Romans: A Reader's Companion: Longing for Life

By Michael Cannon Loehrer

The story begins with Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Central to the many themes of Romans is the good news that God graciously resolves various human longings for living life to the fullest in Jesus Christ for all who believe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9798385023707

Michael Cannon Loehrer

Michael Cannon Loehrer (pastor, author, and educator) holds degrees in History, Theology, and Education. He and his wife Paula have been married over fifty years. They have ten children and sixteen grandchildren.

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Copyright © 2024 Michael Cannon Loehrer.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

All Scripture citations are the author’s translation from the original language

following the Byzantine text type with a particular preference for Family 35.

Accordance NKJV with Strong’s New King James Version (NKJVS)

Accordance GNT-Family 35

ISBN: 979-8-3850-2369-1 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-2370-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024908110

WestBow Press rev. date: 05/06/2024

Contents

Dedication

Preface

SECTION I       HUMAN LONGINGS

Chapter 1           Empowering Identity

Chapter 2           Peaceful Diversity

Chapter 3           Impartial Equity

Chapter 4           Humble Inclusion

SECTION II       HUMANITY LOST

Chapter 5           Corinthian Corruption

Chapter 6           Romans 1:1-7

Chapter 7           Romans 1:8-15

Chapter 8           Romans 1:16-17

Chapter 9           Romans 1:18-32

Chapter 10         Romans 2:1-29

Chapter 11         Romans 3:1-20

Chapter 12         Romans 3:21-31

SECTION III       HUMANITY WON

Chapter 13         Romans 4:1-5:21

Chapter 14         Romans 6:1-23

SECTION IV       VICTORY OVER SIN

Chapter 15         Romans 7:1-25

Chapter 16         Romans 8:1-39

SECTION V       AN APPEAL TO THE JEWS

Chapter 17         Romans 9:1-33

Chapter 18         Romans 10:1-21

Chapter 19         Romans 11:1-36

SECTION VI      ESTABLISHING THE CHURCHES

Chapter 20         Romans 12:1-21

Chapter 21         Romans 13:1-14

Chapter 22         Romans 14:1-15:13

Chapter 23         Romans 15:14-33

Chapter 24         Romans 16:1-27

Postscript (Acts 28:16-31)

Epilogue

Appendix I: Human Longings

Appendix II: An Outline of Romans

Appendix III: The Self-Cycles

Appendix IV: Questionable Matters

Appendix V: A Generation of Tension

Figures

Figure 1: Eastern Mediterranean World

Dedication

To my dear son Peter:

Last born of ten in our family.

His favorite song as a toddler

was the Hallelujah Chorus.

He first became enamored with

Paul’s Letter to the Romans

at the tender age of eight.

Now he cheerfully chooses

to assist me in my golden years.

Preface

Storyline Setting

AD 50-60

The Apostle Paul wrote his Letter to the Romans from the cosmopolitan city of Corinth where he, on his arrival, promptly befriended Aquila and Prisca (AD 50). He started the church there while on his second missionary journey and initially resided in Corinth for about a year and a half (AD 50-52). The early days of the church in Corinth were fraught with problems: continual contentions, demonic divisions, foolish idolatry, and gross immorality.² These problems required Paul to write and visit the Corinthians repeatedly.

The apostle apparently wrote four letters to the Corinthian church; the first and third are lost to history. Sequentially then, First Corinthians in the Bible is letter number two, and Second Corinthians in the Bible is letter number four. Paul made a second visit to Corinth from Ephesus shortly after writing our First Corinthians.

ef6c0a6698dbae51da0a1289141fa721.jpg

Figure 1: Eastern Mediterranean World

Author’s Comments:

Corinth is approximately 500 nautical miles southeast of Rome. Corinth is also approximately 700 nautical miles northwest of Caesarea Maritima. And from Caesarea to Jerusalem is approximately 100 miles south.

Paul then ventured to Ephesus, a prominent city of the empire,150 nautical miles east of Corinth directly across the Aegean Sea. There he set up a tent-making business with Aquila and Prisca.³ The apostle reasoned weekly in the Jewish synagogues for a few months. However, when faced with mounting opposition, he determined to teach daily at the School of Tyrannus (AD 52-55), a lecture hall probably located near the Commercial (Lower) Agora where he practiced his trade. From there the gospel spread far and wide.

His third visit to Corinth was also somewhat brief, staying just long enough to winter through the Mediterranean storm season (from late AD 57 to early AD 58), giving him the opportunity to write his Epistle to the Romans. Paul prayerfully anticipated visiting the city of Rome, the heart of the Roman Empire; from there he further envisioned a trip to Spain.

He hoped to establish the long-fragmented Roman church and secure financial support for his westward ventures, perhaps even intending to circle the Mediterranean Sea. For these reasons he decided to write the Book of Romans before ever visiting Rome. He did not actually reach the empire’s capital city until AD 60. By then he was confined in chains under house arrest, awaiting a hearing before Emperor Nero.

Before Paul started the Corinthian church (AD 50), the Jews were expelled from Rome (AD 49), under the edict of Emperor Claudius.⁴ Aquila and Prisca were among them.⁵ We imagine they sailed from Ostia, the so-called western seaport of Rome, to Cenchrea, the eastern seaport of Corinth and met our fictional friends, Zamaris and Malka, on the way. Our sea-going foursome connected with Phoebe in Cenchrea, previously known to Prisca,⁶ who joyously welcomed them to her expansive home. Paul arrived in Corinth the following year (AD 50), while he was on his second missionary journey.

Since Paul initially remained in Corinth for a year and a half, he became well aware of how the city flaunted immorality and idolatry before the world.⁷ Against this backdrop, Paul doubtless considered how sinful humanity develops deep and desperate longings for living life to the fullest.⁸ Perhaps he also reasoned, once selfish indulgence weakens the body, it results in disputes, divisions, and destruction.⁹ Yet longing for life to the fullest can be virtuous when prompted by the Holy Spirit.¹⁰ The LORD Jesus Christ lovingly offers to freely fulfill human longings.

Such common longings stem from the devastating impact original sin has on humanity. People sought solutions in themselves, human governments, or even attempts at global unification throughout the Times of the Gentiles (from the early days of the Tower of Babel¹¹ to the Neo-Babylonian overthrow of the Kingdom of Judah under Nebuchadnezzar II,¹² and even throughout history down to Revelation’s Mystery Babylon: Rome).¹³

Four popular longings circulate today, for which all humans yearn: identity, diversity, equity, and inclusion.¹⁴ Paul’s writings to Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome indicate the world’s longings in the context of the LORD’S love for lost sinners.

Identity: The human longing for an empowering identity can only be realized by a personal faith-association with the LORD Jesus Christ.

Diversity: The human longing for peaceful diversity can only find resolution in Messiah Jesus.

Equity: The human longing for impartial equity for all can only be satisfied by God’s wisdom in Christ.

Inclusion: The human longing for humble inclusion can only find rest among members of the body of Christ.

God designed an empowering identity in Christ for each of His children along with their humble inclusion in His Church to promote peaceful diversity in His kingdom by means of the impartial equity of His wisdom. These four yearnings are not new and may be found throughout Holy Scripture. Such longings are universal and characteristic of humanity since the fall of our first parents. Moreover, misguided people continually seek ways to satisfy these longings, which only God’s Son and our Savior can supply. Yet the only way people can effectively realize such longings in the present is by means of a grace-granted faith relationship with the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Michael Cannon Loehrer

Tehachapi, California

November 2023

Section One

HUMAN LONGINGS

God designed an empowering identity in Christ for each of His children along with their humble inclusion in His Church to promote peaceful diversity in His kingdom by means of the impartial equity of His wisdom.

The following story is inspired by real

people and actual events.

Chapter One

Empowering Identity

God designed an empowering identity in Christ for each of His children along with their humble inclusion in His Church to promote peaceful diversity in His kingdom by means of the impartial equity of His wisdom.

Written from Syrian Antioch to the Churches of Galatia (circa AD 48)

I have been crucified with Christ, but I live—no longer I—but Christ lives in me; and that which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and delivered Himself for me. (Paul, Galatians 2:20, Author’s Translation).

The human longing for an empowering identity can only be realized by a personal faith-association with the LORD Jesus Christ.

Timeline – Ostia, Italy: Late Summer, AD 49

Hordes of Jews amass around the waterfront docks at the mouth of the Tiber River. Hungry thieves, street-toughened thugs, clever predators, and even menacing assassins, watch for opportunities, masquerading undetected among banished Jews. The people of God await their chance to shuttle from shore to ship: flatboats, barges, skiffs, and ferries; sea-worthy vessels of every imaginable sort, collectively service the massive Alexandrian grain ships moored offshore on the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Author’s Comments:

There were many types of transport ships which carried various payloads around the Mediterranean Sea in the first century. We conjecture that countless Jews leaving Rome in AD 49, under the edict of emperor Claudius, chartered Alexandrian grain ships, which would have recently offloaded their holds of grain for Rome’s masses. Thereupon, these ships sought cargo and passengers for their regular return trips to Egypt. These Jews no doubt sought destination cities sufficiently large to practice their trades and peddle their wares. The grain ships were commonly three-masted vessels; approximately180 feet long and 45 feet wide, having a 44-foot depth of hold. Such were the dimensions of the

ISIS

, a Roman grain ship which travelled from Alexandria to Rome and back (circa AD 150).

Zamaris: Malka, please remain close. Feel free to hold the hem of my cloak if you wish.

Malka: Yes, Uncle. I will remain close.

Malka: (M

AHL

-kah) Picture this young woman in her early twenties, rather homely, but a sweet-natured extrovert. Her name means queen. Indeed, she is quite intelligent and has been well educated, which she only now learns to carry with a genteel humility.

Zamaris: (

ZAM

-ahr-us) Imagine that the ancestors of this middle-aged man came from Babylon to Jerusalem during the days of Herod the Great as did many others. After living in Jerusalem through the peaceful and prosperous years of the first century, he moved to Rome with his family to join his brother there (Malka’s father) in a business venture, filled with optimism. However, before moving to Rome, he became a follower of the Way,¹⁵ while attending the festivities of Pentecost at the beginning of the Church. When he departed for Rome, he left behind his eighteen-year-old son, Nashon, with his sister’s family.

Nashon: (Nah-

SHONE

) Visualize a self-made man devoted to his work and somewhat estranged from his family due to his ambitions. He is the eldest son of Zamaris and first cousin to Malka, similar in age and interests, having been fast friends throughout their formative years. When Zamaris and family moved to Rome, Nashon declined to accompany them.

Malka: Might I take your arm? I wouldn’t want people to think I’m a tag-along slave girl and try to steal me away.

Zamaris: Yes, good thought. (Offering his elbow) Please do take my arm.

Malka: I don’t see any of our family members.

Zamaris: I am also looking for them. Rest assured. We prayed and put a plan in place last night. Remember?

Malka: Certainly. If anyone gets separated from the rest of the family—before purchasing a ticket on the ferryboat—first, book passage on one of the grain ships going to Cenchrea at the harbormaster’s offices.

Zamaris: Correct. Then make sure your ferryboat lists the name of your grain ship on its manifest before you board.

Malka: Okay…let me see if I can detail the rest of our plan from that point forward. We plan, LORD permitting, to gather at the Roman Forum in Corinth.

Zamaris: Exactly. It will take about three hours to walk from the harbor to the Forum. You can readily observe the Acrocorinth from the harbor. If you set your sight on the massive rock throughout your trek, it will guide you directly to the Forum.

Author’s Comments:

The Acrocorinth is a monolithic geological outcropping that rises some 1800 feet above sea-level. The massive rock formation looms above ancient Corinth. Residents referred to the vast fortification as the upper city. Travelers otherwise called it Corinth’s Acropolis.

Malka: Uncle, may I continue rehearsing our plans? From Corinth we will not depart from Cenchrea Harbor for Caesarea Maritima until we account for everyone in our family.

Author’s Comments:

Corinth is some 500 nautical miles southeast of Rome and about 700 nautical miles northwest of Caesarea Maritima; thus, Corinth is roughly half-way between Rome and Jerusalem. Furthermore, Caesarea Maritima is approximately 100 miles north of Jerusalem (reference the map of Paul’s Second Missionary Journey above).

King Herod the Great significantly enlarged Caesarea called Maritima (by the sea), in honor of Caesar Augustus in 10/9 BC. Caesarea Maritima may be distinguished from Caesarea Philippi, a city built at the base of Mount Hermon, by Herod’s son, Philip, in 3 BC, also named in honor of Caesar Augustus.

Zamaris: Good. What’s the next step?

Malka: From Caesarea we proceed up to Jerusalem. (Meekly hesitating) I wish I weren’t at such a disadvantage.

Zamaris: Oh, how so?

Malka: (Glancing aside) I am young and naïve, just a homely, sheltered Jewish girl, small and weak. (Sighing) I yearn for all the things that give others the advantages of life.

Zamaris: Hmmm, would you yield your ears to bitter envy?

Malka: Whatever do you mean, Uncle?

Zamaris: Well, those who give way to bitter envy listen to evil spirits, who fill their minds with covetousness. Such enemy spirits can subtlety captivate bitter people and re-direct their lives away from following the LORD Jesus.

Malka: Sometimes I wish I could fashion my identity by my own imagination. You know, like Nashon and I used to do as children…just pretending for the moment to see if we really liked what we imagined we could become. I miss Nashon and the innocence we shared in childhood.

Zamaris: People expect such pretending from young children, but it can become a dangerous adventure for adults, dear niece.

Malka: Hmmm, but why?

Zamaris: Pretending children often become pretentious adults.

Malka: And what exactly is bitter envy?

Zamaris: Bitter envy fills our hearts when we yearn for what others have, and which we ourselves lack. It starts with self-pity: I feel sorry for myself when I don’t get what I want. Then when self-pity is not checked, it develops into resentment toward others for what they have. If resentment is left unchecked, it develops into bitter envy. The reason pretending can become a dangerous adventure is simply because enemy spirits will take advantage of us if we choose to follow selfish pursuits. They will lead us into temptation. They will….

Malka: So, we follow selfish spirits when we covet?

Zamaris: Precisely my point. We yield our inner ear to them, we listen to their pretentious thoughts, we assume their thoughts are our own, and thus they allure us, if we are not careful.

Malka: You’re saying, we yield to temptation when we experiment with our lives, trying to fashion a more assertive and imposing identity for ourselves?

Zamaris: Yes, but not only that, in so doing we display before heaven and earth our dissatisfaction with our Sovereign Creator’s design for our lives. Such experimentation promotes the desire to be great. Remember the Apostles, when preaching the gospel to us, they confessed how they argued with one another over who would be the greatest?

Malka: I just want to discover who I really am, Uncle. And, I must say, (blushing)