The Word for Today with Ray: December 2019

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

To God be the Glory through Jesus Christ Romans 16:27

As Paul continued his final words to the believers in Rome, he told them, “ 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”, and in chapter sixteen and verse twenty-seven of Romans Paul told them, “to God only wise, be glory through Jesus” where we read:

To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

The verse begins, “To God only wise, ...”. The writer began with the words, “to God” which means “toward the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “only wise” or “solely, merely and alone and by Himself skilled, expert, cultivated and learned”. Paul recognized “God” as the “sole and alone” “skilled, expert and cultivated” One.

The verse goes on to say, “... be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” Paul continued with the words, “be glory” which means “exist judgment, view, estimate, praise, honor, splendor and brightness” “through Jesus” “by means of and by” the one whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “Christ” which refers to “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “for ever” or “towards and unto the unbroken age, perpetuity of time and eternity”. “Amen” which means “so it is, so be it and may it be fulfilled”. Paul attributed “splendor and honor” toward God by means of His Son Jesus “for all eternity”, and he punctuated this statement with the phrase “so be it, and let it be so”.

When we meditate upon the words of this verse, we see how all “glory, honor and praise” is to be toward “God Almighty” because of His glorious “eternal” plan of “salvation” through His Son Jesus. God designed and fulfilled His plan, and Paul declared it. Those who have read through the words of this letter to the Romans have discovered the “glorious” “grace of God”, and when His “unmerited favor” is known through His Son Jesus, all that is necessary to be “saved” is to “believe, receive and trust” in Him. “So be it, and let it be so!”

Next time we shall begin a new study in the book of “Revelation”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

The Gospel Made Manifest to All Nations Romans 16:26

As Paul continued his final words to the believers in Rome, he declared, “Now to him that is of power to establish 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”, and in chapter sixteen and verse twenty-six of Romans Paul shared how the “preaching” of the gospel is “manifest” so, “God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith” where we read:

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:

The verse begins, “But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, ...”. The writer began with the word, “but now” which means “moreover and at this present moment and time” “is made manifest” or “made visible and known what was hidden and unknown whether by words, deeds or any other way”, “and by” which means “and through means of” “the scriptures” or “the Holy Writ or a certain portion or section of the Holy Scripture” “of the prophets” which means “pertaining to a fore-teller of prophecy”. Paul shared how the “hidden message” of the gospel was at that time “revealed” as prophesied in the “Holy Scriptures”.

The verse continues, “... according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:” Paul added the words, “according” which means “down from, through out, toward and along” “to the commandment” which refers to “toward the injunction and mandate” “of the everlasting God” which means “pertaining to the without beginning and end, always been and always will be, never ceasing Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “made known” or “recognized, gained knowledge of and certified” “to all nations” which means “toward each, every, the whole and everyone of the companies, troops, people groups or tribes” “for the obedience” or “toward compliance and submission” “of faith” which means “the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ”. Paul shared how it was the “commandment” of the “eternal and never ending” God to have “every nation” know His “good news” so they might “obey” by belief and trust”.

When we consider the words of this verse, we see how it was and is the “will of God” to have everyone know the “gospel of Jesus Christ”. The “good news” of salvation through Jesus is to be shared with “every nation” so they may have opportunity to “believe and trust” in Him. God's “commandment” was and is to have His “gospel” available, and Paul was a prophetic agent for fulfilling the spread of the gospel throughout the world.

Next time we finish the book of Romans as Paul declares, “to God only wise, be glory”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

The Power of the Gospel to Establish Romans 16:25

As Paul the apostle continued his final words to the believers in Rome, he told them, “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”, and in chapter sixteen and verse twenty-five of Romans Paul shared with the believers about, “the power to establish you according to my gospel” where we read:

Now to him that is of power to establish 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,

The verse begins, “Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, ...”. The writer began with the word, “now” which means “moreover and” “to him that is of power” or “to the one who is able by virtue of his own ability and resources, state of mind, favorable circumstances or permission of law or custom” “to establish you” or “to make the believers in Rome stable, firm, set fast, fixed, strengthened, constant and confirmed” “according” which means “down from, through out, toward and along” “to my gospel” or “Paul's glad tidings and good news of salvation through Jesus Christ”. Paul referred to the one who is “capable and able” to make the believers in Rome to be “stable and confirmed” by Paul's “good news of salvation”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,” Paul added the words, “and the preaching” which means “and the heralding and proclaiming” “of Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “Christ” which refers to “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”, “according to” which means “down from, through out, toward and along” “the revelation” or “the laying bare, the disclosure of truth concerning things before unknown” “of the mystery” which means “pertaining to the hidden, secret and unknown purpose or counsel”, “which was kept secret” or “that was hidden and unknown” “since the world began” or “from the time begun whether short or long”. Paul referred to the “power to establish” the believers in Rome through the heralding of “Jesus Christ” which before was “hidden and secret”.

When we think through the words of this verse, we see how he referred once again to the presentation of the “good news” of Jesus Christ which was “hidden and secret” since the beginning of the world. When man “sinned” in the garden of Eden, (See Genesis 3: ) he became separated from a relationship with God. Since that time God set forth a plan to send His Son Jesus as the “Savior and Lord” who would pay the price for the “sins” of the world and restore the relationship with Himself. Paul's commission was to “herald” or “preach” this message to everyone, and those who put their “faith and trust” in Jesus shall not only be “saved” and “established” but shall also receive “everlasting life”.

Next time Paul tells the believers in Rome how the gospel was, “made manifest....to all nations for the obedience of faith”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Monday, December 30, 2019

The Grace of Jesus with You All Romans 16:24

As Paul continued his final words to the believers in Rome, he shared concerning, “Gaius my host, and of the whole church, salutes you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city salutes you, and Quartus a brother.” In chapter sixteen and verse twenty-four of Romans Paul shared about, “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all” where we read:

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

The verse begins, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ ...”. The writer began with the words, “the grace” which means “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness and unmerited favor” “of our Lord” or “pertaining to he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah” “Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “Christ” which refers to “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”. Paul employed God's “unmerited favor” through His Son Jesus as a reiteration of the theme of this letter to the believers in Rome.

The verse goes on to say, “... be with you all. Amen.” Paul added the words, “be with” which means “come alongside and after” “you all” or “each, every, the whole and everyone of the believers in Rome”. “Amen” which means “so it is, so be it and may it be fulfilled”. Paul desired for God's “unmerited favor” to be upon “every one” of the believers in Rome.

When we meditate upon the words of this verse, we see how he incorporated the theme of “God's grace” into his benedictory words to the believers in Rome. God's “unmerited favor” though His Son Jesus Christ is the only way anyone receives eternal life with God, and those who are wise shall not only be aware of the “grace of God”, but also cling to it for all the days of their lives. “Amen” or “let it be so!”

Next time Paul tells the believers in Rome, “now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Gaius, Erastus and Quartus Romans 16:23

As we read the latest verse in the letter to the Roman believers, we learned that, “Tertius” “wrote this epistle”, and he “saluted” the believers in Rome “in the Lord.” In chapter sixteen and verse twenty-three of Romans Paul shared about, “Gaius, Erastus and Quartus” where we read:

Gaius my host, and of the whole church, salutes you.

Erastus the chamberlain of the city salutes you, and Quartus a brother.

The verse begins, “Gaius my host, and of the whole church, salutes you.”. The writer began with the word, “Gaius” whose name means “lord” and was “a Macedonian who accompanied Paul in his travels, a man from Derbe who went with Paul from Corinth in his last journey to Jerusalem or a man of Corinth who was his host in his second sojourn in that city” “my host” or “Paul's one who received and entertains another hospitably or with whom he stays or lodges”, “and of the whole church” or “and pertaining to all and the complete assembly or gathering of people for worship in a religious meeting”, “salutes you” which means “greets, bids welcome, wishes well and receives joyfully the believers in Rome”. Paul's “one with whom he lodged”, “Gaius”, sent his greeting to the believers in Rome as well.

The verse continues, “Erastus the chamberlain of the city salutes you, and Quartus a brother.” Paul added the word, “Erastus” whose name means “beloved” and was “a companion of the apostle Paul and the public treasurer of Corinth” “the chamberlain” or “the manager of household affairs, steward, superintendent and overseer” “of the city” which means “pertaining to the place where one lives” “salutes you” or “greets, bids welcome, wishes well and receives joyfully the believers in Rome”, “Quartus” whose name means “fourth” and was “a Roman who is mentioned among the seventy disciples, and said to be bishop of Berytus” “a brother” or “of the same parents or a fellow countryman”. Paul recognized “Erastus” who was the “city manager, steward and overseer” and his fellow countryman “Quartus” who also “greeted” the believers in Rome.

When we meditate upon the words of this verse, we see how there were more men whom he desired for the believers to be greeted. “Gaius” hosted Paul, and “Erastus” the city overseer bid welcome to the believers in Rome as did “Quartus”. Once again this is an example of the family of God caring for one another because they have received Jesus Christ as their “Savior and Lord”, and regardless of whether they hold “high” offices in the public or not, all believers are united together in Jesus Christ.

Next time Paul tells the believers in Rome, “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Tertius Who Wrote This Epistle Romans 16:22

Paul the apostle continued his final words to the believers in Rome, as he told them, “Timothy my work-fellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you”, and in chapter sixteen and verse twenty-two of Romans we learn about, “Tertius, who wrote this epistle” where we read:

I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

The verse begins, “I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, ...”. The writer began with the words, “I Tertius” which means “third” and was “amanuensis of Paul in writing the epistle to the Romans”, “who wrote” which means “who delineated or formed letters on a tablet, parchment, paper or other material” “this epistle” or “this letter”. “Tertius” was the actual physical writer of the letter to the Romans.

The verse goes on to say, “... salute you in the Lord.” Paul continued with the words, “salute you” which means “greet, bid welcome, wish well and receive joyfully” “in the Lord” or “within he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”. “Tertius” “greeted and bid welcome” to the believers in Rome.

When we consider the words of this verse, we may be startled at first that “Tertius” was the actual writer of this letter. However, if we recognize him as a “stenographer or secretary” of Paul, we discover that Paul dictated this letter to him and “Tertius” did the actual penning of the “epistle”. We must keep in mind that the true author of these thoughts is God Almighty, and He through the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to dictate the words within it. God desires for all people to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ, and by His grace or “unmerited favor”, people can be saved. “Terius” was used by Paul who was used by God, and those who read these words are the beneficiaries of all of them.

Next time Paul tells the believers in Rome, “Gaius my host, and of the whole church, salute you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Timothy, Lucius, Jason and Sosipater Romans 16:21

As Paul the apostle continued his final words to the believers in Rome, he told them, “the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly”, and he added, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” In chapter sixteen and verse twenty-one of Romans, Paul mentioned four more of his companions, “Timothy, Lucius, Jason and Sosipater” where we read:

Timothy my work-fellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

The verse begins, “Timothy my work-fellow, and Lucius, and Jason, ...” Paul began with the word, “Timothy” whose name means “honoring God” and was “a resident of Lystra apparently whose father was a Greek and mother a Jewess; he was Paul's traveling companion and fellow laborer” “my work-fellow” which means “Paul's companion in work and helper”, “and Lucius” whose name means “light, bright or white” and was “a man from Cyrene who was a prophet and a teacher of the church in Antioch (Acts 13:1)”, “and Jason” whose name means “one who will heal” and was “a Thessalonian who entertained Paul and Silas and may be a cousin of Paul”. Paul wrote concerning “Timothy” who was his protege' in the ministry as well as “Lucius and Jason” who were also with him at this time.

The verse continues, “... and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.” Paul added the words, “and Sosipater” which means “savior of his father” and was “a kinsman or fellow tribesman of Paul”, “my kinsmen” or “Paul's relative by blood or fellow countryman”, “salute you” which means “greet, bid welcome, wish well and receive joyfully the believers in Rome”. Paul acknowledged “Sosipater” who was either his relative or fellow countryman who bid greeting to all of the believers in Rome.

When we think through these words of Paul, we understand the importance of these men to him. He mentioned them by name and wanted the believers in Rome to know of their greeting. This is how the family of God works together. When people come to know Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they become part of God's family, the church, and greetings and welcome are to be the norm among them. “Timothy, Lucius, Jason and Sosipater” were companions of Paul who were worthy of mention, and those who belong to the family of God are valuable and worth “receiving joyfully” today.

Next time we learn about, “Tertius, who wrote this epistle”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.