August 1, 2025
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5–6 ESV). The apostle Paul closed this section of his letter with a prayerful appeal that
July 27, 2025
“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” (Romans 11:6 ESV). Paul wrote to the Roman believers about God’s faithfulness to preserve a remnant of Israel, not based on merit but on grace. In this verse, Paul offered a clear, theological
July 26, 2025
“As it is written, ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’” (Romans 9:33 ESV). The apostle Paul quoted from Isaiah to show that Christ, the promised “stone” laid by God in Zion, had become both a
July 23, 2025
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16 ESV). In this verse, Paul continues unfolding the privileges of those who are “in Christ Jesus.” One of the most precious is this: we are not only justified and adopted as God’s children, but we also have an inner
July 22, 2025
“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us….” (Romans 8:3–4 ESV). The law is righteous,
July 20, 2025
“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11 ESV). The apostle Paul turns from teaching to exhortation in this verse. After explaining that we have died with Christ and been raised with Him, Paul calls us to consider this spiritual reality to be true of
July 19, 2025
“Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men” (Romans 5:18 ESV). In this verse, Paul draws a powerful contrast between the effects of Adam’s sin and Christ’s righteousness. Adam acted as our federal head—our representative before God—so when he sinned,
July 18, 2025
“…Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’…” (Romans 4:16–17 ESV). Paul emphasizes that Abraham is not only the father of the Jewish people but of all who believe by faith. Quoting Genesis 17:5, he highlights how God declared Abraham “father of
August 3, 2024
“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them” (Romans 16:17 ESV). The apostle Paul gave two instructions concerning those who cause divisions and upset people’s faith: First, watch out for them. Literally, keep an eye out
August 1, 2024
‘I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”’ (Romans 15:20-21 ESV). The apostle Paul had a gospel