by Gary L. Evans
(revised 7/29/2023)
Romans — Part 1
Paul’s three most important doctrinal epistles are Romans, Ephesians, and Thessalonians. These teach the ABC’s of all Christian education, and without the knowledge contained in them, a new convert really cannot understand much of anything and is in danger of being deceived by false preachers and teachers.
Paul was a scholar of The Law and Prophets, having studied at the feet of Gamaliel who was considered the master teacher of all Scripture at that time. Paul’s teaching is often at an advanced level requiring the student to be familiar with The Law and The Prophets. The study of his writings requires patience and diligent contemplation to fully understand. And the truth is, until a convert has studied The Old Testament at least by careful reading to gain a background introduction, much of what Paul says may seem abstract, because his teaching is based on The Law and The Prophets and on the eyewitness testimony of The Disciples of our Lord. And Paul assumes that the reader already has a basic knowledge of God’s Word.
Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
The word “gospel” is from the Greek “yoo-ang-ghel’-ee-on” which means “a good message, that is, the gospel.” What is the good message? The New Covenant offered by God to everyone who will accept it by The Blood of The Only Begotten Son.
Heb 8:8-10 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Paul explains in Hebrews that The New Covenant is that The Lord will put His Laws into our minds and write them in our hearts and The Lord will be our God and we will be His People.
Note that one of the first false doctrines the antichrists teach is that God’s Law is done away with, so Christians don’t need to bother learning it. Thus they prevent anyone who listens to them from receiving The New Covenant, so that they die in their sins.
Rom 1:2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
Where did The Lord make this promise that Paul refers to?
Eze 11:19-20 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Eze 36:26-28 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
This is The New Covenant, that God would remove our rebellious heart and mind and give us a new Heart and Mind, so that we would obey His Law from our hearts. Then we would be His People and He would be our God.
Jer 31:31-33 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Our Father promised to write His Law in our new hearts and minds so that we could obey Him sincerely.
Rom 1:3-5 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
The word “grace” is from “khar’-ece” which means “graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude).” Simply put, grace is unmerited favor, because we do not deserve Eternal Life; it is the gift of God.
Rom 1:6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
How have we been called?
Joh 6:44-45 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
All who come to Christ have been called by The Holy Spirit of God so that they can take part of The First Resurrection at the beginning of The Day of The Lord, The Millennial Reign of Christ.
Rom 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The word “saints” is from “hag’-ee-os” which means “sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated).” Saints are the people that God has set-aside from all other people in this world. We have been consecrated, separated from this world and dedicated to God.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Romans — Part 2
Rom 1:8-9 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For 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;
Paul declares that he serves The Good Message of The Only Begotten Son of God.
Rom 1:10-11 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
The word “spiritual” is from the Greek “phyoo-mat-ik-os’” which means “non-carnal, that is, (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious.” It is from “pnyoo’-mah” which means “a current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively a spirit, that is, (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, daemon, or (divine) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy spirit.”
So this word in this context is most simply put, mental. Paul desires to give us a mental gift, a gift for the mind as opposed to something for the flesh.
Rom 1:12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
The word “faith” is from “pis’-tis” which means “persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself.”
The word simply means belief, and Paul desires to share with us his knowledge so that we will have some mutual belief in common.
Rom 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
Paul has desired to visit the church in Rome, but so far has been hindered, because he wants to gain a greater reward from The Lord by his service to them. Note that these people he writes to are Gentiles.
Rom 1:14-15 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
He is ready to preach the good message in Rome, at least for now by this letter he has written to them.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The word “Jew” is slang, and really should not be used. The word is from “ee-oo-dah’-yos” which means “udaean, that is, belonging to Jehudah.” It means the tribe of Judah and particularly the geographical area where that tribe lived when Israel was a sovereign nation. This area includes the city of Jerusalem.
Paul uses the term “Greek” to represent Gentiles in general within the Roman Empire, that is all people not of the twelve tribes of Israel by genealogy. Greek was the common language of that day.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Paul quotes from Habakkuk.
Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
The word “just” is from the Hebrew “tsad-deek’” which is from “tsaw-dak’” which means “to be (causatively make) right (in a moral or forensic sense).”
The just are those who obey and do God’s Law, which teaches us of God’s Righteousness precept by precept, which in turn becomes in our own minds belief upon belief.
The word “faith” is from “em-oo-naw’” which means “literally firmness; figuratively security; moral fidelity.” It is from “ay-moon’” which means “established, that is, (figuratively) trusty; also (abstractly) trustworthiness.”
So those who do what is right according to God’s Law will Live by their trustworthiness.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Romans — Part 3
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
The word “ungodliness” is from the Greek “as-eb’-i-ah” which means “impiety, that is, (by implication) wickedness.” It means lawlessness.
The word “unrighteousness” is from “ad-ee-kee’-ah” which means “(legal) injustice (properly the quality, by implication the act); moral wrongfulness (of character, life or act).”
The word “hold” is from “kat-ekh’-o” which means “to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively).”
God’s wrath is against all lawlessness and injustice of men who hold back The Truth by their wicked doings.
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
The word “manifest” is from “fan-er-os’” which means “shining, that is, apparent (literally or figuratively); neuter (as adverb) publicly, externally.”
The evidence of God’s existence is clearly observed in this world so that everyone can see it.
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
So those who ignore God and who rebel against Him, even when His Power and Authority over all of creation are so obvious, have no excuse and thus cannot claim ignorance.
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
The word “thankful” is from ” yoo-khar-is-teh’-o” which means “to be grateful, that is, (actually) to express gratitude (towards); specifically to say grace at a meal.”
Rom 1:22-23 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
The word “image” is from “i-kone’” which means ” a likeness, that is, (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance.”
The word “man” is from “anth’-ro-pos” which means “manfaced, that is, a human being.”
The rebellious ones rejected the knowledge of God that is openly displayed throughout all of the creation and turned to making statues and carvings of men and animals to worship instead. They turned to idolatry.
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
The word “uncleanness” is from “ak-ath-ar-see’-ah” which means “impurity (the quality), physically or morally.”
The word “lusts” is from “ep-ee-thoo-mee’-ah” which means “a longing (especially for what is forbidden).” That is, this word simply means “covetousness.”
The word “dishonour” is from “at-im-ad’-zo” which means “to render infamous, that is, (by implication) contemn or maltreat.”
They began to defile their own bodies with one another.
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Rebellious men changed the natural order established by God and turned it into a lie, and instead of worshiping The Creator they began worshiping various things in the creation.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Romans — Part 4
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
The word “vile” is from the Greek “at-ee-mee’-ah” which means “infamy, that is, (subjectively) comparative indignity, (objectively) disgrace.”
The word “affections” is from “path’-os” which means “properly suffering (“pathos”), that is, (subjectively) a passion (especially concupiscence).” The English word “concupiscence” means in this context “lust; unlawful or irregular desire of sexual pleasure.”
Their women turned to lesbianism.
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
The word “unseemly” is from “as-kay-mos-oo’-nay” which means “an indecency; by implication the pudenda.” And of course the English word “pudenda” means in this case the male genitals.
The word “error” is from “plan’-ay” which means “objectively fraudulence; subjectively a straying from orthodoxy or piety.”
The men turned to homosexuality.
Paul is describing the downfall of mankind in general and of Israel in particular, by their rejection of God Most High and their worship of the creation instead.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
The word “reprobate” is from “ad-ok’-ee-mos” which means “unapproved, that is, rejected; by implication worthless (literally or morally).”
Since they rejected God, God rejected them and let them become totally degenerate, physically and mentally.
This occurred with mankind in general and later occurred with Israel, which caused them to be destroyed as a nation and scattered among the races.
Rom 1:29-31 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
The phrase “without natural affection” is from “as’-tor-gos” which means “hard hearted towards kindred.” We call such people psychopaths today, because they feel no positive emotion toward other people, that is, they are cold blooded.
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
They knew that God’s Judgment was against such vile behavior and had decreed the death penalty for doing it, but they went from bad to worse to the extreme and enjoyed being with other people who did the same things.
Where have we learned God’s Judgment against such vile behaviors? In His Law. Consider this one example:
Lev 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
The penalty is death. Men and women were not even to cause any confusion about this type of sin, which might deceive others about it.
Deu 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
Now men wore skirts back in those days, so this law says nothing about specific articles of clothing and various styles. It simply means that what is customary for men to wear, women should not wear those. And what is customary for women to wear, men should not wear those.
In all pagan idolatries, homosexuality was an integral part of their “worship” services, and also bestiality and sex orgies, and in many of them was also child sacrifice and other forms of human sacrifice. When Israel fell away from God into idolatry, they went along with all of the various perverted and wicked behaviors committed by the pagans.
Once men begin to turn away from God to defile their bodies among themselves, all of the other destructive behaviors follow and society degenerates to the point that men and women of honor and integrity cannot survive dwelling among them. How can a husband and wife raise a family with rapists, molesters, thieves, and murderers roaming the streets? Many once great civilizations have become degenerate as Paul describes and their populations gradually diminished and eventually disappeared. Only remnants of their architecture remain of their former existence.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Romans — Part 5
Rom 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
The word “judgest” is from the Greek “kree’-no” which means “properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish.” In this context, this word is used to mean “condemn.”
The word “condemnest” is from “kat-ak-ree’-no” which means “to judge against, that is, sentence.” So the sense is “to condemn and pass sentence against.”
There is no excuse for someone who condemns someone else for doing the same things that he does. Anyone who does so actually condemns himself, since he does the same things.
The subject then is unjust judges, or even hypocrites who set themselves up as judges over other people.
Rom 2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
God’s Word is The Truth, and so also is God’s Law which includes God’s Righteous Judgment against sin. We are required by God’s Law to execute His Righteous Judgment. But if we refuse, then we become disobedient ourselves, which is sin. Refusal to execute God’s Judgment is the setting ourselves up as judges above God. We in turn accept the sin of the guilty to be upon our own souls.
Deu 19:11-13 But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities: Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die. Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.
If we do not execute God’s Righteous Judgment, then innocent blood will remain upon the souls of all the people. But if we execute God’s Judgment, then we are free of the sin of the guilty.
Rom 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
How could a hypocritical sinner condemn another sinner of doing the same things he does and expect to escape God’s Judgment? Both of them must repent in order to avoid the wrath of God.
Rom 2:4-6 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
We will all be judged by God, some of us now in this flesh world, and the rest will be judged during The Millennium.
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
All who overcome the deception of Satan in this world will partake of The First Resurrection which occurs when Christ returns.
Rom 2:8-9 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
There are two tribulations, one brought upon this world by The Antichrist at the end of this flesh world, and the second will be The Millennium, The One Thousand Year Reign of Jesus Christ.
Rom 2:10-11 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.
Our Father has no respect of persons based on social status or authority among men. He judges each of us according to the things we say and do.
Rom 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Sinners who have never learned God’s Law will be judged even without The Law, and sinners who know God’s Law will be judged by The Law.
Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
People who study God’s Law are not considered just, only those who obey and do The Law are considered just.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
How can sinners who are ignorant of God’s Law be judged? By their very nature they can show reverence to God and show love one to another.
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
The word “conscience” is from “soon-i’-day-sis” which means “co-perception, that is, moral consciousness.”
It is natural for a man to know what he likes and dislikes other people to do to him, therefore he naturally knows that other people want him to treat them the same way. Therefore no man has an excuse for not knowing how he ought to treat others.
Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Our Lord will judge each of us when He returns to this earth, some to Eternal Life by The First Resurrection, and all the rest at The Great White Throne Judgment at the very end of The Millennium.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.