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There are two main sections of this chapter. The first talks about Paul the messenger and the Roman believers he is writing to and the second is his description of all sinners who are refusing and resisting this drawing of God. In this second section I am taking the inverse of the negative descriptions so that I can more clearly see what he is saying by implication. I find this technique very helpful sometimes to clarify in my mind some of the meanings that are often masked by the back and forth switches in language when alternate descriptions are being presented.
I am also separating the descriptions into two categories for simplification. The first is a description of the messenger of which Paul is an example and the second is an illustration of a person who would be responding to the grace and gospel of God. To separate the two I will use two colors of print to identify what is referring to each.
Description of the Messenger
A person who is a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, a love-slave living under the compulsion of a passionate response to God's love and grace.
Called as an apostle, one who has been “sent out”, who cannot be content to remain in their home base because of the inner compulsion of God's passion burning in their heart.
Set apart for the gospel of God; intentionally dedicated by God and His family members on earth to effectively share the good news about God with anyone who will listen.
One who has received grace and apostleship through Jesus Christ our Lord, to bring about the obedience of faith among all for His name's sake.
I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you who are believing in this gospel.
I unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers.
I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established and that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith.
Often I have planned to come to you that I may obtain some fruit among you....
I am under obligation....
I am eager to preach the gospel.
I am not ashamed of the gospel.
Description of Those Accepting the Good News About God (Gospel)
They have the obedience of faith for Jesus' name's sake.
They are the called of Jesus Christ, all who are beloved of God called as saints.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Their faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.
THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.
This life “by faith” results in godliness and righteousness.
Through faith in response to God's faith in them they help God reveal the truth in righteousness.
That which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them – His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made.
They knew God, and they did honor Him as God and give thanks.
As they become more effective channels of God's wisdom their hearts grow stronger and more filled with light and the fire of God.
They humbly look to God for wisdom and become mature.
They embrace the glory of the incorruptible God as they see that glory reflected in various ways through His creation. They see some of the invisible attributes of God visibly reflected in man, in birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
God draws them closer to Himself in the passion of their hearts for purity. As a result their bodies become honorable among them.
They hold on to the truth of God and reject THE lie of Satan.
They worship and serve their Creator.
For this reason God fills them with His own uplifting passion of love.
As a result their women are fulfilled as they discover their natural function in the family.
Their men are also fulfilled by the natural function of the women and burn in their desire to honor and cherish their wives with greater and deeper acts of kindness and love.
In consequence they receive in their own persons the gifts of grace as they live in the truth.
They see fit to acknowledge God more and more.
As they grow in grace, love and maturity God imparts to them a noble, clear mind, to do those things which are proper, being filled with all righteousness, purity, nobility, generosity, goodness; full of thoughtfulness, life-giving energy, peace, truth, kindness; they are jealous for the truth, full of blessing, lovers of God, cooperative, humble and kind, quick to give affirmation to others, schemers of kind surprises, obedient to parents, with growing understanding, trustworthy, loving, merciful; and they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are considered worthy of eternal life, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
(ref Romans 1:1-32 NAS95)
What do you think? Is this a valid transposition of the original text?
Those two words, "by faith" could write a book - and I'm sure you have read a few!
ReplyDeleteYour transposition sounds very real to me. I'm working with another nurse who professes to be a Christain and urges all to follow the calling. (She's loving about it and tries to be a good person and faithful follower for God.) But, before me, she had a 'bad' experience' with another SDA nurse who told her she "wasn't a real Christian". (Here we go again.)
But when one makes it a 'description' - as you have done - rather than a 'command', it creates a beautiful, clear picture.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts today and everyday.
Thank-you for your comment as well. I have been learning more and more the difference between causes and effects as I carefully look at many things that used to irritate me so much. Now I am realizing that I don't need to attempt to produce the things that are descriptive of results and carefully focus on what will produce the roots within me and let the fruit take care of itself in its time.
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