Down an Unfamiliar Road

IF GOD BE FOR US WHO CAN BE AGAINST US

A missionary on furlough told this story while visiting his home church in Michigan. “While serving at a small field hospital in Africa, every two weeks I traveled by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby city for supplies. This was a journey of two days and required camping overnight at the halfway point.

On one of these journeys, I arrived in the city where I planned to collect money from a bank, purchase medicine and supplies, and then begin my two-day journey back to the field hospital. Upon arrival in the city, I observed two men fighting, one of whom had been seriously injured. I treated him for his injuries and at the same time talked to him about the Lord. Then on my way back home, I traveled two days, camping overnight, and arrived at the hospital without incident.”

“Two weeks later I repeated my journey. Upon arriving in the city, I was approached by the young man I had treated. He told me that he knew I would be carrying money and medicines. Some of his friends talked him into following the missionary into the jungle, knowing they would camp overnight. He told the missionary, “We rob you and take your money and drugs. But just as we were about to move into your camp, we saw that you were surrounded by 26 armed guards. At this, I laughed and said that I was certainly all alone in that jungle campsite. The young man pressed the point, however, and said, ‘No sir, I was not the only person to see the guards. My five friends also saw them, and we all counted them. It was because of those guards that we were afraid and left you alone.’”

At this point in the sermon, one of the men in the congregation jumped to his feet and interrupted the missionary and asked if he could tell him the exact day this happened. The missionary told the congregation the date, and the man who interrupted him then gave this testimony: “On the night of your incident in Africa, it was morning here and I was preparing to go play golf. I was about to get my equipment together when I felt this strong urge to pray for you. In fact, the urging of the Lord was so powerful, I called some of the men that attend this church to meet me here in the sanctuary to pray for you. In fact, they are all here tonight.” The man then turned around and asked, “Would all of those men who met with me on that day to pray please stand up?” The men who had met together to pray that day stood up.

The missionary wanted to thank them, and while doing so he noticed there were 26 of them. That’s when it hit him, these were the 26 armed guards that the young men saw who planned to rob him.

When he revealed this to the church, they all raised their hands and praised God for this miracle. It certainly should tell all of us that we may not know until heaven reveals all the secrets of earth that there were times in our lives when an accident, harm, or injury was prevented because of those who were praying for us. So the next time someone tells you, “I’ve been praying for you,” keep in mind that their prayers may have dispatched angels who were with you during your time of need. – Dr. Robert R Seyda

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

Dr. Robert R. Seyda

EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

CHAPTER EIGHT (Lesson LI)

Early church preacher Chrysostom talked about our willingness to suffer for Christ’s sake. He points out that although Paul suffered everything for the Master, he didn’t do it in order to try and earn a special place in the kingdom of God nor for any high honor. It was all because of his great love for the Messiah.¹ But the problem with many believers today is that when they do follow Christ they want to drag along all the things of the world with them. Chrysostom says it reminds him of swine who like to walk and roll around in the mud on their way to the feeding trough. Yet, even for people like that, God was willing to give His Son for their salvation!² And about 100 years later another early church scholar makes the point that nothing will ever separate us from the rock of true faith on which we firmly stand. It is upon this rock that believers get to prove who they genuinely are and what they really can do for the One who redeemed them. The person in union with the Truth knows what’s best for them, even if everyone else thinks that they have gone out of their mind³.⁴

John Calvin ends his commentary on this chapter by saying that the assurances given here by Paul are totally dependent upon Christ as our bond, for He is God’s beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. As Calvin sees it, since we are united with God through Christ, we may rest assured that God’s changeless and endless kindness will never fail. For with Christ living in us, to lose us is to lose Christ. Calvin hears Paul speaking at this juncture more distinctly than ever before, as he declares that the fountain of love is in the Father, and that it flows to us through Christ.⁵

Wesleyan theologian Adam Clarke has a lengthy summary at the end of this chapter in his commentary. It is too extensive to reproduce here. But one important point he makes is that the true followers of Christ will never be forsaken by Him. And His church, which is founded on the rock, can never be shaken down by the tempests of persecution. He also points to the doctrine of the necessity of personal holiness that is laid down at the beginning of this chapter. He then goes on to note that not only with the creature (mankind) being restored to a perfect state of happiness, all creation will be relieved of the burden it has struggled under since Adam sinned. He also makes it clear that the doctrine of predestination should not be applied to individuals but to the whole world. And finally, Clarke cautions everyone who hears and receives the Gospel to guard it with great care. For him, the worst thing that can happen is when the grace of God is poured out in vain on an unresponsive sinner. That’s why every person who professes to be a child of God should be jealous of what they possess and should not fool around and end up losing something of eternal value. And should any person neglect for a moment so great a salvation, their escape would be impossible.⁶ Who would be so foolish as to subject themselves to such severe eternal punishment?⁷

Robert Haldane makes an excellent point here about this love from which we can never be separated. He starts by saying that God’s love flows to the believer entirely through Jesus Christ. That’s why John tells us how God loved the world so much that He was willing to give His only Son to die and save them.⁸ Too often, people think of God as a benevolent deity. So they try their best to flatter Him by telling Him how great and generous He is. But God went way beyond merely distributing favors on those who praise Him best. Instead He provides more than a momentary blessing to take one’s mind off their troubles. He wanted an eternal blessing so He had His Son make atonement for their sins so He could forgive them and set them free from sin’s bondage. That’s why those who rejoice in the Lord’s goodness are rejoicing because of His saving grace. Consequently, there is now no other name under heaven by which a sinner can be saved. Haldane notes, that just as there was no other protection for the children of Israel in Egypt from death by the destroying angel except in those houses sprinkled with the blood of the paschal lamb. Likewise, none will be saved in the day of judgment and revelation of the righteous by God except those to whom the blood of Christ’s atonement has been applied.

But Haldane has something further to say on this subject. He calls Paul’s line of thinking in this discourse, remarkable. First, he challenges everyone, and defies them to answer this question: “If God is for us believers, then who can be against us?” Then, he lays out the fact that neither good things nor bad things coming our way should trouble us. That’s because if God did not spare His only Son but offered Him up as a sacrifice. So would He then turn around and not give us blessings of far less value? Furthermore, even when we make mistakes because of something inside our hearts or something that we reach for, God will not forsake us. When we fall short of what He wants from us because of something inside, Paul says that God still has what His Son did as a reason to forgive us. So who could then come around and say we are still guilty and need to be punished? It was Christ, the Son of God who died so that we could be forgiven. And it is He who stands now at the right hand of the Father to ensure our salvation.

Also, if it involves something outside us that causes us to stumble and fall, God is understanding. Whether these come as our faith is being tested, or our being in distress, or under persecution, or going through hard times, or being forsaken by our family and friends, or our lives being put in danger, even under assault. Paul said that in the midst of all these things we will still come out victorious with help from Him who loved us so much. After presenting all of these reasons why we should not panic or be afraid when they come our way, Paul then lists them so we all know what he’s talking about. For Haldane, every believer should have peace and assurance that Paul is not describing the believer’s possible defeat, but this is a description of the eventual victory and triumph of faith.⁹

Albert Barnes also sums up what he feels Paul has established in this chapter and how all of it can only be found in Christ Jesus. Barnes writes that Christ is the One who holds it together. That’s what makes it work for the believer. Since He is our constant Mediator, He can secure the blessed assurance of those who really love Him, just by His divine influence on everything. Is that not what He did to the roaring winds and waves on the Sea of Galilee?¹⁰ True agape love does not exist outside that produced by the work of Christ. There is no one who can truly say they love the Father, unless they also love His Son. Barnes says that there is perhaps no other chapter in the Bible so interesting and consoling to the Christian as this eighth chapter of Romans. As Barnes sees it, we need to be reminded that it proves we have a blessed and comforting hope which nothing else can produce, and which nothing can destroy. By being safe in the arms of our Good Shepherd, we can unconditionally commit to following Him, whether it leads through persecutions, or trials, or sickness, or to a martyr‘s grave. The day of triumph will come when our adoption is eternally complete as the entire redemption of our soul and body come to pass.¹¹

In Charles Hodge’s assessment of what Paul said in this chapter, he exclaims how what we read here is so wonderful and glorious because it shows us how firm and unchanging the Gospel is. What makes it so wonderful is that those who are in Christ Jesus are as secure as God’s love for them. They know they are in good hands because Christ is constantly making intercession for them. They are surrounded by a hedge of mercy. They are enclosed in the ageless arms of everlasting love. Hodge then quotes Jude with this benediction: “Now unto Him, that is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy; to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen!¹²”¹³

Charles Spurgeon wraps up his treatment of this chapter by pointing out that the Apostle Paul has summoned all our foes, and set them in battle array against us, and when he has added up the total of all their legions, he says that he is persuaded that they shall not be able to give us the mark that would separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. So let us march forward into the future, however dark it may seem, with this confidence, that one thing we know for sure, – the love of Christ will never let us go, and by His grace we will be able to hold tightly to Him. In a spiritual sense, we are part of His bride and our union will never be broken.¹⁴

Frédéric Godet remarks that he can find nowhere else where Paul displayed his feelings in such an overflowing measure, while at the same time keeping his line of thinking unbroken. For Godet, this last passage sums up all that Paul has been trying to say so far in this Epistle. By doing so, Paul guides us to the end of this chapter now knowing much better how our salvation was a divine work of God. It is a work of grace that is complete, assured, and founded on faith alone. It is something that can touch us anew each time we need it for any reason. In Godet’s way of thinking, Christ lets us stop now and then to contemplate what we’ve been through and what lies ahead. Then, after a moment of reflection and rest, He takes us by the hand to guide us to the stage where, in God’s time, He will reveal all of His children for the entire world to see their glory. Oh what a day that will be!¹⁵

John Stott also shares his thoughts on how our confidence is not dependent solely on our love for Him, which can be feeble, frightful, and faltering. Rather, it is His love for us, which is steadfast, sure, and stubborn. In Stott’s estimation, “The Doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints,”¹⁶ needs to be renamed: “The Doctrine of the Perseverance of God with the Saints.” Stott concludes by quoting from an old hymn:¹⁷

Let me no more my comfort draw

From my frail grasp of Thee;

In this alone rejoice with awe,

Thy mighty grasp of me.¹⁸”¹⁹

What a wonderful conclusion to a chapter that presents us with a glorious display of God’s divine grace and sustaining power, and of the promised provisions which God has promised to His people as a way of giving them courage in the time of trouble and persecution. Bible scholar Matthew Henry was born shortly after the Pilgrims left England to come to the new world. He often spoke eloquently about how the display of God’s free love in giving the world His only Son as a gift to be their atonement on the cross for the sin of all mankind outshines anything and everything in heaven and on earth. This adds to the glory of all that follows the believer’s union with Him as they love and serve Him with all their heart, soul, and body. This is followed by the victor’s crown He has prepared for them in a kingdom like no other that will come down from heaven to earth and reign for a thousand years. There may be some who will try bringing in full force all the accusations they can find against those who have been chosen. But since God is the One who justifies, that answers it all.²⁰

I like the way Puritan preacher Charles Simeon wraps up this chapter. For him, there is nothing that be conceived in the mind of man that is more delightful than to possess an assured hope of eternal happiness and glory. That’s why it should never be abused by thoughts of insecurity and doubt. If we truly believe and profess that nothing shall ever separate us from the love of God, let us make sure that we do nothing to separate ourselves from it. Do not let not the temptations of Satan, or the persecutions of men, nor the comforts of life, or the terrors of death, let nothing felt at present, or feared in the future, let nothing in the whole creation draw us aside from the path of duty, or retard our progress toward our divine destiny of life forever and ever in the presence of our loving and forgiving God²¹.²²

THE END OF CHAPTER EIGHT

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

Dr. Robert R. Seyda

EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

CHAPTER EIGHT (Lesson LI)

Early church preacher Chrysostom talked about our willingness to suffer for Christ’s sake. He points out that although Paul suffered everything for the Master, he didn’t do it in order to try and earn a special place in the kingdom of God nor for any high honor. It was all because of his great love for the Messiah.¹ But the problem with many believers today is that when they do follow Christ they want to drag along all the things of the world with them. Chrysostom says it reminds him of swine who like to walk and roll around in the mud on their way to the feeding trough. Yet, even for people like that, God was willing to give His Son for their salvation!² And about 100 years later another early church scholar makes the point that nothing will ever separate us from the rock of true faith on which we firmly stand. It is upon this rock that believers get to prove who they genuinely are and what they really can do for the One who redeemed them. The person in union with the Truth knows what’s best for them, even if everyone else thinks that they have gone out of their mind³.⁴

John Calvin ends his commentary on this chapter by saying that the assurances given here by Paul are totally dependent upon Christ as our bond, for He is God’s beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. As Calvin sees it, since we are united with God through Christ, we may rest assured that God’s changeless and endless kindness will never fail. For with Christ living in us, to lose us is to lose Christ. Calvin hears Paul speaking at this juncture more distinctly than ever before, as he declares that the fountain of love is in the Father, and that it flows to us through Christ.⁵

Wesleyan theologian Adam Clarke has a lengthy summary at the end of this chapter in his commentary. It is too extensive to reproduce here. But one important point he makes is that the true followers of Christ will never be forsaken by Him. And His church, which is founded on the rock, can never be shaken down by the tempests of persecution. He also points to the doctrine of the necessity of personal holiness that is laid down at the beginning of this chapter. He then goes on to note that not only with the creature (mankind) being restored to a perfect state of happiness, all creation will be relieved of the burden it has struggled under since Adam sinned. He also makes it clear that the doctrine of predestination should not be applied to individuals but to the whole world. And finally, Clarke cautions everyone who hears and receives the Gospel to guard it with great care. For him, the worst thing that can happen is when the grace of God is poured out in vain on an unresponsive sinner. That’s why every person who professes to be a child of God should be jealous of what they possess and should not fool around and end up losing something of eternal value. And should any person neglect for a moment so great a salvation, their escape would be impossible.⁶ Who would be so foolish as to subject themselves to such severe eternal punishment?⁷

Robert Haldane makes an excellent point here about this love from which we can never be separated. He starts by saying that God’s love flows to the believer entirely through Jesus Christ. That’s why John tells us how God loved the world so much that He was willing to give His only Son to die and save them.⁸ Too often, people think of God as a benevolent deity. So they try their best to flatter Him by telling Him how great and generous He is. But God went way beyond merely distributing favors on those who praise Him best. Instead He provides more than a momentary blessing to take one’s mind off their troubles. He wanted an eternal blessing so He had His Son make atonement for their sins so He could forgive them and set them free from sin’s bondage. That’s why those who rejoice in the Lord’s goodness are rejoicing because of His saving grace. Consequently, there is now no other name under heaven by which a sinner can be saved. Haldane notes, that just as there was no other protection for the children of Israel in Egypt from death by the destroying angel except in those houses sprinkled with the blood of the paschal lamb. Likewise, none will be saved in the day of judgment and revelation of the righteous by God except those to whom the blood of Christ’s atonement has been applied.

But Haldane has something further to say on this subject. He calls Paul’s line of thinking in this discourse, remarkable. First, he challenges everyone, and defies them to answer this question: “If God is for us believers, then who can be against us?” Then, he lays out the fact that neither good things or bad things coming our way should trouble us. That’s because if God did not spare His only Son but offered Him up as a sacrifice. So would He then turn around and not give us blessings of far less value? Furthermore, even when we make mistakes because of something inside our hearts or something that we reach for, God will not forsake us. When we fall short of what He wants from us because of something inside, Paul says that God still has what His Son did as a reason to forgive us. So who could then come around and say we are still guilty and need to be punished? It was Christ, the Son of God who died so that we could be forgiven. And it is He who stands now at the right hand of the Father to ensure our salvation.

Also, if it involves something outside us that causes us to stumble and fall, God is understanding. Whether these come as our faith is being tested, or our being in distress, or under persecution, or going through hard times, or being forsaken by our family and friends, or our lives being put in danger, even under assault. Paul said that in the midst of all these things we will still come out victorious with help from Him who loved us so much. After presenting all of these reasons why we should not panic or be afraid when they come our way, Paul then lists them so we all know what he’s talking about. For Haldane, every believer should have peace and assurance that Paul is not describing the believer’s possible defeat, but this is a description of the eventual victory and triumph of faith.⁹

Albert Barnes also sums up what he feels Paul has established in this chapter and how all of it can only be found in Christ Jesus. Barnes writes that Christ is the One who holds it together. That’s what makes it work for the believer. Since He is our constant Mediator, He can secure the blessed assurance of those who really love Him, just by His divine influence on everything. Is that not what He did to the roaring winds and waves on the Sea of Galilee?¹⁰ True agape love does not exist outside that produced by the work of Christ. There is no one who can truly say they love the Father, unless they also love His Son. Barnes says that there is perhaps no other chapter in the Bible so interesting and consoling to the Christian as this eighth chapter of Romans. As Barnes sees it, we need to be reminded that it proves we have a blessed and comforting hope which nothing else can produce, and which nothing can destroy. By being safe in the arms of our Good Shepherd, we can unconditionally commit to following Him, whether it leads through persecutions, or trials, or sickness, or to a martyr‘s grave. The day of triumph will come when our adoption is eternally complete as the entire redemption of our soul and body come to pass.¹¹

In Charles Hodge’s assessment of what Paul said here in this chapter, he exclaims how what we read here is so wonderful and glorious because it shows us how firm and unchanging the Gospel is. What makes it so wonderful is that those who are in Christ Jesus are as secure as God’s love for them. They know they are in good hands because Christ is constantly making intercession for them. They are surrounded by a hedge of mercy. They are enclosed in the ageless arms of everlasting love. Hodge then quotes Jude with this benediction: “Now unto Him, that is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy; to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen!¹²”¹³

Charles Spurgeon wraps up his treatment of this chapter by pointing out that the Apostle Paul has summoned all our foes, and set them in battle array against us, and when he has added up the total of all their legions, he says that he is persuade that they shall not be able to give us the mark that would separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. So let us march forward into the future, however dark it may seem, with this confidence, that one thing we know for sure, – the love of Christ will never let us go, and by His grace we will be able to hold tightly to Him. In a spiritual sense, we are part of His bride and our union will never be broken.¹⁴

Frédéric Godet remarks that he can find nowhere else where Paul display his feelings in such an overflowing measure, while at the same time keeping his line of thinking unbroken. For Godet, this last passage sums up all that Paul has been trying to say so far in this Epistle. By doing so, Paul guides us to the end of this chapter now knowing much better how our salvation was a divine work of God. It is a work of grace that is complete, assured, and founded on faith alone. It is something that can touch us anew each time we need it for any reason. In Godet’s way of thinking, Christ lets us stop now and then to contemplate what we’ve been through and what lies ahead. Then, after a moment of reflection and rest, He takes us by the hand to guide us to the stage where, in God’s time, He will reveal all of His children for the entire world to see their glory. Oh what a day that will be!¹⁵

John Stott also shares his thoughts on how our confidence is not dependent solely on our love for Him, which can be feeble, frightful, and faltering. Rather, it is His love for us, which is steadfast, sure, and stubborn. In Stott’s estimation, “The Doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints,”¹⁶ needs to be renamed: “The Doctrine of the Perseverance of God with the Saints.” Stott concludes by quoting from an old hymn:¹⁷

Let me no more my comfort draw

From my frail grasp of thee;

In this alone rejoice with awe,

Thy mighty grasp of me.¹⁸”¹⁹

What a wonderful conclusion to a chapter that presents us with a glorious display of God’s divine grace and sustaining power, and of the promised provisions which God has promised to His people as a way of giving them courage in the time of trouble and persecution. Bible scholar Matthew Henry was born shortly after the Pilgrims left England to come to the new world. He often spoke eloquently about how the display of God’s free love in giving the world His only Son as a gift to be their atonement on the cross for the sin of all mankind outshines anything and everything in heaven and on earth. This adds to the glory of all that follows the believer’s union with Him as they love and serve Him with all their heart, soul, and body. This is followed by the victor’s crown He has prepared for them in a kingdom like no other that will come down from heaven to earth and reign for a thousand years. There may be some who will try bringing in full force all the accusations they can find against those who have been chosen. But since God is the One who justifies, that answers it all.²⁰

I like the way Puritan preacher Charles Simeon wraps up this chapter. For him, there is nothing that be conceived in the mind of man that is more delightful than to possess an assured hope of eternal happiness and glory. That’s why it should never be abused by thoughts of insecurity and doubt. If we truly believe and profess that nothing shall ever separate us from the love of God, let us make sure that we do nothing to separate ourselves from it. Do not let not the temptations of Satan, or the persecutions of men, nor the comforts of life, or the terrors of death, let nothing felt at present, or feared in the future, let nothing in the whole creation draw us aside from the path of duty, or retard our progress toward our divine destiny of life forever and ever in the presence of our loving and forgiving God²¹.²²

THE END OF CHAPTER EIGHT

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

Dr. Robert R. Seyda

EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

CHAPTER EIGHT (Lesson L)

Now, with a sense of confidence Paul goes on to list other things he has faced, and may face again, and why they will never, ever sever the link developed by love between him and God. The first cause is expressed with the Greek word thanatos, rendered by the KJV as “death.” Most Bible scholars agree with Thayer in his Greek Lexicon that this is a reference to physical death. Thayer references Paul’s words to the Corinthians: “He [God] has given you the whole world to use, and life and even death are your servants.”¹ In other words, death cannot keep us from being forever with God, it can only expedite our getting there.

Then Paul contrasts death with “life.” The Greek word zōē, used here is a little more complicated to explain than the effect of death. Thayer in his Lexicon references what Paul says to the Philippians: “I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that will cause me to be ashamed of myself but that I will always be ready to speak out boldly for Christ while I am going through all these trials here, just as I have in the past; and that I will always be an honor to Christ, whether I live or whether I must die.”² As far as Paul was concerned, living for God was more important than living for himself.

This is followed by “angels.” The Greek word aggelos translated as angels is used to describe an envoy or messenger; someone who is sent with a message. When we place this term in the context of the next two, we may safely say that Paul was not referring to heavenly angels, those whose mission is to serve God or be God’s messengers to mankind. Rather, any earthly emissary that may bring orders from a magistrate to appear before the court. But at the same time, we cannot rule out that this may also be a reference to evil spirits that may come to torment the mind and try to persuade us that what we are doing is useless and counterproductive. To give it up and go live the life you really want to experience.

Now comes “principalities.” The Greek feminine noun archē used here is translated into English by the KJV as: “beginning” (40x), “principality” (8x), “corner” (2x), and (6x) in various words such as “magistrates,” “power,” “first,” and “rule.” Thayer, in his Greek Lexicon, places this term in five categories as to their meaning. In the fifth category, we find: “at the top, principality, rule, or magistracy.” He further delineates by saying that as used here Paul is referring to celestial powers that hold dominions entrusted to them as part of the universal order of things. Thayer then references what Paul says to the Colossians: “Christ Himself is the Creator who made everything in heaven and earth, the things we can see and the things we can’t; the spirit world with its kings and kingdoms, its rulers and authorities; all were made by Christ for His own use and glory.”³

Bishop Lightfoot in his commentary on this verse tells us that some commentators refer to the terms used here as mainly earthly rulers and dignities. But he feels that there can be little doubt that their chief and primary reference is to the orders of the celestial hierarchy, as conceived by Gnostic Judaizers.⁴ In other words, this was for those Jewish leaders of the church in Rome who may have bought into this false teaching of rival spiritual powers to that of Christ that exist in the universe.

Then Paul adds, “powers.” The Greek word dynamis translated here refers to the inherent power that resides in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and enforces. Thayer makes reference to what Peter said: “Now Christ is in heaven, sitting in the place of honor next to God the Father, with all the angels and powers of heaven bowing before Him and obeying Him.”⁵ Thayer also points to what F. B. Meyer says on this subject that Paul mentions to the Ephesians: “Far, far above any other king or ruler or dictator or leader. Yes, Christ’s honor is far more glorious than that of anyone else either in this world or in the world to come.”⁶ For Meyer, this is a psalm of ascension.

We can almost follow our Lord’s tracks as all the evil powers which rule the darkness of this world drop further and further behind Him. Since our Lord ascended on high, if we rightly claim our place as members of His glorified body we will also stand above all our spiritual adversaries. Any commander knows that it is easier to attack an enemy from higher ground than to try and approach him from below. Never forget that Christ needs the Church as much as the head needs the body. In the same manner, it is through the Church that He fulfills His mission. So ask Him to fill all of us with all of Him.⁷

Now Paul adds to this, “things present.” Another way of putting this would be “present things.” Thayer says that Paul was referring to those things he and the believer’s faced at the moment of his writing this epistle. Things that are in clear sight, standing nearby, pending, almost upon us or that threaten us. Thayer points to what Paul said to the Thessalonians: “Please don’t be upset and excited, dear brothers, by the rumor that this day of the Lord has already begun.”⁸ In other words, don’t let the rumors going around at the moment distract you from what you know to be the case. Stay steady, keep your eyes on things above, not things below.⁹

Then Paul contrasts what is going on at the moment with “things to come.” This is another way of saying that the believers in Rome should not be shaken by the things prophesied for the future but have not yet taken place. Bible scholars suggest that Paul is referring here to what we would call, “speculation.” Thayer then points to what Paul says to Timothy about the future.¹⁰ But in Thayer’s mind, he sees Paul telling Timothy that these future things to come should be seen in the context of the more perfect state of things which will exist at that time. It’s another way of saying that nothing that happens now will change one iota what God has established to be the case in the future.

Paul now adds, “nor height.” The Greek word hypsōma actually means, “an elevated place or thing.” In some cases, it may figuratively imply a high barrier. Thayer references what Paul said: “I use God’s mighty weapons, not those made by men, to knock down the devil’s strongholds. These weapons can break down every proud argument against God and every wall that can be built to keep men from finding Him.”¹¹ But some scholars also believe that Paul may have been using the term “height” in referring to idols that were placed on high platforms. Yet others think it may be an allusion to the superficial arguments against mankind having such a close relationship with God. But in any case. Paul is saying that nothing can stand in the way of God keeping hold of us and us keeping hold of God.

This is followed by “depth.” The Greek word bathos refers to those things thought to be deep, such as the sea. But it can also by implication be used for something profound, as well as figuratively for a mystery – the unknown. Thayer references where this word is used by Paul to teach the Ephesians about God’s love: “So that you, with all God’s people, will be given strength to grasp the breadth, length, height, and depth of the Messiah’s love, yes, to know it, even though it is beyond all knowing, so that you will be filled with all the fullness of God.”¹² As we can see, Paul may have been comparing the silly thoughts of fools (height) with the deep profundity of scholarly arguments (depth) against what he was teaching about God’s calling, justification, and glorification of those who believe that His Son was the Messiah, the Savior of the world.

But then Paul adds a qualifier: “nor any other creature.” Thayer in his Greek Lexicon points out that this word ktisis can be used to mean: “the act of founding, establishing, building, etc.” Throughout the Last Covenant, it is variously translated as “creation” and “creature.” Thayer places the word as it is used here to mean any individual thing that is created. He also mentions that it is used by Rabbis to indicate a person who is converted from idolatry to Judaism. As such, Paul takes it and uses it in the same way. For instance, he tells the Galatians: “For neither being circumcised nor being uncircumcised matters; what matters is being a new creation.”¹³ Also, what Paul wrote the Corinthians: “Therefore, if anyone is united with the Messiah, he is a new creation — the old has passed; look, what has come is fresh and new!”¹⁴ However, in the context of how Paul uses it here, we can better understand it as part of Paul’s argument against those teachings by the Judaizers, whether what they taught was easily explained, or beyond comprehension.

So, no matter what they throw at us, says Paul, it will not dismantle nor destroy God’s plan of salvation that was created out of love, nor will they be able to make anything to aim at believers that will cause those who really love God, and are loved by God, to be driven apart. It reminds us again of what Jesus said about His disciples: “No one shall snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and He is more powerful than anyone else, so no one can kidnap them from me.”¹⁵ No wonder that Paul prayed for the Ephesians “To experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so, at last, you will be filled up with God Himself.”¹⁶

Augustine comments here that Paul was sure that neither the persecutions or problems of temporal life here on earth or even death could separate the believer from God’s love. If someone threatened the believer with death, it simply implies that instead of living and working here in the presence of sin they would rest in the presence of God. Even an angel shouldn’t be able to separate us from the love of God. Paul said that if one came and told you something other than what you received as the Gospel, let them be accursed.¹⁷ Nor can any powers on earth or powers in the air successfully separate us because Christ has triumphed over them by what He did on the cross¹⁸.¹⁹

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

Dr. Robert R. Seyda

EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

CHAPTER EIGHT (Lesson XLIX)

Verse 37: Not one! In all these circumstances we have been able to gain a surpassing victory because of the One who loved us.

Now Paul leaves no doubt as to the answer to his challenge in verse 31. In his mind, nothing could ever overcome us to the point that even though we may think that God had forsaken us because of something wrong we had done, it still would not cause Him to withdraw His love from those He has chosen. To the contrary, His love will be the reason we conquer our fears and doubts. In fact, when Paul thought about all that God had brought him through during his years of missionary ministry, he told the Corinthians: “How we thank God for all of this! It is He who makes us victorious through Jesus Christ our Lord!”¹ And in his second letter Paul makes this statement: “Three different times I begged God to make me well again. Each time He said, “No. But I am with you; that is all you need.”² Paul was more or less saying that in our Christian walk we will encounter difficult times and circumstances, but do not fear because Christ is walking with us. Our Lord did not promise us smooth sailing in life, but He did say we will a safe landing on heaven’s shore.

In fact, Paul says that we will be more than just conquerors in our circumstances, that we will be able to go on to even greater heights of victory. There is no reason for a believer to live life as though defeat is inevitable. Jesus promised that we can have a victorious life. That doesn’t mean that all a believer’s problems will go away. But it does mean, that before the problem gets the best of the believer, the believer gets the best of the problem. While there are many explanations of what Paul meant by the phrase, “more than conquerors,” it certainly doesn’t mean being an “overachiever.” Instead, it means not only winning the victory but being able then to keep the peace and prevent any further uprising no matter how much extra effort it requires. Years ago, I heard of an incident where the Bible was being translated into an African language, and they did not have a phrase in their tongue that adequately expressed, “more than conquerors.” After the meaning of what Paul said was explained to those helping the missionary do the translating, one of them suggested the following: “We fight twelve, but conqueror thirteen!”

As Paul told the Galatians: “When the Messiah was executed on the stake as a criminal, I was too; so that my proud ego no longer lives. But the Messiah lives in me, and the life I now live in my body I live by the same trusting faithfulness that the Son of God had, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”³ In other words, it is not you that is living your Christian life alone, but it is Christ living in you, building up your Christlike character Paul told the Ephesians to let Christ be their example on how to live. In fact, he said that Christ’s love for us was like a sweet perfume to God.⁴

The early church bishop of Caesarea says that a person is considered more than a conqueror when they not only exert the force necessary to win the battle but willingly accept the pain and suffering that comes with the endurance required.⁵ And Pelagius also said that all these troubles we can count as very insignificant because someone loved us so much that He even died for us. His name was Jesus. So even if we died for His name sake we triumph because what He did for us, our sacrifice is a small thing compared to His.⁶

Martin Luther makes an important point here by saying that it is the love of Christ for us that makes us triumphant through our love to Him. Remember, we did not love Him first, He first loved us. Not only that, but He still loves us first whenever we let anything come between us and Him. Furthermore, our love for Him is not only because He loves us, rather, His love for us is what brings our love to Him. As the Apostle John said: “This is love! It is not that we loved God but that He loved us.”⁷ It is important to note that Luther does not say our love “for” Him, but our love “to” Him. Love is not an emotion, it is an act of the will. Just saying we love Him is not enough, it must be validated with what we bring to Him in the form of expressions of love. This then makes us more than conquerors. We not only have been made free from the bondage of sin under the law, but we are now kept free to serve God because He freed us.⁸

Robert Haldane has this to say about believers being more than conquerors. It is a powerful expression, but when fully understood it is proven true. When believers successfully pass through the worst of their trials, they not only avoid the traps laid by persecutors but, thereby, conquer the ones who put them in their path. For many people, they may swim hard and long against the stream, but end up getting nowhere. In fact, they may consider it a failure, not a win. But believers need not swim against the tide because God will bring their intended prize to them. All they have to do is learn to wait, remain faithful and steadfast.⁹ By doing so, believers not only overcome the force against them but deny the force a victory. In that light, it is better to be fighting battles than doing nothing at all. When believers are called to serve Him, they are also called to suffer for Him.

Haldane also said believers should think of themselves as warriors, not just winners. As God tries and tests believers, it’s like bringing them out of the furnace as refined gold.¹⁰ That’s why Paul called them “light afflictions.”¹¹ Because when we compare ourselves to what we will be it is a small price to pay. Haldane said that the term conquerors should remind the believer that life sometimes is a battle, in which they are called into combat against inner doubts and outer criticism. Haldane feels that we should know the difference between the judgment of God, and the judgment of people when it comes to the victory of believers. As the world sees it, persecutors and oppressors are judged as the conquerors. But Paul turns the tables here and says that those who are oppressed and persecuted are the victors. That’s because they are the servants of Him whom the world put to death on the cross, but who said to His disciples, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.¹²”¹³

Albert Barnes sees us as more than conquerors because we have not only gained the victory over sin through Christ but because of Christ, sin cannot gain power over us again to subdue us, to alienate our love and confidence, to produce apostasy. Barnes notes that in the process our faith is not destroyed; our love is not diminished; our hope is not blown away. But it is more than a simple victory. It’s also more than carrying on, as usual, continuing to do what we’ve done before. It is also more than a single victory. We grow in faith, increase our spiritual strength, enlarge our capacity to love our Lord. This then prepares us for bigger victories. The word “conqueror” used here is a strong, emphatic expression, which the Apostle employs only once. But he uses it with great force and appropriateness here.¹⁴

Charles Spurgeon says that Paul’s reference to all these things, meaning the afflictions and obstacles that believers must deal with, have made us stronger and closer to the Lord instead of separating us from Him.¹⁵ As we find in Foxes’ Book of Martyrs, while their persecutors thought they were triumphing over them, it was the martyrs who were the victors in the end. And Frédéric Godet points out that instead of Paul saying that we are conquerors through the love of the Lord, he says that through the Lord that loved us we are conquerors. For Godet, this is because Christ who lives in us is the one who fights the battles. And not only is it His love that keeps us going, but this love is more than a simple thought of our mind; it is a force we sense and feel.¹⁶

Verses 38-39: For I am thoroughly convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love – not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us – nothing in the whole created world – will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us through Jesus the Messiah, our Lord.

At the end of the chapter Paul concludes by saying that he is persuaded: There is nothing, no calamity known to man, no conceived force or torture, no power in, on, or out of this world that can claim the title of “Who” in Paul’s question of “Who can separate us from God’s love?” Nothing, not anything, can separate a believer from being in the grasp of God’s love because it is not only their holding on to God but God is holding on to them. But some make the mistake of putting all the emphasis on God’s responsibility to keep that promise and ensure that His love is never removed from their grasp.

When reading this whole chapter, it suggests that what Paul is really saying is that despite his temptations and trials, he is so sold out and committed to God’s love, that come what may he will never let go of God because God will not let go of him. Ask yourself, who is facing the test of allegiance, you or God? Who is dealing with the distress, you or God? Who is enduring the persecution, you or God? Who is fighting the famine, you or God? Who is like a sheep being led to slaughter, you or God? We can go on and on with who is coping with life’s issues, you or God? Who is subject to death, you or God?

After what God did to show His love by giving His only Son to die on the cross for our salvation, we need never think or surmise that God will cancel the love that was given while we were yet sinners because that would be unthinkable now that we need it more than ever. But we do have to let God know that we are just as committed to keeping our part of the relationship, and out of sheer gratitude and thankfulness, we will never renege on our promise to love Him to the end.

But Paul is not finished. He has more to say about his confidence in God’s faithfulness in keeping His part of the covenant, and that this will help him to keep his part so that after being chosen and justified to be called a child of God. The fact he was chosen means he may enjoy the glorification God has prepared for all those who remain true and faithful to the end. In fact, while languishing in jail Paul wrote to young Timothy: “I know the One in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to safely guard all that I have given Him until the day of His return.”¹⁷

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

Dr. Robert R. Seyda

EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

CHAPTER EIGHT (Lesson XLVIII)

Early church scholar Ambrosiaster explains what he feels Paul is saying here. For him, Paul is simply asking if there is anyone or anything that can pull us away from the love of Christ, the one who gave us such a wonderful gift as salvation and eternal life? No torments as those listed should ever override the love that a mature Christian has for their Savior.¹ And Chrysostom says that even though it may look easy to compose a list like this one, each word contains thousands of lines of adversity. Tribulation, for instance, includes prisons and chains, defamation and rejection, and all other such hardships. A single word can define oceans of danger and reveals to us all the obstacles believers will encounter in this life.²

These thoughts and insights are followed by what Augustine has to say about Paul exhorting his hearers not to be heartbroken by persecution. When it does, perhaps they were living according to the philosophy of the world.³ Pelagius also has some thoughts on this. He questions how, after receiving so many splendid benefits and promises from our Lord, any hardship could be so heavy as to tear us away from our love for Christ? And by saying “us,” Paul indicates that we should all become known as the sort of Christians that even dangers cannot separate us from Christ.⁴ And then we have a word from early church scholar Caesarius. As he sees it, faithful believers are not separated from Christ even by torture. Only the lukewarm and careless ones, however, are in danger of being separated from Him by their own carelessness. For some, even the slightest embarrassment causes them to immediately feel offended, and then they dare to murmur against God and return to their godless, detestable ways.⁵

Martin Luther answers Paul’s question of who can separate us from God’s love by saying emphatically that no one can accuse those whom God has called, redeemed, chosen, sanctified, and empowered of not being God’s legal heirs. Luther says there is absolutely no one! For it is God who justifies such selection and election of those who He declares to be right in His eyes. In the same way, no one can say we are still under the condemnation of the Law’s death sentence because Christ is now our Mediator and Chief Shepherd who died for His sheep, rose up from the grave because death could not swallow Him. As such, He is our personal representative at the right hand of God because He has been anointed as our High Priest by whose blood our sins were atoned for.⁶

Fellow Reformer John Calvin says that whatever happens, we must stand firm on this truth: that God, who once in His love embraced us, never ceases to treasure us as His priceless possession. Paul does not simply say that there is nothing which can tear God away from His love for us; but he means, that the knowledge and lively sense of the love which God has given us is so vigorous in our hearts, that it always shines in the darkness of afflictions. Calvin then uses “clouds” as an illustration when pointing out that although they may obscure the sun for awhile, they do not totally deprive us of its light. In the same way, God, even in times when the dark clouds of adversity cover us, He sends the bright rays of His favor through the darkness. He does not want worries and anxiety to overwhelm us with despair. In fact, our faith, when supported by God’s promises, become like wings that allow us to mount up as eagles so we can fly high above all the intervening obstacles blocking our way.⁷ Even during those times when God disciplines us, we must never forget His mercy is constant and everlasting.⁸ That’s because we receive a fresh delivery every morning.⁹ Calvin says, that whenever we are reminded of what we really deserve, God also reminds us why we are the object of His lovingkindness, while He leads us to repentance, and that’s because He paid our ransom and we are His.¹⁰

Adam Clarke puts the focus on those things that Paul is thinking of as threats to Christ’s love for us and our love for Christ. He writes that the Apostle Paul is referring to the persecutions and hardships which often come to Christians who stand up and declare their unwavering loyalty to their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But they need not fear because God will graciously provide for their support and final salvation. And in so doing, God expressed His infinite love for them by providing His only Son, Jesus Christ, as a sin-offering in their place. Then Jesus Christ showed His unconditional love by suffering death upon the cross for them. That’s why Paul brings up the love the followers should have for the one who first loved them. For Clarke, the question is not, Who shall separate the love of Christ from us? or prevent Christ from loving us? but, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? In other words, who or what has the power to remove His affection for us?¹¹

Robert Haldane writes that in contemplating those glorious truths and Divine consolations which the Apostle had been unfolding in this chapter, we see that he had demanded, Who shall accuse, who shall condemn, God’s elect people? Now here he triumphantly asks, Who shall separate them from the love of Christ? Having already pointed out how believers should deal with fears of behavior that come from within, he now strengthens their resolve against fears that come from without. This is the proper order to put them in because internal fears and misgivings are more formidable than external attacks. So, until a believer can overcome the inner misgivings of their relationship with God, they will not be prepared to withstand the external onslaught. Haldane notes that although the people of God are often exposed to all the turmoils that Paul enumerates, none of these will be able to separate them from the love Christ has for them.¹²

Albert Barnes also concentrates on how love is affected. But for him what Paul says here is somewhat ambiguous. It can either mean, “our love for Christ,” or “His love for us.” Barnes says he understands that it is supposed to search for an answer to this: Who can do anything to cause us to stop loving our Savior who never stops loving us? In other words, the love which Christians should have for their Redeemer must be so strong that it will withstand and survive all opposition and persecution, knowing that He will never leave or forsake them. The reason it should be understood this way is because it is not conceivable that hardships and difficulties should in any way alienate Christ‘s love for us. We should be willing to endure to the end. That is where salvation is assured.¹³

We know that such trials and adversities are often caused by a believer’s open profession of faith and their close attachment to Him and His Word. When such persecutions and trials come, it is often for the sake of making them weary of their service and dedication to His cause. Those who persecute want these Christians who are sold out to Christ to stop spreading the nonsense about some Kingdom of God. But the Apostle says, that will never happen! Their love for Him is so strong that they are willing to go through anything for His sake. Nothing these people can do that will destroy the peace believer’s have in their hearts for the one who gave His all for them. Therefore, Barnes sees that the argument involves the strong love of a believer to their Savior; and from the assurance that nothing will be able to keep them from their love for each other.¹⁴

Charles Hodge, sees it differently than Barnes. For him, the love Paul is talking about is clearly Christ’s love towards us, and not ours towards Him. He believes Paul is speaking about the great love God showed for us through the gift of His Son. Also, the love Christ has for us was exhibited in His dying, rising to life again, and now interceding for us before the Father. Not only that, but this great and abiding love is unending and unchangeable. After all, the Apostle’s objective in this chapter is to comfort and confirm the confidence of believers. Some have interpreted what Paul said as grounds for us to have faith that under no circumstances will we ever stop loving our Lord. Hodge says that such interpretation does not fit what Paul is saying. There is no reason for our having to submit any evidence that we will never forsake Christ, just to prove that we are really His followers. The strongest need for assurance is to be convinced that His love for us will never change.

Hodge then contends that if our hope of God’s mercy and love is founded only on our goodness or attractiveness, it is a false hope. We must believe that His love is gratuitous, mysterious, without any known or conceivable cause, certainly without thinking that it’s because we looked so good to Him. In short, the only thing that comes close to God’s love for His children is that which is analogous to the love parents have for a disabled or deformed child. Hodge notes that a father’s or mother’s love is often independent of the attractiveness of its object. In fact, they love them in spite of any deformity.¹⁵ Hodge goes on to say that verse 39 requires this interpretation, for there Paul expresses the same sentiment in language which cannot be misunderstood.

Frédéric Godet agrees with Hodge that the love of Christ, from which nothing will separate us, is not the love which we have for Him; for we are not separated from our own personal feeling. It is, therefore, the love He has for us.¹⁶ This interpretation is based upon this evidence: God’s love for us was expressed before we ever knew Him, let alone loved Him.¹⁷ He gave His only Son to prove that love for us. His Son gave up what He had in heaven to become one of us.¹⁸ Christ was persecuted, suffered, and was crucified to show that love for us. After His resurrection and before His ascension He promised to prepare a place for us so that when He returns He can take us with Him to our eternal abode. So the question is, what have we done for God and His Son to prove that nothing will separate our love for them? Charles Ellicott also agrees that Paul is referring to the love which Christ has for us, not that which we have for Christ.¹⁹

Jewish Bible scholar David Stern offers these thoughts on God’s blessed assurance: He points to the chain of assurances provided in verses 28–39. This gives Paul enough confidence to put his own argument under the microscope. That is if God is for us, who can possibly be against us? Certainly not God (verses 31–33). Also not his Son, the Messiah Yeshua (verses 34–37). In fact, there is no one or no thing that can be found, nothing (verses 35, 38–39), that will be able to separate us from God’s love which comes to us through the Messiah Yeshua our Lord. One thing is for certain, if we, Yeshua’s followers, are seen as sheep who are vulnerable to being attacked and killed by the wild animals of trouble, hardship, persecution, hunger, poverty, danger, and war (verse 35), our Lord as well was “led like a sheep to the slaughter.”²⁰ The Psalm quoted in this verse, speaks of Israel as oppressed by enemies and scattered among the nations, yet faithful to God’s covenant. The Psalmist prays for God’s deliverance and acknowledges the futility of self-effort, “I don’t rely on my bow, nor can my sword give me victory.”²¹ In quoting one verse Paul implicitly applies the entire Psalm to those who have come to trust in the Gospel, thus expanding on what he wrote in verse 18 above.²²

The first religious New Year was celebrated by the Jewish people around 3760 BC and is known as Rosh HaShanah and occurs the early part of September.¹ The first secular New Year celebration came around 2000 BC in the Middle East, in the land known as Mesopotamia, where Abraham came from. It was celebrated on the day of the Vernal Equinox, which is March 20^th when the sun stands directly above the equator. Most of the world today celebrates New Year’s Day on January 1^st, thanks to Roman emperor Julius Caesar who set it in 45 BC based on his new Julian Calendar. Why? Because it was on that day that the highest elected officials of Rome took office to start serving their one-year term.

So what does that mean to you and me? That we can start our New Year any day we choose. Perhaps you can select the day you were born or the day you were born-again and it turned your life around from going backward into eternal punishment to going forward to eternal life. But the most remarkable thing is this, whether a person who celebrates New Year’s Day is a Christian or unbeliever, the New Year number is always calculated from the year of Christ’s birth, and this New Year it will be 2018. So, that is reason enough to tell everyone, “Happy New Year!” – Dr. Robert R Seyda

THE BATTLE THAT CHANGED THE WORLD IN 30 MINUTES

It was in the early fall of 1759 when the soldiers of General Louis-Joseph, Marquis de Montcalm, commandant of the French army of Quebec, retired to their tents, they knew their enemy, the British navy and marines were just across the mighty St. Lawrence River on the other side. But they felt secure in their garrison on a buff which was high above the river that had 180-foot steep cliffs that made it impossible for an invading army to make a direct assault. Besides, they numbered more than 12,000 men.

What they didn’t know what the British commander General James Wolf with his 7,000 men had received some vital information. He was told about a steep path that ascended from the river to the Plains of Abraham outside of the city. Seizing on this new lead, General Wolfe devised a new war plan that was put into action on the 12^th of September. First, he ordered the bombardment of the Beaufort shore, then loaded landing craft with soldiers and put them ashore east of the Montmorency River. Next cannon fire was directed against the city from the British battery near Point Levy. Finally, a portion of the British fleet sailed past Québec and appeared to be headed for Montreal.

Only a few sentries were left to guard the heights overlooking the mighty St. Lawrence River. But under the cover of darkness, British forces quietly boarded small boats that ferried more than 4,000 soldiers ashore. At 4 am. on the 13th, a scouting party ascended the pathway to the top of the cliff and took out the single French sentry. When dawn broke a few hours later, the city woke up to the spectacle of a British army in battle formation immediately outside its walls.

Montcalm tried to gather his widely dispersed army, but by 10 am. made the premature decision to confront the British army with whatever soldiers were at hand. The great battle on the Plains of Abraham lasted only 30 minutes; British ranks held firm in the face of a French advance. A devastating volley was fired when the British musketeers could see the whites of the French soldiers’ eyes. Huge numbers of men were mowed down and many others broke ranks and fled.

Up to that moment, France occupied the Louisiana territory (also called the New France) that stretched from New Orleans through what is now Arkansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Nebraska Iowa, North and South Dakota, and Montana, up into Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. Had this battle not taken place the continent of North America would have been divided with the French owning it from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. But it was at that moment, in just 30 minutes, the colonization of North America changed hands from the French to the British. Just 44 years later the British would lose their portion in a revolutionary war led by General George Washington, and leaders of the new United States would purchase this Louisiana territory for $11,000,000 million dollars. There are other examples from history that show the disastrous effects of what may happen overnight when people are supposed to be awake and alert, but instead, they are sleeping, thinking that nothing can get to them.

This is especially true of the United States today. But not only the country, but also the Church. There are some who think that the freedom of religion in America will always be secure. But there are forces being assembled who want that to change. If you have a church you can keep it; if you have a pastor you can keep him or her, but you won’t be able to worship openly. So as a resolution for this coming New Year of 2018, let us all resolve within ourselves and our communities that we will not let the enemy sneak up on us in the darkness of night. The best way to do that is to keep our lights shining; keep the lighthouse of God’s Word always lit, and always standing ready as soldiers in the Army of the Lord. – Dr. Robert R Seyda

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

Dr. Robert R. Seyda

EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

CHAPTER EIGHT (Lesson XLVII)

The Apostles Paul now begins to enumerate all the adversities that might cause a believer to turn back from following Christ because they’re convinced it’s not worth it. Paul wants the believers to know that for each dilemma, God has an answer. For the first trial, Paul uses the Greek word thlipsis which the KJV translates as “tribulation” and means to be living under pressure, feeling oppressed, afflicted, in distress, and going through hard times. Thayer in his Greek Lexicon references this to what God said the children of Israel would go through while under enemy attack: “Because of the severity of the siege and distress that your enemies are inflicting on you, you will eat the offspring of your own body, the flesh of your own sons and daughters.”¹ So we can see that this is not a reference to the Great Tribulation mentioned in the Book of Revelation but as an example of the most difficult of times a believer must go through down here.

The next Greek word stenochōria is translated by the KJV as “distress.” It signifies going through a narrow place while facing some calamity of extreme misfortune. Again, Thayer in his Greek Lexicon references what was prophesied that the children of Israel would go through: “Even the most gentle and sensitive man among you will be without pity for his brother, his beloved wife or his surviving children, to the degree that he will refuse to share with any of them the flesh of his children whom he is eating; because if he did, he would have nothing left for himself.”² This is the worst kind of dilemma to face, when even those of one’s own family turn on them with violence out of hatred for their faith in God and to satisfy their greed.

Then Paul uses the Greek word diōgmos which the KJV translates as “persecution.” In Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary this word is used to emphasize the concept of someone being pursued, thrown down, sat upon, yelled at, then brought to trial and punished. This is what happened to the Christians after the Day of Pentecost. Luke tells us: “At that time there was a great persecution against the congregation which was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles.”³ In other words, their lives were made so miserable that they had to move in order to survive.

Now comes the term “famine,” which is English for the Greek word limos. Thayer’s Lexicon interprets this as literal “hunger.” Thayer refers to what the Apostle Paul said back in verse 27: “Often I have been hungry and thirsty and have gone without food.” Then we have the Greek word gymnotēs which is translated as “nakedness.” Thayer sees this as a reference to the lack of clothing. We are given a reference to what was said to the children of Israel should they forsake God: “You will become slaves to your enemies because of your failure to praise God for all that He has given you. The Lord will send your enemies against you, and you will be hungry, thirsty, naked, and in need of everything.”⁴ But this can also be used metaphorically to mean being denied the basics of life such as love, care, kindness, encouragement and having to face life all alone; feeling abandoned, forsaken, and there is not one who cares at all about your situation.

And then we have the Greek word kindynos which is translated in the KJV as “peril.” This simply means being in danger of suddenly being harmed or even killed. Thayer’s Lexicon points to what Paul had to say about circumstances he’s been through on his missionary journeys: “I have traveled many weary miles and have been often in great danger from flooded rivers and from robbers and from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the hands of the Gentiles. I have faced grave dangers from mobs in the cities and from death in the deserts and in the stormy seas and from men who claim to be brothers in Christ but are not.”⁵ As dark as these circumstances may become, it will give the believer the opportunity to let their light shine even brighter for all to see the power of faith.

And then lastly, we have the Greek word machaira which is rendered as, “sword.” Thayer gives us the literal definition of a large knife, or small sword, used for killing animals. But Thayer also assigns a metaphorical meaning to the instrument being that of receiving a death sentence. A reference is given to an account by Luke: “About that time King Herod moved against some of the believers and killed the Apostle James (John’s brother).” But Paul is not left without an answer. He quickly and clearly states that as a believer in this world we should expect no more and no less from those around us who oppose Jesus Christ and God the Father, the One who chose us, justified His choice, and expects to shower His glory on those who remain faithful to the end.

But to all of these Paul things says: Going through all of this, whether or not we make it out alive or pass on to our rest, we are fulfilling this Scripture: “For Your sake we are put to death all day long, we are considered sheep to be slaughtered.”⁶ Jesus did not contradict this concept. In fact, one day He told His disciples: “I have told you these things so that you won’t be staggered by all that lies ahead. For you will be excommunicated from the synagogues, and indeed the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing God a service.”⁷ Was Jesus being cavalier about His followers being killed as though there were weeds or vermin? No! Take a lesson from the cells in our bodies that are constantly dividing, regenerating, and dying. Each cell’s life cycle is different. But the purpose of any cells is to do the job it was created for and then make room for new cells. Paul said we are all members of one body. Some of us live longer than others. But when all is said and done, all that will be asked of us by our Creator is this: Did you do the job you were created to do?

But Paul had another factor in mind when he wrote the Corinthians: “We live under constant danger to our lives because we serve the Lord, but this gives us constant opportunities to show forth the power of Jesus Christ within our dying bodies. Because of our preaching we face death, but it has resulted in eternal life for you.”⁸ When we put these two ideas together, we can see that for each one of God’s children who die as a result of persecution, oppression, or hungry and unclothed while in peril, God uses that death to bring others into His kingdom.

Under the first covenant, we’re told that sheep, goats, doves, etc., served as sacrifices to atone for the death penalty of sins committed. The prophet Jeremiah looked at himself this way: “I was like a tame lamb led to be slaughtered; I did not know that they were plotting schemes against me.”⁹ Under the last covenant, Jesus sets His death as an example of why He was not afraid. It was part of the prophecy about Him in Isaiah: “He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet He never said a word. He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter.”¹⁰ Why should we then expect any more honorable way to glorify our Lord and God?

Early church scholar Clement says that because of all He has done, let us carry around a deep love for the Creator in our hearts. Let us draw close to Him with our whole being. Let us not waste our time, like the prodigal son, with foolishness and pride. Let us take advantage of the same joy that was set before our Lord as He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God¹¹.¹² Then another early church scholar, Origen, makes the point that when difficulties and problems come our way, we thank God by saying: “Yet You gave me room to breathe when I was in distress.”¹³ That’s why when we encounter moments of hardship in this world, especially those that arise from our daily needs, we can call on God’s broad wisdom and knowledge so that such things will not distress us. That’s when we should return to the wide fields of the Holy Scriptures and look for the spiritual meaning of God’s Word. There we will find it said: “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”¹⁴

If, when we suffer persecution, we confess Christ as our Lord and Savior before our oppressors, we are certain that He will confess us also before His Father, who is in heaven.¹⁵ As Paul says, famine cannot disturb us, for we have the bread of life which comes down from heaven and refreshes our weary souls.¹⁶ And that bread never becomes unavailable, it is exactly what we need and eternal. Being vulnerable does not make us confused because we are embraced by the Lord Jesus Christ.¹⁷ We will not fear peril because God is our light and our salvation; whom then should we fear?¹⁸ Furthermore, no earthly weapon can frighten us because we have “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.¹⁹”²⁰

Bishop Cyprian, who gave his life for the cause of Christ, wrote that none of the things Paul mentions here can separate believers from the one who loves them. Nothing can pull away those who cling tightly to Christ’s body and blood. Cyprian believes that this persecution is sent for the examination and evaluation of our belief. God wants us to be tried, tested, and proven as genuine. Many times He has put His own children to the test, and yet, in the midst of those trials, never at any time has He bailed out any of those who failed to make it all the way. Instead, He rushes to their aid and helps them become victorious.²¹

I like what Bishop Moule says here, that these verses are like a chorus of divine music. They follow previous verses as they were sung in order: Jesus is our Lord who was offered for our sins and raised again for our justification. This allows grace to reign which brought the promise of eternal life. So we are to thank God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is all, and in all, and for all, to those who believe in Him. And now, all is gathered up into this: Redemption, Righteousness, and Sanctification.²² He makes every truth, every doctrine of peace and holiness real, every promise becomes a source of strength for our life as well as our light, and His everlasting love does not disappear in times of trouble.²³

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

Dr. Robert R. Seyda

EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

CHAPTER EIGHT (Lesson XLVI)

It is upon the basis of the work of Christ on the cross that the acquittal of all those whom the Father gave to His Son stands. It was His act of choosing them that became the reason for which the, “not guilty” verdict, from the Father. Now, after Paul said that it is God who justifies those who have been redeemed, called, and chosen, he then proceeds to give the reasons for their freedom from condemnation. Four grounds are stated here: First, Christ’s death on the cross; Second, His resurrection from the dead; Thirdly, His enthronement at the right hand of God the Father; and, fourthly, His intercession in heaven on our behalf.¹ What more would a believer need to have in order to be assured of their salvation against all who would try to convince them otherwise?

Albert Barnes makes note that there are another three things to consider as reasons why Christ is not there to condemn us. This gives Christians an even greater sense of security. These are: fifthly, He is robed with all power in heaven and on earth; sixth, He is exalted to honor above all things in heaven and on earth; and seventh, He is placed at the head of all things in heaven and on earth. It is this solemn enthronement and endowment with power over the universe that is taken as an express reference to the power of salvation for His church and His people.² Every Christian then is under the protection of Christ, and, therefore, secure in knowing that God will not turn and condemn them.³ Barnes encourages us to think of Christ’s intercession in the words of the writer of Hebrews: “He is able to save completely all who come to the Father through Him. Since He will live forever, He will always be there to remind God that He has paid for their sins with His blood.”⁴

Charles Hodge defines Christ’s role as intercessor by saying that He came to suffer and die to save those who put their trust in Him. Therefore, on their behalf He presents to the Father the evidence and merit of His work as their Mediator, proving to His Father that forgiveness and salvation are theirs because of all He did to make a new covenant of redemption between He and them. Remember, He is our patron, in the Roman sense of the word. The one who undertakes our case as an advocate. One whom the Father always hears first. How solid and complete is the security of those He defends! Hodge reminds us that this language by Paul is figurative, meaning that since His resurrection and ascension, Christ continues to secure for His followers the benefits of His death and resurrection. This should remind us that everything comes from God through Christ, and for His sake.⁵

Frédéric Godet notes that this verse should read: “Who will be the condemning one?” He goes on to say that this supposes there will only be one Judge, while the previous question, “Who will accuse?” admits a plurality of accusers. Godet wants us to know why this difference. When it comes to making accusations, there are many that may raise their voices, as they did when they yelled before Pilate, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” But when it comes to approving the charges, only One is appointed to that office. It was Peter who said that Christ was the One ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead.⁶ So Godet feels that the question that the critics are really asking is this: Will Christ, on the day of judgment, condemn us? Godet says the answer is absolutely, No! The acts done by Christ on our behalf that Paul enumerates here are more than enough to guarantee our justification.⁷

Puritan preacher Charles Simeon wants us to ask ourselves, “How much are we indebted to the grace of God?” We are talking about the grace that chose us out of many, the grace that holds the treasure for us of all that is in Christ Jesus! What do we owe to Him, He had who passed by angels by just to choose us as His own? And when it appeared that we were beyond the limit of mercy, He went beyond the boundary without fear of any condemnation to reach us. Surely, if we don’t pour our hearts out before Him in earnest gratitude, even the stones may cry out against us.⁸

And let us not only render to Him the testimony of a thankful heart, but let us also glorify Him by living a holy life to the honor of His name. Have we not been chosen to do our very best for Him?⁹ And were we not saved in order to bear fruit for Him through sanctification?¹⁰ Therefore, we must prove that our election was not a mistake if we plan to enjoy its final blessing. Let us then walk worthy of our high calling, and cultivate all the features of God’s elect. And let us gain the knowledge of His Word so that we can avoid all grounds of accusation to escape the miseries of condemnation itself.¹¹

John Stott sees multiple aspects of how Christ’s dying for us keeps anyone from charging us with impersonating God’s children. He says there’s more to it than what’s seen in the saving work of Christ. For instance, after He died He was raised to life. It’s not just that He rose from the grave, although this is affirmed in the Final Covenant, but that it was His heavenly Father who did it. By doing so, God demonstrated His approval of His Son’s sacrifice as the only legal basis for our justification.¹² And furthermore, the crucified and resurrected Christ now stands at the right hand of God, resting from His finished work.¹³ There He occupies His place of supreme honor.¹⁴ This allows Him to exercise His authority to save.¹⁵ He is waiting for the signal to complete His final triumph.¹⁶ He also intercedes for us as our heavenly advocate,¹⁷ and High Priest.¹⁸ The fact that He now stands at the Father’s right hand is proof that when it comes to His work of atonement, it is finished! By being our intercessor it means that He continues to guarantee the benefits of His death to those who believe in Him.¹⁹ By knowing this, we can accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Therefore, we know, there is now no condemnation for those who are united to Him. As far as Stott is concerned, this will allow us to confidently confront the universe, with all its inhabitants human and demonic, and challenge anyone who thinks we should be condemned. They will never get hear God say, “You’re right!”²⁰

One Christian Jewish scholar suggests we should not imagine Yeshua always being seated at the Father’s right hand. This would indicate that His work is finished. That’s because the High Priest did not sit in the Holy of Holies except on Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement. That means He is now acting as our intercessor/advocate. The prophecy in Isaiah puts it this way: “Therefore, I will assign Him a share with the great, He will divide the spoils with the mighty, for having exposed Himself to death and being counted among the sinners, while actually bearing the sin of many and interceding for the offenders.”²¹ Then the Apostle John adds his words of encouragement: “My children, I am writing you these things so that you won’t sin. But if anyone does sin, we have Yeshua the Messiah, the Tzaddik (Righteous One), who pleads our cause with the Father.²²”²³

Verses 35-36: What can then separate us from the love Christ has for us? Can trouble or problems or persecution separate us from His love? If we have no food or clothes or face danger or even death, will that separate us from His love? As the Scriptures say, “Because of You Lord we are in danger of death all the time. People think of us as sheep ready to be sacrificed.”²⁴

Now Paul lines up his most potent defense against anyone or anything trying to undo or make void the unity that exists between the Redeemed, Called, Justified, Chosen, Sanctified, and soon to be Glorified believers, and the One who did all that for them. The Psalmist gives us a hint as to its impossibility: “The mercy of Adonai on those who fear Him is from eternity past to eternity future, and His righteousness extends to His children’s children, provided they keep His covenant and remember to follow His precepts.”²⁵ Yes, this was the promise to those under the first covenant given to Moses.

But Paul declares that it equally applies to those under the final covenant given by Christ. As Jeremiah reported: “Long ago the Lord had said to Israel: I have loved you, O my people, with an everlasting love; with loving-kindness, I have drawn you to me.”²⁶ Jesus Himself validated this same promise when He said this about those who believed and followed Him: “I give them eternal life and they shall never perish. No one shall snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and He is more powerful than anyone else so no one can kidnap them from me.”²⁷

This gave the Apostle Paul the courage to write the believers in Thessalonica and tell them: “May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting comfort and hope, which we don’t deserve, comfort your hearts with all comfort, and help you in every good thing you say and do.”²⁸ In other words, believers must have no fear that God’s love for those whom He redeemed, called, justified, chose, sanctified and will glorify through Christ His Son, will ever be broken or displaced because of any circumstance or what others may say or do.

Then Paul goes on the list those things he feels may be contenders for voiding God’s love from reaching and keeping those He chose and justified. However, it is the type of circumstances that Paul mentions that may give believers some reason to believe that although God will never stop loving them, He may be forced to turn away from them as He did to the children of Israel who disobeyed Him in the wilderness. But the real truth is that they turned away from Him and refused to let Him save them and bring them into the Promised Land. The same is true today. God will never stop loving those for whom His son died, but they will only be lost because of these things they do or say to become estranged and alienated from the One who wants to save them.