When we recognize who judgment is for, as we studied last week, we then come to the realization that something causes people not to trust that the Lord will do what is prophesied. Do we believe that there was an earthly flood and that Noah and his family were spared? Do we believe angels came to rescue Lot before the fire and brimstone fell in Sodom? If Yahweh can deliver the righteous in a boat or by angelic intervention, then Yahweh can deliver us too. Our problem is that we can believe deliverance occurred in the past, but we cannot trust the prophecies of the present or future. Jesus points out that people who were not Israelites had more faith than the Israelites did. This is odd because Jesus was sent to deliver the sheep from the house of Jacob who were dying. After Jesus’ ascension a new law brought righteousness and justification. The law of faith. We see Paul take great lengths to explain this to the Roman Christians. Paul explains that people are only justified by faith, not by works and not through the law. Let’s explore.
In Capernaum, a Roman centurion came to Jesus saying that his young servant was thrown into paralysis and was horribly tortured. First we must understand that the servant was a pais a young boy or girl. This person was a slave to this centurion. Whatever caused this young child to be paralyzed and tormented it was a concern to the centurion. The young slave needed healing, but the centurion didn’t feel worthy for Jesus to visit his house. The centurion told Jesus just to say the word and that his young slave would be healed. The centurion understood what it is to command. This tells us that the centurion recognized that Jesus had “command” over sickness, disease, and evil spirits. Jesus did have exousia, authority, jurisdiction, and rulership. Jesus thaumazō, or marveled, or admired the centurion.
Matthew 8:10 G191 And hearing, G1161 G3588 G* Jesus G2296 marveled, G2532 and G2036 he said G3588 to the ones G190 following, G281 Amen G3004 I say G1473 to you, G3761 not even G1722 in G3588 G* Israel G5118 [2such great G4102 3belief G2147 1did I find].
4102 LSJ Gloss:πίστις trust
Dodson:πίστις faith, belief, trust faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.
Thayer:
1) conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it
1a) relating to God
1a1) the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ
1b) relating to Christ
1b1) a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God
1c) the religious beliefs of Christians
1d) belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same
2) fidelity, faithfulness
2a) the character of one who can be relied on
πίστις
pistis pis'-tis From G3982; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself KJV Usage: assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
Jesus said that not even in Israel did he find such tosoutos, vast, as in quantity, of pistis, faith or trust. Jesus is comparing the Roman soldier to the Israelites. Jesus ministered among the Jews, but the Roman centurion trusted Jesus more than the Jews did. Jesus goes on.
Matthew 8:11 G3004 And I say G1161 G1473 to you, G3754 that G4183 many G575 from G395 east G2532 and G1424 west G2240 shall come, G2532 and G347 shall be lain down G3326 with G* Abraham G2532 and G* Isaac G2532 and G* Jacob G1722 in G3588 the G932 kingdom G3588 of the G3772 heavens.
12 G3588 But the G1161 G5207 sons G3588 of the G932 kingdom G1544 shall be cast out G1519 into G3588 the G4655 [2darkness G3588 G1857 1outer]; G1563 there, G1510.8.3 there shall be G3588 G2805 weeping G2532 and G3588 the G1030 gnashing G3588 G3599 of teeth.
13 G2532 And G2036 Jesus said G3588 G* G3588 to the G1543 centurion, G5217 Go! G2532 and G5613 as G4100 you trusted G1096 let it be G1473 to you! G2532 And G2390 [2was healed G3588 G3816 1his servant] G1473 G1722 in G3588 G5610 that hour. G1565
People from the east and west, or those outside of Israel will recline at a table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven, but the Israelites will not. Instead, the Israelites will be thrown into the outer darkness where there will be crying and grating of teeth. Jesus said that other people will recline at a table, relaxing and eating with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Israelites however will not be in the kingdom of heaven, they will be out in darkness crying in anguish and despair. What is going to cause the Israelites to be outside the place where their forefathers will be? They do not have faith or trust in Jesus.
The centurion believed that Jesus was the Messiah. He believed that Jesus had authority on the earth. He believed that Jesus could heal his young slave by his word. Therefore Jesus says that as the centurion believed, let his belief come into existence and the miracle be finished. And the young slave was healed at that time. As the centurion believed or trusted, pisteuō, the young slave was healed. Isn’t this what is required of us? As we believe, miracles take place.
Jesus came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel, yet the house of Israel, the sons of the kingdom, will be outside without the king. In other words, we have a misconception that Israel is special because of their believing forefathers. But their believing forefathers believed, whereas the heirs of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, did not believe. The Roman centurion had a large quantity of faith that the Israelites did not. The Israelites still do not have faith or trust in Jesus. There will be an alternate place for the sons of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who do not believe that Jesus is Lord, and it will be outside of the kingdom; it will be dark, and everyone there will be in agony.
After this, Jesus heals Peter’s mother in law and then he heals many demon possessed people whose illnesses were all cured. This caused a lot of people to gather around Jesus and some wanted to follow him. Jesus explained the reality of the situation which was that they would need to give up their lives. Then Jesus and the disciples got onto a boat.
Matthew 8:23 G2532 And G1684 in his stepping G1473 G1519 into G3588 the G4143 boat, G190 [2followed G1473 3him G3588 G3101 1his disciples]. G1473
24 G2532 And G2400 behold, G4578 [2quaking G3173 1a great] G1096 took place G1722 on G3588 the G2281 sea, G5620 so as to G3588 G4143 [2 the boat G2572 1cover] G5259 under G3588 the G2949 waves; G1473 but he G1161 G2518 was sleeping.
After ministering to so many people Jesus went to sleep on the boat. There was a mega earthquake, seismos, under the water causing the water to wash over the boat. We understand that a tsunami is caused by an earthquake. The disciples who were mostly competent fishermen were shocked by this occurrence. This was not a storm or a gust of wind, this was an earthquake under the water. This is why they panicked and woke Jesus.
Matthew 8:25 G2532 And G4334 [2coming forward G3588 G3101 1his disciples] G1473 G1453 roused G1473 him, G3004 saying, G2962 O Lord, G4982 save G1473 us! G622 we perish.
Because this was an unusual occurrence the disciples thought that they would die. Yet Jesus didn’t seem too concerned.
Matthew 8:26 G2532 And G3004 he says G1473 to them, G5100 Why G1169 are you timid, G1510.2.5 G3640 O ones of little belief? G5119 Then G1453 having arisen, G2008 he reproached G3588 the G417 winds G2532 and G3588 the G2281 sea; G2532 and G1096 there became G1055 [2calm G3173 1a great].
The word used for timid here is deilos meaning “fearful”, but also “faithless”. The word used for little faith is oligopistos meaning “incredulous” or “puny pistis”. Jesus says “Why faithless, puny faith”. This tells us that even with an unusual experience like an earthquake under the water, there was no reason to be faithless and to have puny faith. It does not matter how much the big bad wolf huffs and puffs, it does not matter how many Stasi knock on the door, it does not matter what the newest latest and greatest threats are, do not be faithless, incredulous, or have puny faith.
The contrast here is the Roman centurion who just asked for Jesus to speak his authority for his young slave, and the disciples who had seen Jesus day after day healing people, who now were faithless. The thought of being faithless is strange for these disciples, as they just heard that the Israelites were going to end up in the outer darkness, outside of the kingdom.
Jesus got up, which he did for their benefit, and epitimaō “rebuked” or “censured” the wind and water. Then there was a great tranquillity. That was a surprise to the disciples, but it was also a point of learning for them. They did not need to fear something that could cause death.
Matthew 8:27 G3588 And the G1161 G444 men G2296 marveled, G3004 saying, G4217 What kind G1510.2.3 is G3778 this one, G3754 that G2532 even G3588 the G417 winds G2532 and G3588 the G2281 sea G5219 obey G1473 him?
Why were they following Jesus? Because they saw him heal people. They saw him cast demons out of people. But now they realized that the elements obeyed him too. The disciples had puny faith. We are to learn from their faithlessness.
We see Jesus talk to a Canaanite woman regarding the healing of her demon possessed daughter. Jesus says that he did not come to those people who are not of the house of Israel. This tells us that the centurions young slave was probably Hebrew. Yet the woman needs help and persists.
Matthew 15:21 G2532 And G1831 [2having gone forth G1564 3from there G3588 G* 1Jesus] G402 withdrew G1519 into G3588 the G3313 parts G* of Tyre G2532 and G* Sidon.
Tyre and Sidon were former strongholds of the Canaanites, who were descendants of the Nephilim. Tyre and Sidon were north of Megiddo, in the region of Phoenicia. Jesus and the disciples took a boat to Tyre and then headed east to the sea of Galilee.
Matthew 15:22 G2532 And G2400 behold, G1135 a Canaanite woman G* G575 from G3588 G3725 those borders G1565 G1831 coming forth G2905 cried out G1473 to him, G3004 saying, G1653 Show mercy G1473 on me, G2962 O Lord, G5207 O son G* of David; G3588 G2364 my daughter G1473 G2560 is badly G1139 demon-possessed!
23 G3588 And he G1161 G3756 did not G611 answer G1473 her G3056 a word. G2532 And G4334 [3having come G3588 G3101 2disciples G1473 1his] G2065 asked G1473 him, G3004 saying, G630 Dismiss G1473 her! G3754 for G2896 she cries out G3693 behind G1473 us.
24 G3588 And G1161 G611 responding G2036 he said, G3756 I was not G649 sent G1508 except G1519 unto G3588 the G4263 [2sheep G3588 G622 1lost] G3624 of the house G* of Israel.
25 G3588 And she G1161 G2064 having come G4352 did obeisance G1473 to him, G3004 saying, G2962 O Lord, G997 help G1473 me!
The woman yells out that her daughter is daimonizomai’d. The entire community probably knew that her daughter was demon controlled. Jesus says that he came for the lost sheep of Israel. The word lost is apollumi which means “destruction" or “perishing”. Jesus was sent to the perishing sheep of Israel. The people were being destroyed and didn’t even know it. But they were rejecting Jesus, the one who could save them. The Canaanite woman worshipped Jesus. She heard of him, and she had faith that he could help her. Then Jesus tells her she is a “little dog”.
Matthew 15:26 G3588 And he G1161 G611 answering G2036 said, G3756 It is not G1510.2.3 G2570 good G2983 to take G3588 the G740 bread G3588 of the G5043 children, G2532 and G906 to throw G3588 it to the G2952 little dogs.
The word kunarion means “puppy”. Jesus just compared the Israelites as children and the Canaanites as puppies or little dogs. At one time the Israelites thought of the Canaanites as giants, and themselves as grasshoppers. The Canaanite woman was not offended.
Matthew 15:27 G3588 And she G1161 G2036 said, G3483 Yes G2962 O Lord, G2532 for even G1063 G3588 the G2952 little dogs G2068 eat G575 from G3588 the G5589 crumbs G3588 G4098 falling G575 from G3588 the G5132 table G3588 G2962 of their masters. G1473
The Canaanite woman was a smart lady. She points out that the puppies eat the crumbs of their Lords. This woman recognized Jesus as Yahweh. Yet knowing her position, she was welcoming crumbs from Yahweh. She wasn’t asking for an entire word like the centurion, but maybe just one letter of a commanding word.
Matthew 15:28 G5119 Then G611 responding G3588 G* Jesus G2036 said G1473 to her, G5599 O G1135 woman, G3173 great G1473 is [3of you G3588 1the G4102 2belief]; G1096 let it be G1473 to you G5613 as G2309 you want! G2532 And G2390 [2was healed G3588 G2364 1her daughter] G1473 G575 from G3588 G5610 that hour. G156
Jesus says mega is her faith. He then says something similar to what he said to the centurion, “let come into being as you desire”. Her daughter was healed immediately. She had faith bigger than the dying sheep of Jacob. She may have been a Canaanite but she called Jesus, Lord.
Paul explains that the good news is the power of God for deliverance for everyone trusting, pisteuō.
Romans 1:16 G3756 For not G1063 G1870 am I ashamed of G3588 the G2098 good news G3588 of the G5547 Christ; G1411 [3power G1063 1for G2316 4of God G1510.2.3 2it is] G1519 for G4991 deliverance G3956 to every one G3588 G4100 trusting; G* both to the Jew G5037 G4412 first, G2532 and G* to the Greek.
Jesus said he came for the dying sheep of Israel, therefore the good news was for them formerly, and now it is to everyone else. Even though there were many people who were not Israelites who believed that Jesus was Lord when Jesus was on the earth, it was revealed in the mystery that all nations were of one body. There is no special place for one nation over another during this administration, all people, nations, and tribes, can be in Christ and made righteous. The gospel is the miraculous power of salvation.
Romans 1:17 G1343 For righteousness G1063 G2316 of God G1722 [2by G1473 3it G601 1is revealed] G1537 from G4102 belief G1519 unto G4102 belief; G2531 as G1125 has been written, G3588 But the G1161 G1342 just G1537 [2of G4102 3belief G2198 1shall live].
“Righteousness for Elohim uncovered (apokaluptō) in us, from out of faith into faith just as written ‘but the just live from out of faith’”.
“Righteousness for Elohim uncovered in us, from out of persuasion into persuasion, just as written ‘but the just live from out of persuasion’”.
The gospel is the miraculous power of salvation for all, and righteousness for the Elohim is revealed in us from out of persuasion into moral conviction. From out of confidence into reliance. From out of confidence into trust. From out of belief into fidelity. Faith is not just a thing that one has regarding Jesus, it grows deeper from believing that Jesus is Lord to fully knowing that Jesus is Lord. What is revealed in us? What is the apocalypse in us? Righteousness. Why? It is credence to fidelity. Faith is not just accepting that something is true but devotion and continued loyalty to said truth. From out of faith into faith. Both the centurion and the Canaanite woman went from out of faith, talking to Jesus asking for a miracle, into faith when the miracle of healing took place. Do you think that they both were devoted to Jesus after that day? Yes. Unlike the Israelites who saw miracles and still rejected Jesus, we are to deepen our faith so that we are not dying sheep.
Paul quotes Habakkuk here. The just live from out of faith. The just live from out of persuasion. No matter how evil the Chaldean/Babylonian invaders are, who come with Yahweh’s judgment against Judah, the just, the righteous, will live. As the captivity of Judah was for 70 years, the just lived through that time from out of their trust in Yahweh. The key here is trust or faith in Yahweh.
Our righteousness is uncovered in us from out of faith into fidelity, and the righteous live from out of fidelity. No one is rescued from out of trials if they are not righteous, which means they must have faith. Or one must have faith to be righteous. What if someone does not have faith?
Romans 3:3 G5100 For what G1063 G1487 if G569 some disbelieved? G5100 G3361 Does G3588 G570 their unbelief G1473 G3588 [2the G4102 3belief G3588 G2316 4of God G2673 1cease to work]?
569 LSJ Gloss:ἀπιστέω to be
Dodson:ἀπιστέω I am unfaithful, I disbelieve I am unfaithful, disbelieve, refuse belief, prove false.
Thayer:
1) to betray a trust, be unfaithful
2) to have no belief, disbelieve
ἀπιστέω
apisteō ap-is-teh'-o From G571; to be unbelieving, that is, (transitively) disbelieve, or (by implication) disobey KJV Usage: believe not.
Paul is asking, what is so great about being a Jew? His answer is that there is no benefit to circumcision, however the Jews did receive the oracles of God. Paul says that if they disbelieve the prophecies, then it does not render useless, sever, or abolish, the faith of God. Just because someone does not believe in God it doesn’t erase God from the universe. Just because the Jews want to practice circumcision does not make them special, and if they don’t believe in Jesus they still can’t stop what he is doing in us.
The Jews received the oracles but they didn’t believe them. Paul now explains that the writings are a witness.
Romans 3:21 G3568 But now G1161 G5565 [4separate G3551 5of the law G1343 1 the righteousness G2316 2of God G5319 3has been made apparent], G3140 being witnessed G5259 by G3588 the G3551 law G2532 and G3588 the G4396 prophets;
So the law and the prophets, the oracles, are a witness to the righteousness of God being made manifest separately or apart from the law.
Romans 3:22 G1343 even righteousness G1161 G2316 of God G1223 through G4102 belief G* of Jesus G5547 Christ, G1519 unto G3956 all G2532 and G1909 for G3956 all G3588 the ones G4100 trusting; G3756 [3not G1063 1for G1510.2.3 2there is] G1293 a difference;
23 G3956 for all G1063 G264 sinned G2532 and G5302 lack G3588 the G1391 glory G3588 G2316 of God;
But the righteousness of God through faith of Jesus Christ into all and on all those trusting, for there is no distinction, for all sin and fall short of the glory of the Elohim. The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ. It is into all and on all those trusting. There is no distinction between Jews and the nations. All people have sinned and fall short, yet we are being justified without charge.
Romans 3:24 G1344 being justified G1431 without charge G3588 by G1473 his G5484 favor, G1223 through G3588 the G629 release by ransom, G3588 of the one G1722 by G5547 Christ G* Jesus;
25 G3739 whom G4388 God set forth G3588 G2316 G2435 as an atonement G1223 through G3588 the G4102 belief, G1722 in G3588 the one G1473 of his G129 blood, G1519 for G1732 a demonstration G3588 G1343 of his righteousness G1473 G1223 through G3588 the G3929 letting pass G3588 of the G4266 preceding G265 sins,
26 G1722 in G3588 the G463 forbearance G3588 G2316 of God, G4314 for G1732 a demonstration G3588 G1343 of his righteousness G1473 G1722 in G3588 the G3568 present G2540 time; G1519 for G3588 G1510.1 his being G1473 G1342 just G2532 and G1344 justifying G3588 the one G1537 of G4102 belief G* of Jesus.
We are not charged for our sins, instead we are released by ransom in Christ Jesus because the Father set him forth as an atonement if we believe in Jesus and his blood. If the Jews don’t believe in Jesus and his blood atonement, it does not negate Jesus or his blood atonement. This is what Paul is explaining in a very wordy run on sentence type of way. Jesus shedding his own blood was a demonstration of his righteousness by means of the remission of our previous sins in the tolerance of the Elohim. It is a demonstration of the Father’s righteousness now in the proper time into his being just and justifying from out of the faith of Jesus.
Paul now comes back around to his original point, that there really is no reason to boast. Boasting as a Jew is shut out. It doesn’t matter how many works a Jew does there is only one law.
Romans 3:27 G4226 Where G3767 then G3588 is the G2746 boasting? G1576 It was excluded. G1223 Through G4169 what kind G3551 of law? G3588 Of the law of G2041 works? G3780 No, G235 but G1223 through G3551 a law G4102 of belief.
“Really where the reason to boast excluded on account of what sort law, the work, by no means, but on account of law faith.”
Paul says that there is no reason to boast, the law of Moses brings the full knowledge of sin (vs.20) and no one can be justified by works. However there is a new law in this new age, the law of faith.
Romans 3:28 G3049 We consider G3767 then G4102 [3by belief G1344 2to be justified G444 1a man], G5565 separate from G2041 works G3551 of law.
Paul says that he reckons manfaced is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. This is a big statement for his day. People were pressured by the Pharisees in works, but not in faith. The new law for the new administration is faith.
Romans 3:29 G2228 Or G* [3of Jews G3588 G2316 1 is God G3440 2only]? G3780 But is he not G1161 G2532 also G1484 of nations? G3483 Yes, G2532 also G1484 of nations.
No the Elohim is not only of the Jews, but he is also of the nations.
Romans 3:30 G1897 Since indeed there is G1520 one G3588 G2316 God G3739 who G1344 shall justify G4061 the circumcision G1537 of G4102 belief G2532 and G203 uncircumcision G1223 through G3588 the G4102 belief.
Paul says that there is one God who will justify people who are circumcised from out of faith and uncircumcision through faith. Either way, the Elohim will justify those who have faith. Circumcision is irrelevant, faith is relevant.
Romans 3:31 G3551 Law G3767 then G2673 do we render useless G1223 through G3588 the G4102 belief? G3361 May it not be, G1096 G235 But G3551 [2law G2476 1we establish].
Romans 4:1 G5100 What G3767 then G2046 shall we say G* Abraham G3588 G3962 our father G1473 G2147 has found G2596 according to G4561 the flesh?
2 G1487 For if G1063 G* Abraham G1537 [2of G2041 3works G1344 1was justified], G2192 he has G2745 boasting, G235 but G3756 not G4314 towards G3588 G2316 God.
Paul says that the law is made useless by faith, but without faith the law stands. What did Abraham find out? Abraham was not justified by works, otherwise he could boast. He could say that he was rich, that he had multiplied his herds, and that he had many children as well. Abraham could say that he had a lot of servants and that he was a king. All of Abrahams boasting would be about himself, not God. However Abraham was not justified by his own works.
Romans 4:3 G5100 For what G1063 G3588 does the G1124 scripture G3004 say? G4100 [3trusted G1161 1But G* 2Abraham] G3588 G2316 in God, G2532 and G3049 it was imputed G1473 to him G1519 for G1343 righteousness.
The scripture says that Abraham trusted, pisteuō, the Elohim and the Elohim counted him into righteousness. Abraham was righteous because he believed or trusted in the Elohim. Paul is making this case for the Jews who were rejecting Jesus and afraid to believe in him. Paul goes on to explain the promise made to Abraham and his seed.
Romans 4:13 G3756 For not G1063 G1223 through G3551 law G3588 was the G1860 promise G3588 to G* Abraham G2228 or G3588 to G4690 his seed, G1473 G3588 G2818 [3heir G1473 1for him G1510.1 2to be] G3588 of the G2889 world, G235 but G1223 through G1343 righteousness G4102 of belief.
The promise was not made through the law or works for Abraham to become ancestor of the world, but the promise was made through righteousness of faith. In other words, if the law had been written, Abraham would not have been justified or made righteous by the law or the works of the law. Abraham was born in Nimrod’s kingdom, but was under threat of murder from the night that he was born. Abraham was sent to live with Noah and Shem until he was in his late 30’s. At that time Abraham and some of his family left Babylon/Chaldea. Abraham believed in Yahweh without oracles or written scriptures. Abraham believed in Yahweh without the law. There were no works of the law for him to do. Abraham lived day by day from out of faith into faith, in a personal relationship with Yahweh.
Romans 4:14 G1487 For if G1063 G3588 the ones G1537 from G3551 the law G2818 be heirs, G2758 [3is empty G3588 1the G4102 2belief], G2532 and G2673 [3ceases to work G3588 1the G1860 2promise].
Now if Abraham had faith and was faithful, his heirs were not brought forth by the law but by Abraham’s faith in the promise. Is it the law or faith? If it is the law then faith is deprived of content, or made void. Who then cares what one believes, as long as that one fulfills the tenets of the law. That one can love or hate Yahweh. One can do works and be a murderer. One can do works and be a rapist. One can do works and be a wife beater. Is that one still justified? If he does the works of the law is he righteous? No, not without faith.
Romans 4:15 G3588 For the G1063 G3551 law G3709 [2wrath G2716 1manufactures]; G3739 for where G1063 G3756 there is no G1510.2.3 G3551 law, G3761 not even G3847 is there a violation.
The law produces anger. If there is no law then there is no transgression or violation of the law. That’s simple.
Romans 4:16 G1223 On account of G3778 this G1537 it is of G4102 belief, G2443 that G2596 according to G5484 favor, G1519 for G3588 the G1510.1 [2to be G949 3firm G3588 G1860 1promise] G3956 to all G3588 the G4690 seed, G3756 not G3588 to the one G1537 of G3588 the G3551 law G3440 only, G235 but G2532 also G3588 to the one G1537 of G4102 belief G* of Abraham, G3739 who G1510.2.3 is G3962 father G3956 of all G1473 of us,
“On account of this from out of faith in order that downwards through favor into the promise to be enduring all the offspring not from out of the law alone but and from out of faith Abraham who is ancestor us all.”
From out of faith favor came downward from heaven into the promise that would endure for all Abraham’s offspring. It came out of faith not the law.
Romans 4:17 G2531 (as G1125 it has been written, G3754 that, G3962 [3father G4183 4of many G1484 5nations G5087 1I have established G1473 2you],) G2713 in front of G3739 which G4100 he trusted G2316 God, G3588 of the one G2227 restoring [3to life G3588 1the G3498 2dead], G2532 and G2564 calling G3588 the ones G3361 not G1510.6 being, G5613 as G1510.6 being;
Abraham is a father of many nations. Abraham’s sons are Ishmael, Isaac, Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. During Abraham’s time that is eight nations. Abraham trusted or had faith in the Elohim because he trusted the one who could raise the dead. Abraham called what was not being, like as being, meaning he spoke and said that he would be a father of many nations even though he did not have any children. He spoke about the promise. He had faith that the promise would come to pass. Abraham went from out of faith into faith. Paul goes on to further explain his original point.
Romans 9:30 G5100 What G3767 then G2046 shall we say? G3754 That G1484 nations, G3588 the ones G3361 not G1377 pursuing G1343 righteousness, G2638 overtook G1343 righteousness; G1343 but righteousness, G1161 G3588 the one G1537 of G4102 belief.
31 G* But Israel, G1161 G1377 pursuing G3551 a law G1343 of righteousness, G1519 [2unto G3551 3 the law G1343 4of righteousness G3756 1attained not]. G5348
Paul is asking if they think that the nations who did not follow after righteousness, seized righteousness? No, because righteousness is from “out of” faith. Again there is no righteousness without faith. No matter how many works one does, faith brings righteousness. No matter how many stairs one climbs on his/her knees, kissing each stair, righteousness comes by faith, not works.
Now look at Israel. They were following after the law of righteousness but they did not come into the law of righteousness. Why? Because the scriptures and oracles were given to them, but they did not believe what they said. The scriptures and oracles said that there would be a Messiah who would come and very specifically would open blind eyes. Jesus did that, but they did not believe. Jesus also said that they would be outside the kingdom in the outer darkness, crying and grating their teeth, while the nations would be reclining, eating, and enjoying company with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Romans 9:32 G1302 Why? G3754 Because G3756 it was not G1537 of G4102 belief, G235 but G5613 as G1537 of G2041 works G3551 of law. G4350 For they stumbled against G1063 G3588 the G3037 stone G3588 G4348 of stumbling;
33 G2531 as G1125 it has been written, G2400 Behold, G5087 I put G1722 in G* Zion G3037 a stone G4348 of stumbling, G2532 and G4073 a rock G4625 of offence; G2532 and G3956 every one G3588 G4100 trusting G1909 upon G1473 him G3756 shall not G2617 be disgraced.
Righteousness comes by faith in Jesus Christ, and the Jews did not believe Jesus and the miracles that he did, they tripped over Jesus Christ, as the scriptures and oracles by Isaiah say (Isaiah 28:16). Anyone who has faith or trusts in Him will not be put to downward shame, meaning they will not be shamed from heaven to earth. They instead were shamed from humans to humans, meaning others shamed those who believed on Jesus, but the Elohim didn’t shame those with faith.
The Jews who were given the scriptures and oracles rejected the Messiah which those scriptures and oracles prophesied of. The nations will enter the kingdom of heaven and the Jews who reject Jesus will not. There is only one way to become righteous, that is to have faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and believe that he rose up on the third day. If one has faith, that one is righteous and justified, regardless of the works that they do. If the Lord can deliver the righteous out of trials, then it would be to our benefit to become righteous. We become righteous by our faith. From out of credence and into fidelity. From out of belief into loyalty. If one does not believe the scriptures, that one is like the Jews. It will not stop the Elohim from doing what is prophesied. Therefore it is more important for individuals to account for what they themselves believe. Do yo believe Noah was saved? Do you believe Lot was saved? Do you believe Abraham was made a promise? Do you believe that Abraham was faithful to that promise? Do you believe you are justified by His blood and are saved from the wrath to come? (Romans 5:9) Do you believe you are delivered from the wrath to come? (1 Thessalonians 1:10) Do you believe that you are not appointed to wrath but to obtain salvation? (1 Thessalonians 5:9) Righteousness comes by faith. From out of credence into fidelity, the just live from out of faith. May our faith come into existence and the miracles be finished, let it be so.
