Commentaries
Arabic
- إنجيل المسيح حسب البشير متى
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - إنجيل المسيح حسب البشير مَرْقُس
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - إنجيل المسيح حسب البشير لوقا
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - إِنْجِيْلُ المَسِيْحِِِ حسبَ البَشير يُوْحَنَّا
(عَبْدُ المَسِيْح وَزُمَلاؤُه) - أعمال الرسل حسب البشير لوقا
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - رِسَالةُ بُولُسَ الرَّسُولِ إِلَى أَهْلِ رُوْمِيَة
(عَبدُ المَسِيْح وزُمَلاؤه) - رسالة بُوْلُس الرَّسُوْل إلى أهْلِ غَلاَطِيَّة
(عَبْدُ المَسِيْح وَزُمَلاؤُه) - رِسالةُ بُولُسَ الرَّسُول إِلَى أَهْلِ كَنِيْسَةِ فِيْلِبِّي
(عبد المَسِيْح وزملاؤه) - رِسالةُ بولس الرَّسول إِلَى الكَنِيْسَةِ في كُوْلُوْسِّيْ
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - رِسَالَةِ بولس الرَّسول إلى العِبْرَانِيِّيْنَ
(عَبد المسِيح وزُملاؤُه) - رِسَالةُ يَعْقُوب
(عَبد المسِيح وزُملاؤُه) - رُؤْيا يوحنا اللاهوتي
(عَبْدُ المَسِيْح وَزُمَلاؤُه)
English
- The Gospel of Christ according to Matthew
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - The Gospel of Christ according to Mark
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - The Gospel of Christ according to Luke
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - The Gospel of Christ according to John
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - Acts of the Apostles
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Romans
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues)
German
- Die Offenbarung des Johannes
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues)
PREFACE
THE OPENING:
SALUTATION, THANKS TO GOD, AND EMPHASIS ON “GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS” AS THE MOTTO OF HIS EPISTLE
(ROMANS 1:1-17)
SALUTATION, THANKS TO GOD, AND EMPHASIS ON “GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS” AS THE MOTTO OF HIS EPISTLE
(ROMANS 1:1-17)
a) Identification and apostolic benediction
(Romans 1:1-7)
(Romans 1:1-7)
b) Paul’s longstanding desire to visit Rome
(ROMANS 1:8-15)
(ROMANS 1:8-15)
c) The righteousness of God is established and realized in us through constant faith
(Romans 1:16-17)
(Romans 1:16-17)
PART 1
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD CONDEMNS ALL SINNERS AND JUSTIFIES AND SANCTIFIES ALL BELIEVERS IN CHRIST
(ROMANS 1:18 – 8:39)
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD CONDEMNS ALL SINNERS AND JUSTIFIES AND SANCTIFIES ALL BELIEVERS IN CHRIST
(ROMANS 1:18 – 8:39)
A – THE WHOLE WORLD LIES UNDER THE SWAY OF THE WICKED ONE, AND GOD WILL JUDGE ALL IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
(ROMANS 1:18 – 3:20)
1. The wrath of God against the nations is revealed
(Romans 1:18-32)
(ROMANS 1:18 – 3:20)
1. The wrath of God against the nations is revealed
(Romans 1:18-32)
2. The wrath of God is revealed against the Jews
(Romans 2:1-3:20)
a) He who judges others condemns himself
(Romans 2:1-11)
(Romans 2:1-3:20)
a) He who judges others condemns himself
(Romans 2:1-11)
b) The Law, or the conscience condemns man
(Romans 2:12-16)
(Romans 2:12-16)
c) Man is saved not by knowledge, but by works
(Romans 2:17-24)
(Romans 2:17-24)
d) Circumcision is spiritually unprofitable
(Romans 2:25-29)
(Romans 2:25-29)
e) The privilege of the Jews does not save them from the anger
(Romans 3:1-8)
(Romans 3:1-8)
3. All men are corrupt and blamable
(Romans 3:9-20)
(Romans 3:9-20)
B – THE NEW RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH IS OPEN TO ALL MEN
(ROMANS 3:21 – 4:22)
1. The revelation of the righteousness of God in the atoning death of Christ
(Romans 3:21-26)
(ROMANS 3:21 – 4:22)
1. The revelation of the righteousness of God in the atoning death of Christ
(Romans 3:21-26)
2. We are justified by faith in Christ
(Romans 3:27-31)
(Romans 3:27-31)
3. Abraham and David as an example of justification by faith
(Romans 4:1-24)
a) Abraham’s faith was accounted to him for righteousness
(Romans 4:1-8)
(Romans 4:1-24)
a) Abraham’s faith was accounted to him for righteousness
(Romans 4:1-8)
b) Man is not justified by circumcision
(Romans 4:9-12)
(Romans 4:9-12)
c) We are justified by grace and not by the Law
(Romans 4:13-18)
(Romans 4:13-18)
d) The courageous faith of Abraham is our example
(Romans 4:19-22)
(Romans 4:19-22)
C – JUSTIFICATION MEANS A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND MEN
(ROMANS 5:1-21)
1. Peace, hope, and love dwell in the believer
(Romans 5:1-5)
(ROMANS 5:1-21)
1. Peace, hope, and love dwell in the believer
(Romans 5:1-5)
2. The resurrected Christ fulfills his righteousness in us
(Romans 5:6-11)
(Romans 5:6-11)
3. The grace of Christ overcame death, sin, and the Law
(Romans 5:12-21)
(Romans 5:12-21)
D – THE POWER OF GOD DELIVERS US FROM THE POWER OF SIN
(ROMANS 6:1 – 8:27)
1. The believer considers himself dead to sin
(Romans 6:1-14)
(ROMANS 6:1 – 8:27)
1. The believer considers himself dead to sin
(Romans 6:1-14)
2. Freedom from the Law facilitates our deliverance from sin
(Roman 6:15-23)
(Roman 6:15-23)
3. Deliverance from the Law delivers us to the service of Christ
(Romans 7:1-6)
(Romans 7:1-6)
4. The law prompts the sinner to sin
(Romans 7:7-13)
(Romans 7:7-13)
5. Man without Christ always fails before sin
(Romans 7:14-25)
(Romans 7:14-25)
6. In Christ, man is delivered from sin, death, and condemnation
(Romans 8:1-11)
(Romans 8:1-11)
7. We are children of God through the dwelling of the Holy Spirit in us
(Romans 8:12-17)
(Romans 8:12-17)
8. The three unique groanings
(Romans 8:18-27)
(Romans 8:18-27)
E – OUR FAITH CONTINUES FOREVER
(ROMANS 8:28-39)
1. God’s plan of salvation acclaims our forthcoming glory
(Romans 8:28-30)
(ROMANS 8:28-39)
1. God’s plan of salvation acclaims our forthcoming glory
(Romans 8:28-30)
2. The truth of Christ guarantees our fellowship with God in spite of all troubles
(Romans 8:31-39)
(Romans 8:31-39)
PART 2
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IS IMMOVABLE EVEN AFTER THE HARDENING OF THE CHILDREN OF JACOB, HIS CHOSEN ONES
(ROMANS 9:1-11:36)
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IS IMMOVABLE EVEN AFTER THE HARDENING OF THE CHILDREN OF JACOB, HIS CHOSEN ONES
(ROMANS 9:1-11:36)
1. Paul’s anxiety for his lost people
(Romans 9:1-3)
(Romans 9:1-3)
2. The spiritual privileges of the chosen people
(Romans 9:4-5)
(Romans 9:4-5)
a) The promises of God do not concern the natural seed of Abraham
(Romans 9:6-13)
(Romans 9:6-13)
b) God selects whom he has mercy on, and whom he wills he hardens
(Romans 9:14-18)
(Romans 9:14-18)
c) The parable of the potter and his vessel belongs to the Jews and Christians
(Romans 9:19-29)
(Romans 9:19-29)
4. The righteousness of God is only attained by faith, and not by attempting to keep the Law
(Romans 9:30 – 10:21)
a) The Jews neglect the righteousness of God which is attained by faith, and they stick to the works of the law
(Romans 9:30 – 10:3)
(Romans 9:30 – 10:21)
a) The Jews neglect the righteousness of God which is attained by faith, and they stick to the works of the law
(Romans 9:30 – 10:3)
b) The aggravation of the offense of the Israelite people because God was more merciful to them than to any other people
(Romans 10:4-8)
(Romans 10:4-8)
c) The absolute necessity of the testimony of the gospel among the children of Jacob
(Romans 10:9-15)
(Romans 10:9-15)
d) Is Israel responsible for their unbelief?
(Romans 10:16-21)
(Romans 10:16-21)
5. The hope of the children of Jacob
(Romans 11:1-36)
a) The holy remnant exists
(Romans 11:1-10)
(Romans 11:1-36)
a) The holy remnant exists
(Romans 11:1-10)
b) Would that the salvation in the Believers of the Gentiles incite jealousy in the Children of Jacob
(Romans 11:11-15)
(Romans 11:11-15)
c) Warning the believers of the Gentiles of being proud toward the children of Jacob
(Romans 11:16-24)
(Romans 11:16-24)
d) The secret of deliverance and salvation of the children of Jacob in the last days
(Romans 11:25-32)
(Romans 11:25-32)
e) The apostle’s worship
(Romans 11:33-36)
(Romans 11:33-36)
PART 3
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD APPEARS IN THE LIFE OF THE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST
(ROMANS 12:1 – 15:13)
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD APPEARS IN THE LIFE OF THE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST
(ROMANS 12:1 – 15:13)
1. The sanctification of your life is attained through your full commitment to God
(Romans 12:1)
(Romans 12:1)
2. Do not be proud, but serve your Lord in the groups of believers with the gift that has been given to you
(Romans 12:3-8)
(Romans 12:3-8)
3. We must learn brotherly love and train ourselves in it
(Romans 12:9-16)
(Romans 12:9-16)
4. Love your enemies and opponents
(Romans 12:17-21)
(Romans 12:17-21)
5. Be obedient to your authorities
(Romans 13:1-6)
(Romans 13:1-6)
6. A summary of the commandments concerning men
(Romans 13:7-10)
(Romans 13:7-10)
7. The practical result of the knowledge that Christ is coming again
(Romans 13:11-14)
(Romans 13:11-14)
8. The particular problems of the church of Rome
(Romans 14:1-12)
(Romans 14:1-12)
9. Do not enrage your neighbor for unimportant reasons
(Romans 14:13-23)
(Romans 14:13-23)
10. How those who are strong in faith ought to behave towards unexpected problems
(Romans 15:1-5)
(Romans 15:1-5)
11. Christ overcame all the differences between the believers of the Jews, and those of the Gentiles
(Romans 15:6-13)
(Romans 15:6-13)
1. Paul’s worthiness to write this epistle
(Romans 15:14-16)
(Romans 15:14-16)
2. The secret of Paul’s ministry
(Romans 15:17-21)
(Romans 15:17-21)
3. Paul’s expectations in his journeys
(Romans 15:22-33)
(Romans 15:22-33)
4. Paul’s list of the names of the saints known to him in the church of Rome
(Romans 16:1-9)
(Romans 16:1-9)
5. The continuation of Paul’s list of the saints known to him in the church of Rome
(Romans 16:10-16)
(Romans 16:10-16)
6. A warning against the deceivers
(Romans 16:17-20)
(Romans 16:17-20)
7. Greetings from Paul’s fellow workers
(Romans 16:21-24)
(Romans 16:21-24)
8. Paul’s doxology, as a concluding part of his epistle
(Romans 16:25-27)
(Romans 16:25-27)
c) The absolute necessity of the testimony of the gospel among the children of Jacob
(Romans 10:9-15)
The apostle Paul began to proceed to the spiritual battle with the Christian church of Jewish origin in Rome. He explained to them that preaching has steps and various elements. True faith begins with the heart, for man believes in his heart. This faith means that the believer is entirely and closely united and connected to him in whom he believes.
In addition to faith, there must be a spoken testimony, for the truth must cast away darkness. Faith and testimony are connected together. The testimony speaks of the faith so that, on the one hand, the hearers may understand and, on the other hand, that the witness himself may gain more certainty of his own faith.
The guaranty of faith, which Paul himself and other witnesses of Christ presented, has some principles and doctrines:
1. Jesus is the Lord. He owns the universe, and all authority has been given to him. David testified clearly: The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet" (Psalm 110:1). The apostle John described in detail the Lamb of God seated on the throne (Revelation 5:1-14); and Paul testified in his glorification of the crucified who rose from the dead, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:5-11).
The short statement “Jesus is Lord” is the backbone of the Christian faith. It means that Jesus Christ is a true God in the unity of the Holy Trinity. He lives and reigns in full harmony with his heavenly Father.
2. This glorification of Christ is founded on the fact that the holy God raised him, who was crucified and dead, from death to life. The resurrection of Christ is the second pillar of the Christian faith; for if the Son of Man was not truly raised, his body is completely decayed. But he rose from his grave, and walked through rocks and walls with his spiritual body. Jesus is living, whereas all the founders of other religions are dead with decayed bodies. The resurrection of Christ is a proof of his holiness, his victory, his power, and his complete salvation.
3. Whoever believes these facts in his heart, and testifies what he is well assured of, is saved. This assurance leads the believer to testify boldly and joyfully that Jesus is the Victor. In his testimony he partakes of the life, Spirit, and peace of Christ. He who is founded on Christ, and relies on him, will never fail.
4. On this growing assurance, Paul says that he who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ is justified by the holy God, freed from all his sins, acquitted in the last judgment, and admitted as a member into the spiritual family of God, grafted into the spiritual body of Christ. In short, the believer connects himself firmly and forever with Jesus. Complete salvation and justification are attained through the testimony of his faith, that he is a justified sinner acceptable to God. The testimony is not a reason for salvation, for the essential justification is only attained by faith. Rather, the testimony realizes and deepens such justification bestowed on the believer in order that his salvation may practically and tangibly become mature. Justification and salvation are derived from Christ, and are attained through the testimony of the believer to his saving Lord.
5. After this indication of faith in the New Testament, and justification attained only by grace, Paul aims a blow: there is no difference between a Jew and a Christian if both believe in Christ and have been renewed by his grace. There is only one Lord, one Savior, and one Redeemer for them both. The Jews are not saved by Abraham or Moses, but by Jesus alone. The salvation of Christ, his power, life, and love pertain to both Jews and Christians in the same manner. There is no other crucified one who has given himself as atonement for everybody, other than the gentle Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world.
6. Paul expresses clearly that Jesus is rich, and he makes all those who ask of him partners in his spiritual riches (Romans 10:12-13). He gives his Holy Spirit, his divine power, and his eternal love to everyone who prays to him, pouring out his heart before the living Jesus Christ in person, without resorting to the saints, or to the virgin Mary. Without your supplication for salvation, sanctification, and redemption, nothing happens to you. Grace is available to all, but we must seek it (Joel 3:5). Through supplication, we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit in us crying out: “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15-16).