Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and bow down their back always." Truth to Learn Whether blinded or obedient, we will all bow before Him. Behind the Words “Eyes” is translated from ophthalmos, which refers to the eyes either literally or figuratively. From this...
Romans 11:9 – Ensnared by Blessings
And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a repayment to them. Truth to Learn Blessings can become a trap if taken for granted. Behind the Words The words “let … become” are translated from a form of ginomai, meaning “to...
Romans 11:8 – Divine Stupidity
Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes to not see and ears to not hear, until this very day." Truth to Learn God is the one who enlightens or stupefies. Behind the Words The word translated “stupor” is katanuxis, which is the...
Romans 11:7 – Chosen or Hardened
What then? Israel did not obtain what it seeks; but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened. Truth to Learn God chooses some and hardens the rest. Behind the Words The word “obtain” is translated from the Greek word epitugchanō. This word is made up of...
Romans 11:6 – Grace Verses Works
And if by grace, then it is no longer from works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. Truth to Learn It is either grace or works. It can’t be both. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “grace” is a form of charis, which we looked at in yesterday’s...
Romans 11:5 – The Chosen Remnant
Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Truth to Learn We are the remnant, chosen to be God’s children, by His grace alone. Behind the Words The word translated “election” is the Greek word eklogē. This is a compound...
Romans 11:4 – Focus on Him
But what was God’s answer to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who did not bow the knee to Ba’al." Truth to Learn God wants us to keep our focus on Him, not on ourselves. Behind the Words “God’s response” is from chrēmatismos, meaning “the answer...
Romans 11:3 – Feelings or Faith
"LORD, they killed your prophets and destroyed your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life"? Truth to Learn Don’t let circumstances control your feelings, let faith do it. Behind the Words “Killed” is translated from apokteinō. This is a compound word made up of apo,...
Romans 11:2 – Securely Chosen
God did not reject His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, Truth to Learn God does not reject or desert any of His children whom He has chosen. Behind the Words The...
Romans 11:1 – We Preach, He Enlightens
I say then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Truth to Learn We are to preach the gospel to everyone, whether they will believe or not. Behind the Words You will notice...
Romans 10:21 – Patient and Merciful God
But to Israel he says: "All day long I have stretched out my hands to a disobedient and argumentative people." Truth to Learn God continues to reach out to even the most stubborn and rebellious sinner. Behind the Words The words “stretched out” are translated from ekpetannumi, which is...
Romans 10:20 – Bold Proclamation
But Isaiah is very bold and says: "I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was revealed to those who did not ask for Me." Truth to Learn Be bold in proclaiming the truth! Behind the Words The Greek word translated “very bold” is apotolmaō, which...
Romans 10:19 – Action, not Anger
But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: "I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will anger you by a foolish nation." Truth to Learn God’s gentle prodding is to provoke us to action. If we continually resist Him, it may...
Romans 10:18 – Worldwide Music
But 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." Truth to Learn The Gospel message continues to be proclaimed worldwide. Behind the Words “Have they not heard” is from the Greek...
Romans 10:17 – Hear to Eternity
Then faith is from hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Truth to Learn Faith comes as a result of hearing the Gospel message which originated from the utterance of God. Behind the Words The word translated “Then” is the Greek word ara, which is used here as...
Romans 10:16 – Who’s the Fool?
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "LORD, who has believed our report?" Truth to Learn Many people will not listen to or believe the Gospel message. Behind the Words “Obeyed” is from the Greek word hupakouō, which is make up of hupo, meaning “under”...
Romans 10:15 – Evangelists in Full Bloom
And how might they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim the good news!" Truth to Learn Those who proclaim the gospel are seen as particularly beautiful. Behind the Words The word “sent” is from apostellō, meaning “to...
Romans 10:14 – You’re the Preacher
How then can they call on the one in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching? Truth to Learn The responsibility of sharing the Gospel message falls upon everyone who has...
Romans 10:13 – Admission, Submission, and Appeal
For "Everyone who calls upon the name of the LORD will be saved." Truth to Learn Admission, submission, and appeal are all important aspects of our salvation. Behind the Words The words “calls upon” are translated from the Greek word epikaleō, which we looked at in the previous verse....
Romans 10:12 – Everyone’s the Same
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord of all is rich to all those calling upon Him. Truth to Learn God doesn’t care who your ancestors are. He will respond to your call for salvation. Behind the Words “Distinction” is translated from the...
Romans 10:11 – Unashamed Christians
For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." Truth to Learn There is no shame in being called a Christian, and there is no shame in sharing the glorious news of salvation through faith. Behind the Words The word translated “Scripture” is graphē,...
Romans 10:10 – Heart and Mouth Connection
For with the heart a person believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth is confession unto salvation. Truth to Learn True belief and confession go hand in hand. Meaning Explained According to this verse and the previous one, the things required for salvation are belief and confession. It’s as...
Romans 10:9 – Resurrected Lord
that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Truth to Learn Christ must be both your Master and your risen Savior. Behind the Words “Confess” is translated from the...
Romans 10:8 – Proclaiming the Word of Faith
But what does it say? “the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith which we preach: Truth to Learn The gospel proclamation centers on faith, not works. Behind the Words “Word” is translated from the Greek word rhēma, which...
Romans 10:7 – Risen Christ
or, "Who will descend into the abyss?" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). Truth to Learn Jesus Christ is God and He is risen from the dead! Behind the Words The word translated “abyss” is the Greek word abussos, from which we get our English word,...
Romans 10:6 – Righteousness Speaks
But the righteousness of faith says this, "Do not say in your heart, who will go up into heaven?" (that is, to bring Christ down) Truth to Learn Even the greatest of works does not produce righteousness. Behind the Words “The righteousness of faith” is from hē ek pisteōs...
Romans 10:5 – Earned or Received?
For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “the man doing these things shall live by them." Truth to Learn Eternal life can’t be earned by obedience. Behind the Words “Doing” is from the Greek verb poieō, meaning “to make” or “to do.” It is expressed...
Romans 10:4 – Condemned or Forgiven?
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who is believing. Truth to Learn Christ completely fulfilled the righteous requirements of the Law. We achieve His righteousness by faith in His blood. Behind the Words The word translated “end” is the Greek word telos, which...
Romans 10:3 – Completely Submitted
For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, did not submit to God’s righteousness. Truth to Learn Righteousness comes by submitting your will to the will of Almighty God. Behind the Words The word translated “ignorant” is agnoeō, which is a compound word...
Romans 10:2 – Zeal for God
For I testify to them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. Truth to Learn Zeal and devotion are good if they are not misplaced. Behind the Words Paul starts off this verse with “For I testify to them.” This is translated from the...
Romans 10:1 – Hate Sin, Love Sinners
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is for their salvation. Truth to Learn Paul loved his lost brothers and prayed for them while he proclaimed the Gospel message to them. Behind the Words The word translated “brothers” is adelphos, which is made up of the...