The Book of Romans-What it is and What it is Not--Part 15 of the Paul and Hebrew Roots Series
Looking Back
If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you may recall that I began a series entitled “Paul and Hebrew Roots” in the fall of 2018. In addition, with the completion of my discussion on Paul’s view of woman leaders in the Faith in September of 2019 (Part-14 of the series), I put the series on somewhat of a hiatus, fully intending to resume the series in short order.
You may also recall that I embarked on this series because I had received so many inquiries about certain challenging and difficult Pauline passages. These passages seemed to oppose the Hebraic/Messianic/Netzari lifestyle or Torah keeping by Yah’s Set-Apart people.
However, while I was a few episodes into the series, questions regarding Paul’s view of women in Messianic and church leadership roles caused me to shift the course of the series. Therefore, I veered away from a general discussion of Paul’s difficult and challenging writings for a detailed study of Paul’s true view of women in the Messianic Faith.
We’re Resuming the Paul and Hebrew Roots Series
Well, today we will resume the series as promised and get back on our original intended course. Moreover, needless to say, we have a lot of ground to cover for the duration of this series.
Therefore, my focus in this series will now turn to Shaul’s (i.e., Paul’s) Cepher (i.e., the Book, Letter, Epistle or Scroll) to the Romans. In addition, over the next several installments of this series, we will identify, dissect and attempt to accurately interpret (i.e., explain) some of the more challenging and unclear passages of Romans.
Paul Is Often Hard to Understand
Regarding those annoying, challenging and unclear Pauline writings that we’ve all come to love and hate, the Apostle Kefa (i.e., Peter) wrote in his general epistle:
“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation. Even as our beloved brother Paul, also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you. As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things (i.e., that which was formerly written by the Set-Apart prophets and the commandment of Yahoshua; and the end times 3:2), in which are some things hard to be understood. Which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Pet. 3:15, 16; KJV).
So even Shaul’s apostolic colleague recognized contemporaneously, that Shaul’s readers might have some difficulties understanding some of the things Shaul wrote. This tells us that Kefa himself had to have read some of Shaul’s writings and thought to himself, “What in the world?”
Paul was Unique and Brilliant
Let us remember (and I mentioned this in my portrait of Shaul, the man and the apostle, the first couple episodes of the Paul and Hebrew Roots series), that Shaul was indeed a unique, complex and brilliant servant of YHVH. He obviously was operating on a different plain than his apostolic colleagues.
However, just because some of Shaul’s writings are a bit challenging and difficult to understand doesn’t mean we can’t accurately understand them. For with a little spiritual and mental hard work, we most assuredly can accurately understand them.
Why Resume The Paul and Hebrew Roots Series?
Why are we doing this? Well, we’re doing this for a few reasons, some of which I went into detail when we first launched this Paul and Hebrew Roots Series. Moreover, if by chance you either are new to this program, or were not able to listen to any of the segments to the series, I would humbly encourage you to do so when you get the chance. (I’ll go ahead put the link to this show’s index page here in the show notes where you can select whichever installment of the series you want to listen to for your convenience.)
But suffice to say, one of the greatest points of division that exists between the Hebrew Roots/Messianic/Netzari Community and our cousins in fundamental/traditional/charismatic Christianity. These points of division are doctrinal and theological teachings that are based upon a scandalous misinterpretation or misrepresentation of Shaul’s (i.e., Paul’s) writings. In addition, let’s not mince words here. We’re talking primarily about areas of Paul’s writings where Paul addresses issues and topics related specifically to Torah.
A Lot of Work Ahead of Us
Now, we’re going to look at a great number of interesting and challenging Romans passages covering a whole host of topics and issues; not just his pesky and confusing passages on Torah. And the ultimate goals of this series are:
(1) To help us better understand various aspects of our Set-Apart walk with Messiah that were uniquely revealed to the Apostle to the Gentiles by our Master Yahoshua Messiah.
And (2) to help correct and or dispel some of the confusion that surrounds some of Paul’s challenging and or more difficult passages.
I have to say that I am very excited to be taking this journey with you. And the reason I’m so excited about resuming this series is simply that much of what most of us know of the Book to the first-century Roman Messianics, is from a Christian—Trinitarian—Grace-only—Pre-Tribulation—Secret Rapture—dare I say Anti-Semitic—Replacement Theology perspective. So with all the advancements our Faith Community has made in our understanding of the Hebrew culture, history, geography and language, it seems about time we stop embracing the worn-out, tired old westernized brand of Pauline Christianity.
Starting Out With The Epistle To The Romans
To get this party started, so to speak, I’ve elected to begin with the Book of Romans.
As it relates to our study of Romans, we are going to conduct more of a “topic or issue” study than a chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the book. Therefore, we will only examine those passages that present unique challenges to our Faith Community and or that highlight unique aspects to our Messianic Set-Apart lifestyle.
Let us not forget that the series title remains “Paul and Hebrew Roots.” Therefore, we will only be interested in discussing those topics and issues contained in Romans that present particular challenges and insight into important aspects of our Faith.
Setting the Tone—What is the Book to the Romans?
So let’s get started by setting the tone for our study.
To begin with, no Torah Observant Disciple of Yeshua Messiah should pick up the Book of Romans (or any other Pauline epistle) and simply start reading it without first coming to terms with what it is he or she is actually reading. For I can tell you (and you should inherently know this) that Romans is not like the books of Torah; nor the books of the prophets; nor the writings such as Psalms and Proverbs; nor the Gospels.
Romans and Paul’s other letters, are simply ancient letters. An ancient writer wrote these letters. Paul addressed his letters to a specific ancient reader(s). He wrote these letters in response to topics or issues that came to his attention. Plain and simple. Moreover, we will see that contrary to what most Christian scholars and teachers and preachers contend Romans is not a theological framework upon which to establish and maintain a Church organization.
Setting the Tone—The Reader of Romans Must Desire More Information
If the Set-Apart truth-seeker truly desires to arrive at an accurate understanding of the Book of Romans, he or she must gain as much background information about Paul and his original readers as possible.
Setting the Tone—Rejecting Laziness
The only way for the Messianic Truth-Seeker to gain a true understanding of those challenging and difficult Roman passages is to reject/fight against biblical laziness. What I mean by this is that he or she must learn to appreciate the art of digging deep. Bottom line: we must overcome Biblical illiteracy at every level possible.
Allow me to explain. Many of us in this Set-Apart Faith can’t stand having to reference/or read other scriptural passages and verses that are not our specific focus passages or verses. Just tell us what our focus passage or verse means. Right?
However, such an attitude should not get in the way of our search for Truth. For as a Torah Observant Disciple of Yeshua Messiah, we are required to dig deep.
The Importance of the Whole of Scripture to Study
Recall our Master Yeshua who taught the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus of Himself through what means? Luke records that means:
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27; ESV).
Therefore, our Master used the whole of Scripture to teach his disciples about Himself.
We have the example of Shaul delivering the Gospel to the Bereans, who before accepting the Apostle’s teachings:
“…received the Word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things (i.e., the Words/teachings of Shaul) were so” (Acts 17:11; ESV).
Thus, we have to somehow get beyond our biblical laziness and search the whole of Scriptures if we intend to take our learning to the next level.
Therefore, our study will be at times, Scripture intensive.
Setting the Tone—The Five-Elements That Lead to True Biblical Understanding
In addition, this leads me to what I call the five-elements that lead to true Biblical understanding. You see, we have a tendency to read passages from, not just Romans, but all the other books of the bible in scriptural “sound-bites” (i.e., isolated passages) . When we do that and fail to take into account these elements, we stand the high risk of misinterpreting or misunderstanding that passage.
Why would I say such a thing? Well, I say this because Romans, and the other books of the bible, are ancient documents from a foreign, ancient culture and people that are very unfamiliar to most of us today. These documents are in most cases missing a great amount of background information. Consequently modern readers must grab hold of and understand those missing bits of background information.
Therefore, the five-elements that lead to biblical understanding are:
(1) Context: that linkage involving the chapter itself; the book itself; the testament; and the whole bible.
(2) History: the specific history of the writer and his audience.
(3) Language: being able to understand specifics related to the Greek-Hebrew-Aramaic words used by the author.
(4) Geography: not always pertinent, but sometimes relevant when travel and locations referenced in our focus passages.
In addition (5) culture: the specific culture of the writer and his audience.
Setting the Tone—Romans Was Not Written to Modern Messianics
I am sorry to inform you that we (modern-day Messianic or Christian alike) were NOT Shaul’s intended audience, despite doctrinal and theological teachings to the contrary. We happen to be beneficiaries of the information that Shaul passed on to His Roman Messianic Assembly readers. Like anything else when it comes to bible study: the information we come across which was not originally addressed to us, must always be understood from the perspective of the writer and his original readers.
We have to recognize that Paul did not address his writings to 21st century Christians and Messianics. They were not. We are blessed that these documents, through the grace of Yah, were saved and passed down to us over the centuries. In addition, we benefit from these ancient letters because contained within them is the Words of YHVH and the teachings of Yeshua our Mashiyach. In addition, we will maintain this mindset throughout our study of the Book of Romans.
If Not Intended For Us, What Then is the Epistle to the Romans?
Unfortunately, many church leaders, and not too few Messianics, treat the Letter to the Romans as some sort of theological treatise and NOT what it truly is. What do I mean by theological treatise? Well, a theological treatise is simply a “formal” document that identifies, presents the facts, and puts forth a conclusion on a specific issue or topic. And the conventional thinking by many in the so-called church is that Paul’s epistles are theological treatises. In other words, Paul decided one day to sit down and write out his thoughts on various and sundry Christian-related issues. He then sent those thoughts on over to the Roman Assemblies for their reference.
Romans is Not a Church Organization Manual
In fact, many see the Book of Romans as some form of Christian-living manual. Thus, according to such individuals, any well-intended believer who seeks to live a sound Christian-life would be compelled to go to the Book of Romans (and other Pauline writings) to learn about topics and issues common to Pauline Christianity.
Moreover, although there is a slight degree of truth to this understanding of the Book of Romans, the truth of the matter is that it is NOT a theological treatise. Romans is in fact a letter written by the Apostle Paul specifically to first-century A.D. Roman Messianic Believers. Moreover, this letter addresses certain relevant, contemporaneous issues and topics that are specific to the first-century Roman Messianic Assemblies.
Paul: A Cause and Effects Kind of Guy
You see, since beginning this series in 2018, I’ve come to a clear understanding that Shaul was a “cause and effects kind of guy.” Something(s) happened. That something(s) comes to Shaul’s attention. Then Shaul responded by addressing that something(s) in the form of a letter. So apart from the Book to the Hebrews (which is in a sense a theological treatise that many scholars attribute to Paul), none of Paul’s epistles are theological treatises. You see, Shaul wrote as he was moved to do so (i.e., the Holy Spirit) in response to ongoing or contemporaneous issues that were adversely affecting the assemblies he oversaw.
Now, none of this is to say that Shaul does not use the opportunities afforded him in his various epistles to expound upon theological matters. Clearly he does this on a frequent basis. However, his writings are in response to the specific issues and topics that his Roman Messianic readers were experiencing.
Romans Must Be Viewed as a Historical Document Containing Essential Spiritual Truths
Thus Romans, as in all of the remaining Pauline epistles, must be viewed as an ancient historical document, first and foremost.
However, I would take this statement one-step further if you please. Romans is an ancient historical document that contains essential spiritual truths.
As it relates to the historical nature of Romans, Douglas J. Moo (New Testament professor at Wheaton College), in his article entitled “The Epistle to the Romans” (New International Commentary on the New Testament) wrote:
“Like every book in the NT, Romans is rooted in history. It is not a systematic theology but a letter, written in specific circumstances and with specific purposes…to understand its message aright, we must appreciate the specific context out of which Romans was written.”
Next Time
Well, this is a good place to stop for now. In addition, we will pick this study up in our next installment of The Messianic Torah Observer, Abba willing.
In our next post we will examine who the Book of Romans was addressed to. For there are some essential facts as it relates to Paul’s Roman audience that every Messianic who studies Romans must be cognizant of if he or she is to truly understand what Shaul was trying to convey to his Roman Messianic Readers.
And of course, at anytime during this series you have a specific passage of Romans that you want us to discuss, shoot me a message using any of the contact platforms we have available on our website themessianictorahobserver.org.
Otherwise, we will simply go through The Book of Romans in chapter sequence.
Until next time, may you be most blessed, fellow saints in training. Shalom. Take care.