Romans

Romans 12: Unity In Christ  Collin Leong. November 28, 2025 (v1-2) A Living Sacrifice (v1-2) Paul asked the believers, by the mercies of God, to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is their spiritual worship. Do not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of their minds, in order to test and discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  Exp: (v1) The motivation to sacrifice our bodies is the mercy of God, which points back to the many facets of God’s saving work Paul has just expounded: justification, adoption, reconciliation, the gift of the Spirit, the promise of glory, and God’s faithfulness to Israel. Sacrificial living is not coerced; it’s the grateful response to mercy already received. Worship flows from grace. The words "to present" (paristemi) is a verb used for offering sacrifices at the altar. The bodies are not the physical flesh, but the whole embodied self—actions, dail...

Romans 11: God Has Not Rejected Israel Collin Leong. November 12, 2025 (v1-10) The Remnant of Israel (v1-2) Paul started with a rhetorical question, on whether God has rejected His people (the Israelites). Paul said "No!" for he himself is an Israelites, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God would not reject the person whom he foreknew. Exp: In v2 , the word "foreknew" does not just mean God knows them for a long time. It emphasizes on the intimate relationship that they had with one another, and that God chose them to be His people through a covenant.   (v3-6) Paul gave an example Elijah and how he cries to God. He told God that the Israelites have killed His prophets and demolish you altars, and he was alone and they sought his life. But God replied that He has kept seven thousand mane who have not bowed the knee to Baal. (1 Kings 19:10,14; 1 Kings 19:18). So too, there is a remnant of the Israelites, chosen by grace, not by works; otherwise...

Romans 10:  Christ is the Fulfillment of the Law Collin Leong. November 10, 2025 (v1-13) Israel Needs The Gospel (v1-4) Paul desire that Israel be saved and constantly prayed for them. They have a zeal for God, but they don't fully understand Him. They are ignorant of the righteousness of God and sought to establish it in their own way. They did not submit to God's way (by faith). Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.  Exp: Paul said that Israelites are zealous for God and righteousness, but they did it in the wrong way. They reject Jesus who provided the right way - to achieve righteousness through faith in Him. This can be applied to others who are dedicated to their gods, and try to live a good life by giving, helping others, and meditation and praying - but they are looking at the wrong trees, so to speak. (v5-8) Moses wrote about the righteousness from the law. and the person shall live by the commandments. But the righteousness based ...

  Romans 9:  God’s Sovereign Choice Collin Leong. November 6, 2025 (v1-5) Paul's Anguish Over Israel Paul said that he is speaking the truth in Christ, and his conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit. He has great sorrow and unceasing anguish in his heart. For the sake of his brothers Israelites, he is willing to be accursed and cut off from Christ. Israelites are the ones who received adoption, glory, covenants, giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and Christ in human form was from their race, who is God over everyone.  Exp: Paul expresses his anguish over Israel and wiling to "cut off" from Christ, if that will bring them to Christ. The Israelites were given everything by God and even Jesus were also from Israel, yet they still rejected Him as the messiah. (v6-29) God's Sovereign Choice (v6-13) The word (promises) of God has not failed for the Israelites. Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel. Just beca...