We are now in the final few lines of the close of Paul's Romans letter and what a trip it has been. Paul by the Holy Spirit has revealed the secret of GOD (spoken of in Deuteronomy 29:29); in the mysteries of Christ, or at lest some of them. These he continues to do in others of his letters as the need arises. Within these scripture passages are revealed the power and mystery of GOD in the mystery life of the Word hidden within each of us, as we shall soon find out.
Romans 16:21 "Timotheus my work-fellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you." (KJV)
Romans 16:21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen." (ESV)
Romans 16:21 "Timothy my co-laborer greets you affectionately; also Luke, and Jason and Sosipate who are fellow Jews, salute you kindly." (The Mirror)
Romans 16:22 " I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord." (KJV)
Romans 16:22 "I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord." (ESV)
Romans 16:22 "I, Tertius, who write the epistle, acknowledge you in the LORD." (The Mirror)
Romans 16:23-24 "Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (KJV)
Romans 16:23 "Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you." (ESV, omitted line 24)
Romans 16:23-24 "My host, Gaius, in whose house the church meets, sends you his greetings. Then there is Erastus, the city chief who greets you, so does Brother Quartos. (Look at Acts 19:29: Gaius was a travel companion of Paul, and he also mentions his in 1Corithians 1:14.) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ belongs to you." (The Mirror)
Romans 16:25-27 "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began[G5550, G166], but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only[G3441] wise[G4680], be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea." (KJV)
Romans 16:25-27 "Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages[G166] but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only[G3441] wise[G4680] God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen." (ESV)
Romans 16:25-27 "I am not talking "hear-say-theory;" I own this gospel i proclaim! This is my message! I salute GOD Who empowers you dynamically and establishes you to be strong and immovable in the face of contradiction. Jesus Christ is the disclosure of very mystery that was concealed in silence before [1G5550, G166] time or human [2,G2540] history were recorded. (Titus 1:2 "This is the life of the [1, G166]ages which was anticipated for generations; the life of our original design announced by the infallible resolve of GOD before [2, G2540] time or space existed. (Humanity's union with GOD is the original thought that inspired creation. The word, [1, G166 from G165] aionios, speaks of the ages. Paul speaks of GOD's mind made up about us, before the ages (Genesis 1:26-27 speaks to this), which is a concept in which eternity is divided up into various periods, the shorter of which are comprehended in the longer. The word [2,G5550, from G2540], chronos, from xronos, means a measured duration or length of time (where G165 aiōn, means a certain period of time and G104 aei, means age or duration of); [G2540] kairos, is a due, or specific moment, set or proper moment of time. This was before the ages or any measure of calendar time existed, before the creation of the galaxies and constellations. There existed a greater dimension to eternity than what we are capable of defining within the confines of space and time! GOD's faith anticipated the exact moment of our redeemed union with Him for all eternity!
(This life was made certain before eternal time. [BBE 1949, Bible in Basic English])
Paul's gospel does not merely proclaim Christ in history; he announces Christ unveiled in human life; Christ in you! Colossians 1:27) The mystery mirrored in [1]Prophetic Scripture is now unveiled. The GOD of the Ages determined to make this mystery known in such a way that all the nations of the earth will hear and realize the [2,G1391]lifestyle that faith ignites. (His gospel breaks the silence of the ages and reveals how GOD succeeded to redeem His image and likeness in humanity. [1] Isaiah 53:4-5, see the note on verse 19. Faith inspired an [2]obedience of spontaneity beyond guilt obligation.) Jesus Christ [1, G3441] uniquely [2, G] articulated the [3,G4680]wisdom of GOD; He is the [4, G1519 G165]conclusion of the ages. (Uniquely, [1, G3441 from G3306] monos, alone, Jesus has no competition, this one man represents the entire human race; this is the mystery of the ages. 1Corinthians 2:7-8 "We voice words of wisdom that were hidden in silence for timeless ages; a mystery. Neither the politicians nor the theologians of the day (or of our day) had a clue about this mystery (of humanity's association in Christ); if they did, they would never have crucified the LORD whose death redeemed our glory!" (Today the theologians are still crucifying the LORD of Glory!)
The word, [3, G4680] sophos, means clarity, wisdom. He forever broke the silence of the ages! The word, [4, G1519 G165] eis aion, eis indicates a point reached in conclusion, thus the conclusion of the ages. He is the [2, G1391 from the base of G1380] doxa, opinion, to think; the logos that was before time was; the Word that became flesh and dwells within us [John 1:1, 14]. The incarnation (Latin, in cane, in the body) is the final trophy of the eternal logos and doxa of GOD. (Colossians 1:15, 2:3, 9 "In him the image and likeness of GOD is made visible in human life in order that everyone may recognize their true origin in him. He is the firstborn of every creature. (What darkness veiled from us he unveiled. In him we clearly see the mirror reflection of our original life. The Son of His love gives accurate evidence of His image in human form. GOD can never again be invisible!)...In Christ the complete treasure of all wisdom and knowledge is sourced.....It is in Christ that GOD finds an accurate and complete expression of Himself, in a human body!"
(While the expanse cannot measure or define GOD, his exact likeness is displayed in human form. Jesus proves that human life is tailor-made for GOD!)
Colossains 2:10 "Jesus mirrors our completeness and [1, G746]endorses our [2, G1849]true identity. He is "I am" in us. (Isn't it amazing that GOD packaged completeness in "I am," mirrored in you! Delay is outdated! The word, [1, G746] arche, means chief in rank. The word, [2, G1849 from G1832] exousia, is often translated as meaning authority; out of "I am." The days are over where our lives were dictated to under the rule of the Law of performance and an inferior identity. [Look at Colossians 1:19] The full measure of everything GOD has in mind for a person, indwells him, our humanity.) (The Mirror)
Now for the author of The Mirror Study Bible's notes: Paul's persuasion is firm founded in his understanding of the success of the cross. In the economy of GOD, Jesus represents the whole of the human race. Every possible contradiction is filtered through this perspective.
In this letter Paul addresses several concerns regarding reports of divisions among the believers, a sexual scandal in their ranks and questions regarding marriage, diets and money.
In the first four chapters he takes his time to reinforce their faith in the finished work of the cross as the only valid reference to their lives.
In chapters 12 and 14, he brings clarity regarding the charismatic gifts.
Then he highlights the essence of the gospel in the most beautiful love poem in chapter 13. For many years this chapter was read and preached in a typical window-shopping frame of mind.
In Paul's gospel this mind-set is completely reversed; he proclaims that what GOD has done in Christ actually unveils the life of our design. Love celebrates the completeness of all that GOD has always had in mind for us. Love is not some prize one has to labor for; love mirrors who we are! What we perceived in the prophetic glimpses are now concluded in their completeness! (1Corinthians 13:9-10)
In chapter 15, he emphasizes that the resurrection is the theme and conclusion of the message he preaches.
Then he concludes in chapter 14 with, "Agape is your genesis. Loving everyone around you is what you are all about." (Our love for one another is awakened by GOD's love for us, in us.) and in verse 22, he makes this final powerful statement: "Anyone who prefers the Law above grace remains under the curse mentally. Jesus Christ has come; grace is the authority of his Lordship; we are so fond of him! He is the Messiah the world has been waiting for. (The Aramaic word, maranatha, means, our LORD has come! )
Until our next blog post may the LORD be with you and in you.
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