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Romans 1:16-17; 3:19-31

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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser. (Romans 1:16 - 3:31)
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV. Chapter 3.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries. Chapter 3.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons. Chapter 3.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of Spirit:
    • "Moral Law"
    • "Grace" 

  • III.X.2, IV.XXII.2, IV.XXVII.2, IV.XXXIV.2, V.XXII.1, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)

  • I.8, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)

  • II.6, V.1, V.3, VI.6, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)

  • Chapter VII, Exhortation to Chastity, Tertullian (c. 210)

  • V.13, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)

  • Chapter II, Chapter VI, Chapter VII, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)

  • I.22, I.23, I.38, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)

  • XI.18, XII.21, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)

  • Part 7, On the Incarnation of the Word, Athanasius of Alexandria, c. 318.
  • From Martin Luther's Bible Commentary (1545). Chapter 3.
  • From the Geneva Notes. Chapter 3.
    • "Therefore this righteousness which we gain is altogether freely given, for its foundation is upon those things which we have not done ourselves, but rather those things which Christ has suffered for our sakes, to deliver us from sin."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary. Chapter 3.
    • "Justifying faith respects Christ as a Saviour, in all his three anointed offices, as Prophet, Priest, and King; trusting in him, accepting him, and cleaving to him."
  • From Wesley's Notes. Chapter 3.
    • "It is not possible to find words that should more absolutely exclude all consideration of our own works and obedience, or more emphatically ascribe the whole of our justification to free, unmerited goodness."
  • "Justification by Grace," Romans 3:24, Charles H. Spurgeon, 1857.
    • "Justification, you know, is a forensic term; it is employed always in a legal sense. A prisoner is brought to the bar of justice to be tried. There is only one way whereby that prisoner can be justified; that is, he must be found not guilty; and if he is found not guilty, then he is justified?that is, he is proved to be a just man."
  • "Justice Satisfied," Romans 3:26/1 John 1:9, Charles H. Spurgeon, 1859.
    • "Until God can be unjust, and demand two payments for one debt, he cannot destroy the soul for whom Jesus died."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871). Chapter 3.
    • "...though justification is quite gratuitous, it is not a mere fiat of the divine will, but based on a "Redemption," that is, "the payment of a Ransom," in Christ's death."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891. Chapter 3.
    • "Can God be just, and yet justify the sinner? Only, because justice was fully satisfied when the sinless Christ died, not for himself, but for his people. The believer in Christ Jesus, trusting in him, baptized into Christ, into his death, is in Christ, and Christ hath paid the penalty for all who are found in him."
  • "Exposition of Romans 1:1-25," Charles H. Spurgeon, 1892.
    • "The gospel tells us about this living by faith, this believing, this receiving righteousness through believing, and not through working. This is the sweet story of the cross, of which Paul was not ashamed."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Romans 3:19-28, Dirk G. Lange, Reformation Day, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
    • "Anyone commenting or preaching on these well-known verses better hesitate."
  • Commentary, Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 [29-31], Matt Skinner, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
    • "What does the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ accomplish? What does it mean?"
  • "First Thoughts on Year A Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost 3, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "We can abandon special claims based on our achievements (either the principle of achievements or perhaps achievements focused on the law; 3:27). God's goodness alone is our hope (3:28). Jew and Gentile are on a level playing field (3:29-30) and God's generosity is unlimited towards both."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Second Sunday after Pentecost, God's Saving Work in the Letter to the Romans: Lectionary Texts for the Pentecost Season, Arland J. Hultgren, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1993.
  • "Repeat Offenders," Maureen Dallison Kemeza, The Christian Century, 2002. Religion Online.
    • "All are sinners -- how did we forget this? It is not the offices we occupy or the structures of power that govern our common life that save us. It is God who saves, and God will save."
  • "Those Who Are Righteous Shall Live," "Justification by Faith," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
  • "Sin-Talk in our World," commentary by Ronald Goetz from The Christian Century, 1990. At Religion Online.
    • "Though many of us were raised in traditions that stressed the depth of our personal sin, we have generally allowed ourselves to be talked out of it."
  • "Righteousness: It's Not What You Know Or Who You Are (Romans 1:1 - 3:26)," by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "Many ?Bible believing Christians? think that righteousness is more a matter of what you know than of what you do. Many think that if they possess a great deal of knowledge they are righteous before God, even though they do not practice the truth. God is more interested in what we do with what we have learned than in mere learning alone."
  • "The Basis and Benefits of Justification (Romans 3:27 - 5:21)," by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "Paul?s answer is that salvation is offered to all men, whether Jew or Gentile, and that salvation is always based on faith. There is no distinction between Jew and Gentile in justification, just as there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile in condemnation."
• Articles & Background:
  • "Salvation: Divine Therapy," Vigen Guroian, Theology Today, 2004.
  • "Reflections on Salvation and Justification in the New Testament," D.A. Carson, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1997.
  • "Salvation by Trust? Reading the Bible Faithfully," Richard B. Hays, The Christian Century, 1997. At Religion OnLine. 
    • "A trusting hermeneutic is essential for who believe the word of the resurrection but do not yet see death made subject to God. The hermeneutics of trust turns out read to be, on closer inspection, a hermeneutics of death and resurrection?a way of seeing the whole word through the lens of the kerygma. Our reliance on God entails a death to common sense, and our trust is validated only by the resurrection."
  • "Soteriology and Eschatology in Romans," Robert E Longacre & Wilber B Wallis, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1998.
    • "At all events we approach this epistle not simply as an object of analysis but as a book meant to exercise a regulative and inspirational effect upon us."
  • "The Trust of Abraham and the Trust of Jesus Christ: Romans 1:17," Herman C. Waetjen, Currents in Theology and Mission, 2004.
    • "The good news is about the fulfillment of the terms and conditions of the testament that God established with Abraham and the benefits that are universally conferred on all who participate in it."
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
  • Adeyemi, Femi, "Paul's 'Positive' Statements about the Mosaic Law," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Augsburger, Myron S., "Justice in Forgiveness," The Living Pulpit, 2007. (See also "Atonement," issue focus of The Living Pulpit, 16.2, 2007.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Bartlett, David, "Preaching for Ordinary Time," Journal for Preachers, 2008. (Section on this text begins on page 44.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Blackman, Cyril, "Romans 3:26b: A Question of Translation," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1968.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Brindle, Wayne A., "'To the Jew First': Rhetoric, Strategy, History or Theology?" Bibliotheca Sacra, 2002.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Calhoun, Robert Matthew, "John Chrysostom on EK PISTEWS EIS PISTIN in Rom. 1:17: A Reply to Charles L. Quarles," Novum Testamentum, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Campbell, Douglas, A., "Romans 1:17 - A Crux Interpretum for the PISTIS CHRISTOU Debate," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1994.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Campbell, W.S., "Romans 3 as a Key to the Structure and Thought of the Letter," Novum Testamentum, 1981.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Carson, D.A., "Reflections on Salvation and Justification in the New Testament," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Charry, Ellen T., "The Grace of God and the Law of Christ," Interpretation, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Cosgrove, Charles H., "Justification in Paul: A Linguistic and Theological Reflection," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1987.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Cousar, Charles B., "Paul and the Death of Jesus," Interpretation, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Cranfield, C.E.B., "'The Works of the Law' in the Epistle to the Romans," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1991.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Dockery, David S., "Romans 1:16-17," Review & Expositor, 1989.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ekem, John D.K., "A Dialogical Exegesis of Romans 3:25a," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Gaventa, Beverly R., "The Cosmic Power of Sin in Paul's Letter to the Romans," Interpretation, 2004. (See also, Romans, issue focus for Interpretation, 2004.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Goetz, Ronald, "Sin-Talk in Our World," The Christian Century, 1990.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Guroian, Vigen, "Salvation: Divine Therapy," Theology Today, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Haddix, James L., "Between Text and Sermon: Romans 3:21-31," Interpretation, 2004. (See also, Romans, issue focus for Interpretation, 2004.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Hannah, John D., "The Meaning of Saving Faith: Luther's Interpretation of Romans 3:28," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1983.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Harless, Hal, "The Cessation of the Mosaic Covenant," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Hays, Richard B., "Psalm 143 and the Logic of Romans 3," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1980.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Hays, Richard B., "Salvation by Trust? Reading the Bible Faithfully," The Christian Century, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Hultgren, Arland J., "God's Saving Work in the Letter to the Romans: Lectionary Texts for the Pentecost Season," Word & World, 1993.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ito, Akio, "NOMOS (TON) ERGON and NOMOS PISTEOS: The Pauline Rhetoric and Theology of NOMOS," Novum Testamentum, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Johnson, Luke Timothy, "Romans 3:21-26 and the Faith of Jesus," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1982.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Leonard, Bill J., "A Place to Believe: Romans 1:16-18," Review & Expositor, 1989.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Longacre, Robert E., and Wilber B. Wallis, "Soteriology and Eschatology in Romans," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Kemeza, Maureen Dallison, "Repeat Offenders," The Christian Century, 2002.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Kim, Johann D., "Between Text and Sermon: Romans 1:28-32," Interpretation, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Lambrecht, Jan, S.J., "Paul's Logic in Romans 3:29-30," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2000.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Matlock, R. Barry, "Dethologizing the PISTIS CHRISTOU Debate: Cautionary Remarks from a Lexical Semantic Perspective," Novum Testamentum, 2000.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Matlock, R. Barry, "'Even the Demons Believe': Paul and pistis Xristou," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2002.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Matlock, R. Barry, "The Rhetoric of PISTIS in Paul: Galatians 2:16, 3:22, Romans 3:22, and Philippians 3:9," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Owen, Paul L., "The 'Works of the Law' in Romans and Galatians: A New Defense of the Subjective Genitive," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Pederson, Sigfred, "Paul's Understanding of the Biblical Law," Novum Testamentum, 2002.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Peterson, Jeffrey, "The Extent of Christian Theological Diversity: Pauline Evidence," Restoration Quarterly, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Piper, John, "The Demonstration of the Righteousness of God in Romans 3:25,26," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1980.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Reno, R.R., "Pride and Idolatry," Interpretation, 2006. (See also, "No Other Gods," issue focus of Interpretation 60.2, 2006.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Reumann, John, "The Gospel of the Righteousness of God," Interpretation, 1966.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Rosin, Robert, "Homiletical Helps on LW Series B," Concordia Journal, 2006. (Section on this text begins on p. 333)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Quarles, Charles L., "From Faith to Faith: A Fresh Examination of the Prepositional Series in Romans 1:17," Novum Testamentum, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Sánchez, M. Leopoldo, "Homiletical Helps on LSB Series A - Epistles," (Romans 1:8-17 begins on page 101), Concordia Journal, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Schumacher, William W., "Homiletical Helps on LSB Series A - Epistles," (Romans 3:21-28 begins on page 102), Concordia Journal, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Snodgrass, Klyne, "Spheres of Influence: A Possible Solution to the Problem of Paul and the Law," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1988.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Talbert, Charles H., "A Non-Pauline Fragment at Romans 3:24-26?" Journal of Biblical Literature, 1966.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Talbert, Charles H., "Paul on the Covenant," Review and Expositor, 1987.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Tobin, Thomas H., S.J., "Controversy and Continuity in Romans 1:18-3:20," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1993.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Waetjen, Herman C., "The Trust of Abraham and the Trust of Jesus Christ: Romans 1:17," Currents in Theology and Mission, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Westerholm, Stephen, "The Righteousness of the Law and the Righteousness of Faith in Romans," Interpretation, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Yarnell, Malcolm, "Christian Justification: A Reformation and Baptist View," Criswell Theological Review, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Reviews:
  • Simon J. Gathercole Where Is Boasting?: Early Jewish Soteriology and Paul's Response in Romans 1-5. Eerdmans, 2002.
    • Review by James P. Sweeney in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
    • Review by Jouette M Bassler in The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2003.
    • Review by Sigurd Grindheim in The Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2004.
    • Review by Douglas Moo, Trinity Journal, 2004.
• Sermons:
  • "Me and My Shadow," "The Penalty Is Too Great for Me to Pay," from a series of sermons on the book of Romans by Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Washington.
  • "I Am Not Ashamed of Jesus Christ," "Mother Teresa: Saved by Grace," Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "A Theology of Baseball," Nancy Becker, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1992.
• With Children:
  • "Pull Yourself Up," Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
  • "A Shot in the Arm," "We All Make Mistakes," and "One at a Time," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
  • "God Gives Us Faith and Makes Us Free," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
• Drama:
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Show Me a Sign, After Eden Cartoons, Dan Lietha, Answers in Genesis.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Romans 1:16, 17; 3:24, 31. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • I Love to Tell the Story
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Romans

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