Johann
Well-known member
9:30 "Righteousness" The NOUN is used three times in Rom. 9:30 and once in Rom. 9:31. The "righteousness" of faith is contrasted with the "righteousness" of the law (cf. Rom. 3:21-31). Again the contrast between the old covenant and the new covenant. The problems with the old covenant open the door of the gospel for the whole world in Romans 11.
SPECIAL TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS
9:32 "by works" The Textus Receptus added "of the law." This was an addition by a later copyist. Paul did often use this phrase "works of the law" (cf. Rom. 3:20,28; Gal. 2:16; 3:2,5,10). However, the ancient Greek manuscripts P46, א*, A, B, F, and G omit the phrase in this verse. The UBS4 rates the shorter text "B" (almost certain).
SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM
The key to God's righteousness is not human performance but the character and gift of God through Christ. Righteousness is an impossible attainment by fallen mankind, but it is a freely offered gift through faith in Christ (cf. Rom. 3:21-31). However, it must be received (cf. Rom. 9:33; John 1:12; 3:16; Rom. 4:1ff; 10:9-13; Eph. 2:8-9). This is the truth that sincere, religious, moral Jews (and all legalists) miss!
George Eldon Ladd in his book A Theology of the New Testament, makes a good point:
"Paul's teaching about the Law is often approached from the perspective of the historical experience either of Paul himself as a Jewish rabbi, or of a typical first-century Jew under the Law. However, Paul's thought must be seen neither as a confession of his spiritual autobiography, nor as a description of the legalistic character of first-century Pharisaism, but as a theological interpretation by a Christian thinker of two ways of righteousness: legalism and faith" (p. 495).
9:33 This is taken from Isa. 28:16 combined with Isa. 8:14; see notes online.
"Behold I lay in Zion a stone," Isa. 28:16a
"of stumbling and a rock of offense," Isa. 8:14b
"and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed," Isa. 28:16b
By combining these verses in this way (rabbinical technique) he changes the meaning of Isa. 28:16 from positive to negative.
Paul manipulates the OT for gospel purposes.
He chooses which translation (LXX, MT, Targums, or his own)
He changes the contextual references (from Jews to Gentiles)
He combines OT texts from different contexts
He changes titles and PRONOUNS, which initially applied to YHWH, to Jesus of Nazareth
Paul, under inspiration, had the ability to alter OT texts! This is shocking to modern, conservative Christians. Our respect for God's Word causes us to treat Scripture in a special way! It is authortative and eternal (cf. Matt. 5:17-19), but Paul's use of these OT texts shows his flexibility similar to Jesus' flexibility, shown in Matt. 5:21-48. Jesus is "Lord of Scripture" and Paul is His called, gifted, and inspired spokesperson. We must allow Paul to use the Scripture in ways that you and I can not!! We are illumined by the Spirit, but he was inspired! Modern Christians cannot reproduce the hermeneutical procedures of NT authors.
SPECIAL TOPIC: INSPIRATION
SPECIAL TOPIC: ILLUMINATION
SPECIAL TOPIC: RABBINICAL HERMENEUTICAL TECHNIQUES
"he who believes in Him will not be disappointed" This is from Isa. 28:16b. It is also quoted in Rom. 10:11 and is similar to Joel 2:32, quoted in Rom. 10:13. The key to salvation is both
the object (the cornerstone)
the individual's personal reception (faith in Him)
SPECIAL TOPIC: FAITH, BELIEVE, OR TRUST
SPECIAL TOPIC: SHAME
"a stone" This was originally a title for God (cf. Ps. 18:1-2,31,46; Deut. 32:18; 1 Sam. 2:2; Ps. 28:1; 31:3; 42:9; 71:3; 78:35), but it came to be a Messianic title (cf. Gen. 49:24; Ps. 118:22; Isa. 8:14; 28:16; Dan. 2:34-35, 44-45; Matt. 21:42-44). The key element of God's covenant promise (the Messiah) was misunderstood and rejected by Israel (cf. 1 Cor. 1:23). The Jews misunderstood not only the Messiah's purpose, but the basic requirements of God's covenant. Christ became for the Jews a cause to stumble (cf. Isa. 8:14; Luke 2:34), but for the believers, both Jew and Gentile, He became the foundation stone (cf. Isa. 28:16; 1 Pet. 2:6-10).
SPECIAL TOPIC: CORNERSTONE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
How is Romans 9 (predestination) related to Romans 10 (mankind's free will)?
What is the main theme of Rom. 9:1-29?
Has God broken His promise to Israel?
List the privileges that national Israel enjoyed (9:4-5).
Were all the Jews right with God? Why or why not (9:6)?
If man is forced to do God's will is he morally responsible?
How is "mercy" the key to predestination(cf. Rom. 15, 16, 18, 23; 11:30-32)?
@Discerner-all from Bob Utley-a Baptist minister.
SPECIAL TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS
9:32 "by works" The Textus Receptus added "of the law." This was an addition by a later copyist. Paul did often use this phrase "works of the law" (cf. Rom. 3:20,28; Gal. 2:16; 3:2,5,10). However, the ancient Greek manuscripts P46, א*, A, B, F, and G omit the phrase in this verse. The UBS4 rates the shorter text "B" (almost certain).
SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM
The key to God's righteousness is not human performance but the character and gift of God through Christ. Righteousness is an impossible attainment by fallen mankind, but it is a freely offered gift through faith in Christ (cf. Rom. 3:21-31). However, it must be received (cf. Rom. 9:33; John 1:12; 3:16; Rom. 4:1ff; 10:9-13; Eph. 2:8-9). This is the truth that sincere, religious, moral Jews (and all legalists) miss!
George Eldon Ladd in his book A Theology of the New Testament, makes a good point:
"Paul's teaching about the Law is often approached from the perspective of the historical experience either of Paul himself as a Jewish rabbi, or of a typical first-century Jew under the Law. However, Paul's thought must be seen neither as a confession of his spiritual autobiography, nor as a description of the legalistic character of first-century Pharisaism, but as a theological interpretation by a Christian thinker of two ways of righteousness: legalism and faith" (p. 495).
9:33 This is taken from Isa. 28:16 combined with Isa. 8:14; see notes online.
"Behold I lay in Zion a stone," Isa. 28:16a
"of stumbling and a rock of offense," Isa. 8:14b
"and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed," Isa. 28:16b
By combining these verses in this way (rabbinical technique) he changes the meaning of Isa. 28:16 from positive to negative.
Paul manipulates the OT for gospel purposes.
He chooses which translation (LXX, MT, Targums, or his own)
He changes the contextual references (from Jews to Gentiles)
He combines OT texts from different contexts
He changes titles and PRONOUNS, which initially applied to YHWH, to Jesus of Nazareth
Paul, under inspiration, had the ability to alter OT texts! This is shocking to modern, conservative Christians. Our respect for God's Word causes us to treat Scripture in a special way! It is authortative and eternal (cf. Matt. 5:17-19), but Paul's use of these OT texts shows his flexibility similar to Jesus' flexibility, shown in Matt. 5:21-48. Jesus is "Lord of Scripture" and Paul is His called, gifted, and inspired spokesperson. We must allow Paul to use the Scripture in ways that you and I can not!! We are illumined by the Spirit, but he was inspired! Modern Christians cannot reproduce the hermeneutical procedures of NT authors.
SPECIAL TOPIC: INSPIRATION
SPECIAL TOPIC: ILLUMINATION
SPECIAL TOPIC: RABBINICAL HERMENEUTICAL TECHNIQUES
"he who believes in Him will not be disappointed" This is from Isa. 28:16b. It is also quoted in Rom. 10:11 and is similar to Joel 2:32, quoted in Rom. 10:13. The key to salvation is both
the object (the cornerstone)
the individual's personal reception (faith in Him)
SPECIAL TOPIC: FAITH, BELIEVE, OR TRUST
SPECIAL TOPIC: SHAME
"a stone" This was originally a title for God (cf. Ps. 18:1-2,31,46; Deut. 32:18; 1 Sam. 2:2; Ps. 28:1; 31:3; 42:9; 71:3; 78:35), but it came to be a Messianic title (cf. Gen. 49:24; Ps. 118:22; Isa. 8:14; 28:16; Dan. 2:34-35, 44-45; Matt. 21:42-44). The key element of God's covenant promise (the Messiah) was misunderstood and rejected by Israel (cf. 1 Cor. 1:23). The Jews misunderstood not only the Messiah's purpose, but the basic requirements of God's covenant. Christ became for the Jews a cause to stumble (cf. Isa. 8:14; Luke 2:34), but for the believers, both Jew and Gentile, He became the foundation stone (cf. Isa. 28:16; 1 Pet. 2:6-10).
SPECIAL TOPIC: CORNERSTONE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
How is Romans 9 (predestination) related to Romans 10 (mankind's free will)?
What is the main theme of Rom. 9:1-29?
Has God broken His promise to Israel?
List the privileges that national Israel enjoyed (9:4-5).
Were all the Jews right with God? Why or why not (9:6)?
If man is forced to do God's will is he morally responsible?
How is "mercy" the key to predestination(cf. Rom. 15, 16, 18, 23; 11:30-32)?
@Discerner-all from Bob Utley-a Baptist minister.
