The Open Word

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.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 73 - Romans 13:2–3

We continue our discussion of the believer's response to governmental authorities by exploring the statement of Paul that all authorities, even those that are godless, are appointed by God and as such we are to be good citizens of whatever nation we find ourselves living in.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 72 - Romans 13:1

We begin a new section and topic in the Book of Romans which is the believer's response towards governmental authorities, even those that may not reflect a Christian worldview. This is an important topic, because the New Testament makes it clear that the believer is to be a model citizen, and is to obey governmental authority unless that authority specifically prohibits that which God commands.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 71 - Romans 12:17–21

Paul completes his discussion of our Christian duties by focusing on how we are to treat our enemies.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 70 - Romans 12:14–16

Having discussed our duties to ourselves and the family of God, Paul expands the circle in Romans 12:14–16 to all men. In these few verses, Paul packs a host of admonitions on how we are to treat others as representatives of Christ.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 69 - Romans 12:9–13

In the last part of Romans 12, Paul lays out Christian virtues in an expanding circle from personal duties to the family of God, then to all people, and finally to enemies. In this session we look at the first two circles, personal duties and duties to the family of God.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 68 - Romans 12:3–8 Part 3

We complete our study of spiritual gifts in Romans 12.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 67 - Romans 12:3-8 Part 2

We continue our discussion of spiritual gifts as found in Romans 12:3-8. Spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit to minister to others in the body of Christ, the Church, and it is the responsibility of all believers to identify their spiritual gift and use it.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 66 - Romans 12:3-8 Part 1

In this session we begin a three-week discussion of spiritual gifts. All believers have a spiritual gift that is given to them to minister to the body of Christ. In this, and the next two sessions, we will look at what the New Testament teaches about spiritual gifts, identifying our spiritual five, and the necessity of exercising our spiritual gift for the good and health of the Church.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 64 - Romans 12:1–2

Romans 12 begins the practical section of Romans. After laying out God's plan of salvation, Paul now turns to practical applications. He begins by exhorting his readers to present themselves wholly to God as a living sacrifice, as this is the only reasonable act of worship given the many blessings God has bestowed on believers.