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)
Not only humanity crucified Christ, but God so loved our evil world that he gave his only Son to the sinners, knowing that they would kill him. Yet, in his heavenly knowledge, he intended that the death of the Holy One should be a sacrifice and atonement for all sinners in all times. The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin. There is no redemption except in the blood of the innocent Son of God.
In our age of phenomenal and technological triumphs, we have lost the knowledge that the wrath and judgment of God are the active powers in the history of the world, and that they are more important than planes, submarines, tanks, and H-bombs. Each one of our sins requires punishment and atonement, for in principle we are condemned to death, and the vicarious sacrifice of Christ is our only way to salvation. For this purpose, the Son of God became incarnate to be burnt on the altar of the cross in the flame of God’s anger. He who comes to him faithfully is justified. Millions of people have experienced that all the powers of God work in the shed blood of Christ. Therefore, we call upon you, dear brother, not to keep away from him who was crucified. Instead put your house, your work, your past, your future, your church, and yourself completely under the sprinkling of the blood of the Lamb of God, that you may be sanctified and protected in the truth of God forever. There is no protection from the complaints of the devil and the afflictions of God’s anger except in the blood of Jesus Christ.
Learn verses 21 through 28 by heart. Read them word by word, and let their meanings move in your heart. Then you will recognize that the essential thing in this lesson is not the justification of the sinner, but the demonstration of the righteousness of God, which is mentioned 3 times throughout the passage.
Our loving God did not destroy the sinners in the past, as required by the law. The Merciful One forgave and neglected all iniquities because of his love and patience, until the moment awaited on by all creatures would come; the moment of reconciliation of the world to God in the cry of death of Christ on the cross. All angels then rejoiced, for in the resurrection of the Crucified, all sinners were justified.
Whoever says that God himself can forgive whomever and whenever he wills, is ignorant, and listening to a human, superficial logic; for God is not absolutely free, but instead he limited himself with the words and meanings of his holiness, and has to make every sinner die. He also revealed that without shedding of blood there is no remission. If Christ was not sacrificed, God would be blamable if he forgave of himself without meeting the requirements of righteousness.
Two things were done in the crucifixion of Christ: God demonstrated his righteousness, and justified us completely at the same time. The Holy One is not unjust for forgiving us, because Jesus has fulfilled all the requirements of righteousness. The Nazarene lived without sin, holy and humble. He could, as the only one of all creatures, bear the sin of the world because of his powerful love. So, let us worship Jesus and love him, and glorify his Father, who preferred to die instead of his beloved Son, but due to the continuance of the universe, and the necessity of judgment on the Crucified, could not cause himself to die in his place.
In his priestly prayer (John 17), Jesus addressed God with the words, “O Holy Father”. In these words, we find a profound sense of the righteousness of God. The creator is filled with love and truth. He has no unjust love, but builds his mercy on justice. In the death of Christ, all the requirements of God’s characteristics are united. This unlimited love, which is built on the lawful right, is what we call “grace”, for it is offered to us through free justification, as God continues to be righteous although he loves and forgives us.