Personal Bible Notes: Romans

Refer to my 9/25/18 post about the margin notes in my Bible, and why I decided to share them on this blog.

1:3 “according to the flesh”: This statement is unnecessary if Jesus was merely a man.

1:7 “Grace…peace”:  “Grace” is Greek, “peace” is Jewish.

1:8 “telling”: This word actually limits the intent; Paul lives the gospel, which includes “telling.”

1:14: “barbarians”: These didn’t know Greek or Latin.

2:25ff: “circumcision” represents faith.

3:27-31: This section is the outline for chapter 4.

4:2: Abraham was before the Law.

4:16-18: The faith was not in his inability to have a child (he doubted that) but God’s ability to make him a father of nations.

6:3-5: Baptism is by immersion.

8:2 “law”: the word here means “principle.”

8:8: refers to unbelievers.

8:9-11: The Spirit lives in you if you are a believer. The Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of God.

8:14: Only Christians are God’s children.

8:19-22: The Earth is under corruption.

8:29: “foreknew”—NOT “fore-ordained”

8:30: “predestined,” i.e. planned for.

Chapters 9 through 11: about nations, not individuals, chosen for service, not for salvation.

Chapter 9: Israel’s past.

9:13: Israel vs Edomites; Israel chosen, Edomites enemy.

9:15: reference is to the aftermath of calf worship. Despite Israel’s sin, Moses asked to see God’s glory. God’s mercy to Moses over idolaters.

9:21ff: “Clay” is Abraham: One part, Isaac, for honor-chosen; One part, Ishmael—not chosen. Could also be Israel at the calf incident; objects of wrath being the idolaters.

Chapter 10: Israel’s present.

Chapter 11: Israel’s future.

11:13-24: The trunk is not Israel, the tree is the place of spiritual blessings. The branches are not saved but Israel and gentiles. The root is Abraham’s faith.

12:1 “urge”: literally, “exhort”

12:19: see 13:4b

15:18-19: Paul was personally inspired, and confirmed by signs and wonders.