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Believing in God: Romans 4 (Day 226)

In Romans 4 Paul continues his attack on the idea that it's by 'works of the Law' that people are made right with God. That can't be true, he says, because Abraham was accepted by God as 'righteous' before he was circumc...

‘How much more’: Romans 5.1–21 (Day 227)

There's a clear theme in this chapter, though – like the rest of Romans – it is dense and rich in argument. Paul is overwhelmed with a sense of the scope and scale of salvation. It's not enough for God to have forgiven us – it was �...

Raised to a really new life: Romans 6.1–14 (Day 228)

Paul has thought deeply about what the death of Christ means. Death is an ending; it cancels everything about a person's life. If we are baptised into union with Christ and 'share' in that death (verse 4), our old life is gone; and �...

Who will deliver me?: Romans 7.7–25 (Day 229)

There's no chapter in Paul's writing that has been discussed and argued over as much as Romans 7, and it's certainly complicated. But there are some straightforward truths here too. He says the Law 'made me know what sin is' ...

The encouragement of friends: Acts 18.9–11 (Day 212)

In Acts 18, Paul preaches in the synagogue in Corinth and is met with opposition, but receives a dream from God telling him not to be afraid or silent. God’s encouragement to Paul is that there are many other believers in the city of Corinth to aid...

Opposition to the gospel: Acts 19.23–41 (Day 213)

In Ephesus there was a temple dedicated to the Roman goddess Artemis, and visitors would buy silver idols to take home. Because Paul’s Christian ministry was so successful, the idol makers’ business was suffering, leading them to riot.

A miracle at midnight: Acts 20.7–12 (Day 214)

Acts 20 follows the ministry of Paul as he travelled through the many places where he had planted churches. There are many deeply serious incidents recorded in the book of Acts, but in 20.7–12 we find one with a funny side, although it’s still po...

Trouble in Jerusalem: Acts 21.27–40 (Day 215)

In Acts 21 Paul travels to Jerusalem, despite the prophecy warning he would be bound up and mistreated there. Sure enough, when he comes to Jerusalem he is accused of teaching that Jews should give up following the Jewish laws and customs. This wasn&...

Who can be against us?: Romans 8.18–39 (Day 230)

Here Paul delves into the long conflict between good and evil in human nature. Now, he says, we have a divine power, the Holy Spirit, on our side. The death of Christ was a decisive moment, and we share in his resurrection life.

Born of God’s promise: Romans 9.1–21 (Day 231)

Romans 9–11 is a separate section in Paul's letter; some have even suggested that he might have included here something he'd already written. In these chapters, he's exploring what it means to be a Jew in the light of God's reve...

Faith comes by hearing: Romans 10.5–17 (Day 232)

Paul in this chapter continues his argument that we are made right with God through believing in Christ. But most Jews, and all Gentiles, would be completely nonplussed by this. Jews would need the Scriptures explaining to them. Gentiles would need t...

It’s all about grace: Romans 11.1–32 (Day 233)

Paul explains more here about the position of the Jews within God's plans. Most, he says, have historically not responded to his grace, and it's the same in his own time. However, God's covenant with them remains. They are the original...

A living sacrifice: Romans 12.1–21 (Day 234)

There's a sharp change in tone between chapters 11 and 12. From technical arguments about Jews and Gentiles, Paul soars into a meditation on what God's mercy means for our conduct. In a society where status was everything, he asks his reade...

Love one another: Romans 13.1–10 (Day 235)

This chapter begins with an outline of the God-given authority of the state. Paul was writing in the context of Roman law, which was generally fair if sometimes appallingly brutal. Why did he feel he needed to say this?

Don’t pass judgement: Romans 14.1–23 (Day 236)

In this chapter Paul is talking to believers from Jewish backgrounds who still want to keep the Jewish ritual laws, and Gentile believers who don't. His advice about eating vegetables is related to meat that might have been sold in the markets h...

All for the glory of God: Romans 15.1–3 (Day 237)

This section of Romans 15 ends with a benediction (verse 13). Paul has finished his arguments and his teaching about Jews and Gentiles, and commends his readers to God in their discipleship. Romans has a reputation for being a complicated book – it...

Workers for Christ: Romans 16.1–16 (Day 238)

Paul concludes his letter to the Romans with warm personal greetings. He recommends Phoebe (verses 1–2), a 'servant' of the church and 'protector' or 'friend' of many. Translators have argued about how the Greek words ...

Turning the world upside down: 1 Corinthians 1.18–31 (Day 239)

Paul's letters to the Corinthians reflect the situation in a church that's strong and growing, but still learning how to be Christian. In this first chapter he compliments them on their faith, tells them off for quarrelling, and bases every...

Not human wisdom but God’s power: 1 Corinthians 2.1–15 (Day 240)

The opening verses of this chapter are a touching admission of Paul's lack of self-confidence as a preacher and evangelist when he came to Corinth: 'I was weak and trembled all over with fear', he says (verse 3). But while he had no co...

You belong to Christ: 1 Corinthians 3.1–23 (Day 241)

There's a big difference between theory and practice. The Corinthians have read Paul's inspiring words about the power of God at work in believers in the previous chapter, but then he takes them by surprise: he says bluntly that they'r...

 

 

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