What is justification by faith? It is establishing right relationship with God through the work of Jesus without the Law through faith. All of this flows out of Paul’s argument that we are justified freely as a gift of God’s grace.

Jesus continues to preach and heal, establishing His authority and power. As John the Baptizer has his doubts, those on the “outside” of society receive Jesus’ mercy and grace by trusting Him.

What is “righteousness”? This is a critical concept in Romans. We need to understand this biblical truth to understand what Paul means by “there is no one who is righteous, no, not one.”

Jesus has established His power and authority over the unclean spirits, sickness as well as His authority to forgive and establish what is right in “religious” matters. Now that He has chosen His 12 Apostles, The Lord gives His first sermon defining His “New Way.”

What advantage does the Jewish person have? What is the benefit of circumcision? What is “circumcision of the heart”? These are the questions Paul addresses in this section.

As Jesus’ ministry grows, He preaches and He heals. In doing so, He establishes His authority over the demonic realm, His authority to forgive, and His authority over “religious” issues. This begins His ongoing controversy with the Pharisees and Scribes. But Jesus came to call those who know they are sinners, not those who think…

We discuss the wrath of God in terms of being “handed over” to our own sinful desires. But the self-righteous are also condemned for the sinfulness of their own judgment of others. Paul is “leveling the field” to show that all are condemned under sin and in need of God’s Grace.

Jesus begins His ministry in the Synagogue of His hometown, Nazareth and declares that the prophecy of Isaiah 61 has been fulfilled in Him. As He exposes Israel’s tendency to faithlessness, the people try to kill Him. This episode sets the stage for the escalating tension between Jesus and the leaders. Jesus’ teaching also foreshadows…

We discuss the place of obedience and righteousness in Romans and the larger context of Scripture

John prepares the “Way of the Lord” as Jesus is prepared to lead people in the “way.” In these preparatory chapters, Luke wants us to understand that the salvation that the Lord was preparing would be for “all people.” BUT, this salvation will require the humility of repentance – changing the way we think about…