Installment One: Romans 1:1 through 3:9-20
The Greeting (Romans 1:1-17)
“I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."
Paul’s introduction is simple, he is saying, “I’m here to speak to all Jews and Gentiles and show you a path that you can be united on for and with God. Not only that, what makes you different actually makes the ‘Good News’ more powerful, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith!”
How is Paul to accomplish this lofty goal? To all of us current and future clergy out there, this is how you lead a flock! Buckle up!!
The Set Up (Romans 1:18-32)
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them"
Paul is a brilliant writer. This section of Romans has a distinct purpose. It is a set up to the reader. If you are Jewish, you are certain Paul is talking about the sins of the Roman Pagans, and these so called “unclean” moral Gentiles. The Gentiles are likely nodding in some agreement although, perhaps a little uncomfortable at the same time (Paul is a Jew, after all). It’s like going to a marriage counselor and at first blush the husband is inwardly smiling because it appears he is favored by the therapist. It is such a clever trap, and the bait has been taken.
Paul lays out all the wickedness done by “them and they”— sounds like someone not in the same room, doesn’t it? This message was a written letter, so “not addressed to the reader” is probably better here.
My own sinful ears can’t bear to repeat the tragedy that man puts upon man in these verses. Surely Paul isn’t trying to alienate one over another if his objective is to unite the Faithful, right?
So far, we have Paul saying hello and declaring friendship, kinship, and excitement in his greeting— enthusiasm is formed by his audience, ears are open. This is followed by a rhetorical description of sin and how it leads to Gods judgement. The old suspicions are confirmed, and the listener is sure he is among the favored. He is really feeling good about himself.
The Hammer (Romans 2:1-3:8)
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”
You can imagine the silence in the courtroom had it been a courtroom. Paul, had just laid out all the sins witnessed by everyone and the result (“wrath of God”) of said sins. Everyone was in agreement and pointing fingers back-and-forth. Then Paul simply hits the home run by putting everyone squarely in the defendant category. EVERYONE is guilty and he just proved it even if only for their judgment! Case closed!
Take note: 1:18-1:32 is using “they” in all the descriptions, now Paul has shifted to “you”. Ouch! Stake straight through the heart!
…remember, the Jews want their church hierarchy back for they have a religious high ground. The gentiles want to keep theirs for they currently possess it, and they hold the moral high ground (they don’t kill lambs, circumcise, etc.)… But Paul just made them all look in the mirror. The judgment of both groups is as bad as any sin listed in the first chapter. Read my essay on Judgment and Justice here for background.
Judgment and Justice
The Verdict (Romans 3:9-20)
“What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.”
So, at this point Paul is writing as if he made the point that the world is corrupt and so are the judges who are his very audience. Paul has put everyone into one or both categories. Now, in these verses Paul makes it abundantly clear to everyone that we are all guilty. The Pagan, the Moral Gentile, the Torah-keeping Jew? All guilty!
These verses paint somewhat of a hopeless picture. Almost a feeling that there is no way Paul can accomplish his mission. The audience is either defiant or devastated.
In other words, nobody gets a VIP pass, instead, we now need to level a sentence, right? Well, don’t write off the genius Paul yet…
Romans 3:21 starts off with:
“But now…”
