, and we speak of Faith in Christ; otherwise, Grace stops); to the end the Promise might be sure to all the seed (refers to the whole of humanity, at least those who will believe); not to that only which is of the Law (Jews), but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham (everything is by Faith); who is the father of us all (proclaims the Patriarch being used as an example of Faith [Gen. 15:6]), 

JUSTIFICATION 

   17 (As it is written, I have made you a father of many nations [Gen. 12:1-3; 17:4-5],) before Him Whom he believed, even God (refers to Abraham believing God), who quickens the dead (makes spiritually alive those who are spiritually dead), and calls those things which be not as though they were (if God has said it to us personally, we can call it; otherwise, it is presumption).   18 Who against hope believed in hope (a description of Abraham’s Faith, as it regarded the birth of Isaac), that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken (the Promise of God), So shall your seed be (Gen. 15:5).   19 And being not weak in faith (strong Faith), he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old (no longer able to have children), neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb (placed her in the same situation as her husband):   20 He staggered not at the Promise of God through unbelief (he did not allow difficulties to deter him from the intended conclusion); but was strong in Faith, giving Glory to God (his Faith came from the Word of God);   21 And being fully persuaded (no turning back) that, what He (God) had Promised, He was able also to perform (whatever it was, God could do it!).   22 And therefore it was imputed to him for Righteousness (simple Faith in God brought Abraham a spotless Righteousness).   23 Now it was not written for his sake alone (his struggle of Faith was meant to serve as an example), that it was imputed to him (serves as the example of how we receive from God, whether it be Salvation or anything else);   24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed (we can have that which Abraham had, a perfect Righteousness), if we believe on Him Who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead (proclaims the condition for Salvation);   25 Who was delivered for our offences (had to do with Jesus dying on the Cross for our sins; He had no sins), and was raised again for our Justification (we were raised with Him in newness of life [Rom. 6:4-5]). 

Chapter 5(A.D. 60)JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH 

THEREFORE being Justified by Faith (this is the only way one can be justified; refers to Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross), we have peace with God (justifying peace) through our Lord Jesus Christ (what He did at the Cross):    2 By Whom also we have access by Faith into this Grace (we have access to the Goodness of God by Faith in Christ) wherein we stand (wherein alone we can stand), and rejoice in hope (a hope that is guaranteed) of the Glory of God (our Faith in Christ always brings Glory to God; anything else brings glory to self, which God can never accept).    3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also (in the fact that tribulations do not hurt us):  knowing that tribulation works patience (points to the characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to Faith, even by the greatest trials and sufferings);    4 And patience, experience (points to an end result); and experience, hope (presents the natural product of an approved experience).    5 And hope makes not ashamed (in effect, tells us that this is not a false hope); because the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts (God’s Love brings all of this about) by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us (all of this is wholly a work of the Holy Spirit).    6 For when we were yet without strength (before we were saved), in due time (at the appointed time) Christ died for the ungodly (the entirety of humanity fell into this category).    7 For scarcely for a Righteous man will one die (not many would do such):  yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die (some few might).    8 But God Commendeth His Love toward us (Christ dying for the ungodly is a proof of Love immeasurable), in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Jesus died for those who bitterly hate Him).    9 Much more then (if Christ died for us while we were yet sinners, how much more will He do for us now that we are Redeemed and, thereby, reconciled to Him!), being now Justified by His Blood (we are justified now, and the Blood of Christ stands as the guarantee for that Justification), we shall be saved from wrath through Him (the Wrath of God, which is always manifested against sin).   10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the Death of His Son (the only way we could be reconciled; this Verse shoots down the “Jesus died spiritually doctrine”), much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (does not speak of His Perfect Life, but rather the pouring out of His Life’s Blood at Calvary).   11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ (we are to boast of our Reconciliation to God, for it is a true confidence [I Cor. 1:31; II Cor. 10:17]), by Whom we have now received the Atonement (Reconciliation). 

ADAM 

   12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world (by Adam), and death by sin (both spiritual and physical death); and so death passed upon all men (for all were in Adam), for that all have sinned (all are born in sin, because of Adam’s transgression):   13 (For until the Law (Law of Moses) sin was in the world (caused by Adam’s Fall): but sin is not imputed when there is no Law (before the Law was given, sin and its immediate Judgment were not imputed to the account of those who were then alive; but by the fact of Adam’s Fall, they were still sinners).   14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses (because of the sin nature that was in all men due to Adam’s Fall), even over them who had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression (irrespective that all did not in essence commit high treason against God, as did Adam, they were still sinners), who is the figure of Him Who was to come (Adam was the fountainhead of all sin and death, while Christ is the Fountainhead of all Redemption and Life). 

CONTRASTS 

   15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift (would have probably been better translated, “as the offence, much more the Free Gift”; the “Free Gift” refers to Christ and what He did at the Cross, which addressed all that was lost at the Fall).  For if through the offence of one (Adam) many be dead, much more the Grace of God (proclaims the inexhaustible Power of this attribute), and the Gift by Grace (presents Jesus as that “Gift”), which is by One Man, Jesus Christ (what He did at the Cross), has abounded unto many (this “One Man,” the Lord Jesus Christ, nullified the offence of the “One Man” Adam).   16 And not as it was by one who sinned, so is the gift (so much greater is the Gift):  for the judgment was by one to condemnation (by Adam), but the Free Gift is of many offences unto Justification (cleanses from all sin).   17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one (Adam’s Fall); much more they which receive abundance of Grace (not just “Grace,” but “Abundance of Grace”; all made possible by the Cross) and of the Gift of Righteousness (Righteousness is a Gift from God which comes solely through Jesus Christ, and is received by Faith) shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ.)  (This proclaims the Believer “reigning,” even as death had reigned, but from a position of much greater power than that of death.)   18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation (Judged by God to be lost); even so by the Righteousness of One (Christ) the Free Gift came upon all men unto Justification of life (received by simply believing in Christ and what He did at the Cross, which is the only answer for sin).   19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners (the “many” referred to all), so by the obedience of One (obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross [Phil. 2:8]) shall many be made Righteous (“many” refers to all who will believe).   20 Moreover the Law entered, that the offence might abound (the Law of Moses, that the offence might be identified).  But where sin abounded, Grace did much more abound (where sin increased, Grace super-abounded, and then some on top of that):   21 That as sin has reigned unto death (sin reigns as an absolute monarch in the being of the unredeemed), even so might Grace reign through Righteousness unto Eternal Life by Jesus Christ our Lord (Grace reigns unto Life, but it reigns “through Righteousness,” i.e., because of God’s Righteous Judgment of sin at Calvary executed in the Person of His Son Jesus Christ). 

Chapter 6(A.D. 60)THE CROSS 

WHAT shall we say then? (This is meant to direct attention to Rom. 5:20.) Shall we continue in sin, that Grace may abound?  (Just because Grace is greater than sin doesn’t mean that the Believer has a license to sin.)    2 God forbid (presents Paul’s answer to the question, “Away with the thought, let not such a thing occur”).  How shall we, who are dead to sin (dead to the sin nature), live any longer therein?  (This portrays what the Believer is now in Christ.)    3 Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ (plainly says that this Baptism is into Christ and not water [I Cor. 1:17; 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:11-13]) were baptized into His Death? (When Christ died on the Cross, in the Mind of God, we died with Him; in other words, He became our Substitute, and our identification with Him in His Death gives us all the benefits for which He died; the idea is that He did it all for us!)    4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death (not only did we die with Him, but we were buried with Him as well, which means that all the sin and transgression of the past were buried; when they put Him in the Tomb, they put all of our sins into that Tomb as well):  that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (we died with Him, we were buried with Him, and His Resurrection was our Resurrection to a “Newness of Life”).    5 For if we have been planted together (with Christ) in the likeness of His Death (Paul proclaims the Cross as the instrument through which all Blessings come; consequently, the Cross must ever be the Object of our Faith, which gives the Holy Spirit latitude to work within our lives), we shall be also in the likeness of His Resurrection (we can have the “likeness of His Resurrection,” i.e., “live this Resurrection Life,” only as long as we understand the “likeness of His Death,” which refers to the Cross as the means by which all of this is done):    6 Knowing this, that our old man is Crucified with Him (all that we were before conversion), that the body of sin might be destroyed (the power of sin broken), that henceforth we should not serve sin (the guilt of sin is removed at conversion, because the sin nature no longer rules within our hearts and lives).    7 For he who is dead (He was our Substitute, and in the Mind of God, we died with Him upon Believing Faith) is freed from sin (set free from the bondage of the sin nature).    8 Now if we be dead with Christ (once again pertains to the Cross, and our being Baptized into His Death), we believe that we shall also live with Him (have Resurrection Life, which is more Abundant Life [Jn. 10:10]):    9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more (means that His Work was a Finished Work, and will require nothing else); death has no more dominion over Him (because all sin has been Atoned; inasmuch as Christ is our Substitute, if death has no more dominion over Him, it has no more dominion over us; this means that the power of the sin nature is broken).   10 For in that He died, He died unto sin (the sin nature) once (actually means, “He died unto the sin nature, once, for all”):  but in that He lives (the Resurrection), He lives unto God (refers to the fact that all life comes from God, and that we receive that life by virtue of the Cross and our Faith in that Finished Work).   11 Likewise reckon (account) you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto (the) sin (while the sin nature is not dead, we are dead unto the sin nature by virtue of the Cross and our Faith in that Sacrifice, but only as long as our Faith continues in the Cross), but alive unto God (living the Resurrection Life) through Jesus Christ our Lord (refers to what He did at the Cross, which is the means of this Resurrection Life). 

SANCTIFICATION 

   12 Let not sin (the sin nature) therefore reign (rule) in your mortal body (showing that the sin nature can once again rule in the heart and life of the Believer, if the Believer doesn’t constantly look to Christ and the Cross; the “mortal body” is neutral, which means it can be used for Righteousness or unrighteousness), that you should obey it in the lusts thereof (ungodly lusts are carried out through the mortal body, if Faith is not maintained in the Cross [I Cor. 1:17-18]).   13 Neither yield you your members (of your mortal body) as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin (the sin nature):  but yield yourselves unto God (we are to yield ourselves to Christ and the Cross; that alone guarantees victory over the sin nature), as those who are alive from the dead (we have been raised with Christ in “Newness of Life”), and your members as instruments of Righteousness unto God (this can be done only by virtue of the Cross and our Faith in that Finished Work, and Faith which continues in that Finished Work from day-to-day [Lk. 9:23-24]).   14 For sin shall not have dominion over you (the sin nature will not have dominion over us if we as Believers continue to exercise Faith in the Cross of Christ; otherwise, the sin nature most definitely will have dominion over the Believer):  for you are not under the Law (means that if we try to live this life by any type of law, no matter how good that law might be in its own right, we will conclude by the sin nature having dominion over us), but under Grace (the Grace of God flows to the Believer on an unending basis only as long as the Believer exercises Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross; Grace is merely the Goodness of God exercised by and through the Holy Spirit, and given to undeserving Saints).   15 What then? (This presents Paul going back to the first question he asked in this Chapter.)  shall we sin, because we are not under the Law, but under Grace? (If we think such a thing, then we’re completely misunderstanding Grace.  The Grace of God gives us the liberty to live a Holy life, which we do through Faith in Christ and the Cross, and not license to sin as some think.) God forbid (every true Believer hates sin; so the idea of living under its dominion is abhorrent to say the least!).   16 Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey (the Believer is either a slave to Christ, for that’s what the word “servant” means, or else a slave to sin, which he will be if he doesn’t keep his Faith in Christ and the Cross); whether of sin unto death (once again allow us to state the fact that if the Believer attempts to live for God by any method other than Faith in the Finished Work of Christ, the Believer will fail, no matter how hard he otherwise tries), or of obedience unto Righteousness?  (The Believer is required to obey the Word of the Lord.  He cannot do that within his own strength, but only by understanding that he receives all things through what Christ did at the Cross and his continued Faith in that Finished Work, even on a daily basis.  Then the Holy Spirit, Who Alone can make us what we ought to be, can accomplish His work within our lives.)   17 But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin (slaves to the sin nature, what we were before we were saved), but you have obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine (Jesus Christ and Him Crucified; understanding that all things come to the Believer from God by the means of the Cross) which was delivered you (the Lord gave this “form of Doctrine” to Paul, and he gave it to us in his Epistles).   18 Being then made free from sin (being made free from the sin nature; it has no more power over the Believer, but only as we continue to look to the Cross), you became the servants of Righteousness (whereas you were formerly a slave to the sin nature, you are now a slave to Righteousness; if Faith is maintained in the Cross, there is a constant pull of the Believer toward Righteousness).   19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh (“the manner of men” pertains to the Fall, which has made the flesh weak; this speaks of our own personal strength and ability):  for as you have yielded your members servants to uncleanness (which the Believer will do, if the object of his Faith is anything but the Cross) and to iniquity unto iniquity (without constant Faith in the Cross, the Believer’s situation regarding sin will get worse and worse); even so now yield your members servants to Righteousness unto Holiness (which, as repeatedly stated, can only be done through constant Faith in the Cross; understanding that it is by and through the Cross that we receive all things, and that the Holy Spirit, Who Alone can develop Righteousness and Holiness in our lives, works exclusively through the Cross).   20 For when you were the servants of sin (slaves to sin), you were free from Righteousness (speaking of our lives before conversion to Christ).   21 What fruit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed? (This means that absolutely nothing of any value can come out of the sinful experience.  It is impossible for there to be any good fruit.) for the end of those things is death (if the Believer refuses to look to the Cross, but rather looks to something else regarding his Sanctification, domination by the sin nature is going to be the result, and spiritual death will be the conclusion; the Cross is the only answer for sin!).   22 But now (since coming to Christ) being made free from sin (set free from the sin nature), and become servants (slaves) to God (but this yoke is a light yoke [Mat. 11:28-30]), you have your fruit unto Holiness (which the Holy Spirit will bring about, providing the Cross is ever the Object of our Faith), and the end Everlasting Life (so the Believer has the choice of “death,” which is the end result of trusting something other than Christ and the Cross, or “Everlasting Life,” which is the result of trusting Christ and the Cross).   23 For the wages of sin is death (speaks of spiritual death, which is separation from God); but the Gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord (as stated, all of this, without exception, comes to us by the means of what Christ did at the Cross, which demands that the Cross ever be the Object of our Faith, thus giving the Holy Spirit latitude to work within our lives and bring forth His Fruit). 

Chapter 7(A.D. 60)THE LAW AND SIN 

KNOW ye not, Brethren (Paul is speaking to Believers), (for I speak to them who know the Law,) (he is speaking of the Law of Moses, but it could refer to any type of religious Law) how that the Law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?  (The Law has dominion as long as he tries to live by Law.  Regrettably, not understanding the Cross regarding Sanctification, virtually the entirety of the Church is presently trying to live for God by means of the Law.  Let the Believer understand that there are only two places he can be, Grace or Law.  If he doesn’t understand the Cross as it refers to Sanctification, which is the only means of victory, he will automatically be under Law, which guarantees failure.)    2 For the woman which has an husband is bound by the Law to her husband so long as he lives (presents Paul using the analogy of the marriage bond); but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the Law of her husband (meaning that she is free to marry again).    3 So then if, while her husband lives, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress (in effect, the woman now has two husbands, at least in the Eyes of God; following this analogy, the Holy Spirit through Paul will give us a great truth; many Christians are living a life of spiritual adultery; they are married to Christ, but they are, in effect, serving another husband, “the Law”; it is quite an analogy!):  but if her husband be dead (the Law is dead by virtue of Christ having fulfilled the Law in every respect), she is free from that Law (if the husband dies, the woman is free to marry and serve another; the Law of Moses, being satisfied in Christ, is now dead to the Believer and the Believer is free to serve Christ without the Law having any part or parcel in his life or living); so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man (presents the Believer as now married to Christ, and no longer under obligation to the Law).    4 Wherefore, my Brethren, you also are become dead to the Law (the Law is not dead per se, but we are dead to the Law because we are dead to its effects; this means that we are not to try to live for God by means of “Law,” whether the Law of Moses, or Laws made up by other men or of ourselves; we are to be dead to all Law) by the body of Christ (this refers to the Crucifixion of Christ, which satisfied the demands of the broken Law we could not satisfy; but Christ did it for us; having fulfilled the Law in every respect, the Christian is not obligated to Law in any fashion, only to Christ and what He did at the Cross); that you should be married to another (speaking of Christ), even to Him Who is raised from the dead (we are raised with Him in newness of life, and we should ever understand that Christ has met, does meet, and shall meet our every need; we look to Him exclusively, referring to what He did for us at the Cross), that we should bring forth fruit unto God (proper fruit can only be brought forth by the Believer constantly looking to the Cross; in fact, Christ must never be separated from the Work of the Cross; to do so is to produce “another Jesus” [II Cor. 11:4]).    5 For when we were in the flesh (can refer to the unsaved state or to the Believer who is attempting to overcome the powers of sin by his own efforts, i.e., “the flesh”), the motions of sins (denotes being under the power of the sin nature, and refers to the “passions of the sin nature”), which were by the Law (the effect of the Law is to reveal sin, which Law is designed to do whether it’s the Law of God or Laws made up of ourselves; that doesn’t mean its evil, for it isn’t; it just means that there is no victory in the Law, only the Revelation of sin and its penalty), did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death (when the Believer attempts to live for the Lord by means of Law, which regrettably most of the modern Church does, the end result is going to be sin and failure; in fact, it can be no other way; let us say it again! if the Believer doesn’t understand the Cross, as it refers to Sanctification, then the Believer is going to try to live for God by means of Law; the sadness is that most of the modern Church thinks it is under Grace, when in reality it is living under Law because of not understanding the Cross).    6 But now we are delivered from the Law (delivered from its just demands, meaning that Christ has paid its penalty), that being dead (dead to the Law by virtue of having died with Christ on the Cross) wherein we were held (we were once held down by the sin nature); that we should serve in newness of Spirit (refers to the Holy Spirit and not man’s spirit; the Believer has a completely new way of living, which is Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross on our behalf; this guarantees perpetual victory), and not in the oldness of the letter (this refers to the Law of Moses; most modern Believers would argue that they aren’t living after the Law of Moses; but, as we have stated, the truth is if they do not understand the Cross as it refers to Sanctification, then in some way they’re still living under that old Law). 

THE STRUGGLE AGAINST SIN 

    7 What shall we say then? (In Verses 1 through 6 of this Chapter, Paul has shown that the Believer is no longer under Law; in the remainder of the Chapter, he shows that a Believer putting himself under Law, thus failing to avail himself of the resources of Grace, is a defeated Christian.) Is the Law sin? God forbid (man’s condition is not caused by the Law of God, for the Law is Holy; rather it is exposed).  No, I had not known sin, but by the Law (means that the Law of Moses defined what sin actually is, but gave no power to overcome sin):  for I had not known lust, except the Law had said, You shall not covet (tells us that the desire for what is forbidden is the first conscious form of sin; this is the sin nature at work!).    8 But sin (the sin nature), taking occasion by the Commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence (“concupiscence” is “evil desire,” meaning, if the Believer attempts to live for God by means other than the Cross, he will be ruled by “evil desires”; and no matter how dedicated he might be otherwise, he will not be able to stop the process in that manner, with it getting worse and worse).  For without the Law sin was dead (means that the Law of Moses fully exposed what was already in man’s heart; that’s one of the reasons God gave the Law).    9 For I was alive without the Law once (Paul is referring to himself personally and his conversion to Christ; the Law, he states, had nothing to do with that conversion; neither did it have anything to do with his life in Christ):  but when the Commandment came (having just been saved, and not understanding the Cross of Christ, he tried to live for God by keeping the Commandments through his own strength and power; in his defense, no one else at that time understood the Cross; in fact, the meaning of the Cross, which is actually the meaning of the New Covenant, would be given to Paul), sin revived (the sin nature will always, without exception, revive under such circumstances, which results in failure), and I died (he was not meaning that he physically died, as would be obvious, but that he died to the Commandment; in other words, he failed to obey no matter how hard he tried; let all Believers understand that if the Apostle Paul couldn’t live for God in this manner, neither can you!).   10 And the Commandment, which was ordained to life (refers to the Ten Commandments), I found to be unto death (means that the Law revealed the sin, as it always does, and its wages which are death; in other words, there is no victory in trying to live by Law; we are to live by Faith, referring to Faith in Christ and the Cross).   11 For sin (the sin nature), taking occasion by the Commandment (in no way blames the Commandment, but that the Commandment actually did agitate the sin nature, and brought it to the fore, which it was designed to do), deceived me (Paul thought, now that he had accepted Christ, by that mere fact alone he could certainly obey the Lord in every respect; but he found he couldn’t, and neither can you, at least in that fashion), and by it slew me (despite all of his efforts to live for the Lord by means of Law-keeping, he failed; and again, I say, so will you!).   12 Wherefore the Law is Holy (points to the fact that it is God’s Revelation of Himself; the problem is not in the Law of God, the problem is in us), and the Commandment Holy, and just, and good (the Law is like a mirror which shows man what he is, but contains no power to change him).   13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid (once again, it is not the Law that is at fault, but rather the sin in man which is opposed to the Law).  But sin (the sin nature), that it might appear sin (proclaims the Divine intention of the Law, namely that sin might show its true colors), working death in me by that which is good (the Law was good, and is good, but if one attempts to keep its moral precepts by means other than constant Faith in the Cross, the end result will be the “working of death” instead of life; all of this can be done, but only by Faith in Christ and the Cross); that sin (the sin nature) by the Commandment might become exceeding sinful (this greatly confuses the Believer; he is trying to live for God, and trying with all of his strength and might, but continually fails; he doesn’t understand why! the truth is that no one can live for God in this fashion; it is not God’s prescribed order; that order is the Cross).   14 For we know that the Law is spiritual (refers to the fact that the Law is totally of God and from God):  but I am carnal, sold under sin (refers to Adam’s Fall, which has affected all of mankind and for all time; this means that no one, even Spirit-filled Believers, can keep the Law of God if they attempt to do so outside of Faith in the Cross; in other words, it is all in Christ).   15 For that which I do (the failure) I allow not (should have been translated, “I understand not”; these are not the words of an unsaved man, as some claim, but rather a Believer who is trying and failing):  for what I would, that do I not (refers to the obedience he wants to render to Christ, but rather fails; why? as Paul explained, the Believer is married to Christ, but is being unfaithful to Christ by spiritually cohabiting with the Law, which frustrates the Grace of God; that means the Holy Spirit will not help such a person, which guarantees failure [Gal. 2:21]); but what I hate, that do I (refers to sin in his life which he doesn’t want to do, and in fact hates, but finds himself unable to stop; unfortunately, due to the fact of not understanding the Cross as it refers to Sanctification, this is the plight of most modern Christians).   16 If then I do that which I would not (presents Paul doing something against his will; he doesn’t want to do it, and is trying not to do it, whatever it might be, but finds himself doing it anyway), I consent unto the Law that it is good (simply means that the Law of God is working as it is supposed to work; it defines sin, portraying the fact that the sin nature will rule in man’s heart if not addressed properly).   17 Now then it is no more I that do it (this has been misconstrued by many! it means, “I may be failing, but it’s not what I want to do”; no true Christian wants to sin because now the Divine Nature is in his life and it is supposed to rule, not the sin nature [II Pet. 1:4]), but sin (the sin nature) that dwells in me (despite the fact that some Preachers claim the sin nature is gone from the Christian, Paul here plainly says that the sin nature is still in the Christian; however, if our Faith remains constant in the Cross, the sin nature will be dormant, causing us no problem; otherwise, it will cause great problems; while the sin nature “dwells” in us, it is not to “rule” in us).   18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing (speaks of man’s own ability, or rather the lack thereof in comparison to the Holy Spirit, at least when it comes to spiritual things):  for to will is present with me (Paul is speaking here of his willpower; regrettably, most modern Christians are trying to live for God by means of willpower, thinking falsely that since they have come to Christ, they are now free to say “no” to sin; that is the wrong way to look at the situation; the Believer cannot live for God by the strength of willpower; while the will is definitely important, it alone is not enough; the Believer must exercise Faith in Christ and the Cross, and do so constantly; then he will have the ability and strength to say “yes” to Christ, which automatically says, “no” to the things of the world); but how to perform that which is good I find not (outside of the Cross, it is impossible to find a way to do good).   19 For the good that I would I do not (if I depend on self, and not the Cross):  but the evil which I would not (don’t want to do), that I do (which is exactly what every Believer will do no matter how hard he tries to do otherwise, if he tries to live this life outside of the Cross [Gal. 2:20-21]).   20 Now if I do that I would not (which is exactly what will happen if the Believer tries to live this life outside of God’s Prescribed Order), it is no more I that do it, but sin (the sin nature) that dwells in me (this emphatically states that the Believer has a sin nature; in the original Greek Text, if it contains the definite article before the word “sin” which originally did read “the sin,” it is not speaking of acts of sin, but rather the sin nature or the evil nature; the idea is not getting rid of the sin nature, which actually cannot be done, but rather controlling it, which the Apostle has told us how to do in Rom., Chpts. 6 and 8; when the Trump sounds, we shall be changed and there will be no more sin nature [Rom. 8:23]).   21 I find then a Law (does not refer in this case to the Law of Moses, but rather to the “Law of sin and death” [Rom. 8:2]), that, when I would do good, evil (the evil nature) is present with me (the idea is that the sin nature is always going to be with the Believer; there is no hint in the Greek that its stay is temporary, at least until the Trump sounds; we can successfully address the sin nature in only one way, and that is by Faith in Christ and the Cross, which Paul will detail in the next Chapter).   22 For I delight in the Law of God (refers to the moral Law of God ensconced in the Ten Commandments) after the inward man (refers to the spirit and soul of man which has now been regenerated):   23 But I see another Law in my members (the Law of sin and death desiring to use my physical body as an instrument of unrighteousness), warring against the Law of my mind (this is the Law of desire and willpower), and bringing me into captivity to the Law of sin (the Law of sin and death) which is in my members (which will function through my members, and make me a slave to the Law of sin and death; this will happen to the most consecrated Christian if that Christian doesn’t constantly exercise Faith in Christ and the Cross, understanding that it is through the Cross that all powers of darkness were defeated [Col. 2:14-15]).   24 O wretched man that I am! (Any Believer who attempts to live for God outside of God’s Prescribed Order, which is “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified,” will in fact live a wretched and miserable existence.  This life can only be lived in one way, and that way is the Cross.)  Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  (The minute he cries “Who,” he finds the path to Victory, for he is now calling upon a Person for help, and that Person is Christ; actually, the Greek Text is masculine, indicating a Person).   25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord (presents Paul revealing the answer to his own question; Deliverance comes through Jesus Christ and Christ Alone, and more particularly what Jesus did at Calvary and the Resurrection). So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God (the “will” is the trigger, but it within itself can do nothing unless the gun is loaded with explosive power; that Power is the Cross); but with the flesh the Law of sin (if the Believer resorts to the “flesh,” [i.e., “self-will, self-effort, religious effort”] which refers to his own ability outside of Christ and the Cross, he will not serve the Law of God, but rather the Law of sin). 

Chapter 8(A.D. 60)LIFE IN THE SPIRIT 

THERE is therefore now no condemnation (guilt) to them which are in Christ Jesus (refers back to Rom. 6:3-5 and our being Baptized into His Death, which speaks of the Crucifixion), who walk not after the flesh (depending on one’s personal strength and ability or great religious efforts in order to overcome sin), but after the Spirit (the Holy Spirit works exclusively within the legal confines of the Finished Work of Christ; our Faith in that Finished Work, i.e., “the Cross,” guarantees the help of the Holy Spirit, which guarantees Victory).    2 For the Law (that which we are about to give is a Law of God, devised by the Godhead in eternity past [I Pet. 1:18-20]; this Law, in fact, is “God’s Prescribed Order of Victory”) of the Spirit (Holy Spirit, i.e., “the way the Spirit works”) of Life (all life comes from Christ, but through the Holy Spirit [Jn. 16:13-14]) in Christ Jesus (any time Paul uses this term or one of its derivatives, he is, without fail, referring to what Christ did at the Cross, which makes this “life” possible) has made me free (given me total Victory) from the Law of sin and death (these are the two most powerful Laws in the Universe; the “Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus” alone is stronger than the “Law of Sin and Death”; this means that if the Believer attempts to live for God by any manner other than Faith in Christ and the Cross, he is doomed to failure).    3 For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh (those under Law had only their willpower, which is woefully insufficient; so despite how hard they tried, they were unable to keep the Law then, and the same inability persists presently; any person who tries to live for God by a system of laws is doomed to failure, because the Holy Spirit will not function in that capacity), God sending his own Son (refers to man’s helpless condition, unable to save himself and unable to keep even a simple Law and, therefore, in dire need of a Saviour) in the likeness of sinful flesh (this means that Christ was really human, conformed in appearance to flesh which is characterized by sin, but yet sinless), and for sin (to atone for sin, to destroy its power, and to save and Sanctify its victims), condemned sin in the flesh (destroyed the power of sin by giving His Perfect Body as a Sacrifice for sin, which made it possible for sin to be defeated in our flesh; it was all through the Cross):    4 That the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us (the Law finding its full accomplishment in us can only be done by Faith in Christ, and what Christ has done for us at the Cross), who walk not after the flesh (not after our own strength and ability), but after the Spirit (the word “walk” refers to the manner in which we order our life; when we place our Faith in Christ and the Cross, understanding that all things come from God to us by means of the Cross, ever making it the Object of our Faith, the Holy Spirit can then work mightily within us, bringing about the Fruit of the Spirit; that is what “walking after the Spirit” actually means!).    5 For they who are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh (refers to Believers trying to live for the Lord by means other than Faith in the Cross of Christ); but they who are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit (those who place their Faith in Christ and the Cross, do so exclusively; they are doing what the Spirit desires, which alone can bring Victory). 

CONTRAST 

    6 For to be carnally minded is death (this doesn’t refer to watching too much Television, as some think, but rather to trying to live for God outside of His Prescribed Order; the results will be sin and separation from God); but to be Spiritually minded is life and peace (God’s Prescribed Order is the Cross; this demands our constant Faith in that Finished Work, which is the Way of the Holy Spirit).    7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God (once again, this refers to attempting to live for God by means other than the Cross, which places one “against God”):  for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be (in its simplest form means that what is being done, whatever it may be, is not in God’s prescribed order, which is the Cross).    8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God (refers to the Believer attempting to live his Christian Life by means other than Faith in Christ and the Cross).    9 But you are not in the flesh (in one sense of the word is asking the question, “since you are now a Believer and no longer depending on the flesh, why are you resorting to the flesh?”), but in the Spirit (as a Believer, you now have the privilege of being led and empowered by the Holy Spirit; however, He will do such for us only on the premise of our Faith in the Finished Work of Christ), if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you (if you are truly saved).  Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His (Paul is saying that the work of the Spirit in our lives is made possible by what Christ did at Calvary, and the Resurrection).   10 And if Christ be in you (He is in you through the Power and Person of the Spirit [Gal. 2:20]), the body is dead because of sin (means that the physical body has been rendered helpless because of the Fall; consequently, the Believer trying to overcome by willpower presents a fruitless task); but the Spirit is life because of Righteousness (only the Holy Spirit can make us what we ought to be, which means we cannot do it ourselves; once again, He performs all that He does within the confines of the Finished Work of Christ).   11 But if the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of Him (from God) who raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you (and He definitely does), He who raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies (give us power in our mortal bodies that we might live a victorious life) by His Spirit Who dwells in you (we have the same power in us, through the Spirit, that raised Christ from the dead, and is available to us only on the premise of the Cross and our Faith in that Sacrifice).   12 Therefore, Brethren (means that Paul is addressing Believers), we are debtors (refers to what we owe Jesus Christ for what He has done for us on the Cross), not to the flesh (we do not owe anything to our own ability, meaning that such cannot save us or give us victory), to live after the flesh (“living after the flesh” pertains to our works, which God can never accept, and which can never bring us victory, but rather defeat).   13 For if ye live after the flesh (after your own strength and ability, which is outside of God’s Prescribed Order), you shall die (you will not be able to live a victorious, Christian life): but if you through the Spirit (by the Power of the Holy Spirit) do mortify the deeds of the body (which the Holy Spirit Alone can do), you shall live (shall walk in victory; but once again, even at the risk of being overly repetitive, we must never forget that the Spirit works totally and completely within the confines of the Cross of Christ; this means that we must ever make the Cross the Object of our Faith, giving Him latitude to work). 

DELIVERANCE 

   14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God (the Spirit will always lead us to the Cross), they are the sons of God (we live as sons of God, which refers to total victory within every respect of our lives; if the sin nature is dominating a person, he certainly isn’t living as a son of God).   15 For you have not received the spirit of bondage (to try to live after a system of works and laws will only succeed in placing one in “bondage”) again to fear (such living creates a perpetual climate of fear in the heart of such a Believer); but you have received the Spirit of Adoption (the Holy Spirit has adopted us into the Family of God), whereby we cry, Abba, Father (the Holy Spirit enables the Child of God to call God “Father,” which is done so because of Jesus Christ).   16 The Spirit itself (Himself) bears witness with our spirit (means that He is constantly speaking and witnessing certain things to us), that we are the Children of God (meaning that we are such now, and should enjoy all the privileges of such; we can do so if we will understand that all these privileges come to us from God, by the means of the Cross):   17 And if children (Children of God), then heirs (a privilege); heirs of God (the highest enrichment of all), and joint-heirs with Christ (everything that belongs to Christ belongs to us through the Cross, which was done for us); if so be that we suffer with Him (doesn’t pertain to mere suffering, but rather suffering “with Him,” referring to His suffering at the Cross which brought us total victory), that we may be also glorified together (He has been glorified, and we shall be glorified; all made possible by the Cross).   18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time (speaks of the world and its condition because of the Fall) are not worthy to be compared with the glory (the glory of the coming future time will bear no relation to the misery of this present time) which shall be revealed in us (our glory will be a reflective glory, coming from Christ).   19 For the earnest expectation of the creature (should have been translated, “for the earnest expectation of the Creation”) waits for the manifestation of the sons of God (pertains to the coming Resurrection of Life).   20 For the creature (Creation) was made subject to vanity (Adam’s Fall signaled the fall of Creation), not willingly (the Creation did not sin, even as such cannot sin, but became subject to the result of sin which is death), but by reason of Him Who has subjected the same in Hope (speaks of God as the One Who passed sentence because of Adam’s Fall, but at the same time gave us a “Hope”; that “Hope” is Christ, Who will rectify all things),   21 Because the creature (Creation) itself also shall be delivered (presents this “Hope” as effecting that Deliverance, which He did by the Cross) from the bondage of corruption (speaks of mortality, i.e., “death”) into the glorious liberty of the Children of God (when man fell, Creation fell! when man shall be delivered, Creation will be delivered as well, and is expressed in the word “also”).   22 For we know that the whole Creation (everything has been affected by Satan’s rebellion and Adam’s Fall) groans and travails in pain together until now (refers to the common longing of the elements of the Creation to be brought back to their original perfection).   23 And not only they (the Creation, and all it entails), but ourselves also (refers to Believers), which have the Firstfruits of the Spirit (even though Jesus addressed every single thing lost in the Fall at the Cross, we only have a part of that possession now, with the balance coming at the Resurrection), even we ourselves groan within ourselves (proclaims the obvious fact that all Jesus paid for in the Atonement has not yet been fully realized), waiting for the Adoption (should be translated, “waiting for the fulfillment of the process, which Adoption into the Family of God guarantees”), to wit, the Redemption of our body (the glorifying of our physical body that will take place at the Resurrection).   24 For we are saved by hope (means that the greater part of our Salvation is yet future):  but hope that is seen is not hope (proclaims in another way the great Truth that all Salvation affords is not yet given unto the Believer):  for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for?  (In effect, this bluntly tells us that what is coming is so far beyond that which is here at the present, as to be no comparison.)   25 But if we hope for that we see not (plainly tells us that more, much more, is coming), then do we with patience wait for it (proclaims the certitude of its coming, because the Holy Spirit has promised it would).   26 Likewise the Spirit (Holy Spirit) also helps our infirmities (the help given to us by the Holy Spirit is made possible in its entirety by and through what Jesus did at the Cross):  for we know not what we should pray for as we ought (signals the significance of prayer, but also that without the Holy Spirit, all is to no avail): but the Spirit itself (Himself) makes intercession for us (He petitions or intercedes on our behalf) with groanings which cannot be uttered (not groanings on the part of the Holy Spirit, but rather on our part, which pertains to that which comes from the heart and cannot properly be put into words).   27 And He Who searches the hearts (God the Father) knows what is the Mind of the Spirit (what the Spirit wants done, and not what we want done), because He (Holy Spirit) makes intercession for the Saints according to the Will of God (the overriding goal of the Spirit is to carry out the Will of God in our lives, not our personal wills; in other words, the Spirit is not a glorified bellhop). 

CONQUERORS 

   28 And we know that all things work together for good (but only if certain conditions are met) to them who love God (the first condition), to them who are the called according to His purpose (this means it’s “His Purpose, and not ours,” which is the second condition; otherwise, all things will not work together for our good).   29 For whom He (God) did foreknow (God’s foreknowledge), He also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of His Son (it is never the person that is predestined, but rather the Plan), that He (Jesus) might be the firstborn among many Brethren (doesn’t mean that Jesus was Born-Again as a sinner, as some teach, but rather that He is the Father of the Salvation Plan, having paid the price on the Cross, which made it all possible).   30 Moreover whom He (God) did predestinate (to be conformed to the Image of His Son), them He also called (without that “Call,” man cannot be saved; sadly, many refuse the “Call” [Prov. 1:24-33]):  and whom He called, them He also justified (those who responded faithfully to the Call):  and whom He justified, them He also glorified (shall glorify at the Resurrection; Justification guarantees it will be done).   31 What shall we then say to these things? (This refers to the suffering presently endured [Vss. 17-18] in comparison to “the Glory which shall be revealed in us.”)  If God be for us (should have been translated, “since God is for us”), who can be against us?  (It is who can be against us that will really matter.)   32 He Who spared not His Own Son (concerns the Great Gift of God, i.e., the Lord Jesus Christ), but delivered Him up for us all (the Cross), how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?  (We can have all things that pertain to Life and Godliness, which Jesus paid for at the Cross, providing our Faith is ever in Christ and the Cross [II Pet. 1:3-7].)   33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? (In effect, means, “Who shall pronounce those guilty whom God pronounces Righteous?”)  It is God who justifies (it is God Who sets the rules for Justification, not man).   34 Who is he who condemns? (No man has the right to condemn God’s Justification Plan.) It is Christ Who died (if one condemns a Believer who is trusting Christ solely for Justification and Sanctification, he is at the same time condemning Christ and His Death on the Cross), yea rather, Who is risen again (the Resurrection ratified the fact that Jesus was the Perfect Sacrifice, and that God accepted Him as such), Who is even at the Right Hand of God (refers to the exaltation of Christ), Who also makes intercession for us (at the Right Hand of God, showing that His Sacrifice has been accepted, which guarantees intercession for us).   35 Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ? (This speaks of the Love of Christ for the Believer, instead of the Believer’s Love for Christ.) shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  (We are protected against all outside influence, but not from ourselves.  If a person so desires, he can separate himself from the Love of Christ by rejecting the Cross.)   36 As it is written (Ps. 44:22), For Your sake we are killed all the day long (the world has always been opposed to Christ and what He did at the Cross; regrettably, so is most of the Church); we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter (the way the world looks at us; in their eyes, we are fit only for slaughter).   37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors (it is a Holy arrogance of Victory and the Might of Christ) through Him Who loved us (He loved us enough to give His Life on the Cross, which alone makes us “more than conquerors”).   38 For I am persuaded (the Apostle has faced the things of which He now speaks), that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,   39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (this Love of God extended to us is made possible solely by Christ, and what He has done for us at the Cross; once again, this is God’s Love for us, which never wavers because we are “in Christ Jesus”). 

Chapter 9(A.D. 60)REJECTION 

I say the Truth in Christ, I lie not (Paul refutes the accusation in preaching to the Gentiles; he is not animated by hostility to the Jews), my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit (his own spirit is exactly in tune with the Holy Spirit),    2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart (grieving over the plight of the Israel of his day; they were in this state because they rejected Christ and the Cross; regrettably, the Church, with some exceptions, is doing the same).    3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my Brethren (presents a moot point, for such is impossible), my kinsmen according to the flesh (Jews):    4 Who are Israelites (God’s chosen People, yet who rejected the Lord); to whom pertains the Adoption (refers to the selection of Israel to be God’s peculiar People [Ex. 19:5]), and the glory (refers to the Divine Presence which was always with them, at least until they rejected God [Ex. 16:7, 10; 24:16-17; Lev. 9:6; Num. 14:10, 21; Deut. 5:24]), and the Covenants (various Covenants God made with Israel, such as the Abrahamic, first of all promising Salvation by Faith [Gen. 15:6]), and the giving of the Law (the Mosaic Law), and the service of God (Tabernacle, offerings, Priesthood, etc.), and the Promises (the Messianic Promises);    5 Whose are the fathers (refers basically to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came (through the Jews), Who is over all (the very purpose of Israel was to bring the Redeemer into the world), God blessed forever (Jesus is the Redeemer, Who is God).  Amen (Truth).    6 Not as though the Word of God has taken none effect (even though Israel failed, the Word of God didn’t fail; the Redeemer came).  For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel (is meant to denounce national Salvation; in other words, one is not saved just because he is an Israelite):    7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children (further debunks the nationalistic Salvation theory):  but, In Isaac shall your seed be called (Ishmael was not included, even though a son of Abraham; this means that all works of the flesh are rejected). 

THE DISTINCTION 

    8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the Children of God (are not Children of God merely because they are Jews):  but the Children of the Promise are counted for the seed (those who believe in “the Promise,” Who is Christ).    9 For this is the Word of Promise (pertains to Faith, not works), At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son (Abraham is not the principle figure, neither is Sarah or Isaac for that matter; only the “Promise,” which would ultimately figure into Christ).   10 And not only this (he will now give another example); but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac (Paul further shoots down the idea of nationalistic Salvation, as we shall see);   11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil (refers to Esau and Jacob, who were twins), that the purpose of God according to election might stand (speaks of God’s foreknowledge), not of works, but of Him Who calls;) (This pronounces the entire basis of God’s dealings with men and His manner of operation.)   12 It was said unto her (refers to the Lord speaking to Rebecca, found in Gen. 25:23), The Elder shall serve the younger (in the spiritual analysis, the Sin Nature, which is the oldest in the Believer because the Believer is born with such, will serve the Divine Nature, which is younger; that is, if the Believer properly follows Christ).   13 As it is written (Mal. 1:2-3), Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated (was not done capriciously; God did not indiscriminately love Jacob, nor did He indiscriminately hate Esau; both passions, love and hate, were based on the attitudes of both men toward God).   14 What shall we say then? (This is meant to counter the claim that God was unfair in His Disposition toward Jacob and Esau.) Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid (there is no unrighteousness with God, Who, through foreknowledge, sees the attitude of both these boys and judges accordingly).   15 For He said to Moses, I will have Mercy on whom I will have Mercy, and I will have Compassion on whom I will have Compassion ([Ex. 33:19] God has Mercy and Compassion on those who meet His Conditions).   16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs (Mercy and Compassion cannot be earned or merited by the sinner; consequently, this completely rules out a “works” Salvation), but of God Who shows Mercy (God shows Mercy on the basis of man’s acceptance of Christ and the Cross; otherwise, there is no Mercy).   17 For the Scripture said unto Pharaoh (Ex. 9:16), Even for this same purpose have I raised you up (presents the Lord using what is available, but not forcing the issue; in other words, God did not predestine Pharaoh to take a position of rebellion, leaving him having no choice in the matter), that I might show My Power in you, and that My Name might be declared throughout all the earth (as stated, God used the stubbornness of Pharaoh, which was Pharaoh’s own choice, to glorify His Name — God’s Name).   18 Therefore has He Mercy on whom He will have Mercy (God will always have Mercy on those who meet His Conditions), and whom He will He hardens (stubbornness towards God will be met with God forcing the issue by providing the setting which will make the heart even harder; in other words, if one wants hardness, one will get hardness). 

JUSTICE AND MERCY 

   19 You will say then unto me (Paul knows the argument of the Jews), Why does He yet find fault? (Why does God find fault with man?) For who has resisted His Will? (Untold numbers have resisted His Will, but never with success!)   20 No but, O man, who are you who replies against God? (Man finds fault with God!) Shall the thing formed say to Him Who formed it, Why have you made me thus?  (Man wants to blame God for his predicament!)   21 Has not the potter power over the clay (God is likened to a “Potter”), of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?  (He has the power to make it possible for man to choose honor or dishonor.  The fault is never with God, but always with man.  God is not to blame simply because He gives man the power of choice, and man chooses the way of dishonor!)   22 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make His power known (in effect, is saying, inasmuch as there are vessels of dishonor; there is a Divine necessity that God should demonstrate the Power of His Wrath, as well as the riches of His Mercy), endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction (those who choose dishonor will ultimately be destroyed, but God in His longsuffering will bear long with them, even though He knows beforehand their fate):   23 And that He might make known the riches of His Glory on the Vessels of Mercy (pertains to those, whether Jews or Gentiles, who accept the “riches of His Glory” unto Salvation), which He had afore prepared unto Glory (doesn’t mean that God predestined these for Salvation, but does mean that those who accepted His Mercy and Grace would be “prepared unto Glory”),   24 Even us, whom He has called (God initiates the Call, but regrettably many, if not most, refuse), not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?  (The Lord had always intended that the Gentiles be included as well.)   25 As He said also in Hosea (Hos. 2:23), I will call them My people, which were not My people; and her beloved, which was not beloved (is used by Paul in the context of the Gentiles, even though it was originally meant for the Jews).   26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them (Hos. 1:9-10), You are not My people; there shall they be called the Children of the Living God (once again, the Apostle is taking a Passage that was given exclusively to Israel, and broadening it in order that it cover the Gentiles).   27 Isaiah also cried concerning Israel (Isa. 10:22), Though the number of the Children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved (despite the vast number of Israelites down through the many centuries, only a small number were actually saved; it is the same in the modern Church):   28 For He will finish the work (which He did at the Cross), and cut it short in Righteousness (God’s Righteousness demands such! however, what is short to Him is not necessarily short to mankind):  because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth (by comparison to Eternity, the six thousand years we have now seen constitutes a short time).   29 And as Isaiah said before (Isa. 1:9), Except the Lord of Sabaoth (the Lord of Hosts) had left us a seed (the Remnant), we had been as Sodom, and been made like unto Gomorrha (completely destroyed).   30 What shall we say then? (Paul wants to say something good about the spiritual condition of the Jews, but finds there is nothing good to say.)  That the Gentiles, which followed not after Righteousness (has reference to the fact that these Pagans did not pursue after God or Righteousness, of which their history is replete; they were idol worshippers), have attained to Righteousness (because they accepted Christ), even the Righteousness which is of Faith (Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross, which Israel rejected).   31 But Israel, which followed after the Law of Righteousness (presents Israel following in the wrong way, by works), has not attained to the Law of Righteousness (couldn’t attain to Righteousness by works; it can only be attained by trusting in Christ and the Cross).   32 Wherefore? (Why?) Because they sought it not by faith (proper Faith can only be exercised by accepting Christ and the Cross, which Israel rejected), but as it were by the works of the Law (by their performance, which can never measure up).  For they stumbled at that stumblingstone (presents the necessity of Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the One Whom all the Sacrifices had symbolized);   33 As it is written (Isa. 8:14), Behold, I lay in Sion (Israel) a stumblingstone and rock of offence (refers to Jesus Christ; He was not the type of Saviour they wanted; they needed Salvation from sin, but they wanted something else):  and whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed (portrays that Salvation is open to all, not a select predestined few, as many teach). 

Chapter 10(A.D. 60)ISRAEL 

BRETHREN, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved (Israel, as a nation, wasn’t saved, despite their history; what an indictment!).    2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God (should read, “for God”; they had a zeal which had to do with God as its object), but not according to knowledge (pertains to the right kind of knowledge).    3 For they being ignorant of God’s Righteousness (spells the story not only of ancient Israel, but almost the entirety of the world, and for all time; “God’s Righteousness” is that which is afforded by Christ, and received by exercising Faith in Him and what He did at the Cross, all on our behalf; Israel’s ignorance was willful!), and going about to establish their own righteousness (the case of anyone who attempts to establish Righteousness by any method other than Faith in Christ and the Cross), have not submitted themselves unto the Righteousness of God (God’s Righteousness is ensconced in Christ and what He did at the Cross).    4 For Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness (Christ fulfilled the totality of the Law) to everyone who believes (Faith in Christ guarantees the Righteousness which the Law had, but could not give). 

RIGHTEOUSNESS 

    5 For Moses described the Righteousness which is of the Law (tells us plainly that the Law did contain Righteousness, but Righteousness to which man could not attain due to his fallen condition), That the man which does these things shall live by them (Paul is saying that no matter how hard a person tries to render perfect obedience, he will not be able to).    6 But the Righteousness which is of Faith speaks on this wise (will proclaim the wonderful and beautiful simplicity found only in Christ), Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into Heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)  (For one to be saved, one does not have to perform some great task such as bring Christ down in Person from Heaven.  As we shall see, God’s Word is enough.)    7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (That is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)  (Christ does not need to be brought down from Heaven or up from the abyss to impart to the sinner forgiveness and Holiness.  The Christian Message contains no impossibilities.)    8 But what does it say? (In other words, it says how to be saved!)  The Word is near you (the Word of God), even in your mouth (speaks of the confession which must come from the mouth in order for one to be saved, even as Paul will say in the next Verse), and in your heart (proclaims the part of man in which Faith begins):  that is, the Word of Faith, which we preach (presents the declaration by Paul that Justification is on the Faith-Principle, as opposed to the Works-Principle; it speaks of Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross; in other words, every Preacher should “Preach Christ and Him Crucified”); 

HOW TO RECEIVE 

    9 That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus (confess that Jesus is the Lord of Glory, and the Saviour of men, and that He died on the Cross that we might be saved), and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead (pertains to the Bodily Resurrection of Christ, as is obvious), you shall be saved (it is that simple!).   10 For with the heart man believes unto Righteousness (presents the word “believing” in a mode of “thinking,” not of feeling; the “believing” has to do with believing Christ, and that His Sacrifice of Himself Atoned for all sin); and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation (when Faith comes forth from its silence to announce itself and proclaim the Glory and the Grace of the Lord, its voice “is confession”).   11 For the Scripture says (combining parts of Isa. 28:16 with 49:23), Whosoever believes on Him (proclaims the fact that Salvation is reachable by all) shall not be ashamed (in essence says, “shall not be put to shame,” but rather will receive what is promised).   12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek (should read, “between the Jew and the Gentile”; all must come the same way, which is by and through Christ and what He did at the Cross on our behalf):  for the same Lord over all is rich unto all who call upon Him (the riches of Grace will be given to all who truly call upon the Lord).   13 For whosoever (anyone, anywhere) shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved (speaks of the sinner coming to Christ, but can refer to any Believer and with whatever need; the Cross is the means by which all of this is done).   14 How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? (The great sin of mankind is the sin of “unbelief.”) and how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? (Ignorance is not Salvation.  It is the business of the Church to take the Gospel to the world.) and how shall they hear without a Preacher?  (This reveals God’s Method of proclaiming His Message.)   15 And how shall they Preach, except they be sent? (Those who send the Preacher are just as important as the Preacher.) as it is written (Isa. 52:7), How beautiful are the feet of them who Preach the Gospel of Peace (presents the Message which, if accepted, will make things right between the sinner and God), and bring glad tidings (Good News) of good things!  (It’s all made possible by the Cross.)   16 But they have not all obeyed the Gospel (all who hear the Gospel will not heed the Gospel).  For Isaiah said, Lord, who has believed our report?  ([Isa. 53:1] despite the fact of Who Christ was and what He did, only a few accepted Him as the Messiah.)   17 So then Faith comes by hearing (it is the publication of the Gospel which produces Faith in it), and hearing by the Word of God (Faith does not come simply hearing just anything, but rather by hearing God’s Word, and believing that Word). 

NO EXCUSE 

   18 But I say, Have they not heard? (This proclaims Paul bringing the subject matter back to the Jews.) Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world (plainly proclaims the fact that Israel knew about Christ, and rejected Him anyway).   19 But I say, Did not Israel know? (There was no excuse for Israel not to know.  They had the Word of God for their guide.) First Moses said (Deut. 32:21), I will provoke you to jealousy by them who are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you (some 1,600 years before Paul’s day, Moses Prophesied the acceptance of the Gospel by the Gentiles).   20 But Isaiah is very bold, and said (Isa. 65:1-2), I was found of them who sought Me not; I was made manifest unto them who asked not after Me (as Moses, the Prophet Isaiah predicted that the Gentiles would hear and receive the Gospel).   21 But to Israel He said, All day long I have stretched forth My hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people (by their rejection of Christ and the Cross, the majority of Israel fashioned themselves into vessels of wrath through their self-will and unbelief; is the Church presently doing the same?). 

Chapter 11(A.D. 60)GOD’S PURPOSE 

I say then, Has God cast away His people?  (This is phrased in the Greek Text so that it requires a negative answer.)  God forbid.  For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the Tribe of Benjamin (“Israelite” is the most august title of the three names).    2 God has not cast away His people which He foreknew (refers to Israel as a Nation, and the many Promises made respecting the future of these ancient people).  Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah? (I Ki. 19:10, 14)  how he makes intercession to God against Israel, saying (carries the thought that the Prophet should have pleaded for Israel, not against Israel),    3 Lord, they have killed your Prophets, and dug down your Altars (the true worship of God at that time was forsaken, and in its place idols were substituted [I Ki. 12:28-33]); and I am left alone, and they seek my life (in fact, Elijah was not alone, even as we shall see).    4 But what was the answer of God unto him?  I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal (this tells us that True Faith always has the attachment of spiritual action). 

A REMNANT 

    5 Even so then at this present time (Paul’s day) also there is a Remnant according to the election of Grace (definitely speaks of Predestination, but not as many think; it is the “Remnant” that is elected or predestined, not who will be in the Remnant).    6 And if by Grace (the Goodness of God, all made possible by the Cross), then is it no more of works (no one can point to their works as grounds for Salvation):  otherwise Grace is no more Grace (if works are mixed with Grace, they nullify Grace).  But if it be of works, then is it no more Grace (works can never produce Grace):  otherwise work is no more work (for example, Water Baptism, if acted upon wrongly, nullifies its true meaning; this holds true as well for all other great Ordinances of the Lord). 

REBELLION AND UNBELIEF 

    7 What then? (This was asked regarding Israel, but can also apply to the Church as well!) Israel has not obtained that for which he seeks (emphatically states that Salvation cannot be obtained in any manner or way other than God’s Way, which is the Cross); but the election has obtained it (refers to the Jews who did not attempt to claim Salvation by Merit, but rather by Grace), and the rest were blinded (refers to a judicial blindness).    8 (According as it is written (Isa. 29:10), God has given them the spirit of slumber (that’s what they wanted, so that’s what they got!), eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) (This refers to not being able to “see” even though the evidence is plainly visible, or to “hear” even though the words are plainly spoken.) unto this day (refers to a condition that will not correct itself, but will actually grow worse).    9 And David said (Ps. 69:22), Let their table be made a snare (refers to their prosperity), and a trap (pertains to the end result of the “snare”), and a stumblingblock (Israel stumbled over the very blessings which were intended for her betterment), and a recompence unto them (a negative end result):   10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see (they didn’t want to “see,” so the Lord gave them what they wanted), and bow down their back always (refers to them coming under the burden of captivity, which is exactly what happened). 

GENTILES 

   11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? (Never to rise again?) God forbid:  but rather through their fall Salvation is come unto the Gentiles (is another manner of expressing the formation or building of the Church), for to provoke them to jealousy (harks back to the Prophecy of Noah after the flood, “God shall enlarge Japheth [Gentiles], and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem,” i.e., “Israel”; Japheth will receive the blessings intended for Shem, which is exactly what has happened [Gen. 9:26-27]).   12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world (the idea is that their Fall did not stop the Gospel from coming to the world; the manner of the translation makes it seem as if the world has been greatly enriched by the Fall of Israel; however, that is not the case!), and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles (the Blessings that were supposed to go to Israel came to the Gentiles, and we speak of the Church, i.e., “The True Church”); how much more their fulness?  (In this one question, Paul implies Israel’s rightful place in the Kingdom of God yet to come, which will then bring everything into line, with Israel being the great Blessing that God always intended.)   13 For I speak to you Gentiles (it speaks of nations which are distinct from Israel), inasmuch as I am the Apostle of the Gentiles (speaks of Paul’s special Calling by the Lord), I magnify my office (the Office of the Apostle, which refers to the Message of Grace that would affect every Believer):   14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them (Paul hoped Israel might see the Blessings of the Lord on the Gentiles, and, desiring those Blessings, accept Christ and, thereby, be saved).   15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world (refers to the Act of God in setting Israel aside temporarily as a channel through which to bring the Good News of Salvation to the world, and in their place the substitution of the Church), what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?  (All of this is with a view to bringing Israel back into fellowship with Himself and service in the coming Millennium.  Their conversion is likened to a Resurrection.)   16 For if the Firstfruit be Holy (refers to the Patriarchs of Israel, who were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), the lump is also Holy (does not refer to personal attributes, but simply that Israel has been Called of God, and set apart by God for a special task which will ultimately be performed):  and if the root be Holy, so are the branches (this pertains to their work, their reason for being; they are even now in the beginning stages of being brought back “from the dead”).   17 And if some of the branches be broken off (not all the branches, but some; referring to the fact that Israel will ultimately be brought back), and you (refers to the Church, i.e., “the Gentiles”), being a wild olive tree (inferior), were grafted in among them (presents the inferior being grafted into the superior, which is totally against nature), and with them partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree (means that the Church derives its life from the common Root that was originally given to Israel of long ago);   18 Boast not against the branches (the Church has not replaced Israel in the Plan of God, even though the Church is included in the Plan of God due to Israel’s rejection of Christ).  But if you boast, you bear not the root, but the root you (as stated, the Church was grafted in, and is built upon the Promises originally given to Israel, which still apply to Israel and one day will be fulfilled).   19 You will say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in (the Church must ever know and understand that it was and is second choice).   20 Well; because of unbelief they (Israel) were broken off (unbelief respecting Christ and the Cross), and you stand by Faith (proclaims that the Church was brought in because of Faith and not merit, and stands in its present position by Faith and not merit).  Be not highminded, but fear (the reason is given in the next Verse):   21 For if God spared not the natural branches (Israel), take heed lest He also spare not you (again refers to the Church, as is obvious).   22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God (don’t mistake the Goodness of God for license):  on them which fell, severity (speaks of Judgment which came on Israel, God’s chosen People); but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His Goodness (proclaims the condition; the continuing of that “Goodness” pertains to continued Faith in Christ and the Cross):  otherwise you also shall be cut off (is the modern Church on the edge of that even now?  Rev. 3:15-22 tells us this is the case!).   23 And they also (Israel), if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in (Israel’s unbelief will end at the Second Coming):  for God is able to graft them in again (and that He will do!).   24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature (refers to the Gentile world, and in this case the Church), and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree (the inferior into the superior):  how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?  (Israel failed, but the Plan did not fail.  Israel will ultimately be brought back and will Evangelize the world as originally planned.  This will take place in the coming Kingdom Age [Isa. 66:19].) 

RESTORATION 

   25 For I would not, Brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery (what has happened to Israel), lest you should be wise in your own conceits (the Gentiles were not pulled in because of any merit or Righteousness on their part, but strictly because of the Grace of God); that blindness in part is happened to Israel (is the “mystery” of which Paul speaks), until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in (refers to the Church; in fact, the Church Age is even now coming to a close).   26 And so all Israel shall be saved (when the Church Age ends, and the Second Coming commences; then Israel will accept Christ and be saved):  as it is written (Isa. 27:9; 59:20-21), There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer (Jesus Christ will be the Deliverer), and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob (Christ will deliver Israel from the Antichrist, and more importantly will deliver them from their sins):   27 For this is my Covenant unto them (a Promise), when I shall take away their sins (as stated, it will be done at the Second Coming [Zech. 13:1]).   28 As concerning the Gospel, they are enemies for your sakes (refers to the Gospel of Jesus Christ):  but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes (speaks of their Calling).   29 For the Gifts and Calling of God are without Repentance (the Gifts and Calling of God are not subject to a change of mind on God’s Part).   30 For as you in times past have not believed God (concerns the Gentile world which lived outside of the Promises of God for about 4,000 years), yet have now obtained Mercy through their unbelief (refers to the unbelief of Israel, but their unbelief did not stop Mercy being granted to the Gentiles, which God had planned all along):   31 Even so have these also now not believed (pertains once again to Israel, and the fact that even though they are now in unbelief; this will ultimately change), that through your Mercy (the Church) they also may obtain Mercy (the Mercy which was extended to the Gentiles will ultimately bring Israel back as well, with the entirety of the Plan of God now coming full circle).   32 For God has concluded them all in unbelief (both Jews and Gentiles; the Jews were loathe to accept this conclusion), that He might have Mercy upon all (proclaims God’s condition of dealing with the entirety of the human family, both Jew and Gentile). 

GREATNESS OF GOD 

   33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! (This depth is beyond our comprehension.) how unsearchable are His Judgments, and His Ways past finding out!  (They cannot be found out by the intellect, only by Revelation which comes by the Spirit.)   34 For who has known the Mind of the Lord? (As stated, the only way the Mind of the Lord can be known is for it to be revealed by the Holy Spirit.) or who has been His counsellor?  (It would have to be, “no one.”)   35 Or who has first given to Him (Job 41:11), and it shall be recompensed unto him again?  (What we sow, we reap!)   36 For of Him (refers to Creation), and through Him (refers to His Perfect Knowledge), and to Him (His Presence is everywhere), are all things (He Alone is the First Cause):  to Whom be Glory forever (He Alone deserves the Glory). Amen (Truth). 

Chapter 12(A.D. 60)CONSECRATION 

I beseech you therefore, Brethren (I beg of you please), by the Mercies of God (all is given to the Believer, not because of merit on the Believer’s part, but strictly because of the “Mercy of God”), that you present your bodies a Living Sacrifice (the word “Sacrifice” speaks of the Sacrifice of Christ, and means that we cannot do this which the Holy Spirit demands unless our Faith is placed strictly in Christ and the Cross, which then gives the Holy Spirit latitude to carry out this great work within our lives), holy (that which the Holy Spirit Alone can do), acceptable unto God (actually means that a holy physical body, i.e., “temple,” is all that He will accept), which is your reasonable service (reasonable if we look to Christ and the Cross; otherwise impossible!).    2 And be not conformed to this world (the ways of the world):  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (we must start thinking spiritually, which refers to the fact that everything is furnished to us through the Cross, and is obtained by Faith and not works), that you may prove what is that good (is put to the test and finds that the thing tested meets the specifications laid down), and acceptable, and perfect, Will of God (presents that which the Holy Spirit is attempting to bring about within our lives, and can only be obtained by ever making the Cross the Object of our Faith). 

SPIRITUAL GIFTS 

    3 For I say, through the grace given unto me (refers to Paul’s Apostleship given by the Grace of God [Eph. 3:8]), to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think (Israel had fallen, and the reason at least in part was because of this very thing — a prideful, unscriptural evaluation of themselves); but to think soberly (don’t be high-minded), according as God has dealt to every man the measure of Faith (this is given by the Holy Spirit at conversion).    4 For as we have many members in one body (refers to every person who is in the Body of Christ), and all members have not the same office (a mode of acting or function):    5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ (speaks of the unity which ought to be prevalent within the Body), and every one members one of another (in effect, says that whatever is true according to one is also true according to the other; this does not speak of “offices,” but rather being a member of the Body).    6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us (speaks of different “Gifts” or “Offices”), whether Prophecy, let us Prophesy according to the proportion of Faith (has to do with “the measure of Faith”);    7 Or Ministry (one who serves), let us wait on our Ministering (would have been better translated, “let us Minister according to the proportion of Faith”):  or he who teaches, on teaching (carries the same idea; it is a wise man who stays within the sphere of service for which God, the Holy Spirit, has fitted him, and does not invade some other field of service for which he is not fitted);    8 Or he who exhorts, on exhortation: he who gives, let him do it with simplicity (proclaims “giving” as a “Gift” or “Office”); he who rules, with diligence (a position of authority); he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness (the Holy Spirit says that this is a “Gift” as well). 

COMMANDS 

    9 Let love be without dissimulation (real, not feigned or hypocritical).  Abhor that which is evil (the Christian is to express his hatred of evil by a withdrawal from it and a loathing of it); cleave to that which is good (fasten, and firmly).   10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love (speaks of the Brotherhood of Believers, which is even closer than the blood ties of relatives who aren’t saved); in honour preferring one another (the respect shown another, which is measured by one’s evaluation of another);   11 Not slothful in business (must be done with fervency, diligence, and attention to detail, with responsibility); fervent in Spirit (should have been translated, “fervent in the Holy Spirit”; looking to the Spirit constantly for leading and guidance); serving the Lord (serving Him in everything we do);   12 Rejoicing in hope (constantly rejoicing in the sphere of hope, always believing God); patient in tribulation (to remain under the test in a God-honoring manner; not seeking to escape it, but eager to learn the lessons it was sent to teach); continuing instant in prayer (the idea is that we pray about everything continually, and be quick to do so);   13 Distributing to the necessity of Saints (pertains to concern and generosity); given to hospitality (kindness toward all, even strangers).   14 Bless them which persecute you (speak well of such a one):  bless, and curse not (the Christian is to only bless, and not pronounce judgment on others, even our most strident enemies; we must leave judgment to the Lord).   15 Rejoice with them who do rejoice (speaks of the Believer being sincerely glad for the Blessings of others), and weep with them who weep (expresses the Believer being sincerely sorry for and with those who experience tribulation and sorrow).   16 Be of the same mind one toward another (have the same mind toward all, whether great or small, rich or poor).  Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate (the manner in which a Believer treats a person who occupies the lowest station of life [whatever that might be] when no one else is seeing or hearing shows what you are).  Be not wise in your own conceits (proclaims the antipathy felt by the Apostle to every sort of spiritual aristocracy, and to every caste-distinction within the Church). 

CONDUCT 

   17 Recompense to no man evil for evil (we are not to repay evil in like kind, but rather with the very opposite).  Provide things honest in the sight of all men (the Christian is exhorted to take careful forethought that his manner of life and his outward expression conforms to, and is honestly representative of, what he is, a Child of God).   18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (the Believer has no control over the conduct of another, but the idea is that the initiative in disturbing the peace is never to lie with the Christian).   19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves (proclaims action respecting fellow human beings), but rather give place unto wrath (speaks of God’s Wrath, and means to leave room for it and not take God’s proper Work out of His Hands):  for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord ([Lev. 19:18] the righting of wrong is to be committed to the Lord).   20 Therefore if your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink (we should treat our enemies with goodness):  for in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head (coals of fire were taken from the Brazen Altar, a Type of the Cross, and placed on the Altar of Incense; the Cross diverted judgment to intercession, of which the Altar of Incense was a type; by showing kindness to an enemy, we are diverting judgment, and showing mercy which God has shown us).   21 Be not overcome of evil (don’t meet evil with evil, which only breeds more evil), but overcome evil with good (the initiative has changed from evil to good). 

Chapter 13(A.D. 60)HONOR AUTHORITY 

LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers (refers to Human Government).  For there is no power but of God (refers to the fact that God has ordained Government):  the powers that be are ordained of God (refers to Human Government being a permanent institution, brought into being by God for the regulation of human affairs).    2 Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the Ordinance of God (anarchy is not of God):  and they who resist shall receive to themselves damnation (the Law of the Land is always to be obeyed, providing it does not offend our conscience or the Word of God; the “damnation” mentioned here does not necessarily refer to such coming from God, but rather from men).    3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil (concerns the Divine right of Government to oppose crime and to protect its citizens).  Will you then not be afraid of the power? (This means that Civil Government should be respected, and all should fear breaking the Law.) do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same (refers to obeying the Law, as all Christians ought to do; as well, it assumes that the Laws are right and just):    4 For he (the Civil Magistrate) is the minister of God to you for good (proclaims Government as a Divine Institution).  But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain (the sword is the symbol of the right of the State to inflict Capital punishment for Capital crimes):  for he is the minister of God (not a Preacher of the Gospel, but a servant of the State), a revenger to execute wrath upon him who does evil (proclaims the right of the State, as ordained by God, to use whatever force is necessary to stop “evil,” i.e., crime).    5 Wherefore you must needs be subject (plainly tells us that Christians are subject to the Law of the Land; that is, if it does not violate the Word of God), not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake (refers to the fact that the Believer has a higher principle than that of the unbeliever).    6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also (refers to the paying of taxes):  for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing (refers to public servants).    7 Render therefore to all their dues (means that it is proper and right for all people to pay taxes, Christians as well!):  tribute to whom tribute is due (refers to that which is owed, and should be paid); custom to whom custom (addresses hidden taxes, which we should pay as well); fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour (Government is an Institution to be respected, extending to all Civil servants from the lowest to the highest). 

PUBLIC RELATIONSHIPS 

    8 Owe no man any thing (carries the idea that Christians do not “owe” their Brethren in the Lord the same obedience that is owed Civil Rulers), but to love one another (proclaims the only requirement between Believers):  for he who loves another has fulfilled the Law (pertains to what the Law of Moses intended, but wasn’t able to bring about; it can be done under Christ, and Christ Alone).    9 For this, You shall not commit adultery (sex in any form outside of marriage is unlawful [Gen. 2:23-24]), You shall not kill (should have been translated, “murder”), You shall not steal (don’t take what’s not yours), You shall not bear false witness (don’t lie), You shall not covet (do not try to unlawfully take that which belongs to another); and if there be any other Commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbour as yourself (Divine Love produced by the Holy Spirit is self-sacrificial in its nature).   10 Love works no ill to his neighbour (will not hurt his neighbor):  therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law (proclaims the fact that this is all the Law formally requires, but can only be done in Christ).   11 And that, knowing the time (the Believer is to do everything with the Judgment Seat of Christ in view), and now it is high time to awake out of sleep (spiritual apathy and lethargy must be shaken off):  for now is our Salvation nearer than when we believed (actually speaks of the coming Rapture of the Church, and the Believer at that time being Glorified).   12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand (refers to everything up until the coming Resurrection as “night”; all after the Resurrection is referred to as “day,” with both day and night used as symbols):  let us therefore cast off the works of darkness (could be translated, “let us therefore cast off the clothes of darkness”; former bad habits of life are here, as elsewhere, regarded as clothing once worn, but now to be put off), and let us put on the armour of light (could be translated, “and let us put on the clothes of Light”).   13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day (we should conduct ourselves in a manner befitting our high station in life as Saints of the Most High God); not in rioting and drunkenness (the ways of the world), not in chambering and wantonness (speaks of sexual immorality of every nature), not in strife and envying (speaks of constant manipulation and exploitation to best others regarding business, place, or position).   14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ (avail yourself of all that Christ has accomplished at the Cross, which is available to all Believers), and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof (Faith in the Cross will give the Holy Spirit latitude within our lives, which alone gives us victory over the flesh). 

Chapter 14(A.D. 60)DOUBTFUL THINGS 

HIM who is weak in the faith receive ye (refers to the Believer not understanding the Cross as he should), but not to doubtful disputations (is directed toward the strong Believers and those “weak in the Faith”; it means that the strong, who welcome those of weak Faith into the fellowship of the Church, are to do so unreservedly and not with the purpose of judging and attempting to rule their minds).    2 For one believes that he may eat all things (pertains to the strength of one’s Faith, based on a proper understanding of what Jesus did for us at the Cross):  another, who is weak, eats herbs (this latter group doesn’t properly understand the Finished Work of Calvary, and think that eating or not eating certain things gauge their Sanctification and Holiness, etc.).    3 Let not him who eats despise him who eats not (speaks of the spirit of spiritual superiority); and let not him which eats not judge him who eats (is the same thing in reverse; spiritual superiority or spiritual pride is no respecter of persons; it can fasten itself to either group with equal tenacity):  for God has received him (speaks of the individuals in either case, strong or weak).    4 Who are you who judges another man’s servant? (This actually says, “As for you, who are you to judge God’s Servant?”) to his own master he stands or falls (the Lord Alone is to be the judge).  Yes, he shall be held up:  for God is able to make him stand (has reference to the fact that God Alone can hold us up, and He is able to do so; the idea is that brow beating an individual will never help the person!).    5 One man esteems one day above another (is actually referring back to the Jewish Sabbaths):  another esteems every day alike (subject every day to scrutiny; this is the proper course).  Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind (the Apostle is not speaking of things here that are morally wrong and which the Word of God has already condemned; he is speaking of Rituals only).    6 He who regards the day, regards it unto the Lord (whatever Ritual someone may be attempting to keep, he is supposed to be doing it unto the Lord, and not for some personal satisfaction); and he who regards not the day, to the Lord he does not regard it (the interests of the Lord should be in view in either case).  He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks (his Faith is sufficient and whatever the food might be is of no consequence); and he who eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and gives God thanks (has the same end in view, or at least it should, to please the Lord).    7 For none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself (no Christian is his own end in life; what is always present in his mind as a rule of his conduct is the will and interest of his Lord).    8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord (everything in our lives is to be, “unto the Lord”): whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s (reflects the Lord having total control over our lives and deaths, which we must desire He use to the fullest).    9 For to this end (refers to the fact of Christ’s absolute ownership of the Believer, spirit, soul, and body) Christ both died, and rose, and revived (a price was paid for us of such magnitude that it absolutely defies description), that He might be Lord both of the dead and living (refers to the Lordship of Christ over all Saints, whether alive or having passed on).   10 But why do you judge your brother? (Is any Believer qualified to judge another Believer?  “Your Brother” is another reason for not judging.  It is inconsistent with the recognition of the Brotherhood of Believers.) or why do you set at nought your brother? (There is only one reason for refusing fellowship, and that reason is unconfessed, unrepentant, habitual sin in a person’s life [I Cor., Chpt. 5].) for we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ (we will be judged there, not for our sins, those having been handled at the Cross, but as it regards our stewardship and our motives, etc.; gain or loss of reward will be the result).   11 For it is written (Isa. 45:23), As I live, saith the Lord (God cannot die), every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God (to make a confession of God’s Honor, and as well, to praise Him).   12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (each is responsible, meaning that the blame cannot be shifted elsewhere). 

RESPONSIBILITY 

   13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more (can be translated, “let us no longer have the habit of criticizing one another”):  but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way (tells us what is, in fact, permissible to judge; as Believers, we are to judge every Brother and Sister and situation which surrounds them, irrespective what it might be, as to how we can help them, instead of harming them).   14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus (means that this declaration is of the Lord, not merely of Paul’s reasoning power), that there is nothing unclean of itself (speaks of ceremonial impurity, not of actual immorality; in the manner in which everything was originally created by the Lord and intended to be used, there is nothing unclean):  but to him who esteems any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean (is this way because of Faith placed in things other than the Cross).   15 But if your brother be grieved with your meat, now walkest thou not charitably (do not take that as an occasion to be uncharitable toward him).  Destroy not him with your meat, for whom Christ died (our actions should always be motivated by the fact that Jesus died for this person, and this person belongs to Christ; we should treat him accordingly!).   16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of (our “good” must be exercised with a gracious spirit, always considering others):   17 For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink (actually refers to rules, regulations, ceremonies, or rituals, etc.); but Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit (a right spirit, which refers to a spirit that is controlled by the Holy Spirit, will always produce Righteousness, Peace, and Joy, not argument, etc.).   18 For he who in these things serves Christ is acceptable to God (Righteousness, Peace, and Joy are acceptable to the Lord; but not contention, quarreling, and fighting in the Church), and approved of men (Righteousness, Peace, and Joy alone will bring men together).   19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for Peace (following that which is of God, and not that devised by men), and things wherewith one may edify another (refers to that which is produced by the Holy Spirit, and not by man).   20 For meat destroy not the Work of God (let’s not fight over incidental things, which are what most Church fights are all about).  All things indeed are pure (refers to that which is created by God, and used for its intended purpose); but it is evil for that man who eats with offence (refers to the man who is “weak in Faith”).   21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby your brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak (the idea is that love is to be the ruling guide, not our freedom of liberties).   22 Have you faith? (This is addressed to the strong.) have it to yourself before God (don’t run the risk of injuring a Brother’s conscience merely for the sake of exercising in a special way the spiritual freedom we have the happiness to possess).  Happy is he who condemns not himself in that thing which he allows (refers to this being joy enough, without us taking our liberty further and, thereby, hindering a weaker Brother or Sister).   23 And he who doubts is damned if he eat, because he eats not of faith (Faith, that is proper Faith, is the criteria for all things):  for whatsoever is not of faith is sin (the type of Faith addressed here is Faith in “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified”; any other type of faith is “sin”). 

Chapter 15(A.D. 60)UNITY IN CHRIST 

WE then who are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak (has the end result in mind of these weaker Brethren also becoming strong in Faith and knowledge of the Lord), and not to please ourselves (pleasing self ruins our Christian fellowship).    2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification (refers to the Believer foregoing a legitimate act because a weaker Christian thinks it to be wrong).    3 For even Christ pleased not Himself (the entirety of the Life and Ministry of Christ was to do the Will of the Father); but, as it is written (Ps. 69:9), The reproaches of them who reproached You fell on Me (Christ suffered this reproach for our sakes, and surely not to please Himself; this should be our example).    4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning (refers to the whole of Old Testament Scriptures), that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope (the Word of God must always be our criteria, and not our own self-will).    5 Now the God of Patience and Consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another (presents God as the Author of the Patience and Consolation lodged in the Scriptures, which nourish the Hope of Believers) according to Christ Jesus (once again, if we place our Faith exclusively in Christ and the Cross, these admonitions will not be difficult to obey):    6 That you may with one mind and one mouth glorify God (proclaims the Christlikeness of the previous Verse as the only manner in which differences can be correctly settled), even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (contains the rendering of Christ pleasing the Father, Whom we must desire to please accordingly).    7 Wherefore receive ye one another (to take into friendship and fellowship), as Christ also received us to the Glory of God (“Us” covers all parties in the Church, however they may be distinguished; if Christ receives both, we are bound to receive each other). 

ONE IN CHRIST 

    8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision for the Truth of God (proclaims the fact that Jesus was obligated first of all to the Jews, and for particular reasons), to confirm the Promises made unto the Fathers (proclaims the fulfillment of the Messianic Promises to Israel):    9 And that the Gentiles might Glorify God for His Mercy (we Gentiles are grafted in, not because of any merit on our part, but strictly because of “Mercy” on His Part); as it is written (Ps. 18:49), For this cause I will confess to You (to God) among the Gentiles, and sing unto Your Name (Christ is assumed here to be the Speaker, even as He is in all the Psalms; He gives thanks to God among the Gentiles, when the Gentiles give thanks to God through Him [Heb. 2:12]).   10 And again He says, Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people (by joining “Gentiles” with Israel, “His People,” Moses predicts the grafting of the “wild olive tree” into the “good olive tree” [Rom. 11:17-24]).   11 And again (Ps. 117:1), Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; and laud Him, all you people (this predicted the day about a thousand years in the future that the Gentiles would Praise the Lord and “Laud Him,” meaning to extol His Grace and Virtue).   12 And again (Isa. 11:1), Isaiah said, There shall be a root of Jesse (concerns Jesus coming from the family of David, regarding the Incarnation), and He Who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles (this Passage predicts that Jesus will ultimately “reign” as King over the entirety of the Earth); in Him shall the Gentiles trust (the Church is almost entirely made up of Gentiles). 

MINISTRY 

   13 Now the God of Hope fill you with all Joy and Peace in believing (that which the Lord imparts to Believers rests on Faith), that you may abound in Hope, through the Power of the Holy Spirit (the Holy Spirit will help us have all these things if we place our Faith exclusively in Christ and the Cross [I Cor. 1:18]).   14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my Brethren (has faith in these Believers), that you also are full of goodness (means that they had such because of Christ), filled with all knowledge (knowledge of the Word), able also to admonish one another (they could correct each other if need be, because of their knowledge of the Word).   15 Nevertheless, Brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort (with greater confidence than otherwise), as putting you in mind, because of the Grace that is given to me of God (his peculiar Mission as Apostle to the Gentiles gave him the right to admonish them),   16 That I should be the Minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles (Paul presents his Calling as an Apostle to the Church), Ministering the Gospel of God (the word “Ministering” is used in the sense of the Priests and Levites of old, who were busied with the Sacred Rites in the Tabernacle and Temple), that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable (presents Paul perceiving himself as presenting to God the Gentile Church as an “Offering”), being Sanctified by the Holy Spirit (the Holy Spirit, through Paul, pictures the Apostle offering up the Gentiles as a pure Sacrifice acceptable to God, because they were washed in the Blood and Sanctified by the Holy Spirit).   17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ (everything is through Christ, and what Christ has done at the Cross) in those things which pertain to God (the idea is that all of Paul’s Ministry, and in whatever capacity, is ordered and directed by the Holy Spirit, signifying the Divine Order).   18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not wrought by me (as the Apostle, in fact, the first Apostle, to the Gentiles, he is here claiming inspiration in the writing of this Epistle, and rightly so), to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed (it is not on his own impulse that he write this Epistle, but in Christ that He does it; the Romans as Gentiles, lie within this sphere in which Christ works through him),   19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the Power of the Spirit of God (proclaims the Mighty Power of God in operation); so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully Preached the Gospel of Christ (he preached all the Gospel, compromising it not at all).   20 Yes, so have I strived to Preach the Gospel (speaks of his earnest zeal), not where Christ was named (means that Paul never sought to Evangelize where Christianity was already established), lest I should build upon another man’s foundation (Jesus, as the Head of the Church, gives direction through and by the Holy Spirit to particular workers; that “direction,” must not be impugned by others):   21 But as it is written (Isa. 52:15), To whom He was not spoken of, they shall see:  and they who have not heard shall understand (refers to the Message of Redemption going to the Gentiles, as is obvious). 

ROME 

   22 For which cause also (refers to Paul preaching these number of years in areas that did not have the Gospel) I have been much hindered from coming to you (his desire to minister in Rome was not born out of personal ambition, but was directed by the Holy Spirit concerning his Apostleship).   23 But now having no more place in these parts (meaning he had finished his work in the places mentioned), and having a great desire these many years to come unto you (proclaims that which had been strong within his heart, and placed there by the Holy Spirit);   24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you (there is no record in Scripture or history that Paul ever fulfilled this proposed journey to Spain):  for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you (implies that he hoped to take a select number from the Church in Rome to Spain with him), if first I be somewhat filled with your company (refers to his proposed stop in the Imperial City on his way to Spain).   25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to Minister unto the Saints (to take offerings from the Gentile Churches to Jerusalem to minister to many Saints who were in dire need).   26 For it has pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor Saints which are at Jerusalem (had to do with the persecution leveled at the Church in Jerusalem by the Jewish Sanhedrin).   27 It has pleased them verily; and their debtors they are (refers to the Jews of Antiquity being the bearers of Salvation, which was a great Blessing to the Gentile world).  For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things (this goes for the entirety of the Gospel, and for all time; if we are ministered to spiritually, we should in turn minister back in material things).   28 When therefore I have performed this (to take the Offerings to Jerusalem), and have sealed to them this fruit (everything the Believer does for the Lord is looked at by the Holy Spirit as “fruit”), I will come by you into Spain (there is a tradition that Paul did ultimately go to Spain; but as stated, there is no historical or Scriptural proof).   29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the Blessing of the Gospel of Christ (proclaims the fact of great Truths held by Paul, actually given to him by Christ [Gal. 1:11-12], which he wished to give to the Roman Church). 

PRAYER 

   30 Now I beseech you, Brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake (refers to the Work of God; even though the Lord has paid the price on the Cross for man’s Redemption, it is up to us to take the Message to the world), and for the Love of the Spirit (that he would always be led by the Spirit), that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me (proclaims the humility of this man, and the Power of Prayer);   31 That I may be delivered from them who do not believe in Judaea (the Nation of Israel, which had rejected Christ); and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the Saints (concerns the Offering for the poor Saints in Jerusalem who were in desperate need);   32 That I may come unto you with joy by the Will of God (refers to the fact that it definitely was the Will of God for Paul to go to Rome), and may with you be refreshed (reveals that Paul had many friends in Rome, hence, the warmness of his statements).   33 Now the God of Peace be with you all.  Amen. 

Chapter 16(A.D. 60)COMMENDATIONS 

I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the Church which is at Cenchrea (the word “servant” in the Greek is “diakonos,” with our words “Deacon” and “Deaconess” derived from it; this shows that it is Scriptural for a woman to serve in this capacity as well as a man; Cenchrea was the Port of Corinth, about nine miles from that city):    2 That you receive her in the Lord, as becometh Saints (refers to receiving her into companionship and fellowship; in fact, she delivered the Epistle to the Romans to the Church in Rome; of this, Renan says:  “Phoebe carried under the folds of her robe the whole future of Christian Theology), and that you assist her in whatsoever business she has need of you (suggests that she may have had business in Rome of a legal nature):  for she has been a succourer of many, and of myself also (Phoebe was a great Blessing to the Work of God). 

PERSONAL GREETINGS 

    3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus (Paul first met them at Corinth, but evidently they had now gone back to Rome):    4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks (means they risked their lives for Paul; exactly where and how aren’t known): unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the Churches of the Gentiles (all the Churches of the Gentiles thanked Priscilla and Aquila as well).    5 Likewise greet the Church that is in their house (evidently, they had one of the house Churches in Rome).  Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the Firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ (this man was among the first in Corinth to give his heart to Christ).    6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us (other than this statement, no information is given concerning this dear lady).    7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen (probably refers to fellow Jews, and not blood relatives), and my fellow-prisoners (implies that these two had been, like himself, imprisoned at some time for the Faith), who are of note among the Apostles (doesn’t mean they were Apostles themselves, but that they were well-known to the original Twelve), who also were in Christ before me (their conversion predated his).    8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.    9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved (it seems these men had been Paul’s helpers in earlier times).   10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ.  Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household (probably refers to slaves who had once belonged to this man).   11 Salute Herodion my kinsman (another Jew).  Greet them who be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord (does not refer to Narcissus personally, but to slaves of his household, at least those who were followers of the Lord).   12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord (presents two more slaves, for theirs are slave names).  Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord (refers to a woman).   13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine (he was probably the son of Simon of Cyrene who helped Jesus bear the Cross).   14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the Brethren which are with them.   15 Salute (greet) Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the Saints which are with them.   16 Salute one another with an holy kiss (presents that which was the custom of all Oriental people at that time, not only Christians).  The Churches of Christ salute you (refers to the Churches planted by Paul who in turn were greeting the Church in Rome). 

ADMONITION 

   17 Now I beseech you, Brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned (refers to the fact that false teachers are to be identified); and avoid them (turn away from and shun these).   18 For they who are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly (the satisfaction of creature needs, and not the Work of God); and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple (refers to those who have little true understanding of the Word of God). 

OBEDIENCE 

   19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men (refers to Paul not linking the Saints in the Church in Rome with these false teachers, whomever they may have been).  I am glad therefore on your behalf (expresses his joy at their maturity in the Lord):  but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil (he wanted them to be so grounded in the Word that they would instantly know false doctrine when it came their way).   20 And the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly (all who trust Christ and what He has done at the Cross are guaranteed victory, and in every capacity).  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  Amen (presents the standard Benediction of Paul, which he uses in one form or the other in all of his Epistles, even Hebrews). 

GREETINGS 

   21 Timothy my workfellow (refers to Paul’s young understudy and fellow worker), and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen (fellow Jews), salute you.   22 I Tertius, who wrote this Epistle, salute you in the Lord (he was Paul’s Scribe to whom he dictated the letter to the Romans).   23 Gaius my host, and of the whole Church, salutes you (probably means that Paul was staying in this man’s home in Corinth).  Erastus the chamberlain of the city salutes you (probably the one mentioned in II Tim. 4:20 and Acts 19:22), and Quartus a brother.   24 The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen. 

BENEDICTION 

   25 Now to Him Who is of power to stablish you according to my Gospel (Paul’s Gospel was, “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified”), and the Preaching of Jesus Christ (Paul Preached the Cross [I Cor. 1:23; 2:2]), according to the Revelation of the Mystery, which was kept secret since the world began (proclaims that which is now revealed in his Gospel, the story of Redemption),   26 But now is made manifest (the actual Greek reads, “but now has been made known through Prophetic writings”), and by the Scriptures of the Prophets (refers to the Old Testament, which Scriptures constantly pointed to the coming of Christ), according to the Commandment of the Everlasting God (actually means that, according to the appointment of God, the “Mystery” should now at last be made known), made known to all nations for the Obedience of Faith (it must be Preached to the whole world):   27   To God only wise, be Glory through Jesus Christ forever.  Amen (the Great Price Jesus paid by giving himself in Sacrifice will forever bring Glory to God, in that it has brought about the Salvation of untold numbers of souls).

Chapter 7

(A.D. 33)

STEPHEN’S DEFENSE  http://traductor.livejournal.com/

THEN said the High Priest, Are these things so?  (This was asked concerning the charges!)     

2 And he said (Stephen), Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken (addresses and is meant to address the religious hierarchy of Israel); The God of Glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran (doesn’t tell us exactly what this appearance was, whether visible or that the Lord may have used someone else to deliver the Message; the exact place in that land was Ur of the Chaldees [Gen. 15:7]),     

3 And said unto him, Get thee out of your country (pertained to a land of idol worship), and from your kindred (in effect, says they were idol-worshippers as well), and come into the land which I shall show you (refers to the land of
Canaan).      4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran (about 700 miles north of Ur of the Chaldees; he stayed there approximately two or three years):  and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein you now dwell (the Land of Canaan).      5 And He (God) gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on (means that Abraham personally never owned any of the Land of Canaan, except the “Cave of Machpelah,” which was used for a burial place for he and Sarah [Gen. 23]):  yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him (refers to the seed of Isaac, not Ishmael [Gen. 17:19]), when as yet he had no child (for all of this to be done, Abraham and Sarah must have an heir, which they ultimately did have in Isaac).     

 6 And God spoke on this wise (concerns the Prophecy given to Abraham by the Lord respecting the future of his seed), That his seed should sojourn in a strange land (Egypt); and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years (the whole length of the Dispensation of Promise [Abraham to Moses] was 430 years [Ex. 12:40; Gal. 3:14-17]; the 400 years of Gen. 15:13 and Acts 7:6 are to be reckoned from the confirmation of Isaac as the seed when Ishmael was cast out [Gen. 21:12; Gal. 4:30]; this was five years after the birth of Isaac).     

7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God (speaks of Egypt [Ex. 1:1-14; 31]):  and after that shall they come forth, and serve Me in this place (the Children of Israel were delivered from Egyptian bondage and given the Promised Land, which Stephen refers to as “this place”).     

8 And He (God) gave him (Abraham) the Covenant of Circumcision (refers to the Abrahamic Covenant of Gen. 12:1-3; 17:9-27, and not the Mosaic Covenant which continued Circumcision, but did not originate it):  and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the Twelve Patriarchs (speaks of his sons as the Twelve Heads of the Tribes of Israel, and who came under the same Covenant of Circumcision).     

9 And the Patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt (they were jealous of him, in that he was chosen by his father Jacob to inherit the Birthright [I Chron. 5:1-2]):  but God was with him (men rule, but God overrules!),  

10 And delivered him out of all his afflictions (does not say there were no afflictions, but that the Lord delivered Joseph out of every snare set for him by Satan), and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him Governor over Egypt and all his house (portrays, for a change, a wise ruler!).  

11 Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Canaan (refers to the seven year famine), and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance (all of this was orchestrated purposely by the Lord, in order that His Plan be carried out respecting the nation of Israel).  

12 But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first (he sent his sons).  

13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren (refers to their second trip to Egypt with Joseph testing them [Gen. 45:1-28]); and Joseph’s kindred was made known unto Pharaoh (they were introduced to Pharaoh, with Joseph seeking permission for his family to come into
Egypt).  

14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him (this is symbolic of the Second Coming, when Israel will finally come to Jesus), and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls (seventy-five souls; Stephen was including the five sons of Manasseh and Ephraim; Gen. 46:27 and Deut. 10:22 mention seventy people who went into Egypt, but did not include these five).  

15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers (while his life and Ministry were in Egypt, his heart was in Canaan),  

16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem (refers to “Shechem” [Gen. 23:6-20; 33:19; 47:30; 49:29; 50:5; Ex. 13; 19; Josh. 24:32]; this was in Canaan).   17 But when the time of the Promise drew near (God’s timing is just as important as His Promise), which God had sworn to Abraham (the Promise of God concerned the
Land of Canaan being given to the Children of Israel), the people (Israelites) grew and multiplied in
Egypt,   18 Till another king arose (another Pharaoh), which knew not Joseph (means that this new Pharaoh had no regard for Egypt’s past respecting Joseph, and consequently had no regard for Joseph’s people, the Israelites!).   19 The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers (proclaimed such being allowed by the Lord, and for purpose and reason; had they been treated kindly by this Pharaoh, they would not have desired to leave Egypt), so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live (speaks of the demand ordered by Pharaoh that all the boy babies of the Israelites be killed when they were born).   20 In which time Moses was born (presents another step in the Plan of God for Israel’s deliverance), and was exceeding fair (describes the appearance of the child), and nourished up in his father’s house three months (pertained to the time he was hidden by his parents, in order that he not be killed as was demanded by Pharaoh of all newly-born baby boys):   21 And when he was cast out (speaks of the time when he could not be hidden any longer), Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son (again, this was orchestrated by the Lord).   22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians (highly educated), and was mighty in words and in deeds (Josephus says that Moses ultimately became a General in the Egyptian Army, and defeated the Ethiopians).   23 And when he was full forty years old (pertains to the years Moses spent in Pharaoh’s Court), it came into his heart to visit his brethren the Children of
Israel (before now it seems that he had not been too occupied with the plight of “his brethren”).   24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him (the Holy Spirit begins to move Moses in this direction), and avenged him who was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian (Moses had the right motive, but this was the wrong way):   25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them (the sentence structure here tells us that the Lord was definitely dealing with Moses about the deliverance of the Children of
Israel; however, the people were not ready and neither was Moses!):  but they understood not.   26 And the next day he showed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again (these two Israelites were angry with each other), saying, Sirs, you are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?  (This will bring forth an answer he was not anticipating.)   27 But he who did his neighbour wrong thrust him (Moses) away (plainly proclaims the man rejecting the leadership of Moses), saying, Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?  (As stated, neither Moses nor the people were yet ready for deliverance.)   28 Will you kill me, as you did the Egyptian yesterday?  (Evidently, Moses did not realize that his killing of the Egyptian was known; however, he had been seen!)   29 Then fled Moses at that saying (Moses was soon to find out that Pharaoh also knew and was angry, so he fled Egypt [Ex. 2:14-15]), and was a stranger in the land of
Madian, where he begat two sons (their names were Gershom and Eliezer [Ex. 2:22; 18:3-4]).   30 And when forty years were expired (it only took a very short time to get Moses out of Egypt, but forty years to get Egypt out of Moses; the flesh dies hard!), there appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sina an Angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush (this was actually God Himself appearing to Moses [Ex. 3:2; 4:17]).   31 When Moses saw it (the burning bush), he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the Voice of the Lord came unto him (after forty years, the Lord now speaks),   32 Saying, I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (in essence says that He was the same One Who had spoken to them; it also means they were alive at that very time, actually in Paradise).  Then Moses trembled, and turned his face away (Ex. 3:6).   33 Then said the Lord to him (begins a scenario that would only end some forty years later), Put off your shoes from your feet: for the place where you stand is Holy Ground (the pulling off of the shoes signified that Moses was relinquishing ownership to everything; slaves do not wear shoes, and he, in effect, would be a slave of Christ, exactly as Paul).   34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of My people which is in Egypt (God sees all and knows all), and I have heard their groaning (groaning under the burden imposed by the Egyptian taskmasters, who were types of Satan), and am come down to deliver them (He delivered them by the means of the slain lamb and the blood applied to the doorposts, in essence the Cross; the Cross is still the only manner of Deliverance [Ex. 12:13]).  And now come, I will send you into
Egypt (presents one of the most appalling commissions ever given to any man).   35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made you a ruler and a judge? (This is meant by the Holy Spirit through Stephen to show that the Jesus they had rejected and crucified was their only Present and Eternal Saviour.) the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel which appeared to him in the bush (the Sanhedrin were overly familiar with this; however, they surely understood the implication).   36 He brought them out (speaks of Egypt, but is meant to convey as well the Deliverance effected regarding every believing sinner upon coming to Christ), after that he had showed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt (he manifested His great Power to Egypt, so that the Egyptians were without excuse), and in the Red Sea (speaks of the greatest Miracle that had ever been performed up to that time), and in the wilderness forty years (presents the Divine protection of God for this length of time, even though it was His Will that they only be there about two years, if that!).   37 This is that Moses, which said unto the Children of Israel (portrays Stephen now presenting the fact of Christianity, even though it was not even called such then), A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall you hear (points directly to Jesus as the fulfillment of that Prophecy given by Moses so long before).   38 This is he (Moses), who was in the Church in the wilderness with the Angel which spoke to him in the Mount Sina (actually refers to God Himself, Who gave Moses the Law), and with our fathers (refers to the fact that the Elders of Israel, were to help Moses, but rather, did the opposite!):  who received the lively oracles to give unto us (refers to the Law of Moses):   39 To whom our fathers would not obey (marks the history of Israel, which ultimately led to their destruction), but thrust him from them (had God not intervened, at least several times, they would have killed Moses), and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt (puts the finger right square on the problem; their “hearts” were still in Egypt, just like the hearts of many Believers presently are still in the world),   40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us (proclaims the sin which ultimately destroyed Israel):  for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him (while God was preparing great things for them, they were preparing to worship idols!).   41 And they made a calf in those days (this was their idol), and offered sacrifice unto the idol (probably represented a Lamb, but in times to come would include human sacrifice), and rejoiced in the works of their own hands (it is still the problem presently, with the Church little desiring to lean solely on Christ and what He has done at the Cross; many prefer a Salvation “of their own hands”).   42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of Heaven (refers to the sun, moon, and stars); as it is written in the Book of the Prophets, O ye house of Israel, have you offered to Me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?  (While
Israel did offer up Sacrifices, they were not always to God.  “To Me” is emphatic!)   43 Yes, you took up the tabernacle of Moloch (refers to the name of the main Ammonite Deity to whom children were offered by fire [Lev. 18:21; 20:2; Deut. 18:10; II Ki. 16:3; 26:6; 23:10; Jer. 19:5; 32:35]), and the star of your god Remphan, figures which you made to worship them (this was the star-god of Babylon): and I will carry you away beyond Babylon (Stephen quotes from Amos 5:25-27; however, he used the name “Babylon” while Amos used the name “Damascus”; both were correct).   44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed (means that God gave them the “Tabernacle” plus the articles of Sacred Vessels, in order that His People may have a way to worship Him), speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen (presents the design exclusively by the Lord, which means that Moses was not to deviate from that design).   45 Which also our fathers who came after brought in with Jesus (Joshua) into the possession of the Gentiles (refers to the Land of Canaan), whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David (refers to a time span of approximately five hundred years; during that time, victories were sparse);   46 Who found favour before God (referring to David), and desired to find a Tabernacle for the God of Jacob (speaks of the Ark of the Covenant being brought into Jerusalem, after being untended for approximately seventy years [II Sam. 6:12; Ps. 132:6]).   47 But Solomon built Him (God) an house (the plans were given to David, but it is Solomon, his son, who built the house).   48 Howbeit the most High dwells not in Temples made with hands (speaks of the prayer offered by Solomon at the dedication of the
Temple [I Ki. 8:27]); as said the Prophet (this phrase should have been in the next Verse, because it speaks of Isaiah),   49 Heaven is My Throne, and earth is My Footstool (God is bigger and greater than anything):  what house will you build Me? says the Lord (the
Temple was to be merely a stop-gap measure until Christ would come):  or what is the place of My rest?  (Israel had come to the place where they believed the
Temple was all in all.  They didn’t see it as a step toward an ultimate goal.  The “rest” is found only in Christ [Mat. 11:28-30].)   50 Has not My Hand made all these things?  (He has made the heavens and the Earth and all that is therein, so why would He want to confine Himself totally to one small building on Earth?)   51 You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears (presents Stephen using the same language as Moses when he conveyed God’s rebuke to Israel [Deut. 10:16]), you do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do you (everything carried out by God on Earth is through the Person and Office of the Holy Spirit; to resist Him is to resist God, for He is God; they resisted Him by resisting the Plan of God, Who and What was Jesus Christ).   52 Which of the Prophets have not your fathers persecuted? (This is very similar to that stated by Christ [Mat. 5:12; 23:30-31, 34-37; Lk. 13:33-34].)  and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One (they killed the Prophets who pointed to the One Who was to come, Namely Jesus); of Whom you have been now the betrayers and murderers (is about as strong as anything that could be said; how different this is from most of the modern Preaching!):   53 Who (Israel) have received the Law (Law of Moses) by the disposition of Angels (speaks of the myriads of Angels who were present and were used to help give the Law of Moses to
Israel [Ps. 68:17]), and have not kept it (contradicted their claims!). THEIR ANSWER    54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart (refers to the depth to which the Holy Spirit took Stephen’s words, which, in effect, were the “Words of the Lord”), and they gnashed on him with their teeth (proclaims their answer to Stephen and the Holy Spirit).   55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit (the second time this is said of him [Acts 6:5]), looked up stedfastly into Heaven (means that Stephen saw something in Heaven which immediately seized his attention), and saw the Glory of God (he saw the Throne of God), and Jesus standing on the Right Hand of God (Christ is usually presented as sitting at the Right Hand of God [Heb. 1:3], but here He is seen standing, as rising to welcome His Faithful martyr and to place on his head the Crown of Life),   56 And said, Behold, I see the Heavens opened (proclaims Jesus in His Glory as God, just as the Heavens had opened to see Jesus in His humiliation on Earth as Man [Jn. 1:51]), and the Son of Man standing on the Right Hand of God (proclaims His rightful place by virtue of His achievements and exaltation to original Glory [Jn. 17:5; Eph. 1:20-23; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 1:3-4]).   57 Then they (members of the Sanhedrin) cried out with a loud voice (had they cried out in Repentance, the future of Israel could have been drastically changed for the better), and stopped their ears (means that they no longer desired to hear anything he desired to say), and ran upon him with one accord (all of the religious leadership of Israel were guilty),   58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him (this was their answer to the plea of God for their souls):  and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet (they took off their outer garments so as to be free to hurl the stones at their victim with greater force), whose name was Saul (presents the first mention of this man who would have a greater positive impact on Christianity than any other human being who has ever lived; the death of Stephen, no doubt, played a part in the later conversion of Paul).   59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God (presents a monstrous offense on the part of his murderers; we must remember, he was murdered by the religious leaders of
Israel), and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit (presents Stephen rendering Divine Worship to Jesus Christ in the most sublime form, and in the most solemn moment of his life).   60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge (presents him dying on his knees, without malice toward his murderers).  And when he had said this, he fell asleep (portrays the body falling asleep, while his soul and spirit instantly went to be with Jesus; due to what Jesus did at the Cross; death is now looked at as merely going to sleep).