Romans Comparison Pt 3 Rom 1:11-19

Rom 1:11 KJV - For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;	Rom 1:11 NKJV - For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established--	Rom 1:11 ESV - For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you--	Rom 1:11 NASB - For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;
From Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary: ESTABLISHED- Set; fixed firmly; founded; ordained; enacted; ratified confirmed. STRENGTH:  That property or quality of an animal body by which it is enabled to move itself or other bodies. STRENGTHEN:  To make strong or stronger; to add strength to, either physical, legal or moral; Now, do you think Paul wanted them fixed firmly in the faith or strengthened in their animal bodies to enable them to move themselves?  Doesn’t it strike you as strange that the ESV first distances their followers from God using “through” instead of by (Rom 1:5),  further distances them from being beloved of God (Rom 1:7), frightens them into believing they need to “succeed” at something (Rom 1:10) (if only God will get out of the way and let them), then tries to strengthen them in their animal bodies (Rom 1:11)?  Does it not strike you as a little confusing to have the followers of almighty God creator of heaven and earth trying to pump themselves up in their animal strength?  This is of course after they have just removed the power of the second Adam having been made by the hands of God without sin...  Nobody ever said the deceiver wasn’t subtle.  Put a pretty boy on the screen have him speak in a low well modulated voice, have him say all the words around the truth, just gut the heart out of the truth, wresting judgment from the poor in judgment is the goal of all lies, all lying doctrines and all deceivers.  The deceived are deceived because they are poor in the judgment of God that God has declared in his holy word.  They often know this and then grasp hold of a “priest” who is just a religious version of the previously described pretty boy.  There is no substitute for sound judgment.  Sound judgment comes only by knowing the law of the LORD.  The imitations of the word of God separate people from the knowledge of the law of the LORD, the goodness of God, the stable position of being established in their faith.  – again I am not saying the deceived (who are using the imitations to instruct others) are trying to deceive.  I am saying the word itself has the deception embedded into it and it is done with such subtlety that our human tendency is to gloss over its importance.   The deceiver need only plant the question in the mind of the poor in judgment, Did God really say?  Then when the poor in judgment go to the word to obtain good judgment and find confusion, where is the seeker of truth supposed to go?  We have a world filled with people calling good evil and evil good while at the same time holding up their preferred imitation of the word of God and saying “Find the answers here in the word of God!”  The answers aren’t in the imitations because the imitations just lead to more unanswered questions.  We have a nation filled with people who are afraid to say it is an abomination for a man to lie with another man as with a woman, it is an abomination to spill the blood of the innocent unborn, it is an abomination to send our boys and girls into unlawful, undeclared wars of greed and avarice, we have a nation that doesn’t know how to call evil evil and good good because those who have the charge of speaking righteousness and declaring things that are right don’t know right from wrong.
Rom 1:12 KJV - That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.	Rom 1:12 NKJV - that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.	Rom 1:12 ESV - that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.	Rom 1:12 NASB - that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.
Paul is saying that when he imparts the spiritual gift that ends in the establishment of their faith he will be comforted together with them because they will be of one mind, they will be of one accord in the faith that has been established in them because he imparted the spiritual gift to them.  That is far more powerful than encouragement.  This theme of being comforted by the holy spirit who leads us into all truth, being established in the faith, being in one accord, being like-minded is a continual theme that is consistently assaulted by the imitations.
Rom 1:13 KJV - Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.	Rom 1:13 NKJV - Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.	Rom 1:13 ESV - I want you to know, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.	Rom 1:13 NASB - I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.
When a Christian purposes to do something, it is contingent upon their request being granted by God or their way being prepared by God.  I purpose to do a lot of things.  I continue to wait for God to make a way for me to do them.  I have learned through experience that I can push through and do something according to my “plans” or I can purpose to do things as soon as God makes a way.  I have purposed in my heart that I might not sin against God.  As I walk in the paths he has prepared for me, I am successful in that purpose.  His paths are not always the paths that are the most comfortable for me.  I am comforted by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ through the comfort of the holy spirit and the comfort of the scriptures and I continue to watch and pray for the fulfillment of the promises and the purposes of my life. When Paul speaks of purposing to come to them, he is speaking of the request referred to in verse 1:10 where he is laying his request before God. Hitherto is a perfectly acceptable word, it is just not familiar to us.  It means “up until now”.  If we had continued to use the single word, we wouldn’t have needed the three little words!  This is no reason to throw out the whole of the holy word of God just because there is an obsolete word in the volume.  Far better to update our vocabulary to include hitherto than to try to change the word of God.
Rom 1:14 KJV - I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.	Rom 1:14 NKJV - I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.	Rom 1:14 ESV - I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.	Rom 1:14 NASB - I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
I saw immediately there was a problem with the change from "unwise" to "foolish" because there is no value added to the text by the change.  So, what was removed?  I couldn't see it.  I searched the bible for comparisons of wise and foolish.  I left it alone because I didn't see the answer.  Today, as I was sitting on my rocking chair enjoying the sunshine.  Plop, there it came right into my mind and my heart!  The wise work the commandments of God, the unwise do not.  The unwise may believe in their heart that there is a God but they fail to work the commandments of God.  The fool has said in his heart there is no God. The wise are those who obey to do the work of the commandments of God.  God gives wisdom to those who are wise of heart.  The unwise may believe in God, they may know things about God, but to do the work of the commandments of God is not in their heart.  The fool has said in his heart there is no God.  The gospel is not given to the foolish.  The gospel is given to the unwise and the wise.  The foolish are like the swine that will not hear the pearls of wisdom cast before them because in their hearts they say there is no God.  The unwise can benefit from the pearls of wisdom because the unwise may hear and turn and repent unto righteousness.  The fool will turn and rend you, the unwise will fail to do the work.  The two terms are very similar and it is not for us to try to determine who is the fool or who is the unwise.  It is for us to know the truth and obey God's commandments to do the work of going into all the world and preach the gospel of repentance toward God and his righteous commandments and to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The gospel is for the wise (who are already doing the works of righteousness and need to hear about the saviour) and the unwise (who are not doing the commandments of God and need to hear about the law and about the saviour).   What is hard to understand about the word “debtor”? Nothing? Then perhaps you can see that the imitations used two words and more letters to add no value to our understanding or edification. What caused them to do this?  The deceiver has a reason for his illusions even if the only effect is to make us doubt the inerrancy of the word of God.    Today I was thinking about this use of the phrase "under obligation" rather than "debtor" it occurred to me that we have been freed from the weight of sin that we held because we were under the obligation of the inherited sin that came through the blood of our fathers through the first Adam.  When Jesus died and we believed on him, we had that obligation removed from our shoulders.  Now, we are debtors to Jesus who paid the price of our sin and has freed us from the obligation to pay it back.  Now, we are not under obligation to pay the debt back to Jesus because he said, "it is finished".  We are debtors to his love.  In one place it says, "owe no man anything except love."  Love is not something that can be paid under obligation.  Love must be freely given or else it is a burden that must be met which puts it under the category of works of the law rather than a free will offering of love out of gratitude for the gracious gift of mercy and grace that we have received.  No, we are not under obligation.  We are debtors to the grace of God that was freely given to us.  This is just another instance of the subtle difference between the holy word and the imitations.  The very life of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we have been freed from the burden of our sins which are past.  We are debtors to be filled with gracious happiness and joy (like the leper that came back to thank Jesus) because of the willing sacrifice that purchased our freedom.  He said, "It is finished." because if we were obligated to pay him back for the debt we owe we would still be under the burden of sin.  We wouldn't have the resources to pay him back the debt that we owe.  We are under no obligation, but our gratitude will overflow into faith empowered works of righteousness under the law to honor Christ who redeemed us. 1Cr 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
Rom 1:15 KJV - So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.	Rom 1:15 NKJV - So, as much as is in me, [I am] ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.	Rom 1:15 ESV - So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.	Rom 1:15 NASB - So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
I am eager to do a lot of things.  I am ready to do a very few.  Eagerness does not equate to readiness.
Rom 1:16 KJV - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.	Rom 1:16 NKJV - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.	Rom 1:16 ESV - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Omitted Christ from the gospel!	Rom 1:16 NASB - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Omitted Christ from the gospel!
Why do the imitations cast doubt and confusion by changing the agreement of the articles?  Why omit the Christ of the gospel?  The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation.  Why is it important that we know that the gospel is the power unto salvation and not just "for" salvation?  Because we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling.  The gospel message is a message of repentance toward God for the remission of sins, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, baptism into the death of our flesh and raised to the newness of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus.  Salvation is a daily experience as well as an eternal experience.  The gospel is a path leading to a destination.  Jesus came filled with grace and truth so that we can reach our destination of holiness and receive the crown of righteousness which is laid up for us in heaven by Christ Jesus. Basically, "for" makes salvation a stagnate event.  The power of God is not stagnant.  When Jesus said, Before Abraham was, I AM.  He was identifying himself as one with the Father even the great I AM.  One beautiful thing about that is that Jesus is the great I AM eternally present.  Jesus is there when we were born.  He is present unto salvation eternally past, present and future.  The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes; to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  So, if I was born in 1978 and I was saved in 1999, Jesus is eternally present in all of the years from 1978 through eternity.  The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe.  If I need salvation (healing - things of the past to be made right in my present)  Jesus is there in my past ready to heal me in the present.  The gospel is the power of God unto salvation.  Salvation is the power of God operating to transform things that are not right into things that are right.  Righteousness is about making things right.   Some things were not right.  The gospel is the power of God to make things right - Hallelujah!  Jesus makes all things work together for good for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Hallelujah!  Jesus heals the broken hearted and transforms the broken heart into a heart of compassion whereby we may comfort those who are hurting with the comfort we have received.  Comfort is available to all those who believe unto salvation.  The gospel is the power of God unto salvation for those who believe.  What is not to love about that?
Rom 1:17 KJV - For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.	Rom 1:17 NKJV - For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."	Rom 1:17 ESV - For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."	Rom 1:17 NASB - For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, " BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."
The reason God had the recorders of his word use the term “from faith to faith” rather than “from faith for faith” is because as previously stated in verse 16:  the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes (faith):  from the faith of the Jew (first) and also to the faith of the Greek.  So, in the gospel of Christ the righteousness of God is revealed from the faith of the Jew to the faith of the Greek.  Simple, complete, holy – righteous.  From faith for faith makes no sense in the context of the message.
Rom 1:18 KJV - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;	Rom 1:18 NKJV - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,	Rom 1:18 ESV - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.	Rom 1:18 NASB - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
Now, why did the imitations all miss it again?  A person who holds the truth in unrighteousness is normally ignorant of the righteousness of God in relation to the truth he is holding in unrighteousness.  A person doesn’t have to be suppressing the truth in order to hold the truth in unrighteousness.  The condition of righteousness is determined by the agreement or lack thereof with the spoken righteousness of God (the things he has declared to be right). Everyone who bases their gospel upon the imitations of the word of God is holding the truth of God in unrighteousness!  They don’t know any better!  The imitations themselves are filled with unrighteous representations of the truth of God.  The imitations hold the truth in unrighteousness!  The people who know enough to suppress the truth are most often those in the highest levels of corruption.  The lower levels just allow the good judgment that is available to them to be wrested from them by those who rule over them in unrighteousness.  Whether a person holds the truth in unrighteousness because their information is faulty or whether they hold it in unrighteousness because they have designs to suppress the truth, either way they hold the truth in unrighteousness.  The King James transcribers recorded the inspired words revealing the righteousness God spoke through the law of Moses, the prophets and the apostles.  Everybody else just thought they could use the corrupted tools at their disposal and muddle through leaning on their own expanse of knowledge and understanding (their intellect).    It doesn’t work that way.
Rom 1:19 KJV - Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.	Rom 1:19 NKJV - because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown [it] to them.	Rom 1:19 ESV - For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.	Rom 1:19 NASB - because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
Let’s talk about the difference between “manifest”, “plain” and “evident”.  To be manifest means that something they have done is resulting in a manifest response to what they have done.  They may or may not know why it is manifesting.  It is manifesting because they have held the truth in unrighteousness.  When a man gets aids because he has held what may be known of God in the natural order of His creation in unrighteousness, he is manifesting in his body the consequences of holding what may be known of God in unrighteousness.  It is seldom plain to him that this is what is happening.  The consequences of his choices is manifesting in his body.  Whether the reason is plain or evident to him does not enter into the manifestation.  The laws of nature and of nature’s God operate the same as gravity.  These manifest consequences occur whether the party experiencing the manifestation acknowledges them or not.  Plain and evident does not reflect the reality of what is manifesting in them. Most of the time it is not plain to them and it is not evident to them it is merely manifest in them the same as a man that jumps from a tall building is splattered on the ground.  The splatter is manifest whether the man knew what he was doing when he jumped or not.