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)
5. Man without Christ always fails before sin
(Romans 7:14-25)
Paul shows us how the natural man lives without Christ under the fearful nightmare of the law. He does not clarify this reading, which is the peak of self-realization, through philosophical imaginations, or ideologies, but he uncovers the natural man through an exciting personal confession. The Holy Spirit had softened his apostolic conscience so much that he felt that even the smallest distance from the will of God as a deadly event.
Paul says, “I am carnal, as long as I look at my own abilities. Every man is carnal, because he has lost the image of the glory of God already given to him. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They have together become corrupt, and the spirit of the law punishes them in their consciences for their boasted selfishness. The saints particularly lose hope of the word of God, because they hear the statement: “You shall be holy, for I am holy”, or they become broken by Jesus’ command: “you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect”. Paul confesses with psychological suffering that the natural man is unable to fulfill the will of God by his own power. How terrible it is to confess the inability of human power!
In spite of that, there is a great longing in every man to do good, and to live purely and holy. Even the lowest of people have this longing. Therefore, we must not only speak about sin and its power, nor should we be haughty with other people, but it is necessary to recognize the remainder of the law of God in the minds of all, since no man is so evil that he does not want to be good. It is regrettable that he who seeks to respond to this longing fails continuously, and acts against his good will. This is the strange thing about man. He is an enemy to himself. He betrays his good will, and surpasses the voice of his conscience. The sin in us is stronger than our mind, and the law of God rules over each man in spite of his good intent.
Why can’t we live purely, and continue in the love of God? Because man without God is possessed by sin. Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. The probability of doing evil is also found among believers if they are not kept by Christ. We do not have, in our bodies, the power to carry out the will of God. Such decision entails the greatest confession of man’s bankruptcy. Paul himself confessed this truch when he said, “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells… For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” Do you confess this fact with Paul, and admit that you are a criminal? Will you commit your polluted self to the grace of the eternal Judge?
The apostle calls every man a slave of sin, because its power was developed to a kind of law, which he calls the law of sin. Our captivity to evil became a law, and this bondage became painful to us, because in our minds we know our duties, and want to do them, but we cannot. This causes despair, because your self shakes the bars of the prison it is in, and cannot leave it. We are all captives to our selfishness. However, Christ calls you, at the same time, to nothing less than the perfection of God. Do you recognize the schizophrenia in every man? He wants to do good, but he cannot do it by himself.
Is there no help? Paul guides us into the last depth of knowing the polluted self, this being that salvation is not found in sources such as your self-righteousness, your uprightness, your abilities, or the law itself. Has the testimony of the apostle freed you from your superficial faith, and driven you away to pessimism concerning all kinds of humanity? The educators are liars, and the philosophers are foolish if they lack the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. They do not recognize their limit. Blessed is the believer who knows, before the holiness of God, that he in himself is untrue, sinful, and perishing. Blessed is the man who has recognized the severe judgment of the law on his enslaved self, and has become free from all inclination to human righteousness, and who does not believe in the championship of man, but trusts Christ alone.
Thank God! For Jesus Christ is the Victor, without whom we are lost and self-deceivers like all others. He has given us truth and a new power. His Holy Spirit gives us life and comforts us, giving us certain hope in the only Savior.