Devotions

The Gospel is the Power of God for Salvation

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Paul has been diligent with the people of the Corinthian Church, yet there are still some that challenge him for proof that Christ speaks in him. He doesn’t take the bait of defending himself, instead he tells them “test yourselves”. It is more important for them to have their hearts right with God than it is for them to decide if Paul is qualified or unqualified as some are saying. Paul’s final remarks to them are “rejoice, be restored, be encouraged, be in agreement, be at peace”. Paul begins his letter to the Romans with “the gospel”, “the power of God”, “the Son of God”, “the resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ”. 

Test Yourselves to See if You Are in the Faith

2 Corinthians 13:1–10
Paul had introduced the gospel to them (Acts 18:1-17) and “solemnly testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus”. But the culture of Corinth surrounded them. Paul later wrote to them about the sin that was reported among them (1 Corinthians 5:1-5) and had come again to visit them briefly (Acts 20:2-3) described as the painful visit (2 Corinthians 2:1) and had sent others, Timothy (1 Corinthians 4:17) and Titus (2 Corinthians 7:6, 13-14) and (2 Corinthians 8:6, 16, 23), to work with them.

I give all of this history because there are still those that seem to be challenging Paul. In 2 Corinthians 13:1 he says, “this is the third time I am coming to you”. His position as Apostle, teacher, leader of the Church is well established yet, he says, “Since ye challenge me to give a “proof” that Christ speaks in me. It would be better if ye would “prove your own selves” (2 Co 13:5)”.1

This next verse is a bit cryptic, but Paul has just said to them, “test yourselves” and now is saying to them, “do what is good” even though some say Paul is unqualified. In other words, keep your heart right with God, keep your eyes on Jesus Christ as Lord, don’t get caught up in what people are saying about others, in

2 Corinthians 13:7 Now we pray to God that you not do wrong in any way, not that we are seen as approved, but that you do what is good, even though we are seen as though unqualified.

 

The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit

2 Corinthians 13:11–13
Paul’s closing admonition is good for us to remember even though it may seem backwards. We know that God loves us and Jesus Christ gave himself for us, so why doesn’t Paul say, “the God of love and peace will be with you” and then tell us to “rejoice ..?”.

Instead, in 2 Corinthians 13:11 Paul says:

  • rejoice
  • be restored
  • be encouraged
  • be in agreement
  • be at peace

and then he says, “and the God of love and peace will be with you”. Most of us as Christians would quote the two greatest commandments, Love God, Love your neighbor as yourself, but do we recognize that anger, offense, discouragement, division, unrest separate us from God?

Romans Introduction

“This opening is longer and much more formal than in Paul’s other letters—perhaps because he was not personally known to the Roman church, perhaps also because he did not want anyone to doubt his position as an apostle.”2

Set Apart for the Gospel of God

Romans 1:1–7
Paul begins this letter with a very clear statement of his apostleship which is entirely based on “the gospel of God”. This gospel is not something new, but was “promised previously through his prophets in the holy scriptures” in Romans 1:1. So, this is God’s gospel about a “descendant of David”, “declared Son of God”, “according to the Holy Spirit by the resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ our Lord”.

The Jews would appreciate and understand “That the Messiah would be a descendant of David (which) is taught in the Old Testament (Isa. 11:1, 10; Jer. 23:5–6; Ezek. 34:23–24, etc.) and elsewhere.”3

And the Romans may have understood “declared the Son of God” as a son adopted which in their time was a stronger bond than a son of birth because an adopted son was chosen by the father. However we may read this, the result is clear in

Revelation 5:5 (LEB) And one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.

That I May Impart Some Spiritual Gift to Strengthen You

Romans 1:8–15
Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord is a one time event, but learning to live for God is a lifelong lesson. Paul is a mature man of God and knows the traps and snares that we must learn to avoid. 

The Gospel is the Power of God for Salvation

Romans 1:16–25
The Jews have been around for a long time and the Romans would understand at least that the Jews thought they had some claim to a relationship with God. Now, Paul declares “the gospel”, “the power of God for salvation to everyone” in Romans 1:16. But Paul makes this distinction, “to the Jew first and also to the Greek”. Yes, God did a work with the Jews. And Yes, Salvation has come through them by Jesus Christ but it isn’t only for them, it is also “to the Greek” and “to everyone who believes”.

Paul goes on in Romans 1:19-22 to explain that “what can be known about God is evident”, that “his invisible attributes, both his eternal power and deity, are discerned clearly, being understood in the things created” and “although they knew God, they did not honor him as God”. It doesn’t matter if you were born Jew or Greek or as the Romans would say, as barbarian, God is “understood in the things created”.

They Did Not See Fit to Recognize God

Romans 1:26–32
There are people that are greedy, deceitful, slanderers, and the list goes on, that claim they have a right, that they can do what they want and no one can tell them otherwise.

Romans 1:26-27 Because of this (they knew God, they did not honor him as God), God gave them over to degrading passions, for their females exchanged the natural relations for those contrary to nature, 27 and likewise also the males, abandoning the natural relations with the female, were inflamed in their desire toward one another, males with males committing the shameless deed, and receiving in themselves the penalty that was necessary for their error.

Glory and Honor and Peace to Everyone Who Does Good

Romans 2:1–16
Romans 2:9-11 There will be affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, of the Jew first and of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.

Circumcision is of the Heart, by the Spirit

Romans 2:17–29

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • 2 Corinthians 13:1-13
  • Romans 1:1-32
  • Romans 2:1-29

References

  • 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 321). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
  • 2. Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (p. 35). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
  • 3. Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (p. 42). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.