Some Key Words (5/30/00)

Long (epipotheo [1971]):

To pursue with love, long after, lust, harbor forbidden desire; to dote upon, intensely crave possession (lawfully or not)

Impart (metadidomi [3330]):

To give over, share (from meta [3326] amid, and didomi [1325] to give)

Spiritual (pneumatikos [4152]):

The part of man akin to God, the rational soul, belonging to a spirit being - one higher than man yet inferior to God, belonging to the Divine, Holy Spirit or those filled by Him, windy, exposed to the wind, blowing; non-carnal, ethereal, a spirit, supernatural, regenerate, religious

Established (sterizo [4741]):

To make stable, place firmly, set fast, strengthen, make firm, render constant, confirm one's mind; to turn resolutely in a certain direction

Encouraged together (sumparakaleo [4837]):

To call upon or invite or exhort at the same time or together, to strengthen and comfort with others; to console jointly

Unaware (agnoeo [50]):

To be ignorant, not to know, not to understand, to err or sin through mistake, to be wrong; not to know through lack of information or intelligence, to ignore through disinclination

Unaware (echo [2192]):

To have, hold, count, consider, regard, be with child, possess; to have in hand as in wearing, to have possession of the mind (as high emotion might), to keep, own property or as a relation, to be in a particular condition, to adhere or cling to a person or thing; to hold either possessions, ability, condition, relation, or the like

Fruit (karpos [2590]):

fruit of trees or vines, progeny or posterity, the effect or result of something, an act or deed, an advantage or profit, praises presented to God as a thank offering, to gather fruit into life eternal; plucked fruit - literally or figuratively

Gentiles (ethnos [1484]):

a nation or people, all of mankind considered as one nation, heathen or Gentile as distinct from Jews or believers; a multitude living together, a company, troop, or swarm, a multitude of individuals of like nature or genus, a race, the human race, a group, nations not worshiping the true God, pagans, non-Jewish Christians; a race, of like habit, a tribe, a foreign, non-Jewish tribe

Greeks (hellen [1672]):

a Greek by nationality, all non Jewish nations that have adopted the language, customs, and learning of the Greeks - primarily as relates to differences of religion; a Greek, or a Greek-speaking person

Barbarians (barbaros [915]):

one whose speech is rude and harsh, one who speaks a strange language not understood by another, one ignorant of the Greek language and custom, took on the idea of rudeness and brutality after the Persian war, but not so in the NT; a non-Greek

Wise (sophos [4680]):

watchman, one who sees all around, one who knows how to regulate his course, wise in respect of truth, skillful, expert, prudent, sensible, judicious; skilled in letters, cultivated, learned, forming the best plans and using the best means; wise

Foolish (anoetos [453]):

lacking intelligence but demonstrating moral fault, one who does not govern his lusts, one without mind - the highest knowing power in man, and that by which we comprehend divine things; not understood, unintelligible, not understanding, unwise or foolish; unintelligent, sensual

Rome (rhome [4516]):

strength

 

Paraphrase: (5/30/00)

11 My desire is to come and speak to you of spiritual things, giving you foundation. 12 I mean to say that we could then encourage each other - faith to faith. 13 You don't know how many times I've made plans to visit, but to no avail as of yet, to work among you as I have with other Gentiles. 14 My work must be accomplished amidst the cultured and the uncultured, the learned and the unlearned. 15 As such, I am anxious to preach God's word amongst you Romans, as well.

Key Verse: (5/30/00)

1:14 - This really brings out the nature of the Gospel. I'd really not seen it before today, but there it is - accessible to all.

People Mentioned: (5/30/00)

N/A

Some Parallel Verses (5/31/00)

1:11

Ac 19:21 - Paul planned to go to Rome after Jerusalem. Ro 15:23 - because his work in Asia Minor and Greece is complete.

1:12
1:13

Ro 11:25 - We should not be unaware of the mystery of Israel's salvation, 1Co 10:1 - or that Moses and the Israelites were baptized under God's cloud, 1Co 12:1 - or of spiritual gifts, 2Co 1:8 - or of Paul's afflictions in the course of ministry 1Th 4:13 - or of the hope of the dead in Christ. Ac 1:15 - Peter preached among the brethren. Ro 7:1 - Paul writes to brethren who know the law. 1Co 1:10 - He exhorts the brethren to agree in one mind, 1Co 14:20 - to be mature in thought, and to do all things for edification. Gal 3:15 - He speaks to the brethren of the covenant. Ac 19:21 - Paul plans in the spirit to go to Jerusalem, then Rome, Ro 15:22 - but these plans have so far been hindered. Jn 4:36 - God's workers gather fruit for eternal life. Jn 15:16 - We were chosen by Christ (and not the opposite) to be fruitful, having all we ask toward that end. Php 1:22 - Paul's circumstances have been fruitful in the progress of the gospel, Col 1:6 - which progress, the gospel has been making amongst its hearers as long as it has been heard and understood.

1:14

1Co 9:16 - Paul cannot help but preach the gospel, and so has nothing to boast of in doing so. Ac 28:2 - Given the rain and cold, the Maltese could not help but shelter Paul and company.

1:15

Ro 15:20 - Paul's desire is to preach the gospel where Christ is not already known.

 

New Thoughts (6/1/00)

There is no distinction in God's people. His gospel, His salvation, these encompass all different types of people. He accepts them with their uniqueness, for He created them uniquely. But, no matter where we have come from, no matter what talents we may have or we may lack, He desires to change, tune, adjust, those things to His glory. Intelligence is not bad, although it can be misunderstood and misdirected. Lack of intelligence is not bad, either. The gospel is simple, and simply understood. Christ tells us the kingdom belongs to the childlike. There is no talent that makes us more useful and appreciated by God. There is no lack in us that prevents our being used by Him. The body thrives on variety. Our very tastes tell us this is so, for we do not enjoy eating always the same thing. We want a variety of flavor. We don't want to do always the same thing, for it loses its enjoyment. We want a variety of experience. The body of Christ is the same. It doesn't desire always the exact same forms, the exact same schedule, the exact same programs - for they all become stale in their sameness. Lord, help us to feel Paul's compulsion to speak out of the great good news You have brought to man. Help me, Lord, for it concerns me that I don't feel that compulsion. But in that compulsion, Lord, help us to do as Paul did so well - tailoring the message to the audience, reaching out to people in their terms. The Gospel is indeed understandable to all, but a Gospel of simple and homely wisdom will seem foolish to the intelligent audience, and a reasoned and thoughtful Gospel will be incomprehensible to the "average Joe". Might as well speak to them in a language they don't understand, than approach them in terms they don't think in. Yes, the Gospel is understandable to all. Help us not to make it incomprehensible by forcing it to our image. God, I think You've just given me another lesson in the ways of teaching, haven't You? Thank You. But, Lord, what is it I am supposed to be doing with this gift? How do You want it fit to Your body? Please, Lord, give me understanding of this.