Today, we were able to get through Romans 1:18-3:18, in our overview of Paul’s great book of doctrine for this Dispensation of Grace. Understanding that our Bible was arranged dispensationally, not chronologically, is of utmost importance when we are reading and studying.
The oldest book in the Bible is Job, yet our Bible begins with Genesis.
Genesis – Esther are books of history, including the Law of Moses
Job – Song of Solomon are the poetry books
Isaiah – Malachi are the prophecy books that focus on the future of Israel and the messianic kingdom
The New Testament books are arranged in similar fashion. Matthew is not the oldest book, but it and the other 3 gospels are first, because they transition from an Old Testament economy to a New Testament economy through the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew – Acts are history books, with Acts transitioning from a Jewish church to a Gentile church throughout the Roman world.
Romans – Philemon are the church doctrine books, written to us by the Apostle Paul
Hebrews – Revelation are the prophetic program books, with Hebrews transitioning the reader’s attention from a Gentile church focus to a Jewish focus, with Revelation focusing on the restoration of Israel through the events of the tribulation.
Romans 1:18-31 gives us several things to ponder, as God’s wrath is revealed against the pagan world. There are three reasons for God’s judgment on pagan man:
1. For suppressing God’s truth – v.18
2. For ignoring God’s revelation – v.19-20
3. For perverting God’s glory – v.21-23 (A fool is not an ignorant person, but a person who refuses to believe God)
Because of how pagan man treats God and his truth, God gives the world over to three things;
1. Uncleanness – v.24-25
2. Vile affections – v.26-27
3. A reprobate mind – v.28 (A mind void of judgment)
These three sinful attributes cause the people of the pagan world to be filled with five major sinful conditions (v.29):
unrighteousness, sexual impurity, wickedness, covetousness (which is idolatry – Colossians 3:5), maliciousness
These five heart conditions cause individuals to be full of 18 identifiable sins: Romans 1:29-32: Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Please compare these 18 sins to the 18 sins of the perilous times of the last days found in 2 Timothy 3:1-7 and the 18 works of the flesh described in Galatians 5:19-21) One thing is sure — the flesh, the old man is the enemy of God!
Romans 2 condemns morally superior man, and Romans 3 condemns religious man, grouping all three groups into one group in Romans 3:9 — Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin! There is none righteous, no not one! Next week, we will continue our overview in Romans 3:19-31, and the basis for salvation in this dispensation of grace — justification by grace! I look forward to seeing you all this coming Sunday!