Romans - New King James Version(NKJV)

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Romans - New King James Version(NKJV)

The Letters of Paul

Romans * 1 Corinthians * 2 Corinthians * Galatians * Ephesians * Philippians * Colossians * 1 Thessalonians * 2 Thessalonians * 1 Timothy * 2 Timothy * Titus * Philemon

Paul’s letters are the oldest Christian documents we have. The first of them was written within twenty-five years of Jesus’ death, and the last may have been written before any of the Gospels. These letters are also the largest collection of writings by any one person in the New Testament. They are in order of length, with the longest letter to the church first and the letters to individuals last.

We can learn from Paul’s letters a great deal about Paul’s faith and his understanding of what Jesus Christ means for the life of the ordinary Christian. We can learn some of the problems that churches and persons were facing because of their faith and what Paul said was an answer to the problems. We can learn a lot about Paul as a person and how his faith can help us as persons.

ROMANS was written to pave the way for Paul’s visit to a church he had never seen, but whose help he needed as he began to preach the gospel in the western Mediterranean world. Romans is one of the fullest statements of Paul’s faith. He tries to show how Christianity is rooted in Judaism, but is a faith for all of humanity. Romans is a book full of the power and grace of God and has been a source of inspiration and renewal in the church from earliest times to the present.

FIRST and 2 CORINTHIANS are the most typical of Paul’s letters. They were written in response to specific concerns, in this case to the division in the church and how Christians are called to live a way of life different from pagans. First Corinthians has great sections on love in the church (chs. 12—14) and the Resurrection (ch. 15). The accounts of the Resurrection and the Last Supper in 1 Corinthians are the oldest written accounts we have of those events. Second Corinthians is a combination of harsh differences and rejoicing over reconciliation. Because of the differences in tone, many scholars believe that parts of at least two letters are in our present 2 Corinthians. Chapters 3—5 are a meditation on what it means to be an apostle.

GALATIANS contains important information about Paul’s own life and about the beginnings of the church. It is also a key to understanding Paul’s faith in Christ, justification, and the relationship between Judaism and Christianity.

EPHESIANS is a meditation on the purpose of God in reconciling all things in Christ. The church is a part of the purpose of God, called to bring unity to the world, as Christ brought unity to the church.

PHILIPPIANS is a warm, personal letter, giving thanks for a gift from the church and encouraging the church to be faithful. The hymn quoted in 2:5–11 is a powerful statement about Christ coming into the world for salvation.

COLOSSIANS was written to a church confused by false teaching. Paul wrote to try to straighten out that confusion. He says that Christ is the ruling power in the universe. He also gives guidance for the true spiritual life.

FIRST and 2 THESSALONIANS are among the earliest writings of the New Testament. Persecution had compelled Paul to leave Thessalonica, and in his letters he tells Christians there how they ought to live and to await the Lord’s return with constant diligence.

FIRST and 2 TIMOTHY and TITUS are known as the “Pastoral Epistles,” since they are concerned about the care of the church. They reflect the beginnings of organizational life in the church. Paul wants to show how true faith results in a way of life in both the church and the world. There is guidance for the young pastors who are trying to lead the church.

PHILEMON is the only surviving private letter of Paul. It is a plea for Philemon to forgive the runaway slave Onesimus and receive him back as a brother in Christ.

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans

Romans, Paul’s greatest work, is placed first among his thirteen epistles in the New Testament. While the four Gospels present the words and works of Jesus Christ, Romans explores the significance of His sacrificial death. Using a question-and-answer format, Paul records the most systematic presentation of doctrine in the Bible. Romans is more than a book of theology; it is also a book of practical exhortation. The good news of Jesus Christ is more than facts to be believed; it is also a life to be lived—a life of righteousness befitting the person, “justified freely by [God’s] grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (3:24)

Although some manuscripts omit “in Rome” in 1:7, 15, the title Pros Romaious, “To the Romans,” has been associated with the epistle almost from the beginning.

Romans 1

Greeting

1Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,6among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

7To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Desire to Visit Rome

8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 11For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— 12that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

13Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. 14I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

The Just Live by Faith

16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,a for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”a

God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.22Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,a wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,a unmerciful;32who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 2

God’s Righteous Judgment

1Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:a 7eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11For there is no partiality with God.

12For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13(for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves theirthoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

The Jews Guilty as the Gentiles

17Indeeda you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18and know Hiswill, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?22You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,”a as it is written.

Circumcision of No Avail

25For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? 28For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor iscircumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Romans 3

God’s Judgment Defended

1What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. 3For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written:

• “That You may be justified in Your words,
• And may overcome when You are judged.”a

5But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) 6Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?

7For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.

All Have Sinned

9What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

10As it is written:

• “There is none righteous, no, not one;
• 11There is none who understands;
• There is none who seeks after God.
• 12They have all turned aside;
• They have together become unprofitable;
• There is none who does good, no, not one.”a
• 13“Their throat is an open tomb;
• With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; a
• “The poison of asps is under their lips”; b
• 14“Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”a
• 15“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
• 16Destruction and misery are in their ways;
• 17And the way of peace they have not known.”a
• 18“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”a

19Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

God’s Righteousness Through Faith

21But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on alla who believe. For there is no difference; 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Boasting Excluded

27Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. 29Or is Hethe God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, 30sincethere is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

Romans 4

Abraham Justified by Faith

1What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?a 2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”a4Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

David Celebrates the Same Truth

5But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

7“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,

And whose sins are covered;

8Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.”a

Abraham Justified Before Circumcision

9Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. 11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while stilluncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 12and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abrahamhad while still uncircumcised.

The Promise Granted Through Faith

13For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

16Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17(as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”a) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”a 19And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”a

23Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.

Romans 5

Faith Triumphs in Trouble

1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we havea peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Christ in Our Place

6For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Death in Adam, Life in Christ

12Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13(For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgmentwhich came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

18Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.19For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

20Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6

Dead to Sin, Alive to God

1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God

15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.19I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

20For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 7

Freed from the Law

1Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? 2For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to herhusband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. 3So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. 4Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. 5For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. 6But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

Sin’s Advantage in the Law

7What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”a 8But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. 9I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killedme. 12Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.

Law Cannot Save from Sin

13Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. 14For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

21I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Romans 8

Free from Indwelling Sin

1There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,a who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Sonship Through the Spirit

12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,17and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him,that we may also be glorified together.

From Suffering to Glory

18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for itwith perseverance.

26Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for usa with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

God’s Everlasting Love

31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shalltribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written:

• “For Your sake we are killed all day long;
• We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”a

37Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 9

Israel’s Rejection of Christ

1I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,2that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymena according to the flesh, 4who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

Israel’s Rejection and God’s Purpose

6But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel,7nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.”a 8That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. 9For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.”a

10And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac11(for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), 12it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.”a 13As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”a

Israel’s Rejection and God’s Justice

14What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! 15For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.”a 16So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 17For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.”a 18Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

19You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” 20But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

22What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

25As He says also in Hosea:

• “I will call them My people, who were not My people,
• And her beloved, who was not beloved.”a
• 26“And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them,
• ‘You are not My people,’
• There they shall be called sons of the living God.”a

27Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:a

• “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea,
• The remnant will be saved.
• 28For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness,
• Because the LORD will make a short work upon the earth.”a

29And as Isaiah said before:

• “Unless the LORD of Sabaotha had left us a seed,
• We would have become like Sodom,
• And we would have been made like Gomorrah.”b

Present Condition of Israel

30What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.a 32Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law.a For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33As it is written:

• “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
• And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

Romans 10

Israel Needs the Gospel

1Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israela is that they may be saved. 2For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

5For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.”a 6But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ”a (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ”a (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”a (that is, the word of faith which we preach):9that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”a 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”a

Israel Rejects the Gospel

14How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

• “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,a
• Who bring glad tidings of good things!”b

16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?”a 17So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed:

• “Their sound has gone out to all the earth,
• And their words to the ends of the world.”a

19But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says:

• “I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation,
• I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.”a

20But Isaiah is very bold and says:

• “I was found by those who did not seek Me;
• I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”a

21But to Israel he says:

• “All day long I have stretched out My hands
• To a disobedient and contrary people.”

Romans 11

Israel’s Rejection Not Total

1I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying,3“LORD, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”?a 4But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”a 5Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.a But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

7What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8Just as it is written:

• “God has given them a spirit of stupor,
• Eyes that they should not see
• And ears that they should not hear,
• To this very day.”a

9And David says:

• “Let their table become a snare and a trap,
• A stumbling block and a recompense to them.
• 10Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see,
• And bow down their back always.”a

Israel’s Rejection Not Final

11I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. 12Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

13For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,14if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. 15For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

16For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the rootsupports you.

19You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness,a if you continue in Hisgoodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

25For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26And so all Israel will be saved,a as it is written:

• “The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
• And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
• 27For this is My covenant with them,
• When I take away their sins.”a

28Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they arebeloved for the sake of the fathers. 29For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, 31even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.

33Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable areHis judgments and His ways past finding out!

• 34“For who has known the mind of the LORD?
• Or who has become His counselor?”a
• 35“Or who has first given to Him
• And it shall be repaid to him?”a

36For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Romans 12

Living Sacrifices to God

1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts

3For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himselfmore highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Behave Like a Christian

9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

17Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, butrather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”a says the Lord.20Therefore

• “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
• If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
• For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”a

21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 13

Submit to Government

1Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Love Your Neighbor

8Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,”a “You shall not covet,”b and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”c 10Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Put on Christ

11And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvationis nearer than when we first believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Romans 14

The Law of Liberty

1Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

5One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord;a and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9For to this end Christ died and rosea and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.a 11For it is written:

• “As I live, says the LORD,
• Every knee shall bow to Me,
• And every tongue shall confess to God.”a

12So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

The Law of Love

14I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15Yet if your brother is grieved because of yourfood, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18For he who serves Christ in these thingsa is acceptable to God and approved by men.

19Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it isevil for the man who eats with offense. 21It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.a 22Do you have faith?aHave it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.23But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Romans 15

Bearing Others’ Burdens

1We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.2Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”a4For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6that you may with one mindand one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Glorify God Together

7Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us,a to the glory of God. 8Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm‎‎ the promisesmade to the fathers, 9and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:

• “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles,
• And sing to Your name.”a

10And again he says:

• “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!”a

11And again:

• “Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles!
• Laud Him, all you peoples!”a

12And again, Isaiah says:

• “There shall be a root of Jesse;
• And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,
• In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”a

13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

From Jerusalem to Illyricum

14Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.a 15Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God,16that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. 18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— 19in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, 21but as it is written:

• “To whom He was not announced, they shall see;
• And those who have not heard shall understand.”a

Plan to Visit Rome

22For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. 23But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, 24whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you.a For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. 25But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. 28Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. 29But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospela of Christ.

30Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. 33Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Romans 16

Sister Phoebe Commended

1I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.

Greeting Roman Saints

3Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5Likewise greet the church that is in their house.

Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaiaa to Christ. 6Greet Mary, who labored much for us. 7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

8Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. 9Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11Greet Herodion, my countryman.a Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

12Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. 13Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

16Greet one another with a holy kiss. Thea churches of Christ greet you.

Avoid Divisive Persons

17Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesusa Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.19For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Greetings from Paul’s Friends

21Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.

22I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.

23Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. 24The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.a

Benediction

25Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— 27to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.a

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https://youtu.be/R8vvaMwkGDc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q516gjkiPPY

https://youtu.be/1qCUgkr2ohY

Paul as Jewish Theologian(2009) - Dale B. Martin

https://youtu.be/_Tt-PKgblxc

https://youtu.be/9Ciy1w2yJXA

https://www.christiandaily.co.kr/news/88114

바울의 ‘행함’과 야고보의 ‘행함’

[1] ‘모순’(矛盾)이라는 단어가 있다. 이것은 다음과 같은 이야기에서 유래가 된 것이다. 초나라에 무기를 파는 상인이 있었다. 그 상인은 자신의 창을 들어 보이며 그 어떤 방패도 뚫을 수 있는 창이라고 선전했고, 또 자신의 방패를 들어 보이며 그 어떤 창도 막아낼 수 있는 방패라고 선전했다. 그러자 그 모습을 본 명나라 왕의 신하 중 한 사람이 “당신이 그 어떤 방패도 다 뚫을 수 있다고 선전하는 창으로 그 어떤 창도 막아낼 수 있다고 선전하는 방패를 찌르면 어떻게 됩니까?”하고 상인에게 질문을 던지자 상인은 아무 대답도 하지 못했다고 한다. 여기서 모순이란 단어가 나왔다.

[2] 성경에 모순되어 보이는 구절들이 적지 않다. 때문에 성경을 읽는 이들로 하여금 적잖은 혼돈을 가져다준다. 이것들을 잘 정리해주면 좋겠는데 명쾌한 설명이 많지 않으니 독자들이 성경 읽기에 부담을 갖게 된다. 오늘은 성경의 내용들 가운데 모순되어 보이는 이슈들 중 가장 독자들에게 혼란을 가져다준 한 가지 주제에 관해서 살펴보고자 한다.

바울은 롬 4:2에서 다음과 같이 말했다. “만일 아브라함이 행위로써 의롭다 하심을 받았으면 자랑할 것이 있으려니와 하나님 앞에서는 없느니라.”

[3] 그런가 하면 야고보는 약 2:21에서 이렇게 말했다. “우리 조상 아브라함이 그 아들 이삭을 제단에 바칠 때에 행함으로 의롭다 하심을 받은 것이 아니냐.”

두 사람의 얘기를 보면 완벽한 모순이다. 바울이 행위로써 아브라함이 의롭다 하심을 받은 것이 아니라고 했다면, 야고보는 아브라함이 아들 이삭을 바치는 행위로써 의롭다 하심을 받은 것이라고 했다. 누가 봐도 두 사람 중 한 사람의 말이 틀려야지 둘 다 맞을 수는 없는 내용이 틀림없다. 이럴 때 독자들은 절망을 경험한다.

[4] 이제부터 이 어렵고 복잡한 실타래를 하나씩 벗겨보자. 우선 바울과 야고보 두 사람의 문제는 그들이 편지를 보내는 수신자가 누구인가를 참조해야 오해가 없다. 바울은 ‘새신자와 율법을 지켜서 구원받는다고 생각하는 소수의 독자들’을 대상으로 로마서를 기록한 반면, 야고보는 ‘외모로 성도들을 대하면서 차별하거나 행함이 아닌 말로만 사람들을 섬기고 사랑하는 기존 성도들’을 대상으로 야고보서를 기록했다. 서로 다른 정반대의 대상들을 상대로 기록했기에 두 사람의 강조점 역시 달라지지 않을 수 없었음을 먼저 이해해야 한다.

[5] 다음으로는 ‘믿음의 정의’의 문제에서 두 사람의 내용을 구분해야 한다. 바울이 로마서에서 사용한 ‘믿음’이란 단어는 ‘예수님을 그리스도로 믿는 믿음’이란 개념인 반면, 야고보가 야고보서에서 사용한 ‘믿음’이란 단어는 ‘하나님의 성품에 대한 신뢰’란 개념으로 서로 차이가 있음을 알아야 한다. 마지막으로는 문맥과 신학의 문제로 따져봐야 한다. 이 부분은 제일 실제적이고 구체적인 내용이 되겠다.

[6] ‘행위’ 또는 ‘행함’'이란 단어에 서로 상반된 개념이 있음을 알아야 한다. ‘구원의 수단으로서의 행위(행함)’는 바울이 부정적으로 비판했다. 행함으로 구원받을 수 없다고 말이다. 그때의 ‘행위’(행함)는 ‘율법의 행위’(행함)를 말한다. 율법이 기초가 되어 개인의 자랑거리가 되는 행위 말이다. 그런가 하면 긍정적 의미의 ‘행위’(행함)가 있다. 이것은 ‘구원받은 자에게서 반드시 나타나야 할 행위’(행함)를 뜻한다. 이때 이 단어를 ‘율법의 행위’(행함)와 구분해서 ‘믿음의 행위’(행함)라고 한다. 하나님의 은혜에 의한 믿음이 기초가 되어 나타나는 자발적인 행위(행함)를 뜻하는 것이다. 이건 개인의 자랑거리로서의 행함이 아니다. 전적인 하나님의 은혜로써 주어지는 신뢰에서 나오는 행함이므로 내게 자랑할 여지가 전혀 없다.

[7] 자 그럼 지금까지의 선지식을 가지고 처음 바울의 얘기와 야고보의 얘기를 다시 살펴보자. “만일 아브라함이 (율법의) 행위로써 의롭다 하심을 받았으면 자랑할 것이 있으려니와 하나님 앞에서는 없느니라”(롬 4:2)

쉽게 이해하도록 몇 마디를 덧붙이면 다음과 같다. “만일 아브라함이 (율법을 지킨) 행위로써 의롭다 하심을 받았으면 자랑할 것이 있으려니와 하나님 앞에서는 자랑할 것이 없느니라”(롬 4:2).

지당한 말씀이다. 율법의 행함이 구원의 조건이 될 수가 없기 때문이다. 아브라함이 자신의 선한 행위로 의롭다 하심을 받은 것이 아니기 때문에 그에겐 자랑거리가 있을 수 없다는 말이다.

[8] 그런가 하면 야고보의 얘기를 들어보자. “우리 조상 아브라함이 그 아들 이삭을 제단에 바칠 때에 (믿음의) 행위로 의롭다 하심을 받은 것이 아니냐”(약 2:21)
이해를 쉽게 하기 위해 한 마디를 첨가하면 다음과 같다. “우리 조상 아브라함이 그 아들 이삭을 제단에 바칠 때에 (하나님의 은혜가 기초되어 믿음을 통하여 자연스럽게 열매 맺는) 행위로 의롭다 하심을 받은 것이 아니냐”(약 2:21)

개인이 행한 선행으로 의롭다 하심을 받는 것은 절대 아니지만, 하나님의 역사하심과 개인의 절대적 신뢰와 의존을 통하여 나타나는 행위는 있어야 의인으로 카운트 될 수 있는 것 아니냐는 말이다.

[9] 신뢰와 의존은 개인의 선행으로 카운트 될 수 없기에 바울이 말한 롬 4:2의 말씀을 뒤엎는 모순이 결코 아님을 놓치지 말라. 다시 설명하자면, 아브라함이 아들을 바친 스스로의 선행으로 의롭다 함을 간주 받은 것이 아니라 하나님의 은혜가 역사하신 강력한 신뢰(믿음)와 행함으로 의롭다 하심을 받았다는 것이다. 하나님의 역사로 말미암은 신뢰요 행함이기 때문에 아브라함 편에서는 자랑할 것이 전혀 없다. 신뢰에는 자신의 능력이나 선함이 절대 개입될 수 없다. 신뢰의 대상을 전적으로 의존하기 때문이다. 공로가 있다면 내개 있지 않고 하나님께 있다. 야고보의 논지는, 의인은 하나님의 능력을 힘입어 그분을 신뢰하고 순종하는 행함으로 나아가야 마땅하지 않느냐란 것이다. 말로만의 섬김이나 사랑이 아니라 행함으로 열매 맺는 삶이 있어야 한단 말이다.

[10] 이제 정리해보자. 바울이 비판한 행위가 자신의 선함을 자랑하는 수단이라면 야고보가 강조한 행위는 하나님의 은혜에 의하여 주어지는 신뢰를 통해 드러나는 행위란 면에서 차이가 있다. 이런 설명 없이 처음 대했던 바울의 말(롬 4:2)과 야고보의 말(약 2:21)은 모순 그 자체였다. 하지만 이제는 아니다. 결론적으로 말하면, 바울과 야고보 두 사람의 얘기는 서로 모순이나 충돌되지 않고 도리어 진리의 하모니를 이루는 환상의 듀엣이다.

오늘 우리도 하나님을 절대적으로 신뢰하고 순종함으로 그분이 바라시는 아름답고 향기로운 열매를 주렁주렁 맺어보면 좋겠다.

신성욱 교수(아세아연합신학대학교 설교학)

[출처] 기독교 일간지 신문 기독일보 https://www.christiandaily.co.kr/news/88114#share

https://www.dangdangnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=25269

예수님과 바울의 가르침이 다르다! - 당당뉴스

예수님과 바울의 가르침이 다르다?

예수님은 산상수훈에서 율법을 폐하려 한 것이 아니라고 완전하게 하기 위하여 왔다고 말씀하셨다(마 5:17). 폐하려 한 것이 아니라고 분명하게 기술되어 있다. 바울 사도는 교회의 화평인 예수님께서 그 육체로 의문에 속한 계명의 율법을 폐하셨다고 기술했다(엡 2:13-15). 예수님이 말씀한 율법과 바울 사도가 말한 의문에 속한 계명의 율법은 같은 것이다. 예수님 당대와 초대교회의 시점에서 둘을 다른 의미일 수가 없다. 613개의 내용으로 구성된 율법이다. 예수님은 폐하려 하지 않는다고 하셨고 바울 사도는 예수님에 의해 폐해졌다고 기록했다. 어떻게 이해하여야 하는가?

오늘날에는 율법과 관련하여 율법론자와 율법폐기론자로 나뉘어 있다. 전자는 예수님의 말씀을 그 근거로 내세운다. 후자는 바울 사도의 글을 근거로 삼는다. 각각 자신들이 근거로 삼는 구절들을 앞세워 상대방이 틀렸다며 비난한다.

이처럼 예수님의 말씀과 바울 사도의 글은 그 내용상 정반대이다. 이런 경우를 뭐라고 하는가? 모순이라고 한다. 표면적으로는 분명히 모순이 맞다. 모순이라면 성경(서)이 영감되었다는 진술은 잘못된 것일 뿐이다. 어떤 한 주제에 대해 정반대의 내용을 동시에 말하고 있다면 모순이고 그러한 모순을 담고 있는 글이 어떻게 영감되었다고 할 수 있겠는가? 율법론자와 율법폐기론자는 그에 대한 확실한 반증이다. 그들이 성경(서)의 영감론에 대해 어떤 입장을 가지고 있든지 간에 그들은 몸으로 성경(서)이 영감되지 않았다고 말하고 있는 것이다.

그렇다면 정말로 신약 성경이 율법과 관련하여 실제적으로 정반대의 말을 하고 있는가? 바울 사도가 영감되었다고 기록하고 있지만 실질적으로 성경(서)이 영감되지 않았다고 말하고 있는가?

성경(서)의 내용 이해는 언제나 해석을 필요로 한다. 문자를 옮겨놓는다고 하여 반드시 성경(서)의 내용을 바르게 이해한 것이 되진 않는다. 단어, 문법, 문장, 문맥, 역사적 정황, 계시 역사의 점진성 등을 모두 종합적으로 바르게 적용한 결과물이어야 바른 이해가 된다.

예수님은 율법을 완전하게 하기 위해 왔다고 말씀하셨다. 이는 자신의 사역으로 이룰 일이 분명하다. 십자가 죽으심과 부활을 통해 이루실 일이라는 것이다. 그렇다면 그분은 십자가와 부활을 통하여 이루셨다. 율법이 완전하게 된 것이다. 이는 완전하게 된 율법이 생겨났다는 말이 된다. 곧 십자가와 부활 이후에는 613개의 조문으로 된 율법과 예수님에 의해 완전하게 된 율법이 함께 있게 되었다는 말이다.

그 둘은 사이좋게 영원히 함께 가는 것인가? 조금만 상식적으로 생각해도 아니라는 것을 알 수 있다. 컴퓨터를 생각해보자. ENIAC(Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer)에서 출발하여 우리 미래에는 제5세대 컴퓨터가 나올 예정이다. 그 과정에서 286, 386, 486, 586 등의 사양이 있었다. 이렇게 발전한 컴퓨터가 미래의 어느 시점에 완전하게 된다고 가정해 보지. 그렇게 되면 그 이전의 사양들은 다 어떻게 될까? 당연히 폐기될 것이다. 지금 시점에서 ENIAC이나 286이 폐기된 것과 같다.

613개의 조문으로 된 율법과 예수님에 의해 완전하게 된 율법은 함께 가지 않는다. 함께 갈 수가 없다. 완전한 것이 왔는데, 무엇 때문에 완전하지 못한 것이 계속 필요하겠는가? 완전한 것 안에 완전하게 되기 이전의 것이 모두 녹아있기에 더 이상 필요하지 않다. 속죄를 생각해보자. 613개의 조문으로 된 율법에서는 제사를 지냄으로 속죄 받는다. 예수님의 구속역사로 인해 그분 안에서 단번에 속죄 받고 생활에서 지은 죄는 자백함으로 용서받는다. 후자에는 전자에 담긴 원리들이 모두 녹아있다. 제사와 자백을 통한 죄용서는 함께 하지 않는다. 함께 할 수가 없다. 완전하게 되기 이전의 것을 내세우는 것은 완전하게 된 것에 대한 무시 내지는 모독이라고까지 말할 수 있다.

예수님은 천지가 없어지기 전에는 율법의 일점일획도 반드시 없어지지 아니하고 다 이루리라고 말씀하셨다(마 5:18). 이 말씀에는 천지가 없어진다는 사실이 담겨 있다. 여기에서 천지가 없어진다는 것은 어떤 의미인가? 예수님 당대의 물리적인 우주가 없어진다는 것인가? 그렇다면 물리적인 우주가 없어지기 전까지는 율법을 다 이루는 일도 가능하지 않을 것이다. 그렇지만 율법을 다 이루는 일은 이미 과거에 일어났다. 십자가 죽으심과 부활을 통하여 예수님은 율법을 다 이루셨다. 그래서 예수님 안에서 하나님의 부르심을 받은 교회가 율법의 한 부분인 제사를 지내지 않을 수 있었던 것이다.

예수님이 말씀한 천지는 물리적인 우주가 아니다. 예수님이 말씀하는 그 시점에서의 언약의 세계이다. 포로 후 회복언약(렘 31:31~33:26)의 세계이다. 예수님은 그 언약의 시대에 이 땅에 오셔서 십자가와 부활을 통하여 그 언약의 세계를 완전하게 하셨다. 예수님에 의해 완전하게 된 새 언약의 세계이다. 완전하게 된 새 언약의 세계가 펼쳐지면 자연히 그 이전의 포로 후 회복언약의 세계는 없어진다. 당연하지 않은가?

예수님은 십자가와 부활을 통하여 포로 후 회복언약을 완전하게 하셨다. 완전하게 된 새 언약의 시대를 여셨다. 그 세계로 사람들을 부르셨다. 완전하게 된 새 언약의 세계로 부르심을 받은 사람들이 바로 교회이다.

그 당대엔 두 부류로 나뉘었다. 유대인인데 그 부르심을 받은 사람들과 이방인인데 그 부르심을 받은 사람들이다. 전자는 포로 후 회복언약 안에 있으면서 완전하게 된 새 언약 안으로 부르심을 받았다. 후자는 아예 언약 밖에 있다가 완전하게 된 새 언약 안으로 부르심을 받았다.

양자는 차이가 있었다. 포로 후 회복언약에 대한 입장 차이이다. 전자는 포로 후 회복언약의 내용이 여전히 유효하였던 반면에 후자는 아예 아무 상관이 없었다는 것이다. 포로 후 회복언약이 공적으로 폐하여지지 않았기 때문이다. 십자가 죽으심과 부활을 통하여 원리적으로 폐하여졌지만 실질적으로는 폐하여지지 않았던 것이다.

유대인 그리스도인들은 일정 기간 동안 둘 다 유효하였다. 곧 포로 후 회복언약의 내용도 유효하고 완전하게 된 새 언약의 내용도 유효한 것이다. 전자와 후자를 함께 지켜도 되었다. 곧 제사를 하면서 제사와 무관한 예배도 가능하였다. 후자만 지켜도 상관없었다.

유대인들에게 내가 유대인과 같이 된 것, 율법 아래에 있지 아니하나 율법 아래에 있는 자같이 된 것, 율법 없는 자에게는 율법 아래 있지만 율법 없는 자와 같이 된 것이라는 바울 사도의 표현(고전 9:20~21)은 그 결정체이다. 그는 예루살렘에 갔을 때에 야고보 장로의 요청을 받아들여 제사가 있는 결례를 행하였다(행 21:26). 바울 사도가 그토록 극심하게 반대한 것은 이방인 그리스도인에게 율법을 지키도록 하는 것이었다. 천사라도 하더라도 저주를 받을 다른 복음이라면서 반대하였다(갈 1:6~8). 포로 후 회복언약과 아무 상관없다가 완전하게 된 새 언약 안으로 들어온 이들을 포로 후 회복언약의 중심인 율법 아래로 끌어들이려는 것은 예수님의 구속역사를 훼손하는 일이었기 때문이다.

유대인 그리스도인들에게 일종의 적응 기간과 같았던 포로 후 회복언약과 완전하게 된 새 언약이 공존하는 기간은 어느 시점을 계기로 끝난다. 예수님께서 감람산 강화에서 말씀하셨던 돌 성전이 완전히 파괴되는 시점이다. 돌 성전은 포로 후 회복언약의 핵심이었다. 율법의 중심이었다. 돌 성전 파괴는 조문으로 된 율법이 중심인 포로 후 회복언약의 공적 파기였다. 그 이후로는 유대인들은 더 이상 언약의 백성이 아니었다. 유대인 그리스도인들도 더 이상 조문으로 된 율법을 지키려고 해서는 안 되었다. 오직 완전하게 된 새 언약만이 효력이 있었다. 새로운 언약의 세계가 완전하게 실현된 것이다. 요한계시록에서 말하는 새 하늘과 새 땅의 도래이다.

이러한 언약적 이해 없이 단편적인 문자만 읽으면 율법과 관련하여 신약 성경(서)은 서로 다른 얘기를 하고 있다고 말하게 된다. 이러한 모습의 연장선상에 율법은 행위, 복음은 은혜라는 구도를 만들어서는 새 언약에서의 순종 곧 완전하게 된 율법 준수를 행위로 몰고 영원한 구원과 순종을 연결시키면 행위구원론이라고 비난하는 되도 않은 태도가 있다. 성경(서)을 완전히 엉터리로 읽고서는 그 안에서 안주하고 있는 것이다.

율법에 관하여 예수님의 말씀과 바울 사도의 가르침은 표면적으로 정반대이다. 그렇지만 그것은 언약의 시점과 연관되어 나타난 변화이다. 모순이 아니라 변화이다. 이를 신학적으로 계시의 점진성이라고 한다. 예수님보다 바울 사도의 가르침이 더 밝다. 온전하다. 예수님이 바울 사도보다 더 적게 안다는 의미가 아니다. 예수님은 십자가와 부활 이전 시대에서 십자가와 부활까지를 주로 말씀하고 그 이후는 부분적으로 말씀하실 수밖에 없었고 바울 사도는 십자가와 부활 이후 시대에서 십자가와 부활의 의미를 온전하게 말하였기 때문에 나타난 현상이다. 바울 사도의 가르침은 예수님보다 더 진전된 것이었다.

예수님과 바울 사도의 가르침은 아예 다른 것이 없다. 이전 글 –예수님과 바울의 가르침이 다르다?-에서는 표현에 차이가 있지만 내용이 완전히 일치하는 것이었고 이번 글은 표현의 차이가 있는데 언약 시점의 진전에 따른 변화임을 밝혔다. 오늘날 교회의 타락은 예수님과 다른 바울 사도의 가르침이 원인이 아니라 그의 가르침을 바르게 읽었거나 오독하였거나 그 가르침을 따르지 않기 때문이다. 진단을 엉터리로 하면 처방도 엉터리가 된다. 바르게 진단하고 바르게 처방하여 계속적으로 실천하는 것만이 답이다.

https://cafe.daum.net/yangmooryvillage/MDcs/6179

성경에서 모순되어 보이는듯한 구절들 / 로이드 존스

https://www.crs-news.com/19243

≪CRS NEWS≫ 無宗敎人 김병윤의 ‘하나님과의 대화⑲바울과 베드로복음서 차이와 신약성경 내의

https://blog.naver.com/PostView.nhn?blogId=jkdavidn&logNo=222199599493&parentCategoryNo=&categoryNo=19&viewDate=&isShowPopularPosts=true&from=search

바울에서 예수님으로, 예수님에서 하나님의 나라로(From Paul to Jesus, From Jesus to the Kingdom of God/ Heave

바울의 로마서와 야고보의 야고보서는 서로 다른 목적과 대상을 가지고 있습니다:

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두 서신의 차이점은 각자가 직면한 문제와 대상 청중의 차이에서 비롯됩니다. 바울은 율법주의를 경계하고 믿음의 중요성을 강조한 반면, 야고보는 믿음의 실천과 행함의 필요성을 강조했습니다. 그러나 두 사도의 가르침은 상호보완적이며, 진정한 믿음은 반드시 삶의 변화와 선한 행실을 동반한다는 점에서 일치합니다

https://m.cafe.daum.net/reformedvillage/D5G4/46?listURI=%2Freformedvillage%2FD5G4

'이신칭의' 칭의의 증거(아더핑크)