Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
“not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” v.4. Sometimes we think that people need a crisis in their lives to find God when actually God would rather draw people through His kindness.
“not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” v.4. Sometimes we think that people need a crisis in their lives to find God when actually God would rather draw people through His kindness.
go back and reread the chapter. but this time, replace the some words with words that put things in a more modern context. i think it makes a lot more sense to me. to get at the heart of what paul is saying here. let’s not forget taht this is a man who completely left behind the religion of his youth. the religion he was told was the only road to god. and he has left it and is now explaining why. to get people to see that there is a better way. a way that is truly of god, and how the way that they thought was the way is really not the way.
as i see many parallels in scripture between the religion that is decried by jesus and paul so much, and the modern christian church, i think this interpretation is a very valid one.
when you read, replace:
Law = Bible
Jew = Christian
Circumcised = Christian
Uncircucised = Non-Christian
Circucision = Christianity
Uncircumcision = Non-Christianity
please let me know what you think.
Uncircumcision = non
go back and reread the chapter. but this time, replace the some words with words that put things in a more modern context. i think it makes a lot more sense to me. to get at the heart of what paul is saying here. let’s not forget taht this is a man who completely left behind the religion of his youth. the religion he was told was the only road to god. and he has left it and is now explaining why. to get people to see that there is a better way. a way that is truly of god, and how the way that they thought was the way is really not the way.
as i see many parallels in scripture between the religion that is decried by jesus and paul so much, and the modern christian church, i think this interpretation is a very valid one.
when you read, replace:
Law = Bible
Jew = Christian
Circumcised = Christian
Uncircucised = Non-Christian
Circucision = Christianity
Uncircumcision = Non-Christianity
please let me know what you think.
Uncircumcision = non
wow. i didn’t proof read that at all. i hope you can follow it.
wow. i didn’t proof read that at all. i hope you can follow it.
verse 17 on just is tearing me up…i think i will share on whizzle dizzle tomorrow…goodnight
verse 17 on just is tearing me up…i think i will share on whizzle dizzle tomorrow…goodnight
Makes for a challenging read when you read it like that. I’ve also been reading Romans in the Message which gives another perspective.
Makes for a challenging read when you read it like that. I’ve also been reading Romans in the Message which gives another perspective.
Jon..I have tried reading it the way you mentioned and it does put a new spin on things.
Jon..I have tried reading it the way you mentioned and it does put a new spin on things.
v.4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
In the Message:
Or did you think that because he's such a nice God, he'd let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he's not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.
God's kindness is meant to cause us to change; not to excuse ourselves.
v.4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
In the Message:
Or did you think that because he's such a nice God, he'd let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he's not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.
God's kindness is meant to cause us to change; not to excuse ourselves.
v.14 Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.
Perhaps this explains why Paul says in Romans 1:20 "that men are without excuse"
v.14 Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.
Perhaps this explains why Paul says in Romans 1:20 "that men are without excuse"
v.2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.
(From Constable's Commentary) "The first principle by which God judges is that He judges righteously (v 2). He judges on the basis of what really exists, not what merely appears to be. For example, one might think that since his immoral thoughts are not observable he is free of guilt. But God looks at the heart…They should not misinterpret God's failure to judge them quickly as an indication that they are blameless. They should realize that God is simply giving them time to repent (v. 4)."
v.2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.
(From Constable's Commentary) "The first principle by which God judges is that He judges righteously (v 2). He judges on the basis of what really exists, not what merely appears to be. For example, one might think that since his immoral thoughts are not observable he is free of guilt. But God looks at the heart…They should not misinterpret God's failure to judge them quickly as an indication that they are blameless. They should realize that God is simply giving them time to repent (v. 4)."
v.25-26 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?
Paul is addressing Jews who thought that just because they were circumcised they were right with God. Even today people think they are right with God just because they perform some outward ceremony. As if God is impressed by our ability to present well. God knows what going on in our hearts.
v.25-26 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?
Paul is addressing Jews who thought that just because they were circumcised they were right with God. Even today people think they are right with God just because they perform some outward ceremony. As if God is impressed by our ability to present well. God knows what going on in our hearts.