Search the Scriptures Live

"Love is the fulfillment of the Law." St. Paul brackets his statements of advice for the Roman Christians by returning to the subject of love. It is easy to talk about love or to believe that we are loving toward our fellow human beings. But what do the holy Fathers tell us about how this commandment to love ought to be demonstrated in the ordinary situations of daily life?

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities." The first few verses of Romans 13 are the basis for what has traditionally been called "the Divine Right of Kings." On the basis of this section of Romans, monarchs claimed that worldly powers received their authority from God, and for that reason, the populace was obligated to obey them. The question of the relationship between Christians and the government continues to provoke debate, no less than during the recent COVID pandemic. Did Paul really intend this verse to be taken literally and expect us to passively comply with all government directives?

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities." The first few verses of Romans 13 are the basis for what has traditionally been called "the Divine Right of Kings." On the basis of this section of Romans, monarchs claimed that worldly powers received their authority from God, and for that reason, the populace was obligated to obey them. The question of the relationship between Christians and the government continues to provoke debate, no less than during the recent COVID pandemic. Did Paul really intend this verse to be taken literally and expect us to passively comply with all government directives?

We will continue discussing Paul's words of encouragement in Romans 12. After his description of spiritual gifts and how they ought to be used both within the community and to help those outside the Church, he turns his attention to address how we ought to react to those who oppose us. This passage contains one of the most peculiar verses in Romans: that by being kind even to one's enemy, we thereby "heap burning coals on his head." This strange comment has resulted in much confusion. But it leads into another very controversial statement about the role of government and political authority, often called "the divine right of kings." Are we required to submit to political authority?

The final chapters of Romans are among the most poetic and inspirational passages of the entire Bible. As we continue our deep dive into Romans 12, we will uncover the richness and power of Paul's pastoral instructions and the patristic application to our lives.

"Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." This famous verse introduces a new section of Romans which focuses on Christian phronema: our lifestyle and manner of thought. What do the Orthodox mean by terms like "illumination" and "sanctification" and "deification"? How do such terms relate to Paul's instructions in Romans 12 and elsewhere in Romans about the correct Christian attitude and way of life?

Paul has finished his discussion of the future of the Jewish people and their role in the plan of salvation. Now, in Chapter 12, he begins a new section of Romans, a new section of the letter, the "paranesis" which contains many of the most memorable passages of Romans. Paul began by telling us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed. What did he mean by that?

Paul struggled to understand why his own people rejected the Messiah. His conclusion was surprising: it was part of the plan of God that the Jewish people did not accept the Christ. Why? And does this mean that they had no choice? What will happen to the Jews in the future? Join us as we continue in the book of Romans with a discussion of chapter11 and conclude Paul's thoughts on the Jewish rejection of Jesus.

What did Paul mean that Jesus became "a curse"? Does that mean that he was cursed by God? If we are saved by faith, How do we know what the Bible means by "faith"? Is it intellectual conviction or something more than that? Join us as we continue our discussion of Romans 9 to 11 and St. Paul's thoughts on the question of Jewish unbelief in Jesus.

After years of evangelization, in Romans 9 Paul expresses his deep anguish over the fact that most Jews have not accepted Jesus as the Messiah. Since the Messiah was promised to the Jewish people and God is faithful to His promises, why did most Jews reject the Lord's Messiah?