Morning Message: Pruning The Olive Tree - Part 1

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "Pruning The Olive Tree" - Part 1

Written by:  Pastor Bob Lawrenz

The dogma’s of today’s church are sometimes a bit bizarre. Among them today remains the heresy of “Replacement Theology,” where the Church replaces Israel in prophecy. I say bizarre because of the scriptural evidence against it. It’s therefore quite strange. God’s promise is that all Israel is to be saved, and all Israel in this case means all spiritual Israel as we covered last chapter. Not necessarily the biological descendants of Abraham, but that part of Israel that followed the faith of Abraham. That Israel! 

This is also the heart of Paul, the evangelist to the Gentiles (Romans 10:1) with still a strong attachment to his Jewish brethren. As in the previous chapter 10 of Romans, Paul has mentioned it three times in this Epistle. The error of this dogma is clear as we read of Paul’s hope, and his practice of preaching in the Synagogues of the cities he visited. It is no doubt a clear result of being taught by the Holy Spirit in Arabian Desert for three years (Galatians 1:17, 18). Being led by the Holy Spirit, Paul clung to this hope. And now in Chapter 11, he goes more in-depth about God’s promise to His Chosen People.

This entire premise is based on faith-in-God, and His Word. This is the outworking of grace-through-faith in operation: Being given a promise from God, and waiting on the Lord, for His perfect timing to fulfill the promise. Waiting on the Lord might be difficult for those who get anxious thoughts. 

As we have seen in Hebrews 11, it might not be our generation that sees God’s promises fulfilled. The Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob didn’t see the fulfillment, and like the Apostles, they kept the faith, knowing and having experienced His faithfulness to His Word.

Therefore, we know having seen God’s work in our own lives, that He will be faithful to all His children; to the Jews first, and also to the Gentiles.

Heaven awaits for those of faith.

From Revelation 7:4 - 

“And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”

Bobservations Column: Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Romans 11:1-17 - "Pruning The Olive Tree" - Part 1

Having considered Israel’s past and God’s sovereign purpose in Romans 9, and then Israel’s present situation and God’s continued patience in chapter 10, one crucial question remains: Is God done with Israel? Has he rejected his people for good? This is what Paul begins to address in chapter 11 as he focuses on Israel’s future and God’s glorious design.

Paul begins Romans 11 by setting the record straight—God has not rejected Israel.  The Church has not replaced Israel.  After all, Paul himself is a Jew. Just as in 1 Kings 19:9-18, when God told Elijah that He was keeping a remnant (a small portion of a large group) of 7,000 men, God is keeping a remnant at the present time. The rest of Israel was “hardened” (Romans 11:7), having eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear (Romans 11:8). But what does that have to do with you and me? Everything, as far as our salvation is concerned. 

Beginning in Romans 11:11, Paul explains that through Israel’s unbelief, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Israel’s trespass means riches and reconciliation for the world and Gentiles (Romans 11:11-15). That is great news! Because of Israel’s unbelief, the gospel message of Jesus Christ—who lived a perfect life and died so that sinful man may live—has come to Gentiles. It is God’s kindness, His grace and mercy, not anything that we have done, that allows us to believe (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference: 

Cast Away (11:1) - To thrust away from oneself.  The form of the question in the Greek text expects a negative answer.  Despite Israel's disobedience (9:1-13; 10:14-21), God has not rejected His people (cf. 1 Samuel 12:22; 1 Kings 6:13; Psalms 89:31-37; 94:14; Isaiah 49:15: 54:1-10; Jeremiah 33:19-26).

God Forbid (11:1) - The strongest form of negation in the Greek.

Which He Foreknew (11:2) - Israel's disobedience does not nullify God's predetermined love relationship with her.

A Remnant (11:5) - Although the nation had rejected Jesus, thousands of individual Jews had come to faith in Him (cf. Acts 2:41; 4:4; 6:1).

Election of Grace (11:5) - God did not choose this remnant because of its foreseen faith, good works, spiritual worthiness, or racial descent, but solely because of His grace (cf. Deuteronomy 7:7, 8; Ephesians 2:8, 9; 2 Timothy 1:9).

Grace . . . No More of Works (11:6) - Human effort and God's grace are mutually exclusive ways to salvation (cf. 3:21-31; 4:1-11; 9:11; Galatians 2:16, 21; 3:11, 12, 18; Titus 3:5).

Israel . . . That Which He Seeks (11:7) - In spite of their intense religious zeal, the Jews of Paul's day had failed to obtain God's righteousness (9:31, 32; 10:2, 3). 

The Election (11:7) - Those whom God graciously had chosen in turn sought and found His righteousness.

Were Blinded (11:7) -  By a judicial act of God (cf. Exodus 4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:20, 27; 11:10; 14:4,8, 17; Deuteronomy 2:30; John 12:40), in response to their hardened hearts (cf. Exodus 8:15,32; 9:34; 10:1; 2 Chronicles 36:13; Psalm 95:8; Proverbs 28:14; Matthew 19:8; Mark 3:5; Ephesians 4:18; Hebrews 3:8, 15; 4:7).

It Is Written (11:8) - The first line is quoted from Isaiah 29:10 and the last lines are adapted from Deuteronomy 29:4.

Stumbled . . .Fall (11:11) - The form of Paul's question and his strong response confirm that Israel's blindness, hardening, and apostasy are not irreversible.

Their Fall (11:11) - Israel's rejection of Jesus Christ.

Provoke . . . To Jealousy (11:11) - God intends to use His offer of salvation to the despised Gentiles to draw the nation back to Him (vs 25-27).

Salvation . . . Unto The Gentiles (11:11) - Something the Old Testament had long prophesied (cf. Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 49:6; Matthew 8:11, 12; 21:43; 22:1-14; Acts 13:46, 47; 28:25-28).

Riches of the World (11:12) - The rich truths of salvation (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 49:6; cf. 2 Corinthians 8:9).

The Fall of Them (11:12) - The refusal of the Jews to acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah and to be God's witness nation resulted in the Gentile church being given that privilege.

Their Fullness (11:12) - Their future spiritual renewal (Revelation 7:4, 9; cf. Zechariah 8:23; 12:10; 13:1; 14:9, 11, 16). Israels "fall" and "failure" is temporary (vs. 25-27).

Apostle to the Gentiles (11:13) - See Acts 18:6; 22:21; 26:17, 18; Ephesians 3:8; 1 Timothy 2:7.

My Flesh (11:14) His fellow Israelites.

Life From the Dead (11:15) - Not bodily resurrection, but the passing from spiritual death to spiritual life (John 5:24).  This phrase also describes the future spiritual rebirth of Israel (cf. vs 25-27; Zechariah 12:10; 13:1).

Firstfruit (11:16) - The first portion of the harvest, which was to be given to the Lord (Exodus 23:19; 34:26; Leviticus 2:12; 23:10; Numbers 15:19-21; 18:12, 13; Deuteronomy 18:4).

The lump is also Holy (11:16) - Because the firstfriut offering represented the entire portion, the entire piece of dough could be said to be holy, set apart to God (cf. Exodus 31:15; Leviticus 27:14, 30, 32; Joshua 6:19).

Root (11:16) - The patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Branches (11:16) - The patriarchs' descendants: the nation of Israel.

Branches Be Broken Off (11:17) - See Jeremiah 5:10; 11:16, 17; Matthew 21:43.  Some, but not all, of the branches of Israel were removed; God always preserved a believing remnant (cf. vs 3,4).

Wild Olive Tree ... Grafted In (11:17) - Olives were an important crop in the ancient world.  Although trees often lived for hundreds of years, individual branches eventually stopped producing olives.  When that happened, branches from younger trees were grafted in to restore productivity.  Paul's point is that the old, unproductive branches (Israel were broken off and branches from a wild olive tree (Gentiles were grafted in.

Root and Fatness (11:17) - Once grafted in, Gentiles partake of the richness of God's covenant blessings as the spiritual heirs of Abraham.

The Olive Tree (11:17) - The place of divine blessing; God's covenant of salvation made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-27).

Morning Message: The Only Way

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "The Only Way"

Written By:  Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Today, Paul’s expose’ on righteousness, salvation, and justification takes us into the realm in which faith operates. He wrote to the Ephesians in chapter 2:8 that salvation is by God’s unmerited favor (grace) through faith, and that faith is a gift to us from God Himself. Predestination and election are clearly involved, but there is no timetable as to when our minds and hearts are open to receive God’s gifts to us. It could be instantaneous upon hearing the Gospel, or a death-bed change-of-heart.

That indeterminable length of time is only unknown to us. God knows us; He knows how long it will be; He knows under what circumstances we will choose Him. Literally, He knows when we have had enough and have come to the end of our rope. In those desperate times and low points of our lives, it is only Jesus Who has arms long enough to reach us to save us. It was a few weeks ago that I mentioned Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Frequently, it is we that get ourselves into bad situations. It’s merely misdirected pride in our own abilities that we try things on our own.

But God, knowing when to intervene corrects our thinking. “I can do all things through Christ…” Our abilities are limited specifically to turn our expectations to the Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot possibly know the future, but Jesus knows it already. The trials become insurmountable to us, but the Angel Gabriel told a young virgin in Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” A virgin shall bear a child. Believing the words of an Angel of the Lord in a matter of faith. Undeserved favor, then faith, and the Savior was born.

Mary didn’t have to understand the “how” of the workings of God, she just had to receive the promise by faith. Of all the promises of God, we don’t know how God fulfills His Word, as Believers we just know He will be faithful to His own Word.

They say seeing is believing. 

But faith is believing without seeing. (Hebrews 11:1, 2)

Bobservations' Column: Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Romans 10:1-21 - "The Only Way"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

In Romans 10, Paul continues to explain God's sovereign dealings with the nation of Israel.  Paul's heart's desire is for the Israelites to truly know God through Jesus Christ, but the Israelites are rejecting Jesus as their Messiah. Though there were many factors that led the Jewish people to reject Jesus as Messiah, simply put, the reason is they did not believe in Him because they did not want to believe. It is the same reason most people throughout history have rejected Jesus as Messiah. It is not that they could not believe, it is that they would not believe. It is not that people need more evidence, it is that they do not act upon the evidence that they have.

Pride is also a major factor. We also know that the religious leaders at the time of Jesus were corrupt. Their leadership was indicative of the spiritual state of the people. Though the people went through the proper rituals that God had commanded, their hearts were not in them. They were not that interested in the truth of God.  They were not interested in His ways, but only their own. However, God decided before the foundation of the world that those who come to Him must come by faith in all humility. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up" (James 4:10).

Remember Pharaoh, in the last chapter, Paul used him as an example of the hardness of man's heart. The Israelites were hard of heart and so are so many of us.  Without faith, without humility we cannot receive salvation and the promises of God, including eternal life.  

The Israelites are a zealous bunch.  They had a profound sense of their own history and deep reverence and affection for the Law of Moses, yet their hearts were far from God.  Righteousness cannot be attained by strict adherence to the Law.  The Law was not an instrument to give righteousness (as the entire Old Testament reveals), but rather its purpose was to show us that none of us could never attain it on our own.  That is why Christ came, that is why Christ suffered and died and rose again.  It was Christ's sinlessness that atoned for our sin, and only He can offer forgiveness and eternal life through faith in Him. His perfection, His sacrifice. His work. His righteousness.  His gift of salvation.

God's master plan is beautifully revealed in the gospel message in verses 9 and 10 of this chapter. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

How thankful we should be that God keeps reaching out to them, and that God's heart is so expansive, that we (the Gentile nations) have been included in God's great plan of salvation. We will learn more about that in next week's teaching in Romans 11, where Paul explains that through Israel's unbelief, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Not only that, but that God is not done with Israel.  Talk about a loving God!  More on that next week. This week, it is God's desire that all should come to salvation through His Son, Jesus, for each of us, to believe, to have faith, and put our whole trust in Him.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference: 

Brethren (10:1) - Paul directly addressing Christians in Rome here.  "Brethren" is a term used in Christianity, particularly in the New Testament, to refer to fellow believers, emphasizing the familial bond and unity among Christians. 

Prayer to God for Israel (10:1) - Paul's calling as an apostle to the Gentiles (11:13; Acts 9:15) did not diminish his love and concern for his own, or his continual prayers to God (1 Timothy 2:1-3) for Israel to be saved (cf. 1:16; John 4:22; Acts 1:8), or his own evangelistic efforts toward Jews. 

Zeal For God (10:2) - Zeal without understanding!  Demonstrated by legalistic conformity to the law, and their fierce opposition to Judaism's opponents (Acts 22:3; 26:4, 5; Galatians 1:13 14; Philippians 3:5, 6). Israel's zeal is not driven by a true understanding of who God is or what He wants from them. Paul knows from experience the traditions the Jewish religious leaders have and their exhaustive knowledge of the Scriptures. To know all of that, however, and to not know Christ is to know far too little.

Ignorant of God's Righteousness (10:3) - Not only were they ignorant of God's inherent righteousness revealed in the law and the rest of the Old Testament, but also ignorant of their own unrighteousness, and the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. 

Their Own Righteousness (10:3) - The Bible’s standard of human righteousness is God’s own perfection in every attribute, every attitude, every behavior, and every word. Thus, God’s laws, as given in the Bible, both describe His own character and constitute the plumb line by which He measures human righteousness.  "Their own righteousness" was based on self-confidence and ritualistic conformity to the Law of Moses, and often to the less demanding standards of their own traditions (Mark 7:1-13). 

Christ is the End of the Law (10:4) - The Greek word translated as “end” means “aim or purpose.” Christ is the aim and purpose of the law not because He abolished it but because He fulfilled it: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." (Matthew 5:17). By fulfilling the law, Christ guarantees the imputation of His righteousness to everyone who believes.  Apart from Christ, no one is righteous (Romans 3:10). Faith in Christ as Lord and Savior ends the sinner's futile quest for righteousness through his imperfect attempts to save himself.

The Righteousness Which is of the Law (10:5) - A righteous standing before God on the basis of obedience to the law. 

The Man who Does Those Things Shall Live By Them (10:5) - Quoted from Leviticus 18:5. To hope for a righteousness based on obedience to the law requires perfect conformity in every detail (Galatians 3:10; James 2:10; cf. Deuteronomy 27:26) - human effort cannot attain God's righteousness by his own effort...it is impossible. 

Word of Faith (10:8) - The message of faith is the way to God.  God has clearly revealed the way of salvation:  it is by faith.

Confess...The Lord Jesus (10:9) - Confessing Jesus as Lord.  Not a simple acknowledgment that He is God and the Lord of the universe, since even demons acknowledge that to be true (James 2:19).  This is the deep personal conviction, without reservation, that Jesus Lord and Master of that person's own life.  This includes repenting from sin, trusting in Jesus for salvation, and submitting to Him as Lord.  

Believe In Your Heart God Has Raised Him from the Dead (10:9) - Christ's Resurrection was the supreme validation of His ministry (cf. John 2:18-21).  Belief in it is necessary for salvation because it proved that Christ is who He claimed to be and that the Father had accepted His sacrifice in place of sinners (4:24; cf. Acts 13:32, 33; 1 Peter 1:3, 4).  Without the Resurrection, there is no salvation (1 Corinthians 15:14-17).

Confession (10:10) - The person who confesses Jesus as Lord agrees with the Father's declaration that Jesus is Savior and Lord.  There is no such thing as a "secret" Christian.  Verbal confession of Jesus as Lord is a prerequisite to receiving eternal salvation, after receiving His imputed righteousness by faith. 

There is No Distinction (10:12) - Paul has been writing primarily to the Jewish believers in Roman churches, et he again stresses that the gospel applies equally to the Greek converts and, indeed, to all who call on the Lord Jesus.  

Calls on the Name (10:13) - Paul had been stressing God's electing sovereignty in Romans 9, but here we see human responsibility - both are true.  This familiar OT expression (Psalms 79:5, 6; 105:1; 116:4, 5) does not refer to some desperate cry to just any deity, but to the one true God as He has revealed Himself - a revelation which now includes recognition of Jesus as Lord and of the One who raised up Jesus from the dead (v. 9).

Beautiful ... Feet of those Who Preach the Gospel (10:15) - Quoted from Isaiah 52:7, It is the message of God News which those feet carry that is so welcome.

Obeyed The Gospel (10:16) - The Good News is not only a gracious offer but a command to believe and repent (1:4-6; 2:8; 6:17; Acts 6:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8; Hebrews 5:9). 

Believed Our Report (10:16) - From Isaiah 53:1.  The report Isaiah described was of the substitutionary death of Christ (53:3) - the Good News of the Gospel.

The Word of God (10:17) - The message about Christ - the gospel. 

Those Who Are Not a Nation (10:19) - This refers to the Gentiles, who are not a part of Israel, God's special, chosen nation. 

Disobedient (10:21) - Literally means "to contradict," or "to speak against."  As throughout her history, Israel once again had contradicted the Word of God - this time it was the truth of the gospel (cf. Matthew 21:33-41; Luke 14:21-24). 

Morning Message: Sovereignty

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "Sovereignty"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Lately on the media’s world stage of politics, we are confronted with the idea of sovereign nations. The Ukraine, Israel, China, and even the United States. With it, we have also learned the modern term, “Foreign Influence.” The meaning behind sovereignty comes from the French word, “souveraineté,” as a government or an entity becomes the sole ruling authority over itself and all that it manages in its efforts to control their own future and destiny. “Souveraineté” means “over rule.” It can apply to a nation, or a King, as a Sovereign.

Rome was sovereign over its own Empire, as were Egypt and Greece over their respective Empires. And in the Bible, we are introduced to God’s sovereignty over all that He commands. Ultimately, Rome, Egypt and Greece fell because they thought they were sovereign over their Empires, but they each fell because of their own pride, and their rejection of His authority. God Himself is sovereign over all the Earth, all of it and the heavens too!

Over-all means exactly that; governance over everything. God expresses it in our reading this morning, in Exodus 33:12 and following as Moses seeks God to lead him and God’s people on their journey through the wilderness after leaving Egypt. Admitting his mistakes, Moses acknowledges he can’t do it without God.

God’s grace upon Egypt was due to a special plan that God had in mind for His Chosen People. And when His Chosen were saved from famine and slavery, God’s grace went with them, and Egypt began its downward spiral into being a 3rd World Nation, primarily because they rejected God’s authority over all His realm.

He speaks of it directly as He addresses Moses in verse 19: “…I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will shew mercy.” To over-simplify His words, He says “my sandbox, my will.” This He speaks of for all the Earth. We have read how God created the heavens and the Earth. We have read that He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. (He owns the hills too.)

From Psalm 24:1 -

“The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”

Bobservations' Column - Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Romans 9:13-33 - "Sovereignty"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

This week, we are continuing our study in Romans chapter 9. If you remember last week, we read about Paul's concern for the Jews, his kinsmen, and his anguish over Israel.  These were God's chosen people who have not recognized their long-awaited Messiah, Jesus Christ.  Paul declares that God's promises have not failed but that God's election is based on His sovereign choice, not works or birthright by giving examples of Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau. 

This week, Paul reiterates God's divine prerogative in showing mercy or hardening hearts as He wills, as in the case of Pharaoh. We are challenged to grapple with the complex issue of God's sovereignty and human responsibility. Despite the seeming paradox, it reminds us that God's ways are just, and that salvation is accessible to all—Jew and Gentile—through faith. It is a chapter that encourages trust in God's sovereignty and a reliance on faith, not works or heritage.

Responding to potential objections, Paul affirms the justice of God's sovereignty, emphasizing that God, as the Creator, has the right over His creation. He cites the prophets Hosea and Isaiah to underscore the inclusion of Gentiles and the remnant of Israel in God's salvation plan.

Finally, Paul concludes by noting the irony that the Gentiles, who were not pursuing righteousness, attained it by faith, while Israel, who pursued the law of righteousness, did not succeed because they sought it not by faith, but by works.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference: 

Jacob I have Loved, But Esau I Have Hated (9:13) - Quoted from Malachi 1:2, 3. Actual emotional hatred for Esau and his offspring is not the pint here. Malachi, who wrote this declaration more that 1,500 years after their death, was looking back at these two men - and by extension the nations (Israel and Edom) that came from their loins. God chose one for divine blessing and protections, and not the other. The bigger issue for Paul's argument is that God made this decision based on nothing more than the fact that God has the right to decide. Is that fair? Paul will address that in the following verses.

Is There Unrighteousness With God? (9:14) - Paul once again anticipating his readers' objection to Paul's theology. Paul has just described how God chose to whom His covenant promises to Israel would be given—and to whom they would not be given. In the case of Rebekah's twins, God made this decision before they were even born. God's judgment was in no way based on either Jacob's or Esau's actions or birth order or parents. It was entirely a matter of His omniscience and sovereignty.
In the previous verse, Paul quoted the Old Testament prophet Malachi, who recorded God's words saying that He "loved Jacob" and "hated Esau" even before they were born. This was not a reference to the emotion we describe using the English word "hate" today. "Love" in Scripture is usually a reference to how one acts, and "hate" here is meant as a contrast to it. Exaggerated parallels were common in speech of ancient times (Luke 14:26). God simply chose to give extreme blessings to Jacob, and—relatively speaking—none to Esau.
Now Paul puts the question in the mouth of his readers, "Is that injustice on God's part?" By no means! But this naturally leads one to ask how is it just, then? Paul will address that in the following verses.

For He Saith to Moses (9:15) - This is quoted from Exodus 33:19. Since there are none who merit salvation, there are none who are fit (or who can make themselves fit) to be in God's immediate presence.  Therefore, it is entirely by God's mercy that any at all are saved, and He surely has the divine right by creation to show mercy on whomever He wills.

Scripture Saith Unto Pharaoh (9:17) - Quoting from Exodus 9:16. Again quoting the Old Testament to prove that God does sovereignly choose who will serve His purposes and how.  Notice that Paul equates the words "spoken by God" with "Scripture."  This pronouncement of God was written down by Moses (the Greek word for "Scripture" was graphe, meaning a "written document"), which gave the writing the authority of God Himself.  Note Paul's summary in 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Hardeneth (9:18) - It was said several times that God hardened Pharaoh's heart (Exodus 7:3,13; 9:12, 10:29; 11:10; 14:4).  But also, it was noted that Pharaoh often hardened his own heart (Exodus 7:4, 14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34). In some mysterious way, our human decisions (for which we alone bear responsibility) also play into God's sovereign will.  Not that God actively created unbelief or some other evil in Pharaoh's heart, but rather, that in His foreknowledge, God's sovereign will is accomplished.

Why? (9:19) - Really the objection is the fairness of God.  Is it "fair" to hold someone responsible for a decision which some other person irresistibly forced them to make? What do we make of this, when it comes to God? We might debate whether God really forced Pharaoh to say no, or whether He just unbalanced Pharaoh's emotions. We might point out—validly—that Pharaoh hardened his own heart repeatedly (Exodus 7:13; 8:15) before God stepped in to make that hardening permanent.  However, our limited reasoning does not matter, what matters is that God is God and He can do as He wishes.  Human terms don't apply to Him. He is all knowing. His thoughts and His ways are not our ways, they are higher and perfect and holy and true (Isaiah 55:8–9), He is in the position of Creator; we are not. 

Who Are You? (9:20) This is a good lesson for all of us when we feel that God has made a mistake, and we begin to ask Him why?  Why did you allow this?  The reality is that we don't have the right to ask Him, "why?"  He answered Job's pleas by reminding him of the fact of creation "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" (Job 38-40).  The fact of divine election and human responsibility are not fully comprehended by our finite minds, but scripture and human experience demonstrate both to be true.  We must rest in the truth of this, and act in the light of it.

Vessels of Wrath (9:22) - Paul seems to mean by these "vessels" all those who will not receive God's mercy. These are those who will instead be separated from Him forever in hell. These vessels—these people—are objects of God's anger. This is one area where theology and doctrine begin to take different views of Paul's meaning. Is God patiently enduring these persons until the time comes for them to be destroyed? Or, is God patiently enduring to make time for some to repent and be revealed as the "vessels of mercy" described in the following verse? Bible teachers disagree based both on translation and doctrinal beliefs.   In Ephesians 2, Paul refers to himself as having previously been a child of wrath: We "were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ" (Ephesians 2:3–5). Some take that, along with verses such as 2 Peter 3:9, as evidence for the idea that God's "patience" is aimed at mercifully giving some of these unsaved persons more time to repent. Either way, Paul seems to be making two larger points.  First, God is the Maker, Creator, and he has the right to make people to serve His own purposes.  Secondly, God endures with great patience even those who reject and hate him, those "vessels of wrath" who are destined for destruction. Remember, "...God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."  2 Peter 3:9.

Glory (9:23) - This refers to the greatness of God's character, seen especially in the grace, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness He grants sinners in Christ. 

Vessels of Mercy (9:23) - Those who have been saved because of God's merciful work through Jesus Christ.  

As He said...Said unto them (9:25-26) - Paul quotes Hosea 1:9, 10; 2:23.  Hosea spoke of the ultimate restoration of Israel to God, but Paul's emphasis is that restoration necessarily implies her present alienation from God.  In other words, Israel's unbelief is consistent with the OT revelation.

Esais also cried... (9:27-28) See Isaiah 10:22, 23.  Isaiah prophesied that the southern kingdom of Judah would be conquered and scattered - temporarily rejected by God - because of her unbelief.  A preview if you will, of Israel's rejection of the Messiah and her subsequent destruction and scattering. 

LORD of Sabaoth (9:29) - This OT title for God is translated "Lord of Hosts" and refers to His all-encompassing sovereignty.

Righteousness of Faith (9:30) - Righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. Paul's entire argument that God will show His mercy to some Jews and not others has been based on what he has written earlier in Romans. God will show His mercy exclusively and only to those who come to Him by faith in Christ. Up to this point in chapter 9, however, Paul has not anchored this argument to Jesus Himself. He begins to do so now.

The Law of Righteousness (9:31) - Righteousness earned by keeping the law. Paul is using a question-and-answer approach to sum up what he has written in this chapter. In fact, he's tying together concepts used throughout the book of Romans. He imagines an incredulous Jewish person asking the question posed in the previous verse and in this one. That person might have asked, "are you saying, Paul, that even though the Gentiles never pursued the righteousness of God by attempting to follow the law of Moses, that those who have faith in Christ have been given God's righteousness, anyway? Are you also saying, Paul, that Israel, who has pursued God's righteousness by attempting to live under the law for generations, has not succeeded in keeping the law and has not been declared righteous by God?"  Paul's answer to both questions is a simple "yes." He has taught throughout this book that being declared righteous before God comes only through faith in Christ. That status cannot be reached by following the law.

Why? (9:32) - The Jewish people did not seek to be made righteous by faith. They wanted God to declare them righteous based on their works, on their ability to keep the law. As Paul has shown throughout Romans, nobody can keep the law (Romans 3:10; 3:23), so nobody can demonstrate their righteousness to God in that way.
In seeking to be justified by their own works, by their own behavior, Paul writes that most Israelites have "stumbled over the stumbling stone." Paul will make clear in the following verse that this stumbling stone is Jesus Christ.

Behold, I Lay in Sion a Stumblingstone and Rock of Offence (9:33) - See Isaiah 8:14; 28:16.  Long before Jesus' coming, the Old Testament prophets had predicted that Israel would reject her Messiah, illustrating again that her unbelief is perfectly consistent with the scriptures.  That "stone" which caused Israel to stumble, the "rock" which offended their self-righteousness, was actually not and it, but a HIM.  He is none other than their Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Israel's rejection of Him resulted in God setting Israel aside and turning to the Gentiles.  This truth is also expounded by Christ in Matthew 21:42 and Peter in 1 Peter 2:8. 

Morning Message: Israelites Indeed

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "Israelites Indeed"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

The Apostle Paul’s conversion to Christianity was nothing less than astounding. From a persecutor of Christians, he became an evangelist to the lost. The heaviness of heart that he mentions in verse 2 today is due to the realization of how much joy his Jewish brethren are missing. It is the fulness of joy that Jesus leaves in our hearts. Paul tastes the joy in his own heart, while still reeling from being freed from the bondage that the Jews willingly place themselves under. It’s no wonder that he has a heaviness weighing him down.

Such freedom can be confusing at first, for we all were used to the bondage that comes from sin. But now, there is no priest hovering over us telling us how we must live to please God. That was the role of the Temple Priests. Now, it is not another human being telling us how to live, but God Himself. It is our Creator’s every word that encourages us as we learn how to listen to His voice. Paul now relishes in His conversion, with old things being passed away, and all things becoming new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The fulfillment of “The Law” was completed by Jesus, on the Cross. It was like a grocery list of things needed for living. And once everything on the list was purchased, there was no more need of the list being disseminated by Priests, for the “list” is now written on our hearts. Our Savior Jesus purchased our eternal life for us. The cost was His life, for ours (Colossians 2:13,14), and from that point on, the fleshly working of the Law was a moot point. Jesus became the mediator between His Creation and The Father. The priests could teach, but not dictate and pass judgment, for now there is mediator between man and God, and that the Man we call Savior, Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5,6).

Paul’s heaviness of heart is the empathy and driving compassion for sharing the Gospel with others that should be in every Christian heart, to let others know that Our God is a gracious, loving, merciful, and approachable God, who gave His life for us.

The ministry of Jesus’ Church is to prepare us to share our faith with those still trapped and under the Law. Such complete changes can be painful as we let go of old things, but the rewards of the new are heavenly.

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye are free indeed.” - John 8:36

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Romans 9:1-13 - "Israelites Indeed"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

This week we are in chapter 9 of Romans.  Chapter 9 starts a new section in Paul’s letter to the Romans. He had written extensively in the first 8 chapters about the non-partiality of God (Romans 2:11); that all have sinned and fallen short of His glory (Romans 3:26); and that Jews were in the exact same boat is the Gentiles, spiritually speaking (Romans 3:22, 29); that all are saved by faith not works of the Law (Romans 3:28).

A question about God’s faithfulness might arise from this kind of argumentation, so Paul wrote this chapter to address that issue. Has God rejected His own chosen people? And if God specifically chose Israel, and now says that they are no different than Gentiles, has He gone back on His promise? And if He has, can He be trusted to be faithful to the magnificent promises that were just declared in chapter 8?

Paul had just enthusiastically declared God’s faithful people to be overwhelming conquerors in Christ, and that no outside force could possibly come between them and the love of their Creator (Romans 8:37-39). And yet in the very next sentence he declares his “great sorrow and unceasing grief” (verse 2) for his “kinsmen according to the flesh” (verse 3), because they were “accursed” (verse 3) by God.

Israel was immeasurably blessed by God. The Lord had personally adopted them has His children, had shown them His personal “Shekinah” glory (Exodus 13:21-22; 40:36-38), established a unique covenant and Law with them, and most importantly, had brought the Messiah promised to the Patriarchs into the world, through them (verses 4-5).

So, does the fact that such a privileged people, hand-selected by God to give us the Christ, have now been rejected and “accursed” by God mean that God’s promises have somehow failed (verse 6)? The answer is, “Of course not!” The simple truth is that God chose Israel to fulfill His purposes, but He did not promise eternal salvation to each Jew unconditionally individually.

We will see the logic of this argumentation fleshed out in next week's teaching, but in today’s verses Paul shows us that not everyone who is a descendant from physical Israel can rightly claim to be a part of spiritual Israel (verse 6). There has always been a “faithful remnant” of God's people, even when the majority had disobediently rebelled against Him (consider 1 Kings 19:18).

Neither are all people called the children of Abraham just because they are physical descendants of Abraham (Matthew 3:9), or even of Isaac (verses 7-12). The point is that God chooses people in exactly the WAY that He does, and for the REASONS that He does, in order to serve His good purposes. And when all is said and done, only those who have been made righteous through faith will be saved by God’s grace and be considered his spiritual descendants (Romans 4:13-16).

Sunday Morning Audio Message:  

Key Words and Definitions with Reference: 

Conscience (9:1) - Only when the Spirit controls the conscience can it be trusted - but it remains imperfect, and its warnings must always be evaluated against the Word of God. (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:3-5).

Accursed (9:3) - The Greek word is anathema which means "to devote to destruction in eternal hell" (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:3; 16:22; Galatians 1:8, 9).  Although Paul understood the exchange he was suggesting was impossible (8:38;39; John 10:28), it was still the sincere expression of his deep love for his fellow Jews (cf. Exodus 32:32). 

Israelites (9:4) - The descendants of Abraham through Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel (Genesis 32:28).

Adoption (9:4) - Not in the sese of providing salvation to every person born a Jew (see notes on 8:15-23; cf. 9:6), but sovereignly selecting an entire nation to receive His special calling, covenant, and blessing and to serve as His witness nation (Exodus 4:22; 19:6; Hosea 11:1; cf. Isiah 46:3, 4). 

Glory (9:4) - The glory that God had revealed to them in the cloud (Shekinah) that pictured God's presence in the Old Testament (Exodus 16:10; 24:16, 17; 29:42, 43; Leviticus 9:23).  His glory was supremely present in the Holy of Holies in both the tabernacle and the temple which served as the throne room of Yahweh, Israel's King (Exodus 25:22; 40:34; 1 Kings 8:11). The glory of God is the beauty of His spirit. It is not an aesthetic beauty or a material beauty, but the beauty that emanates from His character, from all that He is. The glory of man—human dignity and honor—fades (1 Peter 1:24). But the glory of God, which is manifested in all His attributes together, never passes away. It is eternal.

Covenants (9:4) - A covenant is a legally binding promise, agreement , or contract.  Three times in the NT the word covenants is used in the plural (Galatians 4:24; Ephesians 2:12).  All but one of God's covenants with man are eternal and unilateral - that is, God promised to accomplish something based on His own character and not on the response or actions of the promised beneficiary. 

Service (9:4) - Refers to the "temple service," the entire sacrificial and ceremonial system that God revealed through Moses (cf. Exodus 29:43-46).

Promises (9:4) - The promised Messiah, who would come out of Israel, bringing eternal life and an eternal kingdom (cf. Acts 2:39; 13:32-34; 26:6; Galatians 3:16,21).

Fathers (9:5) - The patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, through whom the promises of the Messiah were fulfilled.

Christ . . . the Eternally Blessed God (9:5) - This is not intended primarily as a benediction, but as an affirmation of the sovereignty and deity of Christ.

Word of God (9:6) - This refers specifically to the privileges and promises God had revealed to Israel (v. 4; cf. Isiah 55:1; Jeremiah 32:42).

Not All Israel Who Are of Israel (9:6) - Not all the physical descendants of Abraham are true heirs of the promise.

Children of the Flesh . . . Children of God (9:8) - Abraham's other children by Hagar and Keturah were not chosen to receive the national promises made to him. No Israelite would have disagreed with Paul's example in the previous verse. He pointed out that not all of Abraham's children were included in the line of God's promises to Israel. Only those who came through Isaac were included. So, while the promise was certainly given to Abraham's offspring, it was not promised to absolutely all his descendants.
Now, though, Paul gets to the point of his illustration: It's not enough to simply be born "of the flesh" into Israel. It is the children of the promise who count as offspring. They are the ones who are truly Israel and will inherit God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Paul will build from this argument to describe the difference between these two groups.
This parallels similar statements made by Jesus, who pointed out that being a true "child," spiritually, is not a matter of biology. It's a question of one's spiritual state, and their relationship with God (John 8:36–39).

The Children (9:11) - Referring to Jacob and Esau.

Done Any Good or Evil (9:11) - God's choice of Jacob, instead of Esau, to continue the physical line was not based on his personal merit or demerit.

The purpose of God According to Election (9:11) - Paul wants us to understand that God's choice was not based on behavior, good or bad, since the boys were still unborn. He repeats that it was not because of their works. Clearly, God's choice was not because one was born to one woman and not another. And as the following verse will show, God did not make the choice based on their birth order.
Paul used the word elect in the previous chapter (Romans 8:33) to refer to all of us in Christ chosen by God to be included in His family through faith in Christ. Now he uses the word election to describe God's action in choosing one son of Isaac over another to include in His covenant promises.

Jacob I have Loved, But Esau I Have Hated (9:13) - Quoted from Malachi 1:2, 3.  Actual emotional hatred for Esau and his offspring is not the pint here.  Malachi, who wrote this declaration more that 1,500 years after their death, was looking back at these two men - and by extension the nations (Israel and Edom) that came from their loins.  God chose one for divine blessing and protections, and not the other.  The bigger issue for Paul's argument is that God made this decision based on nothing more than the fact that God has the right to decide. Is that fair? Paul will address that in the following verses.

Is There Unrighteousness With God? (9:14) - Paul once again anticipating his readers' objection to Paul's theology.  Paul has just described how God chose to whom His covenant promises to Israel would be given—and to whom they would not be given. In the case of Rebekah's twins, God made this decision before they were even born. God's judgment was in no way based on either Jacob's or Esau's actions or birth order or parents. It was entirely a matter of His omniscience and sovereignty.
In the previous verse, Paul quoted the Old Testament prophet Malachi, who recorded God's words saying that He "loved Jacob" and "hated Esau" even before they were born. This was not a reference to the emotion we describe using the English word "hate" today. "Love" in Scripture is usually a reference to how one acts, and "hate" here is meant as a contrast to it. Exaggerated parallels were common in speech of ancient times (Luke 14:26). God simply chose to give extreme blessings to Jacob, and—relatively speaking—none to Esau.
Now Paul puts the question in the mouth of his readers, "Is that injustice on God's part?" By no means! But this naturally leads one to ask how is it just, then? Paul will address that in the following verses.

Morning Message: Predestined For Change

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "Predestined For Change"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Today's look at the final third of Romans 8, brings us to one of the great promises of Jesus to every reader. Who would not want to have an assurance that everything will work out to benefit us, without the Lord’s backing it up. But this promise is spoken with two caveats: 1) that we love God, and 2) that we are the “called” of God, meaning we are His, called to do his will.

This will bring up the issues of predestination, election, calling, and God’s foreknowledge. Looking back to living at home with my parents, they never pressured me to make one choice or another. Yet they somehow knew me so well that when decisions came my way, they already knew what my decision would be. They didn’t make my decisions for me, they just always knew which choices I would make. Their intimate knowledge of me let them weigh the decision I faced, and compared it to my character. They simply knew me well. So well that they know what my decisions would always be.

The same can be said of God. His foreknowledge of each of His children allows our free will to work, and to make decisions. But He still knows whether we will choose light over darkness; holiness, over sin. And, that He also has the ability to funnel us into lives that glorify Him, is simply part of His foreknowledge of how we will respond to Him. This therefore, is election. And if elected to glorify God, that’s akin to predestination and God’s foreknowledge.

This is how I settle it in my own heart, and still come up with my own free-will choices able to direct me while God oversees my life, at a distance. Maybe you have a different take on these issues of faith. A simple trust in Him is also sufficient, for He is our God, and we are His people. He knows our hearts well!

Trust in the Lord with your whole heart, with all your mind, and in all your strength!

From Proverbs 16:9 -

“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.”

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Romans 8:28-39 - "Predestined For Change"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

As we finish up the eighth chapter of the book of Romans, it cannot be stated enough that in the book of Romans, we find one of the most profound presentations of the gospel message.  It is all about what God has done through His Son, Jesus Christ in order to make us right with Him. 

As we have been, and continue to study this amazing book, we are blessed with the clear knowledge and understanding of what we have in Jesus Christ.  If we are in Jesus Christ, there is no condemnation for us. None.! If we are in Jesus, we are now indwelt by the Spirit of God. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the action by which God takes up permanent residence in the body of a believer in Jesus Christ. He comes and lives within us. If we are in Jesus Christ, we have been adopted. God doesn’t just forgive us; he adopts us. He takes us into his family and loves and cares for us. Not only that, but as His children, we are His heirs, and joint-heirs with His Son, Jesus.  We will inherit everything that God has promised.

You have to admit, all of this is amazing.  Yet even with all of these great and precious promises, we can sometimes feel like our relationship is still at risk.  Life can be brutally difficult.  We go through plenty of hardships, sufferings, and tragedies that can push us to the breaking point.  But no matter what life can throw at us there is one sure thing... nothing can separate us from the Love of God in Christ!  God’s purposes for us and God’s love for us are unbreakable.

This week we are finishing up chapter eight in the book of Romans. We have learned that when God grips you by his grace, He will never let you go! No one can snatch you from Him, and nothing can separate you from His love.

⁠Romans 8⁠ is arguably the greatest chapter in the Bible. It begins with "No Condemnation," and ends with "No Separation." ⁠Romans 8:35-39⁠ is the closing paragraph of Paul’s argument for eternal security. The text starts with the last of a series of questions that cannot be answered. Each rhetorical question affirms the eternal security of the believer. 

In these last few verses of Romans 8, Paul says that God is working everything together in order to accomplish His purposes in us. He is at work in every circumstance of our lives with the ultimate goal of completing that work in us.

Paul looks around at anything and everything that can separate us from God’s love. He throws out every worst-case scenario out there that could threaten God’s love. Death will not pull me away from God’s love. Neither will anything in this life, nor cosmic spiritual powers, nor anything in time. No disappointment, no neurosis, no disease, no broken romance, no financial crisis, no mental illness will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. God’s love for you has no outer limit.

There is very little in this life that can’t be broken. Everything around us is fragile. But the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ mean that two things are true: God’s purposes for us are unbreakable. God’s love for us is unbreakable.

The reality and security of our standing with God rests ultimately in His character and decision, not ours.  Paul tells us in Philippians 1:6, "being confident of this very thing, that He who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the Day of Jesus Christ."  Praise God!!

Sunday Morning Audio Message:  Sorry about the delay, folks!  Sunday's audio message is now available.

Key Words and Definitions with Reference: 

Foreknow (8:29) - God's "foreknowledge" is much more than just knowing what will happen in the future, but its full meaning is beyond our finite comprehension.  It is evident that foreknowledge precedes election from 1 Peter 1:2, and that it precedes predestination.  The same word (Greek - proginosko) is translated "foreordained" in 1 Peter 1:20, where it clearly speaks of more than merely knowing ahead of time what will happen. God’s foreknowledge or knowing things or events before they exist or happen, is not the only basis for predestination. We know that His will and pleasure are also involved. God foreknowing and predestining reveals His sovereignty, but we also learn in the Bible that people are accountable for their choices (Joshua 24:14-15, Luke 10:42, Hebrews 11:24-25). The issue really is not whether or not God knows who will believe, but why some believe, and others do not. God’s desire is that all would be saved and come to repentance (1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9). He offers salvation to everyone (Titus 2:11), yet we know that not everyone will be saved.

Predestinate (8:29) - Based on this sense in which He "foreknew" us, God predestined—determined, appointed, or ordained in advance—those who are saved to be conformed to the image of Jesus.

Conformed to the Image of His Son (8:29) - The goal of God's predestined purpose for His own is that they would be made like Jesus Christ.  This is the "prize of the high calling" (Philippians 3:14; cf. Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:20, 21; Colossians 1:28; 1 John 3:2).

Firstborn (8:29) - The preeminent one, the only one who is the rightful heir (cf. Psalm 89:27; Colossians 1:15018; Revelation 1:5). 

Justified (8:30) - To declare righteous.  God declares a sinner righteous solely on the basis of the merits of Christ's righteousness.  God imputed a believer's sin to Christ's account in His sacrificial death, and He imputes Christ's perfect obedience to God's Law to believers.  The sinner receives this gift of God's grace by faith alone.  

Glorified (8:30) - Paul uses the past tense (as though it had already occured) for a future event to emphasize its certainty (cf. vv. 18, 21; 2 Timothy 2:10).

If God Be For Us (8:31) - God is “for” us in the sense that He is on our side; He is working on our behalf and for our good. He has proved His benevolence in that He has adopted us (Romans 8:15), He has given us His Spirit (verses 16–17, 26–27), and He has determined to save us (verses 29–30).

Freely Give (8:32) - This phrase means "to bestow out of grace." Paul often uses it to denote forgiveness (2 Corinthians 2:7,10; 12:13; Colossians 2:13; 3:13) and may intend that here. 

All Things (8:32) - In the previous verses, Paul has offered ample evidence of a comforting truth. The subject of this promise is any person who has accepted faith in Christ. As with the rest of this section of Romans, Paul's focus is on the effects of saving faith, according to God's plan (Romans 3:23–26; John 3:16–18).
This profound truth is that the creator of the universe is right now for us—for saved Christians—because we are in Christ. He is working out his ultimate purpose for us which is to make us like Christ. He has predestined, called, justified, and will glorify us.  God freely and graciously gives to us. The God who is for us, who loves us, gives to us all good things based on His goodness and not on ours. They are truly gifts.

God's Elect (8:33) - This is Paul's first use of the word "elect" in Romans. In the previous verses, he detailed that God predestined those He foreknew to become like Jesus. In this sense, the elect are the chosen ones of God, all those who are children of God through faith in Christ.

It is God who Justifies (8:33) - Who can successfully accuse someone whom God has declared righteous?  No one. 

Condemns (8:34) - To declare guilty and sentence to punishment.  There are four reasons the believer can never be found guilty:

1. Christ's Death
2. Christ's Resurrection
3. Christ's Exalted Position
4. Christ's Continual Intercession for them

Intercession (8:34) - Jesus had the power to accomplish so great a work as reconciling us to God, how much more may we expect that He will be able to keep us now that He is a living, exalted, and triumphant Redeemer, raised to life and interceding on our behalf before the throne.

The Love of Christ (8:35) - Not our love for Christ, but His love for us (John 13:1), specifically here as He demonstrated it in salvation (1 John 4:9, 10).  As believer's, we have a loving companion for life. And no matter what we go through, He is there, and His love is ever available to us.

Tribulation (8:35) - affliction, trouble, anguish persecution, burdened. The kind of adversity common to all men.

Distress (8:35) - To being strictly confined in a narrow, difficult place or being helplessly hemmed in by one's circumstances. 

Persecution (8:35) - Suffering inflicted on us by people because of our faith in Christ (Matthew 5:10-12). 

More than Conquerors (8:37) - To conquer is to be victorious over an adversary. To be "more than a conqueror" means we not only achieve victory, but we are overwhelmingly victorious.

Principalities Nor Powers (8:38) - This refers to the vast array of evil and malicious spirits who make war against the people of God. The principalities and powers of Satan are usually in view here, beings that wield power in the unseen realms to oppose everything and everyone that is of God.

Nor Height Nor Depth (8:39) - The original Greek word Paul used (hypsōma), translated as “height” in Romans 8:39, means “that which is lifted up.” In this context, the word refers to the inhabitants of heaven, understood as occupying the transcendent heights. Thus, height here represents everything in the world above. Similarly, depth (bathos in Greek) refers to everything in the world below, in the transcendent depths. The wording “nor height nor depth” becomes “no power in the sky above or in the earth below” in the New Living Translation. No matter how high we climb or how low we descend, nothing can separate us from Christ’s love.
The psalmist affirms, “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there” (Psalm 139:8). As believers, we are constantly enveloped in God’s loving care. We are safe, secure, and protected, no matter where we go, because nothing in all the universe can separate us from His love.

Nor Any Other Creature (8:39) - In case anything or anyone might be left out, this covers everything but the Creator Himself... Nothing can separate us from His love.