The Open Word

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 83 - Romans 15:14–19

Paul continues his defense of his ministry to the Gentiles, proclaiming that he had faithfully carried out God's commission to him as the Apostle to the Gentiles, of which the church in Rome was a recipient.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 82 - Romans 15:7–13

In this short section of Romans, Paul speaks of his ministry to the Gentiles by quoting several passages in the Old Testament that speaks of God's blessings being poured out on Gentiles, not just the Jewish nation. The Jewish nation had assumed, wrongly, that they were the only recipients of God's blessings, however, God had never intended His blessings to end with Israel, but to encompass all people.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 81 - Romans 15:1–6

Paul encourages those who are strong in the faith to bear with the failings of the weak, not too see them as a burden. Christ did not come to please Himself, but to minister to others, and in the same way those who are strong believers are to help those weaker or more immature in their faith as an act of love to them so that together both the strong and weak may glorify God.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 80 - Romans 14:12–23

We complete our look at Romans 14 by examining the responsibility we have to not cause our brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble over those things that are no essential. The central theme is that we are to consider others over ourselves, because what may be fine for us is sin for others since whatever we do that is not of faith and violates our conscience is sin.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 79 - Romans 14:5-11

We continue our look at Christian liberty in Romans 14 by looking at the freedom we have in Christ which is bounded by the reality that someday we will all stand before Him and give an account. Our actions in the gray areas are not going to be evaluated by other believers, instead they will be evaluated by Christ. So instead of comparing ourselves to others, we need to compare ourselves to Christ with the understanding that we will give an account to him someday.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 78 - Romans 14:2–4

How can a believer exercise their Christian liberty while at the same time considering those who still feel many things are off limits for believers? We continue our discussion of this important topic in Romans 14, in which Paul instructs those that are mature in Christ to not look down on others and pass judgment on them because they have not yet understood their freedom in Christ.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 77 - Romans 14:1

In Romans 14, Paul turns his attention to the exercise of personal liberties and disputes over doubtful things. We begin our study of this topic by introducing this concept and how to practice it in the body of Christ.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 76 - Romans 13:11–14

We complete our study of Romans 13 in which Paul exhorts his readers to be alert, because the night is gone and the day is at hand. It is no time to be complacent, rather it is time to put off the works of darkness, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ so that we can walk in the day.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 75 - Romans 13:8–10

Paul continues his discussion of Christian virtues by discussion the golden rule in Romans 13:8-10. He points out that we should owe no one anything, except to love them and consider others over ourselves. In fact, love is the fulfillment of the law. If we love our neighbors and God as we should, then keeping the Ten Commandments becomes a by-product of that love, and not a duty.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 74 - Romans 13:4–7

We continue our discussion of the Christian and government. Paul indicates that God has ordained government to provide stability in a society, and that the Christian is responsible to be submissive, pay their taxes, and show honor to those in authority.