Romans 4:1-12 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” (v.3) Paul makes a strong case that Abraham was found righteous by faith (Genesis 15:6, quoted above) while he was still uncircumcised. In the next chapter, Genesis 16:16 puts Abraham at age 86 when Ishmael was …
Author Archives: Fred
June 14 / Romans 3:21-31
Romans 3:21-31 An aside: …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (v. 23). I currently use this verse citation as a password for one of my computer apps. The application requires passwords to contain an upper-case letter, a lower-case letter, a number and a special character. Using Bible verses supports …
June 13 / Romans 3:9-20
Romans 3:9-20 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all… (v. 9a, NASB) This verse strikes me in a number of ways. Debbie commented on yesterday’s reading as to our “levels of sin”, comparing our sins to others’ sins. I’m not a murderer, I’m not a rapist…, etc.! But what we are, every …
June 12 / Romans 3:1-8
Romans 3:1-8 Verse 7 is somewhat confusing: But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? First, let’s take it out of the first-person tense. That is, I don’t think Paul is singling himself out. I think he could just as well have said, …
June 11 / Romans 2:17-29
Romans 2:17-29 A fairly easy read today… If it’s not an easy read, maybe you need another translation! Paul is talking to Jews in today’s reading, even though most of the people in Rome who will receive this letter are Gentiles. He is comparing Jews and Gentiles, by focusing on what he knows as an …
June 10 / Romans 2:1-16
Romans 2:1-16 Archbishop Beach has a daily devotional, “A Word from the Lord” (https://awftl.podbean.com/). In today’s devotional he quotes from our reading today! It’s worth reading, but I’m not going to repeat it here. I’d rather you read it yourself! However, one point that he does make… “You can become cocky and arrogant in your …
June 9 / Romans 1:16-32
Romans 1:16-32 I’m sure many of you have heard of Josh McDowell, a Christian author (Evidence That Demands a Verdict; More Than a Carpenter, etc.) and popular speaker. Years ago (1976, I believe), in my early born-again years I had the pleasure of serving as his driver when he visited the University of Illinois campus. …
June 8 / Romans 1:1-15
Romans 1:1-15 A brief interlude from my Chronological Bible; I include here three verses that we will see later in our readings: After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, …
June 7 / II Cor. 13:1-14
II Corinthians 13:1-14 Paul finishes II Corinthians on a loving note, with a benediction that we have used for years in the Christian Church: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (v. 14) But I think we say “…our …
June 6 / II Cor. 12:14-21
II Corinthians 12:14-21 More frustration and sarcasm from Paul. Verse 16 is particularly telling: But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. He didn’t take money for his labors, so his preaching was diminished (in their eyes), and what he did …