Romans Series - Part 4 - Romans 1:10-19 - David Bercot

In this episode, David will not be using his own words but borrowing them from the early Christians to show us how they view Romans 1:10-19.

In this Romans Series from David Bercot, he will be answering the questions: What the early Christians believed about the book of Romans.

Romans 1
New King James Version
Greeting
1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who [a]was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Desire to Visit Rome
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve [b]with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

The Just Live by Faith
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel [c]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who [d]suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is [e]manifest [f]in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like [h]corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their [i]women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the [j]men, leaving the natural use of the [k]woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, [l]sexual immorality, wickedness, [m]covetousness, [n]maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 [o]undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, [p]unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

[palabravivificante]

A great message brother! I look forward to hearing some more...

[Charles-rbjr]

Great message! The righteous shall live by faith! I agree with what David said about "faith to faith." It certainly seems to fit the context and the entirety of Scripture.

[bobthrasher]

If you translate the end of Rom 1:17 "the just shall live by his faithfulness" then you can see that the unrighteousness mentioned in Rom 1:18 follows nicely as a contrast to the faithfulness mentioned in Rom 1:17. Plus v. 18 begins with the connecting word "for" suggests Paul is linking this to the previous statements.

[mario_mene]

"From faith to faith" refers, I think, to "the Law of Faith", and how it has a twofold application--how we both begin and become perfect by it--we must proceed from faith and peace to faith and peace ("be diligent to be found of Him in peace") to remain in Jesus/God's righteousness (Jer 23:6), thus retaining justification and peace by retaining Him as your righteousness, but if we do anything that does not proceed from faith, it is sin, it disturbs the peace, and that sin leads to condemnation (not justification) (Ro 14:23).

[torahtimes]

It's "from [God's] faithfulness to [our] faithfulness" ((Rom. 1:17), not from the OLD faith to the New faith (@ 23:46 Bercot has it wrong).

[nomadicrecovery]

As an ex jw. I appreciate this guy
WhT church. Location etc is this filmed?

[bobthrasher]

If you look at Hab 2:4 interlinear, "faith" might be better translated as "faithfulness" from the Hebrew (although Paul is probably quoting from the Greek Septuagint where pistis can either be translated faith or faithfulness). Also, since "faith" in Rom 1:17 can be translated either as faith or faithfulness, I suggest that a better translation of Rom 1:17 would be "...from faith to faithfulness: as it is written, The just will live by his faithfulness." I think this fits better because God admits us to Christ having "faith alone" without works but brings us to a place of "faithfulness" as He requires as stated in Hab 2:4. In other words you need to take the context into account in the translation of "faith" because of the ambiguity of the Greek word "faith."

[demcdoug]

Paul provided a long list of those who were with him in Rome, never mentioning Peter ...not even among those who "refreshed" him in prison. He certainly never indicated that Peter was the Roman Pope or thst sny such office existed.

In fact, one could make the argument that 2 Thes 2 reveals a pattern that the (eventual) RCC, and papal throne over the Holy Temple of God (the Church) meets the criteria.

[DrCharlesDetwiler]

On "from faith to faith" it's interesting how the following phrase "shall live by" allows either an historical distinction (OT faith through to NT faith) or the theological distinction (the faith by which one believes at the first through to the daily faith that our sins are removed in confession). Any particular reason for preference of the first view?

[tbuitendyk]

I disagree. The chapter and verse divisions are just as man made as the Bible text.

[brothernick]

Just a suggestion. I am not questioning the sincerity of the speaker. I am pointing out that the fake grandiose arms up pictures poses of speaker only centers on and exalts the speaker. This may be OK or the east coast commercial "church" business of the world but is the opposite of humble in the Kingdom of God where only God receives greatness.