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

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

• Brief introduction about St. Paul
  
  

  • Roman Citizen: Born a Roman citizen, enabling safe travel and legal protection.
    
    

  • Greek education: Born in Tarsus, major center of Greek learning, exposure to Greek philosophy.
    
    

  • Jewish heritage: Adhering to Jewish law and traditions and studied under Rabbi Gamaliel in Jerusalem

  • 1st Journey (44 AD, 2 years):
    
    

  • Asia Minor (Turkey), with Barnabus and St. Mark.
    
    

  • After this journey, a council is held among the apostles and elders of the church in Jerusalem to determine that the gentile converts need not submit to the Law of Moses regarding circumcision.
    
    

  • 2nd Journey (51 AD, 3 years):
    
    

  • Mainly in Macedonia (Greece), with Silas and Luke.
    
    

  • 2 Epistles: 1 & 2 Thessalonians.
    
    

  • 3rd Journey (54 AD, 4 years):
    
    

  • Asia minor and Macedonia
    
    

  • 4 Epistles: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians.
    
    

  • 4th Journey (Rome):
    
    

  • 8 Epistles: 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, Hebrews.
    
    

• The Lord said to him: "I will send you far from here to the Gentiles" (Acts 22:21)
  
  

• Unmarried: “For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that." 1 Corinth 7:7
  
  

• His early preparation for ministry

• Missionary trips
  
  

• St. Paul wrote 14 epistles out of the 27 books in the New Testament.
  
  

• Known as the Apostle of the Gentiles
  
  

• Received 4 crowns: martyrdom, purity, apostleship, and righteousness.
  
  
  
  

• Introduction:
  
  

  • Author: St. Paul
    
    

  • Written to: believers in Rome
    
    

  • Time of writing:
    
    

    • 58 AD in Corinth, before Paul’s visit to Rome in 62 AD
      
      

  • Purpose of the book
    
    

    • The need for all people, Jews or Gentiles, to be justified by Christ.
      
      

    • How a person can obtain justification and its blessings in life.
      
      

    • The rejection of faith by many Jews is temporary, but some will return to faith in Christ after the Gentiles accept the faith.
      
      

    • Basic teachings for practical Christian living.
      
      

    • Care for those weak in faith and encourage them
      
      

• Outline
  
  

  • The apostolic blessing and encouragement of the believers (Chapter 1).
    
    

  • The need for all humanity to be justified by Christ, how they can receive it, and its blessings (Chapters 2–8).
    
    

  • God chose the Gentiles just as He did to the Jews, who rejected Him but they will repent at the end of days (Chapters 9–11).
    
    

  • Practical commandments for Christian behavior (Chapters 12–15).
    
    

  • Paul’s fatherly care and his greetings to his beloved friends (Chapter 16).
    
    

• Reading:
  
  

  • Chapter 12-14
    
    

• Resources:
  
  

  • Bible Explanation of the Epistle to Romans - Fr. Daoud Lamei English

  • The Epistle to Romans by Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty- English

• Key verse:
  
  

  • “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. for if we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore we live or die, we are the Lord's." Romans 14:7-7
    
    

• Comments: Chapter 12

1. • 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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8. Homework
   
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