The Bookends of Romans
Bookends give the reader clues to the author’s central message.
I have written in earlier posts about the bookends to Matthew’s gospel and to the entire Bible.
I believe there are also bookends in Paul’s letter to the Romans. The bookends are Romans 1:1-7 and 16:25-27.
Unifying concepts in the bookends
The following concepts are seen in both passages:
God 1:1,7 God 16:26-27
Christ Jesus 1:1 Jesus Christ 16:25
Gospel 1:2 Gospel 16:25
Beforehand 1:2 long ages ago 16:25
Prophets, Holy Scriptures 1:2 prophetic writings 16:26
Regarding his Son 1:3 of Jesus Christ 16:25
With power the Spirit 1:4 by command of the eternal God 16:26
Gentiles 1:5 nations 16:26
Faith 1:5 believe 16:26
Obedience 1:5 obey 16:26
What do these bookends teach us?
Faith and obedience are part of the gospel message. There is no true faith without a changed life.
The Gospel is consistent with the Hebrew Scriptures. We can and should see Jesus in the entire Bible.
The Gospel is for everyone. There are not separate message for different groups of people.
Have you been tempted to separate obedience from faith?
Have you even been tempted to treat the Hebrew Scriptures as irrelevant for Christians?
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