“concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,” -Romans 1:3–4 It is well argued and probably accurate that Paul is using an early church […]
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Promised Beforehand
“which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,” -Romans 1:2 In his introduction to the Christians in Rome, he is establishing his office as one who has been entrusted with the gospel, the good news that the children of Israel had been waiting for. And it was not just for them, but […]
A Statement About Self-Identity
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,” -Romans 1:1 How a person introduces himself is telling. Since the Apostle Paul had never been to Rome, in the introduction to his letter to the church organized there, his descriptors needed to give them some idea […]
A Token of Delight
“By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.” -Psalm 41:11–12 The Psalmist’s closing prayer recognizes that victory over his enemies—or their lack of victory over him—serves as a token […]
Righteous Vengeance
“But you, O Lord, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them!” -Psalm 41:10 Verse ten is technically the end of the Psalmist’s direct dialogue with God that began in verse four. The expression, “But you,” is stated in contrast with “My enemies say of me,” in verse five. To […]
A Heel Lifted
“My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die, and his name perish?” And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers iniquity; when he goes out, he tells it abroad. All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me. They say, […]
Personal Responsibility
“As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!”” -Psalm 41:4 “As for me,” is translated from the pronoun,אֲֽנִי־ (ani), and is used for emphasis. The Psalmist is emphasizing personal responsibility in the situation at hand—much like Joshua did when he covenanted before Israel to […]
Consider the Poor
“Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him; the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you […]
The Lord Cares!
“As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!” -Psalm 40:17 These words of encouragement, comfort, and petition are a suitable close to the Psalm that opened with a patient and hopeful anticipation of the Lord’s […]
Great is the Lord!
“But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!”” -Psalm 40:16 The Psalmist offers a general petition for all who find salvation in the Lord to also find their joy in him so that they will not be able to […]