The Sprituality of St.Paul

When Paul wrote the Letter to the Romans, the Church in Rome was a mixed group of Gentile Christians and Jewish Christians, with the Gentile Christians forming the majority. The Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews including the Jewish Christians from Rome in AD 49. During the time of their expulsion and return (49-54), the Gentiles ran the Church in Rome. After the return of the Jewish Christians, there arose a tension in the Christian community.

Paul addresses this question at the beginning of this letter showing how faith in Jesus Christ is beyond the Jewish customs and Gentile boastings.

Paul shows extreme concern about the disputes existing between the Gentiles and the Jewish converts who wanted to retain the Jewish customs among the Christians. Paul tries to point out how the observances that rose from the Law are becoming irrelevant and that Law is now superseded because of the faith in Jesus.

It is the faith in Jesus that is important and not the observances of the Law or anything that comes from the Law. That is why there is a lot of emphasis at the beginning of the epistle on works, Law and Faith.

Paul points out that faith is the most important element. Even Abraham was recognized as the Father of the great progeny by his faith. Circumcision is not the most important element in one’s practice of faith. Circumcision came after Abraham’s profession of faith. After showing the essential difference between Judaism and Christianity, Paul dwells on the different aspects of faith.

One word that comes very often in his discussion is the righteousness of God. According to Paul, righteousness means the redemption of mankind accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“The most favored view is that the phrase means God’s activity to save His people.”(Rev.William Most,The Thought of St.Paul,p.167).The Hebrew word behind the Gk dikaiosyne(righteousness) is sedaquah which means God’s concern for what is right.(168)

By the atonement wrought by Jesus, God shows His concern for righteousness. For in the time of His patience, the Old Testament, He passed over sins(in that He did not provide a complete rebalance for them).But now His righteousness is apparent(for He has provided for the full rebalance of the objective order). So He is seen as righteous, and makes righteous those who depend on faith in Jesus.(p.180)

“The expression “righteousness of God” refers to the state of righteousness or justice(justness)in which a person is placed when God gives him grace. It is called the righteousness of God because man cannot attain it through his own efforts: it is a free (gratuitous) gift of God.”(Romans and Galatians, Navarre edition, p.70)

Paul also makes the distinction between faith and works, but that distinction is made in the context of the Mosaic Law. “For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law.” (3,28)

“This means that no one- not even the Jew –is justified by the works of the Law. What justifies a person is faith-not faith alone, as Luther wrongly argued, but he faith which works through charity; faith which is not presumptous self-confidence in one’s own merits, but a firm and ready acceptance of all that God has revealed, faith which moves one to place one’s hope in Christ’s merits and to repent of one’s sins. Therefore it will be by “faith”-not by circumcision-that the Jews will be justified, and it will be through their faith that the uncircumcised will attain salvation.” (Navarre edition,p.90)

“Justification is given without charge(without being earned)by grace, through the redemption worked by Christ Jesus. By this atonement wrought by Jesus, God shows His concern for righteousness. But now His righteousness is apparent(for He has provided the full balance of the objective order).So he is seen as righteous, and makes righteous those who depend on faith in Jesus. In view of this , who is there who can boast that he has earned his salvation? No one. Boasting is made impossible since we are not in the regime of works where people tried to earn.No we are in the regime of faith. For it is through faith that one becomes justified , without the works of the law.(William Most, 182)

After going through the importance of faith in one’s salvation, Paul touches on original sin which is the cause of moral weakness and fragility of man. But the damage done by Adam is offset by the redemption accomplished by Jesus. The abundance of grace poured over mankind through the death and resurrection f Jesus is more powerful and effective to offset the imbalance created by the sin of Adam.

The spirit present in us makes us call God “Abba”. The spirit dwelling in us helps us to pray. In fact the whole universe has been groaning for this redemption.

Paul also shows how every one is battling with the innate tension in one’s life—it is not the good that I want that I do…Paul then speaks about his irrevocable union with Jesus.

The intense power of his faith and confidence in God’s protection are beautifully etched out in his words: “ If God is for us, who is against us?” This is the confidence that every Christian should carry in his heart. Paul speaks from his experiences. He was attacked, beaten to death, and thrown out of the city. But he didn’t lose his hope or faith. He carries in his heart the feeling that as long as God is with him, nothing can destroy him.

He asserts with all the power of his eloquence at his command that no power on earth will be able to separate his from the Lord. “ For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels…nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come …will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” It shows how every fiber of his being is totally committed to the Lord. After reading the Epistle, we come away with this powerful feeling of identity with Jesus. It gives us the confidence to face the trials of life and to overcome the hardships that we experience in our journey of faith. We also should never feel intimidated by our weaknesses and failures as St. Paul very vividly asserts how every one is subject to this moral dichotomy in the depths of one’s being. We should not be frightened by our falls. There is always an opportunity to rise up and walk with Jesus.

Paul’s life of love and compassion is reflected in his advice to the Romans that they never should judge one another . He asserts the unity of all Christians: “We, though many, are one body in Christ.” He also points out that each one of us is gifted in one Charism or another. We should not be using it for our glory or advantage, but for the good of the whole community nor should we become envious of the talents of others. All are gifts given by God for the community, for the welfare of all. The gift of teaching of service, of prophesying, of giving etc is given to each individual, but not to increase his glory or power but for the good of the whole community.

How kind and generous should we be to one another? Without any limit at all.: Love one another with brotherly affection; out do one another in showing honor.”

The last part of chapter 12 is a powerful piece of advice to a right Christian living. If we look for any guidance to live the teachings of the Lord, we have to read this passage again and again. If we want to Live the Lent in its full spiritual sense , we have to live by these words of St. Paul. They come from his heart , from his love for the people who want to live as Christians : “ Bless those who persecute you..Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep…Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all…Beloved, never avenge yourselves…If your enemy is hungry, feed him…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Letter to the Romans

(AD 56-58)

Ch.2

True circumcision is not outward, in the flesh. Rather one is a Jew inwardly, and the circumcision is of the heart, in the spirit. (29)

Ch.3

The righteousness of God has been manifested through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe (21)

For there is no distinction; all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. (23)

For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law. (28)

Ch.4

Abraham received the sign of circumcision as a seal on the righteousness that comes from faith.

Promise was made to Abraham not through the law but through the righteousness that comes from faith (13)

Ch.5

Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through Our Lord Jesus Christ.

God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (8)

Through one person sin entered the world and through sin, death…. Just as through the disobedience of one person the many were made sinners so through the obedience of one, the many were made righteous. (15)

Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.

Ch.6

For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him n the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him…If then we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. (5) If then we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin, and living for God in Christ Jesus.

Sin must not reign over your mortal bodies so that you obey their desires.”(12)

But now that you have been freed from sin…the benefit you have leads to sanctification. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God id eternal life in Christ Jesus the Lord.

Ch.7

You were put to death to the law through the body of Christ, so that you might belong to another, to the one who was raised from the dead.

Apart from the law, sin is dead.

For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate.

For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want.

Ch.8

For those who live according to the flesh are concerned with the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit, with things of the spirit. (5)

You received a spirit of adoption through which we cry “Abba”…. Creation awaits with eager expectation…we know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now…we also groan within ourselves as we await for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

The spirit comes to the aid of our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings…We know that all things work for good for those who love God (28). And those who predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified and those he justified he also glorified.

If God is for us, who can be against us? What will separate us from the love of Christ? (31)

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities…nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ch.9

(Salvation comes from God’s free choice. Paul feels sorry for Israel. Not all who are of Israel are Israel. It is not the children of the flesh who are children of God. Citing the prophets Hosea and Isaiah to prove the his point that God’s call extends to people outside the flock of Israel…the Gentiles attained righteousness through faith…Israel who pursued righteousness through the law did not get it.)

Ch.10

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (9)…For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all…for every one who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Ch.11

(But God has not rejected Israel…through their transgression; salvation has come to the Gentiles…Paul glories in the fact that he is an apostle to the gentiles. Gentiles… a wild branch grafted on to the trunk of Israel…hence should not be boasting).

Ch.12

He urges his brothers to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.

Reminds his readers that no one should think himself superior to others. All are important. We though many, are one body in Christ…Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, and hold on to what is good (9)…Rejoice in hope …endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.

Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.

Ch. 13Respect for authority is emphasized.

Ch.14

None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord. (7).Then let us no longer judge one another, but rather resolve never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.(13).The kingdom of God …is a matter of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy. Ch.15.We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak.