Category Archives: Textual studies

Tim wrote, Despite Paul’s efforts to the contrary, jews and gentiles remained at odds over issues such as food sacrificed to idols and circumcision (Galatians). To believe that one position held by Paul trumps another, or visa versa, refuses to … Continue reading →

Offense Some who oppose the instrument would argue that they are “offended” by the instrument, a concept taken from the KJV translation — (Rom 14:20-21 KJV) 20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; … Continue reading →

Stumbling blocks (Rom 14:13b ESV) 13b rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. Paul is ever the pastor, and while he is very concerned that we not divide over differences, he … Continue reading →

Romans 14 is quite controversial in the Churches of Christ today, because it runs so contrary to much of our preaching. (Rom 14:6 ESV)  6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one … Continue reading →

We turn now to Romans 13. You know, one of the sad truths of church life is that we rarely make it this far in Romans. We start in chapter 1, and two quarters later, we’re still worrying over original … Continue reading →

In the last post, we began to see how the Holy Spirit is God’s solution for our hard hearts. That’s the teaching of Romans 8, and Paul stands on the shoulders of the prophets when he teaches this. We skip … Continue reading →

As mentioned in the last post of this series, Willard argues for the necessity of ascetic practices based on the difficulty of bringing our fleshly natures under control as described in Romans 7 — (Rom 7:5-10 ESV) 5 For while … Continue reading →