Reading Romans

Romans is the newbie chapter of the Bible for grace believers.

I've begun to work my way through it. Today I read these scriptures. I'm finding it's important as you read the Bible, to find out who the message is to. Romans was dictated by Paul, and written by Tertius. Paul is our pattern, Paul is our apostle, so Romans is written to us.

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

We are justified by faith. Justified according to Strong's means: From G1342; to render (that is, show or regard as) just or innocent: - free, justify (-ier), be righteous.

So we have peace with God through the work that Jesus did at the cross, and by our faith, we are innocent, free, righteous.

Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

We are living in the age of grace, so we're standing in grace. Because of the work Jesus ("by whom" refers to Jesus in 5:1) did at Calvary, our faith (faith alone! no works!) grants us access into this age of grace. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. I'm not exactly sure what that last little bit of the passage is trying to say.

Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And not only do we hope of the glory of God, but we glory in tribulations, because having hard times serves to teach us to be more patient. So we're to be happy for difficult times, because this teaches us to have patience.

Rom 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Learning to be more patient gives us experience. ?? Strong's for the word "experience" 1382:

Strong's Reference 1382: From the same as G1384; test (abstractly or concretely); by implication trustiness: - experience (-riment), proof, trial.

Strong's Reference 1384: From G1380; properly acceptable (current after assayal), that is, approved: - approved, tried.

Strong's Reference 1380: A prolonged form of a primary verb δόκω dokō (used only as an alternate in certain tenses; compare the base of G1166); of the same meaning; to think; by implication to seem (truthfully or uncertainly): - be accounted, (of own) please (-ure), be of reputation, seem (good), suppose, think, trow.

So going through hard times - trials - teaches us patience, and we become experienced rather than novices at being patient. And this experience gives us hope.

So it follows that this hope goes back to the glory of God.

Tribulations lead to patience > patience leads to experience > experience leads to hope > hope for the glory of God.

Which leads me to want to know more about the "glory of God"? It is mentioned many times in the Bible:

Psa 19:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Pro 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

Joh 11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Act 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Rom 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

1Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

1Co 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

2Co 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Rev 15:8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Rev 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

I noticed these similarities about the glory of God:

1. It is in heaven.
2. Notice that you can see the glory of God, as referenced in several of the verses above.
   
3. It appears that the glory of God is very bright since in Revelation 21:23 the city did not need light either from the sun or moon.
   

Back to my reading of Romans:

Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

I'm not sure what "hope maketh not" ashamed is trying to say. Perhaps because we are not certain? That we only have hope?

The love of God is "shed abroad in our hearts". Strong's for shed abroad = From G1537 and χέω cheō (to pour); to pour forth; figuratively to bestow: - gush (pour) out, run greedily (out), shed (abroad, forth), spill.

Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Christ died for the ungodly (unpious, wicked - sinners), when we were yet without strength.

Strength as in numbers of people? Strength as in physical strength? Morally without strength?

Rom 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

There seems to be a difference between a "righteous man" and a "good man". A man would hardly consider dying for a righteous man, but for a good man, some would take the chance to die for him. ??

And here we are - sinners - not "righteous" nor "good" men, and God bestowed his love upon us, by having Jesus die for us. Even while we were sinners.

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

So now we are justified - innocent, free, righteous - by the shed blood of Jesus, and we are saved from the wrath of God by Jesus' work at Calvary.

I could go on, but I think I'll stop here for today.

Are you saved? Would you like to know where you will spend eternity? I invite you to visit Do You Know Where You Will Spend Eternity? from Florida Grace Bible Berean Church. Please notify me if this link breaks!