Romans Six

Romans 6

1 - 14 Dying and Rising with Christ

We should not continue to sin so that grace will abound. 11. "So you must also consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus." In 13, Paul describes the moral life as a military or athletic struggle (my notes): "No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as instruments of righteouslness."

15 - 23 Slaves of Righteousness

We are slaves to sin, but we must must become enslaved to God for our sanctification and eternal life. 23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans Five

Romans 5

1 - 11 Results of Justification

We are justified in faith to Jesus Christ and we boast in our sufferings because these produce endurance. 11. "But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."

12 - 21 Adam and Christ

Paul compares Christ to Adam, but instead of condemning humanity by his sins as Adam did, Jesus saves humanity FROM sin.

Romans Four

Romans 4

1 - 12 The Example of Abraham

Paul uses the Abraham story (Genesis 12 - 17) to prove that faith justifies. 11. "He received the circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. "

13 - 25 God's Promise Realized through Faith

Abraham and his decendents inherited the world because they kept the law. 24-25 "It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification."

Romans Three

Romans 3

1 - 8 God's Faithfulness (Paul Counters Jewish Objections)

Paul responds to Jewish objections, saying God is just in his condemnation

9 - 20 No One Is Righteous

Paul asserts that both Jews and Greeks are under the power of sin, supporting his assertion with a chain of Old Testament passages.

21 - 31 Righteousness through Faith

Since all of humanity is indicted there is only one solution: Christ, 25 "whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he passed over the sins previously committed; (26) it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus."

Romans Two

Romans 2

1 - 16 The Righteous Judgement of God

Do not judge others. "Do you not realize that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" Those who by patiently do good seek for glory and honor and immortality will receive eternal life (we must do good works!) Those who are self-seeking and don't obey the truth but wickedness will recieve God's wrath and fury.
12. Those who live under the law are the Jews. 13. "It is not the hearers of the law, but the doers of the law that will be justified." 14 -Gentiles may not know the law, but they instinctively know it. 15. The conscience, an inner judge of what we do, is a standard "law" to which Gentile is accountable.

17 - 29 The Jews and the Law

A study on circumcision, the sign of the Jews' covenant with God. He's setting up the argument that gentiles, not only Jews, can become Christians. And many gentile men were happy to hear 29, "Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumsision is a matter of the heart - it is spiritual and not literal.

Romans One

Romans 1

My notes show the following structure of Romans

1.1-7 Opening

1.8-15 Paragraph of Thanksgiving

1.16-17 Statement commonly seen as the theme: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'"

1.18 - 11.36 The theological argument has two parts: 1.18 - 8.39 develops the meaning of God's righteousness and chs. 9-11 focus on the meaning of Israel. The ethical section (12.1-15.13 deals first with various matters (12-13), then with the "weak" and the "strong" The rest of ch. 15 reflects on Paul's work and travel plans.

Back to Chapter One"

18 - 33 The Guilt of the Gentiles

Paul rails against those who "suppress the truth." He speaks of God's condemnation of their many sins. (Note the first verse of chapter two, however: "Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgement on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things."

Matthew Twenty Eight

Chapter 31

1 - 10 The Resurrection of Jesus

Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary" go to the tomb. (The identity of the "other Mary" is unknown) There is an earthquake and an angel appears and says "Do not be afraid" that Jesus was raised from the dead. They run to find the disciples and Jesus meets them. "Do not be afraid" Go and tell his brothers (the disciples) that they will see Him.

It is important to heed both the angel and Jesus: "Do not be afraid."

11 - 15 The Report of the Guard

The chief priests order the guards to bear false witness and state that the disciples stole the body.

16 - 20 Commissioning of the Disciples

The eleven disciples go to the mountain and see and worship Jesus. Jesus: "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Matthew Twenty Seven

Chapter 27

1 - 2 Jesus Brought Before Pilate

Pilate is the governor

3 - 10 The Suicide of Judas

Judas hanged himself at the Field of Blood. Judas' remorse is only in Matthew.

11 - 14 Pilate Questions Jesus

Jesus refuses to answer Pilate's question directly.

15 - 23 Barabbas or Jesus?

The crowd chooses Barabbas, "a notorious criminal," to be released over Jesus (When I was in high school I saw a movie called Barabbas with Anthony Quinn in the title role. I don't remember enjoying it).

24 - 26 Pilate Hands Jesus over to Be Crucified

Pilate "washes his hands". I've always felt kind of sorry for Pilate - maybe it was the sympathetic portrayal of him in Jesus Christ Superstar.

27 - 31 The Soldiers Mock Jesus

Insult to injury . . .

32 - 44 The Crucifixion of Jesus

They offered him wine mixed with gall (my notes say a bitter and poisonous herb). Even the bandits who are crucified with him taunt him.

45 - 56 The Death of Jesus

When he dies, the curtain of the temple is torn in two, (probably symbolizing access to God for all, my notes)

57 - 61 The Burial of Jesus

The Joseph of Arimethea who takes the body is not Joseph, Jesus' father.

62 - 66 The Guard at the Tomb

Pilate orders a guard to Jesus' tomb.

Matthew Twenty Six

Chapter 26

Long chapter. My notes also have some good info on the passover and its significance: "The Passover was a seven-day Jewis spring festival combined with the Feast of Unleavened Bread, celebrating the exodus from Egyptian slavery to freedom. The term refers especially to the period extending from the evening of the first day, the day of Preparation, when the lamb was slaughtered at the temple, to the ensuing evening when the meal was eaten, to the meal itself." All of these elements have significance to the Passion and Jesus' mission as well.

1 - 5 The Plot to Kill Jesus

The chief priests plan to arrest Jesus and kill him (but during the festival because it might incite a riot).

6 - 13 The Annointing at Bethany

In Jesus Christ Superstar, this woman is Mary Magdelane, but that isn't evident here.

14 - 16 Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

Judas goes to the chief priests on his own (I would have thought they would have approached him). They offer thirty pieces of silver (in Exodus, the value of an injured slave).

17 - 25 The Passover with the Disciples

Jesus predicts that one of his own will betray him. Judas is a little overly defensive, as can be expected.

26 - 30 The Institution of the Lord's Supper

My notes state that Jews are forbidden to drink blood, but then blood was also used to ratify a covenant.

31 - 35 Peter's Denial Foretold

Peter says he will never desert Jesus, but Jesus knows otherwise.

36 - 46 Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

No one will stay awake with Jesus. "My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak." We are all human and have a lot to conquer because of these bodys which house our souls.

47 - 56 The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

Here is the chance for the disciples to get revenge, but Jesus calms them down. "One of those with Jesus" cuts off the ear of a high priests slave, and Jesus. Jesus goes peacefully in order to fulfill the scriptures. The disciples desert him.

57 - 68 Jesus Before the High Priest

Jesus doesn't overtly say he's the Son of God, but he is still convicted of blasphemy.

69 - 75 Peter's Denial of Jesus

Peter fulfills Jesus' prediction that he will deny him. Again, self-preservation takes over. (It's probably a good thing considering all this good things Peter goes on to do in Acts - still I feel sorry for him) The last sentence is poignant: "And he went out and wept bitterly.

Matthew Twenty Five

Chapter 25

1 - 13 The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

A good parable about being responsible (I don't know why I'm thinking about the music folders)

14 - 30 The Parable of the Talents

My favorite thing about this is the master rebukes the guy who buried the talent in the ground. This poor guy was afraid to risk his talent - but life is risk, and if we are blessed with something (the Word of God), we cannot be afraid to risk (our pride) to spread that Word.

31 - 46 The Judgement of the Gentiles

My favorite part of this is comes toward the end: why are those on his right taken? for feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, elcoming strangers, visiting those who are sick and in prison. It is by grace that we are saved, but now that we are saved, it is our responsiblity to do works (help others).

Matthew Twenty Four

Chapter 24

1 - 14 Signs of the End of the Age

The Destruction of the Temple is foretold and Jesus tells of the End of the Age, predicting famines and earthquakes, etc. He predicts that there will be persecutions from all nations.

15 - 28 The Desolating Sacrilege and the Coming of the Son of Man

(The Desolating Sacrilege refers to the Book of Daniel) Jesus predicts Second Coming.

32 - 35 The Lesson of the Fig Tree

"Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until this has taken place" We don't know what generation he was talking about.

36 - 44 The Necesssity for Watchfulness

"But about that day and hour, neighter the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." We don't know when it will occur, but we must always be prepared.

45 - 51 The Faithful or the Unfaithful Slave

My notes say that this parable might warn about a delay in Jesus' return (always remain faithful).

Matthew Twenty Three

Chapter 23

1 - 36 Jesus Denounces Scribes and Pharisees

Jesus attacks hypocritical leaders of Isreal and the church

37 - 39 The Lament over Jerusalem

"Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord." See Psalm 118.

Matthew Twenty Two

Chapter 22

1 - 14 The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a king who holds a wedding banquet for his son.

15 - 22 The Question of Paying Taxes

The Pharisees attempt to entrap Jesus. He says to give pay taxes since the emperor's face is on the denarius.

23 - 33 The Question About the Resurrection

The Sadducees ask Jesus a complicated question (getting wrapped up in the letter of the law) . Jesus replies that "God is the God not of the dead but of the living. I take this to mean that we should focus our attention on helping those who can benefit from our help instead of focusing too much on theological quibbling.

34 - 40 The Greatest Commandment

A lawyer asks Jesus which is the Greatest Commandment. Jesus answers, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

41 - 36 The Question About David's Son

The Pharisees try to trap Jesus into saying he is David's descendent. My notes state that Jesus is referring to Psalm 110. "Fathers never address their sons as "lord," but only sons their fathersor inferiors as superiors. Since Matthew actually stresses Jesus' Davidic sonship elsewhere, this saying probably suggests that Sond of God, Son of Man, and Lord are more accurate titles.

Matthew Twenty One

Chapter 21

1 - 11 Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the conflict with religious leaders intensifies. Plus the words of the prophets are fulfilled.

12 - 17 Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Jesus drives out "all who were selling and buying in the temple" It's not wrong to get angry at the commercialization of religion.

18 - 22 Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

A fig tree has no fruit and it withers. A happy ending: "(22) Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive." The key is "with faith"

23 - 27 The Authority of Jesus Questioned

In the temple, the pharisees asks Jesus by what authority he is doing the things he does. He turns the question back on them, and they can't answer it, so he refueses to answer it for them.

28 - 32 The Parable of the Two Sons/The Parable of the Wicket Tenants

My notes say the four parables that follow illustrate the rejection of Israel's leaders and warn the new people against self-righteous arrogance.