Romans 14:18
For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Word-by-Word Analysis
Analysis
The faith and obedience theme here intersects with the proper human response to divine revelation across Scripture. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.
Historical Context
The literary and historical milieu of Hellenistic epistolary literature with sophisticated theological argumentation shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of faith and obedience within the theological tradition of Romans Understanding a worldview shaped by both Jewish monotheism and Greco-Roman philosophical thought helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the faith and obedience theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
- What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of faith and obedience, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
- What practical applications emerge from understanding faith and obedience as presented in this verse, particularly in light of challenging cultural relativism with objective truth claims?