Friday, April 26, 2019

David Scaer - In His Own Words -
Rejecting the Chief Article of Christianity

"Lenski’s denial of objective justification [GJ - teaching Justification by Faith] was found in his commentary on Romans. Opponents of seeing justification only as subjective see it as nothing other than synergism (sic), the issue which was at the heart of the Lutheran Reformation protest against Rome. Since God justifies all humanity by raising Christ from the dead (sic), justification is universal (sic) and, as an act of God and not of man, is objective. By faith justification becomes a reality for the believer and is called subjective (sic - read your Walther, lol, SJ is making a decision for OJ).
Lenski, R. C. H., The Interpretation of the New Testament (Columbus, OH: Wartburg Press, 1934–1966).

Scaer, David P.. Surviving the Storms: Memoirs of David P. Scaer (Kindle Locations 5562-5567). Luther Academy. Kindle Edition. " David Scaer, ThD, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

Scaer, David P.. Surviving the Storms: Memoirs of David P. Scaer (Kindle Locations 5562-5566). Luther Academy. Kindle Edition.

***
GJ

Paul, Augustine, and Luther are synergists? Scaer's spin is close to Calvinism but utterly opposed to the Biblical view of Justification.

Notice how Scaer crabwalks into Objective Justification, for he is an opponent of Justification by Faith, which he calls subjective. But why not just say he is against Justification by Faith?

Opponents of seeing justification only as subjective see it as nothing other than synergism...

At first he is not clear that he is indeed one of those opponents. Does he have a thesaurus? - seeing, seeing. He is a clumsy writer.

Back to the main point. Justification by Faith is "only subjective" and therefore "synergism." Then he lets the skunk out of the bag - he is one with the universal salvation gang - OJ/SJ, UOJ, General Justification, Justification the World - one foul error with many names.

A Calvinist explained this precious dogma for us,
and crypto-Calvinists continue to import it into the Lutheran Church.

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Waiting for the Plants To Pop Up

Hidden Lily multiplies and is fun to give away.

All of my Crepe Myrtles are leafing out, except the big one. Tomorrow I will prune to wake it up faster, clipping off the remnants of seedheads. We just had two more inches of rain, so almost everything else is growing well, including a bit of lawn in the backyard and a few dandelions.

I am now removing old, dry stems - like Joe Pye. Why so late? Wild bees like hollow stems for their winter slumber. Anything above ground level is attractive to birds, too. They plant their favorite foods, a double blessing. They get more of their favorites and I have ground cover (Wild Strawberries) and green fences (Pokeweed).

About 60 birds love Poke berries, and they thoughtfully plant them with some fertilizer where they roost.

I used logs from one tree to build a rustic fence in the backyard. My aim was to have a generous allotment for birds to use when looking for food or preening their feathers. I had been trying to screen the distant backyard with purchased plants. The birds deposited Poke seeds along the log fence and a thick green fence appeared, adorned with the favorite fruit of birds and a hangout for beneficial insects when flowering.

The Wild Ginger Hidden Lily has yet to appear. It is also called turmeric, a new health fad. I like the big leaves and lush growth, without dying from the slight winter we have. The flowers are interesting enough for the altar.

Picotee Crepe Myrtle - wide and red blossoms.

Romans 4 - The Path To Understanding Justification

Romans 4 – Abraham as the Example of Justification by Faith

Romans 4:1-3

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4 τι ουν ερουμεν αβρααμ τον πατερα ημων ευρηκεναι κατα σαρκα

²ει γαρ αβρααμ εξ εργων εδικαιωθη εχει καυχημα αλλ ου προς τον θεον

³τι γαρ η γραφη λεγει επιστευσεν δε αβρααμ τω θεω και ελογισθη αυτω εις δικαιοσυνην

Repetition is a form of emphasis - Paul declared Justification by Faith at the end of chapter 3. He opened chapter 4 by connecting Abraham with Justification by Faith and quoting the passage from Genesis 15:6.

Romans 4:4-5 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

⁵τω δε μη εργαζομενω πιστευοντι δε επι τον δικαιουντα τον ασεβη λογιζεται η πιστις αυτου εις δικαιοσυνην

Isolating part of a verse will satisfy those who cannot see Justification by Faith in these two verses, this chapter, this Pauline book, these unified and harmonious Scriptures. “He justifies the ungodly! Romans 4:5” has been used repeatedly, as if fencing off a few words will reveal the essence of the verse. The entire verse should be kept in mind and repeated to those who imagine a mere segment of Romans 4:5 means the entire world was absolved of all sin and declared righteous –

1. at the death of Christ, or alternatively,

2. when Jesus rose from the dead.

Clearly, the last half of the verse repeats the teaching of Justification by Faith –

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

λογιζεται η πιστις αυτου εις δικαιοσυνην (the bolded part of Romans 4:5).

Γένεσις 15:6 καὶ ἐπίστευσεν ῞Αβραμ τῷ Θεῷ, καὶ ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ εἰς δικαιοσύνην.

Those who knew Greek and the Greek Old Testament would have recognized the same terms used for Abraham – faith or believing, counted/reckoned, and righteousness – in Romans 4:5.

Romans 4:6-7

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,[1] 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

⁶καθαπερ και δαβιδ λεγει τον μακαρισμον του ανθρωπου ω ο θεος λογιζεται δικαιοσυνην χωρις εργων ⁷μακαριοι ων αφεθησαν αι ανομιαι και ων επεκαλυφθησαν αι αμαρτιαι ⁸μακαριος ανηρ ω ου μη λογισηται κυριος αμαρτιαν

This chapter is a continuous emphasis on the words – counted (imputed, reckoned) righteous/righteousness, and faith/believing. Unlike the Greek, which uses the same basic letters for these words, English varies. The English-only reader (typical of ministers and many professors) do not see or feel the majesty of the same words repeated and used over again, like Bach’s baroque counterpoint music. Paul’s three-fold beatitudes in this section, supporting the opening.

Romans 4:9-10

9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

⁹ο μακαρισμος ουν ουτος επι την περιτομην η και επι την ακροβυστιαν λεγομεν γαρ οτι ελογισθη τω αβρααμ η πιστις εις δικαιοσυνην

¹⁰πως ουν ελογισθη εν περιτομη οντι η εν ακροβυστια ουκ εν περιτομη αλλ εν ακροβυστια

Abraham’s circumcision (Genesis 17:10ff.) was much later than his justification by faith (Genesis 15:6), making the patriarch the father of all who would believe in the Messiah, whether Jewish or not.

Romans 4:11-12 – who walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham

11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

¹¹και σημειον ελαβεν περιτομης σφραγιδα της δικαιοσυνης της πιστεως της εν τη ακροβυστια εις το ειναι αυτον πατερα παντων των πιστευοντων δι ακροβυστιας εις το λογισθηναι και αυτοις την δικαιοσυνην

¹²και πατερα περιτομης τοις ουκ εκ περιτομης μονον αλλα και τοις στοιχουσιν τοις ιχνεσιν της εν τη ακροβυστια πιστεως του πατρος ημων αβρααμ

The great issue was whether circumcision was the true sign of blessedness. This is already answered in Genesis – Abraham believed, and it was counted as righteousness. Thus Abraham is the example of all who believe, the example of blessedness, righteousness, and forgiveness.

Romans 4:13-15 – But through the righteousness of faith

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

¹³ου γαρ δια νομου η επαγγελια τω αβρααμ η τω σπερματι αυτου το κληρονομον αυτον ειναι του κοσμου αλλα δια δικαιοσυνης πιστεως

¹⁴ει γαρ οι εκ νομου κληρονομοι κεκενωται η πιστις και κατηργηται η επαγγελια

¹⁵ο γαρ νομος οργην κατεργαζεται ου γαρ ουκ εστιν νομος ουδε παραβασις

The argument may be clearer in the original Greek word order, emphasizing not through the Law:

Not through the Law was the promise made to Abraham or his seed – the he is heir of the world – but through the righteousness of faith. (Jackson Literal)

Romans 4:16-17 – Of faith, by grace

16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

¹⁶δια τουτο εκ πιστεως ινα κατα χαριν εις το ειναι βεβαιαν την επαγγελιαν παντι τω σπερματι ου τω εκ του νομου μονον αλλα και τω εκ πιστεως αβρααμ ος εστιν πατηρ παντων ημων

¹⁷καθως γεγραπται οτι πατερα πολλων εθνων τεθεικα σε κατεναντι ου επιστευσεν θεου του ζωοποιουντος τους νεκρους και καλουντος τα μη οντα ως οντα

To counter Justification by Faith, some fanatics have tried to make faith a work and to pit grace against faith, as if one cannot exist with the other. Quite the contrary is true in Paul’s exposition. If righteousness is of faith, then it is also by grace.

Romans 4:18-21 – against hope, believed in hope, not weak in faith

18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

¹⁸ος παρ ελπιδα επ ελπιδι επιστευσεν εις το γενεσθαι αυτον πατερα πολλων εθνων κατα το ειρημενον ουτως εσται το σπερμα σου

¹⁹και μη ασθενησας τη πιστει ου κατενοησεν το εαυτου σωμα ηδη νενεκρωμενον εκατονταετης που υπαρχων και την νεκρωσιν της μητρας σαρρας

²⁰εις δε την επαγγελιαν του θεου ου διεκριθη τη απιστια αλλ ενεδυναμωθη τη πιστει δους δοξαν τω θεω

²¹και πληροφορηθεις οτι ο επηγγελται δυνατος εστιν και ποιησαι

[1] Psalm 32:1-2

Let the Dead Bury the Dead

I received my first and only copy of J. T. Mueller, the Cliffnotes version of Pieper's Dogmatics.

Naturally I looked up Justification by Faith in the index and went to that page. That confirmed what I have suspected. By confusing Justification by Faith with the invented term - Subjective Justification - as Mueller does, people are allowed to draw erroneous conclusions.

"Oh, they mean Objective Justification equals the Atonement, so Subjective Justification equals Justification by Faith." But already, that innocent self-delusion is also self-destructing - two justifications.

We cannot escape the fact that Biblical justification is the declaration of innocence. So that delusion - quoted above - returns us to the original CFW Walther formula of universal absolution without faith and making a decision for OJ. See the Walther graphic above. The false teachers always include justification in their terminology, because they share the liberal Pietistic stance that every single person in the world is already forgiven and saved:

Objective Justification
Universal Objective Justification
General Justification
Justification of the World.

Are those teachers who promote OJ and SJ honestly declaring their agreement with the Chief Article and the Means of Grace? I think not. They are devious liars who lead people to and fro in error's maze astounded.

That is also why the clever clergy correct people who say Justification by Faith, insisting Justification BY GRACE! through faith. Check the ongoing essay about which term is used all the time, which one is used once.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

The Failure of Christian News Is Self Evident

Note the clever marketing for Schwan Foods.
Thrivent? Thrivent is all over LCMS and at CN too.

Lutheran News (the name of the non-profit) became Christian News to reach a broader base. That marketing move worked, because Roman Catholic conservatives and Babtist conservatives used the tabloid to reach their audiences.

The OJ advocates have a loathing for Luther -
WELS, LCMS, ELS, CLC (sic) - similar to Rome's.

Christian News was definitely not independent. Otten, the son of a successful painting contractor, played both sides of the issues, as he wrote in defending his profits from The Facts (sic) about Luther, that he "sold to both sides."

Nor was Otten independent. He had minders in each synod who made sure their scandals did not get out. If they did, the lurid stories were hidden on page 17 - like the Hochmuth arrest and child porn at WELS headquarters. So the synod leaders hated Otten (supposedly) and kept his publishing on a leash at all times.

Each LCMS Synod President - from Jack Preus to Matt the Fatt - campaigned for office through Christian News. I was at his office when John Johnson (Concordia, St. Louis) was flattering him and Otten was calling that new version of Seminex the "greatest seminary in the world."

I learned from CN that every church body has horrible scandals, except for the LCMS, WELS, ELS, and CLC (sic). For those members, heaven will be a big disappointment.
Missouri sponsored the Hour of Schauer.

Otten fluttered around about the Chief Article of Christianity and Church Growth. He had faint praise for Dr. Walter A. Maier, but his heart belonged to CFW Walther, BA. Otten never faced the truth of Walther's Pietism, poor education, and covering for Stephan's sex crimes. The myth continues and the blinded Missourians make the veneration of Mary seem rather tepid. The Great Walther answers every question! Just ask LutherQuest (sic).

Otten honored his long-time friend Kurt Marquart with a series of reprints, but the editor was eager to promote David Valleskey's Church Growth idiocy - We Believe, Therefore We Have Sneaker Services.

Marquat's criticism of Church Growth was doctrinal and devastating. Which side was Otten on? Marketing.

Pastor Herman Otten Died Today, April 24th

Breaking news - 2012 - when he retired.

Mark 2:1-12 Greek Lesson - Paralytic - Untiling the Tiles.
7 PM Central Daylight Wednesday

Parser - tells us the I.D. of the word

Lenski's Mark Commentary - download as a PDF

Lenski on Chapter 2 of Mark:
All the pericopes from 2:1 to 3:6 emphasize the Jewish opposition to Jesus. This feature has led some commentators to make 2 :l-3:6 a subdivision of Mark's Gospel. But Mark himself furnishes us a better clue to the division he intended to make. He closes the first subdivision in a ratiier unmistakable way by a sum mary view of Jesus' activity, 1:35-39; he does the same in 3:7-12 in closing the second subdivision; the appointment of the Twelve as apostles, 3:13, etc., un doubtedly begins the third subdivision. We deem it best to follow these marks which are introduced with such plainness by the evangelist himself. The hostility of the Jews that runs through most of the pericopes in the second subdivision lends its own characterization to these paragraphs while Mark still abides by his great theme to exhibit Jesus as the Son of God by means of his mighty words and works.

2 και παλιν εισηλθεν εις καπερναουμ δι ημερων, και ηκουσθη, οτι εις οικον εστιν

2 και ευθεως συνηχθησαν πολλοι, ωστε μηκετι χωρειν μηδε τα προς την θυραν, και ελαλει αυτοις τον λογον

3 και ερχονται προς αυτον παραλυτικον φεροντες αιρομενον υπο τεσσαρων

4 και μη δυναμενοι προσεγγισαι αυτω, δια τον οχλον, απεστεγασαν την στεγην

οπου ην, και εξορυξαντες χαλωσιν τον κραββατον εφ ω ο παραλυτικος κατεκειτο

stegosaurus - lizard

These could easily be lifted and afterward put into place again. The real difficulty lies in the removal of the support of the tiles. All we have to express this is the participle €^o/)v|avres. Objection is voiced to what is here described as •being altogether impossible, a mere piece of imagination on the part of the evangelists. But Mark has received the account from Peter who was present when the thing was done. Some object on account of the danger to those in the room below, but no one was hurt, nothing was dropped. The entire proceeding is so unique in every way that invention of the facts or embellishment of lesser facts are most certainly excluded. So the man was lowered on his (more common than, Matthew and Luke, or , Luke) right down in the middle of the room in front of Jesus (Luke).

5 ιδων δε ο ιησους την πιστιν αυτων, λεγει τω παραλυτικω "τεκνον αφεωνται σοι αι αμαρτιαι σου"

6 ησαν δε τινες των γραμματεων εκει καθημενοι και διαλογιζομενοι εν ταις καρδιαις αυτων

7 τι ουτος ουτως λαλει βλασφημιας - τις δυναται αφιεναι αμαρτιας ει μη εις ο θεος

8 και ευθεως επιγνους ο ιησους τω πνευματι αυτου, οτι ουτως διαλογιζονται εν εαυτοις, ειπεν αυτοις, "τι ταυτα διαλογιζεσθε εν ταις καρδιαις υμων?"

9 τι εστιν ευκοπωτερον ειπειν τω παραλυτικω, αφεωνται σοι αι αμαρτιαι, η ειπειν εγειραι και αρον σου τον κραββατον και περιπατει

10 ινα δε ειδητε οτι εξουσιαν εχει ο υιος του ανθρωπου αφιεναι επι της γης αμαρτιας, λεγει τω παραλυτικω

11 σοι λεγω, εγειραι και αρον τον κραββατον σου, και υπαγε εις τον οικον σου

12 και ηγερθη ευθεως, και αρας τον κραββατον, εξηλθεν εναντιον παντων, ωστε εξιστασθαι παντας και δοξαζειν τον θεον, λεγοντας οτι ουδεποτε ουτως ειδομεν.

Lenski

This is the great a^cats, "dismissal" or "remission," of which the Scriptures speak so constantly. In the entire Bible no sweeter word meets the sinner's eye. The sins are sent away from the sinner so completely That they shall never be found again, to the depth of the sea (Micah 7:10), are blotted out so as to be removed from the record (Isa. 43:25); are removed from the sinner as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103). This is what we usually call "forgiveness," and stronger descriptions of it cannot be found. Only God is able to send our sins away in this manner.

Creation Lessons - Short Versions

Salatin is the Lunatic Farmer, using chickens to feed themselves from newly grazed and heavily manured pasture. The chicken house is moved all the time, just like the cows.

Sassy and I ventured out to see the world this morning. She saw the father of a favorite. He grinned at her until she was close enough for petting. She trotted faster when she noticed him.

The rose garden is a three-dimensional vision, with most of the plants leafing out, growing stronger, showing the results of a winter well spent in root extensions.

Carbon Cowboys use cover crops to harness the rain, to avoid drying up and flooding.

Where does this harmony, design, engineering, and management come from?

Below are some positive lessons learned about Creation Gardening and the sources.

Aim for earthworms with organic matter and composting. Rodale and earlier pioneers, English of course.
Compost on the surface will be pulled down as needed. English writer - Shewell-Cooper.
Mulch is little more than organic matter spread around for good effect, composting on the spot, blocking weeds, holding in rain. Ruth Stout.
Roses and other favorites enjoy companion plants (roses - garlic) so a mixed planting works very well.
The biggest positive factor in the soil is the growth of fungal strands, which should not be broken up by rototilling, plowing, and general mischief. Though earthworms are important in measuring fertility, soil health depends on avoiding toxins and ending the osterizing of soil. The foundation is microbial - fungus, bacteria, protozoa, etc.
I knew most insects were beneficial so I never cared for garden pesticides. Jessica Walliser wrote the book on matching ordinary plain Jane plants with the beneficial bugs they attract.
Gardening anecdotes are fun to read, long lasting in my memory, and beneficial. A Blessing of Toads is essential reading for Creation Gardeners.
Carbon Cowboys taught me about deep-rooted plants contributing to rain conservation, soil fertility, and beneficial bug production. "A living root should be left in the ground as long as possible." The bucket challenge is pouring a five gallon bucket of water on an established deep-rooted plant. It goes down like it is a drain in a sloped parking lot. Try that on a new plant - goodbye plant.
Lunatic Farming illustrated many new ways to renew the soil, harness God's creatures to do mutually beneficial work, and improve nutrition all around.
Norma A. Boeckler is a gardening artist, where her illustrations are often adorned with flowers, and her garden looks like a painting. That has to be seen to be appreciated.

Now I buy plants with bugs in mind, beneficial bugs.

Norma Boeckler is the Monet of gardening, planting and painting beauty - and writing about it.

This book helps explain why gardening center supplies stink and the garden smells heavenly.

Romans, Part 1 - The Path To Understanding Justification

Romans – The Central Doctrinal Epistle

Paul’s Epistle to the Romans is not the first work written by him but the most important of his doctrinal letters. Just as the doctrinal Gospel of John is a handy book for heretics, so is this epistle cited but lightly studied by the furtive Pietists and closet Universalists.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

¹⁶ου γαρ επαισχυνομαι το ευαγγελιον του χριστου δυναμις γαρ θεου εστιν εις σωτηριαν παντι τω πιστευοντι ιουδαιω τε πρωτον και ελληνι

¹⁷δικαιοσυνη γαρ θεου εν αυτω αποκαλυπτεται εκ πιστεως εις πιστιν καθως γεγραπται ο δε δικαιος εκ πιστεως ζησεται

While District President Buchholz and WELS have declared that everyone is saved, regardless of faith, following WELS Professor JP Meyer, Paul teaches clearly that the Gospel is the efficacious power of God for salvation for everyone who believes. Everyone is modified by believers, or more accurately, Paul’s emphasizes all believers, not limiting the kind or quality or worthiness of the believers. This salvation is revealed as from faith to faith.

The first three chapters of Romans eliminate all arguments for salvation through the Law, whether it is based on the Old Testament or man’s own moral law. What follows this brilliant and clear argument is the answer already given in Romans 1:16-17.

Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

22 δικαιοσυνη δε θεου δια πιστεως ιησου χριστου εις παντας και επι παντας τους πιστευοντας ου γαρ εστιν διαστολη

Readers should consider the precise translation of the KJV above and the unusual construction, by faith of Jesus Christ, which also appears in Galatians and Philippians. Did Jesus have faith? His human nature is often neglected when speaking of His divine nature. His human nature means He was tempted and angered, that He was hungry and thirsted. His sermons in the Gospel of John constantly refer to His glorifying the Father. To go steadfastly toward Jerusalem, toward His death, He also had faith that the terrible days ahead were for mankind and walked there in obedience to the Father’s will.

The righteousness of God comes to us only by faith of Jesus, as Paul wrote earlier, from faith to faith. Jesus as Peter was not the rock, nor was his faith the rock on which the Church would be built, so the faith communicated to us is the faith of Jesus, and not the faith of the apostles.

Some want to build a little fort on Romans 3:23-25, which reveals the lack of reading comprehension in modern seminary graduates.

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

The word for redemption used here means “a release effected by payment of a ransom.” The word for propitiation means “a sin offering,” so both refer to the Atonement described in Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22. Neither term teaches that everyone in the world was forgiven and saved, as some claim, because the terms apply to what Jesus did. Teaching the Atonement, which was always central to the Apostles, is the Gospel, because God willed and accomplished this without man’s cooperation and before humankind could imagine what it meant. To be justified freely does not mean the entire world, regardless of faith. Certain sects connect “freely” and “by grace” to the whole world – apart from faith, and many – but not all – are Calvinists.

The sectarian approach is to isolate a verse, part of a verse, or a few verses to shape their little group, to the exclusion of the rest of the Scriptures. Although the books of the Bible were not numbered by chapter and verse until later, the sections show clear themes and transitions. Those writers were not so daft that they did not know how to do this with common Greek words bridging those sections. These three verses (23-25) are followed immediately by this great statement:

Roman 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

²⁶εν τη ανοχη του θεου προς ενδειξιν της δικαιοσυνης αυτου εν τω νυν καιρω εις το ειναι αυτον δικαιον και δικαιουντα τον εκ πιστεως ιησου ²⁷που ουν η καυχησις εξεκλεισθη δια ποιου νομου των εργων ουχι αλλα δια νομου πιστεως ²⁸λογιζομεθα ουν πιστει δικαιουσθαι ανθρωπον χωρις εργων νομου

λογιζομεθα ουν – Therefore we conclude…

The verb translated “conclude” in verse 28 is a pesky one for the false teachers, because it connects Romans 4 to Genesis 15:6, and transitions from this section to the central argument based on Abraham in chapter 4. Paul used the futility of works to teach Justification by Faith, which introduces Abraham as the central figure, a positive example.