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The Legacy Standard Bible

Beginning on Sunday, December 8, 2024, our Pastor began using the LSB version of the Bible in all of his teaching and preaching. This is the newly updated version of the NASB, which he has been using for a number of years. Here is some information on the LSB for those who would like to learn more. It also explains why Pastor Alan is now using this version of the English Bible.

The Legacy Standard Bible has been produced with the conviction that the words of Scripture as originally penned in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek are the eternal Word of God. The Holy Scriptures speak with authority to each generation, giving wisdom that leads to salvation, that people may serve Christ to the glory of God. Because it is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16), every word of it is inspired, every word is true, and every word must be conveyed to every nation, tribe, people, and tongue (Rev. 7:9), so that every word can be taught and obeyed (Josh. 23:14; Mt. 28:20; Jn. 17:17).

THE FOURFOLD AIM OF THE LOCKMAN FOUNDATION

1. These publications shall be true to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

2. They shall be grammatically correct.

3. They shall be understandable.

4. They shall give the Lord Jesus Christ His proper place, the place which the Word gives Him; therefore, no work will ever be personalized.

PREFACE TO THE LEGACY STANDARD BIBLE

In the history of the English Bible translations, the King James Version is the most well-known. This time-honored version of 1611, itself a revision of the Bishops’ Bible of 1568, became the basis for the English Revised Version, which appeared in 1881 (New Testament) and 1885 (Old Testament). Its American counterpart, a product of both British and American scholarship, was published in 1901. Recognizing the values of the American Standard Version, The Lockman Foundation felt an urgency to preserve the ASV while incorporating recent discoveries of Hebrew and Greek textual sources and rendering it into more current English. This resulted in the New American Standard Bible, a translation based upon the time-honored principles of translation of the ASV and KJV, along with other linguistic tools and biblical scholarship.

The Legacy Standard Bible reflects another iteration of such preservation and refinement. Worked on by a core translation team in conjunction with pastors and educators from different countries, it is designed to honor, maintain, and advance the tradition represented by the NASB.

PRINCIPLES OF TRANSLATION

Key Principles: The Legacy Standard Bible has worked to uphold the style and translational choices of the NASB as much as possible. Even more, it has endeavored to follow through on the NASB’s stated intent to be true to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. While the interpreter, teacher, and pastor have the goal of understanding what the text means, the translator is to provide them with what the text says. Consistently, the goal of this translation is to be a window into the original text. Within that goal, this revision has focused upon accuracy and consistency. It has checked that words and grammar have been carried over properly. It also established rules for the consistent translation of terms within their various nuances. This allows the reader to more easily reconstruct what the original texts said. It also helps the reader more easily trace the flow of argument within a text, identify when the same word is used in another passage, and make connections between texts.

There are limits to the application of this philosophy. In this edition, a word might not be translated consistently in order to maintain a highly familiar rendering of a text or to preserve a wordplay in the text that advances the inspired author’s message. Moreover, because Scripture is a literary masterpiece, some linguistic features could not be transferred to this translation, not even by a note. Nevertheless, ensuring that the original languages are precisely rendered paves the way for careful readers to discover these insights for themselves.

In this way, the LSB upholds the philosophy that a translation does not replace pastors or teachers but rather depends upon faithful believers and the church to study and live out what has been written (Acts 8:30-31). Translation is a tool for the church and must be done in that context so that each word of Scripture may be taught and lived.

Modern English Usage: The attempt has been made to render the grammar and terminology in contemporary English. When word-for-word literalness was determined unacceptable to the modern reader; a change was made in the direction of a more current English idiom. In the instances where this has been done, the more literal rendering has been indicated in the notes. There are a few exceptions to this procedure. Of note, while an effort has been made to incorporate conjunctions as much as possible, the conjunction “and” is occasionally not translated at the beginning of sentences because of differences in style between ancient and modern writing. Punctuation is a relatively modern invention, and ancient writers often linked most of their sentences with “and” or other connectives.

Alternate Readings: In addition to the more literal renderings, notations have been made to include readings of variant manuscripts, explanatory equivalents of the text, and alternate translations that may bring out a play on words difficult to maintain in the text. These notations have been used specifically to assist the reader in comprehending the terms used by the original author.

THE COMMITMENTS OF THE LEGACY STANDARD BIBLE

The Legacy Standard Bible aspires to be a legacy preserved – to uphold the work and tradition that is found in translations from the KJV, ASV, to NASB.

The Legacy Standard Bible aspires to be a legacy performed – to advance the commitments of past translations by bringing forth features of the original text relative to accuracy and consistency.

The Legacy Standard Bible aspires to be a legacy passed on – to equip generations to study Scripture and continue the philosophy of being a window.
~ The Lockman Foundation

For additional information we recommend you contact The Lockman Foundation -- https://www.lockman.org/legacy-standard-bible-lsb/

PAUL ENCOURAGES THE PHILIPPIANS

Selected Scriptures from the LSB

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PAUL ENCOURAGES THE PHILIPPIANS

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we look at the subject of joy from the joyful book of Philippians this morning, show us what it means to always rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances. You promise in Jeremiah 29:11 that Your plans for us are to prosper, and not to harm us. They are plans to give us hope and a future. Lord, sometimes unexpected answers to our prayers surprise us, and our joy dwindles as we attempt to have everything make sense. But, Lord, You alone know the future. Your answers to our prayers are always good, in keeping with Your will, and always right on time. May we find rest as You always fill us with joy, thanksgiving, and praise, regardless of our circumstances. We come before You with open hearts ready to receive the truth from Your holy Word. May today’s message provide the precise encouragement we need to live more Christlike lives. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Introduction: Last Sunday and on Wednesday, we looked at three of Paul’s prison epistles, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. Specifically, we looked at the put off/put on principle and Paul’s practical examples of sanctification. As children of God, we have died to sin and been raised with Jesus to a new life. But we must continue to seek the things above, putting to death the desires of the flesh as the Holy Spirit works to transform us into the image of Christ.
Today, we’re going to look at the last of the prison epistles Paul wrote during his house arrest in Rome – the joyful book of Philippians.

Philippians is an interesting letter because Paul’s tone seems somewhat out of place, considering his circumstances when he wrote it. He was imprisoned because of the hatred and false allegations of the Jews. His own people had tried to kill him, and he was taken into Roman custody for his own safety. Then, because of corrupt rulers and political games, he remained imprisoned for two years, before experiencing a shipwreck on his way to Rome, and another two years under house arrest. But Paul’s letter to the Philippians is characterized by joy and thanksgiving. In order to understand the letter to the Philippians, we need to understand the concept of biblical joy.

I. DEFINITION OF JOY (Philemon 7; Jas. 1:2-3; 3 Jn. 4; Gal. 5:22; Rom. 15:13)

The word “joy” is used in Philippians 5 times, and the companion word “rejoice” is found 9 times. In Philippians, joy is connected to praying for others, fellowship, the proclamation of Christ, deliverance, progress in faith, unity of the believers, sacrificial service, suffering, and the Lord Himself. Let’s take a moment to look at what some other NT passages tell us about reasons to be joyful.

[READ Philemon 7]

7 For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

This verse informs us that joy comes from fellowship with other believers and being refreshed in heart and spirit.

[READ James 1:2-3]

2 Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance.
James is saying we should find joy in trials.

[READ 3 Jn. 4]

4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
John says we should experience joy when we know that other believers are walking in the truth.

[READ Gal. 5:22]

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
We’ve looked at this familiar passage identifying the fruit of the Spirit quite a lot recently. Paul reminds us that joy comes from the Holy Spirit as fruit in the Christian life.

[READ Rom. 15:13]

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In this verse, Paul explains that joy is given by God and is connected to the hope that comes from believing in Jesus.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.”

I suppose this definition is a decent one, but it definitely could use some tweaking. First, biblical joy is not mere emotion. Although it can be linked to feelings of cheerfulness, it is often referred to as a choice or action that is independent of circumstances. Joy may be better defined as a state of being. To rejoice is to enjoy a state of well-being or gladness. The strength of Merriam-Webster’s definition is found in the second part: the “prospect of possessing what one desires.” The apostles clearly found joy in the hope (the confident expectation based on God’s character and promises) of future glory and eternal life with God.

Joy is a complicated topic, and this side of heaven we may never be able to settle on a perfect definition. But we can determine that joy is not dependent on pleasant circumstances. Additionally, joy is often found on behalf of others. The apostles rejoiced when other believers were strengthened in their faith. Joy also seems to characterize the faithful Christian walk and is relationally based (both among the church and between the believer and Christ).

The Bible has much more to say, but now that we’ve got some basic ideas about how it presents joy, let’s jump into our study of the joyful epistle.

II. JOY IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES (Phil. 1:9-11, 12-26, 3:7-14)

Philippians 1:9-11 serves as a summary of the letter and even Paul’s entire ministry.

[READ Phil. 1:9-11]

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in full knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and without fault until the day of Christ, 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Notice, Paul prays for the believers’ love to abound more and more, as well as their knowledge and discernment. Why did Paul pray that these attributes would abound in them? Look at verse 10 -- so they would be sinless and without fault when Christ returns on the day of judgment. Is Paul saying, then, that simply knowing what is excellent is enough to be pure and blameless? No. He is implying that they (we) discern what is excellent and live by it. This is evident in the description “filled with the fruit of righteousness” in verse 11. Paul genuinely cared about these believers, but ultimately he desired their spiritual growth because it would glorify and bring praise to God.

As we move through this letter, I want you to be watching for how the passages fit into this pattern. Let’s pick up at the next verse.

[READ Phil. 1:12-26]

12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my chains in Christ have become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord because of my chains, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me affliction in my chains. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn out for my salvation through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know what I will choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better, 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 And convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your reason for boasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me, through my coming to you again.

In verses 12-14, Paul is describing his imprisonment. As we saw throughout the book of Acts, Paul was falsely accused by the Jews, beaten, imprisoned, and more recently kept in custody for two years, allowed to give a defense before three different rulers, shipwrecked, and kept under house arrest. However, Paul’s imprisonment had served to advance the gospel. The imperial guard and everyone else knew that Paul was imprisoned for Christ. He was able to share the good news with many, and many brothers and sisters had been strengthened and emboldened to proclaim the Word.

15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me affliction in my chains. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.

In verses 15-18, Paul describes two types of people who shared the gospel. Some shared because they truly loved Christ and recognized that Paul was imprisoned in defense of the gospel. Others shared for selfish motives, looking at Paul’s imprisonment as a way to ridicule him or elevate themselves. Paul really didn’t care what their motives were so long as the gospel was being correctly proclaimed. In verse 18, we get a glimpse of Paul’s theme – he rejoiced that the gospel of Christ was being proclaimed.

19 for I know that this will turn out for my salvation through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

According to verses 19-20, the second thing Paul rejoiced in was that he expected a favorable conclusion, and that Christ would be honored in his body, as always. Paul was expecting to be delivered. From the historical context of these verses and Paul’s hope, we can assume that this letter was written toward the end of his first Roman imprisonment. Perhaps he had recently had or would soon have his hearing before the royal tribunal, but regardless, he expected to be released. Some scholars interpret Paul’s comments about deliverance to refer to escaping his affliction through death. This is not an unreasonable conclusion since Paul spoke of Christ being honored by his life or by his death. However, it is more likely that Paul expected to be released, since he wrote to Philemon to prepare a guest room for him (P. 22). In the next section of this passage, Paul writes of the necessity of remaining in the flesh for a bit longer for the good of the other believers.

We saw in a previous lesson that Paul was prepared to die for the sake of Christ. He reiterates this idea in verse 21 when he says, “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Let’s look closer at this powerful creed Paul lived by. Paul was so focused on God and His kingdom that his entire life was wrapped up in Christ. He served Christ, strove to be like Christ, spoke about Christ, instructed others in their walk with Christ, suffered for Christ, and trusted in Christ. His sole focus in life was Christ and His glory. Then Paul says, “to die is gain.” He understood that to die was to come into the presence of God, to live with Him eternally, and to be more perfectly able to praise and honor Him. Just as his focus on earth was Christ, so would be his focus in death, but without the distractions and struggles of this world. As Paul told the Romans, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us”

In verses 22-24, Paul admitted to the Philippians that he struggled between the desire to depart and be with Christ and the need to stay and carry on his ministry. This does not mean that Paul was suicidal as some have supposed. Paul was not talking about killing himself, but in light of all that he had faced, it was natural for him to be thinking about death and considering it imminent. He knew he would live for Christ until he was called to die for His sake, but he often came near to death. Paul was looking at his predicament, which could just as easily end in death as release, and was admitting that he couldn’t decide which result he preferred.

Have you ever been praying about a situation and couldn’t decide which outcome you should pray for? An example might be an elderly relative who is sick and in pain. You want to pray for healing, but you may also wish for them to be released through death so they won’t suffer anymore.

25 And convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your reason for boasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me, through my coming to you again.

So which side did Paul land on? According to the first part of verse 25, Paul knew the Philippians and other believers still needed him, so he was convinced that he would remain a while longer in this ministry of fruitful labor. In the second half of verse 25, we learn that Paul wanted to help the Philippians progress in their faith, and he wanted to aid in their joy. Verse 26 reveals that it was Paul’s desire for his future visit to them to give them ample cause to glory in Christ. The Greek verb for “glory” means to boast or rejoice as it is translated here in the LSB. Paul was expecting his deliverance would give them an opportunity to boast in Christ and celebrate what He had done, especially in Paul’s circumstances.

[READ Phil. 3:7-14]

7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own which is from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God upon faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  13 Brothers, I do not consider myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul had just listed all the things that he could boast about as a good Jew, if he were to place his confidence in the flesh. But his perspective was different now and he counted all these things as loss (rubbish) because he knew they could not offer salvation. To him, knowing Christ was worth far more than all the things he once boasted in and now counted as loss.

9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own which is from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God upon faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Paul recognized that righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not from works of the law. In verses 10-11, Paul wished more than anything to share in Christ’s sufferings and death. You see, sharing in the Lord’s suffering and death is necessary for salvation and sanctification. Persecutions in this life train us toward righteousness and identify us with Christ (see Jas. 1:2; Mt. 5:11-12). Paul’s hope then, was to share in the resurrection of Christ.

13 Brothers, I do not consider myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul clarified that he had not obtained the fulfillment of his hope yet. He wasn’t perfect; he was still in the sanctification process like the rest of his brothers and sisters. So, he pressed on, which means an active pursuit of his hope in Christ. The prize he sought was the upward call of God to live in heaven with Him.

Paul lived with a heavenward focus. He knew his time on this earth was temporary and he was glad. He recognized that what awaited him in heaven was worth so much more than anything he had to give up here. It was this Christ-centered perspective that led him to write joyfully from prison, glad to be able to suffer for the name of Christ. Paul chose to focus on the things that brought joy, rather than the things that brought sorrow and pain.

In all types of circumstances, Paul was able to find joy. Paul found joy in the advancement of the kingdom and in the growth of other believers. He rejoiced in whatever circumstance he found himself in because in that setting, Christ would be honored. In life, he would live for Christ. In death, he would die for Christ. In this way, Paul’s joy was not set in his surroundings but in the results. Paul also rejoiced to suffer with Christ because he recognized the value of persecution. Not only does God use the afflictions in a believer’s life to further their sanctification, but also sharing in Christ’s sufferings further identifies the believer with the true source of hope and joy.

III. THE HUMILITY OF CHRIST (Phil. 3:1, 2:1-11, 2:12-18)

So, if joy is not based on circumstances, what is it based on? Philippians 3:1 gives us the answer.

[READ Phil. 3:1]

1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

Well, that’s a great Bible answer, but what does it mean? Is it something we just decide to do? How and why do we rejoice in the Lord? We’ve already seen several areas where Paul found joy, rather than being concerned with his circumstances. You may have noticed that they all had something in common. Paul found joy in everything that honored Christ.

Now, let’s turn our attention to Philippians 2:1-11, where Paul summarizes the work of Christ.

[READ Phil. 2:1-11]

1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 fulfill my joy, that you think the same way, by maintaining the same love, being united in spirit, thinking on one purpose, 3 doing nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but with humility of mind regarding one another as more important than yourselves, 4 not merely looking out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

In verse 1, Paul begins with four conditional statements: (1) If there is encouragement in Christ; (2) If there is consolation or comfort in love; (3) If there is fellowship or participation in the Spirit; and (4) If there is affection and compassion, or sympathy. Are each of these conditions met? Yes. Each element is truth dependent on nothing but God. In fact, throughout his letter Paul clearly demonstrated the encouragement, comfort, and mercy he had received from Christ, as well as the cooperation between the believer and the Holy Spirit. So, it appears that Paul didn’t really intend for this to be a conditional exhortation. Rather, he emphasizes that these things are true, then expounds on what this should mean for the believer. In verse 2, Paul instructs the believer to have the same mind and love -- or be unified. In verses 3 and 4, Paul instructs the Philippians that they could achieve this unity by having the same mind as Christ in their behavior toward one another.

5 Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

In verses 5-7, Paul gives us a description of Jesus. He writes that Jesus was in the form of God. If you are following along in the KJV, the verb used here is not the normal verb for “being” rather it emphasizes that He existed. So, Jesus existed in the form of God; meaning He was (and is) God. Jesus did not view His existence as God as something for His own advantage, or something for Him to hold onto tightly for Himself. Jesus demonstrated this by emptying Himself and taking on the form of a servant in the likeness of mankind.

It’s interesting to note that the same Greek word is used for “form” when referring to the form of God and the form of a slave, but a different word is used for the “likeness” of men. The first word, morphe, means form in the sense of shape or nature. The second word, homoioma, refers to a likeness or resemblance. Jesus was in exact form and nature God, and He became a servant. But when He took on the likeness of men, He did not become in exact nature like a man, because He also remained God. This distinction hints at what we call the hypostatic union, the unique God-man nature of Jesus.

9 Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

A basic rule of biblical interpretation is when you come upon a “therefore” in Scripture, you should find out what it is there for. In verse 9, Paul is indicating that what follows is based on the results of Jesus’ humility and obedient death on the cross. Because of Christ’s humility and obedience, God the Father exalted Him, giving Him the name that is above every name. According to verses 10-11, individuals will bow to Jesus and confess that He is Lord. Verse 10 indicates that everyone will respond in this way every knee and tongue in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. Verse 11 also gives us the result of this event Christ will be honored, and God the Father will be glorified.

This result was the driving force behind Paul’s ministry and was also his goal. He lived to see Christ honored and God glorified, and he would die for that same cause. This was why Paul could have joy in any circumstance. He knew that all honor, glory, and praise would be given where it was due. But Paul rarely expounded on theology without adding the practical applications. The same is true here.

[READ Phil. 2:12-18]

12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 so that you will be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to boast because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18 And you also, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

In verse 12, Paul commends the Philippians for their obedience and challenges them to continue obeying in his absence even as they had in his presence. He instructed them to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. What does Paul mean by the phrase “work out your salvation”? We know this cannot refer to salvation by works because Scripture clearly teaches against that (Eph. 2:8-9) and because Paul was writing to those who were already saved. The idea here is the continual working of sanctification. We could rephrase this to say, “just as you have always been obedient, continue to practice obedience even when I am not present to instruct and encourage you.”

Although the believer is responsible to continually and actively pursue obedience, verse 13 clearly states that it is God who is responsible for the process of sanctification, working within the believer to produce spiritual fruit.

In the final section of this passage, Paul gives some specific instructions to the believers, notably do not grumble or dispute and hold fast to the Word of life. This connects back to the beginning of the chapter. Remember Paul had instructed them to be of the same mind, considering the interests of others as more significant than their own. The instructions here are for unity and selflessness. Paul instructed them to do these things so that they might be blameless, shine forth the light of the gospel, and not falter in their spiritual walk. Paul not only wanted this for their own good but also so that he would know his efforts were not in vain. Finally, Paul invites the Philippians (and us) to rejoice with him even in sacrifice. If the kingdom advances, we have every reason to rejoice together, regardless of what it costs us.

Joy is not based on circumstances; it is based on the person of Jesus Christ and His finished work. It is because of the humility and obedience of Christ – His sacrifice on the cross, resurrection from the dead, and promise of glorification. Jesus is God and has all power and privilege of the divine. But He willingly became a slave to come in the likeness of humankind and serve us, to become the ransom for sinners who could not satisfy the wrath of God for themselves.

But His death was not the end. Even His resurrection and the benefits of salvation for us are not the end. The end is the glorification of Christ, the exaltation of His name, and the worship that He is due delivered. Christ is Lord, and one day every knee will bow to Him. Every tongue will confess He is Lord. And we will celebrate His glory with Him for eternity. This, my friends, is what produces joy. This is why we can rejoice no matter what.

IV. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD
We can have joy in any circumstance because it is not the outcome of the circumstance that matters. The only thing that matters is the glory of God. If we honor Christ with our lives, if we see the advancement of the gospel, if we witness the spiritual growth of others, if we are identified with Christ, we can be glad. We can rejoice. We can celebrate the honor that Christ receives through these things.

Paul recognized that this world is temporary. He recognized that true value is found in the things of God. As such, he took joy in seeing Christ honored, even if that meant his own imprisonment or death. In a way, biblical joy and hope are intimately connected. We hope – have a confident expectation – in Christ’s consummation of all things. We hope in eternal life and the glory of the Lord. These are also the things in which we find joy, and which allow us to rejoice in any circumstance.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your magnificence and glory. You have done so many things that should cause us to rejoice. We ask for the Holy Spirit to give each of us hearts that are disposed toward joy. And thank You for using us to further Jesus’ kingdom, for it is in His name I pray, Amen.

Invitation # 4: “How Great Thou Art” (vs. 1,3,4)

Benediction: Beloved, my prayer is that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you are able to discern what is best and be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. May you be filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes from your relationship with Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Amen. (Phil. 1:9-11)

PAUL ENCOURAGES THE PHILIPPIANS - Study Guide

PAUL ENCOURAGES THE PHILIPPIANS

Answers (Lesson 172) - June 29, 2025 - Rev. Alan Cousins

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB
Introduction: Today, we’re going to look at the last of the prison epistles Paul wrote during his house arrest in Rome – the joyful book of Philippians. Paul’s letter to the believers in Philippi is characterized by joy and thanksgiving. In order to understand the letter to the Philippians, we need to understand the concept of biblical joy.

I. DEFINITION OF JOY (Philemon 7; Jas. 1:2-3; 3 Jn. 4; Gal. 5:22; Rom. 15:13)

Philemon 7

This verse informs us that joy comes from fellowship with other believers and being refreshed in heart and spirit.

James 1:2-3

James is saying we should find joy in trials.

3 John 4

John says we should experience joy when we know that other believers are walking in the truth.

Galatians 5:22

We’ve looked at this familiar passage identifying the fruit of the Spirit quite a lot recently. Paul reminds us that joy comes from the Holy Spirit as fruit in the Christian life.

Romans 15:13
In this verse, Paul explains that joy is given by God and is connected to the hope that comes from believing in Jesus.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.”

While this definition is a decent one, it definitely could use some tweaking. First, biblical joy is not mere emotion. Although it can be linked to feelings of cheerfulness, it is often referred to as a choice or action that is independent of circumstances. Joy may be better defined as a state of being. To rejoice is to enjoy a state of well-being or gladness. The strength of Merriam-Webster’s definition is found in the second part: the “prospect of possessing what one desires.” The apostles clearly found joy in the hope (the confident expectation based on God’s character and promises) of future glory and eternal life with God.

The Bible has much more to say, but now that we’ve got some basic ideas about how it presents joy, let’s jump into our study of the joyful epistle.

II. JOY IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES (Phil. 1:9-11, 12-26, 3:7-14)

Philippians 1:9-11 serves as a summary of the letter and even Paul’s entire ministry.

Philippians 1:9-11

As we move through this letter, I want you to be watching for how the passages fit into this pattern. Let’s pick up at the next verse.

Philippians 1:12-26

Philippians 3:7-14

Paul lived with a heavenward focus. He knew his time on this
earth was temporary and he was glad. He recognized that what awaited him in heaven was worth so much more than anything he had to give up here. It was this Christ-centered perspective that led him to write joyfully from prison, glad to be able to suffer for the name of Christ. Paul chose to focus on the things that brought joy, rather than the things that brought sorrow and pain.

III. THE HUMILITY OF CHRIST (Phil. 3:1, 2:1-11, 2:12-18)

So, if joy is not based on circumstances, what is it based on? Philippians 3:1 gives us the answer.

Philippians 3:1

Now, let’s turn our attention to Philippians 2:1-11, where Paul summarizes the work of Christ.

Philippians 2:1-11

It’s interesting to note that the same Greek word is used for “form” when referring to the form of God and the form of a slave, but a different word is used for the “likeness” of men.

The first word, morphe, means form in the sense of shape or nature. The second word, homoioma, refers to a likeness or resemblance. Jesus was in exact form and nature God, and He became a servant. But when He took on the likeness of men, He did not become in exact nature like a man, because He also remained God. This distinction hints at what we call the hypostatic union, the unique God-man nature of Jesus.

According to verse 8, after Jesus was born into human likeness, He humbled Himself, being obedient to the divine plan that called for His undeserved death on a cross. Paul’s purpose here was to describe the nature and mind of Christ, so he didn’t go into detail about the results of Jesus’ death as it applies to us. But we do know what His death accomplished for us. Jesus died on the cross to atone for our sin, becoming the propitiation (reparation) for God’s wrath and paying the just price for sin. Through His sacrificial act, we can be justified (counted as righteous) before God, being forgiven for our sins and reconciled to God, if we will only repent and confess that the resurrected Jesus is Lord, believing in His name for salvation.
A basic rule of biblical interpretation is when you come upon a “therefore” in Scripture, you should find out what it is there for. In verse 9, Paul is indicating that what follows is based on the results of Jesus’ humility and obedient death on the cross. Because of Christ’s humility and obedience, God the Father exalted Him, giving Him the name that is above every name. According to verses 10-11, individuals will bow to Jesus and confess that He is Lord. Verse 10 indicates that everyone will respond in this way every knee and tongue in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. Verse 11 also gives us the result of this event Christ will be honored, and God the Father will be glorified.

Philippians 2:12-18

IV. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD

We can have joy in any circumstance because it is not the outcome of the circumstance that matters. The only thing that matters is the glory of God. If we honor Christ with our lives, if we see the advancement of the gospel, if we witness the spiritual growth of others, if we are identified with Christ, we can be glad. We can rejoice. We can celebrate the honor that Christ receives through these things.

PAUL’S PRISON EPISTLES

Selected Scriptures from the LSB

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PAUL’S PRISON EPISTLES

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come before You with our hearts open and ready to receive Your Word. May the blessed Holy Spirit prepare our minds to grasp the depths of Your teachings, and soften our hearts to be transformed by Your truth. Open our spiritual eyes to discover and understand the wisdom of Your Word. May today’s message resonate in our hearts, guiding us to live according to Your will. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Introduction: Over the last few weeks, we’ve been studying Paul’s long journey to Rome. We may not understand why Paul had to take such a troublesome route to get there, but he completely trusted God’s plan and was ready to face affliction and even death for the sake of the kingdom and the spread of the gospel.

His circuitous route allowed Paul to share the gospel with Jews, three Roman leaders, the soldiers and sailors on his ship, the people on Crete and Malta, and Jews and Gentiles in Rome. Once he finally arrived in Rome, he was placed under house arrest for two years but was free to have visitors. So, he unashamedly proclaimed the gospel to all who would come and listen.

During this time, Paul also wrote several letters to friends and churches he had left behind. As he had done during other journeys, he wrote letters of encouragement and exhortation to his brothers and sisters. It was during this time that Paul wrote what we often refer to as the prison epistles: Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon. Today we are going to look at a principle Paul wrote of throughout his epistles but especially emphasized to the Ephesians and Colossians.

I. PUT OFF THE OLD SELF (Eph. 4:17-24; Rom. 12:1-2; Col. 3:1-17; 1 Pet. 1:14-16)

In verses 1-16, Paul has just been encouraging the believers to be unified in Christ. He used the example of a body to demonstrate the unity and function of the church. He concluded this analogy by instructing church members as one body to grow up into Christ, the Head of the church. Next, Paul turned his attention toward how they as individual members ought to grow up in Christ. This next section is meant as a practical application for accomplishing the growth he had just mentioned (which in turn would result in unity).

[READ Eph. 4:17-24]

17 Therefore this I say, and testify in the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their mind, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart. 19 And they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way -- 21 if indeed you heard Him and were taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 to lay aside, in reference to your former conduct, the old man, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and to put on the new man, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Eph. 4:17-20
17 Therefore this I say, and testify in the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their mind, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart. 19 And they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way --

In verses 17-19, Paul commands the Ephesians not to walk as the Gentiles do. He describes the unsaved Gentiles’ as being futile in their thinking, unable to understand, ignorant, alienated from life in Christ, hard-hearted, and callous. He goes on in verse 19 to point out their sensual and impure behavior. Paul objected to the ways of the Gentiles because everything he had just listed went against the call of Christ to salvation. These things were contrary to what they had been taught and how they ought to be living.

Eph. 4:21-24
21 if indeed you heard Him and were taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 to lay aside, in reference to your former conduct, the old man, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and to put on the new man, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

In verse 21, Paul explains that genuine truth can only be found in Jesus. Then in verses 21-23, he encourages the Ephesians that they can accomplish this in Christ. This transformation (i.e., sanctification) can only be accomplished through the Holy Spirit. In verse 24, Paul tells them to put off the old self and put on the new self. He describes the old self as corrupt, characterized by deceitful desires, and belongs to the old way of life. But the new self is righteous and holy, created after the likeness of God. The transformation from the old self to the new self is accomplished through the renewal of our minds by the Holy Spirit.

Paul speaks of this in Romans …

[READ Rom. 12:1-2]

1 Therefore I exhort you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice -- living, holy, and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may approve what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and perfect.

What did Paul mean by calling on believers to be living sacrifices? Basically, this means we are to give our lives to God, or to live holy lives. To do this, we must avoid being conformed to this world in any way. This means we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds. And the only One who can accomplish this feat is the Holy Spirit. This means we are not to look, think, or act like the world around us. To put it another way, we are called to be transformed, living in a way that is holy and acceptable to God, through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul refers to this same principle in his letter to the Colossians.

[READ Col. 3:1-17]

1 Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you died and your life has been hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is manifested, then you also will be manifested with Him in glory.
5 Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these things, the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, lay them all aside: wrath, anger, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you put off the old man with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new man who is being renewed to a full knowledge according to the image of the One who created him -- 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and freeman, but Christ is all and in all.
12 So, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and graciously forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord graciously forgave you, so also should you. 14 Above all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratefulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Col. 3:1-4
1 Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you died and your life has been hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is manifested, then you also will be manifested with Him in glory.

In verse 1, Paul uses the condition “if you have been raised up with Christ” to introduce this passage. This condition is based on truth that has previously been expounded upon. We will be revisiting this concept a little later on in today’s study. But for now, I want you to recognize that Paul is speaking to believers. In verse 2, Paul instructs believers to seek the things that are from above, or the things of Christ. Contrarily, we are not to set our minds on the things of this earth. Verse 3 explains why – because we have died, and our lives are now hidden in Christ.

Col. 3:5-9
5 Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these things, the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, lay them all aside: wrath, anger, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you put off the old man with its evil practices,

Setting our minds on things above and not on earthly things might seem like a difficult thing to do, because it is such a theoretical idea. But in verses 5-9, Paul gives the Colossians some very practical examples. Although he didn’t use exactly the same terminology, Paul’s message was the same to the Ephesians: put off the things of earth; put on the things of God. The implication of the command to put off or put to death is clearly stated in verse 7. All humans are sinful and walk according to the desires of the flesh apart from the transforming work of Christ. Believers, though, should no longer be walking in the way they did before trusting in Jesus. To do so requires an intentional action which we will talk more about in Wednesday’s study.

Col. 3:10-11
10 and have put on the new man who is being renewed to a full knowledge according to the image of the One who created him -- 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and freeman, but Christ is all and in all.

This is not a one-time event. Although Paul speaks of putting on the new self as an accomplished act, he describes the new self as “being renewed” (v. 10). This is the lifelong process of sanctification, in which a believer becomes more and more like Christ.
Paul was not the only apostle to contrast the old way of life with the new way. Let’s look at how Peter addresses it.

[READ 1 Pet. 1:14-16]

14 As obedient children, not being conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your conduct; 16 because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” (Lev. 11:44ff, 19:2, 20:7)

As we’ve learned before, in his epistles Peter is speaking to believers. According to him, his audience was once characterized by their former ways -- especially their passions. This isn’t referring to dreams that you are passionate about, but lusts and sinful desires of those living in the flesh. Obedient children of God are supposed to be holy in all their conduct, because God Himself is holy.

Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus and Colossae about how they ought to live as believers. They were called to live differently than the world, differently than how they had previously lived. Paul told them to put off the old self putting to death what was earthly inside them. They were to set aside things that characterize the lost, rather, practicing the things that identify God’s chosen ones. As Peter said, we are to be holy.

This practice is sometimes referred to as the put off/put on principle, especially within biblical counseling. Paul did not ask them to blend the good behaviors with the old. Nor did he tell them to just rid themselves of the bad behaviors. It is a process of replacing bad behaviors and attitudes with godly ones.

II. THE NEW SELF (Col. 2:11-14; Rom. 6:4-14; Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 10:9-13; Acts 26:20)

But we must be careful to avoid the trap of behaviorism. We can try to change our behaviors, but if we focus on doing what is right outwardly while ignoring the inner change caused by the Holy Spirit, we are no different than the Pharisees. Paul gave this put off/put on principle not as a way to become the new self, but because we are the new self.

[READ Col. 2:11-14]

11 … In whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you being dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him, having graciously forgiven us all our transgressions. 14 Having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us which was hostile to us, He also has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Col. 2:11-12
11 … In whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

What is the circumcision of Christ made without hands Paul is referring to in verse 11? Circumcision, as we have learned in our study through the Bible, was a physical symbol of the Jews, representing the fact that they were set apart as God’s chosen people according to the promises of God. In the New Testament, Gentiles who accepted Christ were not required to be circumcised physically (Acts 15). But Paul continued to use circumcision as a symbol of God’s covenant with His people denoting that they were set apart. The circumcision of Christ is clearly connected to putting off the flesh; or being separated from the sinfulness of the world. Then in verse 12, Paul uses the act of baptism as a symbol of this transformation that occurs in a believer’s life. The believer is buried with Jesus (illustrating the death of the old self) and raised with Him (illustrating the new life given to all who trust in Jesus for salvation).

Col. 2:13-14
13 And you being dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him, having graciously forgiven us all our transgressions. 14 Having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us which was hostile to us, He also has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

In verse 13, Paul describes the unregenerate person before this transformation as being dead in their trespasses. In addition to raising the dead back to life, verse 13 also explains that God gives the believer life with Him, forgives us of all our sins, and cancels our sin debt. There are several related doctrines found in this passage: atonement, propitiation, faith, mercy, and justification, to name a few. In verse 14, where Paul speaks of the “certificate of debt” and “legal demands,” we are reminded of the doctrine of imputation. This is the great exchange we have spoken of before. To impute means charge to one’s account. Our debt was legally charged to Jesus, and His righteousness was legally charged to us. This is the only way our just God can forgive our sin debt.

Following this background, Paul begins chapter 3 with, “Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ ….” The believer has already experienced the life-changing transformation of the Holy Spirit. Because of this regeneration, Paul exhorted the Colossians to seek the things above, to put off the old ways, and to pursue godly qualities. Let’s continue looking at this truth in Romans 6.

[READ Rom. 6:4-14]

4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died has been justified from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all, but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Rom. 6:4-7
4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died has been justified from sin.

According to verses 4-5, we were buried with Jesus so that we could walk in newness of life. This means our new life is based on the resurrection of Christ. As we have seen before, the resurrection is the foundation of the Christian message. In verses 6-7, we are given the reason why our old self was crucified. It was done so that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, to free us from our enslavement to sin. Further on in this chapter in verse 23, Paul informs us that the wages of sin is death, so the only way to become free of that debt is to pay it – to die. That sounds hopeless, doesn’t it? And apart from Christ, it is. But if we have been crucified with Christ, we have the hope that since we died with Him, we will also live with Him.

Rom. 6:8-11
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all, but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

We have confidence in this hope because Christ will never die again -- death has no dominion over Him (vs. 8-9). According to verse 10, Jesus died to sin, but He lives to God. In verse 11, Paul commands us (in light of this truth) to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God. So far, Who has done all the action? Jesus and God have done everything. Only passive verbs are used in reference to us. But in the next several verses, Paul switches his emphasis to include our responsibility after we have been made alive in Christ.

Rom. 6:12-14
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Paul exhorts us in verse 12 not to let sin reign in our lives. In verse 13, he explains how. We must not present our members as instruments for unrighteousness. However, as with the passages in Ephesians and Colossians, avoiding sin is not good enough. We are given an alternative – we should present ourselves to God as instruments for righteousness.

From the passages we’ve studied thus far, it seems that the put off/put on principle is meant for believers who are acting upon their responsibility in the process of sanctification, along with the renewing work of the Holy Spirit. Spiritually speaking, the believer has been raised from the dead and is commanded to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel. But let’s take a closer look at how someone becomes a new spiritual person in a passage you are all familiar with.

[READ Eph. 2:8-9]

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not of works, so that no one may boast.

Clearly, a person is saved by grace through faith. This means there is nothing we can do to earn salvation. Let’s look at another familiar passage …

[READ Rom. 10:9-13]

9 … That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, leading to righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, leading to salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes upon Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him, 13 for “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

According to this passage, what must a person do to be saved? Confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead; call on the name of the Lord.

[READ Acts 26:20]

20 … But [I] kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, practicing deeds appropriate to repentance.

What does Paul’s statement here add to our understanding of salvation? He preached repentance, which is the act of turning away from sin and toward God.

Putting these last three passages together helps us explain to someone how to be saved. Salvation is a gift graciously given to us when we repent of our sin and turn to God in faith, confessing Jesus as Lord and believing that He died and rose again to pay the penalty for our sin. At that moment, we are made alive, no longer enslaved by sin, and given the privilege and responsibility to bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

We are saved by grace through faith, not through any works of our own, but because of the grace of God. This gift is available to anyone who will call on the name of the Lord, trusting in Jesus Christ as the risen Savior. Those who repent and turn to God become new creations. The old self that is enslaved to sin is crucified and buried with Jesus. But just as Jesus defeated death and rose from the grave victorious over sin, we have also risen victoriously to live with and for Him, to the glory of the Father.

We cannot make ourselves new; it is God who makes us alive in Christ. But once we are new, we can (and should) put off the things which we previously walked in and instead seek to live lives of holiness with the help of the Holy Spirit.

III. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD

Paul may have said it the most clearly when he wrote, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17). When we call upon the name of the Lord, we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit (or born again). We are a new creation. Our old self is crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20) and we are no longer enslaved to sin. Christ has set us free.

But Paul is clear that this freedom does not give us a license to sin (Rom. 6:1-4). Since we have been crucified with Christ, we should put to death the things of the flesh. We are instructed to put off the old ways and seek the things that honor God. Christ died for us, so we ought to live for Him. Although God positionally sanctifies us at the point of salvation, setting us apart as His children, we also make every effort to put on the practices of the new self.

Neither do we seek to do good in order to make ourselves new. Trying to clean up our lives before we have been forgiven is like trying to polish a car with an oily rag. But we are called to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. We don’t use the put off/put on principle in an effort to create a new self; we practice this principle because God has already made us new.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are so thankful for Your power to renew and transform us. Please give us the discipline and help of the Holy Spirit to put off the old ways and put on holiness. We praise You for making us new creations when we turn to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Invitation # 195: “Nothing But the Blood” (4 vs.)

Benediction: Beloved, may the testimony of Christ be confirmed in you and may you not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. Amen. (1 Cor. 1:6-7)

PAUL’S PRISON EPISTLES - Study Guide

Answers (Lesson 171) - June 22, 2025 - Rev. Alan Cousins

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB
Introduction: It is generally believed that during his first Roman imprisonment that Paul wrote what are often referred to as the prison epistles: Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon. Today we are going to look at a principle Paul wrote of throughout his epistles but especially emphasized in his letters to the Ephesians and Colossians.

I. PUT OFF THE OLD SELF (Eph. 4:17-24; Rom. 12:1-2; Col. 3:1-17; 1 Pet. 1:14-16)

Ephesians 4:17-24

Romans 12:1-2

Colossians 3:1-17

Setting our minds on things above and not on earthly things might seem like a difficult thing to do, because it is such a theoretical idea. But in verses 5-9, Paul gives the Colossians some very practical examples. Although he didn’t use exactly the same terminology, Paul’s message was the same as to the Ephesians: put off the things of earth; put on the things of God. The implication of the command to put off or put to death is clearly stated in verse 7. All humans are sinful and walk according to the desires of the flesh apart from the transforming work of Christ. The believers, though, should no longer be walking in the way they did before trusting in Jesus. To do so requires an intentional action which we will talk more about in Wednesday’s study.

Paul was not the only apostle to contrast the old way of life with the new way. Let’s look at how Peter addresses it.

1 Peter 1:14-16

II. THE NEW SELF (Col. 2:11-14; Rom. 6:4-14; Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 10:9-13; Acts 26:20)

Colossians 2:11-14

What is the circumcision of Christ made without hands Paul is referring to in verse 11? Circumcision, as we have learned in our study through the Bible, was a physical symbol of the Jews, representing the fact that they were set apart as God’s chosen people according to the promises of God. In the New Testament, Gentiles who accepted Christ were not requited to be circumcised physically (Acts 15). But Paul continued to use circumcision as a symbol of God’s covenant with His people and that they were set apart. The circumcision of Christ is clearly connected to putting off the flesh; or being separated from the sinfulness of the world. Then in verse 12, Paul uses the act of baptism as a symbol of this transformation that occurs in a believer’s life. The believer is buried with Jesus (illustrating the death of the old self) and raised with Him (illustrating the new life given to all who trust in Jesus for salvation).

Romans 6:4-14

Ephesians 2:8-9

Clearly, a person is saved by grace through faith. This means there is nothing we can do to earn salvation. Let’s look at another familiar passage …

Romans 10:9-13

According to this passage, what must a person do to be saved? Confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead; call on the name of the Lord.

Acts 26:20

What does Paul’s statement here add to our understanding of salvation? He preached repentance, which is the act of turning away from sin and toward God.

III. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD

PAUL’S JOURNEY TO ROME

Selected Scriptures from the LSB

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PAUL’S JOURNEY TO ROME

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come before You now with hearts full of reverence and awe, acknowledging Your majesty and grace. You are the Creator of all things, as well as the beginning and the end. We recognize that without You, we are nothing, and it is only by Your grace that we are called to serve You and share Your Word. Lord, as I stand before Your people today, I am acutely aware of my own limitations and inadequacies. I confess my sins and shortcomings, knowing that I fall short of Your glory. Yet, I am grateful for the forgiveness and redemption that You offer through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Cleanse my heart, purify my thoughts, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Father, I ask for Your wisdom and guidance as I deliver today’s sermon. Illuminate my mind, so that I may understand the Scriptures deeply and convey their truths clearly and accurately. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Introduction: Over the past two weeks, we covered Paul’s journey to Jerusalem, including a prophecy about his arrest, a visit with James and the elders of the Jerusalem church, Paul’s imprisonment, a series of trials and plots on Paul’s life, and several opportunities to share the gospel. Although the Jews had no real charge against him and the Romans had no reason to hold him, Paul found himself imprisoned for nearly three years in Jerusalem and Caesarea. Finally, Paul appealed to Caesar and set sail under guard to Rome. This is where we will pick up the narrative today.

[READ Acts 27:1-8]

1 Now when it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius. 2 And getting aboard an Adramyttian ship, which was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia, we set sail accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul with consideration and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care. 4 And from there we set sail and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were against us. 5 And when we had sailed through the sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy, and he put us aboard it. 7 And when we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone; 8 and with difficulty, we sailed past it and came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.

As we begin reading in Acts 27:1-8, the ship had sailed north around Cyprus, across to Cnidus, and down along the southern side of Crete. The journey had been difficult because winter was approaching.

I. SHIPWRECKED! (Acts 27:9-44)
[READ Acts 27:9-44]

9 And when considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the Fast was already over, Paul began to advise them, 10 and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion was being more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to set sail from there, if somehow they could arrive at Phoenix, a harbor of Crete facing southwest and northwest, to spend the winter there.
13 And when a moderate south wind came up, thinking that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along the shore of Crete.
14 But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind, called Euraquilo; 15 and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be carried along. 16 And running under the shelter of a small island called Clauda, we were scarcely able to get the ship’s boat under control. 17 After they had hoisted it up, they used supporting cables in undergirding the ship. Fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the sea anchor and in this way let themselves be carried along. 18 And the next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to jettison the cargo; 19 and on the third day they cast the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 And since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.
21 And when they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice to not set sail from Crete and to avoid this damage and loss. 22 And now I advise you to be cheerful, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 Therefore, be cheerful, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”
27 But when the fourteenth night came, as we were being carried about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to suspect that some land was approaching them. 28 And when they took soundings, they found it to be twenty fathoms; and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 And fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and were praying for daybreak. 30 But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had let down the ship’s boat into the sea, on the pretense of intending to lay out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it fall away.
33 Until the day was about to dawn, Paul was encouraging them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been constantly watching and going without eating, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your salvation, for not a hair from the head of any of you will perish.” 35 And having said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all. And he broke it and began to eat. 36 And all of them became cheerful and they themselves also took food. 37 And all of us in the ship were 276 persons. 38 And when they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea.
39 Now when day came, they could not recognize the land; but they were noticing a bay with a beach, and they were resolving to drive the ship onto it if they could. 40 And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders. And hoisting the foresail to the wind, they were heading for the beach. 41 But striking a reef where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the bow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern began to be broken up by the force of the waves. 42 Now the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape; 43 but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and ordered that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.

Acts 27:9-11
9 And when considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the Fast was already over, Paul began to advise them, 10 and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion was being more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul.

Notice the time marker given in verse 9. Luke writes that it was after the Fast. This is a reference to the Day of Atonement and puts these events somewhere between the last half of October and first half of November when sailing was very dangerous. In verse 10, Paul warns the men that the voyage would end in injury and loss of life if they continued to sail on. According to verse 11, the centurion, rather than heeding Paul’s warning, listened instead to the advice of the pilot and owner of the ship, whom the majority on board agreed with.

Acts 27:12-13
12 And because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to set sail from there, if somehow they could arrive at Phoenix, a harbor of Crete facing southwest and northwest, to spend the winter there.
13 And when a moderate south wind came up, thinking that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along the shore of Crete.

In verses 12-13, the ship’s crew hoped to take shelter for the winter in Phoenix, a harbor located on Crete’s southern coast.

Acts 27:14-15
14 But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind, called Euraquilo; 15 and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be carried along.

Verses 14-15 inform us that they were blocked from making it into Phoenix harbor due to a strong wind called a Euraquilo, an east by northeast wind, which blew them off course. This would be equivalent to a strong Nor’easter in the Atlantic region. However, let’s not forget that God is the Master of the winds.

Acts 27:16-19
16 … we were scarcely able to get the ship’s boat under control. 17 After they had hoisted it up, they used supporting cables in undergirding the ship. Fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the sea anchor and in this way let themselves be carried along. 18 And the next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to jettison the cargo; 19 and on the third day they cast the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.

The mariners and their passengers no doubt worked together to try and secure the ship. They tied up the lifeboat, passed supports (probably heavy ropes) under the ship, threw off some cargo, dropped the sails, and threw a lot of the ship’s tackle overboard, allowing the wind to drive them where it would.

Acts 27:20-21
20 And since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.
21 And when they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice to not set sail from Crete and to avoid this damage and loss.
Verse 20 tells us that the storm lasted “many days,” but verse 27 says it was 14 days. This verse also indicates that most on board were low in spirit, having given up all hope of being saved. Verse 21 points out that they had gone most of this time without eating anything.

Acts 27:22-26
22 And now I advise you to be cheerful, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 Therefore, be cheerful, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”

In verses 22-25, Paul tries to encourage his shipmates and give them hope. He told them they would lose the ship, but none of them would die. Paul made this claim on the authority of an angel of God who had visited him and told him this. Paul also explained that he belonged to God and worshiped Him. The angel told Paul he must stand before Caesar and that no one else with him would be lost. This agrees with what we learned from Acts 23:11. In that instance, Jesus Himself appeared to Paul while he was under arrest in Jerusalem nearly three years earlier, telling Paul he would testify of Jesus in Rome. The angel was affirming and clarifying that Paul would indeed appear before Caesar in Rome, testifying of the Christ. Based on the angel stating that God would spare the lives of the others on the ship, we can conclude (1) that God is sovereign over the lives of men; and (2) infer that Paul had been praying for their lives to be spared, presumably beginning when they left for Phoenix against his advice. Paul had full confidence that God would bring these things to pass just as He had said. According to verses 22 and 26, the only thing that would be lost was the ship itself, for it was going to run aground on an island.

Acts 27:27-29
27 But when the fourteenth night came, as we were being carried about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to suspect that some land was approaching them. 28 And when they took soundings, they found it to be twenty fathoms; and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 And fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and were praying for daybreak.

To try to keep the ship from running aground, the sailors put out anchors from the stern to slow them down. Having done all they could do they prayed for morning to come. So, who exactly were the sailors praying to? While there is no object or deity described in verse 29, it is likely they were appealing to their personal deities (as the sailors accompanying Jonah had done). The Greek word used for “prayed” in this verse may also be understood as a hope or a wish and not necessarily a direct prayer. Some Bibles explain this distinction in a footnote.

Acts 27:30-32
30 But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had let down the ship’s boat into the sea, on the pretense of intending to lay out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it fall away.

In verses 30-32, the sailors secretly plot to escape the ship in the lifeboat, under the pretense of setting more anchors to keep the ship from running aground. Paul realized what the sailors were up to and alerted the soldiers to stop them. The soldiers cut away the ropes used to lower the lifeboat, which dropped into the sea with no one on board. There are at least two reasonable explanations for why it was necessary for the sailors to stay on the ship. First, if they had left in the dark during the storm, they likely would have died. Secondly, without the whole crew, the ship could not be guided safely to shore and lives would be lost. In either case, God’s intentions would not be fulfilled in keeping everyone alive as the angel had revealed to Paul.

Acts 27:33-35
33 Until the day was about to dawn, Paul was encouraging them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been constantly watching and going without eating, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your salvation, for not a hair from the head of any of you will perish.” 35 And having said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all. And he broke it and began to eat.

Verses 33-35 tell how Paul encouraged his shipmates in this time of dread. He told them to eat and prepare for deliverance, assuring them that not a hair on their heads would be harmed. He blessed the bread, giving thanks to God, and they all ate.

Acts 27:36-39
36 And all of them became cheerful and they themselves also took food. 37 And all of us in the ship were 276 persons. 38 And when they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea.
39 Now when day came, they could not recognize the land; but they were noticing a bay with a beach, and they were resolving to drive the ship onto it if they could.

In verses 36 and 37, we learn that Paul’s encouragement cheered everyone up and they took nourishment. In these same verses, we discover there were 276 people on board the ship in total; the roster included sailors, soldiers, prisoners, and probably some other passengers. Verse 38 explains that after they ate, they threw the ship’s cargo of wheat overboard. This was to make the ship lighter so it would ride as high as possible to make it to shore. As daylight came, they saw a bay with a beach which they hoped to run the ship onto (v. 39).

Acts 27:40-41
40 And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders. And hoisting the foresail to the wind, they were heading for the beach. 41 But striking a reef where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the bow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern began to be broken up by the force of the waves.

In verses 40-41, we find that the ship was unable to make it into the bay because it struck a reef and stuck fast. In Greek, the phrase is “where two seas meet.” This is likely a reef or sandbar, as some translations relate, where there was a current running along the coast between the main sea and a channel, which they did not see. Unable to move, the ship was being torn apart by the violent waves.

Acts 27:42-44
42 Now the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape; 43 but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and ordered that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.

In the closing verses of the chapter, we read that the soldiers intended to kill all the prisoners, because they feared some of them would escape, and they would be punished for this loss likely with their own execution. But their centurion, Julius, stopped them. It is evident that he wished to spare Paul’s life. Apparently, Paul had gained the respect of Julius since he had allowed him go ashore to visit friends when they were docked in Sidon (27:3). First, the strong swimmers swam to shore. Then they were followed by those who couldn’t swim at all floating toward the island on pieces of the broken ship; when they got close enough, they were helped through the surf by those who had already reached shore.

In the first eleven verses of Acts 28 we learn that Paul and his shipmates had landed on the island of Malta and were received with great hospitality by the locals. You may remember that this is where a viper bit Paul, and he was mistaken for a murderer – and then a god – by the locals, ultimately finding himself healing many people on the island as he continued to proclaim the gospel. They wintered on Malta for three months, and the bay where Paul and the others shipwrecked is still called St. Paul’s Bay. It lies on the northern coast of Malta’s large island.

A Christian heritage is still evident in Malta today, though Roman Catholicism is the state religion, and nearly 98% of the population identify themselves as Roman Catholic. February 10th is a national holiday to commemorate Paul’s shipwreck. This heritage can be seen as clear evidence of the historicity of the NT.

In the events we’ve looked at so far today, we see God’s attributes of mercy, grace, and sovereignty. He was merciful in sparing the lives of those on board the ship and gracious in providing a safe landing and hospitality on Malta. His sovereignty is apparent in how He controlled the wind and waves. He used those things to take the ship where He intended for Paul to go in order to share the gospel with the people of Malta and offer supernatural healing to many.

While we can clearly see God’s direction to Paul through the appearance of Jesus and the angel, it was still necessary for Paul to act in order for the men to be saved as God had promised. In God’s wisdom, He worked all of these circumstances together to bring about the end that He intended – Paul arriving in Rome to spread the gospel message in that key city.

II. IMPRISONED IN ROME (Acts 28:16-31)

Now, let’s turn our attention to what happened once Paul arrived in Italy.

[READ Acts 28:16-31]

16 And when we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
17 And it happened that after three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.” 21 And they said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.”
23 And when they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly bearing witness about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 And some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others were not believing. 25 And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying,

26 ‘GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY,
“YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;
AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
27 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL,
AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR,
AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES;
LEST THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES,
AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN,
AND I HEAL THEM.’”

28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God was sent to the Gentiles -- they will also hear.” 29 [When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]
30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, unhindered.

Acts 28:16, 30
16 And when we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him …. 30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him,

Verse 16 tells us that when they arrived in Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier to guard him. Today, we would say he was under some form of guarded house arrest. Verse 30 adds to our understanding of Paul’s living conditions by explaining that he was living in a rented house and was allowed to have visitors.

Acts 28:17, 19-20
17 And it happened that after three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans …. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.”

Verses 17-20 inform us that three days after arriving in Rome, Paul called for the local Jewish leaders. As he talked with them, he explained that he was in chains for proclaiming “the hope of Israel” to the Jews in Jerusalem.

Acts 28:21-22
21 And they said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.”

From verses 21-22, we learn that the Jews in Rome had not been warned about Paul from their fellow Jews. They had not received any letters from Jerusalem about him nor any reports from those traveling to Rome.

Acts 28:23-25a
23 And when they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly bearing witness about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 And some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others were not believing. 25 And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving …

After Paul’s initial visit with the Roman Jews, we discover in verse 23 that they arranged to hear more about the “sect” of Christianity, and planned for a specific day, probably advertising it, so that many could come to hear Paul’s case. We also learn that Paul testified to the Jews about the kingdom of God and Jesus. He gave this persuasive speech based on the authority of the Law of Moses and the Prophets, since the Jews relied on these as authoritative sources. Paul spoke from morning until evening. According to verse 24, the Jews initially responded in one of two ways – some were convinced by Paul’s words and believed, while some did not believe him. Verse 25 tells of a disagreement breaking out among the two groups of Jews, and some of them left Paul’s house.

Acts 28:25b-27
25b … After Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying,

26 ‘GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY,
“YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;
AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
27 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL,
AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR,
AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES;
LEST THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES,
AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,
AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN,
AND I HEAL THEM.’”

In verses 25-27, Paul quotes from the prophet Isaiah (6:9-10), who was held in high esteem by most Jews. He prefaced this scripture by explaining that the Holy Spirit was speaking through Isaiah.

Acts 28:28-29
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God was sent to the Gentiles – they will also hear.” 29 [When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]

In these last two passages, Paul was trying to communicate to the Jews after they disputed his declaration that Jesus is Messiah. He was trying to get them to recognize that their denial of Jesus as Messiah was a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, as they had heard the truth but rejected it. Jesus Himself used this very passage in the same way (see Mt. 13:14-15; Mk. 4:12; Lk. 8:10; Jn. 12:40). Since the Jews by and large had rejected the message of salvation, Paul pointed out that God then sent the gospel to the Gentiles. He declared to the Jews that the Gentiles would listen to God’s message. Note: we should not understand this as an absolute statement, but as a general statement that Gentiles would respond positively to the message of salvation. The parenthetical of verse 29 lets us know that this was an inflammatory statement by Paul as far as the Jews were concerned. They would have been indignant at the idea that Gentiles would receive the salvation of God when the Jews were God’s chosen people.

Acts 28:30-31
30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, unhindered.

Verses 30 and 31 are transitional. They make a big shift from recounting an event to a statement that wraps up the entire book in just a few words. Paul was in Rome for two whole years, living in his own rented house. He welcomed all visitors who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul was able to do these things with all boldness and without any hindrance.

In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus commanded His disciples to go and make disciples (preaching the kingdom of God) and to teach them to observe all that He had commanded them (teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ). While baptism is not mentioned, we can assume Paul was directing the new converts to that end.
So, what happened to Paul after those two years? Though it is not recorded in Acts, Paul was released according to 2 Timothy 4:9-13 and other references. He did more ministry and was later arrested again under Nero’s persecution of Christians. It was during this time and his second imprisonment that he wrote to Timothy and Titus. Traditionally, it is believed that Paul was beheaded sometime around AD 67.

During his time in Rome, we believe Paul wrote the “prison epistles” of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. There were also many people coming to Paul and going back with messages and encouragement to their local churches. There were many fellow workers (Philemon 23) there with Paul, and the truth of the gospel continued to spread through Paul’s ministry as an ambassador in chains. Mark, Timothy, Aristarchus, Luke, Demas, Epaphras, Tychicus, and others all supported the work as the Holy Spirit empowered them and worked in the hearts of those who heard the gospel message.

III. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD +

Though chains and bars bound him, Paul’s tongue and his pen were free to teach of the salvation of God in Jesus Christ the Messiah. He spoke to soldiers, governors, kings, and even the emperor. Assuredly, there were many fellow prisoners and others who also heard him telling of the Savior and calling them to turn to Jesus for salvation.

In all of these events through approximately five years, we see that God’s plans are perfect. While God had ordained certain things to happen, Paul and others still had to act based on their own responsibilities. It is through the intimate dance of the decrees of God and the responsibility of man to act in accordance with God’s will, that God normally works in the world. In his prison cell, on the ships, and under house arrest, Paul was protected by God so that he could fulfill the responsibility he had to proclaim the glories of Christ to everyone he could.

Considering Paul’s ministry, we should find encouragement and confidence in carrying out the great commission. Paul told the Corinthians to “be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). Empowered by the same Holy Spirit that guided Paul, we can also proclaim the gospel and live in a way that testifies to the work of Christ in our lives. Few of us will ever find ourselves in chains, but even if we do, we can still proclaim the gospel to all who will listen.

We always have freedom to proclaim the gospel, because our right to do so has nothing to do with the statutes or commands of men, but the responsibility we have been given by God to proclaim His truths. There may be man-made consequences for proclaiming the gospel, but we can never be stopped from doing so unless those persecuting us cut out our tongues and lop off our fingers. Even if we are imprisoned, beaten, and tortured, we can still proclaim the truth in chains as Paul and others like him did.

Prayer: Father God, we praise You today for Your perfect plan of redemption which is available to all who believe in Your Son Jesus Christ as Savior. What an amazing and liberating truth! How privileged we are to be able to share this good news with others. We ask for Your Holy Spirit to give us the boldness to obey our commission even in the face of persecution. We are encouraged whenever we are reminded that You will always protect and provide for Your children until You call us home to our everlasting reward of being in Your divine presence throughout the eternal ages. We thank You, in the name of Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Invitation # 292: “God of Grace & God of Glory” (4 vs.)

Benediction: Beloved, may the hand of the Lord be with you, and may a great number of people trust and turn to the Lord because you allowed God to work through you. Amen. (Acts 11:21)

PAUL’S JOURNEY TO ROME - Study Guide

PAUL’S JOURNEY TO ROME

Answers (Lesson 170) - June 15, 2025 - Rev. Alan Cousins

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB
Introduction: When we last left Paul, we learned that he had appealed to Caesar and would soon set sail under guard to Rome. This is where we will pick up the narrative today.

Acts 27:1-8

I. SHIPWRECKED! (Acts 27:9-44)

Acts 27:9-24

In verses 12-13, the ship’s crew hoped to take shelter for the winter in Phoenix, a harbor located on Crete’s southern coast.

Verse 20 tells us that the storm lasted “many days,” but verse 27 says it was 14 days. This verse also indicates that most on board were low in spirit, having given up all hope of being saved. Verse 21 points out that they had gone most of this time without eating anything.

In verses 22-25, Paul tries to encourage his shipmates and give them hope. He told them they would lose the ship, but none of them would die. Paul made this claim on the authority of an angel of God who had visited him and told him this. Paul also explained that he belonged to God and worshiped Him. The angel told Paul he must stand before Caesar and that no one else with him would be lost. This agrees with what we learned from Acts 23:11. In that instance, Jesus Himself appeared to Paul while he was under arrest in Jerusalem nearly three years earlier, telling Paul he would testify of Jesus in Rome. The angel was affirming and clarifying that Paul would indeed appear before Caesar in Rome, testifying of the Christ. Based on the angel stating that God would spare the lives of the others on the ship, we can conclude (1) that God is sovereign over the lives of men; and (2) infer that Paul had been praying for their lives to be spared, presumably beginning when they left for Phoenix against his advice. Paul had full confidence that God would bring these things to pass just as He had said. According to verse 22 and 26, the only thing that would be lost was the ship itself, for it was going to run aground on an island.

II. IMPRISONED IN ROME (Acts 28:16-31)

Now, let’s turn our attention to what happened once Paul arrived in Italy.

Acts 28:16-31

In verses 25-27, Paul quotes from the prophet Isaiah (6:9-10), who was held in high esteem by most Jews. He prefaced this scripture by explaining that the Holy Spirit was speaking through Isaiah.

So, what happened to Paul after those two years? Though it is not recorded in Acts, Paul was released according to 2 Timothy 4:9-13 and other references. He did more ministry and was later arrested again under Nero’s persecution of Christians. It was during this time and his second imprisonment that he wrote to Timothy and Titus. Traditionally, it is believed that Paul was beheaded sometime around AD 67.

III. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD

PAUL’S ARREST (Part 2)

Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Click For Audio

PAUL’S ARREST (Part 2)

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we begin our study of Your Word today, we seek Your guidance and wisdom. We acknowledge that we are imperfect and in need of Your divine direction. Open our hearts and minds to Your Truth so that we may receive the insights and revelations You have for us today. May the blessed Holy Spirit be our compass, leading us in the paths of righteousness. Help us discern Your will and follow it faithfully. We trust in Your unwavering guidance and ask for Your presence to be palpable among us. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Introduction: Last Sunday, you will remember, Paul was meeting with James and the Jerusalem church elders when we left him. The elders wished to maintain peace and unity among the believers, while at the same time protecting Paul from the zealous Jews, and avoid placing stumbling blocks among the members of the Jerusalem congregation.

Hopefully, you recall that while visiting the believers in the port city of Caesarea, Paul was visited by a prophet named Agabus. Agabus warned Paul that he would be bound by the Jews in Jerusalem and delivered over to the Gentiles. Let’s begin by taking a look at how Agabus’ prophecy was fulfilled.

I. PAUL IS ARRESTED (Acts 21:27-36, 37-39)
Let’s pick up the account in Acts 21.

[READ Acts 21:27-36]

27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)
30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. 35 When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”

Acts 21:27-29
27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)

The seven days, in verse 27, are referring to Paul following the elders’ advice to purify himself and participate in the young men’s ritual. The purification process took seven days. Numbers 6 gives us the requirements for the Nazirite vow, the process with which Paul was helping the young men. They had to purify themselves for seven days and present an offering on the eighth.

Also, in verse 27, we learn that some Jews from Asia who were in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost, were the ones responsible for stirring up the people, seizing Paul, and starting a riot.

In verse 28, before all the people, they accused Paul of teaching against the Jews, the law, and the temple. Specifically, they claimed that Paul had defiled the temple by bringing Greeks into it in verse 29. Obviously, there was no truth to this claim. They had seen Paul with Trophimus, a Greek from Ephesus, in the city at some time prior to this. They could only assume that Paul had brought Trophimus into the temple for they had no definitive proof that he had done so.

Acts 21:30-32
30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

Hearing the accusations of the Asian Jews, verse 30 tells us that the crowd erupted, seized Paul, and dragged him outside of the temple grounds. Notice the phrase “immediately the gates were shut.” To kill someone on temple grounds would defile the temple. You may remember Jehoiada’s similar concern when he crowned Joash; he had Athaliah taken out of the temple before being executed for treason (2 Ki. 11:12-16).

Almost immediately, according to verses 31-32, the riot was reported to the tribune of the Roman garrison in Jerusalem. He quickly arrived with soldiers to interrupt the beating and potential murder, as well as crush the riot.

A tribune was a commander of a thousand soldiers. He would have had 10 centurions under his command. The Fortress Antonia, which overlooked the temple complex, was their headquarters, so they would have been nearby and easily able to notice the commotion.

Acts 21:33-36
33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. 35 When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”

In verse 33 we learn that the tribune arrested Paul, assuming that he must be guilty of something, due to the crowd’s outrage. It seems he thought Paul might be dangerous, since he used two chains to restrain him (after he had already been dragged out of the temple complex and beaten). By the way, do you remember Agabus’ prophecy from earlier in this chapter? How did these events fulfill his prophecy? Agabus prophesied that Paul would be bound by his hands and feet. Since the tribune used two chains, we can infer that one was for his hands and the other for his feet.

According to verse 34, what information about Paul was the tribune able to discern from his accusers? Nothing really. There were too many people shouting different things about Paul. They created such a cacophony that the tribune was unable to make heads or tails from their din. Paul’s enemies were so vehement that they followed the soldiers all the way back to the barracks at Antonia, pressing in so close that the soldiers had to lift Paul up over their heads and carry him in for his own protection. As they bore Paul toward the safety of the garrison, the crowd continued to shout, “Get rid of him!”

[READ Acts 21:37-39]

37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago raised a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 But Paul said, “I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.”

Acts 21:37
As we see in verse 37, even in this tense situation, the fruit of the Spirit was evident in Paul’s life as he politely asked the tribune for permission to speak. The tribune was somewhat taken aback when Paul spoke to him in Greek. His use of the language of educated people startled the Roman, who assumed his prisoner was an uncultured criminal.

Acts 21:38
In verse 38, we learn that the tribune’s assumptions about who Paul was and what he had done were way off base. He wrongfully supposed that Paul was the Egyptian false prophet who, several years earlier, had promised to drive out the Romans. Before he could do so, however, his forces were attacked and routed by Roman troops led by Governor Felix. Though several hundred of his followers were killed or captured, he managed to escape. The tribune assumed he had now returned and been captured by the crowd.

Acts 21:39
In verse 39, Paul gives the tribune his identity as (1) a Jew; (2) born in the city of Tarsus, in the Roman province of Cilicia; (3) a Roman citizen; and (4) of no insignificant city – Tarsus was an important cultural city in that day with a university rivaling those at Athens and Alexandria. (Note: I did not include verse 40 in this section as it goes more properly with chapter 22).

II. IMPRISONMENT, TRIALS & PLOTS (Acts 21:40 – 26:30)

Through the next five chapters, Paul endured trials, imprisonment, and even plots against his life. In all Paul would give his defense six times before three different rulers and Jews in two different cities. He narrowly escaped three different plots to take his life.

Although we do not have the time this morning to read every passage, I am going to separate the sections and summarize them so you can get the overall picture of what was happening in Paul’s life at this time. By separating the various sections, it will help you as you go back and study these chapters of Acts at a later time.

* Paul Testifies to the Jews (Acts 21:40 - 22:21)

Paul asked the tribune for permission to speak to the people. He defended himself by sharing his testimony. He explained that he was brought up in the Jewish faith and was zealous for the law, even to the point of persecuting the followers of the Way. But then Jesus confronted him on the road to Damascus, saved him, and sent him to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles.

* Tribune Prepares to Have Paul Flogged (Acts 22:22-29)

Once Paul mentioned that he had been sent to the Gentiles, the people began yelling again, calling for his death. Once more, the tribune saved Paul from the crowd but decided to examine him by flogging. Paul revealed that he was a Roman citizen. Because it was unlawful to flog a Roman citizen, the tribune called off this punishment.

* Paul Gives His Defense Before the Sanhedrin (Acts 22:30 – 23:10)

The next day, the tribune called the chief priests and all the council to meet because he wanted to discover why Paul was being accused by the Jews. Paul began his defense but quickly realized that the religious rulers were not interested in a fair trial. Observing that some present were Pharisees and some were Sadducees, he told them that he was being accused because of the hope of the resurrection. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection, but the Sadducees did not. The argument became so heated that the tribune again had to carry Paul into the safety of the barracks.

* Jesus Appears to Paul (Acts 23:11)

Before we continue with our summaries, let’s stop and consider a very important verse.

[READ Acts 23:11]

11 But on that very night, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly borne witness to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must bear witness at Rome also.”

How encouraging this visit must have been to Paul! Paul had come to Jerusalem fully expecting to die. Here, Jesus told him that he would not die before proclaiming the gospel in Rome. This revelation also gave purpose to the trials he was facing. He was being given the opportunity to testify the facts about Jesus, and he would continue to do so. Also, when he wrote the letter to the Romans, he told them he desired to come visit them. Now he knew he would be able to fulfill that desire.

* A Plot to Murder Paul Is Thwarted (Acts 23:12-35)

Some of the Jews made a vow to kill Paul and convinced the chief priests and elders to aid them. The council would call for Paul, claiming that they wanted to try him more carefully. Then the Jews who had made the vow would ambush him and kill him before he arrived. Paul’s nephew heard the plan and ran to tell Paul. He explained the plot to the tribune, who made arrangements for Paul to be taken out of Jerusalem under guard by night. He sent Paul to the governor, Felix, in Caesarea. Felix accepted him, placed him under guard, and agreed to hear his case when the accusers arrived.

* Paul Defends Himself Before Felix (Acts 24:1-21)

Five days later, some Jewish elders arrived with a spokesperson to accuse Paul. They charged him of instigating riots and defiling the temple. Paul was given an opportunity to defend himself before Felix. He refuted their claims, explaining that he was simply following the laws of purification. He had not been in town long enough to stir up trouble, nor had he been disputing with anyone. Paul had done nothing wrong, and the Jews could not prove their false allegations.

* Felix Keeps Paul in Custody (Acts 24:22-27)

The Jews had no case against Paul, but to let him off would enrage the Jews. So, Felix put them off, saying he would revisit the case when Lysias the tribune arrived. It does not appear that the tribune came or was even called for. So, Paul was kept in custody, given some liberty, and allowed to have friends and visitors. Felix and his wife Drusilla had Paul speak to them about his faith, which he gladly did. Although Felix felt some conviction, he sent Paul away and hoped for a bribe. Felix often conversed with Paul throughout the two years he kept him in custody. After two years, Felix was replaced by Festus.

* Paul Before Festus (Acts 25:1-12)

When Festus took power, the Jews saw another opportunity to kill Paul. They asked Festus to bring him to Jerusalem to stand trial. Of course, they would ambush him and kill him before he reached the city. But Festus was headed to Caesarea, so he said he would hear the case there. The Jews had no case and Paul argued for his innocence. But Festus wanted to do the Jews a favor to win their support, so he offered a compromise. He asked Paul if he wanted to be taken to Jerusalem and tried. Paul objected, knowing that to go to Jerusalem would mean certain death. He appealed to Caesar, the right of a Roman citizen, and thus secured his passage to Rome.

* Agrippa Asks to Hear Paul’s Case (Acts 25:13-27)

King Agrippa arrived in Caesarea and Festus asked for his opinion in Paul’s case. Agrippa knew a lot about the Jews and the Christians, and Festus needed help knowing what to write about Paul’s charges when he sent him to Rome. Agrippa said he would like to hear Paul speak. So, Festus arranged for Paul to have an audience with Agrippa.

FYI: There are two King Agrippas in the Bible, both part of the Herodian family. King Herod Agrippa I (son of Aristobulus) was a grandson of Herod the Great; he ruled over Judea and Samaria. Agrippa I is the “King Herod” who killed James and imprisoned Peter (Acts 12:1-3). The apostle Peter escaped King Agrippa I, being miraculously released from prison (Acts 12:6-11). Later, Agrippa I traveled to Caesarea where he addressed a crowd from his throne. The people shouted, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” (Acts 12:22). Agrippa, filled with pride, accepted the praise, and “immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last” (Acts 12:23). So the persecutor of Christians died, “but the word of the Lord continued to grow and multiplied” (Acts 12:24).

The son of Agrippa I was Herod Agrippa II, also known as Julius Marcus Agrippa; he was the brother of Bernice and Drusilla and heard Paul’s defense of the gospel in Acts 26. Agrippa II had quite a lot of power in Jewish religious affairs, for he had been given custodianship of the temple and the authority to appoint the high priest. He was the last of the Herodian kings.

Now, let’s take a closer look at Paul’s defense before Agrippa.

[READ Acts 26:1-32]

1 Now Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul, stretching out his hand, began to make his defense:
2 “Concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, I regard myself blessed, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today; 3 especially because you are an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 “So then, all Jews know my manner of life from my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem; 5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion. 6 And now I am standing here being tried for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews. 8 Why is it considered unbelievable among all of you if God does raise the dead?
9 “So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities.
12 “While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13 at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a servant and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’
19 “So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, practicing deeds appropriate to repentance. 21 For this reason some Jews seized me in the temple and were trying to put me to death. 22 Therefore, having obtained help from God to this day, I stand here bearing witness both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place; 23 that the Christ was to suffer, and that as first of the resurrection from the dead, He was going to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
24 Now while Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth. 26 For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know you believe.” 28 But Agrippa replied to Paul, “In such short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “I would pray to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”
30 And the king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, “This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Acts 26:6-7
6 And now I am standing here being tried for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews.

In verses 6-7, Paul said he was on trial because he believed in the promise made by God to the fathers of Israel. In other words, he believed the Messiah had come. This should not have been offensive to the Jews, who had been awaiting the Messiah since OT days.

Acts 26:9-11
9 “So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities.

In verses 9-11, Paul describes his purpose before the encounter on the road to Damascus. He was convinced that he ought to oppose the name of Jesus and the saints who followed Him.

Acts 26:15-18
15 … ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a servant and a witness … 17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’

Then in verses 15-18, Jesus gave Paul a new purpose. He was to proclaim the message of the gospel to the Gentiles so they might see the light and receive the forgiveness of sins.

Acts 26:19-20
19 “So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, practicing deeds appropriate to repentance.

Paul relates in verses 19-20 that he obeyed the Lord. He preached that everyone should repent and turn to God, a message clearly taught throughout the OT.

Acts 26:22-23
22 Therefore, having obtained help from God to this day, I stand here bearing witness both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place; 23 that the Christ was to suffer, and that as first of the resurrection from the dead, He was going to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

Paul didn’t preach a new message. He spoke only what the prophets and Moses spoke about: that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise from the dead. Paul might have used Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 to describe Messiah’s suffering, and Psalm 16:10 to point out His resurrection.

Acts 26:28
28 But Agrippa replied to Paul, “In such short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?”

Agrippa responds in verse 28 asking if Paul was trying to convince him to become a Christian. He obviously recognized Paul’s message and intent. Paul had not really defended himself as much as he had presented the gospel, clearly drawing the connection between the OT promise and its fulfillment found in Jesus.

Acts 26:29
29 And Paul said, “I would pray to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”

In verse 29 we find Paul’s goal in speaking. Paul desired that everyone listening would repent and trust in Jesus, boldly proclaiming His name. Of course, he did not wish imprisonment upon them.

Acts 26:30-32
30 And the king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, “This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

As Agrippa left, he told Festus that Paul was not deserving of death or imprisonment and could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar (vs. 30-32).

Paul used every opportunity he had to share the gospel. Through his unjust imprisonment, he obtained the opportunity to proclaim the message about Christ to three different rulers. All three recognized that he was guilty of no crime, but none of the three gave indication of having repented and believed in Jesus.

It's ironic that Agrippa said Paul could be set free if he had not appealed to Caesar. It would be easy for us to get frustrated at the timing of that decision. But Paul wasn’t concerned with being set free. He was concerned with the advancement of the kingdom of God. And Jesus had promised him directly that he would go to Rome. His appeal to Caesar would surely get him there.

It is also important to note that in each of his defenses, Paul explained that his belief was not contrary to the law. In fact, the OT scriptures promised Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead. Why then was it so incredible that God had fulfilled His promise in the person of Jesus Christ?

III. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD +

God clearly had a plan for Paul’s life, and just as He had promised, He protected Paul. He didn’t always deliver Paul out of affliction and imprisonment immediately, but He brought about His own purposes through those adventures. In just this one lesson, we’ve seen Paul beaten by his own people, arrested and chained, falsely accused, unfairly tried, and imprisoned for two years without cause. But through this, he was able to proclaim the gospel before the people, the chief priests and elders, Felix, Festus, and Agrippa, as well as the many others who were present at each hearing.

In the last hearing we learned about today, Agrippa and Festus didn’t understand that Paul was actually the judge in this trial and they were the prisoners. They had been shown the light and the way to freedom, but deliberately closed their eyes and returned to their sins. Perhaps they felt relieved that Paul would go to Rome and trouble them no more. The trial was over, but their sentences were still to come; and come they would.

What a wonderful thing it is to have the opportunity to trust Jesus Christ and be saved! But what a terrible thing it is to waste that opportunity and perhaps never have another.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for having a perfect plan laid out for our lives. You know every twist and turn, every trouble and difficulty, blessings and miracles that we face. We are so glad that nothing takes You by surprise and that we can wholly depend on Your help to guide us through it all. Once again, we ask You for boldness to always obey You even in the face of persecution. We are so grateful to You for always protecting and providing for us. How blessed we are to be Your children. Please accept our thanks and prayer, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Invitation # 506: “I Will Sing of My Redeemer” (4 vs.)

Benediction: Beloved, may God make you strong and bold, may you not be afraid or frightened of the unknown, nor of risks, nor of your enemies, nor the enemies of God, for Adonai your God goes with you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. Amen. (Deut. 31:6)

PAUL’S ARREST – Part 2 - Study Guide

Answers (Lesson 169) - June 8, 2025 - Rev. Alan Cousins

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Introduction: While visiting the believers in the port city of Caesarea, Paul was visited by a prophet named Agabus. Agabus warned Paul that he would be bound by the Jews in Jerusalem and delivered over to the Gentiles. Let’s begin by taking a look at how Agabus’ prophecy was fulfilled.

I. PAUL IS ARRESTED (Acts 21:27-36, 37-39)

Acts 21:27-36

Also, in verse 27, we learn that some Jews from Asia who were in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost, were the ones responsible for stirring up the people, seizing Paul, and starting a riot.

Acts 21:37-39

As we see in verse 37, even in this tense situation, the fruit of the Spirit was evident in Paul’s life as he politely asked the tribune for permission to speak. The tribune was somewhat taken aback when Paul spoke to him in Greek. His use of the language of educated people startled the Roman, who assumed his prisoner was an uncultured criminal.

In verse 38, we learn that the tribune’s assumptions about who Paul was and what he had done were way off base. He wrongfully supposed that Paul was the Egyptian false prophet who, several years earlier, had promised to drive out the Romans. Before he could do so, however, his forces were attacked and routed by Roman troops led by Governor Felix. Though several hundred of his followers were killed or captured, he managed to escape. The tribune assumed he had now returned and been captured by the crowd.

In verse 39, Paul gives the tribune his identity as (1) a Jew; (2) born in the city of Tarsus, in the Roman province of Cilicia; (3) a Roman citizen; and (4) of no insignificant city – Tarsus was an important cultural city in that day with a university rivaling those at Athens and Alexandria. (Note: I did not include verse 40 in this section as it goes more properly with chapter 22).

II. IMPRISONMENT, TRIALS & PLOTS (Acts 21:40 – 26:32)

* Paul Testifies to the Jews (Acts 21:40 – 22:21)

* Tribune Prepares to Have Paul Flogged (Acts 22:22-29)

* Paul Gives His Defense Before the Sanhedrin (Acts 22:30 – 23:10)

* Jesus Appears to Paul (Acts 23:11)

* A Plot to Murder Paul Is Thwarted (Acts 23:12-35)

* Paul Defends Himself Before Felix (Acts 24:1-21)
Five days later, some Jewish elders arrived with a spokesperson to accuse Paul. They charged him of instigating riots and defiling the temple. Paul was given an opportunity to defend himself before Felix. He refuted their claims, explaining that he was simply following the laws of purification. He had not been in town long enough to stir up trouble, nor had he been disputing with anyone. Paul had done nothing wrong, and the Jews could not prove their false allegations.

* Felix Keeps Paul in Custody (Acts 24:22-27)

* Paul Before Festus (Acts 25:1-12)

* Agrippa Asks to Hear Paul’s Case (Acts 25:13-27)

Acts 26:1-32

In verses 9-11, Paul describes his purpose before the encounter on the road to Damascus. He was convinced that he ought to oppose the name of Jesus and the saints who followed Him.

Then in verses 15-18, Jesus gave Paul a new purpose. He was to proclaim the message of the gospel to the Gentiles so they might see the light and receive the forgiveness of sins.

Paul relates in verses 19-20 that he obeyed the Lord. He preached that everyone should repent and turn to God, a message clearly taught throughout the OT.

In verse 29 we find Paul’s goal in speaking. Paul desired that everyone listening would repent and trust in Jesus, boldly proclaiming His name. Of course, he did not wish imprisonment upon them.

As Agrippa left, he told Festus that Paul was not deserving of death or imprisonment and could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar (vs. 30-32).

III. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD

What a wonderful thing it is to have the opportunity to trust Jesus Christ and be saved! But what a terrible thing it is to waste that opportunity and perhaps never have another.

PAUL’S ARREST (Part 1)

Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Click For Audio

PAUL’S ARREST (Part 1)

PAUL’S ARREST
(Part 1)

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we gather before You now to read and study Your holy Word, I ask for the Holy Spirit’s help for us all in discerning Your message and point of application for us from today’s Scriptures. I ask this so that each of our lives may bring great glory and praise to Your holy name. Please grant this petition in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Introduction: Last week we looked at what it means to be adopted by God and the benefits that come with being a child of God and coheir with Christ. When we trust in Jesus for salvation, we become a part of God’s family. We get to call him Abba, or Father, and to bring our cares to Him. We are given a new identity, and we belong to a family united in Christ. God also promises to protect us and care for us and help us grow. We are guaranteed an imperishable inheritance, guarded for us in heaven.

Not long after Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, he began his journey back to Jerusalem. There are a few notable moments recorded during that trip, but we’re going to jump ahead a bit. Today, we’ll pick up the journey in Tyre.

I. PAUL RETURNS TO JERUSALEM (Acts 21:3-6, 21:8-14, 17-26)

Now, let’s pick up the account in Acts 21.

[READ Acts 21:3-6]

3 And when we came in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 And after looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. 5 And when our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another. 6 Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home again.

When Paul and his companions disembarked in Tyre, they sought out the disciples there. The church in Tyre was likely started by Christians fleeing early persecutions in Jerusalem near the time of Stephen’s martyrdom. They visited with the believers in this church for a week.

The Tyrian disciples told Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Although it is not clearly stated in the text why they wanted Paul to avoid Jerusalem, we can discern from the context that they knew he would encounter trouble there. We cannot be sure how specific their knowledge was but are told they knew it was not safe for Paul in Jerusalem “through the Spirit.”

Since he boarded another ship headed to a port closer to Jerusalem, does this mean that Paul ignored a warning from the Holy Spirit not to go to Jerusalem? This may seem like a complicated question at first. If the disciples were delivering a message through the Spirit, then Paul should have obeyed. But when we look at the broader context, there is less confusion. Although the believers in Tyre were made aware of the danger through the Holy Spirit, and perhaps it was the intention of the Spirit to give Paul advance notice, the Spirit was not behind the disciples’ plea to avoid Jerusalem. We know this because the Spirit cannot contradict Himself and Paul was following His guidance to Jerusalem. This becomes clearer as we continue.

Acts 20:22-23

22 And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me.

You may remember this encounter Paul had with the Ephesian elders not long before. Paul explained to them that he was headed to Jerusalem “constrained by the Spirit.” Although he did not know what exactly would happen, the Holy Spirit had been preparing him to face imprisonment and affliction. In fact, he said that in every city the Holy Spirit revealed this truth to him. In light of this knowledge, Paul would have recognized that the disciples in Tyre were testifying on behalf of the Spirit, but that he must go to Jerusalem nonetheless.

Paul’s group left Tyre and spent a day at the port of Ptolemais, before arriving in Caesarea. Let’s keep reading in Acts 21 beginning with verse 8.

[READ Acts 21:8-14]

8 And on the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. 10 And as we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 And when we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, crying and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, saying, “The will of the Lord be done!”

Acts 21:8-9
8 And on the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.

Paul and his companions stayed with Philip the evangelist. This is the same Philip who preached in Samaria, explained Isaiah 53 to the Ethiopian, and then settled in Caesarea (see Acts 8:4-40). Verse 8 also notes that Philip was one of the seven – the seven first deacons appointed in the church of Jerusalem. Philip, Stephen and the others were chosen to handle the daily distributions to care for the widows according to Acts 6:5.

Acts 21:10-11
10 And as we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”

A prophet named Agabus came from Judea to see Paul in Caesarea and deliver a warning to him. Agabus revealed that Paul would be bound by the Jews in Jerusalem and delivered to the Gentiles. He illustrated this by taking Paul’s belt and using it to bind his own hands and feet. It certainly was not uncommon for prophets to give visual representations of their messages. Some examples include Ahijah tearing his cloak into 12 pieces and giving 10 to Jeroboam to represent the split of the kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 11:29-39); Isaiah walking naked and barefoot to represent the captivity of Egypt and Cush (Isa. 20:2-6); Jeremiah burying a new loincloth, spoiling it, to represent how God would spoil the pride of Judah (Jer. 13:1-11); and Ezekiel enacting a siege against a single brick, symbolizing the siege of Jerusalem (Ezek. 4-5).

Acts 21:12-14
12 And when we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, crying and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, saying, “The will of the Lord be done!”

After hearing Agabus’ prophecy, the disciples responded by begging Paul not to go to Jerusalem.

Verses 13-14 inform us that Paul knew there was no escaping the will of God, and he was ready to face whatever the Lord had in store for him in Jerusalem. In all actuality, Paul expected to be imprisoned and even die. He was prepared to endure these things for the name of the Lord Jesus. He was not concerned with his own life, but that his ministry be completed well and the gospel be testified to all he encountered (see Acts 20:24).

When the brethren recognized that Paul would not change his mind, they resigned themselves to the outcome, and Paul and his group left for Jerusalem. When they finally arrived, they received another sort of warning.

[READ Acts 21:17-26]

17 And after we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly. 18 And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 And after he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God did among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; 21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22 What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads. Then all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law. 25 But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should keep from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with them, went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them.

Acts 21:17-20
17 And after we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly. 18 And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 And after he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God did among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law;

Verses 17-18 inform us that after being gladly received by the brethren in Jerusalem, Paul met with James and the church elders. He recounted for them all that God had done through his ministry, relating one by one, and giving specific instances of God working among the Gentiles. After celebrating Paul’s report, the elders raised a concern with him.

Acts 21:21-22
21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22 What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.

The elders expressed concern that the Jewish believers would think Paul was disregarding their laws and customs because of his teaching among the Gentiles. They feared the divisive potential of Paul’s presence. There was nothing hypocritical in their concern or the solution they offered. The elders simply wished to maintain peace and unity among the believers, protect Paul from the zealous, and avoid placing stumbling blocks among the believers.

Acts 21:23-24
23 Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads. Then all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.

The elders gave Paul the opportunity to be involved in customary practices to prove that he was in observance of the law. He was to ritually purify himself, which was required since he had been away in Gentile lands. Then he was to pay the expenses of four young men who were completing their Nazirite vow, demonstrating his piety as a Jew.

Acts 21:25-26
25 But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should keep from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with them, went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them.

In verse 25, the elders reaffirmed the ruling of the first Jerusalem council that the Gentiles did not need to observe the customs of the Jewish law in order to be saved (Acts 15). What they were asking Paul to do had nothing to do with salvation and everything to do with avoiding unnecessary confrontation. Paul apparently agreed with them, which we would expect because of his desire to “become all things to all people” so that some might be saved (1 Cor. 9:20-23).

As Paul wrapped up his third missionary journey and returned to Jerusalem, he knew that he was heading toward affliction. In every city along the way, the Spirit testified to him that imprisonment and affliction awaited him. And yet he boldly approached his destiny, counting his life as loss except for the cause of Christ. He continued to Jerusalem, trusting in God to protect him or call him home. He would simply be faithful to proclaim the gospel.

Sometimes we think it would be easier to do God’s will if we knew ahead of time what we should be doing. But if you knew God was calling you to imprisonment and affliction, would you have faced it so boldly, despite your friends begging you to change course? Trusting God’s plan can be difficult, whether you know what it involves or not. But  Paul provided a great example of trusting in God, being faithful to the ministry entrusted to him, and leaving the results with God.

II. “I AM READY TO BE OFFERED” (Acts 20:24; 2 Cor. 4:16-17, 5:6-9; Phil. 1:20-21; 1 Thes. 5:9-10; Rom. 14:8)

Although it was not quite time for Paul to die, he was prepared to do so. He entered Jerusalem fully expecting to be imprisoned for the presumably short remainder of his life. He told his friends, “I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). It is easy to think we will never be asked to die for the name of the Lord Jesus, but many Christians throughout history have answered that call. Many others have faced persecution and affliction. Are we ready to do the same? How deep does our devotion to Christ run?

In the remainder of our time together this morning, I want us to consider the perspective on life and ministry that led Paul to boldly face imprisonment and affliction.

[READ Acts 20:24]

24 But I do not make my life of any account nor dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

Paul did not count his life as valuable to himself; he saw his life only as valuable as the ministry accomplished through him.

[READ 2 Cor. 4:16-18]

16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary, light affliction is working out for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Paul saw affliction as temporary and was able to look past his suffering to the hope of future glory.

[READ 2 Cor. 5:6-9]

6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord -- 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight -- 8 we are of good courage and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.

Paul acknowledged that to be absent from the body was to be at home with the Lord, and he preferred that option. While in this body, he walked by faith in the things unseen. His aim was simply to please God wherever he was.

[READ Phil. 1:19-21]

19 … For I know that this will turn out for my salvation through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Paul viewed his life as a way to honor Christ, whether by his death or by his life. He recognized that death would bring him into the presence of God, but he also knew that his life and suffering honored Christ through the ministry entrusted to him.

[READ 1 Thes. 5:9-10]

9 For God has not appointed us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.

Paul believed that he lived with Christ in life and that he would live with Christ once he died.

[READ Rom. 14:7-8]

7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

Paul knew that he belonged to the Lord. It didn’t matter whether he lived or died, he would do it to the Lord.

Paul saw life as an opportunity to fulfill his ministry, to please the Lord, and to honor Christ. He did not cling to this world or the life it offered; he lived this life with an eternal perspective. His purpose and his desire were centered on the glory of Christ.

It is obvious from the verses we’ve just considered that Paul did not fear death. In fact, he longed for it. He was not hopeless or suicidal, but he knew that a better life – eternal life with God – awaited him. He ran his race pushing forward to that finish line, looking forward to the unseen eternal things.

III. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD +

Paul was ready to face whatever would befall him in Jerusalem. He knew he was to be imprisoned and afflicted, and even suspected he would die. But  he had already accepted his role in the kingdom of God – to do ministry faithfully until he was called home to be with Christ forever. He was ready to live for Christ or to die for him. Are we able to say the same? Do we desire to honor Christ more than we love this life or fear death?

Paul valued his life for the work God was able to do through him. His purpose for living was to glorify God and to live for Christ. But Paul’s view of death was not much different. His purpose in death was also to glorify God and to live with Christ. May we be so consumed with our love for Christ that we can say, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). Then like Paul, we can approach any circumstance ready to live or die for Christ.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You and praise You today for having a perfect plan laid out for our lives and have mapped out a path for our individual missions and ministries. Although we don’t know everything we will experience along this path, we do know that it will end in Your presence forever. We have this confidence based on the promises of Your Word, our faith in Jesus Christ, and the witness of the Holy Spirit within our hearts. We ask You today for the strength we need for our journey. May we serve You well, and bring glory to the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For it is in His name I pray, Amen.

Invitation # 410: “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” (4 vs.)

Benediction: Beloved, may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, and in accord with Christ Jesus, that together we all may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. (Rom. 15:5-6)

Paul’s Arrest – Part 1 - Study Guide

Paul’s Arrest – Part 1

Answers (Lesson 169) - June 1, 2025 - Study Guide

TEXT: Selected Scriptures (LSB)

INTRODUCTION: Not long after Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, he began his journey back to Jerusalem. There are a few notable moments recorded during that trip, but we’re going to jump ahead a bit. Today, we’ll pick up the journey in Tyre.

I. PAUL RETURNS TO JERUSALEM (Acts 21:3-6, 21:8-14, 17-26)

Now, let’s pick up the account in Acts 21.

Acts 21:3-6

Since he boarded another ship headed to a port closer to Jerusalem, does this mean that Paul ignored a warning from the Holy Spirit not to do to Jerusalem? This may seem like a complicated question at first. If the disciples were delivering a message through the Spirit, then Paul should have obeyed. But when we look at the broader context, there is less confusion. Although the believers in Tyre were made aware of the danger through the Holy Spirit, and perhaps it was the intention of the Spirit to give Paul advance notice, the Spirit was not behind the disciples’ plea to avoid Jerusalem. We know this because the Spirit cannot contradict Himself and Paul was following His guidance to Jerusalem. This becomes clearer as we continue.

Acts 20:22-23

Paul’s group left Tyre and spent a day at the port of Ptolemais, before arriving in Caesarea. Let’s keep reading in Acts 21 beginning with verse 8.

Acts 21:8-14

After hearing Agabus’ prophecy, the disciples responded by begging Paul not to go to Jerusalem.

Acts 21:17-26

Sometimes we think it would be easier to do God’s will if we knew ahead of time what we should be doing. But if you knew God was calling you to imprisonment and affliction, would you have faced it so boldly, despite your friends begging you to change course? Trusting God’s plan can be difficult, whether you know what it involves or not. But Paul provided a great example of trusting in God, being faithful to the ministry entrusted to him, and leaving the results with God.

II. “I AM READY TO BE OFFERED” (Acts 20:24; 2 Cor. 4:16-17, 5:6-9; Phil. 1:20-21; 1 Thes. 5:9-10; Rom. 14:8)

In the remainder of our time together this morning, I want us to consider the perspective on life and ministry that led Paul to boldly face imprisonment and affliction.

Acts 20:24

Paul did not count his life as valuable to himself; he saw his life only as valuable as the ministry accomplished through him.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Paul saw affliction as temporary and was able to look past his suffering to the hope of future glory.

2 Corinthians 5:6-9

Philippians 1:19-21

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

Paul believed that he lived with Christ in life and that he would live with Christ once he died.

Romans 14:7-8

Paul knew that he belonged to the Lord. It didn’t matter whether he lived or died, he would do it to the Lord.

III. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD

Paul was ready to face whatever would befall him in Jerusalem. He knew he was to be imprisoned and afflicted, and even suspected he would die. But he had already accepted his role in the kingdom of God – to do ministry faithfully until he was called home to be with Christ forever. He was ready to live for Christ or to die for him. Are we able to say the same? Do we desire to honor Christ more than we love this life or fear death?

PAUL WRITES TO THE ROMANS

Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Click For Audio

PAUL WRITES TO THE ROMANS

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we look into Your Word of truth this morning, we ask for Your Spirit to open our hearts and minds and help us to understand the Scriptures. Please give us the ability to know You better and the discernment to understand and apply Your Word so that we can do what You say and obey with all of our hearts. I pray for these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Introduction: Last week we saw how Paul corrected and exhorted the Corinthians. While he was serving in Ephesus on his third missionary journey, he received word that the Corinthians were struggling with divisions and worldliness, so he wrote the letter that we call 1 Corinthians. 2 Corinthians was written not long after, likely while he was in Macedonia on the way to visit Corinth. Although Paul gave the Corinthians many instructions and practical advice, one of the main things he taught them was that as believers, they were all members of one body. Although they each had different abilities, gifts, and roles, they were all part of a community of believers unified by a common purpose – to please and glorify Christ.

While he was in Corinth the second time, Paul also wrote to the believers in Rome. He had not yet visited Rome, although he hoped to, but he knew that there was a group of believers there. In fact, you may remember that Priscilla and Aquila had been living in Rome before Claudius expelled the Jews. The letter to the Romans is very lengthy and contains many valuable passages. One idea in particular, closely follows with what Paul was trying to teach the Corinthians -- that we are one body in Christ. Paul wanted the Romans to understand that in Christ, we are children of God.

Today, we are going to focus our time on understanding the amazing benefits that we have as children of God. We have talked before about the idea of being a child of God. In our culture, many believe that everyone is a child of God. However, is this really true? That is one of the questions we are going to focus on today, as well as some of the pictures the epistle gives us of the benefits of being a child of God.

I. THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION (Rom. 8:1-17)

We are going to begin today’s reading in Romans 8, but before we do, let me share the context of chapters 6 and 7. In these two chapters Paul contrasts the slavery and death that came through the law with the freedom and life that is found in Christ – affirming that salvation is by grace alone. As we read 8:1-17, let’s try to understand who the children of God really are.

[READ Rom. 8:1-17]

1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is at enmity toward God, for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God.
9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
12 So then, brothers, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh -- 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die, but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the practices of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, also heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Rom. 8:1-3
1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,

Paul begins in verse 1, by informing us that those who are in Christ Jesus are no longer under condemnation. We should understand the phrase “who are in Christ Jesus” as referring to believers in Christ, having been united to Him at salvation.

In verse 2, Paul refers to the “law of sin and death.” This is a reference to the laws that were prescribed in the OT, especially the Mosaic law.

Verse 3 announces that the law is powerless since people in the flesh cannot obey the law. Because of this, the law cannot save anyone. Our own efforts to obey, cannot produce righteousness. So, God the Father sent His Son Jesus in the likeness of sinful flesh to fulfill the law.

Rom. 8:4-5
4 … So that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Adding verses 4 and 5, we see the phrases “in us” and “in Christ.” These are reminders to us of the believer’s union with Christ in salvation. Our sin was placed upon Christ on the cross, and His righteousness was given to us in His perfect obedience to the law. This explains the active obedience of Jesus to obey the law on our behalf. The idea of walking in the flesh and walking in the Spirit is repeated. This thought carries through this passage in many places, distinguishing the life of those in Christ and those of the world. In verse 4, Paul points out that those who are in Christ do not live according to the flesh (fleshly lusts) but in a way that follows the Holy Spirit.

Rom. 8:6-8
6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is at enmity toward God, for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God.

In verse 6, we see that the result of setting the mind on the flesh is death. No doubt, you have heard the word “carnal” used to describe things to do with the flesh. Another way it is used is to refer to someone whose thoughts and actions are set on the flesh, and we say that they are “carnally minded,” or are concerned with only the things of the flesh. The contrasting idea in this verse is the result of setting one’s mind on the Spirit, which brings life and peace with God.

Moving into verses 7 & 8, we learn that the relationship between God and those whose mind is set on the flesh is that the carnally minded are hostile toward God as they rebel against His law. Also, we are told that the carnally minded are unable to submit to the law of God nor please God.

Rom. 8:9-11
9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Paul clearly distinguishes between the saved and unsaved in verse 9, when he says that all who have the Spirit of God dwelling in them truly belong to Christ.

In verse 11, the miracle of the resurrection of Jesus is attributed to the Holy Spirit. Then Paul makes a connection between the miracle of the Holy Spirit raising Christ and His presence in believers. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work inside believers to empower them to live a life of obedience. There is also a hint of the future resurrection from the dead at a later point, especially considering 8:18-24.

Rom. 8:12-15
12 So then, brothers, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh -- 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die, but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the practices of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

Next, in verses 12-13, Paul tells the Romans to work with the power of the Holy Spirit to put to death the deeds of the body (i.e., sins of the flesh).

In verse 14, he explains that the sons of God are led by the Spirit of God, implying that those who are not led by the Spirit are not children of God.

Notice in verse 15, Paul calls the Holy Spirit  the Spirit of adoption. The Spirit of adoption causes believers to see God as their Father and call out to Him as such. This indicates an intimate connection to God that replaces the hostility described previously in verse 7.

2 Rom. 8:16-17
16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, also heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Verse 16 begins by encouraging us that the Spirit of adoption bears witness with our own spirits that we are children of God.

Then the logical chain relating to adoption follows through the rest of verse 16 and verse 17. If we have been adopted, then we are children of God; if children, then heirs; if heirs, then joint heirs with Christ and the future glory with Him.

Paul discloses something very interesting that is a part of our inheritance with Christ in verse 17. Just as Christ suffered, we will suffer as children of God. The rest of chapter 8 relates this suffering to the corruption from the fall and the hope of restoration ultimately leading to our full glorification into Christ’s likeness.

In this section of Romans 8, we have seen the Holy Spirit described as: the Spirit of life (v. 2); the Spirit of God (vv. 9, 11, 14); the Spirit of Christ (v. 9); and the Spirit of adoption (v. 15).

What a praiseworthy passage! The enemies of God have been reconciled through Christ’s obedience and righteousness, being adopted into God’s family. Adoption is an amazing aspect of our union with Christ. There are some very helpful historical connections that relate to adoption in the culture to which Paul was writing. For example, a son who was adopted into a Roman family could now receive the inheritance and be recognized as a son of his adopted father. I’ve included an article in today’s bulletin to explain more about Roman adoption and how it illustrates our spiritual adoption. So, adoption formed a vibrant word picture for those receiving these words from Paul. [See Adoption article]

As we think about the idea of adoption, we must naturally conclude that there are those who are outside of God’s family and are not children of God. In fact, in the opening of John’s Gospel, he tells us who can be called children of God.

Jn. 1:12-13
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

With our adoption as sons and daughters of the Creator God of the universe comes great benefits.

II. IMPERISHABLE, UNDEFILED & UNFADING (1 Pet. 1:1-9)

I know some of you are thinking, I thought we were studying Romans today, why is Alan having us turn to 1 Peter? Please bear with me. My purpose is to help you understand more about our benefits in Christ.

Obviously, the Apostle Peter is the author of this epistle. His audience is described as those who are elected by God the Father and saved through the blood of Jesus Christ and sealed with the Holy Spirit. By extension, much of the letter could be seen as addressing all Christians throughout time. Peter’s address in this epistle has a very clear trinitarian description. Specifically, Peter was writing to Jewish believers who were scattered by persecution throughout Gentile lands.

[READ 1 Pet. 1:1-9]

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who reside as exiles, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to the obedience of Jesus Christ and the sprinkling of His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, having been kept in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

1 Pet. 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, having been kept in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Peter begins in verse 3, by blessing God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and declaring that we’ve been born again to a living hope. Of course, the term “born again” refers to our new birth in Christ as Jesus talked about in John 3. He goes on to say that this living hope has been secured for us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We owe this living hope to the great mercy of our God.

In verse 4, Peter calls this living and future hope an inheritance. Our inheritance is described as incorruptible (not subject to decay), undefiled (not stained by evil in any way), unfading (unlike a flower that may wither over time), and kept in heaven (guaranteed). By using these terms, Peter is stressing the eternal nature of our heavenly inheritance. An earthly inheritance is prone to decay as money or assets depreciate or may be stolen, but the heavenly inheritance has none of those elements.

In verse 5, we learn that those who are in Christ are being protected by the power of God through faith. We are guarded for salvation and the previously mentioned inheritance. Although we have the benefits of our salvation and inheritance now, their fullness will only be realized in heaven (“in the last time”).

1 Pet. 1:6-9
6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Verse 6 speaks of rejoicing. The basis for this rejoicing is the realization of our eternal salvation and heavenly inheritance. The only possible limit to the rejoicing are the various trials that believers face while we are here on earth.

Yet, verse 7 informs us of the goals of these trials, which is to test the genuineness of our faith. Peter uses the analogy of testing gold, which is heated to remove any impurities. This idea is common to the OT; affliction is described as a purifier of God’s people. Ultimately, the purpose our testing should cause us to offer praise, glory, and honor to God. This will be accomplished “at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” This phrase refers to Jesus’ second coming and relates back to “the last time” in verse 5.

Let’s turn to Psalm 66 for a moment, to see how its verses relate to this idea of refinement.

Ps. 66:8-12
8 Bless our God, O peoples,
And make the sound of His praise heard,
9 Who establishes us among the living
And does not allow our feet to stumble.
10 For You have tested us, O God;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
11 You brought us into the net;
You established an oppressive burden upon our loins.
12 You made men ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water,
Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.

God is to be praised for His faithfulness in keeping His people even in the midst of trials that He has influenced, resulting in them being brought to a place of abundance.

Moving back to 1 Peter 1, what aspect of faith is highlighted in verse 8? Peter was pointing out their faith in Jesus and His work even though they had not physically seen Him. This is related to Jesus’ comment to Thomas in John 20:29 about believing without seeing bringing blessing, as well as to John’s teaching in 1 John 4. Peter goes on in verse 8 to identify believers as rejoicing with inexpressible joy and filled with glory in light of their salvation.

Verse 9 relates the outcome of faith which is the saving of our souls.

Let’s see what Paul has to add to our understanding of this passage.

Eph. 1:11-14
11 In Him, we also have been made an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who first have hoped in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation -- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Paul affirms Peter’s teaching of an inheritance that has been given to those whom God predestined to receive it. The inheritance results in the praise of God’s glory, and we are sealed with the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we take possession of it.

Having been adopted by God, we are heirs of a rich inheritance. The benefits of that inheritance should lead us to offer praise to God as we rejoice in what He has done for us in Christ. And He has not left us alone but has given the Holy Spirit as an absolute guarantee of our inheritance. While we experience many of the benefits of our adoption today, we ultimately look forward to experiencing the fullness of that inheritance in the future when Christ returns and brings about the consummation of all things.

III. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD +

To be sure, we’ve hardly scratched the surface of what it means to be adopted by God. We were once His enemies, but now He calls us children and grants us an inheritance with His Son. Knowing that He has freely chosen to save us because of His good pleasure and not because of our own merit should cause us to fall to our knees in thanksgiving. We will surely face various trials in this life but knowing that God intends to use those trials to refine us into the image of Christ should cause us to rejoice through our trials.

As children of God, we have access to the Creator of the universe. We can boldly approach His throne and ask Him for the things we need, trusting that He will not give us a stone when we ask for bread. And the inheritance that we have is kept for us by His power and with the seal of His Spirit living inside of us. Since our salvation is of God, it will not be corroded or corrupted in any way. We can look around this room and consider one another brothers and sisters in Christ and work together to remind each other of our position and inheritance in Christ. Finally, we can work to invite others into the family, imploring them to be reconciled to God and enjoy the benefits He offers to His children. Let’s work together to those ends until we experience the fullness of our salvation at the return of Christ.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your mercy in adopting us into Your family even though we were once Your enemies. Please give us a deeper understanding of the rich blessings that are ours through our inheritance in Christ Jesus. Again, thank You for bringing us into Your family and sealing us with the Holy Spirit until the day of our redemption. For it is in the name of Jesus, our elder Brother, I pray, Amen.

Invitation # 356: “Under His Wings” (3 vs.)

PAUL WRITES TO THE ROMANS - Study Guide

PAUL WRITES TO THE ROMANS

Answers (Lesson 168) - May 25, 2025 - Rev. Alan Cousins

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Introduction: While he was in Corinth the second time, Paul also wrote to the believers in Rome. He had not yet visited Rome, although he hoped to, but he knew that there was a group of believers there. In fact, you may remember that Priscilla and Aquila had been living in Rome before Claudius expelled the Jews. The letter to the Romans is very lengthy and contains many valuable passages. One idea, in particular, closely follows with what Paul was trying to teach the Corinthians -- that we are one body in Christ. Paul wanted the Romans to understand that in Christ, we are children of God.

I. THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION (Rom. 8:1-17; Jn. 1:12-13)

Romans 8:1-17

In verse 2, Paul refers to the “law of sin and death.” This is a reference to the laws that were prescribed in the OT, especially the Mosaic law.

Paul clearly distinguishes between the saved and unsaved in verse 9, when he says that all who have the Spirit of God dwelling in them truly belong to Christ.

Next, in verses 12-13, Paul tells the Romans to work with the power of the Holy Spirit to put to death the deeds of the body (i.e., sins of the flesh).

Paul drew the Corinthians to the conclusion that they should not boast in men; for all believers are united in Christ.

In verse 14, he explains that the sons of God are led by the Spirit of God, implying that those who are not led by the Spirit are not children of God.

Notice in verse 15, Paul calls the Holy Spirit the Spirit of adoption. The Spirit of adoption causes believers to see God as their Father and call out to Him as such. This indicates an intimate connection to God that replaces the hostility described previously in verse 7.

Verse 16 begins by encouraging us that the Spirit of adoption bears witness with our own spirits that we are children of God. Then the logical chain relating to adoption follows through the rest of verse 16 and verse 17. If we have been adopted, then we are children of God; if children, then heirs; if heirs, then joint heirs with Christ and the future glory with Him.

In this section of Romans 8, we have seen the Holy Spirit described as: the Spirit of life (v. 2); the Spirit of God (vv. 9, 11, 14); the Spirit of Christ (v. 9); and the Spirit of adoption (v. 15).

As we think about the idea of adoption, we must naturally
conclude that there are those who are outside of God’s family and are not children of God. In fact, in the opening of John’s Gospel, he tells us who can be called children of God.

John 1:12-13

With our adoption as sons and daughters of the Creator God of the universe comes great benefits.

II. IMPERISHABLE, UNDEFILED & UNFADING (1 Pet. 1:1-9; Ps. 66:8-12; Eph. 1:11-14)

1 Peter 1:1-9

Verse 6 speaks of rejoicing. The basis for this rejoicing is the realization of our eternal salvation and heavenly inheritance. The only possible limit to the rejoicing is the various trials that believers face while we are here on earth.

Let’s turn to Psalm 66 for a moment, to see how its verses relate to this idea of refinement.

Psalm 66:8-12

God is to be praised for His faithfulness in keeping His people even in the midst of trials that He has influenced, resulting in them being brought to a place of abundance.

Verse 9 relates the outcome of faith which is the saving of our souls.

Let’s see what Paul has to add to our understanding of this passage.

Ephesians 1:11-14

III. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD

THE CORINTHIAN EPISTLES

Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Click For Audio

THE CORINTHIAN EPISTLES

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts, ready to receive Your word. Prepare our minds to grasp the depth of Your teachings; soften our hearts to be transformed by Your truth. Open our spiritual eyes to discern how we may fruitfully apply Your word to our lives. May this message resonate in our hearts, guiding our lives according to Your will, for I pray these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Introduction: Last week we focused on Paul’s teaching ministry in Ephesus and his care for the disciples there. As we’ve seen before, Paul was not only interested in preaching the gospel to unbelievers; he also focused on strengthening the believers. He often revisited cities where churches had already been established, teaching them, correcting them, and encouraging them in their sanctification. Another way he accomplished this exhortation was through his letters. One of these epistles was written during Paul’s stay in Ephesus. Our study this morning begins with that letter – the first epistle to the Corinthians.

I. PAUL ADDRESSES DISUNITY IN THE CHURCH (1 Cor. 1:10-13, 3:1-9, 3:21-23)

Let’s begin by reading 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 to get a little bit of context.

[READ 1 Cor. 1:10-13]

10 Now I exhort you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brothers, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

1 Cor. 1:10
10 Now I exhort you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Paul appealed to the Corinthians in the name of the Lord Jesus, calling them to unity. He wanted them to agree and not allow divisions to develop among themselves.

1 Cor. 1:11-12
11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brothers, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”

In verse 11, I want to point out that Paul did not respond to an anonymous tip; the report came from a credible source: those of Chloe’s household (probably a prominent person and family in the church who had written or come to visit Paul in Ephesus to tell him of the factions going on in the church). Anonymous attacks and idle gossip are not worth the breath required to repeat them. However, a substantiated report of discord disgracing the church certainly deserves follow-up.

Paul offered this exhortation because the Corinthians were quarreling among themselves, following their preferred teacher to the point of division. Some were following Paul, some Apollos, some Cephas (Peter), and then there were those who arrogantly claimed they had transcended all earthly teachers and followed Christ only.

You will recall, Paul had established the Corinthian church, along with Silas and Timothy, during his second missionary journey and served there for a year and a half (Acts 18:11). Last week, I briefly mentioned Apollos, an Alexandrian Jew who was instructed in Ephesus by Priscilla and Aquila. He then traveled to Corinth and was serving there about the time Paul arrived in Ephesus during his third journey. Cephas refers to the Apostle Peter. Although we don’t have any biblical record of Peter ministering in Corinth, he was a pillar of the church in Jerusalem, and it is reasonable that his influence extended to Greece, even if he hadn’t traveled there himself. Each of these men were dynamic Christian leaders, and the Corinthians had fallen into divisive factions based on their preferred teacher.

Paul clearly objected to these divisions within the church, as well as the elevation of the apostles. The Corinthian believers were supposed to be on the same team, but they were quarreling with each other instead.

1 Cor. 1:13
13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Notice in verse 13, Paul asks the Corinthians a series of questions intended to expose their infantile thinking. It was Christ who died for them, and Christ is not divided. Paul reminded them that he wasn’t the who had brought them salvation. He had not been crucified for them. So, he pointed them back to the saving work of Christ.

Next, let’s jump ahead to 1 Corinthians 3.

[READ 1 Cor. 3:1-9]

1 And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to fleshly men, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are still not able, 3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?
5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

1 Cor. 3:1-4
1 And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to fleshly men, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are still not able, 3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?

According to verse 1, a new Christian who has just been born into the family of God is of the flesh (or carnal) in the sense that he or she has not yet had the opportunity to mature spiritually. Paul is not finding fault with them, He simply says that when he came to them the first time, he had much to teach them, but they couldn’t yet bear that teaching because they were still mere babes in Christ.

In 3:2-4, Paul taught these new Christians the basics – the milk of faith – on his first visit. By now, the Corinthians should have moved on to the meat of spiritual maturity, yet their behavior was still fleshly, marked by envy, strife, and divisions.

1 Cor. 3:5-9
5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

In verses 5-9, Paul explains both his and Apollos’ roles in Corinth. Paul planted and Apollos watered. Neither one of their jobs was more important than the other’s. In fact, he says they were not anything; it was God who gave the growth. The planter and the waterer have a unity of purpose, they are united.

Now, let’s drop down to 3:21-23.

[READ 1 Cor. 3:21-23]
21 So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

Paul drew the Corinthians to the conclusion that they should not boast in men; for all believers are united in Christ.

After receiving the report from Chloe’s people regarding the behavior of the believers in Corinth, Paul was compelled to write to them. But this correspondence was a bit different than the letters he had written to the Thessalonians. Paul’s epistle to the Corinthians is much less pleasant. Although he still gave thanks for them and their salvation and wrote some encouraging words, he was clearly admonishing them.

As an extremely important trade city, Corinth was greatly influenced by Greek culture and the moral corruption that comes with prosperity and a transient population. The church in Corinth struggled to break away from the depraved culture from which it came, and Paul addressed many issues in his letters. He rebuked them for sexual immorality, lawsuits against other believers, idolatry, and divisions. He offered corrections regarding marriage, the Lord’s supper, and worship. And this is just in the first epistle.

The biggest problem with the Corinthian church was worldliness. They allowed the passions of the flesh and the concerns of the world to drive them. Paul wrote to them to reprimand them for their worldly pursuits, to answer questions they had sent him, and to instruct them in godly living and proper behavior in the church.

II. PAUL DESCRIBES THE BODY OF CHRIST (1 Cor. 12:1-11, 12:12-31)

One of the main teaching ideas in the first letter to the Corinthians concerns the body of Christ. Paul not only warned the Corinthians about divisions in the church, but he also provided the alternative. The church should be unified in purpose though diverse in roles and abilities.

Let’s turn to 1 Corinthians 12 and read how Paul answered the Corinthians’ questions about spiritual gifts.

[READ 1 Cor. 12:1-11]

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were being led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 And there are varieties of workings, but the same God who works everything in everyone. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for what is profitable. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to someone else faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the workings of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to someone else various kinds of tongues, and to another the translation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

1 Cor. 12:1-3
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were being led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

In the opening verse of chapter 12, Paul tells the Corinthians he’s writing to them about spiritual gifts.

In verses 2-3, Paul cautions the Corinthians pointing out that they used to be led astray by idols, following wherever they led. Because of this history of being easily influenced, he wanted to make sure they would not be confused by those claiming to speak in the Spirit but giving false testimony instead.

He gives a great key to spiritual discernment in these verses. The Corinthians had been easily influenced by the culture before turning to Christ, worshiping whichever idol happened to be popular at the time. So, as Paul ventures into this spiritual topic, he wants to ensure that they have the correct foundation. God cannot contradict Himself, and the Holy Spirit is God. Since the Trinity is in perfect unity, no one speaking in the Spirit can speak against Jesus or contradict what God had already declared. By understanding this, the Corinthians could discern between truth and false teaching. With this caution offered, Paul turns his attention to the gifts of the Spirit.

1 Cor. 12:4-7
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 And there are varieties of workings, but the same God who works everything in everyone. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for what is profitable.

According to Paul (vs. 4-7), all believers are different due to their individuality, but also because of possessing different gifts, providing various services, and involvement in assorted activities within the church. Yet even though there are a variety of gifts, services and activities, it is the same Spirit, Lord, and God who empowers the believers. Every Christian is given their spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit for the common good. The gifts of every individual are meant to benefit the church as a whole.

1 Cor. 12:8-10
8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to someone else faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the workings of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to someone else various kinds of tongues, and to another the translation of tongues.

In verses 8-10, Paul mentions the spiritual gifts of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discernment (distinguishing between spirits), tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.

1 Cor. 12:11
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

In verse 11, it is clear, that the Holy Spirit is the one who gives and empowers these gifts, and He distributes them to each believer as He wills.

Next, Paul gives the Corinthians an analogy to help them understand how the church should function.

[READ 1 Cor. 12:12-31]

12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For also by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
14 For also the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has appointed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, how much more is it that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary, 23 and those members of the body which we think as less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no such need. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all translate? 31 But you earnestly desire the greater gifts.
And I will yet show you a more excellent way.

1 Cor. 12:12-13
12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For also by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

In verses 12-13, Paul says the church is like a body. A body is one entity, but it is made up of many different parts. Likewise, the church is one body that is made up of many members. We are unified into a single body by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Notice that Paul specifies that all believing Jews, Greeks, slaves, and free are part of this body. Remember, the Corinthian believers struggled with division, and Paul took this opportunity to once again emphasize that the things they thought divided them were of no consequence. They were all baptized into the same Spirit.

1 Cor. 12:14-16
14 For also the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.

In verses 14-16, Paul personifies the individual parts of a body, making the point that the body is made up of many different organs and features. The hand is part of the body; and even if it declares that it does not belong, it doesn’t change the reality of its relationship with the body. Likewise, every believer is part of the body of Christ, baptized into the same Spirit. Similar to the illustration of the hand, the one who feels he or she doesn’t belong to the body because they are different from another member does not understand the reality of the body.

1 Cor. 12:17-20
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has appointed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body.

Paul emphasizes the importance of diversity in the church in verses 17, 19, and 20, when he explains that each part has its own place and purpose, and the body is only whole when all of its members are present and functioning properly. In verse 18, he declares that it is God who arranges the members in the body as He chooses. Of course, this emphasizes God’s attribute of sovereignty – He is in complete control of everything and does all that He pleases.

1 Cor. 12:21-23
21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, how much more is it that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary, 23 and those members of the body which we think as less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable,

In verses 21-23, Paul points out a simple irony regarding the body. The seemingly weak parts of the body are indispensable, and the unpresentable parts are the ones that are given honor, yet they must all work together in unity.

1 Cor. 12:24-26
24 whereas our more presentable members have no such need. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

In verses 24-26, Paul connects his analogy to the church. God composed the body so that there would be no division, and that the members of the church would care for each other as members of the same body. Then he gives us two examples of how this works out practically: (1) if one believer suffers, we suffer together; and (2) if one believer is honored, we rejoice together.

1 Cor. 12:27-31
27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all translate? 31 But you earnestly desire the greater gifts.
And I will yet show you a more excellent way.

In the last verses of this section (27-31), Paul powerfully applies his analogy to the Corinthian church (and all others by extension) connecting it back to his discussion of spiritual gifts (12:8-10).

Paul explained to the Corinthians that the believers were all a part of something bigger than themselves. They were members of a body – the body of Christ. They were no longer identified by their differences but by the one Spirit who bound them into a single unit. They were to be united in purpose and function, growing up into their head, the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:15).

As members of this body, they each had been given different gifts, each was empowered by the Holy Spirit for the common good of the body. Every part of a physical body has a specific role to fulfill, in order for the body to work properly. Likewise, the church is a single unit made up of many members. Paul wanted the Corinthians to understand how the church ought to behave, as individuals and as a unit. They were not to think only of themselves. They were not to cause division among the body. They were to faithfully exercise their gifts as apportioned by God the Holy Spirit in order to build up the body of Christ.

This is important for us to remember as well. Western culture emphasizes individuality and relativism, which says the world revolves around you. But as Christians, we should understand that what we do affects more than just us. We are part of the body. That should give us a sense of unity and purpose as we think of others before ourselves  (Phil. 2:3). We should be motivated to fulfill our roles as best we can because we know we are working to benefit the body. We should be faithful to use our spiritual gifts properly for the common good of building up the church to the glory of Christ -- our head.

There is a little bit more I want to cover with you (especially from 2 Corinthians), but we will save it for Wednesday’s study.

III. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD +

Paul had spent a year and a half in Corinth during his second missionary journey, and as we’ve seen, he deeply cared about those in the churches he established throughout Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia. Corinth was no different. He loved the brothers and sisters in this church and wanted them to grow in their sanctification. When he heard that they were struggling with worldliness and disunity, he responded as their spiritual father.

He admonished them for their factionalism, explaining that their divisions were baseless. They were all part of the same team, members of the same body. Paul, Apollos, and Cephas were nothing; Christ is all in all. The apostles were simply obedient to their calling; it was God who worked through their obedience to accomplish His good work.

After calling them to unity, Paul described the church as a body made up of many members. Each member has a role, a specific function based on the gifts of the Spirit. But all the members have one goal: the good of the body. Paul then drew on that imagery to explain how they ought to act in service to the body, no longer living for self, but living for Christ.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we want to thank You today for Your thoughtful design for Your church and for calling each of us to be a part of the body of Christ. We ask for the Holy Spirit to develop within us more and more the selfless attitudes that will lead us to serve others gladly. Thank You for equipping us with gifts through which we can serve the whole body. Use each of us, Lord, in a way that compliments the work being carried out by our brothers and sisters in Christ. Enable us to be a testimony to the goodness and grace of Jesus our Lord, to a lost and dying world. We pray that we may truly be united together as one Body, to serve You in the place where You have planted us. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church, I pray, Amen.

Invitation # 277: “The Church’s One Foundation” (4 vs.)

Benediction: Beloved, you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” Amen. (2 Cor. 6:16, 18)

THE CORINTHIAN EPISTLES - Study Guide

THE CORINTHIAN EPISTLES

Answers (Lesson 167) - May 18, 2025 - Rev. Alan Cousins

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Introduction: Paul was not only interested in preaching the gospel to unbelievers; he also focused on strengthening the believers. He often revisited cities where churches had already been established, teaching them, correcting them, and encouraging them in their sanctification. Another way he accomplished this exhortation was through his letters. One of these epistles was written during Paul’s stay in Ephesus. Our study this morning begins with that letter – the first epistle to the Corinthians.

I. PAUL ADDRESSES DISUNITY IN THE CHURCH (1 Cor. 1:10-13, 3:1-9, 3:21-23)

Let’s begin by reading 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 to get a little bit of context.

1 Corinthians 1:10-13

Paul appealed to the Corinthians in the name of the Lord Jesus, calling them to unity. He wanted them to agree and not allow divisions to develop among themselves.

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

1 Corinthians 3:21-23

Paul drew the Corinthians to the conclusion that they should not boast in men; for all believers are united in Christ.

II. PAUL DESCRIBES THE BODY OF CHRIST (1 Cor. 12:1-11, 12:12-31)

Let’s turn to 1 Corinthians 12 and read how Paul answered the Corinthians’ questions about spiritual gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:1-11
In the opening verse of chapter 12, Paul tells the Corinthians he’s writing to them about spiritual gifts.

In verse 11, it is clear, that the Holy Spirit is the one who gives and empowers these gifts, and He distributes them to each believer as He wills.

Next, Paul gives the Corinthians an analogy to help them understand how the church should function.

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

This is important for us to remember as well. Western culture emphasizes individuality and relativism, which says the world revolves around you. But as Christians, we should understand that what we do affects more than just us. We are part of the body. That should give us a sense of unity and purpose as we think of others before ourselves (Phil. 2:3). We should be motivated to fulfill our roles as best we can because we know we are working to benefit the body. We should be faithful to use our spiritual gifts properly for the common good of building up the church to the glory of Christ -- our head.

There is a little bit more I want to cover with you (especially from 2 Corinthians), but we will save it for Wednesday’s study.

III. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD