Wages and Gift

Rom 6:19-23

19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• What attitudes and behaviors remain in your life that you are ashamed of?
  
• What perceived benefit do you receive from keeping these shameful things in your life?
  
• What is the outcome of remaining enslaved to these things?
  
• What is the outcome of your being enslaved to God?
  
• Why is death considered a wage?
  
• Why is eternal life considered a gift?
  
• In purely selfish terms, which is worth more to you: eternal life or the sins that you hang on to?
• How does being a slave to righteousness lead to your sanctification, i.e. your being set apart?
• What is the endpoint of sanctification?
  

Slaves

Rom 6:15-20

15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, [1] you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

Footnotes
[1] 6:16 Greek bondservants. Twice in this verse and verse 19; also once in verses 17, 20

• What do you feel when you hear the phrase "you are slaves ..."?
  
• What does it mean to be a slave to sin?
  
• What does it mean to be a slave to righteousness?
  
• What does it mean to be free from sin?
  
• What does it mean to be free from righteousness?
  
• Since no one can truly serve two masters, which will you choose to be: a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness?

Harold's Musings
In the Law of Moses, a Jew who had been the slave of another Jew had to be set free after working for six years. If the slave loved the master and did not want to go free, he was to present himself to the master and make his desire known. The master would take the slave to the doorpost of the master's house and make a hole in the slave's ear for an earring. The slave would now be a slave for life, but by his choice. (see Ex. 21:1-6, Deut 15:12-18). Do we really see ourselves as slaves to righteousness? How about we are friends of righteousness? Maybe we are acquaintances of righteousness?

Dead to sin

Rom 6:10-14

10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

• How might our ignorance of monarchies and their methods hamper our understanding of words like reign, present, master, and obey?
  
• Why should you not let sin reign in your mortal body?
  
• What is involved with obeying something or someone?
  
• What lusts do you find it easy to obey?
  
• How does a lust tell you what to do?
  
• To what sins do you present your physical self?
  
• How do you do you present your physical self to these sins?
  
• How do you present yourself to God?
  
• How does grace change your behavior?

Dead and resurrected

Rom 6:4-11

4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self [1] was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free [2] from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Footnotes
[1] 6:6 Greek man
[2] 6:7 Greek has been justified

• How was your baptism like death and resurrection for you?
  
• Was your baptism mostly a theological, ceremonial, or life-changing event?
  
• What were the results of your old self being crucified with Jesus?
  
• What sins were you a slave to before baptizm?
  
• What sins are trying to maintain a hold on you?
  
• How is living to God seen in you?
  
• What does it mean to be alive to God in Christ Jesus?

Grace, not sin

Rom 5:20-6:4

5:20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

• Why is sin so tempting even when you know the results in this life and beyond?
  
• What would happen to you if you tried to be subject to two very different earthly kings? Why?
  
• Why would you ever say "sin so grace can be larger"? What would the opposite statement be?
  
• What does it mean to you personally to die to sin?
  
• How did your decision to be baptized your decision to change?
  
• How can you have a "new life" unless you die to your "old life"?
  
• What changes in your life were prompted by your decision to be baptized?

Transgression and Grace

Rom 5:17-21

17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as one trespass [1] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness [2] leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes
[1] 5:18 Or the trespass of one
[2] 5:18 Or the act of righteousness of one

• What does the word "reign" mean?
  
• How did death reign? Who were its subjects? What was the result?
  
• What is the grace that is given abundantly?
  
• What is the gift of righteousness that is given abundantly?
  
• How does grace reign?
  
• Whose act of righteousness provided the means for grace to reign?
  
• What is the result of grace's reign?
  
• How does knowing this impact you?

Sin and Death

Rom 5:12-16

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.

• What was the long standing result of sin?
  
• How did the Law change mankind's approach to sin?
  
• How did the Law change the result of sin?
  
• What were the consequences of Adam's sin?
  
• What were the consequences of Jesus' death and sacrifice?
  
• Why is justification so important?

Harold's Musings
I know a lot of people use this passage to prove that there is original sin. I have a very difficult time with the concept of original sin. I know from Genesis 3 that what man did was learn the difference from good and evil thereby forcing mankind to choose to do good versus evil. Since Jesus was the only person to make all the right choices all the time, we all sin by our choice not from some taint that comes from Adam. We are tempted by our desires and choose to obtain what we desire through avenues that God does not allow. Make the right choices out there today, not excuses.

Undeserved help

Rom 5:6-11

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person— though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

• Who in your life would you be totally willing to die for? Why?
  
• Who in your life would you be totally unwilling to die for? Why?
  
• How are helplessness and hopelessness similar and dissimilar?
  
• From this passage, what were we before Christ's sacrifice?
  
• What feelings do you have when you are told that:
  = you are helpless
  = you are a sinner
  = you are God's enemy
  
• How frequently do you feel helpless before God? Why or why not?
  
• How frequently do you feel that your relationship with God is strained? What causes these times?
  
• How does believing this passage to be true change your life?

Building character

Rom 5:1-5

5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we [1] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith [2] into this grace in which we stand, and we [3] rejoice [4] in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Footnotes
[1] 5:1 Some manuscripts let us
[2] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit by faith
[3] 5:2 Or let us; also verse 3
[4] 5:2 Or boast; also verses 3, 11

• How frequently do you rejoice because of your troubles?
  
• Which would you most commonly want: Christian growth or comfort?
  
• How do troubles and tribulations result in perseverance and endurance?
  
• How does perseverance and endurance in result in proven character?
  
• How does proven character result in hope?
  
• How often do your hopes disappoint?
  
• What is different about this hope?
  
• Why is hope at the beginning and the end of the list?
  
• What does it take to endure life?
  
• What do you have that non-Christians do not?

Justified by faith

Rom 4:23-5:2

23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we [1] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith [2] into this grace in which we stand, and we [3] rejoice [4] in hope of the glory of God.

Footnotes
[1] 5:1 Some manuscripts let us
[2] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit by faith
[3] 5:2 Or let us; also verse 3
[4] 5:2 Or boast; also verses 3, 11

• Why was Jesus delivered up?
  
• Why was Jesus raised?
  
• How does our justification symbolized by Jesus' resurrection?
  
• What was the result of your justification by faith? How important is this to you?
  
• How and through whom where you introduced into grace?
  
• How frequently do you hope in the glory of God? What does this mean to you?
  
• How does your hope in God's glory relate to the faith by which you are justified?

Faith and Law

Rom 4:13-22

13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring —not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness."

• Why does it seem that justification by faith has no requirements?
  
• Is justification by faith based on a single event or an entire life?
  
• How does hope play a role in a life of faith?
  
• What was the result of Abraham's faith?
  
• Did Abraham and Sarah have Issac without any action of their own?
  
• What was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness: his "knowing" that there would be a child or his "acting out his faith"?
  
• What things do you believe that you do not act on in faith?

Justified by what?

Rom 4:1-8

4:1 What then shall we say was gained by [1] Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in [2] him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

Footnotes
[1] 4:1 Some manuscripts say about
[2] 4:5 Or but trusts; compare verse 24

• What does it mean to be justified?
  
• What is justification by works?
  
• What is involved in believing God? How is this different from believing in God?
  
• Which do you feel more grateful for: your regular paycheck or an unexpected gift of something you really need?
  
• If God were grading you on your works, what do you think your grade would be?
  
• As a believer in Christ, what is your real grade?

Boasting and Faith

Rom 3:27-31

27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

• Which is more appealing to you: works-oriented Christianity or faith-oriented Christianity? Why?
  
• What are the "risks" of a works-orientation?
  
• To whom might you boast about your good works?
  
• Who have you "judged" in the last year because their works do not match your own?
  
• How do you measure someone's faith? Is your observation of their works an accurate measure?
  
• Who is real judge? What measure does He use?

All fall short

Rom 3:19-26

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being [1] will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Footnotes

[1] 3:20 Greek flesh

• When have you done something and later found out it was wrong? How did you feel?
  
• What was the purpose of the Law of Moses?
  
• What problem did the Law of Moses leave us with?
  
• Who could be considered righteous under the Law of Moses?
  
• How can a person be righteous now?
  
• What is involved in having faith in Jesus Christ?

External or internal

Rom 2:25-3:2

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded [1] as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code [2] and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.3:1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.

Footnotes

[1] 2:26 Or counted
[2] 2:27 Or the letter

• Which is more important to you: outward appearances or inner character? What percentage would you assign to each?
  
• What church-related outward appearance do you maintain because you believe others expect it of you?
  
• What requirement of God do you not keep because no other person will know about it?
  
• At what point do the expectations of others become your personal guidelines?

Law of Moses

Rom 2:17-24

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

• Although this passage is about Jews and the Law of Moses, what does it say to you and your Christian walk?
  
• What areas of Christian life are you willing to preach, teach, discuss, argue, or just know but are not willing to do?
  
• How does knowing how to obey God but also knowing you don't obey God affect your willingness to teach, etc.?
  
• When might the name of God have been blasphemed among unbelievers because of your actions?

Having the law

Rom 2:11-16

11 For God shows no partiality. 12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

• Why is it important for you to know that God is not partial?
  
• What law is Paul talking about here?
  
• Who is justified before God?
  
• What was the difference between the Jew and Gentile stated here?
  
• How far can you extend the "I just knew in my heart it was the right thing to do" approach to life?
  
• What criteria do you use to determine what your thoughts and behavior will be?
  
• What criteria will God use to judge your thoughts and behavior?

Judgment is coming

Rom 2:5-11

5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking [1] and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.

Footnotes
[1] 2:8 Or contentious

• What is the outcome of those who obey the truth?
  
• What is the outcome of those who do not obey the truth?
  
• What attitudes result in punishment?
  
• What do stubbornness, unrepentant heart, and selfish ambition have in common?
  
• What will be the basis of God's judgment?
  
• Why is repentance so important in facing God's judgment?