Romans 3:9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. Truth to Learn None of us is better than any other sinner. Behind the Words “Are we better” is translated from a single...
Romans 3:8 – Misrepresented Truth
Romans 3:8 And 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. Truth to Learn All sin will be judged, no matter what our excuse may be. Behind the Words The phrase “Let...
Romans 3:7 – The Truth Judge
Romans 3:7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? Truth to Learn We are sinners and God will judge sinners. Behind the Words “Increased” is from the Greek word perisseuō, which is based on...
Romans 3:6 – Righteous Judge
Romans 3:6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? Truth to Learn Our righteous God will one day judge everyone. Behind the Words “Certainly not!” is from the Greek words mē genoito, which we explained in verse four. However, what we didn’t mention there is that this...
Romans 3:5 – Righteous Wrath
Romans 3:5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) Truth to Learn God is righteous and must judge unrighteousness. Behind the Words The word translated “demonstrates” is sunistēmi, a compound word made up...
Romans 3:4 – God is True
Romans 3:4 Certainly 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." Truth to Learn God is true and always does what is right. Behind the Words “Certainly not!”...
Romans 3:3 – Ya Gotta Believe
Romans 3:3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Truth to Learn Salvation and our relationship with God are all about faith. Behind the Words The word translated “not believe” is apisteō, a compound word made up of the privative...
Romans 3:2 – The Entrusted Word
Romans 3:2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. Truth to Learn God entrusts His message to those He loves. Behind the Words “Chiefly” is translated from prōton, which means “first in time, place, order, or importance.” Since Paul does not enumerate further,...
Romans 3:1 – The Profit Statement
Romans 3:1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Truth to Learn Though we are special in God’s eyes, we need to be humble. Behind the Words The word translated “advantage” is perisos which is based on peri, meaning “around” or “above.” Perisos refers...
Romans 2:29 – He’s Watching and Listening
Romans 2:29 but 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. Truth to Learn True Christianity is an attitude produced by humble faith. Behind the Words The...
Romans 2:28 – Not Visibly Apparent
Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; Truth to Learn Christianity is not based on appearance or membership. Behind the Words The word translated “outwardly” is phaneros, which is derived from phainō, meaning “to illuminate.”...
Romans 2:27 – Judges by Faith
Romans 2:27 And 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? Truth to Learn We will not be judge by how well we keep the Law. In fact, we who are saved...
Romans 2:26 – Faith, Not Surgery
Romans 2:26 Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? Truth to Learn We keep the righteous requirements of the Law through faith. Behind the Words The word translated “righteous requirements” is the Greek word dikaiomata, which comes...
Romans 2:25 – Appearance or Submission
Romans 2:25 For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Truth to Learn The external features of Christianity mean nothing without the complete submission of our will to Almighty God. Behind the Words “Circumcision”...
Romans 2:24 – Visible Evidence
Romans 2:24 For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," as it is written. Truth to Learn The actions of some Christians bring shame to our God. Behind the Words The word “blasphemed” is transliterated from the Greek. That is, the Greek word is brought...
Romans 2:23 – Walk the Walk!
Romans 2:23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? Truth to Learn Christianity is faith in action, not just good sounding words. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “boast” is kauchaomai. Some Greek Lexicons indicate that this is derived from...
Romans 2:22 – A Living Example
Romans 2:22 You who say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? Truth to Learn Practice what you preach (or teach). Behind the Words The word translated “adultery” is moicheuō, which is based on moichos, referring to a man who seeks...
Romans 2:21 – Preaching by Example
Romans 2:21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? Truth to Learn Obeying God’s Word is more important than teaching it. Behind the Words The word translated “teach” is didaskō, which is a prolonged form...
Romans 2:20 – Giving Truth Away
Romans 2:20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. Truth to Learn We have the truth and we are to freely give it away. Behind the Words The word translated “instructor” is the Greek word paideutēs, which is...
Romans 2:19 – Shine the Light
Romans 2:19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, Truth to Learn Biblical truth is a light to those in darkness. We must share it. Behind the Words The word translated “confident” is peithō, meaning “to convince.”...
Romans 2:18 – Biblical Indoctrination
Romans 2:18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, Truth to Learn Every Christian needs to study the Bible to learn its truths. Behind the Words “Will” is translated from thelēma, which denotes “that which has been determined.” The word...
Romans 2:17 – No Place for Pride
Romans 2:17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, Truth to Learn Relying on heritage and obedience to the Law is futile. Behind the Words “Indeed” is translated from the two Greek words ei de. Some translations use the English...
Romans 2:16 – No More Secrets
Romans 2:16 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 their...
Romans 2:15 – Conscience Conviction
Romans 2:15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) Truth to Learn Our conscience is more effective at controlling our actions than any set of rules. Behind the Words The word...
Romans 2:14 – Moses’ Law vs. Natural Law
Romans 2:14 for 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, Truth to Learn Even those who don’t know the Law can do some good. Behind the Words “Gentiles” is translated...
Romans 2:13 – Walk the Walk!
Romans 2:13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; Truth to Learn God wants us to be doers, not just hearers. Behind the Words The word translated “hearers” is akroatēs. There is another Greek...
Romans 2:12 – With or Without the Law
Romans 2:12 For 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 Truth to Learn We have all sinned and are unrighteous, deserving of God’s condemnation. Behind the Words The expression “without...
Romans 12:11 – The Impartial Judge
Romans 2:11 For there is no partiality with God. Truth to Learn God judges based on truth, not on appearance. Behind the Words “Partiality” comes from the Greek word prosōpolepsia, which is made up of prosōpon, meaning “face” or literally, “that part of the face at or around the eyes,”...
Romans 2:10 – Peaceful Reward
Romans 2:10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Truth to Learn If we are working for God now, He will reward us later. Behind the Words The word translated “works” is the Greek verb ergodzomai,...
Romans 2:9 – Payment for Worthless Deeds
Romans 2:9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; Truth to Learn Tribulation and anguish are coming to those who reject God. Behind the Words The words “tribulation and anguish” are interesting in that, for three of...
Romans 2:8 – Self-serving Fools
Romans 2:8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, Truth to Learn Those who selfishly reject God will experience His wrath. Behind the Words The word translated “self-seeking” is eritheia. It is based on a noun that means “to work...