God-s-Gospel-Introduction

Auxano Ministry

By the grace of God I am what I am:

1 Cor. 15:10a

The Foundation of God's Word to the Administration of Grace!

God's Gospel

God’s Gospel

Romans

Introduction

The epistle to the Romans is not the first epistle written, but it is the first epistle taught. We know this because Romans is the foundation of the doctrine for the Administration of Grace.

1 Corinthians 3:10-11

According to the grace of God, which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

The text reads Christ Jesus. The foundation of the Administration of Grace is Christ Jesus.

Many times, we see in the pages of the Bible the words the Lord Jesus Christ in different configurations. In Koine Greek the order of the words shows the emphasis the author intended. For example: when Lord is first God is emphasizing the importance of our Lord’s accomplishments. If it is written Jesus Christ, our Lord the emphasis switches to the man Jesus. Finally, if the words are written as Christ Jesus the emphasis is on Christ the victorious, resurrected savior who sits at the right hand of God. The order of the words is important.

Sometimes theology forgets that these words are the words of God. This is not Paul’s theology. The Bible does not hold Peter’s theology. Moses did not write what he thought would work to control a few million people. Men make denominations, not God. These words are God’s words, and they deserve our utmost respect.

Proverbs 30:5-6

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

We do not add to what God has said. We do not take away from what God has said. This lesson we should have learned in Genesis chapter three.

Too often the translators have moved with a blatant disregard for the words of God. The phrase Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus have different meanings, a different emphasis. Sometimes this phrase appears in the text as Jesus Christ and the translators write Christ Jesus or the reverse is true. It appears in the text as Christ Jesus and is translated Jesus Christ. Just in the epistle to the Romans the translators made eleven mistakes when translating these words.

Romans 1:3

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord,1 which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.

There was no need to add these words (in red) that are not in the text, the manuscript.

In the epistle to the Romans Christ Jesus is used twelve times.

Mistakes in translations in Romans

Scripture

King James Version

Text

Romans 1:1 Jesus Christ

Christ Jesus

Romans 1:3 Jesus Christ our Lord

not in the text

Romans 2:16

Jesus Christ

Christ Jesus

Romans 6:3

Jesus Christ

Christ Jesus

Romans 6:11

Jesus Christ

Christ Jesus

Romans 6:23

Jesus Christ

Christ Jesus

Romans 15:5

Christ Jesus

Jesus Christ

Romans 15:8

Jesus Christ

Christ

Romans 15:16

Jesus Christ

Christ Jesus

Romans 15:17

Jesus Christ

Christ Jesus

Romans 16:18

Jesus Christ

Christ

Romans Use of

Christ Jesus

Scripture

King James Version Subject Matter

Romans 1:1

Christ Jesus

Paul a doulos

Romans 2:16

Christ Jesus

God will Judge

Romans 3:24

Christ Jesus

Justification

Romans 6:3

Christ Jesus

Identification in Christ

Romans 6:11 Christ Jesus

Dead to sin /Alive to God

Romans 6:23

Christ Jesus

Eternal Life

Romans 8:1

Christ Jesus

No condemnation

Romans 8:2 Christ Jesus

Free from the Law

Romans 8:39 Christ Jesus

Love of God inseparable

Romans 15:16 Christ Jesus

Gentiles made holy

Romans 15:17 Christ Jesus

Paul’s boasting

Romans 16:3 Christ Jesus

Helpers with Paul

Ephesians 2:20

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ [Christ Jesus in the text] himself being the chief corner stone.

The foundation of the Administration of Grace is Christ Jesus, the resurrected and victorious savior.

As we begin this new series on God’s Gospel, we will be spending time looking at our foundation in Christ.

Galatians 2:16

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith [accomplished believing] of Jesus Christ [Christ Jesus in the text], even we have believed in Jesus Christ [Christ Jesus in the text], that we might be justified by the faith [genitive of relation – believing pertaining to Christ] of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

We were justified in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:18

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ [Christ Jesus in the text], and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.

We were reconciled to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 1:1

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ [Christ Jesus in the text], called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Servant is the Greek word doulos. Paul a bondslave of Christ Jesus. The doulos relationship is a commitment made in love, love of the master and love of the servant. A doulos keeps his eye set on his Lord so that he can act, doing whatever his Lord asks of him. A doulos relationship is a lifelong relationship, a lifelong commitment. A doulos must be faithful.

But I do not want to be someone’s slave. Honestly, if the only way we were allowed in the presence of God was as a slave, we should be thankful and jump at the opportunity. But our God is rich in grace, and He has welcomed us into His presence as His children.

We are literally the children of God, and we can be a doulos of God figuratively. The use of doulos is the figure of speech metaphor, comparison by representation.

Romans 8:15

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

We are God’s children by adoption, we can be His doulos as a matter of choice.

There is a parable in the gospels that has been entitled, “The Prodigal Son.” It is a poor title, but we can talk about that another day. The youngest son demands his inheritance and when received, takes his money, and goes off to party. The older son continues to work with his father, but his actions are not being done in love.

Both should have had the desire to serve their father in love, not as his slaves, but as his sons. The same is true with us. We are God’s sons and daughters, and as His children we should desire to carry out our Father’s will, to serve Him, in love.

Romans 1:1

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ [Christ Jesus in the text], called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Paul is called by God when God sends Jesus to meet Paul on the road to Damascus.

1 Samuel 3:10

And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

The important part of the call is that you respond. Paul responded and he was sent forth as an apostle. An apostle is a sent one with a message. “To be” is not in the text, delete it.

Separated is the Greek word aphorizo, meaning to mark off from others by boundaries. Paul sticks out in a crowd, he is separated. We have the perfect idiom to understand this word, “Sticks out like a sore thumb.” A sore or bandaged thumb stands out on an otherwise uninjured hand.

Most people huddle together under the world, Paul is set apart, separated unto God’s Gospel. Paul no longer thinks like the world thinks. Paul no longer acts like those who follow the world. He is set apart as he follows and obeys the good news from God.

Gospel of God is a genitive of origin putting the emphasis on God. It is God’s good news, God’s Gospel.

Romans 1:2

(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

I thought the Administration of Grace was hidden in God until revealed to Paul. This is the figure of speech parecbasis, a temporary stepping aside from the subject.

What is the subject?

The subject is God’s gospel that has been hidden and never revealed.

Romans 16:25-27

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

The subject of the epistle to the Romans are those things which have been hidden in contrast to that which was never hidden but promised in the scriptures.

The figure parecbasis is used to separate the hidden from the previously revealed.

The scriptures spoke of God’s good news beginning in Genesis 3:15 and pieces, like parts of a puzzle, have been laid out in the scripture as holy men of God spoke for God.

Romans 1:3

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.

Some aspects were never meant to be hidden, like Christ coming from the seed of David or being born of a virgin. Some things were never hidden, while other aspects were never revealed.

Romans 1:4

And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

The text reads, “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ the Lord of us.”

Romans 1:5-6

By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith [believing] among all nations, for his name: among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

So much of what we have received is in Christ Jesus, but before we receive in Christ Jesus we are called in Jesus. I have already said the important part is the response.

Romans 10:9-10

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The correct response is to confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised him from the dead. Then you have your identification in Christ, then you receive in Christ.

Romans 1:7

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Called saints, is the Greek word hagios, meaning holy, sacred, set apart for God.

Helps Word-studies: hágios -properly, different (unlike), other ("otherness"), holy; for the believer, (hágios) means "likeness of nature with the Lord" because "different from the world."

“Likeness of nature with the Lord,” and that is who we are in Christ. God has made us holy for He is Holy, and we are His children.

Romans 6:3-4

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ [Christ Jesus in the text] were baptized into his death? Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Our identification is in Christ Jesus. We died with him and were buried with him, and were raised with him so that now, we can walk forth in newness of life.

Blue Letter Bible Lexicon defines newness this way; “newly made, fresh, unheard of, unused.”

What has God accomplished for you in Christ Jesus?

What was hidden, but now is revealed?

This is where we want to go as we study and consider God’s Gospel in the Epistle to the Romans.

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1. Words in red have been added to the text, the manuscript.