Treasures New and Old

Romans: The Gospel and Faith

In this month’s study, we will look at a very important group of only two verses that set the tone for most of the Book of Romans, as well as a principle that applies to all believers who strive to grow in their walk with Christ.

Romans 1:16-17: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith(2) to faith(4): as it is written. The just shall live by faith.” (The references to ‘2’ and ‘4’ are defined below as two important Greek words).

You may find that your Bible has paragraph divisions. The first paragraph is verses 1-7, and the second paragraph is 8-15. Some versions do not have paragraph divisions and that is okay. In a couple of my study versions, the next paragraph is verses 16 through 18. But 18 is in the middle of a sentence and either needs to be in a new paragraph with the rest of Paul’s thought, or verses 16 and 17 need to be added to the next paragraph.

I am taking verses 16 and 17 as a complete thought with two Greek sentences in it. I think Paul intended this as these two sentences complement each other beautifully.

The first two paragraphs are his salutation and letter of introduction which we dealt with in previous articles. I see this third paragraph in Romans Chapter 1 as his purpose for the entire Book of Romans.

Be Not Ashamed!

Verse 16 Notes: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

For I am not: “Ou gar epaisc(k)hunomai” (Green, 1993, p. 416) where epaischunomai is made up of two words: epi and aischunomai.

Epi is used to enhance, make bigger, enlarge, increase the word it is attached to. In this case, it is the Greek word for shame. So, in effect, Paul is referring to great shame, deep shame, perhaps even the worst kind of shame.
But he included the Greek words ou gar which means I am not. But again, the not is derived from the Greek word ou which is a very strong negative. Had he simply wanted a negative or the opposite of shame, he could have added a Greek a. Example: muse means to think, and amuse means to not think, to be entertained.
So Paul is using a very strong negative more similar to “God forbid” that we find in Romans 6:2 and in other places.
Paul is kind of saying: “I am absolutely not ashamed to the point of, instead, being bold about…”

The Gospel of Christ: “euanggelion tou C(k)hristou” (Green, 1993, p.416): The good news of the Christ – the anointed one, the Messiah.

Paul is referring to the gospel that he has already shared with other Gentiles (and Jews) throughout Asia and Israel and hopes to preach in Rome someday.
This good news, this gospel first brings people to faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and the forgiveness of sin. As they grow in grace and in knowledge of Him, so does their faith and their understanding of the gospel.

For it is the power of God unto salvation: “dunamis gar theou eis soterian” (Green, 1993, p.416)

Power is dunamis from which we get (in part) dynamite. Other words for power could have been used, but Paul used dynamite kind of power – explosive power, dare I say overwhelming power. Its verb form also speaks of right now: power right now in the present.
Salvation is soterian – which means to be safe, come to safety, rescued, saved.
We could, therefore, say: “The gospel has the explosive power to rescue and bring people to safety.”

To everyone that believeth: “panti to pisteuonti” (Green, 1993, p. 416)

Everyone: this Greek word is found as follows in the Bible: all – 748 times; every – 117 times; all men – 41; whosoever – 31; whole – 12; every man – 11; and any – 7 times (Wordsearch’s Strong’s G3956). It does not matter who they are or how bad they are, if they believe, they will be saved.
Believeth: Greek translation to English of this word breaks down as follows: believe is found 239 times; commit unto 4; commit to (one’s) trust 1; be committed unto 1; be put in trust with 1; and be commit to one’s trust 1. This is a form of faith (root word is pistis) that has a commitment attached to it (Wordsearch’s Strong’s G4100). This is not some simple “I believe that report” like we are sharing a news article, or we just saw something with our eyes that is amazing and agree with our minds that we really did see it. This is a committed faith. An “I won’t quit faith”. A faith that continues and is not forgotten.
Do you believe in our cause? “Yeah – here’s ten dollars…” NO, NO, NO! This is a “Yeah – where do I sign up to help and here is my bank account for you to spend for this cause” kind of belief.

To the Jew first, and also to the Greek. The religious world that Paul’s audience lived in was divided in many ways. Look at verse 14 where he has two divisions: The Greek (civilized) and the Barbarian (uncivilized) and the wise (learned) and the unwise (unlearned). Here he divides the world into Jews (OT Covenant people – the circumcised) and the Helleni or those who are Greek (uncircumcised – non-covenant people). Altogether, the gospel can save anyone!

Live by Faith!

Verse 17 Notes: “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written. The just shall live by faith.”

For therein: an intermediate way of saying that what is about to follow comes out of what has just been shared. The gospel has just been shared as a powerful means of saving men (and frankly, the only means).

The righteousness of God: that which is right, holy, meet, just, and righteous. God is altogether right and just to create a means for man’s salvation and to demand that only it, the means He created, will be used. He has the power to save, but only by His method which is belief in Jesus Christ – the gospel.

We should be able to relate with all the rules and forms our various government agencies demand. They must be filled out correctly – in triplicate! Just as they reserve the right to demand things done their way, God, long before human governments, had devised the only means by which men may be saved. No alternative method will be accepted because no other means will satisfy the righteous demands of a holy God.

Revealed: to take cover off, to remove that which is hidden, to expose. Salvation is not understood by the lost. They are dead in trespasses and sin. They cannot understand the gospel. Consider:

1 Corinthians 2:6-16:

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

From faith to faith: This is a very important phrase that has deeper meaning than what it may appear to be saying. To better understand it, we will dig into the Greek a bit.

For certain words, I will provide the parts of Greek speech: (Stay with me – I won’t get too technical…)

Romans 1:17 (emphasis added): “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith (genitive singular feminine) to faith (accusative singular feminine): as it is written, The just (nominative singular masculine) shall live (3rd singular indicative future middle) by faith (genitive singular feminine).”

Finally, I will interpret those underlined words above in an expanded form for a more literal meaning of the verse:

Romans 1:17: “For therein the righteous of God is being revealed from faith (that I own) to faith (that I seek): as it is written, But the one who is just by the faithfulness that he owns shall continue to live as long as he exists.”

What is Paul saying? I see him pointing out that we have saving faith at first. But as we grow in grace and in knowledge of Christ, our faith is meant to be a growing faith.

“Measure of Faith”: In Romans 12:3, faith is referred to as “the measure of faith”, and is a gift from God.

“Growing Faith”: 2 Thessalonians 1:3: “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly. . .” As nutritious milk helps a baby to grow strong and healthy, spiritual food will help a baby Christian to grow into a deeper level of faith.

“Great Faith”: Matthew 8:8, 10: “The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” “When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Great faith moves God’s heart.

“Unwavering Faith”: to believe God without question. Hebrews 10:23: “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” Also Romans 4:20-21: “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”

“Strong Faith”: Romans 4:20: “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;” Strong faith will not be turned away. Regardless of the situation or outlook, it digs in and holds fast until it receives what has been asked of God as with Abraham.

2. pisteos (Green, 1993, p.416): genitive singular feminine

4. pistin (Green, 1993, p.416): accusative singular feminine

Start with the faith that God has given you right now
Focus on the faith you do not have as yet – that prize of the high calling
Now, by living by faith, move from the faith you have to greater and greater faith as you walk with Christ and He matures you

The just shall live by faith: This last phrase summarizes what Paul has as a goal, I believe, for his whole letter.

The Just: anyone who has been saved and has become justified before God through a saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Shall Live: to conduct the business of living: grow up, grow old, work, family, serve, worship, buy and sell, etc.
By Faith: by the faith that he/she already has but with an eye to growing their faith as they walk in the Spirit with God over time. The Greek word for live is future tense and implies that the believer will continuously and on into the future live by his/her faith.

The Trio of Verses

Romans 1:17 (bold added): “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written. The just shall live by faith.”
Galatians 3:11 (bold added): “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”
Hebrews 10:38 (bold added): “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

These are actually quotes from an Old Testament prophet: Habakkuk.

Habakkuk 2:4 (bold added): “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”

Paul has created an interesting trio of verses:

Paul spends a lot of time in Romans explaining who the just are (first several chapters)
Then in Galatians, he does a lot of correction to the church as to how they as believers ought to live.
Finally, it is in Hebrews that he (I think he is the author) elaborates on what is faith. Hebrews 11 being the “faith chapter” in the Bible.

Now add in Hebrews 11:1 for good measure…

Hebrews 11:1 (bold added): “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

A few definitions:

Substance: G5287: hupostasis: “From a compound of G5259 (hupo) and G2476 (Histemi)“; Hupo means sub, below something, under. Histemi means to stand, abide, establish. Together they form a new word that means “a setting under (support), that is, (figuratively) concretely essence, or abstractly assurance (objectively or subjectively): – confidence, confident, person, substance” (Strong’s). Another way to say it: that which I stand upon, that which I have confidence in.

Evidence: G1650: elegchos: from elegcho (G1651) which means to admonish, convict, convince, rebuke, reprove. With the sigma added to the end of the word(s), it becomes “proof, conviction: – evidence, reproof” (Strong’s).

My Takeaways:

1. Do not ever be ashamed of the gospel.
2. The gospel has and is the only means for salvation.
3. The gospel is available to and able to save anyone.
4. When God saves someone, His righteousness is then revealed to him and in him.
5. We are to grow in our faith as we live out our lives from the faith we have now to a growing, stronger faith we will have in the future.
6. We, the saved (the just), are to conduct our lives (shall live) by faith (what we believe and have committed to)!
7. Faith is the substance and evidence that God is, indeed, working in our lives and is the evidence of His power in our lives.

Greek Grammar

Gender in Greek:

Feminine: female, ladies, women and girls, also often used for something owned
Masculine: male, men, boys
Neuter: objects, neither male nor female

Cases in Greek:

Genitive: possessive
Nominative: noun-adjective describing the subject
Accusative: direct object

Moods in Greek:

Indicative: used to present an assertion as a non-contingent (or unqualified) statement

Voices in Greek:

Active Voice: the subject causes the action (I move the car.)
Passive Voice: the subject experiences the consequences of the action (The car was moved.)
Middle Voice: the subject is part of or all of the action. In other words, the subject is both the cause and focus, the agent and experiencer of a verbal action. (I moved (myself).)

Persons in Greek:

1st person: the person speaking
2nd person: the person being spoken to
3rd person: the person being spoken of or about

Maranatha!

Bro. Joe

References

Strong, J. Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1539)

Strong, J. Strong’s Talking Greek_Hebrew Dictionary. Wordsearch. (2020). Wordsearch Bible. [computer software] . Nashville, TN: LifeWay Christian Resources. (Original work published 1890).

Article Archives

Privacy Policy