"For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it]. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose."
Rom. 8:24-28
Rom. 8:24-28
As we start our studies today, I want to make note concerning the translations that we've been using from the Greek texts. Please keep in mind that we are not changing anything, but instead we are attempting to get closer to the stated meanings in these verses. If anything, when we attempt to see what the original Greek was saying, we are only trying to get past the barrier between the English of the 1600's and the English of today. I believe that we are actually getting a more precise picture of what was said (and seeing a closer harmony within the Scripture in the process) by looking back to the Greek.
Having said that, we shall jump right in to verse twenty-four:
Having said that, we shall jump right in to verse twenty-four:
"For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?"
The biggest point to be brought up here is that the word "hope" is, in Greek, ελπιδι, which can be translated as either "hope" or "faith." I think you'll agree that the verse is in agreement with earlier verses if we swap out hope for faith.
"For we are saved by faith: but faith that is seen is not faith: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet need faith?
This also agrees with other verses, such as "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:26) or "Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." (Heb. 10:38) or "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Pet. 1:5). And we won't even begin to list all the examples in Hebrews chapter eleven!
So, we are being taught that faith is the way that we receive salvation. We are also being shown that faith cannot be observed, measured, recorded. If faith existed in any perceivable way, then it couldn't be faith that we were seeing. If we can see our faith, then we wouldn't NEED faith. This would seem to be obvious. But, how many religions exist that demand an action of some type accompany a person's faith in order to secure salvation? Think about it. Any organization that says you must be baptised, or you must say a certain prayer, or that requires you to go to confession...these are all struck down by the simple statement that faith (and faith alone) is the channel by which salvation is delivered to the unsaved person.
The thought continues in verse twenty-five:
I took the last part of that verse, δι υπομονης απεκδεχομεθα (dia hupomone apekdechomai), and tried to smooth out some of the rough spots. Even so, it is still a bit rough to read.
Basically, since we have faith and faith alone, without any physical evidence, we can expect to see that faith rendered to being seen at some point. Or, as stated in 1 Corinthians 13:12...
This also agrees with other verses, such as "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:26) or "Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." (Heb. 10:38) or "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Pet. 1:5). And we won't even begin to list all the examples in Hebrews chapter eleven!
So, we are being taught that faith is the way that we receive salvation. We are also being shown that faith cannot be observed, measured, recorded. If faith existed in any perceivable way, then it couldn't be faith that we were seeing. If we can see our faith, then we wouldn't NEED faith. This would seem to be obvious. But, how many religions exist that demand an action of some type accompany a person's faith in order to secure salvation? Think about it. Any organization that says you must be baptised, or you must say a certain prayer, or that requires you to go to confession...these are all struck down by the simple statement that faith (and faith alone) is the channel by which salvation is delivered to the unsaved person.
The thought continues in verse twenty-five:
"But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it]."
"But if we have faith for that which we don't see, we fully, patiently expect [the object of our faith].
or, with the changes based on the Greek:
"But if we have faith for that which we don't see, we fully, patiently expect [the object of our faith].
I took the last part of that verse, δι υπομονης απεκδεχομεθα (dia hupomone apekdechomai), and tried to smooth out some of the rough spots. Even so, it is still a bit rough to read.
Basically, since we have faith and faith alone, without any physical evidence, we can expect to see that faith rendered to being seen at some point. Or, as stated in 1 Corinthians 13:12...
"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."
A new fact is presented in verse twenty-six:
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
For the most part, this just as clear in Greek as it reads in English. The Holy Spirit that dwells in us is able to overcome our shortcomings. Where we don't know really what we should be praying about, the Holy Spirit will intercede for us, praying with sighs that we can't even speak.
You see, we are sealed by the Spirit. But, we are still your basic flesh-driven bag of bones. Every Christian will tend to pray for what is in THEIR heart. This might not be what is in God's will. Notice that when Jesus was showing us how to pray, He used the phrase, "Thy will be done." (Matt. 6:10, Luke 11:2) Even when He was praying before being taken captive, "He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, Thy will be done." (Matt. 26:42)
It's sort of like when a parent takes a very young child out to get a burger. The parent tells the kiddo to tell the person what they want. The child says, "Mffsd bufdde pooksie." The parent then tells the order taker, "He wants a cheeseburger and a soda." Thus, a happy kid gets what they want because the parent interceded for them, and spoke clearly the request.
Isn't it amazing how God created all the creation through the Word. He made people. Even when they fell, He picked them up again. He has nurtured and protected His people since before time until now, with plans to continue doing so forever. He sent His only Son to die as a sacrifice on the cursed tree (the cross.) His Son was resurrected, and became the beginning of a whole new family of God. His Spirit was sent to lead, teach and comfort His people. The Holy Spirit even PRAYS for us, because we can't always get it right.
I think that says a great deal about the security we have as children of God!
Going on with the actions of the Spirit in the next verse:
You see, we are sealed by the Spirit. But, we are still your basic flesh-driven bag of bones. Every Christian will tend to pray for what is in THEIR heart. This might not be what is in God's will. Notice that when Jesus was showing us how to pray, He used the phrase, "Thy will be done." (Matt. 6:10, Luke 11:2) Even when He was praying before being taken captive, "He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, Thy will be done." (Matt. 26:42)
It's sort of like when a parent takes a very young child out to get a burger. The parent tells the kiddo to tell the person what they want. The child says, "Mffsd bufdde pooksie." The parent then tells the order taker, "He wants a cheeseburger and a soda." Thus, a happy kid gets what they want because the parent interceded for them, and spoke clearly the request.
Isn't it amazing how God created all the creation through the Word. He made people. Even when they fell, He picked them up again. He has nurtured and protected His people since before time until now, with plans to continue doing so forever. He sent His only Son to die as a sacrifice on the cursed tree (the cross.) His Son was resurrected, and became the beginning of a whole new family of God. His Spirit was sent to lead, teach and comfort His people. The Holy Spirit even PRAYS for us, because we can't always get it right.
I think that says a great deal about the security we have as children of God!
Going on with the actions of the Spirit in the next verse:
"And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God."
He that looks into our hearts (God) knows what the "mind" (Greek: φρονημα - phronema, purpose or inclination), or in other words, what the purpose is of the Spirit in this matter, because that very Spirit intercedes for Christians in accordance with the will of God. The Holy Spirit stands up for us, for this is the will of our Father in heaven.
Verse twenty-eight has to be one of the most tightly held promises of Christians everywhere.
Verse twenty-eight has to be one of the most tightly held promises of Christians everywhere.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose."
Now, I would never suggest that this doesn't cover things pretty much as stated. It is about as close of a translation as you can get from Greek to Old English to Modern English.
Therefore, we are taught that EVERYTHING works cooperatively for the benefit of those that love God. No matter what happens, happy or sad, good or bad--it will result in something good in the children of God. And who gets to be a child of God? Those that are called in accordance with His will.
So, thus far in our studies, we've seen how people are totally depraved when they are living by the desires of the sinful flesh. We've also seen that, without faith being given to us from God by His own grace, we would be unable to do anything to please Him, much less even ask for forgiveness of our sins (since the flesh is filled with hatred towards God.)
We've seen that we who become Christians do so because God calls us to do so. We are subject to His will, for everything is under His control. Be it delivery into bondage to sin and depravity or the freedom that is found in the glorious liberty of Jesus. We are subject to His will.
We know that this calling is not applicable to everyone. If it were, then because all creation is under subjugation, everyone would be adopted into God's family. As we can clearly see, this hasn't happened. Some would say that this is because man chooses not to accept Jesus as Savior. But, we know from our readings that ALL men hate God, until He provides sufficient faith to believe. A person has to be ABLE to choose in order TO choose.
We have seen that, those that are "the called" do in fact follow that calling into salvation, adoption and glorification. God's will, once again, reigns supreme.
Finally, we have seen that, since the Holy Spirit is our permanent seal, and will be dwelling within us at least until the day of our bodily redemption. This stands as concrete evidence that we who are saved will remain so, with absolutely NO chance of losing that salvation. What we were given, we couldn't loose, no matter what.
In other words, just twenty-eight verses into just one chapter of the book of Romans, and we already have Biblical evidence of:
Who'da thunk it? As for me, I'd just call it Biblical common sense. Either way, I'll leave it to the reader to decide what (if any) label should be attached.
Next time, we'll build an unbreakable chain....
Grace and Peace....
Now, I would never suggest that this doesn't cover things pretty much as stated. It is about as close of a translation as you can get from Greek to Old English to Modern English.
Therefore, we are taught that EVERYTHING works cooperatively for the benefit of those that love God. No matter what happens, happy or sad, good or bad--it will result in something good in the children of God. And who gets to be a child of God? Those that are called in accordance with His will.
So, thus far in our studies, we've seen how people are totally depraved when they are living by the desires of the sinful flesh. We've also seen that, without faith being given to us from God by His own grace, we would be unable to do anything to please Him, much less even ask for forgiveness of our sins (since the flesh is filled with hatred towards God.)
We've seen that we who become Christians do so because God calls us to do so. We are subject to His will, for everything is under His control. Be it delivery into bondage to sin and depravity or the freedom that is found in the glorious liberty of Jesus. We are subject to His will.
We know that this calling is not applicable to everyone. If it were, then because all creation is under subjugation, everyone would be adopted into God's family. As we can clearly see, this hasn't happened. Some would say that this is because man chooses not to accept Jesus as Savior. But, we know from our readings that ALL men hate God, until He provides sufficient faith to believe. A person has to be ABLE to choose in order TO choose.
We have seen that, those that are "the called" do in fact follow that calling into salvation, adoption and glorification. God's will, once again, reigns supreme.
Finally, we have seen that, since the Holy Spirit is our permanent seal, and will be dwelling within us at least until the day of our bodily redemption. This stands as concrete evidence that we who are saved will remain so, with absolutely NO chance of losing that salvation. What we were given, we couldn't loose, no matter what.
In other words, just twenty-eight verses into just one chapter of the book of Romans, and we already have Biblical evidence of:
- Total Depravity
- Unconditional Election
- Limited Atonement
- Irresistible Grace
- Perseverance of the Saints
Who'da thunk it? As for me, I'd just call it Biblical common sense. Either way, I'll leave it to the reader to decide what (if any) label should be attached.
Next time, we'll build an unbreakable chain....
Grace and Peace....
