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- Preaching
the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 - |
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DESCRIPTION OF THE
UNRIGHTEOUSNESS OF MAN (Rom 1:29-32) 12/3/06 Pastor I.
MAN IS DEPRAVED IN HIS
PRACTICES (29-31) A. Paul just told us in vs. 28 that man was handed over to a
depraved mind “to do the things which are not proper”. B. Those things, which are not proper, are not just referring to
idolatry or homosexuality. Paul lists for us other things that are not
proper, namely, all of man’s depraved practices (29-31). C. In fact, man does nor just slip up occasionally. Rather, he has
been filled and continues to be filled (perf. pass. part. - pleroō - “filled to the brim”)
with unrighteousness. And not just some unrighteousness but all (pas) kinds and every sort of
unrighteousness. Paul now describes in detail man’s unrighteousness (adikia - failure to meet the standard
of righteousness (i.e. God’s). 1.
Wickedness (ponęria) is intentional
ill-will to do evil (Lk 11:39; cp. Eph 6:12 cp. 6:16). 2.
Greed (pleonexia) is the
all-consuming desire to have and to have more of it (Eph 4:19, 5:3; 2Pe 2:3). 3.
Evil (kakia) is the
internal quality of moral badness or moral depravity (1Co 14:20; 1Pe 2:16). 4.
Full of envy (phthonos) is
jealousy over the good success of another (Mk 15:10; Gal 5:21). 5.
Murder (phonos) can mean
slaughter or slay by sword (Mk 7:21; Mk 15:7). 6.
Strife (eris) is selfish
rivalry and quarrels (Rom 13:13; 1Co 3:3; 1Ti 6:4). 7.
Deceit (dolos - to bait) is
treachery by trickery and falsehood (Mt 26:4; 1Pe 2:22). 8.
Malice (kakoetheia) is
ill-nature displaying itself in evil suspicion and spite (1Co 5:8; Tit 3:3). 9.
Gossips (psithuristęs -
onomatopoetic word to speak in the ear) are those who bear harmful scandal
against another (syn. diabolos -
slander; 2Ti 3:3; Tit 2:3). 10.
Slanderers (katalalos - lit.
speak down) are those who engage in speaking against someone with insults. 11.
Haters of God (theostuges) are
God-haters in the active sense in the NT. They are lovers of themselves but
haters of God (cp. Rom 1:23). 12.
Insolent (hubristęs -
excessive pride, 13.
Arrogant (huperephanos) is
showing oneself above others with an overweening pride (Jm 4:6; 2Ti 3:2). 14.
Boastful (alazōn) is
arrogantly presuming too much about oneself, a braggart (1Jo 2:16; Jm 4:16). 15.
Inventors of evil (epheuretęs) are those
who think up schemes of evil (Pr 4:16). 16.
Disobedient to parents (goneusin apeitheis) are those who will not be
persuaded to obey authority (Tit 1:16; 2Ti 3:2). 17.
Without understanding (asunetos) are those
lacking the capacity for moral insight (Rom 1:21; Ps 92:6). 18.
Untrustworthy (asunthetos) is one
who does not regard himself as bound by any covenant or agreement (Jer 3:8). 19.
Unloving (astorgos) is one who
lacks normal human affection for close associates or family; i.e. heartless
(2Ti 3:3). 20.
Unmerciful (aneleęmōn) is
one who refuses to forgive or reconcile another (Pr 11:17; Jm 2:13). II. MAN IS DEPRAVED IN HIS FREE WILL (32) A. Man is not only depraved in his practices but is depraved in his
will. B. Paul says that depraved man is fully aware (epiginōskō - cp. 21, 28) of God’s righteous ordinances
with their penalty worthy of death (physical and spiritual). C. Yet man freely chooses sin and its consequences because he
chooses according to his sinful nature. D. Does man have a free will? Yes, but only to the degree that his
sinful nature allows. Since man has a fallen and sinful nature, he gives
“hearty approval” (suneudokeō
- join in approving) to the sinful practices (prassō - pres tense, continuous action) of himself and
others. III. PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS A. Homosexuality is not the only sin that stems from man’s
depravity. The entire list in Rom 1:29-32 stems from man’s depravity and we
are all guilty of one or all of them. Therefore, man is under the wrath of
God (Rom 1:18) and the condemnation of God (Rom 6:23). Only by coming to the
Sin-Bearer (Christ) will one receive forgiveness and power to overcome sin. B. When God speaks of our sin in detail it is not because God is an
ogre. Rather, it is to tell the truth about man. It is necessary for God to
reveal our sin because sinful man naturally ignores and justifies his sin (Ps
19:11-12). C. The truth about man is not that he is basically good and makes
innocent mistakes from time to time. On the contrary, man is basically sinful
and chooses to sin because that is his moral fabric. Therefore, man is unable
to change himself or his society no matter how intellectual he professes to
be. Only by becoming a new creature is
Christ will things be made new and will man find a solution to his problems. |
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