Romans Study XXXVIII - Historical Stuff

^{Continuing in Romans 15}

Having some difficulty with the last section, I went to Jim McClarty's Romans Study and listened to these parts:

from here

Part 58 - Romans 15:7-16

Part 59 - Romans 15:14-27


In a nutshell, McClarty says that those who did not have the Law (the Gentiles) would accept the gospel, whereas the nation of Israel for the most part would, and were prophesied to, reject it.

I may have been over-thinking it a bit....perhaps not. But I'm willing to leave it for now.

²²For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

Which cause? Let's back up a few verses:

 ²⁰Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

 ²¹But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

For THAT cause. Paul seems to be saying that he has been hindered from coming to Rome so that that he could finish preaching where he was and that someone else had brought the gospel to Rome, not him.

McClarty has something to say in this matter as well, once I revisit it, I will post it here.

 ²³But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

 ²⁴Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

He plans to travel into Spain and wants to stop by in Rome to visit.

 ²⁵But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

 ²⁶For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

Paul apparently had been taking up a collection for the believers in Jerusalem who were now in financial need. Why were the saints in Jerusalem were struggling due to the famine.

 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:27-30)

To help in understanding what is going on, I did consult some of my favorite expositors to get a sense of the historical timeline. This article is very helpful.

An understanding of the chronological order of events in Paul's ministry can be very valuable as a tool for the study of Acts and Paul's epistles. The book of Acts and the epistles of Paul sometimes tell us the length of time between one event and another. However, determining the year in which an event took place can require some research.......the rest

To be quite honest the book of Acts used to bore me senseless, mostly because I had no idea what in the world was going on in most of it. I have been led to look into it more carefully in the past few years and have learned so much! I have much more to learn, though, and figuring out when the epistles fit in with what was going on historically is very important. 

Teeth Revisited

I previously posted about my homemade toothpaste.


I liked the idea a lot and all was going just peachy until one night I noticed that the tube of commercial toothpaste in our bathroom had been moved...I sniffed the Mr.'s toothbrush. AHA! He had defected.

Apparently, it was making his teeth hurt, and to be honest it kind of was mine, too. The kids agreed and now we're looking into something else.

Personally I have really been impressed with clove oil. One drop of clove essential oil in a small bit of water used as a mouthwash is just lovely. It seems to be helping my tooth sensitivity. I then just brush with water after using that.

So it's back to the drawing board, I guess. I have still been using the baking soda thing on occasion, but have switched to the clove oil or just plain water and brush OR soap...yeah that's right. I found some really good unscented olive oil soap and do use this, too. It really does work.

Teeth reenamalize when clean. TO MAKE TEETH CLEAN ONE BRUSHES WITH ANY BAR SOAP. (There are good toothpastes at the health food stores. Check the ingredients before buying. Don't get anything with glycerine in it.) Soap washes off in just 2 rinses. What about toothpastes? Glycerine in all tooth pastes is so sticky that it takes 27 washes to get it off. Teeth brushed with any toothpaste are coated with a film and CANNOT PROPERLY REENAMELIZE. more....

What's the best toothpaste? According to The Center for Natural Dentistry: none.

The best toothpaste is…

There are none. That’s right.

While most people think that toothpaste is the key to better oral hygiene, then you’re not listening to the hygienist or dentist during your checkups.

It is all about technique. Technique people!  read on....

I'm not so sure I can sell the kids on soap, but I'm definitely not going back to the fluoridated stuff. Maybe I'll see what the health food store has.

A Time of Thanksgiving

Saturday Stuff

The weather has been perfect for the last several days...a taste of summer. It's going away though..sigh.

That is a funky cloud.

Another turtle showed up at our house...this time a teeny weeny one:)

It's not a great picture, but it's so small my daughter is holding it in her hand..how cute is that?

I certainly think it is a bit cuter than this one:

Hey there!

I wonder if they are going to form a band?

So anyway here is something I saw on the meetup this week. W E I R D:

I haven't seen that movie he speaks of, but I have noticed that no one seems to be talking about Japan anymore. It is amazing how fast we move on...when those people will be effected with this for years to come.

In other news, don't forget Judgement Day is next weekend. Put it on your calenders. Linda writes a heartfelt post about this sort of thing here.

And finally, for a larf...

Romans Study XXXVII - They That Have Not Heard Shall Understand

* This is a re-post. Blogger was down and my post and your comments are gone.


 Continuing in Romans 15


Some of this is difficult to figure out...I'll do the best I can:)

 ¹³Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

I have joy and peace in believing. It is never always smooth sailing, but I do have the ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ joy
 joy joy joy♫ ♪ ♫ ♪...well you know the rest.

 ¹⁴And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

He seems to believe that the group at Rome are mature, able to self-govern so to speak.

 ¹⁵Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,

 ¹⁶That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

 Paul makes the point once again that he is the apostle ("sent one") to the Gentiles.  (See Acts 15 and Galatians 2).

 ¹⁷I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
 ¹⁸For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
 ¹⁹Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
 ²⁰Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

 As best as I can tell, Paul seems to be saying that someone else had founded this particular group of believers in Rome. But who was it? I personally doubt that it was Peter, since Paul doesn't mention him at all in the closing of this letter and for other reasons with I don't wish to get into now.

 ²¹But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

It is written here:

So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for [that] which had not been told them shall they see; and [that] which they had not heard shall they consider. Isaiah 52:15

 ???

This is tough. Along with praying for wisdom of course, I will consult some commentaries for some clarity here.

Stay tuned...