26-0614sc - Detailed Summary

Steve announces the switch to the New American Standard Bible (NASB) for the Bible class while still studying the NIV personally. He expresses enjoyment of nearly every Bible version. Steve shares his daily habit of reading five psalms and one proverb each morning, changing versions monthly. This month he uses the NASB, having used the Christian Standard the previous month. He appreciates the New King James Version and the King James Version, the latter being familiar from his upbringing.

Steve recalls that during his time at the school of preaching, the American Standard Version was considered the closest translation to the original Greek. The class used this version, though he notes its difficulty. He prepares to begin the study in Romans.

Steve leads the class in prayer to the Heavenly Father. He thanks God for the day and the weather, recognizing it as God’s provision for sustaining life through crops and nature. He acknowledges God’s grace and mercy in sending His Son as propitiation for sins, providing forgiveness, justification, and righteousness. Steve asks for blessings on the study of Paul’s letter to the Romans, seeking understanding and insight. He references the difficulty of Paul’s writings as noted by Peter, praying against any misinterpretation leading to damnation. The prayer concludes in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

Steve notes that in Romans chapter 9, Paul shifts focus. He suggests reading the entire chapter without initial commentary to let Paul explain the situation regarding the Jewish people. Paul will address problems as he sees them among the Israelites, his fellow countrymen, providing insight and commentary.

Steve reads from Romans 9 in the NASB. Paul declares he is telling the truth in Christ, not lying, with his conscience testifying in the Holy Spirit. He expresses great sorrow and unceasing grief in his heart. Paul wishes he himself were accursed and separated from Christ for the sake of his countrymen, his kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites. To them belongs the adoption as sons and daughters, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple service, and the promises. Theirs are the fathers, and from them is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

Steve continues reading. It is not as though the word of God has failed, for not all who are descended from Israel are Israel, nor are all children because they are Abraham’s descendants. Through Isaac, descendants shall be named. It is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise regarded as descendants. The word of promise states that at this time Sarah will have a son. Regarding Rebecca conceiving twins by Isaac, before the twins were born or had done good or bad, God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls. It was said the older will serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.

Steve reads further. What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? Far from it. God says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I have mercy, and I will show compassion on whomever I show compassion." It does not depend on the one who wills or runs, but on God who has mercy. Scripture says to Pharaoh that God raised him up to demonstrate His power and proclaim His name throughout the earth. God has mercy on whom He desires and hardens whom He desires. Paul anticipates the objection: Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will? The response is that the one answering back to God is foolish. The thing molded does not say to the molder why it was made that way. The potter has the right over the clay to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use.

Steve continues the reading. What if God, willing to demonstrate His wrath and make His power known, endured with patience the objects of wrath prepared for destruction? He did this to make known the riches of His glory upon objects of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory. These include us, called not only from Jews but also Gentiles. As Hosea says, God will call those who were not His people, "My people," and her who was not beloved, "Beloved." In the place where it was said they were not His people, they shall be called sons of the living God. Isaiah cries out concerning Israel that though their number be like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will be saved, for the Lord will execute His word thoroughly and quickly.

Steve reads the conclusion of the chapter. As Isaiah foretold, if the Lord of armies had not left descendants, they would have become like Sodom and Gomorrah. What shall we say then? Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness attained it, the righteousness by faith. However, Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law because they did not pursue it by faith but as though by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, as written: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, and the one who believes in Him will not be put to shame."

Steve explains that Paul now provides commentary on the Israelites. The final observation in verse 30 notes that Gentiles attained righteousness by faith, while Israel pursuing righteousness by law did not arrive because they sought it by works rather than faith, stumbling over the stumbling stone, Christ. This reveals Paul’s deep concern for his fellow Israelites. He expresses willingness to be accursed for them. Paul highlights their heritage, which has made them proud and resistant to God due to their perception and approach. Their heritage, including adoption, covenants, law, and promises, has puffed them up.

Steve discusses how heritage can lead to pride. Tim provides an example of the Pharisee in the synagogue praying proudly about his superiority over the tax collector. Steve agrees this illustrates the attitude, where one relies on heritage and standing to approach God proudly. He notes that even Churches of Christ members can fall into this.

Steve shares his experience as an ambassador for Ohio Valley College and member of PACE (Preachers Advancing Christian Education). He encountered "blue bloods" proud of family preaching or church heritage, which puffed them up. He cautions about overemphasizing the Restoration Movement. While appreciating its contributions like weekly Lord’s Supper, a cappella worship, and proper baptism, he questions how much importance to place on its results and warns against pride in it.

Steve urges guarding against approaching faith, worship, and life as works rather than faith. The key question is whether actions obligate God or stem from love for Him. He references Hebrews that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Steve connects this to his recent sermon on righteousness, which he will preach again at Toledo Road. He emphasizes glorifying God. Referencing Pharaoh, God raised him to demonstrate power and proclaim His name. Steve recalls the burning bush where God declared "I AM." He defines God’s righteousness as having no evil intentions, looking after all creation’s welfare. He ties this to Proverbs and the ordered sequence of creation days, ensuring everything sustains life perfectly. Paul warns against the pride that made Jews and potentially others think they alone are saved. Only members of Jesus' church are assured of heaven, but the focus must remain on faith, not works or heritage pride.

Steve asks for comments on what he has said. An audience member responds that God made the situation with Pharaoh as described in the lump of clay analogy from Paul. However, the person emphasizes that Pharaoh had a choice. The audience member references Robert Milligan’s "Scheme of Redemption" from the nineteenth century, noting that what hardens clay softens wax. What softens and melts an honest heart often hardens a dishonest one. They choose; God does not take choice away but gives circumstances according to His knowledge of their demeanor. God raised up Pharaoh, possibly waiting until he was in that position when Moses returned. Pharaoh still made his own choices. The audience member adds that as Christians, God promises not to allow temptation beyond what we can handle, though this assurance is specifically for Christians.

Steve agrees with the questions raised and explains that this is why Paul discusses Jacob and Esau. God declared His choice before they were born, before they could demonstrate their nature, saying He would be with Jacob. Jacob could have rejected this. Steve recounts Jacob’s life: when fleeing Esau, he had little reason to worship God. Jacob began worshiping and became righteous and justified after returning from Laban, facing Esau, wrestling with the angel, and being lamed at the hip. At that point, Jacob realized God had fulfilled the proposition he made at Bethel with the ladder vision and angels. Jacob had vowed that if God brought him back safely, he would believe. This realization came when Esau met him compassionately without hostility. That is when Jacob fulfilled his side and became justified.

Steve continues on the twins, noting the prophecy that the older would serve the younger. He highlights Rebekah’s strong influence, counseling and orchestrating events such as Jacob pretending to be Esau to receive the blessing while Esau was hunting. Rebekah advocated for Jacob. Upon leaving, Jacob lost that maternal influence. Steve describes the scene where Esau, possibly experiencing a diabetic-like reaction after hunting, sold his birthright to Jacob for a pot of beans. As a diabetic himself, Steve notes how beans would help stabilize blood sugar. Esau’s sale of the birthright is condemned in Scripture and never forgiven. This ties back to the theme of pride and heritage.

Steve returns to the text, rereading Paul’s words: "I am telling the truth in Christ. I am not lying. My conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit." He explains the Holy Spirit’s role in verifying and inspiring Paul, as discussed in the previous chapter on the Holy Spirit’s work within Christians. Paul asks for understanding and insight, a common request in his letters. Steve reads from 2 Peter 1:16-21 in the NASB, emphasizing that no prophecy comes from human will but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. The Holy Spirit is the author of the Bible, from Moses onward, revealing what God wants us to know. This applies to all Scripture writers, including the Gospel authors.

Steve addresses potential questions about the New Testament being written about 35 years after Christ’s death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit, who gave prophecies like Genesis 3:15 and Isaiah’s virgin birth prophecy centuries earlier, also inspired the New Testament writers accurately. He references 1 Corinthians 14. Steve notes they will revisit Joe’s question later. He explains plenary inspiration: the Holy Spirit provides the information, but writers use their own words and vocabulary. This allows scholars to identify authors through vocabulary studies, similar to forensic analysis, preventing forgeries. Time is running short, so Steve prepares to continue.

Steve rereads from Romans 9:1, highlighting Paul’s great sorrow and unceasing grief, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and his willingness to be accursed and separated from Christ for his countrymen, his kinsmen according to the flesh. Paul identifies as a Jew, descendant of Isaac and Jacob, able to trace his lineage. Steve explains the keeping of genealogies to verify Israelite identity for roles like priest or king. Paul lists Israel’s privileges: adoption as sons and daughters, the glory, covenants, the giving of the law, temple service, promises, the fathers, and the Christ according to the flesh, who is God blessed forever. These are sources of pride and boasting, as Paul does similarly in 2 Corinthians 10.

Steve shares a personal anecdote from Ohio Valley College where he encountered "blue bloods" proud of multi-generational Christian heritage, contrasting with his own second-generation Christian background. He warns that religious communities — Methodists, Baptists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Catholics — often have similar pride based on heritage, lineage, and tradition rather than knowledge. Their zeal is not according to knowledge but ignorant worship. Ignorance of the law or the Bible is no excuse. Steve ends his soapbox, planning to continue at verse 6 next week, noting the Jews' sense of being chosen due to these privileges, while reminding that Christians are the true chosen ones.