In ‘The Story of God Commentary on Romans’, Michael Bird says reading Romans 1:18-32 is like walking down the crack alley of the human soul. It is an extension and out working of the fall and rebellion in Eden and the resultant death sentence. I understand this of humanity writ large but I also know some very kind, gentle and moral people who are not Christians. Some are adherents of other religions, some are atheists. I wouldn’t say these people are faultless, but they aren’t ‘filled with’ the characteristics on the list. What do we make of them? Are they ‘gentiles doing naturally what the law requires’? On the other hand, probably everyone with the ability for honest reflection can find themselves somewhere on this list and so we all stand condemned and in need of a Savior, which is I think, Paul’s point.
“Notice, the disaster is not a punishment imposed by God. Instead, it is what contemporary parenting speak terms a “natural consequence.” Great point, Beth. This struck me as I pondered how we sometimes think God is angry and out to punish and smite people who don’t believe in him, turn to idols, etc. What Paul is describing, as you said, is this is the result of your choices, not something God makes happen to them. Thanks!!
Not every Greek word that begins with an alpha means the word denotes being ‘not or without’. For instance, ἀληθής means, “pertaining to being truthful and honest, truthful, righteous, honest” (BDAG). Being full of something is the complete opposite of being ‘not something’ or ‘without something’.
In ‘The Story of God Commentary on Romans’, Michael Bird says reading Romans 1:18-32 is like walking down the crack alley of the human soul. It is an extension and out working of the fall and rebellion in Eden and the resultant death sentence. I understand this of humanity writ large but I also know some very kind, gentle and moral people who are not Christians. Some are adherents of other religions, some are atheists. I wouldn’t say these people are faultless, but they aren’t ‘filled with’ the characteristics on the list. What do we make of them? Are they ‘gentiles doing naturally what the law requires’? On the other hand, probably everyone with the ability for honest reflection can find themselves somewhere on this list and so we all stand condemned and in need of a Savior, which is I think, Paul’s point.
“Notice, the disaster is not a punishment imposed by God. Instead, it is what contemporary parenting speak terms a “natural consequence.” Great point, Beth. This struck me as I pondered how we sometimes think God is angry and out to punish and smite people who don’t believe in him, turn to idols, etc. What Paul is describing, as you said, is this is the result of your choices, not something God makes happen to them. Thanks!!
I'm heading off to work after a very nutritious breakfast - thank you!
BTW, I have been trying to learn some biblical Greek on my own, so also grateful for the vocab!
Not every Greek word that begins with an alpha means the word denotes being ‘not or without’. For instance, ἀληθής means, “pertaining to being truthful and honest, truthful, righteous, honest” (BDAG). Being full of something is the complete opposite of being ‘not something’ or ‘without something’.