Day 335 Reading Schedule: Acts 20: 1-6, Romans 1-3

Acts 20: Paul's Revisit to Macedonia

[Summary]

This chapter records Paul's visit to the churches he had preached to and his encouragement to them. In this chapter, Paul gives a farewell sermon at Miletus, his last stop in Asia, emphasizing how he lived a sacrificial life before God and people as a missionary for world missions, thereby setting an example for future generations. In addition to describing Paul as a great missionary and powerful man, the author also emphasizes Paul's aspect as a church leader in this chapter. This chapter consists of the Macedonian ministry (vv. 1-6), the ministry in Troas and the saving of Eutychus (vv. 7-12), the departure from Troas (vv. 13-16), Paul’s farewell sermon (vv. 17-35), and Paul’s sending off (vv. 36-38).

Romans 1: The Gospel of Salvation and the Fall of Man

[Summary]

As in his other epistles, Paul first speaks of his authority, revealing that the content of this epistle is not his personal communication but a writing of divine authority written as God’s representative (vv. 1-7). Meanwhile, Paul had a deep interest in the church in Rome. He prayed earnestly to meet the believers in the church in Rome and tried to share grace with them (vv. 8-15). Paul mentions the function of the gospel, which can be said to be the core of the entire book of Romans. In other words, the subject of this book of Romans is how a person can obtain righteousness before God (vv. 16-17). Paul says that all mankind is under God's wrath, and that there is no other way of salvation than the gospel. Mankind under God's wrath betrayed God, served idols, and committed all kinds of sins (vv. 18-32).

Romans 2: God's Judgment and the True Jews

[Summary]

The apostle Paul rebukes the Jews for their religious pride and their judgment of others (vv. 1-5). Then he declares God's judgment on those who are religiously stubborn. Those who have received the law will be judged according to the standard of the law, and Gentiles who have not received the law will be judged according to their conscience (vv. 6-16). Meanwhile, Paul attacks the Jewish sense of superiority. He says that the Jews, who are examples of those who are religiously righteous, will be designated as the greatest enemies in heaven (vv. 17-29).

Romans 3: Salvation by Faith

[Summary]

Paul says that the fact that the Jews who call themselves righteous are finally judged and destroyed does not conflict with their religious privileges. Their destruction is because they were false and did not believe in God (vv. 1-8). Then Paul concludes that all people are sinners (vv. 9-20), and says that the law points out our sins and makes us realize that we are sinners who cannot do anything, but grace makes those who are conscious sinners believe in the Lord (vv. 21-31).