The Fourth Sunday of Advent (Cycle A)

The Fourth Sunday of Advent (Cycle A)
December 22, 2001

Romans 1:1-7
Set apart for an awful thing

Click on underlined words (hypertext links) to jump to any part of the reading.

Romans 1:1

Romans 1:2-4

Romans 1:5-6

Romans 1:7

Romans 1:1

[Ro 1:1] Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.

NAS

Commentary

Paul could have claimed the title of Pharisee, the founder of the Gentile church or Christ's leading evangelist. Instead, Paul claims the title of 'paid slave' and, in the Hebrew and Roman cultures, it didn't get any lower than that. His sole purpose - for which he would die - was to tell the world of Jesus Christ.

Many of us cling to titles and positions as if they were our true definition. Unfortunately, this can be embarrassingly truer in churches than any other realms of our society. We need to learn from one who could have claimed many titles, but claimed only the name; "The Purchased Slave of Jesus Christ."

Word Study

Bond-Servant [1401, doulos]; There are many words for servant, including diakuolos (disciple). Yet, the word that Paul chooses is the word for a purchased slave.

Apostle [652, Apostolos]; The purpose of an apostle's life was to complete the mission handed to them by a superior officer. They were those messengers sent by a commander to deliver critical information to other strategic leaders. In the Christian faith, the Apostles are generally known as the twelve who were most intimate with Jesus - sent by the visible Messiah to carry His message to the world. Paul became an apostle by Christ's personal appointment as he traveled the pass from Jerusalem to Damascus.

The disciples were also sent to establish churches and to lead them. Disciples [Diakoulos], are servants who do whatever their master requests.

Set Apart [873, Aphorzo]; A child might have heard this word while playing tag. It would be like saying; "Base, you can't touch me here!"

The term means to be 'out of bounds'. It also means to be separated from a group for special purpose.

It is critical to notice that Paul was once a Pharisee - whose name also meant 'Separated One' in Hebrew. They (the Pharisee's) would use their separation as a badge - to be above commoners. Paul's use is almost 'in the face of' the Pharisee's pride. The Apostles were separated to experience more pain, more service and greater witness than any one else.

Gospel [2097. Euaggelizo]; The message of a life well lived. "Well done good and faithful servant." Who would not want to hear this eulugy at the end of one's life. This is the Good News of Jesus Christ alive. In Christ, a life of fullness and freedom is given.

Romans 1:2-4

[2] Which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, [3] concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, [4] who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord

Commentary

Here Paul lists the four testimonies of Jesus Christ. (1) He was foretold by the prophets. (2) He was a direct descendant of David's line. (3) The resurrection declared that He was The Messiah, Emmanuel, 'God-With-Us.' (4) Finally, the Holy Spirit attests to His deity by Her powerful descent upon the church - the Bride of Jesus.

Many religions since Jesus have declared their own 'Apostles.' In their beliefs, they have reduced Jesus to a special prophet and created addendum's to the Holy Scripture. Jesus cannot be a prophet - for how could a liar be a prophet. Indeed, if Jesus was not The Son of God, then He was a liar. To call Him 'a good man' or 'prophet' is to overlook His claim to be the foreordained Son of Man.

One must take Jesus at His word, or write Him off as mad!

Word Study

He promised [4279, Proepaggellomai]; An intergenerational promise not bound to one person's life span.

Romans 1:5-6

[5] Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name's sake, [6] among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

Commentary

To receive grace and apostleship, means not only to be sent with a message - but also to be 'empowered' to deliver God's message. We are promised the strength and even the words that we need to be His apostles - His 'sent' people.

We witness such power in Peter's message to the Jewish religious court. We see the peace that surpasses understanding in Stephen's vision of glory during his stoning.

God will not only call us - He will equip us.

Often, God has sent me where I would not choose to go. Yet, I have always known he was with me. Even in terrifying situations, where I felt my life threatened - his peace overwhelmed my fear and His Spirit guided my actions.

Word Study

Receive grace [2983, Lambano; 5485, Charis]; To receive grace in this context would mean that we are "stunned by the miraculous gift." Lambano is more than 'receiving a present' as if it were a card in the mail. It is as if we were receiving title to a kingdom. "Dear (Insert your name), your long-lost brother has left you the entire Kingdom of Heaven in His will. Please make arrangements to pick it up immediately."

Charis is frequently used as 'liberal joy'. Think of someone who is 'charis'-matic. That person's enthusiasm is infectious that flows effortlessly. This is truly a gift that is available from the Lord. I have seen miserable lives changed in just such a manner when the Lord brought his joy into a household.

Obedience [5218, Hupokoe]; The roots of this word are 'Hupo' and 'Akouo'. Separately, the mean 'someone who is subservient' and 'someone who listens attentively'. Together, they would form a term that applies to a servant or soldier who listens well.

This would be the underlying framework - or attitude - of a person who is ready to be used by Jesus Christ. Paul states that we are "obedient to faith." The whole of the sentence might be translated as; "We listen for and do the commands of our Lord because we are committed to leaning on His salvation."

The Called [2822, Kletos]; "The Called," is another term for saint. It refers to someone who has been set aside for a specific purpose. In the Roman army, a commander might have a special man set aside who can run faster and farther than all the rest. He would not be called upon to fight or dig latrines. His one purpose would be to run to any point in the world to deliver a critical message. He would do this without question and without delay.

We are 'The Kletos', 'The Called' of Jesus Christ. Saints who are 'set aside' for the sole purpose of running to the ends of the earth to deliver Christ's message. For years, the software giant, MicrosoftÔ , had a slogan; "Where do you want to go today?" A slogan for The Called could well be; "Where do you want me to go today, Lord?"

Romans 1:7

[7] To all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Commentary

This is Paul's 'signature phrase'. Paul - whose many letters dealt with heresies, problems I the Church and even slander - refused to lower his commitment to the people of God. Despite their frailties, Paul calls them Saints and Beloved (worth dying for).

An interesting study in human behavior called 'The Hana Study' (it took place in Hana, Hawaii), exemplifies the power of believing in someone. The study followed the life of a number of children facing incredible odds (divorce, abandonment, poverty, even abuse) over a thirty year period. The focus was resiliency - which children, against all odds - would become socially healthy, functional adults. The 'resiliency factor' (the identifiable trait that created resilience in the children) was a caring adult. One, caring, significant adult who believed in the child. It could have been an uncle, family friend, or teacher who was committed to the child. Someone, who despite all odds continued to believe in the child's worth.

Christ did that with Paul. Paul did that with the Gentiles. Just think of what would happen if a church did that for a few alienated children in their sphere of influence. Not one adult, but many together affirming the beauty of a child who has been sent our way. Help us Lord Jesus!

Word Study

Beloved [25, Agapao]; This is the deepest word for love in the Greek language. It is far beyond brotherly love, the love of camaraderie or the love of passion. It is a love of one who is willing to die for another. 'The greatest love' of which Christ speaks. The love He offers the restored Peter. The love of a protective mother for her infant child.

Saints [40, Hagios]; We saw above with the word, "Kletos" that the word, saint, finds it's root in being 'set apart' as if for a sacred purpose. To be 'set apart' also means to be different, uncomfortable with the ways of this world.

The roots of this word are multiple and fascinatingly diverse. Hagios was often used for an 'awful thing' as well as being 'set apart' and/or 'pure'. At first glance, this might be confusing to our mind - yet, it would be comprehensible to a Christian in Nero's Rome.

We have a word we frequently throw about, that over the years has lost it's meaning. It is the word, Witness. The Greek root of this word was Martus - which we translate into martyr. How often I have heard Christians banter about how they had 'witnessed' for the Lord. When, in fact that would mean, "to be available to die for Christ to attest to his resurrection."

The Saints of Rome were willing to lay down their lives to attest to Jesus. Indeed, many of them were doing this at the time of Paul's letter. It is hard to tell if Paul knew he was also going to die in Rome at the time of this letter. However, there could have been no doubt in Paul's mind that he was to follow the path of Jesus - and the path of Christ's first saint / Martus, Stephen.

Sometimes, words that are used too frequently, become words that are used too cheaply. It never hurts us to remember the roots of these words and the price they were willing to pay to claim the title of witness and saint, 'The Awful Thing'.

Finally, we see the concept of Followers of Christ referred to in three separate ways by Paul in this reading.

Hagios: Set apart for a horrible purpose. Herein is the strongest faith, those willing to suffer so that God is proclaimed.

Apostolos: Those who have no purpose but to be Messengers for God. They don't carry swords, spears or arrows. Their singular task is to run with the message when God gives the word.

Kletos: Those who wait on the sideline for God's once-in-a-lifetime call. They are like the Bridesmaid waiting to announce the Groom. Or, the special player who has a singular talent that the coach calls only in a critical moment. They wait - always at the ready, always prepared, always at the coach's disposal. "When you are ready, Lord. Use me."

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