Bible Study Group - Romans 2

[Amanah]

Thank you to everyone who commented on the Romans 1 thread. Please everyone feel free to comment on this thread also.

I got hung up on the theme of circumcision, but I'm sure others will come along and give a more in depth perspective.

Romans 2

Paul tells the Church at Rome that God is looking for a people who obey the commands of God from the heart, to be circumcised in their heart. Circumcision of the heart is a theme that runs throughout the Bible. God desires that we be tender hearted towards him desiring to please him. The Jews were circumcised in their flesh, but if they did not obey the law, they voided their circumcision. They could not rely on works of the flesh to save them. They needed a spiritual circumcision.

Romans 2:28-29
28For(A) no one is a Jew(B) who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29But a Jew is one(C) inwardly, and(D) circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.(E) His praise is not from man but from God.

I looked at other verses on the subject, God was telling the Jews the same thing before Romans.

Deuteronomy 10:12-16
12"And now, Israel,(A) what does the LORD your God require of you, but(B) to fear the LORD your God,(C) to walk in all his ways,(D) to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13and(E) to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today(F) for your good? 14Behold,(G) to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens,(H) the earth with all that is in it. 15Yet(I) the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. 16Circumcise therefore(J) the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer(K) stubborn.

Jeremiah 4:4
4(A) Circumcise yourselves to the LORD;
remove the foreskin of your hearts,
O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem;
(B) lest my wrath go forth like fire,
and burn with none to quench it,
(C) because of the evil of your deeds."


Philippians 3:3
3For(A) we are the circumcision,(B) who worship(C) by the Spirit of God[a] and(D) glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—


Colossians 2:10-12
10and(A) you have been filled in him, who is(B) the head of all rule and authority. 11In him also(C) you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by(D) putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12(E) having been buried with him in baptism, in which(F) you were also raised with him through faith in(G) the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

[Amanah]

this is what Strongs says the word circumcision means: separation and consecration

1) circumcised

a) the act or rite of circumcision, "they of the circumcision" is a term used of the Jews

1) of Christians gathered from among the Jews

2) the state of circumcision

b) metaph.

1) of Christians separated from the unclean multitude and truly consecrated to God

2) the extinction of passions and the removal of spiritual impurity

[MarjorieF]

The circumcision of male children is a central feature of both Judaism and Islam. It is also important in many African and New World cultures. California bill AB 768, which makes it a criminal offense for local governments to make rules outlawing male circumcision, has been authorized into regulation by Gov. Jerry Brown. AB 768 is but one of several bills that approved Brown's desk a few days ago, reports the LA Times. One bill levies firmer penalties for the sale of synthetic weed. Article resource: California law bans prohibition of male circumcision (http://www.newsytype.com)

[Amanah]

you have to admit it's one of the wierdest ways ever to seal a deal with God.

[Amanah]

so the seal of the Old Covenant was physical circumcision;

the seal of the NT is receiving the HG, as evidenced by speaking in tongues.


Romans 4:11
He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well,
Romans 4:10-12 (in Context) Romans 4 (Whole Chapter)

2 Corinthians 1:22
and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
2 Corinthians 1:21-23 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 1 (Whole Chapter)

Ephesians 1:13
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
Ephesians 1:12-14 (in Context) Ephesians 1 (Whole Chapter)

Ephesians 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:29-31 (in Context) Ephesians 4 (Whole Chapter)

2 Timothy 2:19
But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."
2 Timothy 2:18-20 (in Context) 2 Timothy 2 (Whole Chapter)

[mfblume]

Circumcision was a perfect token for a seal since it is HIDDEN FROM VIEW OF OTHERS, typifying something that would later be done in the heart that only God can see. So, I do not see anything weird about it when we realize that.

The heart brings forth issues of life, which physically occurs with the male in reproduction. And the heart is circumcised in the new covenant.

Romans 2 is dealing with the Jews after chapter 1 challenged the issue of Gentile sin and guilt.

I. JEWISH GUILT AS WELL

1. Paul explained the gentile guilt of sin in Chapter 1.
Idolatry.
Homosexuality and lesbianism.
Haters of God.

2. Now God speaks to people who glorify God as God - correctly -- the Jews!
In contrast to the people he dealt with in chapter 1, Paul refers to people who obey the Old Testament - Israelites.

3. Gentiles receive wrath of God due to sins of chapter 1
But Jews cannot judge Gentiles if the Jews are sinning, too.
Jews were proud people.
They hear Paul talk about gentile sinners and feel good about themselves.
But Paul said they are sinners, too, if they committed sins.
The Jews are in the "same boat" as Gentiles whether they have law or not.

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Romans 2:1-3

4. Why were the Jews treated so well to have been picked out and given Law that the Gentile nations did not have?

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Romans 2:4

The Jews treated good and given Law so that they would be led to repentance if they sinned.
God did not make them His people just so that they could do anything they wanted to and get away with it - sinful or not.
(Keep in mind that Paul is leading up to something later in the book of Romans concerning Christians!)
Law was never meant to make them so different that they could boast of themselves or make themselves holy.

5. The Jews will receive wrath as well as Gentiles if they sin.

Compare 1:18 with 2:5.

GENTILES:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Romans 1:18

JEWS:

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Romans 2:5

6. EVERY MAN who sins will receive wrath,whether he is a Gentile or not.

Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Romans 2:6

7. In fact it will be wrath on the JEW FIRST and then on the Gentile.

Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Romans 2:9

8. But EVERY MAN who is changed and does good will receive good, whether they are Jew or Gentile.

But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Romans 2:10

Good works do not save us but are evidence that we are changed.

9. God is no respector of persons

10. Although the Jews were God's people chosen from among the rest of the nations before Christ ever came, they will not get off with sin any more than a Gentile will.

This is a strong point to keep in mind in this introductory set of the first two chapters. It is a point we must understand in order to learn why LAW CAME TO ISRAEL to begin with.

[Amanah]

thank you for that explanation, it's beautifully worded

[mfblume]

II. LAW OF THE GENTILES - THEIR CONSCIENCE

For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Romans 2:12

Gentiles were outside and apart from the Law of Moses.
They will not escape judgment, but their judgment will not be on the basis of the Mosaic Law.


III. LAW OF THE JEWS - SYMBOLIZED BY CIRCUMCISION

1. Circumcision put person into the people of God and separated them from pagans. - to keep the LAW.
For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Romans 2:25-29

2. While the man was circumcised, it must be understood that his wife was included in his decision to serve God under Law.

3. But if one did not keep the Law, the circumcision they experienced was no good and useless.

4. Paul is stressing that no one could keep the law.

5. Paul reasoned that if the Jews' sin makes them UNCIRCUMCISED (voiding their purpose in having been circumcised), then why cannot gentiles be as though they were circumcised if they keep the righteousness of the Law without even knowing the Law?
This shows that Paul is saying Gentiles are really no worse than Jews although Jews had been religiously cultured with the Law.

6. True people of God (Jews) are changed INWARDLY by righteousness.

7. If you are righteous without having been under the influence of Law by being a Jew, then you have the righteousness which the Law tried to give, but you may have gained it by another route than the Law.
And THIS thought is now getting to the point Paul is trying to relate to for the purpose of showing us what the NEW COVENANT IS ALL ABOUT.

8. True circumcision is when your HEART is separated from the things of the flesh.
Physical Circumcision is symbolic of the HEART being circumcised.

IV. NOT EVEN JEWS MADE RIGHTEOUS BY LAW

By quoting Old Testament Scriptures from 3:11 through to 3:18, Paul proved that NOBODY was righteous, whether they had God's law or not.
The Law couldn't be kept perfectly by anyone.
No one was ever made righteous by Law.

All of this is an introductory set of thoughts to get to the overall point Romans will relate later on in chapters 6 through 8.

HOW TO LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY, and that LAW PROVED SELF CANNOT MAKE SELF ACCOMPLISH THAT. Only the work of the cross -- not our works -- can do it!

[mfblume]

thank you for that explanation, it's beautifully worded

Thank-you! :D

[TGBTG]

bump to read later

[Amanah]

Mike actually has a whole series on Romans on his website, www.mikeblum.com

MIKE BLUME COMMENTARY OF ROMANS

• STUDY ON ROMANS - PART 1
• STUDY ON ROMANS - PART 2
• STUDY ON ROMANS - PART 3
• STUDY ON ROMANS - PART 4
• STUDY ON ROMANS - PART 5
• STUDY ON ROMANS - PART 6

[Amanah]

lol that's not the correct web address, it's actually:

http://mikeblume.com/sermons.htm

[TGBTG]

Mike actually has a whole series on Romans on his website, www.mikeblum.com

MIKE BLUME COMMENTARY OF ROMANS

• STUDY ON ROMANS - PART 1
• STUDY ON ROMANS - PART 2
• STUDY ON ROMANS - PART 3
• STUDY ON ROMANS - PART 4
• STUDY ON ROMANS - PART 5
• STUDY ON ROMANS - PART 6

I've actually read a couple of Mike's studies before, including his Mt of Transfiguration series on youtube...but thanks for d reminder...

Would try too add my own thoughts later to the thread as time permits