Unit 5: Pauline 2

Week 1: God's plan for Israel and the Gentiles

Week 1: God's plan for Israel and the Gentiles

    • Paul's sorrow over the unbelief of the Jews (Romans 9:1-5)

      • St. Paul declares in this chapter his sorrow over the Jews who didn't believe.

      • Verse 3: "For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ .." Paul’s words should not be taken literally; he certainly does not wish to be separated from Christ. He said before in the previous chapter "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?". He demonstrates his deep love for the Jews, as he was deeply moved by the sacrificial love of Christ the Redeemer on the cross.
        • Contemplation: If God has granted you circumstances that support your spiritual life, take advantage of them and rejoice in your sonship to God, lest neglecting them stand as a witness against you on the last day. Use every opportunity and respond to the voice of God today to draw closer to Him.

    • God's Promise Is for the Chosen Only (Romans 9: 6:13)

      • God's promise is only for the true spiritual Israelite, the one who will be united with Christ.
      • The promise is not for all the physical descendants of Abraham. The proof of this is that:
        • Ishmael was also a son of Abraham by the flesh, yet he did not receive the promise like Isaac, who remained steadfast in faith like his father.
        • Jacob and Esau, twin brothers from the same parents, Isaac and Rebekah. God chose Jacob because he loved and sought to please Him.
      • The children of God doesn't refer to physical descent from Abraham, but faith and adherence to God's promises.
      • The choice to be children of God is based on God's grace, not our renthouse deeds, since no one deserve that honor by work alone.

    • God's choice and human free will (Romans 9:14-29):

      • God choice of one person over another does not mean that God is unjust, but It is based on His foreknowledge.

      • Therefore, Israel has no right to be angry about God’s choice to include the Gentiles, as His mercy and compassion are His alone, as God.
      • Verse 18 "Whom He wills He harden" means that God used Pharaoh, who was already hard-hearted, and Pharaoh’s actions as an example to demonstrate His anger toward the wicked and His power in avenging them.
      • Just as God chose to have mercy on Jews, He also extended His mercy to Gentiles, making them His people—forming the New Covenant Church alongside Christians of Jewish descent.
      • Contemplation: God endured Pharaoh many times and was patient with the people of Israel for about 2,000 years. In the same way, He is patient with us, giving us every opportunity for repentance. We should be ashamed of His love and quickly turn to Him in repentance.

    • The Cause of justification of the Gentiles and stumbling of the Jews. (Romans 9:30-33)

      • The Gentiles, who lived in darkness have reached justification through faith, but the Jews who spent their lives to fulfill the law failed to because they relied on their work only not their faith.
      • The Israelites stumbled over a "stone," which was the Lord Jesus Christ, who exposed their hypocrisy and rejected their self-righteousness and pride. In the end, they crucified Him, killed Him, and denied His resurrection.
    • The Jews lack spiritual understanding (Romans 10:1-5)
      • The Jews have strong attachment to God and zeal for His name, however this strong zeal lacks spiritual understanding.
      • St. Paul recalls his own past when he was zealous for God and persecuted Christians.
      • The Jews were unaware that the purpose of the Law, sacrifices, and the Old Covenant was to prepare humanity to receive Christ.
    • The Righteousness of Christ is available to everyone (Romans 10: 6-13)
      • Salvation has become accessible through Christ Jesus. We should take advantage of this opportunity by repentance and receiving the Holy Sacraments, which lead to a deeper relationship with God through prayer and daily reading of His Word in the Bible.
      • Our confession of Christ should not be just verbal, But by our good behavior and outward actions, showing that we are children of God.
    • The rejection of the Gospel by the Jews (Romans 10:14-21)
      • It was expected that the Jews would be the first to believe the good news and even participate in proclaiming Christ, just as the apostles did. However, instead of accepting the gospel message, they rejected it and resisted it.
    • The future of the Jews in terms of salvation (Romans 10:1-10)
      • God, who chose Israel as His people, wouldn't reject them even after they crucified and rejected Him. He will always keep His arms open to anyone believes in Him.
      • In verse 4:  7,000 men who have not bowed to Baal. The number seven symbolizes perfection, and 1,000 represents heavenly life—meaning that these 7,000 live in the fullness of heavenly life.
      • Salvation requires both grace and works. Salvation is a gift from God, granted by His grace, but that this grace requires cooperation from the individual through faith, repentance, and good works.
    • God's call to the Jews to believe in Christ (Romans 11:32)
      • St. Paul compares Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to the firstfruits, symbolizing how their holiness sanctifies the Jewish people.
      • He also compares them to the root of a good tree, with the Jewish people being the branches. Those Jews who rejected the faith are like the broken-off branches.
      • The Gentiles are compared to a wild olive tree, which does not bear fruit. However, in His mercy, God grafted them into the cultivated olive tree, making them part of it.
      • Verse 24: Paul declares that the faith and return of the rejecting Jews is not impossible. He explains that if God, in His mercy, was able to graft a wild olive tree (the Gentiles) into the cultivated olive tree, how much easier would it be for God to graft the branches that share the same nature as the original olive tree, meaning the Jews, when they repent.

  2. Review/recap questions

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  1. Homework

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Week 2: A life of love, sacrifice, and submission

Week 2: A life of love, sacrifice, and submission. Chapters 12-14

    • Sanctifying the Body and Mind for a Spiritual Life with God (Romans 12:1-2)

      • We should offer our bodies and minds to God and do everything for the glory of God, while sacrificing and rejecting every desire that contradicts God's commandments.

      • We should not confirm to the ways of the world.

        • The world behaviors and habits are against God's commandments.

        • Know that while you live in the world your principles are different from it.
        • Contemplation: If you have been drawn into some improper actions, you need repentance and the renewal of your mind, so that you may live for the love of God.

    • Types of gifts in the Church (Romans 12: 3:8)

      • The work of service is fundamentally based on trust in God's work, regardless of human limitations.
      • God is a God of order—He established the members of His Church like parts of one body, each with a distinct role and function, different yet complementary. The gifts given to each member are meant for serving others, not for personal pride.
        • Prophecy: Speaking God's truth with faith.
        • Service: Helping and serving others.
        • Teaching: Explaining the word of God
        • Exhortation: Encouraging and strengthening others.
        • Leadership: Administration
        • Mercy: Showing compassion with Joy

    • Virtues in the Christian community (Romans 12:9-21):

        • Sincere love: Genuine love without hypocrisy

        • Rejecting evil: Hating what is evil and cling to what is good
        • Caring for one another
        • Serving the Lord with enthusiasm
        • Joyful, patience, and prayer
        • Sharing with those in need and welcoming them
        • Blessing your enemies
        • Empathy: rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep
        • Humility
        • Avoiding retaliation: Not repaying evil with evil but overcoming it with good.
      • Contemplation: We are called to acquire all these virtues to truly become a children of God.

    • Duties of a Christian Toward Society (Romans 13:1-7)

      • Submission to authority: We are called to submit to authority because they are established by God. Those who resist authority, resist God
      • Respect for rulers: We are called to respect our leaders
      • Obey the law: We are called to obey the laws unless they contradict God's commands.
      • Living peacefully: We are called to live peacefully and responsibly
    • Loving everyone (Romans 13:8-10)
      • Universal Love – Christian love is not limited to friends or fellow believers but extends to all people, reflecting God’s love for the world.
      • If you have fallen into many sins and struggled to resist sin, know that the easiest path is to love everyone.
    • Repent now before time runs out (Romans 13: 11-14)
      • We must reject sinful behaviors and walk in the light of Christ.
      • Put on the Armor of God
        • Ask yourself: Would I commit this sin if people could see me now? And the more important question: Can I commit this sin while God is watching me now?"
    • Accepting the weak in faith (Romans 14:1-12)
      • We should welcome those who are weak in faith without judgment
      • Avoid argument over personal and non essential matters
      • We Live for the Lord – "For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord" (Romans 14:7-8)
    • Do not cause others to stumble (Romans 14:13-23)
      • As children of God, we need to be careful with our actions.
      • For example, (If your father of confession gave you absolution to eat specific food during fasting) don't eat non fasting food in front of others
      • Avoid gossiping and making others to fall into sin
      • Avoid cursing or using hurtful words
      • Don't lie or encouraging others to lie

  2. Review/recap questions

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  1. Homework

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Week 3: A life of love, sacrifice, and submission

Week 3: Unity in Christ

Chapters 15-16

    • The strong in faith is the one who bears with others (Romans 15:1-7)

      • The one who is strong in his faith and love for God gives up what pleases and comforts himself to bears others.

      • If Christ—the holy and perfect one—accepted us, the sinful and impure, despite the big difference between us and Him, how much more should we, as weak and sinful humans, accept our weak brothers with love, no matter their condition or mistakes.

        • Contemplation: Don’t forget your main goal is the salvation of yourself and others. That means loving one another, being patient when someone is struggling, and forgiving each other.
        • For example, be careful with your words. If you or someone in class makes fun of another person or calls them names, that’s not acceptable. Instead of laughing or joining in, choose to be kind and stand up for what’s right.

    • The acceptance of Jews and Gentiles (Romans 15: 8:13)

      • Jews and Gentiles are equal in that Christ served both by offering salvation to all.
      • One of the great mercies of God is that every person is included in His plan of salvation. Even those who were far off.

    • St. Paul praising the people of Rome (Romans 15:14-19):

        • St. Paul wrote this epistle to remind the Romans of some truths of the faith. This is a kind and humble approach from him, as he considers his words to be a reminder to them, since they know everything.

    • St. Paul's desire to visit them (Romans 15:20-33)

      • St. Paul desired many times to visit Rome, but each time he was hindered from going.
      • In humility, he asks them to pray for him, because he was about to face a difficult trial—confronting the unbelieving Jews in Jerusalem.
      • Contemplation: For this reason, the Church always prays for its leaders: the patriarch, bishops, priests, and servants, that the Lord may fulfill their ministry.
    • Greetings from St. Paul to the believers in Rome (Romans 16:1-16)
      • This part reveals the feelings of love between the servants and the believers, as well as Paul’s kindness and appreciation for the servants who assisted him.
      • He sends them peace and love in verse 16 "the Holy kiss", just as the deacon says during the Divine Liturgy, 'Greet one another.' This signifies forgiveness and love, preparing us to welcome Christ's dwelling within us.
    • Warnings about false teachers (Romans 16: 17-20)
      • St. Paul asks the believers to watch carefully, like guards, for anyone who tries to cause divisions or stumbling blocks in the church, in order to preserve the level of love and unity within the church.
    • The conclusion of the epistle (Romans 16:21-27)
      • Tertius, mentioned in Romans 16:22, is the scribe who wrote down the letter to the Romans on behalf of Paul.. Paul did not write it himself due to his eye illness. Therefore, Tertius also sends his greetings to the believers in the Church of Rome.
      • Our loving God allowed the Gentiles to enter through the work of Christ.

  2. Review/recap questions

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  1. Homework

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