"Their feet are swift to shed blood; Truth to Learn Bloodshed and violence are part of human nature. Behind the Words “Swift” is translated from the Greek word oxus. The basic meaning of this word is “to have a sharp, piercing point or a very sharp edge.” But this...
Romans 3:14 – Words of Bitterness
"Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." Truth to Learn Other people’s words can be hurtful, but ours shouldn’t be so. Behind the Words The word translated “cursing” is ara, which originally meant “a prayer,” but it has come to mean an imprecatory prayer or “a curse.” This...
Romans 3:13 – Painful Words
"Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they were deceitful"; "the poison of asps is under their lips"; Truth to Learn Our words can be powerful weapons of pain if not controlled. Behind the Words The word translated “throat” is the Greek word larugx, from which we...
Romans 3:12 – Wayward and Useless
They all turned away; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, not even one." Truth to Learn Doing religious things our own way is useless. Behind the Words The word translated, “turned away” is ekklinō, which is made up of ek, meaning “out of” and...
Romans 3:11 – I Don’t Understand!
there is no one who understands; there is no one seeking God. Truth to Learn We do not seek out God; He draws us to Him. Behind the Words The word translated “understands” is the Greek word suniēmi, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and hiēmi, meaning...
Romans 3:10 – No Not One!
As it is written: There is none righteous, not even one; Truth to Learn None of us meets God’s standard of righteousness. Behind the Words The words “it is written” are translated from a single Greek verb, graphō. This word literally means “to engrave,” that is, “to write.” It...
Romans 3:9 – Sinners All
What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks 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 Greek word, proechomai....
Romans 3:8 – Misrepresented Truth
And not say, "Let us do evil that good may result"—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 us do”...
Romans 3:7 – The Truth Judge
For if in my lie the truth of God has abounded to His glory, why am I still being judged as a sinner? Truth to Learn We are sinners and God will judge sinners. Behind the Words The word “lie” is translated from the Greek word pseusma, which is...
Romans 3:6 – Righteous Judge
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 is...
Romans 3:5 – Righteous Wrath
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 of...
Romans 3:4 – God is True
Certainly not! But let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: "That you should be justified in your words, and you may prevail 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
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 verb made up of the privative a,...
Romans 3:2 – The Entrusted Word
Much in every way! Primarily, because the oracles of God were entrusted to them. Truth to Learn God entrusts His message to those He loves. Behind the Words “Primarily” is translated from prōton, which means “first in time, place, order, or importance.” Since Paul does not enumerate further, this...
Romans 3:1 – The Profit Statement
What superiority then has the Jew, or what is the advantage of circumcision? Truth to Learn Though we are special in God’s eyes, we need to be humble. Behind the Words The word translated “superiority” is perisos which is based on peri, meaning “around” or “above.” Perisos refers to...
Romans 2:29 – He’s Watching and Listening
but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, in spirit, not in 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 word translated “inwardly” is...
Romans 2:28 – Not Visibly Apparent
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.” Phaneros...
Romans 2:27 – Judges by Faith
And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, who through letter 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 by faith will judge...
Romans 2:26 – Faith, Not Surgery
Therefore, if the uncircumcision keeps the righteousness 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 “righteousness” is the Greek word dikaiomata, which comes from the noun dikaioo,...
Romans 2:25 – Appearance or Submission
For indeed circumcision profits you if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision becomes 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” is translated...
Romans 2:24 – Visible Evidence
For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through 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 directly over...
Romans 2:23 – Walk the Walk!
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 auchen,...
Romans 2:22 – A Living Example
You who are saying not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who detest 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
You, therefore, who teach another, don’t you teach yourself? You who are preaching not to 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 of a primary verb...
Romans 2:20 – Giving Truth Away
an instructor of foolish ones, a teacher of infants, having the form of knowledge and of the 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...
Romans 2:19 – Shine the Light
and are convinced 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 “convinced” is peithō, meaning “to convince.” It...
Romans 2:18 – Biblical Indoctrination
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 “His”...
Romans 2:17 – No Place for Pride
Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest upon 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 word...
Romans 2:16 – No More Secrets
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 thoughts accusing...
Romans 2:15 – Conscience Conviction
who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also giving witness, and their thoughts between themselves accusing or even excusing) Truth to Learn Our conscience is more effective at controlling our actions than any set of rules. Behind the Words The word translated “conscience”...
Romans 2:14 – Moses’ Law vs. Natural Law
for when Gentiles, not having the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law unto themselves, Truth to Learn Even those who don’t know the Law can do some good. Behind the Words “Gentiles” is translated from the Greek...