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Expanded Comments |
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| 1 Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practice the same things. |
Thou art inexcusable – Men are themselves to blame for their degradation. R1223:4
The great degradation we see in some heathen peoples came through disregard of the simplest principles of righteousness. HG354:1
The heathen giving themselves over to fleshly desires, which the light of nature taught to be improper, they became more degraded and bestial. HG354:2
Ignorance and superstition in the world are not the fault of God. R1091:4
The Apostle was not talking about the rejection of Christ by the heathen, for they had never heard of him. HG354:2
O man – All men, Jews and Gentiles, have come into some measure of darkness. R648:4
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| 2 And we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against them that practice such things. |
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| 3 And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest them that practice such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? |
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| 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? |
His goodness – God's goodness is revealed in Christ. R100:1*
The goodness of God leadeth men to repentance. R759:5*
Whoever now hears of God's goodness and is not melted by the thought of his need for a Savior, may never accept his favor even in the age to come. SM359:2
Longsuffering – Greek, makrothunia; corresponds to the common thought of patience, it means merely longsuffering. R2790:6
To repentance – All who have heard the gospel message with a measure of understanding and appreciation have thereby some responsibility concerning it. SM359:2
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| 5 but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; |
Day of wrath – The "day of trouble," the period of forty years introducing Messiah's reign. B137, B138
The great time of trouble in the end of the Gospel age specially. R787:3, 5402:4, 4522:2
These troubles are really the outgrowth of human wrongdoing. OV345:T
In the awful trouble of the Day of Wrath, the world will have an illustration of its own money-mad condition. R4522:2
The wrath manifested in death, for Adam's sin, is supplemented by that to come in the time of trouble because of the willfulness and perversity of Adam's fallen children. R787:3
Millennial purgatory. R1471:1
Revelation – With wrath upon the nations, will the Lord reveal to the world the fact of the change of dispensations, and the change of rulers. B138
Judgment of God – Against all who are in opposition to righteousness and truth. R1471:2
The retribution will be very heavy at first, making a "time of trouble such as was not since there was a nation." (Dan. 12:1) B138
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| 6 who will render to every man according to his works: |
Who will render – When the judgments of the Lord are abroad in the earth. Q793:4; A298
Every man – Applicable in some degree to everybody; but specially to the Church. R4501:3
To his deeds – Whatever we are permitted to do one for the other is in the nature of a test of our loyalty to God, of our justice toward the world, or of our loving devotion to the brethren. R4501:6
There is great danger of "presumptuous sins." R1802:3
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| 7 to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, shall be eternal life: |
To them – Only a certain class--believers in Jesus who flee from iniquity. R142:5, 5768:4, 279:3
Those begotten of the holy Spirit. R5371:3
The class called to be Christ's associates in the Kingdom. R5711:4
Those who have consecrated to the Lord Jesus Christ and been counted members of his Body. R5710:6
"Elect" class, tried and tested. R3106:6
Who have fellowship with their Master's sufferings. R2317:5
"The Church," "the Body of Christ," "the Royal Priesthood," "the seed of Abraham." R1879:4, 2317:5
By patient continuance – Patiently, perseveringly cultivating and developing the character-likeness of our Redeemer. R4501:3
By patient development of Christlike character in meekness, gentleness, patience and love. R4502:1
The precious promises of God are incorruptible seed, and if retained and nourished will develop in divine nature. R1642:4
The requirements of character for the high position are exacting; few of the many called will win the prize of divine nature. R1642:3, 281:3
Not only faith, but loyalty also is necessary. R5844:2
The permission of evil allows opportunity for sacrifice and heart development. R1879:1
The successful enduring of these tests is indispensable to those whom God would thus honor. F125, F63
In well doing – In sacrificing the human interests. T28; E411
The various tests of the present time are tests of faith loyalty to God and entire submission to his will. R5844:3
By full and hearty obedience of mind. R1642:3
Working out the fruits of righteousness, prepares us for a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. E411
To develop in us more abundantly his Spirit, and thus to fit and prepare us for glory, honor and immortality. E411
Those who sacrifice earthly rights and privileges will eventually attain to glory, honor and immortality beyond the veil. HG732:3*
Seek – Joint-heirship with the Lord in his heavenly power and Kingdom are the hopes set before the Church. R2479:5, 5371:2, 3774:1
They seek to do only the will of the Heavenly Father. R5711:1
It remains for us to make this calling and election sure. R3913:5; E390
To glorify the Heavenly Father. R2698:6
"Seek chiefly the Kingdom of God." (Matt. 6:33) R2479:5
This prominence, God's people should seek by, faithfulness, humility, love and zeal in the service of the Lord. R5711:2
Prayer is an excellent aid in seeking. R2479:5
By setting our affections on heavenly things and lifting our affections from earthly things. R2479:5
The saints in Christ are exhorted to seek immortality. E390
Only one way to seek for the great prize successfully, by patiently and perseveringly cultivating the character-likeness of our Redeemer. R4501:3
Glory – "It became him; in bringing many sons unto glory." (Heb. 2:10) E395
The plane to which the Church will be resurrected. R5760:3, 1879:4
The call of this Gospel age is a call to glory, honor, and immortality. R5371:2
"Sown in dishonor" they will be raised in glory. (1 Cor. 15:43) R5711:1
This is the glorious inheritance of Zion. R5711:2
"When his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." (1 Pet. 4:13) R5118:3
The Church, as their Lord, enters glory at resurrection. R1879:4
"Here unto were ye called." (1 Pet. 2:21) R3913:5
Far above angels, principalities, and powers, and every name. R2859:6
The first resurrection. R2859:6
The spirit condition. R2317:4
Changed by resurrection power from human nature. R1879:5
Honor – Joint-heirship with Jesus. F125; R5677:4
This class will receive pre-eminence over all other classes, all other stations, in earth or in heaven. R5711:1
This promotion can be received from no other quarter than God himself, on his own terms. R5711:2
This great eminence Lucifer sought to grasp, will be granted as a reward to The Christ, Head and Body. R5711:2
The Lord has called us out of the world to share with him his spiritual, heavenly glories and honors. R3913:5
Joint-heirship with our Savior in the heavenly Kingdom which will dominate the world for the thousand years. HG694:5; F125; R5677:4
If we are found faithful God will exalt us in due time, but he cannot exalt any who are not humble. R5844:1
And – It is right for us to seek for them. R5082:3
Immortality – Greek, aphtharsia; incorruption. Closely related to athanasia; immortality. R2339:4, 3175:2, 281:5, 204:1; E397; F727
One that cannot decay, that cannot die. R3175:2
Indestructible existence which needs no refreshment or supply; possessed of inherent life. R1641:6, 192:4*
Second death will have no power. R1642:4
None may claim an immortality outside Christ, nor that life is the result of obedience to the Law. R5871:4
Only those of the wise virgin class, who have copied the Lord's character, will be counted as "more than overcomers." R5371:3
Only the Little Flock, the Bride class, will have immortality. R5371:6
Immortality is conditional, it is a reward conferred upon those who are faithful and obedient to the Lord's commands. Q834:3
The reward for those who keep their covenant of sacrifice with the Lord. R5006:6, 5759:6, 5371:3, 297:4, 281:3
From the Church of the first-born, a part will attain divine nature, and a part everlasting life. R5371:6
They will be exalted far above angels and be granted divine nature as their Master and forerunner. R5711:1, 2479:5; F63; NS172:2
The great promotion which God purposes to give his true saints of the Gospel age. R5711:1
The Bible explicitly limits immortality to the Father and Son, and holds out this hope to the saints. R3774:1, 5371:6
Will be instantaneous at the second advent of the Redeemer for the establishment of the Kingdom. R3107:1
God has promised these to those who love him. R2699:1
The first resurrection, Christ's resurrection. R5711:1, SM253:T
Our Lord has already obtained these as a reward for the his faithful sacrifice. R2479:5
A gift, a well spring of life in himself, springing up everlastingly. R1642:4
Given to the Son, and also promised as a gift to the followers of Christ. R715:4; F727
The joy set before Jesus. R281:3
Not possessed by natural man, else if possessed by him, why seek for it? R802:5*, HG129:6
While Romanism teaches that immortality is inherent in all men, the Scriptures teach that immortality is a glorious prize to be sought for and to be obtained only by the elect. R560:4*, 2047:1, 744:
Eternal life – At his return he will render rewards to his faithful; he will render eternal life. F402
This promotion can be received from no other quarter than God himself, and on his own terms. R5711:1
"The gift of God is eternal life." (Rom. 6:23) E285
Only attained through the blood once shed as the ransom-price for the whole world. R5871:4; E285; HG305:6
Granted to those who seek for glory and honor and immortality through tests of faith and loyalty to God, and of entire submission to his will. R5844:3
As a reward to all who so strive, including the Great Company, who do not attain the highest reward. R3154:1
None can claim that faith in some great teacher and obedience to his instructions will bring eternal life. R5871:4
The power of God to perpetually supply the conditions essential to an everlasting condition. R3774:1
The Law promised eternal life to any Jew who could keep it. PD66/78
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| 8 but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation, |
Contentious – The contentious spirit or disposition is generally found amongst those not living up to the spirit of the truth which they have already recognized. R4009:1
Faultfinding, irascible, the dissatisfied, a disposition that will not be rewarded with eternal life. R4501:3
Those who are disobedient to the truth. R2804:1
Alas, that amongst those in the truth these contentious persons are found doing a destructive work, instead of a helpful work. R4502:2
Do not obey – Who disobey? Those who know the truth. R222:1*, 404:4*
And wrath – At or during the thousand years of the Lord's second presence. R1471:2
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| 9 tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek; |
Tribulation and anguish – More or less in connection with the present life--either as part of the Great Company or those who die the second death. R4502:2
In the Millennial age. R1412:3
He who suffers tribulation will have it as a witness of wrong doing and the King's displeasure. R1412:3
We expect they will be beaten with many stripes, they will have punishments--not eternal torment. R3779:4
That doeth evil – The Scriptures declare, a just recompense of reward to every soul that doeth evil. R3779:4
Of the Jew – Who, at the time of the crucifixion, and ever since, has represented all Israel. C253
After the Babylonish captivity the name "Jew" became synonymous with "Israelite" and included all who hoped for the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promises. C292; R1340:6
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| 10 but glory and honor and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek: |
Glory, honor, and peace – The world of mankind, the righteous and obedient, will receive perfect human conditions. Q794:T
To the Jew first – At the second advent, as a people they will be a firstfruit among the nations. A298
During the Millennium, as a natural result of his training under the Law. A297; R5000:2
The sprinkling of Israel will come first, as the offer of the privilege of becoming members of spiritual Israel was first offered to the Jews. R5000:2
The preaching of the gospel of the high calling was to the Jew first, because they as a people were already justified from sin and consecrated to God typically. R952:1, 5000:2
Also to the Gentile – "All the families of the earth." (Gen. 12:3) A298
Who even typically were without God and without any knowledge of his plan, or hope of sharing in it. R952:1
When God's judgments are abroad in the earth, those who comply, both Jews and Gentiles, will experience divine favor. Q793:T
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| 11 for there is no respect of persons with God. |
No respect of persons – The Jew could not claim that they had more of a right to everlasting life and salvation (restitution) to original perfection than the heathen. R929:5*
The Jew will have the first blessing, not by reason of partiality on God's part, but because he made a covenant with their father Abraham. R5964:3*
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| 12 For as many as have sinned without the law shall also perish without the law: and as many as have sinned under the law shall be judged by the law; |
Sinned without law – The Gentiles, without the Law given at Sinai, were sinners. R1223:4
Perish without law – Died under sentence of some law aside from Sinai's Law. R1223:4
Sinned in the law – The whole Jewish nation: "All who sinned." (Rom. 3:23) E417
Judged by the law – The one specially favored nation under the Law Covenant, was also the one specially condemned. E417
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| 13 for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified; |
Shall be justified – If a man would be justified to life under the Law given him he must keep it perfectly. R929:5
He that receiveth the Law nor he who hears the Law is justified by it--but he that does the things required by the Law. NS18:4
None being righteous, none could be acquitted or approved before God, whether they had the Law or did not have it. R2719:5
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| 14 (for when Gentiles that have not the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law unto themselves; |
Have not the law – The written Law, the Law given at Sinai. R587:4, 1223:4, 789:5, 556:2*
Things contained in the law – Some heathen people do some good things in harmony with the divine law. R2344:6
A law unto themselves – The original law of God remaining in their hearts condemns them. R5070:6, 6:5
"That every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God." (Rom. 3:19) A101
With a sufficiency of light, of intelligence to condemn them all. HG361:1
The Gentiles were condemned, not justified by the light of conscience. A101
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| 15 in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing them); |
Shew the work – Give some evidence. R587:4, 1717:5, 789:5
Law written in their hearts – Remnants of the original law, fragmentary proofs that it once was innate in humanity. F351
This glimmer of conscience, often distorted by superstition and error, illustrates when it will fully be written in their hearts. R789:5
We may still find traces of the original law in the most degraded of men, the world over. R1717:5, 789:5, 587:4
Their conscience – Since the rest of the world recognizes by their consciences that they are condemned. then the whole world stands guilty in God's sight. R5070:6, 556:2*
Accusing or else excusing – The world realizing their blemished and imperfect condition find their conscience sometimes accusing and sometimes endeavoring to excuse them. HG361:1; A101
This condition of things among the heathen are the warped and twisted remnants of the original law of man's being. F351
Thus acknowledging wrong-doing. R3398:3
No matter how fallen, man still has in his heart enough of the original law that his conscience will either accuse him of wrong-doing or excuse his conduct. R5070:6, 1717:5, 789:5, 587:4
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| 16 in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ. |
God – Jehovah was the original Lawgiver and Judge, and will forever maintain this position. F396
Judge – Greek, krino; to distinguish, decide, try; referring to the judgment of the Millennial age. R2426:4
The secrets of men – Of the world. F396
By Jesus Christ – Showing that a knowledge of Christ is necessary. R33:4*
The world's judgment (trial) by Jehovah is committed to the well beloved Son. R2426:4
The Jew cannot be released by keeping Moses' Law, nor the heathen released by keeping the law of conscience, the whole world must accept Christ. HG283:4
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| 17 But if thou bearest the name of a Jew, and restest upon the law, and gloriest in God, |
The law – Given to the Jews and not to the Gentiles, only a Jew could get its blessing or its curse. R4868:2
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| 18 and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, |
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| 19 and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them that are in darkness, |
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| 20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth; |
A teacher of babes – Whoever exercises the gift of teaching lays himself open to increased responsibility in the sight of God and men. (James 3:1) R2156:3
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| 21 thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? |
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| 22 thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorest idols, dost thou rob temples? |
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| 23 thou who gloriest in the law, through thy transgression of the law dishonorest thou God? |
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| 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, even as it is written. |
Is blasphemed --Not the grosser meaning of blasphemy but the kind of careless living practiced among the Jews. R5404:3
Under divine instruction, care and recognition; if they did the things dishonoring to God, they were blaspheming his name. R5404:3
Blasphemy was a terrible thing among the Jews. R5404:3
There is a great danger of Christians profaning God's name by careless living. R5404:5
Among the Gentiles – Before the world. R5404:3
Through you – The Jewish people, who had come into relationship with God through the Law Covenant. R5404:2
The name of God is blasphemed among the heathen through Christendom today, as it formerly was through the Jewish nation, because it misrepresents him and practices unrighteousness. D71, D72
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| 25 For circumcision indeed profiteth, if thou be a doer of the law: but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision. |
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| 26 If therefore the uncircumcision keep the ordinances of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision? |
Keep the righteousness – If a man not a Jew, do perfectly the will of God, he would be acceptable with God. R929:5
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| 27 and shall not the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who with the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law? |
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| 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: |
A Jew – This text applies to natural Israel, not to spiritual Israel. R4586:2
True Israelites, engrafted into the root of promise. R2443:1
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| 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. |
One inwardly – The special privilege of a part in the Messianic Kingdom will be granted only to those Jews who prove loyal to the Law and the prophets. R5964:3
The orthodox Jews will be more ready to receive the blessing of the new dispensation promptly than will any other people. R5964:3
Circumcision is that of the heart – The law of circumcision passed away when that to which it pointed, circumcision of the heart, was set forth. HG582:4
Spiritual Israelites must have circumcision of the heart, which signifies a cutting off--a separation from the flesh, its aims, hopes and desires. R3022:3
The putting away of the sins of the flesh, which both antitypical priests and Levites should practice, symbolized by both priests and Levites washing in the laver in the Court. T119
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