PART FOUR

AN EXPOSITION OF THE ESCHATOLOGY OF ROMANS

THE ISRAEL OF GOD

Section 2 - THE CONDEMNATION OF GOD

AARON- Following this announcement of the good news of God's expanded reconciliation, the universality of God's justification, the Holy Spirit then moves the apostle Paul to address the universality of God's condemnation.

-GENERAL EXPLANATIONS AND WARNINGS CONCERNING GOD'S EXPANDED JURISDICTION-

“For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness: Because, that which is known of God is manifest in them: For God manifested it unto them.  For the invisible things of Him, since the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and Divinity. 

So they are without excuse: Because that, knowing God, they glorified Him not as God, neither gave (Him) thanks: But became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. 

Wherefore, God gave them up in the lust of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves: For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 

For this cause God gave them up to vial passions: For their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men, working shamefulness, and receiving in themselves that penalty of their error which was due.

And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; Being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, whisperers, backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful: Who knowing the ordinances of God, that they who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practice (those things).” (Rom.1:18 - 1:32)         

aaron- The basic problem lies within the creature: we all have a natural desire to serve ourselves—to serve the creature rather than the Creator.  Our nature always has been, and will always be, a reoccurring obstacle between our God and our selves.

Calvin—"To some it seems that this is a main subject, and that Paul forms his discourse for the purpose of enforcing repentance; but I think that the discussion of the subject begins here, and that the principal point is stated in a former proposition; for Paul's object was to teach us where salvation is to be found. 

He has already declared that we cannot obtain it except through the gospel: but as the flesh will not willingly humble itself so far as to assign the praise of salvation to the grace of God alone, Paul shows that the whole world is deserving of eternal death.  It hence follows, that life is to be recovered in some other way, since we are all lost in ourselves.  But the words, being well considered, will help us much to understand the meaning of the passage."   

Calvin's Commentary - Romans - p.68

aaron-One huge difficulty with our understanding the book of Romans, is associated with its multiple messages.  As CALVIN sees the subject as "where salvation is to be found", I simply see as the main message, the universality of God's justification and the universality of God's condemnation.  But in the end, not really differing much at all from CALVIN'S basic opinion.  For John Calvin too sees- UNIVERSALITY - UNIVERSALITY-

"Wheresoever a man may look around him, he will find no salvation; for the wrath of God is poured out on the whole world, to the full extent of heaven."