Bible History
Picture Study Bible with Maps and Background Information
32. He--rather, "He surely." (It is a pity to lose the emphatic
particle of the original).
that spared not--"withheld not," "kept not back." This expressive
phrase, as well as the whole thought, is suggested by
Ge 22:12,
where Jehovah's touching commendation of Abraham's conduct regarding
his son Isaac seems designed to furnish something like a glimpse into
the spirit of His own act in surrendering His own Son. "Take now
(said the Lord to Abraham) thy son, thine only, whom thou
lovest, and . . . offer him for a burnt offering"
(Ge 22:2);
and only when Abraham had all but performed that loftiest act of
self-sacrifice, the Lord interposed, saying, "Now I know that thou
fearest God, seeing thou HAST NOT WITHHELD THY SON, THINE
ONLY SON, from Me." In the light of this incident, then, and of
this language, our apostle can mean to convey nothing less than this,
that in "not sparing His own Son, but delivering Him up," or
surrendering Him, God exercised, in His Paternal character, a
mysterious act of Self-sacrifice, which, though involving none
of the pain and none of the loss which are inseparable
from the very idea of self-sacrifice on our part, was not less real,
but, on the contrary, as far transcended any such acts of ours as His
nature is above the creature's. But this is inconceivable if Christ be
not God's "own (or proper) Son," partaker of His very nature, as really
as Isaac was of his father Abraham's. In that sense, certainly, the
Jews charged our Lord with making Himself "equal with God" (see on
Joh 5:18),
which He in reply forthwith proceeded, not to disown, but to illustrate
and confirm. Understand Christ's Sonship thus, and the language of
Scripture regarding it is intelligible and harmonious; but take it to
be an artificial relationship, ascribed to Him in virtue either
of His miraculous birth, or His resurrection from the dead, or the
grandeur of His works, or all of these together--and the passages which
speak of it neither explain of themselves nor harmonize with each
other.
delivered him up--not to death merely (as many take it), for
that is too narrow an idea here, but "surrendered Him" in the most
comprehensive sense; compare
Joh 3:16,
"God so loved the world that He GAVE His
only-begotten Son."
for us all--that is, for all believers alike; as nearly every good
interpreter admits must be the meaning here.
how shall he not--how can we conceive that He should not.
with him also--rather, "also with Him." (The word "also" is
often so placed in our version as to obscure the sense; see on
Heb 12:1).
freely give us all things?--all other gifts being not only immeasurably
less than this Gift of gifts, but virtually included in it.
JFB.
The Book of Romans
Romans 1:20 - For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
Romans in The New Testament - A Brief Overview
Painting of Paul the Apostle by Rembrandt - 1657
Introduction to The Epistle to the Romans
Brief Summary. Paul's message in his profound epistle to the Romans 1-8 is that a man is justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law. Righteousness is by Christ alone, and when a man believes in Christ, he becomes dead to sin and the law and alive in Christ. The Holy Spirit sanctifies the believer and empowers him to live a holy life. A relationship with Christ brings adopted sonship and the assurance of salvation from sin. The question about the Jews and their fate is answered in Romans, they were chosen to possess the oracles of the Lord. Romans 9-11 reveals that the Jews failed to recognize Christ as the fulfillment of the Law and rejected their own Messiah. Therefore God rejected Israel, yet, this rejection is not total or final. Paul makes it abundantly clear that God will show mercy to those Jews who acknowledge Jesus as Lord. In Romans 12-16 Paul exhorts the Christians in Rome regarding the practical aspects of the new life in Christ.
Summary of The Book of Romans
Purpose. Paul was called by God to bring Christianity to the gentile world, and to establish churches for worship and ministry. Rome was the capital of the gentile world, and a church had developed there. Paul no doubt knew the strategic value of strengthening the body of believers by laying a strong doctrinal foundation. There is also indications that Paul had desired to preach the Gospel in Spain, and it would have been wise to create a solid base in Rome. Paul was continually challenged by the Jews regarding the Gospel of Christ and the Law of Moses. Paul obviously wanted to clear up any confusion by creating a strong doctrinal statement in his epistle. He addresses the same issues as in his other epistles, false doctrine, false teachers, and troublemakers who would stir up dissension in the church. In the epistle to the Romans Paul also introduces the deaconess Phoebe, he petitions the church at large to pray for the Roman brethren, and to greet the believers in Christ at the church in Rome.
Audience. The epistle begins with "to all God's beloved in Rome" and this would clearly indicate that Paul was addressing the Christian church in Rome. Throughout the book of Romans it is clear that in the church at Rome there were many Jews and gentiles.
Authorship. Paul the apostle is universally accepted as the author of the epistle to the Romans. Throughout the entire letter it is easy to see Paul's sincerity, his unique insights in the teachings about God, the Jews, Jesus and salvation to all mankind. Statements in the epistle indicate that Paul was going to Jerusalem with the collection for the poor which he had gathered (Romans 15:25-27).
Date. The epistle to the Romans appears to have been written near the end of Paul's third missionary journey, probably around 57 or 58 AD. One of the main reasons for this date is because 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians refer to this collection and this would indicate that Romans was written just after 1 and 2 Corinthians, toward the end of Paul's third missionary journey. Most scholars date the epistle near AD 58 and name Corinth as the city of its origin.
Outline of the Book of Romans
Doctrine and Theology - Chapters 1-8
God's Plan for Israel - Chapters 9-11
The New Life in Christ - Chapters 12-16
The Name Jesus In Ancient Hebrew Text
"Yeshua" in First Century Hebrew Text. This is how the name "Jesus"
would have been written in ancient Hebrew documents. The four letters or
consonants from right to left are Yod, Shin, Vav, Ayin (Y, SH, OO, A).
Jesus is the Greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua or Y'shua which means
"The LORD or Yahweh is Salvation".
Interesting Notes
- Some ancient manuscripts omit the word, "Rome," scholars generally agree that the epistle was addressed to the Christian church in Rome.
Romans Resources
Map of the Roman Empire (14 AD) - This map reveals the Roman Empire during the time shortly after the birth of Jesus, in 14 AD at the time of the death of Augustus. The order which prevailed in this extensive empire, the good military roads, and the use of Koine Greek as the general language of culture throughout the area were among the factors which multiplied the rapid spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Third Missionary Journey (54 AD) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his third missionary journey. On Paul's third missionary journey he returned to the cities he had first visited on his first missionary journey. During this time he decided to remain in Ephesus for about 3 years, and this city was the main focus of his activities and an important Christian community (Acts 19). (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Voyage to Rome (61 AD) - This map reveals the journey of the Apostle Paul to Rome in 61 AD. Paul had appealed to Caesar in Caesarea (Acts 24-25), his goal was to spread the Gospel of Jesus throughout the Roman Empire all the way to her great capital, Rome. He demanded that his case be heard by the Roman Emperor. According to the Book of Acts, after his shipwreck on the Island of Malta (Acts 28) he came to Italy and was put on house arrest for two years (Acts 28:30). (Color Map)
Map of the New Testament World - This map reveals the "Nations" within the ancient world during the first century A.D., the time of the New Testament. The map includes the areas of Israel, Asia, Greece, and Italy. (Color Map)
Map of New Testament Italy - This map reveals the cities
within Italy during the first century A.D., the time of the New
Testament. The map includes the principle cities of Italy like
Neapolis and Rome. Follow the path of the Apostle.